Global oil prices fell after US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran could end “very soon”.   Oil had surged past $100 a barrel on Monday amid fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East. Prices later dropped closer to $90 after Trump said the conflict was “very far ahead of schedule” and “very complete, pretty much”.   However, he gave little detail on how the war might end. Trump also warned the US could hit Iran “twenty times harder” if oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz were blocked.   Iran has warned it will halt all oil exports from the region if attacks continue. (PC: BBC)

The Pentagon confirmed that 26-year-old U.S. Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington from Kentucky has died from injuries suffered during an Iranian missile strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, becoming the seventh U.S. service member killed in the ongoing conflict with Iran. Pennington was wounded in the March 1 attack targeting American military positions and later succumbed to his injuries. He served with the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado, supporting missile-warning and satellite operations. The U.S. military honored his service and announced he will be posthumously promoted to staff sergeant. (PC: AP)

Residents in Dubai and Abu Dhabi received emergency alerts warning of potential missile threats as the UAE’s air-defence systems intercepted incoming drones and missiles linked to the ongoing Iran-Israel-US conflict. Authorities urged people to seek shelter while security forces responded to the aerial threats. The regional war has severely disrupted aviation, with more than 40,000 flights cancelled across the Middle East between February 28 and March 9. Airports in the Gulf, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, faced temporary closures and operational disruptions due to safety concerns. Governments across the region remain on high alert as the conflict spreads, raising fears of further attacks and prolonged travel and economic disruptions. (PC: AP)

Iran launched multiple drones toward Saudi Arabia and Kuwait amid the escalating Middle East conflict, expanding the war beyond Iran and Israel. Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said two drones were intercepted over its oil-rich eastern region, while Kuwait’s National Guard shot down six drones targeting northern and southern areas. The attacks come as U.S. President Donald Trump sends conflicting messages about the war’s duration—calling it a “short excursion” but warning Iran of a massive response if oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted. The uncertainty has caused volatility in global markets and oil prices as fears grow of wider regional escalation. (PC: AFP)

The United States reportedly reacted with shock after Israel carried out massive strikes on 30 Iranian fuel depots, an operation that went far beyond what Washington expected. According to reports, Israel had informed the US before launching the attacks, but the scale of the strikes surprised American officials. One US official reportedly responded with “WTF?” after learning about the extensive damage caused to Iran’s oil infrastructure. The incident marks the first major disagreement between the two allies since the war began on February 28. The strikes triggered huge fires and intensified tensions in the Middle East as the Iran-Israel conflict continues to escalate. (PC: X)

Mojtaba Khamenei has taken over as Iran’s Supreme Leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the ongoing Iran-US-Israel conflict. His rise to power reportedly came at a heavy personal cost, with several close family members killed in strikes during the war. Reports suggest that his wife, a son, and other relatives were among those who died in the attacks. Despite these losses, Iran’s powerful Assembly of Experts selected Mojtaba to lead the country at a time of intense regional tension. His appointment marks the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that Iran’s top leadership has effectively passed from father to son. (PC: NDTV)

U.S. President Donald Trump said the ongoing war with Iran could end soon, claiming American and allied military objectives are largely achieved. Speaking in a media interview, Trump described the conflict as a “short-term excursion” and suggested U.S. forces are ahead of their planned timeline. However, he issued a strong warning to Tehran, urging Iranian leaders not to “try anything cute” or provoke further escalation. Trump cautioned that any hostile action by Iran would trigger a severe response from the United States. The conflict began after U.S.–Israel strikes on Iranian targets, followed by retaliatory attacks that have heightened tensions across the Middle East. (PC: Reuters)

France will deploy nearly a dozen naval vessels, including the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, to the Mediterranean and Red Sea as tensions escalate in the Middle East. President Emmanuel Macron said the move aims to support allies and ensure maritime security as the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran disrupts shipping routes and pushes oil prices higher. France is also considering a defensive escort mission for commercial ships through the strategic Strait of Hormuz once the most intense phase of the conflict subsides. The deployment includes warships, an aircraft carrier strike group and helicopter carriers to protect navigation and reinforce European security efforts in the region. (PC: Reuters)

Anthropic has filed a lawsuit against the administration of Donald Trump after being officially labelled a “supply chain risk” by the US government. The artificial intelligence company says the designation was imposed because it refused to allow unrestricted military use of its technology. Anthropic argues that the move unfairly harms its reputation and business operations. The case highlights growing tensions between AI companies and governments over the use of advanced artificial intelligence in military and national security applications. (PC: X)

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesman Ebrahim Zolfighari warned that the escalating conflict with the United States could drive global oil prices to $200 per barrel. He accused Washington of opening a “new chapter” in the war by targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure. Reports say strikes backed by the US and Israel hit fuel storage and refinery facilities near Tehran, including sites in Shahr-e Rey, Shahran and Karaj. The attacks signal a shift toward economic and energy targets, raising fears of supply disruptions through the critical Strait of Hormuz and further volatility in global energy markets.