UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain will not be drawn into a wider war over Iran. He said the UK is working with allies on a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Iran effectively shut the key oil route. Starmer said the recent US operation had “massively weakened” the military capability of the Iranian government. But he added that diplomacy will still be needed after the conflict. “There will need to be some sort of negotiated agreement,” he said, aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear programme and securing international shipping. Starmer said reopening the strait is important to “ensure stability in the markets”. He said Britain and its partners are preparing a “viable plan” to restore safe navigation in the region. (PC: BBC)

Saudi Arabia is offering some oil buyers an alternative export route as tensions affect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The kingdom has given long-term customers the option to receive April oil supplies from the Red Sea port of Yanbu instead of its usual Persian Gulf terminals. The move comes as the Strait of Hormuz faces disruption due to the ongoing conflict in the region. The strait handles a large share of global oil trade. By offering the Yanbu route, Saudi Arabia aims to keep supplies moving and reduce risks linked to the shipping crisis. (PC: India Today)

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday criticised the Election Commission of India after several senior officials in the state were removed ahead of the assembly elections. The reshuffle included Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty. The poll body appointed IAS officer Dushyant Nariala as her replacement. Banerjee alleged the move was done at the request of the Bharatiya Janata Party. “A Bengali woman, Nandini Chakraborty, was serving as the chief secretary. You are not merely anti-Bengali; you are also anti-women,” Banerjee said at a rally in Kolkata. She also criticised the removal of the state police chief and other officials before the polls.

US fighter jets have reportedly struck military facilities on a mountain near the Chabahar trade zone in Chabahar, according to Al Jazeera citing Voice of America. Loud explosions were heard behind the trade zone, the report said. More details about the strike are still awaited. Some unverified videos circulating online claimed to show a US jet flying over the area. The development comes as the conflict between the United States and Iran continues to escalate. The strike was reported near the Chabahar Free Trade Zone, a key regional transit hub. The port is also important for India’s trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia. (PC: HT)

Donald Trump warned NATO that the alliance could face a “very bad” future if member countries do not help secure the Strait of Hormuz. He said protecting the key shipping route should not fall only on the United States. Trump urged NATO allies to take a bigger role in keeping the waterway open. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil routes. Many global energy shipments pass through it each day. Trump said the security of the strait affects global trade and energy supplies. He called on NATO partners to work together to protect the route and prevent further threats to ships moving through the area. (PC: BBC)

A video of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordering coffee has triggered fresh debate online after claims that it may be AI-generated. The clip was posted on Netanyahu’s official X account to dismiss rumours about his death. In the video, he jokes about the claims while holding a cup of coffee and speaking to the camera. However, Grok, an AI chatbot developed by xAI, responded to a user query saying the video could be a deepfake and that no real event matching it was found. The claim quickly spread on social media, raising questions about the video’s authenticity. Israeli officials have not responded yet.

Flights at Dubai International Airport began gradually resuming on Monday after a drone-related incident caused a fire near the airfield. Authorities said a fuel tank close to the airport was damaged, forcing a temporary suspension of flights. Emergency teams quickly put out the fire and no injuries were reported. Several aircraft had to circle outside the airport during the disruption. Passengers were advised to check with airlines for updates. The incident comes amid rising tensions in West Asia. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia said it intercepted three drones over Riyadh and eastern regions on Monday, adding that the drones were destroyed before causing any damage.

Donald Trump has urged NATO allies and China to help reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, after Iran effectively blocked the vital oil route amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel. The closure of the waterway, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s crude supply passes, has triggered sharp disruptions in global energy markets. Major economies have begun releasing strategic oil reserves to stabilise supply and curb rising fuel costs. Meanwhile, global crude prices have surged by nearly 40–50 per cent as Iran targets shipping and energy infrastructure across the Gulf in retaliation for recent military strikes. (PC: X)

A massive fire broke out near Dubai International Airport after a drone strike hit a fuel tank close to the facility, briefly forcing authorities to suspend flight operations. Officials in the United Arab Emirates said Dubai Civil Defence teams were quickly deployed and managed to contain the blaze, with no injuries reported. The incident occurred amid the ongoing regional conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, which has triggered repeated missile and drone attacks across Gulf states. Authorities confirmed that some flights were temporarily halted as a precaution before operations gradually resumed.

A fire broke out near Dubai International Airport after a drone strike hit a fuel tank, prompting emergency response and temporary suspension of flights. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said Dubai Civil Defence teams quickly contained the blaze, with no injuries reported. Following the incident, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority halted flights as a precaution and diverted several aircraft to Al Maktoum International Airport. The attack comes amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, with officials saying Iran has launched more than 1,800 missiles and drones toward the UAE since the war began.