Two drones fell near Dubai International Airport on March 11, injuring four people, including one Indian national, amid escalating regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict. Authorities said the drones crashed in the airport’s vicinity but caused no major damage, and flight operations continued normally. The incident comes as the war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel disrupts infrastructure and airspace across the Middle East. Airlines have faced thousands of cancellations and rerouted flights due to missile and drone threats. Rising jet fuel costs and airspace closures have created one of the region’s worst aviation disruptions since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Japan will begin releasing part of its oil reserves from March 16 as supply concerns grow due to the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the country plans to release 15 days of private-sector reserves and about one month of state reserves. The move comes as the Iran-US conflict continues to disrupt oil shipments through the key waterway. Nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. There are still no signs that commercial ships can safely resume sailing through the route. Iran and its allies have threatened to target vessels in the area. The G7 countries are also discussing the possible use of strategic reserves to stabilise oil markets. (PC: HT)

Three commercial vessels were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz after being struck by what officials called “unknown projectiles”. At least one cargo ship caught fire, with images showing thick smoke rising from the vessel. Rescue teams moved to help 23 crew members on board one of the damaged ships. The incident came hours after the US military said it had “eliminated” 16 Iranian mine-laying boats in the area. President Donald Trump had earlier warned Iran not to place mines in the key shipping route. Tensions across the region remain high. Iran has continued strikes in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, while Israel carried out fresh attacks in Iran and Lebanon. (PC: BBC)

Four people, including an Indian national, were injured after two drones fell near Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates. The Dubai Media Office said the drones were shot down before landing near the airport area.   Officials said airport operations were not disrupted and flights continued as normal.   The incident comes as tensions rise across the Gulf after Iran launched waves of missiles and drones toward several countries in the region.   Authorities said security forces are intercepting incoming threats.   Meanwhile, a precautionary shutdown was reported at the Ruwais refinery after a drone strike caused a fire in the nearby industrial zone.

US President Donald Trump has announced a new oil refinery project in Brownsville, Texas, and thanked Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries for a “tremendous investment”. Trump said the refinery will be the first new US refinery built in about 50 years. The project will be developed by America First Refining. Construction is expected to begin in the April–June quarter of 2026. Trump described it as a “historic $300 billion deal”. Company information shows the figure reflects the value of crude oil the refinery will process and the fuels it will produce over about 20 years. The refinery is designed to process US shale oil and support domestic energy supply. (PC: X)

Iran has continued shipping crude oil to China through the Strait of Hormuz even as the war with the U.S. and Israel has slowed traffic in the key waterway. TankerTrackers said Iran has sent at least 11.7 million barrels of crude through the strait since the conflict began on February 28. All shipments were headed to China. Several vessels switched off their tracking systems after Tehran warned it could attack ships trying to pass through the strait. Shipping data firm Kpler estimates about 12 million barrels have moved through the route during the war. Iran has also restarted limited loading at the Jask terminal on the Gulf of Oman, which can export oil without using the Strait of Hormuz. (PC: CNBC)

The United States is reportedly considering sending special forces into Iran to secure the country’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium amid escalating conflict in the Middle East. Officials fear the material, which is close to weapons-grade level, could be moved or used to develop nuclear weapons during the war. Discussions between U.S. and Israeli officials include plans to remove or neutralize the uranium if necessary. However, Donald Trump said the U.S. has not made a final decision on deploying ground troops. Analysts warn that such a mission would be highly dangerous and could significantly escalate the ongoing regional conflict. (PC: AFP)

Iran’s security chief Ali Larijani issued a warning to US President Donald Trump after his latest threats against Iran. In a post on X, Larijani wrote, “Even those greater than you could not eliminate Iran. Watch out for yourself, lest you be eliminated.” Trump had earlier warned that the US would strike Iran “twenty times harder” if Tehran tried to block oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. He also criticised Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and said he may not “live in peace”. Tensions remain high as the conflict between Iran, the US and Israel continues. (PC: NDTV)

Iran said it launched the 37th wave of attacks targeting Israel and US forces across the Middle East. The strikes were claimed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In a statement on X, the group said missiles hit Israeli cities including Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem. It also said US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq were targeted. Iran said two missiles struck Camp Arifjan. Iranian media said the strikes lasted more than three hours using “heavy missiles”. Kuwait has not confirmed the claim. Iran said attacks will continue until its goals are achieved. (PC: Moneycontrol)

The United States said it destroyed 16 Iranian vessels suspected of laying mines near the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route. The US military released unclassified video of some ships struck on March 10. The waterway carries about 20% of the world’s oil shipments. Washington acted after reports that Iran was mining the channel. However, US President Donald Trump said there were no confirmed reports of mines in the strait. Iran earlier warned it could block regional oil exports and said it would not allow “even a single liter” to reach its enemies. Fighting has intensified as the war entered its eleventh day.