Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has dismissed reports about the health of the country’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Speaking in an interview, Araqchi said there was “no problem” with Khamenei’s health. The remarks came after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed Khamenei was “wounded and likely disfigured.” Hegseth said the Iranian leader had issued only a written statement and not appeared in public. He suggested Khamenei could be injured and hiding. Iranian officials have rejected the claim. The comments come as fighting between Iran, the United States, and Israel continues, with missile and drone attacks reported across several parts of the Middle East. (PC: AP/ Reuters)

India has strongly criticised Pakistan for carrying out air strikes inside Afghanistan. The Ministry of External Affairs said the attacks caused civilian deaths and damage to infrastructure. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “India condemns the air strikes by Pakistan in Afghanistan's territory, leading to the death of several civilians.” He also called the strikes “another act of aggression” by Pakistan. Afghan officials said the bombardment hit areas in Kabul and border provinces, killing four people and injuring 15 others. Pakistani sources said the strikes targeted Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, but Pakistan’s military has not released an official statement yet. (PC: AP)

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said the war with Iran has entered a “decisive phase” as the United States and Israel increase strikes on Iranian targets. Speaking in a televised statement, Katz praised recent US attacks on Kharg Island, Iran’s key oil export hub. The conflict began on February 28 after US and Israeli forces launched large airstrikes on Iranian military sites. Iran later responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and US-linked bases in the region. Reports say more than 1,500 people have been killed in Iran so far. In Israel, about 10 to 13 people have died in Iranian missile strikes. (PC: Reuters)

At least 15 people were killed after an air attack hit a factory in Iran’s central city of Isfahan, reports said on Saturday. The strike came as the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran continues to escalate. US President Donald Trump urged countries including the UK, China, France, Japan, and South Korea to send warships to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open. The key waterway carries about 20% of global oil shipments. Meanwhile, missiles and drones were reported across the Middle East, including attacks near the US Embassy in Baghdad. Global oil prices have risen sharply due to the ongoing conflict.

US President Donald Trump has urged the UK and other allied nations to send ships to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US would soon make the key shipping route “open, safe, and free.” The call came after several attacks on vessels in the region during the ongoing conflict with Iran. The UK Maritime Trade Operations said 16 ships have been attacked in the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman since the war began. Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to keep blocking the strait. The waterway carries about 20% of global oil shipments.

The United States launched large air strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island, destroying more than 90 military targets, the US Central Command said on Saturday. The attacks hit naval mine storage sites, missile bunkers, and other military facilities. Kharg Island is Iran’s main oil export hub in the Persian Gulf. US officials said oil infrastructure on the island was not targeted. President Donald Trump warned Iran to stop attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. He said the strikes destroyed major military sites. Iran confirmed its oil facilities were not damaged. The conflict has disrupted global oil supplies and pushed prices higher worldwide.

Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said India did everything possible after the Iranian warship IRIS Dena was sunk by a US submarine near Sri Lanka. The frigate was returning from a naval exercise in Visakhapatnam when it was torpedoed on March 4, killing more than 100 crew members. Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2026, Fathali said the Indian government accepted Iran’s requests and offered support. He also claimed some other countries refused to cooperate but did not name them. India also allowed another Iranian warship, IRIS Lavan, to dock in Kochi. Some crew members of the ship have already been repatriated.

Two Indian LPG carriers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. The ships are carrying about 92,700 metric tons of LPG and are expected to reach Mundra and Kandla ports on March 16 and 17. Officials said 24 Indian-flagged vessels were earlier in the Persian Gulf, and 22 remain there with 611 Indian seafarers onboard. The government confirmed that all Indian crew members in the region are safe. Authorities also urged people not to panic-buy petrol, diesel, or LPG. The petroleum ministry said fuel supplies across India remain stable and sufficient. (PC: Reuters)

Iran has strongly criticised the United States and European nations during the ongoing conflict. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of asking countries, including India, to buy Russian oil. In remarks posted online, Araghchi said the US was “begging the world” to purchase Russian crude to control rising energy prices. He said the war had disrupted global oil supplies and created instability in energy markets. Araghchi also accused European governments of supporting what he called an “illegal war on Iran.” Meanwhile, the US has issued a temporary waiver allowing countries to buy Russian oil already loaded at sea to stabilise global markets.

A drone strike targeted a major oil storage facility at Fujairah port in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, forcing some operations to stop. Large clouds of smoke were seen rising from the complex after the intercepted attack. The strike came amid rising tensions in the region after US attacks on Iran’s Kharg Island. The island is Iran’s main oil export hub. US President Donald Trump said military targets there had been “totally obliterated”. Iran warned it would respond if its energy facilities were attacked. Tehran said oil and energy sites linked to companies working with the US could be “turned into a pile of ashes”. (PC: BBC)