Israel's military said it began a broad wave of strikes on western Iran on Sunday. As the war progresses into the third week, further retaliatory strikes from Iran are likely to occur. So far, Iran has launched strikes across nine countries in the Gulf region. Most of these attacks have been intercepted but at least 19 people have been killed. The US and Israel started this war but it seems the Gulf states are bearing the brunt of Iran's retaliation. Could this affect the United States' strategy
President Donald Trump has threatened to get the Strait of Hormuz opened "one way or another" and has called on a number of countries including France, the United Kingdom and China to send ships to the area to overcome Iran's blockade on the vital trade artery. It comes as global oil supplies are skyrocketing and supply continues to be strangled with Iran blockading the strait and targeting the Gulf's energy infrastructure in retaliation to US strikes. Story by Shirli Sitbon and Eliza Herbert.
New, critical dynamics are emerging in the region that could reshape it in dramatic ways.
Mother, father and brothers aged five and seven shot in their car as they returned from Ramadan shopping trip Israeli police have killed two young Palestinian brothers and their parents in the occupied West Bank, shooting all four in the head and face as the family returned from a Ramadan shopping trip. Mohammed, five, Othman, seven, who was blind and had special needs, their mother Waad Bani Odeh, 35, and father Ali Bani Odeh, 37, were driving through their hometown of Tamoun late on Saturday w
Bahrain arrest five people 'suspected' of spying for Iran Bahrain’s Ministry of the Interior said it arrested five people for their alleged involvement in passing “precise and sensitive information” to the Iranian Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC). Officials said the arrests were also for “recruiting terrorist elements” to carry out terror plots against Bahrain: "These acts were intended to undermine the state’s sovereignty, target security authorities and economic entities, spread fear and p
From deadly strikes in Iran and Lebanon, to trouble in the Strait of Hormuz and a statue of US President Donald Trump with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in a pose from the movie "Titanic", FRANCE 24 takes a look at some of the week's most striking images.
Diplomatic efforts come amid threat of an Israeli ground invasion in southern Lebanon and sustained air raids.
UAE intercepts four ballistic missiles, six drones The UAE’s Ministry of Defence says it has intercepted several ballistic missiles and drones launched from Iran. “UAE air defences intercept 4 ballistic missiles and 6 drones,” the ministry said in a statement shared on social media. It added that air defences have “intercepted 298 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,606 drones” since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran on February 28. At least six people have been killed and 1
Tehran wants ceasefire but terms ‘not good enough yet’, US president claims, as both sides launch new waves of strikes Middle East crisis – live updates Donald Trump has warned he is not ready to seek a deal to end the US-Israeli offensive against Iran, saying that though he thought Tehran was keen to negotiate a ceasefire, the US would fight on for better terms. Trump’s comments came as Iran launched new missile and drone attacks on countries in the Gulf and on Israel, and Israeli and US warp
Israel rejects reports of interceptor shortages MEE staff on Sun, 03/15/2026 - 12:04 Israeli foreign minister also denies reports of direct talks with Lebanon in coming days Israeli police inspect the wreckage of a vehicle destroyed by a projectile from an Iranian strike in southern Tel Aviv on 15 March 2026 (AFP) Off Israel's foreign minister on Sunday rejected claims that it had told the United States it was running low on interceptors. Gideon Saar also denied rep
Dozens arrested by Iran for sharing 'sensitive' information with Israel Iran's Tasnim news agency is reporting that dozens of people accused of sharing sensitive information with Israel have been arrested across the country. Tasnim said 20 people were detained in northwestern Iran on suspicion of sending locations of military and security sites to Israel, while another 10 were arrested in the northeast for gathering intelligence on sensitive infrastructure. Three more people were detained
Uganda's military chief has said Bobi Wine is wanted "dead or alive", although some ministers have denied he is being sought.
Iranians fleeing to neighbouring countries: UN The International Organization for Migration said deteriorating conditions in Iranian cities are “driving increasingly complex mobility patterns”. The agency warned that the destruction of homes and facilities providing basic services is pushing many Iranians towards northern provinces, where they believe they may be safer. The UN agency added that people have been displaced to more than 20 provinces and that shelters are under strain througho
Each person shot in the head in the village of Tammun, while two other children of the deceased couple sustain injuries.
Volodymyr Zelensky says restoring the flow of Russian oil via Ukraine into the EU would be like lifting sanctions on Russia.
Bombs, government oppression, and fear are wearing down Iranians. How does trauma build up? And what can help people living with constant stress?
North Korea launched multiple rockets toward a target 360 km away while Kim Jong Un observed with his daughter. The test coincides with joint US–South Korea military exercises and rising concerns about regional security. Story by Camille Corcoran.
