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.

Thousands of Chinese fishing vessels gathered in unusual geometric formations in the East China Sea, raising concerns among maritime experts about possible military preparations by China. Satellite and ship-tracking data showed up to 2,000 boats clustering in coordinated patterns near Taiwan, sometimes as close as 500 metres apart, before dispersing after roughly 30 hours. Analysts believe the manoeuvres were unlikely to be fishing activity and may represent a test of China’s ability to mobilise large civilian fleets during a crisis. Experts say such vessels could support military operations, including blockades or logistics, as tensions over Taiwan continue to rise.

India will repatriate 183 sailors from the Iranian naval ship IRIS Lavan after the vessel docked in Kochi amid escalating regional tensions. The ship had earlier participated in the MILAN 2026 naval exercise and India’s International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam. Iran requested docking permission for three vessels as the conflict intensified. While IRIS Lavan reached Kochi, another vessel docked in Sri Lanka and IRIS Dena was sunk by a US submarine near the island nation. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described the docking as a humanitarian decision, with New Delhi maintaining diplomatic contact with Tehran. (PC: News18)

One India-flagged tanker has safely moved out of the conflict zone near the Strait of Hormuz and is heading toward Africa, while 27 other Indian vessels with more than 700 sailors remain in the region. Authorities confirmed that three Indian seafarers have been killed and one is missing amid the escalating Gulf conflict. The government said it is closely monitoring all Indian ships operating around the strategic waterway, which links the Persian Gulf to global energy markets. Officials also noted that thousands of Indian sailors work across vessels in the Gulf region, and coordination with shipping companies is ongoing to ensure their safety. (PC: India Today)