U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender” as the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran intensifies. Trump said Washington would not accept negotiations unless Tehran fully capitulates and dismantles its military and nuclear capabilities. Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, strongly rejected Trump’s remarks suggesting the U.S. could influence the selection of Iran’s next leader following the death of Ali Khamenei. The envoy called the comments a violation of international law and the UN Charter, insisting Iran will never allow foreign interference in its internal political process. (PC: The Hindu)

Indonesia will ban social media and several online platforms for users under 16 starting 28 March, aiming to protect children from online risks such as pornography, cyberbullying, scams and addiction. Communications Minister Meutya Hafid said accounts belonging to minors on “high-risk” platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, Bigo Live and Roblox will be deactivated. The move positions Indonesia as the first non-Western country to delay children’s access to digital spaces by age. Supporters say the rule will help parents manage children’s screen time, while critics warn strict age verification could threaten privacy and limit young people’s access to information and expression. The policy follows similar restrictions introduced. (PC: BBC)

A report by The Washington Post says Russia has been providing intelligence to Iran to help target American military assets across the Gulf during the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. Iranian strikes have damaged or targeted facilities linked to communications and radar systems at US military sites in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Officials say Moscow shared information on US warships and aircraft positions, helping Tehran plan precise attacks after its own tracking capabilities weakened. Iranian strikes have also hit embassies and energy infrastructure, including the major Al Udeid Air Base. (PC: India Today)

The United States plans to deploy naval escorts to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz as tensions escalate during the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Speaking on Fox News, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the United States Navy will escort vessels through the strategic waterway once conditions allow. The move aims to restore disrupted maritime traffic and safeguard global energy shipments passing through the strait. Earlier, Donald Trump confirmed the plan, saying US naval forces would begin escorting oil tankers “as soon as possible.” The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, and continued hostilities have significantly disrupted shipping and oil flows through the region. (PC: Reuters)

Pedro Sánchez has criticised the United States’ war on Iran, calling it an “extraordinary mistake” as the conflict in the Middle East enters its first week. The Spanish prime minister reiterated his government’s opposition to the war, summarising Madrid’s position in three words: “No to war.” Sánchez also defied a request from Donald Trump to jointly operate US bases in southern Spain for strikes against Iran. While several countries have rallied behind Washington and Benjamin Netanyahu under the US-led operation known as Operation Epic Fury, Spain has maintained its opposition to the military campaign. The conflict has heightened tensions across the region, with European governments increasingly drawn into debates over support for Washington’s strategy.

Donald Trump has ruled out negotiations with Iran, declaring that the United States will accept nothing less than the country’s “unconditional surrender.” In a post on Truth Social, the US president said there would be “no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER,” outlining his clearest war aims since the conflict began on February 28. Trump also linked post-war reconstruction to a leadership change in Tehran, calling for the selection of “GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s).” Iran is currently led by an interim council following the killing of Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged mediation efforts by several countries but said those responsible for provoking the conflict should be the focus of diplomacy.

Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah appears to be headed for a historic victory in Nepal General Election 2026, with his Rastriya Swatantra Party taking a commanding lead in early vote counting. Out of 275 seats in Nepal’s lower house, counting is underway for 165 directly elected seats, while 110 seats will later be allocated through proportional representation. Shah’s party is leading in around 110 constituencies, putting it on course for a landslide and positioning him as a likely prime minister. Traditional parties have struggled, with KP Sharma Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) trailing significantly. The vote follows months after a Gen Z-led protest movement forced Oli’s government from power in September 2025. (PC: X)

The son of Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was wounded during Israeli military operations along the Lebanon–Israel border, according to Israeli media reports on Friday. The incident reportedly occurred while Israeli forces were carrying out operational activities in the border region. Initial reports said the finance minister’s son sustained light injuries and his condition is stable. Details about the circumstances of the incident or the specific operation were not immediately disclosed. The report comes amid continued military tensions along Israel’s northern frontier with Lebanon. Smotrich currently serves as Israel’s finance minister and leads the Religious Zionist Party. There has been no detailed official statement released yet regarding the injuries or the exact nature of the incident. (PC: Al Jazeera)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in a coordinated US-Israeli strike using the Blue Sparrow missile, an air-launched weapon capable of briefly travelling near space before diving toward its target. Fired from fighter aircraft such as the McDonnell Douglas F‑15 Eagle, the missile follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory, climbing high above the atmosphere before re-entering at extreme speed. The strike targeted Khamenei’s compound on Pasteur Street in Tehran during a meeting of senior officials. Part of Israel’s broader operation known as Operation Epic Fury, the attack involved around 30 precision-guided munitions. Israeli intelligence agencies Mossad and Unit 8200 reportedly spent years mapping the compound and monitoring communications before launching the carefully timed strike. (PC: X)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa that four UK jets being deployed to Qatar could provide defensive air cover for Bahrain against potential missile and drone attacks from Iran. According to a statement from UK Prime Minister’s Office, the offer was made during a phone call on Thursday night. The aircraft could help strengthen Bahrain’s air defence amid rising regional tensions and concerns about Iranian strikes on Gulf states. King Hamad welcomed the confirmation, and both sides agreed that operational teams would coordinate on plans in the coming days. The move signals London’s readiness to extend defensive support to partners in the Gulf during the escalating Middle East crisis. (PC: Reuters)