Tensions in West Asia escalated sharply on Sunday as the United States intensified its warnings against Iran amid the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, with the strategic Strait of Hormuz at the centre of the crisis.
US President Donald Trump issued a stark 48-hour ultimatum to Iran, threatening to target and “obliterate” its power plants if Tehran fails to ensure the Strait of Hormuz is fully open and free of threats. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that if Iran does not “FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT” the vital shipping route within the specified timeframe, the United States would begin strikes, “starting with the biggest” power facility.
Responding to the escalating rhetoric, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asserted that Iran has achieved “missile dominance” over Israeli airspace. In a post on X, Moosavi warned that upcoming waves of attacks would introduce new tactics and launch systems that would leave US and Israeli commanders “dumbfounded.” He added that skies over southern parts of the “occupied territories” would remain “illuminated for hours” due to sustained strikes.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit chokepoint, has become a flashpoint in the broader confrontation, with fears of disruption to energy supplies and further military escalation looming large.
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Iran says Hormuz Strait will be 'completely closed' if US strikes power plants
Responding to the "terrorist president of the United States" after Trump's threat to attack power plants in Iran, the Iranian Army on Sunday said that the Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed if the US and Israeli strikes targeted the country's energy infrastructure.
"The Strait of Hormuz will be completely closed and will not reopen until our damaged power plants are rebuilt," the Iranian Army said.
The speaker of Iran's Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, on Sunday warned that regional energy infrastructure will be "destroyed in an irreversible manner" if Iranian power plants are attacked.
"Immediately after the power plants and infrastructure in our country are targeted, the critical infrastructure, energy infrastructure, and oil facilities throughout the region will be considered legitimate targets and will be destroyed in an irreversible manner, and the price of oil will remain high for a long time," Ghalibaf said.
US President Donald Trump had threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not opened within 48 hours.
It's time for them to act: Netanyahu calls on world leaders to "join up" with US-Israel war on Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday urged global leaders to join with Israel and the United States' war effort against Iran, citing recent attacks on Israeli territory as evidence of what he described as a growing global threat.
Speaking at the site of a missile strike by Iran in Israel's Arad, Netanyahu said recent developments over the past 48 hours demonstrate that Iran poses a danger not only to Israel but also to the wider international community.
"If you want proof that Iran endangers the entire world, the last 48 hours have given it. In the last 48 hours, Iran targeted a civilian area. They're doing that as a mass murder weapon. Luckily, no one was killed, but that's due to luck, not their intention. Their intention is to murder civilians," Netanyahu said.
"Second, they fired on Jerusalem right next to the holy sites of the three monotheistic faiths, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. And by dint of a miracle, again, none of them were hurt, but they were targeting the holy sites of the three major monotheistic religions," he added.
It's time for them to act: Netanyahu calls on world leaders to "join up" with US-Israel war on Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday urged global leaders to join with Israel and the United States' war effort against Iran, citing recent attacks on Israeli territory as evidence of what he described as a growing global threat.
Speaking at the site of a missile strike by Iran in Israel's Arad, Netanyahu said recent developments over the past 48 hours demonstrate that Iran poses a danger not only to Israel but also to the wider international community.
"If you want proof that Iran endangers the entire world, the last 48 hours have given it. In the last 48 hours, Iran targeted a civilian area. They're doing that as a mass murder weapon. Luckily, no one was killed, but that's due to luck, not their intention. Their intention is to murder civilians," Netanyahu said.
"Second, they fired on Jerusalem right next to the holy sites of the three monotheistic faiths, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. And by dint of a miracle, again, none of them were hurt, but they were targeting the holy sites of the three major monotheistic religions," he added.
All seven dead in Qatari helicopter crash
All seven individuals onboard a Qatari Armed Forces helicopter that crashed during a training mission earlier today have been confirmed dead, including one Turkish soldier and two personnel from Turkish defence company Aselsan.
According to a statement issued by the Turkish Ministyr of Defence, search and rescue operations were launched immediately after the crash, leading to the recovery of the wreckage and the bodies of those onboard.
The incident occurred at dawn on Sunday, when the helicopter, operating under the Qatar-Turkey Joint Combined Force Command, went down in regional waters. Initial findings suggest that the crash was caused by a technical malfunction.
All seven dead in Qatari helicopter crash
All seven individuals onboard a Qatari Armed Forces helicopter that crashed during a training mission earlier today have been confirmed dead, including one Turkish soldier and two personnel from Turkish defence company Aselsan.
According to a statement issued by the Turkish Ministyr of Defence, search and rescue operations were launched immediately after the crash, leading to the recovery of the wreckage and the bodies of those onboard.
The incident occurred at dawn on Sunday, when the helicopter, operating under the Qatar-Turkey Joint Combined Force Command, went down in regional waters. Initial findings suggest that the crash was caused by a technical malfunction.
Tanker laden with Russian oil arrives in India; docks off Mangaluru coast
A Russian oil-laden tanker, MT Aqua Titan, chartered by Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), has arrived in India on Sunday amid growing concerns over global energy supply due to the escalating conflict in West Asia.
The tanker is currently anchored in the Arabian Sea, about 10 nautical miles off the Mangaluru coast. The tanker was expected to arrive in India on Saturday.
UK submarine with Tomahawk missiles arrives near Strait of Hormuz
A nuclear-powered British submarine, the HMS Anson, has reportedly arrived in the Arabian Sea, according to Al Jazeera.
The vessel departed from the Australian city of Perth on March 6 and took a strategic position in the northern Arabian Sea, "near the Strait of Hormuz," according to media reports.
