Day 28 of war: Iran's response to US proposal undecided; Rubio says war to end 'in weeks'

Day 28 of war

As the war begins its fourth week, Trump extended his pause on striking Iranian power plants. The pause would now go on for 10 days, extending into April, amid his claim that ongoing talks are "going very well".

While Trump has previously said Iran was desperate to make a deal, the Iranian foreign minister said his country was reviewing a US proposal but had ​no intention of holding talks to wind down the conflict.

Trump has not identified with whom the US is negotiating in Iran, only claiming that he has spoken to "top leaders."

Stay tuned to this Khaleej Times live blog to get all the latest updates from the war today.

Oil prices fall on Friday

Oil prices fell in early trade on Friday and were down over a volatile week, Reuters reported, after Trump announced he would pause attacks on Iran's energy plants for 10 days.

Brent futures fell 90 cents, or 0.8 per cent, to $107.11 per barrel as of 12.24am GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate futures lost 83 cents, or 0.88 per cent, to $93.65 per barrel, trimming gains from a bullish previous session.

Israel military says carried out 'wide-scale' strike on Tehran

Israel's military said its forces carried out strikes on "infrastructure" targets in Tehran early Friday, AFP reported.

A brief military statement said Israeli forces "completed a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime in the heart of Tehran".

Asean summit in May shortened to 'bare bones' programme: Reuters

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday that the Asean Leaders' summit will go ahead in May, but will be shortened to a "bare-bones" programme that focuses on addressing issues like fuel supplies, food prices and migrant workers.

Marcos said he has consulted with his counterparts in the regional bloc and asked them whether they preferred to postpone the Asean summit due to the conflict in the Middle East.

"The consensus that we came to is that it is precisely now that we must coordinate our efforts," Marcos told reporters.

Indian refineries exporting oil to pay export tax

Indian oil minister Hardeep Singh Puri said any refinery exporting oil to foreign nations would have to pay an export tax.

He added that Indian government has taken a "huge hit on tax revenues" to ensure that very high losses of oil companies are reduced, amid sky-high international prices.

Day 28: How war has unfolded so far

Take a look at Khaleej Times's live coverage from the beginning of the war to find out how events have unfolded.

• Day 1

• Day 2

• Day 3

• Day 4

• Day 5

• Day 6

• Day 7

• Day 8

• Day 9

• Day 10

• Day 11

• Day 12

• Day 13

• Day 14

• Day 15

• Day 16

• Day 17

• Day 18

• Day 19

• Day 20

• Day 21

• Day 22

• Day 23

• Day 24

• Day 25

• Day 26

• Day 27

Economic effects felt globally 

While the war unfolds in the Middle East, the economic repercussions are felt around the world, with conflicts depicting just how much countries are interlinked during the globalisation era.

Here's a snapshot of what some countries are doing:

Vietnam waives green tax

Vietnam temporarily waived an environmental tax on fuel to cut soaring petrol prices by more than a quarter on Friday, the trade ministry said.

Japan to ease coal restrictions

Japan's government plans to temporarily lift restrictions on coal-fired power plants as it seeks to ease an energy crunch, an official told AFP.

Power suppliers have been required to keep the operating rate of coal-fired thermal power stations that emit large amounts of carbon dioxide at or below 50 percent. But the government now intends to allow full operation of older, less efficient coal-fired plants, for a year from the new fiscal year starting April.

Spain approves war-impact measures

Spain's parliament approved a sweeping package worth five billion euros ($5.8 billion), including steep cuts to energy taxes.

Poland cuts fuel taxes

Poland's prime minister announced Thursday a series of measures to cushion the impact of soaring fuel costs, including reduced taxes and price ceilings.

The value-added tax was being reduced on petrol and diesel from 23 percent to eight percent, and a maximum price would be set on a daily basis by the energy ministry, said Donald Tusk.

German consumer confidence slumps

German consumer sentiment fell heading into April due to the war, a survey showed Thursday, adding to the woes facing Europe's top economy.

South Korea prepares 'wartime' budget

South Korea will roll out a $17 billion "wartime" supplementary budget and expand fuel tax cuts as the war in Iran pushes up energy prices, authorities said

Indian oil minister denies rumours of lockdown in India

Indian oil minister denied rumours of a lockdown in India, calling it "completely false."

Hardeep Singh Puri clarified that while the "global situation remains in flux," there is no such proposal under consideration by the Indian government. He said: "Attempts to spread rumours and create panic in such a situation are irresponsible and harmful."

The minister added that "all necessary steps are being taken to ensure uninterrupted availability of fuel, energy, and other critical supplies".

India cuts excise duties on petrol, diesel

India slashed its special excise duties on petrol and diesel, as fuel prices stay volatile with supplies choked by the Iran war, Reuters reported.

In a government order on Thursday, India's finance ministry reduced the special excise duty on petrol to 3 rupees ($0.0318) per litre from 13 rupees earlier. It also cut the duty on diesel to zero from 10 rupees.

The ministry did not say how much the duty cuts would cost the government.

Madhavi Arora, an economist at Emkay Global, estimated the annualised fiscal hit to be nearly 1.55 trillion rupees.

Explosions heard from south Beirut in early morning

Lebanese media reported an Israeli strike hit Beirut's southern suburbs early Friday, as AFP correspondents heard several explosions from the Hezbollah stronghold, which Israel has repeatedly struck since war erupted this month.

