Five U.S. Air Force refueling aircraft were reportedly damaged in an Iranian missile strike targeting the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia amid the escalating Iran-U.S. conflict. According to reports citing U.S. officials, the aircraft were hit while stationed on the ground but were not completely destroyed and are currently undergoing repairs. No casualties were reported from the attack. The strike highlights Iran’s expanding retaliation against U.S. military assets in the region following recent American and Israeli operations against Iranian targets. The incident underscores rising tensions across the Middle East, with several Gulf bases and infrastructure increasingly vulnerable as the conflict intensifies. (PC: Mint)

Formula One is set to cancel the 2026 Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix scheduled for April due to escalating conflict in the Middle East linked to the Iran war. The Bahrain race was planned for April 12, followed by the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah on April 19. Safety concerns for drivers, teams, and fans, along with logistical challenges, prompted the decision after missile and drone attacks affected parts of the Gulf region. If confirmed, the cancellations will reduce the 2026 Formula One season from 24 to 22 races. The calendar will likely see a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix in late March and the Miami Grand Prix in early May. (PC: Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump announced that American forces carried out a powerful bombing raid on Iran’s strategic Kharg Island, claiming that all military targets on the island were “totally obliterated.” The island is Iran’s main oil export hub and a vital part of its economy, handling most of the country’s crude shipments. Trump said the US deliberately avoided hitting the oil infrastructure but warned it could be targeted if Iran interferes with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The strike marks a major escalation in the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran in the Middle East. (PC: India Today)

The United States has announced rewards of up to $10 million for information on key figures linked to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), escalating pressure on Iran amid the ongoing conflict. A notice issued by the United States Department of State references ten Iranian leaders believed to command or direct IRGC operations. Among those named are Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani. Washington said the reward programme aims to gather information on senior Iranian military figures involved in directing IRGC activities, as tensions between the US and Iran continue to intensify. (PC: X)

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has reportedly survived two assassination attempts amid escalating tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Iranian MP Mohammadreza Rezaei Kouchi told the Islamic Republic News Agency that Khamenei was present during a strike on the residence of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, but escaped unharmed. He also claimed another attack targeted a hospital where the new leader was present, though details about the location were not disclosed. Meanwhile, Donald Trump suggested Khamenei might have been injured during early US-Israeli strikes. The absence of recent photos or videos of him has fuelled speculation about his health. (PC: X)

Concerns over possible cooking gas shortages linked to the West Asia conflict have triggered a surge in demand for electric kitchen appliances across India. Many households are buying induction cooktops, microwaves, electric kettles and air fryers as backup cooking options amid fears of disruptions in LPG supply. Retailers and e-commerce platforms report sharp increases in sales. Online grocery platform BigBasket recorded a fivefold jump in induction cooktop demand on March 10, followed by a 30-fold spike the next day. Meanwhile, Flipkart said sales have risen nearly 25 times in recent days, particularly in cities such as Kolkata, Delhi and parts of Uttar Pradesh. (PC: X)

Donald Trump told leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) that Iran was “about to surrender” as tensions escalated following US-Israeli strikes. Trump said the conflict could end soon, claiming the attacks had severely weakened Iran’s military and infrastructure. However, Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, rejected the claim in his first public statement after succeeding his father Ali Khamenei. He vowed revenge for those killed in the strikes and warned that US bases in Gulf nations could be targeted. Khamenei also said the strategic Strait of Hormuz would remain closed as leverage, escalating fears of disruption to global oil supplies. (PC: Times Now)

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.