India on Tuesday voiced serious concern as the Iran-US conflict widened across the Middle East. The Ministry of External Affairs said the situation caused “great anxiety” for India. The MEA said nearly one crore Indians live and work in Gulf countries. “Their safety and well-being is of utmost priority. We cannot be impervious to any development that negatively affects them,” it said. India also “firmly opposed” attacks on merchant ships. It said some Indian nationals had died or were missing in recent days. One Indian sailor was killed after a tanker was hit near Oman. India called for “dialogue and diplomacy” and urged an early end to the fighting. (PC: HT)

Israel said it carried out overnight airstrikes on key leadership sites in Tehran. The Israel Defense Forces said it targeted the Iranian presidential office and the Supreme National Security Council building.   In a statement, the IDF said, “Numerous munitions were dropped on the Presidential Office and the building of the Supreme National Security Council.” It said the strikes were guided by Military Intelligence.   Israel said the compound is used to manage security decisions and oversee operations against Israel. It called the site “the most important and central headquarters” of Iran’s leadership.   The strikes mark a sharp rise in tensions after recent US-Israel attacks on Iran. (PC: X/IAFsite)

Israel launched new airstrikes on Tehran and Beirut on Tuesday, saying it targeted “military targets”. The Israeli army also said ground troops will “advance and seize additional strategic areas in Lebanon” to stop fire near its border.   In Saudi Arabia, two drones hit the US embassy in Riyadh. Officials said the attack caused a “limited” fire and “minor damage”. No injuries were reported.   The strikes follow a joint US-Israel operation on Saturday that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks across the region.   US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “the hardest hits” on Iran are “yet to come”. (PC: BBC)

An Emirates flight from Mumbai to Dubai made two sharp turns in the air after a missile alert in the UAE on Tuesday. The flight, EK501, was briefly held outside UAE airspace, according to Flightradar24 data.   The UAE defence ministry said air defences were engaging ballistic missiles launched from Iran. Live tracking showed the plane turning back toward Mumbai before resuming its route. It later made another reverse move before landing safely in Dubai.   The incident comes as fighting between the US, Israel and Iran spreads across West Asia. Several Gulf airports had earlier suspended flights due to drone and missile threats. (PC: X)

The number of people killed in US and Israeli strikes on Iran has risen to 787, Iranian state media said on Tuesday. The report cited the Iranian Red Crescent.   The military action began on February 28. It led to the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials.   US officials said the strikes aimed to weaken Iran’s missile and nuclear programs. Israel said it delivered “severe blows” to Iran’s command centers and Revolutionary Guard sites.   Iran has since fired missiles and drones at US bases and Gulf countries. Tehran also announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, raising global oil concerns. (PC: India Today)

India has started an evacuation plan as Middle East airspace disruptions affect travel. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said it is working with airlines to bring back stranded Indian passengers. On Tuesday, special relief flights by IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet landed in India from Dubai.   Airlines are adjusting schedules and using alternative routes to avoid restricted airspace. IndiGo also planned special flights from Jeddah. The government said passenger safety is the top priority. Travellers have been advised to check flight status with airlines before leaving for airports. Authorities are reviewing the situation regularly. (PC: News18)

A total lunar eclipse will take place on March 3. The Moon will turn deep red during totality. This event is called a “Blood Moon.” It happens when Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, blocking direct sunlight. Only red light reaches the Moon.   The eclipse will be visible in parts of Asia, Australia and the Americas. In India, the final phase will be seen around sunset. The total phase will last about 58 minutes. Lunar eclipses are safe to watch with naked eyes. Binoculars or a small telescope can give a better view. (PC: Unsplash)

The conflict between the US, Israel and Iran widened on Tuesday. The US shut its embassy in Kuwait indefinitely. Non-emergency staff were asked to leave Iraq. Consular services in Saudi Arabia were cancelled.   Iran targeted US military bases in Iraq, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia with drones. Amazon said two data centres in the UAE were struck, disrupting services. A nearby facility in Bahrain was also damaged.   Israel launched fresh strikes in Beirut after Hezbollah attacks. Oil and gas prices rose as supply fears grew. Several countries closed embassies and issued travel warnings as tensions increased across West Asia.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed Class 10 and Class 12 board exams scheduled on March 5 and 6 in several Middle East countries. The exams were to be held in CBSE-affiliated schools in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The board cited the current security situation in the region.   New exam dates will be announced later. CBSE said it will review the situation on March 5 before deciding on exams from March 7 onwards. Students have been advised to stay in touch with their schools and follow official updates.

Israel hacked Tehran’s traffic camera network to track Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a Financial Times report. Sources said Israeli intelligence accessed the system years ago. The cameras helped monitor Khamenei’s bodyguards, their cars, and daily routines.   The report claimed Israel used AI tools to study large amounts of data. This helped track Khamenei to a meeting where he was killed during missile strikes by the US and Israel. Cellular service in the area was also disrupted. The CIA reportedly had a human source who shared key intelligence. Iran has not officially responded to the claims. (PC: AFP)