Scott Bessent, the US Treasury Secretary, abruptly paused a live interview at the White House after being summoned by President Donald Trump to the Situation Room amid the ongoing Iran war. The interruption occurred while Bessent was speaking with Sky News journalist Wilfred Frost. He removed his microphone and left immediately after an aide said the president wanted him “right away.” The interview resumed nearly two hours later, with Bessent appearing visibly shaken and speaking with a trembling voice. He said Trump was “in great spirits” and claimed the US mission against Iran was progressing “ahead of schedule,” but he avoided giving detailed updates about the situation.

An India-flagged fuel tanker, Jag Prakash oil tanker, has set sail from east of the Strait of Hormuz carrying gasoline from Oman to Tanzania, officials confirmed. The vessel departed the Gulf of Oman after days of disruption to maritime traffic caused by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Government officials said three other Indian-flagged ships remain stuck east of the strait with 76 Indian sailors onboard, while 24 vessels with 677 Indian crew members are stranded west in the Persian Gulf. The waterway, which carries about 20% of global oil shipments, has seen attacks on multiple commercial vessels since the conflict escalated. (PC: NDTV)

Two Indian nationals were killed and ten others injured in a drone strike at the Al Awahi Industrial Area in Sohar, Oman, officials confirmed. The incident marks the first Indian fatalities on land in West Asia since the United States–Iran conflict began on February 28. According to India’s External Affairs Ministry, five of the injured Indians have already been discharged from hospital, while the others remain under treatment but are out of danger. The drone strike targeted an industrial zone and also affected expatriate workers. Indian authorities are coordinating with local officials and companies to provide assistance to the victims and their families.

A sharp war of words erupted between Iran and the United States after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed Iranian leaders were “hiding like rats” amid ongoing strikes. Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani rejected the claim and mocked US leadership, saying Iranian leaders were among the public while American leaders were “on Epstein’s island.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was seen attending the annual Al Quds Day march in Tehran during the conflict. The exchange highlights escalating rhetoric as the war between Iran and the US-Israel alliance continues to intensify.

During a Pentagon briefing, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said senior leaders in Iran have gone underground as airstrikes by the United States and Israel intensify. Military officials said sustained aerial operations have forced Iranian commanders and political leaders to relocate to secure locations. The development reflects mounting pressure from the ongoing military campaign, which aims to weaken Iran’s command and control systems. According to Pentagon officials, targeting key infrastructure and leadership networks is part of a broader strategy to disrupt Iran’s operational coordination during the escalating regional conflict.

IndiGo will increase ticket prices by introducing a fuel surcharge on all domestic and international flights starting March 14. The airline said the decision follows a sharp rise in aviation fuel prices linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. According to the airline, jet fuel prices in the region have risen by more than 85 percent, significantly raising operating costs. The surcharge will range from ₹425 for domestic flights to ₹2,300 for routes to Europe. IndiGo said the move is meant to partly offset rising costs while limiting the financial burden on passengers. (PC: NDTV)

A Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft operated by the United States Central Command crashed in western Iraq during Operation Epic Fury. The US military said the incident did not result from hostile or friendly fire and that rescue efforts were underway. However, the Iran-aligned militia group Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed it shot down the aircraft. The KC-135 is a key aerial refuelling tanker used to support long-range combat missions. The crash marks the fourth US aircraft lost since the conflict began on February 28, highlighting the growing risks and uncertainty surrounding the ongoing war.

An Indian seafarer, Deonandan Prasad Singh, died after a drone attack on the oil tanker MT Safesea Vishnu near Khor Al Zubair Port close to Basra in Iraq. Singh, an Additional Chief Engineer and resident of Mumbai’s Kandivali East, sustained severe injuries during the strike and later succumbed to them. The vessel, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, was among two ships reportedly targeted in a drone attack claimed by Iran amid escalating regional tensions. Fifteen other Indian crew members were rescued. Authorities and maritime agencies are investigating the incident as concerns grow over seafarer safety in the conflict-hit Gulf waters. (PC: ABP)

Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, signalled that Indian vessels could receive safe passage through the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid escalating regional tensions. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, the envoy described India as a “friend” and highlighted shared regional interests between the two countries. He suggested that developments allowing safe transit for Indian ships through the crucial maritime route could emerge soon. The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital global energy corridor, carrying a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas shipments. Disruptions there are closely watched by energy markets and countries like India that depend heavily on imported crude.

Global oil prices edged slightly lower after the United States issued a 30-day waiver allowing countries to purchase Russia crude oil already stranded at sea. The move aims to ease supply concerns by allowing oil shipments already in transit to reach buyers. Benchmark prices slipped modestly, with Brent crude trading just under $100 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate near $95. However, market sentiment remains tense due to escalating conflict in West Asia and the possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a route that carries about 20% of global oil supply. Energy markets remain volatile as geopolitical risks continue to threaten production and shipping.