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Cuba also says it is removing impediments to US businesses and other foreign investors.

Asked which of the four living ex-presidents had supposedly praised his chaotic war effort, Trump only said: ‘I can’t tell you that’

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Drone intercepted in Kuwait; loud booms reported in Doha Kuwait’s National Guard on Tuesday said its forces shot down a drone as part of “ongoing efforts to enhance security, protect vital sites and confront any potential threats.” In Qatar, authorities issued a public safety alert after loud “booms” were reported in the capital, Doha. Residents were urged to remain indoors and avoid windows, glass facades and exposed areas until the threat had passed.

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Report: IRGC's Basij force base hit as explosions rock Tehran Several explosions were reported across Tehran, including a massive blast in the Andarzgoo neighbourhood near the city’s downtown, according to the Voice of America’s Persian-language service. VOA Persian also reported an attack on a "base for the IRGC paramilitary Basij force in the Kamraniyeh neighbourhood" early Tuesday. Earlier, an Al Jazeera correspondent in Tehran said multiple explosions were heard across the Iranian capital.

By Alexander Cornwell and Jonathan Landay March 17 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump accused some Western allies of ingratitude after several countries rebuffed his demand to send warships to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran continued to target oil facilities in the Gulf. The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is in its third week with no end in sight. The critical Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas flow, remains largely closed off, raising energy prices and fears of inflation.

As War With Iran Hurts Oil Prices, U.S. Turns to Iranian Boats for Help  The New York Times

This blog is closed Continued from previous post: Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, has said she has no immediate plans to send her country’s maritime self-defence forces to help protect tanker traffic in the strait of Homuz. We have not made any decisions whatsoever about dispatching escort ships. We are continuing to examine what Japan can do independently and what can be done ⁠within the legal framework. I would like to ⁠engage in solid discussions based on Japan’s views and position regarding the need for early de-escalation. Continue reading...

SYDNEY, March 17 (Reuters) - The two players from the Iranian women's soccer squad who chose to remain in Australia after seeking asylum have been pictured training with a local A-League club as they begin their new lives in the country. Midfielder Fatemeh Pasandideh and defender Atefeh Ramezanizadeh were among seven members of Iran's delegation granted humanitarian visas amid fears of possible persecution if they returned home after competing in the women’s Asian Cup in Australia.

By Jonathan Landay, Phil Stewart and Erin Banco WASHINGTON, March 16 (Reuters) - President Donald Trump was warned that attacking Iran could trigger retaliation against U.S. Gulf allies despite his claims on Monday that Tehran's reaction came as a surprise, said a U.S. official and two sources familiar with U.S. intelligence reports. Pre-war intelligence assessments did not say that Iran’s response was "a guarantee, but it certainly was on the list of potential outcomes," said one source, who like the other two requested anonymity to discuss the issue.

British maritime authority reports tanker hit near Fujairah British maritime authority on Tuesday said a tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile while docked about 23 nautical miles east of Fujairah. The authority said the vessel sustained minor structural damage but reported no injuries among the crew. Earlier, fire broke out at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone in the United Arab Emirates after drones targeted the site.

Palestinian activist Leqaa Kordia was released from an ICE detention facility in Texas after a year in custody.

By Kanishka Singh and Mike Scarcella WASHINGTON, March 16 (Reuters) - A federal jury in Los Angeles convicted a former Syrian government official, who headed the Damascus Central Prison under the government of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, of torture, the U.S. Justice Department said on Monday. Samir Ousman Alsheikh, 73, was convicted on one count of conspiracy to commit torture and three counts of torture for his involvement in the torture of prisoners at Adra Prison as it is colloquially known, in Damascus,the Justice Department said in a statement.

TAIPEI, March 17 (Reuters) - Taiwan Defence Minister Wellington Koo on Tuesday said he believed the U.S.' internal review process for the sale of a second package of arms to the island is proceeding on schedule. A major U.S. arms package for Taiwan worth about $14 billion that includes advanced interceptor missiles is ready for President Donald Trump's approval and could be signed after his upcoming trip to China, Reuters reported last week, citing sources briefed on the discussion.

BAGHDAD, March 17 (Reuters) - Rockets and at least five drones were launched at the U.S. embassy in Baghdad early on Tuesday from areas around the city, Iraqi security sources said, describing the attack as the most intense since the start of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. A Reuters witness saw at least three drones heading in the direction of the embassy. The C-RAM air defence system shot down two of them while a third struck inside the embassy compound, from which fire and smoke could be seen rising, the witness said.

A spokesperson for Iran's Central Headquarters said wars are decided on the battlefield, not social media.

South Korea warns of 'worst-case scenario' on energy South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warned that the worst-case energy scenario must be considered if the Middle East conflict continues, calling for diplomatic efforts to secure stable alternative energy sources. Speaking in a televised address, Lee said South Korea may consider limiting energy exports if necessary and urged the country to accelerate the development of renewable energy. His remarks came as Seoul also declined to commit naval forces to the Strait of Hormuz despite US calls for allied support.

KABUL, March 17 (Reuters) - At least 400 people were killed and 250 injured in an air strike by Pakistan on a drug users rehabilitation hospital in the Afghan capital of Kabul, the deputy spokesman of the Afghan Taliban government said on Tuesday. Pakistan rejected the claim as false and misleading and said it "precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure" on Monday night. (Reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar; Writing by YP Rajesh; Editing by Christopher Cushing)

Fire erupts at UAE's Fujairah oil zone after drone strike A fire broke out at the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone in the United Arab Emirates after the site was targeted by drones, according to the Fujairah government’s media office. Officials said there were no casualties from the attack and emergency crews responded to the scene to contain the blaze at the facility, located about 150 kilometres east of Dubai.