A drone struck an area near the US Consulate in Dubai early Tuesday, causing a fire, city officials said. Dubai’s government media office confirmed that emergency teams reached the site quickly. The fire was brought under control. No injuries were reported. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the drone hit a parking lot next to the consulate’s chancery building. “All personnel are accounted for,” Rubio said. He added that the US had reduced staff at some diplomatic sites earlier. The consulate is in a busy area of Dubai, close to the British embassy and the Saudi consulate.

France has ordered its aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to sail to the Mediterranean as tensions rise in the Middle East. President Emmanuel Macron said the carrier, along with its air wing and escort ships, will help protect allied assets in the region. At the same time, Israel said it struck a “covert underground” nuclear site in Iran. The Israeli military claimed the compound was linked to developing capabilities for nuclear weapons. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks against Israel. The conflict has expanded days after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran. (PC: HT)

The Pentagon has warned that key US missile stocks could run low if the Iran conflict continues for 10 more days, according to a report by Al Jazeera. Officials reportedly told President Donald Trump that a longer war may strain interceptor and precision weapon supplies. Analysts said systems such as THAAD and other interceptors could be hit hardest. Reports say the US has already used a large share of such missiles in past clashes. However, Trump said on social media that US munitions stockpiles have “never been higher” and claimed wars could be fought “forever” with current supplies. The conflict has already raised concerns about rising costs. (PC: X)

An Indian student in Iran’s Urmia shared a video showing a large explosion as Israeli strikes continued on Tuesday. In the clip, a thick plume of smoke rises in the distance. Loud voices are heard in the background. The video could not be independently verified. Explosions were reported in Tehran and Isfahan. Israeli forces also issued evacuation warnings in parts of Iran. Iranian media said airports in Tehran and Bushehr were hit. Iran carried out strikes in central Israel, injuring 12 people. India’s foreign ministry said the safety of Indian nationals in the region is its “utmost priority.”

Oil and gas prices rose sharply as global stock markets fell on fears the Middle East conflict could grow. UK gas prices hit a three-year high before easing. Brent crude moved above $85 a barrel and is about 17% higher than last week. Major share indexes in London, Germany and France closed lower. US markets also fell in early trade. Investors are worried about energy supplies and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. “As long as this war continues… it can be an issue for the price of oil,” said Philip Palumbo. Higher energy costs could raise inflation and delay interest rate cuts. (PC: BBC)

The UN nuclear watchdog said it has found no proof that Iran is running a weapons programme, despite US and Israeli claims. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said inspectors saw no evidence of “a systematic and structured program to manufacture nuclear weapons.” He confirmed Iran has enriched uranium to 60 per cent purity. He said this level is high but added, “Do they have them? No.” US envoy Steve Witkoff said Iranian officials told US negotiators they had 460 kilograms of 60 per cent enriched uranium. He claimed it could make “11 nuclear bombs.” Iran has denied seeking nuclear weapons. (PC: India Today)

Flights began to resume in parts of West Asia on Day 4 of the conflict, but major hubs remain affected. Jordan reopened its airspace after a brief closure. Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports are operating at limited capacity. Emirates and Etihad said they will run limited services until at least March 4. Passengers were told not to go to airports unless informed. Air India is using larger aircraft on Dubai and Jeddah routes. IndiGo will operate 10 relief flights from Jeddah. Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait remain closed due to missile and drone threats. Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport plans a gradual reopening. (PC: HT)

US President Donald Trump said “everything’s been knocked out in Iran” as he criticised the UK and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Speaking at the White House, Trump said he was “not happy” with Britain’s early response to US and Israeli strikes on Iran. “This is not Winston Churchill we’re dealing with,” he said, referring to Starmer. His remarks came as tensions rose in the region. The US warned of an “imminent” Iranian attack in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Israel said it carried out new strikes on Iran’s leadership sites in Tehran. The UK said it would send helicopters and the destroyer HMS Dragon to Cyprus after attacks on a British base. (PC: BBC)

Loud explosions were heard in Dubai and Doha as Iran continued missile and drone attacks across the region. Journalists in Doha said blasts echoed across the city. Two residents told AFP they also heard explosions in Abu Dhabi. The strikes followed US and Israeli attacks on Iran earlier this week. Iran has since targeted sites in Gulf countries and Israel where US forces are present. President Donald Trump said it was “too late” for Iran to seek talks. Iran denied asking for negotiations. Airspace closures disrupted travel. Aviation firm Cirium said 12,903 flights were cancelled between Saturday and Monday. (PC: NDTV)

US President Donald Trump said he may have pushed Israel to act against Iran and denied that Washington was pulled into the conflict. Speaking at the Oval Office, Trump rejected claims that the US struck Iran only because Israel was set to attack first. “They were going to attack if we didn’t do it,” he said, referring to Iran. “I felt strongly about that.” Trump added, “I might have forced Israel’s hand, but Israel was ready, and we were ready.” His remarks differ from comments by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who suggested Israel was close to acting alone. Trump said the strikes had reduced Iran’s missile capacity. (PC: India Today)