Govt spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani says US-Israeli strikes have damaged more than 42,000 civilian sites across Iran.
US-Israeli strikes kill 223 women in Iran since start of war: Fars Iran's Fars News Agency reported that 223 women have been killed in attacks since the start of the war, including three pregnant women. According to reports, 202 children have been killed in attacks, with 12 under the age of five. It added that 153 medical centres across Iran have been damaged and three health workers killed since the start of the war.
Egyptian foreign minister to begin 'solidarity tour' of Gulf Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty will head to Qatar on Sunday as part of a tour of the Gulf to "research regional developments" during the US-Israel war on Iran. Abdelatty said the tour is "aimed at coordination and consultation to alleviate the accelerated developments experienced in the region and to send a message of solidarity with the Arab brothers”. During his visit to Qatar, Abdelatty is due to “hold high-level m
In the third week of war, who is leading the country? And to what extent have those still in place been destabilised and weakened by the US and Israeli strikes on the country? A veil of mystery surrounds a man who remains out of sight: Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. Another figure, Ali Larijani, meanwhile appeared centre stage at a pro-government demonstration.
Lebanese media and authorities report deadly attacks as efforts continue to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
Cubans took to the streets in the city of Moron on Saturday to protest worsening economic conditions since the US oil blockade. The island, known for harsh government repression, rarely sees protests. Authorities said five people were arrested in what it called vandalism acts. The NGO Justicia11, which monitors Cuban demonstrations, said gunfire was heard in the area and one person may have been shot. Story by Gabrielle Nadler.
More than two weeks ago, the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran. Since then, Iran has retaliated against targets across the Gulf and effectively halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Global oil prices have surged as a result. Did the United States factor this risk into its plans to strike Iran? How long is the spike in oil prices likely to last? FRANCE 24’s Alison Sargent asked Michael Bradshaw, professor of global energy at Warwick Business School in England.
Iran tells France that its allies must refrain from escalating situation Iran's foreign minister told his French counterpart that countries must refrain from any action that could escalate the conflict in the Middle East, Abbas Araghchi said in comments posted on his Telegram account on Sunday. The remarks came after US President Donald Trump called on several countries, including France, to deploy vessels to help secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blocked follow
There is no ceasefire in Gaza Hassan Herzallah on Tue, 02/24/2026 - 19:58 As the killing continues, with Palestinians still unable to return home or move freely, the world cannot call this a truce Tents housing displaced Palestinians in al-Mawasi, Gaza, are pictured on 30 January 2026, following Israeli strikes (Bashar Taleb/AFP) On A few days ago, I was walking with a friend through the tents in al-Mawasi, southern Gaza. We were heading to a small cafe I have frequ
Ukraine is recovering from a wave of Russian strikes that killed six people and wounded dozens across multiple regions on Saturday. Authorities say residential buildings, educational institutions, businesses and critical infrastructure were hit – particularly in Kyiv where about 30 sites were damaged. President Volodymyr Zelensky is concerned that Russia is benefiting from the war in Iran, which has shifted global attention. Story by Eliza Herbert.
A cloud of orange-tinted, thick dust spread across the Gaza Strip on Saturday as first responders told Palestinians to stay home, especially those with respiratory illness. People were also urged to secure their tents to prevent them from being blown away. Israel’s war with Hamas has left most of Gaza’s 2 million residents displaced, living in tents and damaged buildings with little protection from the elements such as rain, wind and sand. Story by Catherine Viette.
Missiles intercepted in Qatar; two drones causing damage at an airbase near a major US military site in Kuwait; an oil facility hit and ports threatened in the UAE... Gulf countries continue to pay the price of war every day, more than two weeks after the start of Operation Epic Fury launched by the United States and Israel against Iran. Story by Morgan Ayre and Loïc Chalavon.
Thousands in Paris protest military operations in the Middle East. One of more than 85 protests across France.
South Korea considering sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz South Korea is considering sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz after U.S. President Donald Trump called on it and other countries to take part in its defence. "We are closely monitoring President Trump's remarks on social media and will carefully consider the matter in close consultation with the United States," a South Korean presidential official told AFP. Seoul was "comprehensively considering and exploring various m
If costs stay high for the next three months, US owner Peter Huntsman says he will close the site on Teesside The American owner of one of Britain’s last major chemicals plants has said he will close the site if energy prices remain at their current levels for the next three months. Peter Huntsman, whose family built Huntsman Corporation into a global chemicals empire, said the recent jump in gas prices fuelled by the Iran conflict was “another nail in the coffin” for European heavy industry. C














