The United States urges Americans to depart immediately from 13 Middle Eastern nations due to serious safety risks. The list includes Iran, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Gaza, West Bank, and the United Arab Emirates. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the advisory, encouraging departures via commercial transport. Mora Namdar, Assistant Secretary at the State Department, echoed Rubio on X, adding 24/7 assistance numbers and urging enrollment in STEP for security updates from nearby embassies or consulates. The guidance comes amid heightened regional hostilities following Iranian strikes in response to ongoing tensions with Israel and US involvement, reflecting ongoing US immigration and foreign policy coverage.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed the Iran strike as a “gateway to peace,” not an endless war, and credited U.S. President Donald Trump for earlier breakthroughs. He asserted that joint action with Trump helped broker the Abraham Accords, four peace treaties with Arab states and argued continued cooperation against Iran could yield many more agreements and regional stability. Netanyahu emphasized that the conflict is not perpetual but a path to broader peace, stressing that Trump’s decisiveness and leadership were pivotal for Israel and the free world. He accused Iran for decades of aggression attacking embassies, attempting to assassinate Trump, and spreading terror arguing the regime seeks to destroy the United States.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards senior official Ebrahim Jabari declared the Strait of Hormuz officially closed on Monday, warning that any ship attempting passage would be set ablaze by Iranian naval forces. The closure, triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, threatens to choke approximately 20% of global daily oil consumption passing through the 33-kilometre-wide waterway. The strait connects major Gulf oil producers including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and UAE to global markets. Iran simultaneously fired missile barrages targeting US military bases across Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman. This marks Tehran fulfilling years of threats to block the strategic waterway, compounding existing global shipping disruptions caused by Houthi attacks in the Red Sea since 2023. (PC: Reuters)

Two Iranian drones struck the US Embassy in Riyadh on Monday night, triggering a fire and material damage. Saudi Arabia's defence ministry confirmed the attack, noting no casualties as the building was empty. The strike marks the fourth consecutive day of escalating hostilities following US and Israeli-led airstrikes on Iran, initiated after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has since retaliated with missiles and drones targeting Gulf states hosting US military bases. President Trump warned Iran, stating, "You'll find out soon what the retaliation will be." The US Embassy issued shelter-in-place advisories across Saudi Arabia. Regional airspace disruptions continue, with hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled across Gulf nations. 

The United States embassy in Amman said it has temporarily moved its staff out of the compound due to a security threat.   “Out of an abundance of caution, all personnel at the US Embassy have temporarily departed the embassy compound due to a threat,” it said in a security alert.   At the same time, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the Strait of Hormuz has been closed.   Brigadier General Ebrahim Jabbari warned, “Any ship that seeks to pass through the Strait of Hormuz we will set on fire.”   The waterway carries about one fifth of the world’s oil supply. Oil prices rose as tanker movement slowed. (PC: X)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK will not join US-Israeli strikes on Iran. He told Parliament that Britain will act only under international law and in its national interest. Starmer said the UK will protect its citizens and allies from Iranian missile and drone attacks. He allowed limited US use of British bases for defence. US President Donald Trump criticised the delay. Starmer said the Iraq war shaped his decision. He warned that bombing alone cannot bring regime change. An Iranian drone hit RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Hundreds have died since the fighting began.

European gas prices rose over 50% after Qatar halted production at its Ras Laffan LNG plant. The shutdown followed an Iranian drone attack, reports said. QatarEnergy confirmed the suspension. Ras Laffan exports about one-fifth of the world’s LNG.   Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed due to security risks. Tankers face delays and higher insurance costs. Traders fear supply shortages.   The crisis comes after US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Tehran has responded with attacks across the region. Experts warn that a long conflict could threaten global energy security and raise gas prices worldwide. (PC: Reuters)

French President Emmanuel Macron said France will increase its nuclear warheads and allow nuclear aircraft to be deployed in eight European countries. Speaking at the Ile Longue base, he called the plan “advanced deterrence.” He said it will support allies but remain separate from NATO.   Germany, Britain, Poland and others will host French aircraft. Macron said the world is becoming more dangerous. He warned about Russia, China and tensions in the Middle East. He also said France will no longer share details about its nuclear arsenal. France has about 290 warheads. Only Britain in Europe also has nuclear weapons. (PC: AFP)

US President Donald Trump said he acted on the “last best chance” to strike Iran. The joint US-Israel attack on February 28 killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family. Iran then launched missile and drone attacks on US bases and Gulf countries, including the UAE and Oman.   US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said America did not start the war but will finish it. The UAE condemned the strikes and closed its embassy in Tehran. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and expressed solidarity with the country. Tensions remain high across West Asia.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared in public hours after Iran claimed it struck his office in Tel Aviv. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said government and military sites were “severely hit.” Iranian state media claimed Netanyahu’s fate was “uncertain.” Israel has not confirmed any strike on his office.   Netanyahu visited Beit Shemesh, where an Iranian missile killed nine people. He offered condolences and said Israel targets militants, not civilians. Iran has launched waves of missile and drone attacks after US-Israeli strikes killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Fighting has spread to Lebanon, where Hezbollah and Israeli forces exchanged heavy fire.