An Indian-flagged oil tanker escaped damage during a drone attack at Fujairah port in the United Arab Emirates. The government said the vessel, Jag Laadki, was loading crude oil when the port’s oil terminal was targeted. “The vessel sailed safely from Fujairah at 1030 hrs IST carrying about 80,800 MT of Murban crude oil and is bound for India,” the statement said. All Indian seafarers onboard were safe. The attack briefly disrupted oil-loading operations at the port. Iran has warned it may target key energy facilities in the region. Two Indian LPG carriers also crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are heading to Indian ports. (PC: HT)

Two Indian LPG tankers have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are heading to ports in Gujarat. The ships, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, are carrying about 92,700 tonnes of LPG. Officials said the vessels crossed the strait between Friday night and Saturday morning. Shivalik is expected to reach Mundra port on Monday. Nanda Devi is likely to arrive at Kandla on Tuesday. The government said 22 Indian vessels remain stuck in the Persian Gulf. Many of them are carrying energy cargo. Sources said the Indian Navy has deployed warships in the region. They may escort merchant ships if needed to ensure safe passage. (PC: The Indian Express)

More than 70 Indian students stranded in Iran are expected to reach New Delhi on Sunday morning, the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association said. Most of the students are from Jammu and Kashmir and study at universities in Iran. They are travelling on Flydubai flight FZ8124 from Armenia through Dubai. The students first travelled by bus from different cities in Iran to Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport. The Indian Embassy in Tehran helped move them to safer locations earlier. Officials coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs and other authorities to arrange transit permits and flights. The evacuation follows rising tensions and security concerns due to the ongoing war. (PC: Reuters)

The Indian Embassy in Doha has issued an advisory for Indians travelling from Qatar to India through the Saudi Arabia border. The embassy asked travellers to carry a valid passport and an approved Saudi transit visa. It also advised people to keep a confirmed flight ticket from Riyadh or Dammam to India. Travellers were told to complete immigration procedures at the Abu Samra border. The embassy recommended using authorised travel agencies and vehicles with proper permits and insurance. The advisory comes amid rising tensions in the Gulf due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict. Qatar earlier said it intercepted two missiles near Doha. (PC: Reuters)

India has strongly criticised Pakistan for carrying out air strikes inside Afghanistan. The Ministry of External Affairs said the attacks caused civilian deaths and damage to infrastructure. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “India condemns the air strikes by Pakistan in Afghanistan's territory, leading to the death of several civilians.” He also called the strikes “another act of aggression” by Pakistan. Afghan officials said the bombardment hit areas in Kabul and border provinces, killing four people and injuring 15 others. Pakistani sources said the strikes targeted Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, but Pakistan’s military has not released an official statement yet. (PC: AP)

Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said India did everything possible after the Iranian warship IRIS Dena was sunk by a US submarine near Sri Lanka. The frigate was returning from a naval exercise in Visakhapatnam when it was torpedoed on March 4, killing more than 100 crew members. Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2026, Fathali said the Indian government accepted Iran’s requests and offered support. He also claimed some other countries refused to cooperate but did not name them. India also allowed another Iranian warship, IRIS Lavan, to dock in Kochi. Some crew members of the ship have already been repatriated.

Two Indian LPG carriers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. The ships are carrying about 92,700 metric tons of LPG and are expected to reach Mundra and Kandla ports on March 16 and 17. Officials said 24 Indian-flagged vessels were earlier in the Persian Gulf, and 22 remain there with 611 Indian seafarers onboard. The government confirmed that all Indian crew members in the region are safe. Authorities also urged people not to panic-buy petrol, diesel, or LPG. The petroleum ministry said fuel supplies across India remain stable and sufficient. (PC: Reuters)

Iran has strongly criticised the United States and European nations during the ongoing conflict. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Washington of asking countries, including India, to buy Russian oil. In remarks posted online, Araghchi said the US was “begging the world” to purchase Russian crude to control rising energy prices. He said the war had disrupted global oil supplies and created instability in energy markets. Araghchi also accused European governments of supporting what he called an “illegal war on Iran.” Meanwhile, the US has issued a temporary waiver allowing countries to buy Russian oil already loaded at sea to stabilise global markets.

Eleven Indian nationals have been charged in the United States for allegedly running a visa fraud scheme involving staged armed robberies. According to U.S. prosecutors, the group organised fake robberies at convenience stores and fast-food outlets so that store clerks could claim they were victims of violent crime and apply for U-visas, a special immigration status for crime victims who assist law enforcement. The incidents were reportedly planned from 2023 and took place at several locations across Massachusetts and other states. Authorities say the accused either arranged the fake robberies or paid to participate as “victims”. Several suspects have been arrested and presented before federal courts. (PC: The Hindu)

Amid escalating tensions in West Asia, Iran has assured safe passage for Indian ships through the strategic Strait of Hormuz following diplomatic engagement by Narendra Modi. During a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Modi emphasised that India considers Iran a “friend” and supports resolving conflicts through dialogue. Tehran responded positively, signalling that vessels heading to India would be allowed to transit safely despite regional hostilities. The development is significant for India, which relies heavily on energy shipments passing through the strait. The assurance could ease concerns over disrupted oil and gas supplies as the conflict continues to affect maritime trade routes in the region. (PC: X)