Iranian missiles devastate Arad, Dimona; over 100 injured
More than 100 people, including children, were injured after ballistic missiles fired by Iran struck the southern Israeli towns of Arad and Dimona, causing extensive damage to residential areas and overwhelming local emergency services.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry sharply condemned the strikes, stating on X: "The Iranian regime devastated Arad and Dimona by deliberately striking civilians with missiles. Over 100 people were injured, including children. A blatant war crime. Pure terrorism."
Iranian missiles devastate Arad, Dimona; over 100 injured
More than 100 people, including children, were injured after ballistic missiles fired by Iran struck the southern Israeli towns of Arad and Dimona, causing extensive damage to residential areas and overwhelming local emergency services.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry sharply condemned the strikes, stating on X: "The Iranian regime devastated Arad and Dimona by deliberately striking civilians with missiles. Over 100 people were injured, including children. A blatant war crime. Pure terrorism."
IIran strikes Israeli nuclear facility of Dimona
Iran launched missile attacks on the Israeli strategic southern cities of Dimona and Arad, aimed at nuclear research facility near Dimona, on Saturday night in retaliation of Israeli strikes on the Natanz nuclear facility.
More than 100 people, including two children, were injured in the Iranian missile strikes.
Saudi Arabia expels Iranian military attache and staff
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs today issued an "unequivocal condemnation" of persistent Iranian aggression directed at the Kingdom and its regional partners.
Reaffirming a previous warning issued on 9th March regarding the "serious consequences for relations," Saudi Arabia ordered the "military attache of the Embassy of Iran," the "assistant military attache," and "three members of the mission staff" to exit the country.
The Saudi government has "declared them personae non gratae" and mandated their departure within a 24-hour window.
Iran internet blackout stretches into fourth week
The ongoing internet blackout in Iran has entered its fourth consecutive week, crossing more than 500 hours of restricted connectivity, as authorities continue to enforce a near-total shutdown amid the intensifying conflict involving the United States and Israel.
The prolonged disruption has significantly curtailed communication channels both within the country and with the outside world, raising concerns over access to information and humanitarian impact.
IRGC claims 'over 200 casualties in latest retaliatory wave'
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has claimed that hundreds have been either killed or wounded during the "latest phase of its ongoing retaliatory Operation True Promise 4."
In a formal statement released on Saturday, the Corps detailed that the "73rd wave of the operation targeted both southern and northern parts of the occupied territories."
Initial field assessments cited by the IRGC indicate that "more than 200 people were killed or injured in the early hours of the latest stage of the reprisal."
Helicopter crashes over sea in Qatar
A helicopter crashed in Qatar due to a technical malfunction and fell into territorial waters, a search for the crew is underway, the Qatari Defence Ministry said on Sunday. It had a technical malfunction during a routine duty, which led to its crash in the regional waters. The search operation to locate the crew and passengers is underway.
Helicopter crashes over sea in Qatar: Defence Ministry
A helicopter crashed in Qatar due to a technical malfunction and fell into territorial waters, a search for the crew is underway, the Qatari Defence Ministry said on Sunday. It had a technical malfunction during a routine duty, which led to its crash in the regional waters. The search operation to locate the crew and passengers is underway.
Helicopter crashes over sea in Qatar: Defence Ministry
A helicopter crashed in Qatar due to a technical malfunction and fell into territorial waters, a search for the crew is underway, the Qatari Defence Ministry said on Sunday. It had a technical malfunction during a routine duty, which led to its crash in the regional waters. The search operation to locate the crew and passengers is underway.
Helicopter crashes over sea in Qatar
A helicopter crashed in Qatar due to a technical malfunction and fell into territorial waters, a search for the crew is underway, the Qatari Defence Ministry said on Sunday. It had a technical malfunction during a routine duty, which led to its crash in the regional waters. The search operation to locate the crew and passengers is underway.
Japan hints at SDF minesweeping role in Strait of Hormuz
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi has indicated that the country could consider deploying its Self-Defense Forces (SDF) for minesweeping operations within the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by Kyodo News.
The top diplomat suggested that such a move would be contingent on the realization of a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
Iran threatens to target US energy, IT systems if fuel sectors attacked
Iran has issued a stern warning against any military action targeting its domestic energy and fuel sectors, promising a comprehensive response against assets belonging to the United States and its regional allies.
Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, stated, "If Iran's fuel and energy infrastructure is attacked by the enemy, all energy infrastructure, information technology systems, and desalination facilities belonging to the United States and the regime in the region will be targeted."
Iran denies role in reported missile attempt on Diego Garcia
Iran today denied targeting the UK's military base on Diego Garcia, with a senior official telling Al Jazeera that Tehran was not behind the reported missile attempt.
The denial comes after reports claimed that Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles towards the joint US-UK military base in the Chagos Archipelago. However, one missile failed during flight, while the other was likely intercepted.
'Intercepted and downed': Saudi Arabia destroys four more drones
The Saudi Ministry of Defence announced the successful interception and neutralisation of multiple aerial threats targeting the kingdom's capital and eastern regions. Military officials confirmed that they have "intercepted and downed four more drones over the Eastern Province." This operation follows a series of attempted strikes aimed at key residential and economic hubs within the country.
UAE air defences intercept Iranian missile and drone threats
The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Defence announced that the nation's military capabilities are actively engaged in defensive operations following a fresh wave of aerial attacks on Sunday morning.
According to an official statement from the Ministry, the country's air defences are "currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran."
This latest engagement follows a comprehensive disclosure by the UAE Ministry of Defence on Saturday, which revealed that the country's air defence systems have intercepted hundreds of aerial threats since the beginning of the conflict in West Asia. These include 341 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,748 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) originating from Iran.