Iran’s Assembly of Experts has agreed on a candidate to replace Ali Khamenei as the country’s next supreme leader, clerics said on Sunday. Officials said a consensus has been reached but warned that “some obstacles” remain before the appointment becomes final.   The development came as heavy smoke covered parts of Tehran after oil depots were struck in US-Israeli air raids. Residents reported loud explosions and large fires.   Videos showed flames spreading across streets after fuel spilled from damaged storage sites.   Israel’s military has also warned it could target any successor to Khamenei. The conflict has spread across the Gulf, with drone and missile attacks reported in several countries. (PC: BBC)

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington had earlier asked India to stop buying sanctioned Russian oil and New Delhi complied.   “The Indians had been very good actors. We had asked them to stop buying sanctioned Russian oil this fall. They did,” Bessent told Fox Business.   He said the U.S. has now allowed India to buy Russian oil already at sea to ease supply pressure during the West Asia conflict.   “Yesterday, the Treasury agreed to let our allies in India start buying Russian oil that was already on the water,” he said.   The U.S. has issued a temporary 30-day waiver for such purchases. (PC: The Hindu)

Large fires broke out in Tehran after Israeli airstrikes hit several fuel depots in and around the Iranian capital. Iranian officials said at least four people, including two tanker drivers, were killed. Warplanes struck at least five oil facilities, including storage depots and a fuel transport centre.   Videos showed huge flames and thick black smoke rising over the city. Residents described a “river of fire” flowing along roads where leaking fuel caught fire. Emergency crews worked overnight to control the blazes.   Israel said it targeted fuel storage sites to stop their use by Iran’s military. Iranian authorities said fuel reserves remain secure, though distribution was temporarily disrupted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal for allegedly insulting President Droupadi Murmu. Speaking at a Women’s Day event, Modi said the country and “Nari Shakti” will not forgive the insult to the President. The controversy began after the venue of the 9th International Santhali Conclave was shifted to a smaller location near Bagdogra Airport. President Murmu said she was saddened that many people could not attend the event because of the change. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was also absent from the programme. Banerjee later accused the BJP of using the President to attack the state government for political reasons. (PC: @NarendraModi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated two new Delhi Metro corridors, including India’s first operational ring metro line. He opened the 12.3-km Majlis Park–Maujpur-Babarpur stretch of the Pink Line and the 9.9-km Deepali Chowk–Majlis Park extension of the Magenta Line. The Pink Line now forms a circular metro network around parts of Delhi. The new corridor has nine elevated stations and a bridge over the Yamuna. The Magenta Line extension adds seven stations and improves connectivity in north Delhi. Services started at 3 pm on Sunday. The metro projects are part of development works worth about Rs 33,500 crore aimed at improving public transport and reducing travel time.

A top Iranian official has warned US President Donald Trump that Iran will “avenge” the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said Iran will not leave Trump alone and vowed to continue strikes on US and Israeli bases. He also claimed several American soldiers were captured during the conflict, though the US denied the claim. Trump dismissed the warning and said he “couldn’t care less”. He added that Iran had already been defeated and demanded unconditional surrender. The comments come as fighting between the US, Israel and Iran continues, with airstrikes, missile attacks and rising casualties across the Middle East region. (PC: Reuters)

At least 19 people were killed after Israeli airstrikes hit a town in southern Lebanon on Sunday. The strike destroyed a three-storey building in Sire al Gharbiya. Reports said children were among the dead. Rescue teams are searching through the rubble to find survivors and recover bodies. The attack comes as the Middle East war continues for a ninth day. Israel has also carried out strikes in Iran, targeting oil facilities and military sites. Iran earlier launched drone and missile attacks on US bases in the region. Thousands of civilians have been affected as the conflict spreads across several countries and tensions continue to rise.

Iran launched missile and drone attacks across parts of the Gulf, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. In the UAE, four people were killed and 112 injured after debris from intercepted missiles fell in areas of Dubai. A Pakistani driver died in Al Barsha when debris hit the ground. Air defence systems intercepted several drones and missiles. Dubai airport briefly stopped operations before resuming flights. Several airlines cancelled or delayed flights as airspace restrictions continued. Qatar Airways said it will run limited flights to and from Doha. Authorities in the UAE later lifted the safety alert and said the situation is currently safe.

India will face New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The venue is where India lost the ODI World Cup final in 2023. Captain Suryakumar Yadav returns to the ground hoping to leave that memory behind.   India reached the final after a narrow seven-run win over England in the semi-final. Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah played key roles in that match.   New Zealand also enter the final after a strong nine-wicket win over South Africa. Both teams had mixed results earlier in the tournament but recovered to reach the title match. (PC: BCCI)

At least 41 people were killed after Israeli special forces raided Nabi Chit in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley overnight. The Lebanese health ministry said dozens more were injured. Three Lebanese soldiers and several civilians, including children, were among the dead. The Israeli operation aimed to recover the remains of missing Israeli airman Ron Arad, who disappeared in Lebanon 40 years ago. Residents said Israeli troops landed by helicopter and clashes broke out with Hezbollah fighters. Witnesses said heavy airstrikes followed to allow the troops to withdraw. “They bombed everything. This is crazy,” one resident said. Locals said the grave believed to hold the airman’s remains was empty. (PC: BBC)