Oil prices rose again on Thursday after explosions were reported on more foreign ships in the Gulf amid the ongoing Iran conflict.   Brent crude briefly reached about $100 a barrel in Asian trading, rising nearly 9%. US-traded crude also climbed to around $95. Markets stayed tense despite major countries agreeing to release large amounts of oil from emergency reserves.   Overnight, two more ships were hit near Iraq’s Umm Qasr port close to Basra. Officials said one person was killed and 38 others were injured.   Iran has warned that “not a litre of oil” will pass through the Strait of Hormuz if attacks on it continue. The route carries about 20% of global oil supply. (PC: BBC)

Iran has outlined three key conditions for ending the ongoing war with the United States and Israel. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran would consider ending the conflict if its “legitimate rights” are recognised, reparations are paid for war damage, and firm international guarantees are provided to prevent future attacks. The statement came as the war, which began on February 28, continues to escalate with strikes on infrastructure, attacks on shipping near the Strait of Hormuz, and rising civilian casualties. Iran claims thousands of civilian sites have been bombed and more than 1,300 people killed. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has indicated the conflict could end whenever Washington decides, highlighting growing tensions and uncertainty around a diplomatic resolution.

Two oil tankers carrying crude from Iraq caught fire after being targeted in an attack linked to Iran near key shipping routes in the Middle East. The vessels Zefyros and Safesea Vishnu were anchored close to each other when the strike caused a massive explosion and blaze, killing one person. Videos circulating online show flames spreading across the water, suggesting oil leakage from the damaged tankers. The incident comes amid escalating conflict involving United States, Israel and Iran, with multiple ships recently targeted in the strategic Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned police agencies in California about a potential drone attack allegedly linked to Iran. According to intelligence alerts, Iran may attempt a “surprise attack” using unmanned aerial vehicles launched from a vessel off the coast of the United States. The warning comes after joint military strikes by the US and Israel against Iran earlier in 2026. Officials say there is no confirmed timeline or target yet, but security agencies are monitoring the threat closely as concerns grow over the increasing use of drones in modern warfare. (PC: AFP)

A US Tomahawk missile strike that hit an elementary school in Iran’s Minab happened due to a targeting error, according to a report citing an ongoing military investigation. The February 28 strike destroyed the Shajarah Tayyebeh school building and reportedly killed more than 175 people, most of them children. US officials said the target coordinates were created using outdated data by the US Central Command. The information had been provided by the Defence Intelligence Agency. Investigators are examining why the data was not double-checked. Officials said the mistake was likely human. The school stands near a base of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy, which had been the intended military target. (PC: NDTV)

US President Donald Trump said he is “not worried” about possible Iran-backed attacks on the United States, even as tensions rise in the ongoing war with Tehran. Iran warned that ports could become targets after the US said Iranian civilian ports used for military purposes would be considered legitimate targets. The conflict has entered its 12th day. Israel said it launched a new “wide-scale wave of strikes” across Iran and also hit Hezbollah targets in Beirut. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they launched new missile attacks under “Operation True Promise 4”. The group claimed the strikes targeted US and Israeli sites in the region. Iran has also said it will not seek a ceasefire and warned of a long conflict. (PC: HT)

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.