At least 12 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics, were killed after an Israeli airstrike hit a primary health centre in Burj Qalaouiyah, a village in southern Lebanon. Lebanese health officials said the medics were on duty when the strike occurred during escalating clashes between Israel and Hezbollah along the border. The World Health Organization condemned the attack, stressing that medical facilities and personnel are protected under international humanitarian law. Lebanese authorities accused Israel of targeting civilian infrastructure, while Israel alleged Hezbollah operates from within civilian areas. The ongoing conflict has intensified in recent weeks, causing heavy casualties and displacement across southern Lebanon. (PC: AFP)

Viral social media posts claiming that Benjamin Netanyahu had died or gone missing have been dismissed as false by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. The rumours spread widely online during heightened tensions in the Middle East, with some posts alleging the Israeli leader was killed in an attack or replaced by an AI-generated video. The speculation intensified after a viral clip appeared to show Netanyahu with “six fingers,” prompting claims the footage was digitally manipulated. Fact-checks found the unusual image was caused by camera angle and lighting distortion, not artificial intelligence. Officials confirmed Netanyahu is alive and continuing his duties, calling the viral claims misinformation spreading on social media. (PC: AFP)

US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could launch additional strikes on Kharg Island, a critical Iranian oil export terminal, as tensions in the ongoing US-Iran conflict intensify. Trump claimed recent US attacks had already destroyed most military targets on the island and suggested further strikes could occur, even remarking they might hit it “just for fun.” The island handles a major share of Iran’s crude exports and is strategically important in the Persian Gulf. Meanwhile, Washington has urged allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran has vowed retaliation and continued attacks across the region. (PC: X)

The United States has asked its citizens to leave Iraq immediately after rising tensions in the region. The US Embassy in Baghdad warned that Iranian-backed militias pose a serious threat. The advisory came after attacks were reported near the embassy building. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump urged countries including the UK, China, France, Japan, and South Korea to send warships to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. The key waterway carries about 20% of the world’s oil shipments. Iran has threatened to target US-linked oil facilities if its energy infrastructure is attacked. The conflict continues to escalate across the Middle East. (PC: AP)

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has dismissed reports about the health of the country’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Speaking in an interview, Araqchi said there was “no problem” with Khamenei’s health. The remarks came after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed Khamenei was “wounded and likely disfigured.” Hegseth said the Iranian leader had issued only a written statement and not appeared in public. He suggested Khamenei could be injured and hiding. Iranian officials have rejected the claim. The comments come as fighting between Iran, the United States, and Israel continues, with missile and drone attacks reported across several parts of the Middle East. (PC: AP/ Reuters)

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said the war with Iran has entered a “decisive phase” as the United States and Israel increase strikes on Iranian targets. Speaking in a televised statement, Katz praised recent US attacks on Kharg Island, Iran’s key oil export hub. The conflict began on February 28 after US and Israeli forces launched large airstrikes on Iranian military sites. Iran later responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and US-linked bases in the region. Reports say more than 1,500 people have been killed in Iran so far. In Israel, about 10 to 13 people have died in Iranian missile strikes. (PC: Reuters)

At least 15 people were killed after an air attack hit a factory in Iran’s central city of Isfahan, reports said on Saturday. The strike came as the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran continues to escalate. US President Donald Trump urged countries including the UK, China, France, Japan, and South Korea to send warships to help keep the Strait of Hormuz open. The key waterway carries about 20% of global oil shipments. Meanwhile, missiles and drones were reported across the Middle East, including attacks near the US Embassy in Baghdad. Global oil prices have risen sharply due to the ongoing conflict.

US President Donald Trump has urged the UK and other allied nations to send ships to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the US would soon make the key shipping route “open, safe, and free.” The call came after several attacks on vessels in the region during the ongoing conflict with Iran. The UK Maritime Trade Operations said 16 ships have been attacked in the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman since the war began. Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to keep blocking the strait. The waterway carries about 20% of global oil shipments.

The United States launched large air strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island, destroying more than 90 military targets, the US Central Command said on Saturday. The attacks hit naval mine storage sites, missile bunkers, and other military facilities. Kharg Island is Iran’s main oil export hub in the Persian Gulf. US officials said oil infrastructure on the island was not targeted. President Donald Trump warned Iran to stop attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. He said the strikes destroyed major military sites. Iran confirmed its oil facilities were not damaged. The conflict has disrupted global oil supplies and pushed prices higher worldwide.

A drone strike targeted a major oil storage facility at Fujairah port in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, forcing some operations to stop. Large clouds of smoke were seen rising from the complex after the intercepted attack. The strike came amid rising tensions in the region after US attacks on Iran’s Kharg Island. The island is Iran’s main oil export hub. US President Donald Trump said military targets there had been “totally obliterated”. Iran warned it would respond if its energy facilities were attacked. Tehran said oil and energy sites linked to companies working with the US could be “turned into a pile of ashes”. (PC: BBC)