A satirical post by Iran’s embassy in Ghana has gone viral after it “applied” to become Italy’s new ally. The message came during tensions between Donald Trump and Giorgia Meloni.   The embassy wrote, “We’d like to apply for the vacancy,” mocking Trump as the “Commander in Grief.” It also joked about Iran and Italy only arguing over who invented ice cream.   The post followed reports that Meloni criticised Trump’s remarks on the Pope, calling them “unacceptable.”   Iranian diplomatic accounts have recently used humour online to target Washington, in what analysts call a growing “meme diplomacy” strategy.

An Iranian oil tanker carrying about 2 million barrels of crude has arrived near Gujarat without a declared buyer. The vessel, Derya, has stayed close to the coast with little movement since Tuesday, according to tracking data. Sources said Indian refiners are unlikely to buy the oil as it was loaded after the US waiver cut-off date. Buying it could risk fresh sanctions. The tanker is linked to Iran’s National Iranian Tanker Company. The US has also begun a blockade of Iranian ports after talks failed. Industry sources said the cargo may struggle to find buyers, except possibly in China. (PC: X)

Four people were killed and 20 injured after a student opened fire at a high school in Turkey’s Kahramanmaras province. Governor Mukerrem Unluer said the attacker later died. The victims include one teacher and three students. Officials said the student used weapons belonging to his retired police officer father. The motive is still not known. Police and emergency teams reached the school in the Onikiubat district soon after reports of gunfire. This is the second school shooting in two days. A day earlier, 16 people were injured in a similar attack in Sanliurfa. (PC: India Today)

More than 200 Iranian sailors stranded in Sri Lanka after a US submarine attack have now returned home. Sri Lanka’s Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekara said 32 sailors from Iris Dena and 206 from Irins Bushehr flew out on Tuesday night. The Iris Dena sank on 4 March near Sri Lanka after a torpedo strike, killing 104 sailors. Survivors were given 30-day visas and stayed in military camps. Sri Lanka said it acted on humanitarian grounds. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the country would “never hesitate to protect humanity” while maintaining neutrality. (PC: BBC)

Lucknow Super Giants are set to boost their pace attack with Mayank Yadav returning ahead of the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Captain Rishabh Pant now faces a selection call despite a steady bowling unit. LSG have won two of four matches, with losses coming while defending totals at home. Bowling coach Bharat Arun has improved the attack this season. Global director Tom Moody said, “Mayank is ready to go… he has worked exceptionally hard.” The 23-year-old, known for 150 kph pace, was earlier held back due to match readiness, not fitness. (PC: HT)

A US-sanctioned Chinese-linked tanker, Rich Starry, failed to breach the American naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and was forced to turn back, highlighting strict enforcement of the new restrictions. The blockade, ordered by Donald Trump after failed Iran-US talks, targets vessels linked to Iranian ports. Within the first 24 hours, no ship successfully crossed the blockade, with multiple vessels complying with US orders to reverse course. The US Navy has deployed warships and is intercepting tankers attempting to exit Iranian ports. The move has disrupted global shipping, sharply reducing traffic through the strategic oil route and escalating regional tensions. (PC: NDTV)

New satellite images from Isfahan, Iran, have exposed the aftermath of a high-risk US rescue mission to recover personnel from a downed F-15E fighter jet. The images show multiple aircraft wreckage at a makeshift airstrip near a key nuclear complex, highlighting the scale of the operation. The mission followed Iran’s shootdown of the jet, triggering a complex search-and-rescue effort involving special forces and multiple aircraft. Reports indicate several US aircraft were destroyed—some possibly by Iranian forces, while others were intentionally blown up by US troops to prevent capture. The incident underscores escalating tensions and operational risks in the ongoing Iran conflict. (PC: India Today)

The United States has effectively shut down Iran’s maritime trade through a sweeping naval blockade, crippling nearly 90% of Tehran’s economy and escalating pressure amid the ongoing war. U.S. forces have intercepted or turned back multiple vessels, including foreign-linked tankers, tightening control over key shipping routes. Despite this aggressive move, President Donald Trump signaled optimism about resuming peace talks with Iran in Pakistan within days. However, deep disagreements persist over Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and duration of restrictions, while continued regional fighting and mistrust threaten to derail diplomatic efforts. (PC: Reuters)

A controversial social media episode involving Donald Trump has gone viral after Iranian embassy accounts mocked his deleted Truth Social post depicting him in a Jesus-like avatar. The original AI-generated image showed Trump healing a man, triggering backlash and eventual deletion. Iranian diplomatic accounts responded with sarcastic and critical posts, turning the incident into a global online spectacle. A viral video amplifying these reactions further intensified the exchange. The episode highlights how digital propaganda and meme culture are shaping narratives during the ongoing Iran conflict, with official channels increasingly engaging in public online trolling. (PC: News 18)

U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that stalled Iran peace talks could resume in Pakistan within days, raising hopes for diplomacy amid ongoing conflict. The proposed talks follow a fragile ceasefire and earlier failed negotiations in Islamabad over Iran’s nuclear programme. Meanwhile, Trump intensified public disputes with Pope Leo and NATO allies, criticizing their opposition to U.S. actions in the Iran war. The tensions highlight widening global divisions, as Washington continues its naval blockade of Iran and pushes for stricter nuclear limits, while regional and international actors attempt to revive negotiations and prevent further escalation. (PC: The Guardian)