Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was injured in the airstrike that killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Iran’s ambassador to Cyprus. Ambassador Alireza Salarian said Mojtaba was present during the strike on February 28 at the presidential complex in Tehran. He said the cleric suffered injuries to his legs, hand and arm. “I have heard that he was injured in his legs and hand and arm… I think he is in the hospital because he is injured,” Salarian told The Guardian. The strike killed Ali Khamenei along with several family members. Officials said Mojtaba has not appeared in public since because he is not “comfortable… to give a speech.” (PC: NDTV)

A man fired at least one shot during a wedding in Jammu where former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah was present, police said. The accused, identified as Kamal Singh Jamwal, was quickly overpowered by people at the venue and later taken into police custody. Abdullah escaped unharmed. However, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary suffered a minor splinter injury. Police said the motive is still under investigation. During questioning, Jamwal claimed he had been trying to kill Abdullah for the last 20 years and called it his “personal agenda”. CCTV footage shows the man pointing a gun at Abdullah at close range before security personnel intervened. (PC: India Today)

Thirty-two countries in the International Energy Agency have agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil to stabilise global markets during the Iran war. The decision comes as tensions rise in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil trade. Three cargo ships were reportedly attacked in the area, increasing fears of supply disruptions. Iran has warned it could target vessels in the strait, effectively restricting shipping. Oil prices have surged due to the conflict. The United States has also advised civilians to avoid ports near the strait. The move to release emergency oil reserves aims to reduce price pressure and support global energy supply. (PC: Reuters)

Young people in Tehran say daily life continues despite air strikes and fear during the Iran war. Residents told BBC Persian they spend most of their time indoors as bombings shake the city. Streets and metro stations are mostly empty, and many families have left for safer areas. Some residents said their sleep schedules now depend on the timing of attacks. With internet access heavily restricted, many people are secretly using Starlink to contact relatives abroad. Despite the danger, people say they are trying to keep hope alive. “Even under missiles, we carry on living,” one resident said, as Iranians prepare for Nowruz.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves. The decision was taken by all 32 member countries. The move comes as the Iran war raises fears of global oil supply disruptions. The IEA said the oil will be released based on each country’s national situation. Strategic reserves are usually used during major supply crises or when oil prices rise sharply. The step aims to stabilise global energy markets and ensure steady supply. Officials said the release will help reduce pressure on oil prices and support countries facing shortages during the ongoing Middle East tensions.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the ongoing war with Iran could end soon. He claimed the conflict would stop “anytime I want.” Trump did not explain how the war would end or give a timeline. His remarks came during a public statement while speaking about tensions in the Middle East. The conflict between the United States and Iran has raised global concern in recent weeks. Many countries have called for calm and dialogue. Analysts say it is still unclear how or when the fighting will stop. Trump’s latest comments suggest he believes the situation could change quickly in the coming days. (PC: AFP)

Iran’s military has warned that banks and financial institutions linked to the United States and Israel in West Asia could become targets amid the escalating US-Iran conflict. The threat came after an airstrike reportedly hit an Iranian bank in Tehran, which Tehran blamed on the US and Israel. Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military command said the attack on its financial infrastructure forced it to consider retaliation against economic centers in the region. Authorities also warned civilians to stay at least 1 kilometre away from banks due to possible attacks. The development signals a widening of the conflict, with financial institutions now potentially becoming strategic targets. (PC: X)

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)