The United States and Israel have launched military operations against Iran aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and weakening its leadership. Analysts say the broader objective, regime change after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei remains far more difficult. Experts argue that air and naval strikes alone cannot dismantle Iran’s entrenched power structure, particularly the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which commands a large force and controls key political and economic institutions. While Washington and Israel hope public unrest could challenge the regime, analysts say civilians lack the weapons and organisation to confront security forces. President Donald Trump has not ruled out deploying ground troops but says such a move would require a “very good reason.” (PC: AP)

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and chose to bowl first against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 final in Ahmedabad on Sunday.   India will bat first at the Narendra Modi Stadium as both teams kept their playing XIs unchanged for the title clash.   Defending champions India are chasing their third T20 World Cup title. New Zealand are aiming to win the tournament for the first time.   Santner said he expects the pitch to be good for batting. He earlier noted that the surface could be “flat, true, and good for batting”.   The final is being played in front of a packed crowd, with more than 100,000 fans expected at the stadium. (PC: BCCI)

A political row has intensified between the Centre and the West Bengal government after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Trinamool Congress of insulting President Droupadi Murmu. Responding to the charge, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee displayed a 2024 photograph showing the President standing while the Prime Minister was seated during a Bharat Ratna ceremony for LK Advani. “This is for you, specially for the Prime Minister. President is standing and PM is sitting,” Banerjee said at her protest site in Kolkata. She added, “We have full respect for the chair of the President and the Constitution of India.” The controversy began after Murmu flagged protocol lapses during her visit to a tribal event in north Bengal. (PC: India Today)

India face New Zealand in the T20 World Cup 2026 final in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The match comes as India chase several records in the tournament. A colourful closing ceremony took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium before the final. Singer Ricky Martin performed along with Sukhbir and Falguni Pathak. More than 100,000 fans are expected at the venue. Meanwhile, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif advised the team management to consider dropping opener Abhishek Sharma due to poor form. “India can give Abhishek Sharma a break. He has played many matches now,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel. He suggested that Rinku Singh could replace him in the playing XI. (PC: BCCI)

Air India will operate 78 additional international flights on nine routes from March 10 to March 18 as travel demand rises during the Iran-Israel war. The airline said the extra services aim to provide more reliable travel options while airspace disruptions continue in West Asia. The flights will run on routes linking Delhi and Mumbai with cities including New York, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich, Malé and Colombo. In total, 17,660 extra seats will be added across both directions. “The additional flights on the European routes will operate with B787-8 aircraft,” Air India said in a statement. Flights to Malé and Colombo will use A320neo aircraft, while New York services will operate with B777-300ER, subject to regulatory approvals. (PC: The Indian Express)

Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv as fighting between the United States, Israel and Iran continued on Sunday.   Pope Leo XIV called for an immediate end to the bombing and urged all sides to return to dialogue.   Iran has continued missile and drone strikes across the Gulf. Kuwait said it intercepted three ballistic missiles, while Saudi Arabia said its air defences shot down three drones near Riyadh. Air strikes also hit several sites in Iran, including oil facilities in Tehran. The conflict has spread across the region with attacks reported in Israel, Lebanon and Gulf states. (PC: HT)

Iran’s powerful Assembly of Experts has chosen a new Supreme Leader to replace Ali Khamenei, but the name has not been announced.   Assembly member Mohammadmehdi Mirbaqeri said the panel has largely agreed on a candidate. However, “some obstacles” remain before the decision can be formally declared.   Reports say members disagree on how to finalise the announcement. Some want a full meeting. Others say security risks make that difficult during the ongoing war.   One cleric said the choice followed the late leader’s advice that Iran’s top leader should “be hated by the enemy”.   The Assembly of Experts is responsible for selecting Iran’s supreme leader.

A large crowd of Indian fans is gathering at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final between India national cricket team and New Zealand national cricket team.   Fans in blue shirts have returned to the venue, but the mood is calmer than the tense atmosphere during the 2023 final loss.   New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner said his team expects strong Indian support. “It’s fair to say we are a bit outnumbered over here — 1.4 billion Team India fans,” he wrote.   Many supporters believe India has played strongly in the tournament. Thousands have travelled to watch the final despite high ticket and hotel costs. (PC: NDTV)

Iran’s Assembly of Experts has agreed on a candidate to replace Ali Khamenei as the country’s next supreme leader, clerics said on Sunday. Officials said a consensus has been reached but warned that “some obstacles” remain before the appointment becomes final.   The development came as heavy smoke covered parts of Tehran after oil depots were struck in US-Israeli air raids. Residents reported loud explosions and large fires.   Videos showed flames spreading across streets after fuel spilled from damaged storage sites.   Israel’s military has also warned it could target any successor to Khamenei. The conflict has spread across the Gulf, with drone and missile attacks reported in several countries. (PC: BBC)

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington had earlier asked India to stop buying sanctioned Russian oil and New Delhi complied.   “The Indians had been very good actors. We had asked them to stop buying sanctioned Russian oil this fall. They did,” Bessent told Fox Business.   He said the U.S. has now allowed India to buy Russian oil already at sea to ease supply pressure during the West Asia conflict.   “Yesterday, the Treasury agreed to let our allies in India start buying Russian oil that was already on the water,” he said.   The U.S. has issued a temporary 30-day waiver for such purchases. (PC: The Hindu)