Iran launched fresh missile and drone strikes on Israel and Gulf states on Monday, widening the regional conflict. Media outlets reported a drone strike on Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura Refinery, one of the world’s largest oil export hubs.   The Jerusalem Post said a “small and isolated fire” broke out at the site and was later controlled. Reuters reported the facility was temporarily closed.   Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the “tenth wave opened massive gates of fire upon the occupied territories.”   Iranian media also reported a strike on Salman Port, claiming it was used for US logistics.   Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the attacks. (PC: HT)

Indian stock markets closed sharply lower on Monday as global markets fell due to the Middle East crisis. The BSE Sensex dropped 1,048 points to settle at 80,238. The Nifty 50 fell 312 points to end at 24,865. Both indices had fallen over 2% during the day. Broader markets also declined. Nifty Midcap 150 and Nifty Smallcap 250 lost over 1.5% each. Reliance Industries fell around 2% and was among the top drags. Larsen & Toubro and InterGlobe Aviation were major losers. Brent crude rose to $80 per barrel. The rupee weakened amid higher oil prices. (PC: NDTV)

Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed at least 31 people, the Lebanese health ministry said. It added that 149 others were injured in Beirut and southern Lebanon. Israel and Hezbollah continued cross-border fire as the war with Iran widened.   Iranian strikes were reported in Bahrain and Dubai. An oil refinery in Saudi Arabia was seen on fire. In Kuwait, the military said “several” US fighter jets crashed. The crew were unharmed. The cause is under investigation.   In Israel, nine people were killed in an Iranian missile strike in Beit Shemesh on Sunday.   The Israeli military said it killed senior Iranian intelligence officials and struck the ministry headquarters in Tehran. (PC: X)

Thousands of Indians in the Gulf are seeking help as the conflict in the Middle East shuts airspace and sparks fear. Workers, students and tourists have posted appeals online. “I came here for a livelihood, but I am now seeking bomb shelter,” a worker in Dubai said. Indian students in Tehran said missiles are “raining here” and asked for quick evacuation. The Ministry of External Affairs has issued emergency helpline numbers and said it is closely monitoring the situation. Indian missions are in touch with citizens and advising them to stay indoors. No evacuation plan has been announced yet due to closed airspace. (PC: India Today)

More than 6,000 flights were cancelled worldwide on Monday as fighting in the Middle East disrupted air travel. Dubai International Airport was shut after strikes on the UAE. Flight tracking site FlightAware showed Emirates had 485 cancellations, the highest among airlines. Etihad, FlyDubai and Qatar Airways were also heavily affected. IndiGo was the worst-hit Indian carrier with 129 cancellations, followed by Air India with 28. Hundreds of flights were also cancelled at Abu Dhabi, Doha and Tel Aviv airports. Dubai authorities asked hotels to support stranded travellers. India’s Civil Aviation Ministry said its control room is working round the clock to assist passengers. (PC: The Indian Express)

Air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv on Monday as Iran launched fresh missile attacks, Israeli officials said. Blasts were also reported in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Manama. The attacks entered their third day after US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Several missiles were intercepted over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Gulf cities hosting US bases reported damage to airports and other sites. In Dubai, debris from intercepted drones injured two people. Bahrain and Qatar also reported strikes near key locations. The US and Gulf nations condemned the attacks, calling them “reckless and destabilising behaviour” and urging an immediate stop to the violence. (PC: X)

At least 555 people have been killed in Iran since the start of US and Israeli strikes, Iranian state media reported on Monday. The report cited the Iranian Red Crescent Society. Earlier official figures had put the death toll at just over 200. The conflict has entered its third day. The strikes began after joint US-Israeli attacks targeted key Iranian leaders and military sites. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks across the region. The United States has confirmed the deaths of three American service members. Fighting has also raised tensions in Gulf countries, with fresh strikes reported in the region. (PC: X)

The United Kingdom has allowed the United States to use British bases for what it called a “specific and limited defensive purpose” against Iran. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the move aims to stop Iran from firing missiles across the region. He said the UK was not part of the earlier US-Israel strikes on Iran and “will not join offensive action now.” Starmer said Iran’s attacks have hit airports and hotels where British citizens were staying. He said the decision is based on “collective self-defence” and follows international law. British jets have already intercepted some Iranian missiles in the region. 

Nearly 10 million Indians living across the Gulf are facing fear as the US-Iran conflict spreads. Families in India are glued to their phones, waiting for calls. “I started praying when I heard about the attacks,” said Asiya from Karnataka, whose sons live in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. In Dubai, S P Singh Oberoi said, “One can see drones and missiles in the sky.” Airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have shut after missile strikes. Flights were cancelled and many Indians are stranded. Authorities have asked residents to stay indoors as debris from intercepted missiles falls in some areas. (PC: The Indian Express)

China has said that US and Israeli strikes on Iran go against international law and risk widening the conflict. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it is “highly concerned” about the situation. It urged all sides to stop military action at once. Beijing said the security and territorial integrity of countries in the region must be respected. It added that the use of force in international relations should be opposed. China called for dialogue instead of war. The ministry said over 3,000 Chinese nationals have been evacuated from Iran. One Chinese citizen was killed in Tehran during the fighting. (PC: India Today)