Young people in Tehran say daily life continues despite air strikes and fear during the Iran war. Residents told BBC Persian they spend most of their time indoors as bombings shake the city. Streets and metro stations are mostly empty, and many families have left for safer areas. Some residents said their sleep schedules now depend on the timing of attacks. With internet access heavily restricted, many people are secretly using Starlink to contact relatives abroad. Despite the danger, people say they are trying to keep hope alive. “Even under missiles, we carry on living,” one resident said, as Iranians prepare for Nowruz.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves. The decision was taken by all 32 member countries. The move comes as the Iran war raises fears of global oil supply disruptions. The IEA said the oil will be released based on each country’s national situation. Strategic reserves are usually used during major supply crises or when oil prices rise sharply. The step aims to stabilise global energy markets and ensure steady supply. Officials said the release will help reduce pressure on oil prices and support countries facing shortages during the ongoing Middle East tensions.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the ongoing war with Iran could end soon. He claimed the conflict would stop “anytime I want.” Trump did not explain how the war would end or give a timeline. His remarks came during a public statement while speaking about tensions in the Middle East. The conflict between the United States and Iran has raised global concern in recent weeks. Many countries have called for calm and dialogue. Analysts say it is still unclear how or when the fighting will stop. Trump’s latest comments suggest he believes the situation could change quickly in the coming days. (PC: AFP)

Iran’s military has warned that banks and financial institutions linked to the United States and Israel in West Asia could become targets amid the escalating US-Iran conflict. The threat came after an airstrike reportedly hit an Iranian bank in Tehran, which Tehran blamed on the US and Israel. Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya military command said the attack on its financial infrastructure forced it to consider retaliation against economic centers in the region. Authorities also warned civilians to stay at least 1 kilometre away from banks due to possible attacks. The development signals a widening of the conflict, with financial institutions now potentially becoming strategic targets. (PC: X)

Two drones fell near Dubai International Airport on March 11, injuring four people, including one Indian national, amid escalating regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict. Authorities said the drones crashed in the airport’s vicinity but caused no major damage, and flight operations continued normally. The incident comes as the war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel disrupts infrastructure and airspace across the Middle East. Airlines have faced thousands of cancellations and rerouted flights due to missile and drone threats. Rising jet fuel costs and airspace closures have created one of the region’s worst aviation disruptions since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Japan will begin releasing part of its oil reserves from March 16 as supply concerns grow due to the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the country plans to release 15 days of private-sector reserves and about one month of state reserves. The move comes as the Iran-US conflict continues to disrupt oil shipments through the key waterway. Nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. There are still no signs that commercial ships can safely resume sailing through the route. Iran and its allies have threatened to target vessels in the area. The G7 countries are also discussing the possible use of strategic reserves to stabilise oil markets. (PC: HT)

Three commercial vessels were damaged in the Strait of Hormuz after being struck by what officials called “unknown projectiles”. At least one cargo ship caught fire, with images showing thick smoke rising from the vessel. Rescue teams moved to help 23 crew members on board one of the damaged ships. The incident came hours after the US military said it had “eliminated” 16 Iranian mine-laying boats in the area. President Donald Trump had earlier warned Iran not to place mines in the key shipping route. Tensions across the region remain high. Iran has continued strikes in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, while Israel carried out fresh attacks in Iran and Lebanon. (PC: BBC)

Four people, including an Indian national, were injured after two drones fell near Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates. The Dubai Media Office said the drones were shot down before landing near the airport area.   Officials said airport operations were not disrupted and flights continued as normal.   The incident comes as tensions rise across the Gulf after Iran launched waves of missiles and drones toward several countries in the region.   Authorities said security forces are intercepting incoming threats.   Meanwhile, a precautionary shutdown was reported at the Ruwais refinery after a drone strike caused a fire in the nearby industrial zone.

US President Donald Trump has announced a new oil refinery project in Brownsville, Texas, and thanked Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries for a “tremendous investment”. Trump said the refinery will be the first new US refinery built in about 50 years. The project will be developed by America First Refining. Construction is expected to begin in the April–June quarter of 2026. Trump described it as a “historic $300 billion deal”. Company information shows the figure reflects the value of crude oil the refinery will process and the fuels it will produce over about 20 years. The refinery is designed to process US shale oil and support domestic energy supply. (PC: X)

Iran has continued shipping crude oil to China through the Strait of Hormuz even as the war with the U.S. and Israel has slowed traffic in the key waterway. TankerTrackers said Iran has sent at least 11.7 million barrels of crude through the strait since the conflict began on February 28. All shipments were headed to China. Several vessels switched off their tracking systems after Tehran warned it could attack ships trying to pass through the strait. Shipping data firm Kpler estimates about 12 million barrels have moved through the route during the war. Iran has also restarted limited loading at the Jask terminal on the Gulf of Oman, which can export oil without using the Strait of Hormuz. (PC: CNBC)