U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States is “winning” the war against Iran as Washington prepared for what he called the most intense day of strikes yet in the conflict. The Pentagon said the campaign aims to destroy Iran’s missile, drone and naval capabilities, with more than 5,000 targets already hit since operations began. Meanwhile, the war has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route. Iraq is now exploring alternative export routes after tanker movement was affected by the conflict. The escalation has heightened global concerns about energy supply, regional stability and the risk of a wider Middle East war. (PC: AFP)

A growing shortage of commercial LPG cylinders is affecting hotels and restaurants in major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai. The crisis is linked to disruptions in energy shipments caused by the ongoing Iran conflict, which has affected supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz—a key corridor for LPG imports to India. As a result, deliveries of 19-kg commercial cylinders used by eateries have slowed or stopped in several areas. Many restaurants are struggling to cook meals and some have temporarily shut down operations. Authorities have prioritised domestic LPG supply for households, while industry bodies have urged the government to intervene to prevent large-scale closures. (PC: Reuters)

Tensions in the ongoing Iran–US conflict sharply escalated after a senior Iranian security official warned former US President Donald Trump to “be careful not to get eliminated,” responding to his threats of massive retaliation. Trump had warned Iran of “death, fire and fury” if it disrupts oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the day could see the most intense wave of American airstrikes yet, targeting Iranian weapons facilities and military infrastructure. The war, which has already hit thousands of targets and disrupted global oil shipments, continues to widen across the Middle East with both sides exchanging threats and attacks. (PC: X)

Iran has stated that any international mediation to end the conflict must include firm guarantees that attacks will permanently stop. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said a simple ceasefire is not enough and insisted on a “complete halt to attacks” along with assurances that such strikes will not happen again. Speaking to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, she said the demand reflects public concerns amid the ongoing war with the United States. Mohajerani stressed that Iran did not start the war but warned the country is prepared to continue fighting until the conflict ends with firm security guarantees. (PC: X)

A newly released video reveals fresh details about the deadly strike on the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran. Analysts studying the footage say the missile seen appears to be a US Tomahawk cruise missile, possibly aimed at a nearby Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval base. The strike occurred on 28 February amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran. Iranian officials claim 165 people, including many schoolchildren, were killed when the school building was hit during class hours. However, Donald Trump has previously denied that US forces were responsible, while investigations into the incident continue.

Australian navy personnel on a US submarine were sent to their sleeping quarters before the vessel attacked an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, reports said. The submarine later torpedoed and sank IRIS Dena.   Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had earlier confirmed that three Australian navy members were on board the US submarine during the operation. Officials said the Australians were not involved in the strike.   They were asked to remain in their quarters before the attack began. The move was meant to ensure they did not take part in the combat action.   The incident happened during the ongoing US-Iran conflict at sea. (PC: India Today)

Iran has said talks with the United States are no longer on its agenda as tensions continue in the West Asia conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the statement on Tuesday. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said the war in Iran is “pretty much over”. He warned Tehran that any move to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz would bring a response “twenty times harder”. Trump also spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin about a possible “quick settlement” of the conflict. Russia has pledged support to Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. The conflict has also shaken global markets, with Brent crude briefly rising above $115 per barrel. (PC: X)

Passengers and staff at Dubai airport were briefly sent to bomb shelters on Tuesday after air raid sirens warned of incoming missiles and drones linked to Iran.   A video filmed by a passenger showed people walking toward shelters as check-in counters stood empty. Flight tracking data showed several aircraft circling near Fujairah and Al-Ain during the alert.   Airport operations resumed about 30 minutes later. Sirens were also reported at Bahrain airport.   Earlier on Saturday, flight operations were temporarily suspended after a drone crashed near a terminal during an interception. Witnesses reported a loud explosion and smoke rising near the airport area after the drone fell. (PC: NDTV)

Mojtaba Khamenei has not appeared in public since he was named Iran’s Supreme Leader after the death of his father Ali Khamenei in a US-Israel strike on February 28. Iran’s state television recently described Mojtaba as “Jaanbaz of Ramadan War”. The word “Jaanbaz” means an injured war veteran. The reference has led to speculation that he may have been wounded in the ongoing conflict. However, state media gave no details about any injury. Some analysts said the term could simply be an honorific linked to his past service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. So far, there has been no official confirmation that Mojtaba Khamenei was injured. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump said he would accept the findings of an investigation into a strike that reportedly killed more than 100 schoolgirls in Iran. The strike hit a girls’ school in Minab on February 28, the first day of the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Iranian officials say more than 170 people were killed. Reports by BBC and The New York Times suggest a US-made Tomahawk missile may have hit the school. Trump said he did not “know enough” about the incident. “Whatever the report shows, I’m willing to live with that report,” he told reporters. The Pentagon said the strike is under investigation. (PC: HT)