News

Residents of Dubai and Doha, Qatar, awoke to the sound of explosions as air defenses worked to intercept new waves of incoming Iranian fire

IMO chief says naval escorts will not guarantee safe passage through Strait of Hormuz, FT reports The head of the International Maritime Organisation has said that naval escorts through the Strait of Hormuz will not "100 percent guarantee" the safety of ships attempting to transit the waterway, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. Military assistance was "not a long-term or sustainable solution" to opening up the strait, Arsenio Dominguez told FT. Boats manoeuvre around a tanker during a military exercise in the Strait of Hormuz by members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, on 17 February 2026 (Sepah News/AFP)

Iran says 10 foreign-linked 'mercenaries' arrested for espionage  Iran’s intelligence organisation in Khorasan Razavi said it arrested 10 suspected foreign-linked “mercenary elements” accused of espionage activities, Tasnim news reported. Officials said four of those detained were "spying by collecting information and the location of sensitive places and economic infrastructures".  They added that a core group of three suspects allegedly planned operations that were disrupted in an intelligence operation.

Iran's football federation is "negotiating" with FIFA to relocate the country's first-round matches at the World Cup to Mexico from the United States, citing the conflict in the Middle East, Iran's embassy in Mexico said Monday. Iran's participation at this summer's finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico has been thrown into doubt since the war began late last month.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said there is no appetite to expand Europe’s naval mission to the Strait of Hormuz.

Four killed as US forces, Iraqi militia exchange fire in Baghdad At least four people were killed in Baghdad as US forces and Iraqi militia groups exchanged fire, with multiple explosions reported across the Iraqi capital. A building used by an Iran-aligned group was hit in an air raid in the Jadiriya district, while drones targeted the US Embassy in the fortified Green Zone. Air defence systems intercepted several drones, though one struck inside the compound, with fire and smoke seen rising from the area.

Tanker struck by 'unknown projectile' near Oman, UK maritime agency says An "unknown projectile" struck a tanker off the coast of Oman, a UK maritime agency said Tuesday, noting there were no reported injuries. "A Tanker has reported being struck by an unknown projectile whilst at anchor," UK Maritime Trade Operations said in a post on X. "Minor structural damage reported. No injuries to crew."

After Australia gave humanitarian visas to seven team members, only two decided to stay - the BBC's Katy Watson explains what happened.

War in the Gulf Is Now Churning the U.S.-China Relationship  The New York Times

submitted by /u/aprettyp to r/worldnews [link] [comments]

Former Marine Brian McGinnis says Donald Trump is “wrong” on Israel and Iran.

Shares are mixed in Asian trading after a drop in oil prices helped send the U.S. stock market to its best day since the war in Iran began

Thailand talking to Russia over oil supply during Hormuz crises Thailand is discussing with Russia the possibility of purchasing crude oil as supplies tighten amid the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran, the country’s foreign minister said. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said Moscow had expressed readiness to sell oil, adding the government is seeking alternative sources to secure energy supplies. He said Thailand has reserves for 95 to 100 days but warned of uncertainty over long-term flows. Thailand’s transport minister said authorities would try to cap domestic diesel prices at 33 baht ($1.02) per litre as fuel costs rise, according to Reuters.

ISLAMABAD, March 17 (Reuters) - Pakistan has been the Afghan Taliban's closest friend for decades. It was Islamabad that helped give birth to the Taliban in the early 1990s – as a way to give Pakistan "strategic depth" in its rivalry with India. What's gone wrong? On Monday night, Pakistan carried out an air strike on Afghan capital Kabul, the latest attack in fighting between the neighbours that has flared in recent weeks.

submitted by /u/Kooolxxx to r/worldnews [link] [comments]

Venezuela is through to its first World Baseball Classic final and will play the host nation for the title in Florida.

State media in the United Arab Emirates reports that a drone attack sparked a fire at an oil tank farm in the emirate of Fujairah

submitted by /u/Skippernutts to r/worldnews [link] [comments]

Debris from interception sparks fire in Doha industrial area, ministry says Qatar’s Interior Ministry said a minor fire broke out in an industrial area after debris fell following a missile interception, adding that no injuries were reported. Civil defence teams were dispatched to deal with the blaze, the ministry said in an urgent statement. Earlier, authorities issued a public safety alert after loud “booms” were heard in Doha, urging residents to stay indoors and away from windows and exposed areas until the threat had passed. الدفاع المدني يتعامل مع حريق محدود في المنطقة الصناعية ناتج عن سقوط شظايا إثر اعتراض صاروخ، دون تسجيل أي إصابات.#الداخلية_قطر March 17, 2026

Trump says delay of ‘a month or so’ requested while key official insists move is not to pressure Beijing to help unblock strait of Hormuz; Iraqi officials say drones and rockets attacked embassy European countries reject Trump’s call for help to reopen strait of Hormuz How have you been affected by the latest Middle East events? Are fuel price increases making you cut back? More now on Iraq: the reported drone and rocket attack targeting the US embassy in Baghdad early on Tuesday came as a strike killed four people at a house reportedly hosting Iranian advisors, security officials said, pulling Iraq deeper into the Middle East war. The strikes came hours after air defences thwarted a rocket attack at the embassy and a drone caused a fire at a luxury hotel frequented by foreign diplomats in Baghdad’s fortified green zone, Agence France-Presse reported. Continue reading...