AFPTV footage showed smoke billowing from the area after the raid.

Israel has previously issued sweeping evacuation warnings for the area, but provided no specific warning in advance of Friday's strike, which came in the early hours of the morning.

The usually densely populated area has largely emptied of residents since the hostilities erupted, and it was unclear whether there were any casualties.

US' Rubio holds call with Iraqi Kurdish leader

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday, the State Department said, adding he expressed "gratitude" to KRG for enabling oil from Iraq, including from Iraq's Kurdistan, to reach global markets.

The State Department said Rubio "offered his condolences to the families of the Peshmerga killed in an Iranian missile attack on March 24 and wished a speedy recovery to those injured."

At ‌least six Kurdish Peshmerga fighters were ​killed and ​30 wounded in ⁠a rocket attack ​on their ​base north of Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, ​a Peshmerga statement ​said on Tuesday.

The ⁠Peshmerga statement said Iran carried out a "treacherous ​attack," adding ⁠that six Iranian ballistic missiles ​struck a ​Peshmerga ⁠military headquarters north of Erbil ⁠early ​on Tuesday.

Attacks in Middle East: AFP

This AFP infographic shows a map of the Middle East with drone and missile strikes attributed to Iran or Hezbollah, and to Israel or the United States, including intercepted attacks.

Trump weighs sending another 10,000 ground troops to Middle East: WSJ

The Pentagon is looking at sending up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East to give Trump more military options even as he weighs peace talks with Tehran, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

WSJ cited Department of Defence officials with knowledge of the planning.

Saudi Arabia destroys 5 drones

Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed five drones in the country's Eastern Region, its news agency reported, citing a Ministry of Defence spokesperson.

Iran did not request 10-day pause on strikes: WSJ cites mediators

When Trump said he will extend the deadline to April 6 for Iran to make a deal to end the war or face the destruction of its energy plants, he claimed the extension was "as per Iranian government request."

However, Iran did not ask for a 10-day pause on such strikes, the Wall Street Journal cited peace talk mediators as saying.

The US President also said talks were going "very well", but Tehran dismissed the US proposal as unfair.

"Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well," he added in his Truth Social post.

Thai ship hit in Hormuz runs aground off Iran's Qeshm Island: Tasnim

A Thai-flagged cargo ship that was hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month has run aground off Iran's Qeshm Island, Iran's Tasnim news agency said on Friday.

Thailand said 20 crew members were rescued by the Omani navy, while three were missing after an explosion in the stern of the ship, Mayuree Naree, caused a fire in the engine room.

Vietnamese airlines to cut flights due to fuel supply constraints

Vietnamese airlines plan to cancel flights on domestic and international routes from next month due to fuel supply constraints caused by the Middle East conflict, state media reported citing a report from the regulator.

• Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines will suspend seven domestic routes from April 1 and reduce flight volumes by 10 per cent to 20 per cent per month in the next quarter if jet fuel prices rise to $160-$200 per barrel, state-run Nhan Dan newspaper reported. The airline could cut up to 18 per cent of its international flights and as much as 26 per cent of its domestic operations, the paper said citing the report.

• Low-cost carrier Vietjet Air plans to cut 18 per cent of its total flight capacity in April, which includes reducing domestic flights by 22 per cent and international operations by 11 per cent, according to the document.

• Bamboo Airways aims to halve its daily flights to around 17 from the current 36.

• Sun PhuQuoc Airways intends to maintain its existing schedule for now as it has sufficient fuel stock until the end of April, but may reassess its position if fuel disruptions persist, the report added.

UN Security Council to meet on Iran Friday: Russian state media

The UN Security Council will hold closed-door consultations on Friday to discuss strikes on Iran at Moscow's request, Russian state media reported, as the Middle East war nears a month.

Iran has come under near-daily bombardment since US-Israeli strikes on February 28 triggered the war, which has since widened to large parts of the region.

"The Russian Federation has requested closed-door consultations with the UN Security Council due to the ongoing strikes on civilian infrastructure in Iran, including educational and healthcare facilities," said Evgeny Uspensky, spokesman for Russia's envoy to the United Nations, according to state news agency Tass.

Gold prices in Dubai rise over Dh6 per gram

Gold prices surged by over Dh6 per gram in Dubai on Friday as the US dollar weakened and uncertainty persisted over the Middle East conflict.

The 24K gold price was trading at Dh535.5 per gram at market opening on Friday, up from Dh529.25 per gram at the close of markets on Thursday.

Other variants of the yellow metal also rose, with 22K, 21K, 18K, and 14K trading at Dh495.75, Dh475.25, Dh407.50, and Dh317.75 per gram, respectively.

Read the full report, by Khaleej Times journalist Waheed Abbas, on the increase in yellow metal rates amid the regional conflict.

Saudi Crown Prince, Ukraine's Zelenskyy meet

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman met Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelenskyy in Jeddah on Thursday.

The meeting reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries and discussed regional and international developments.

Talks focused on the military escalation in the Middle East and the latest developments in the Ukraine crisis, Saudi Gazette reported.

German FM says Iran conflict 'lacks communication, not weapons'

Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul hailed "indirect contact" between US and Iran as a "good sign."

Wadephul said that the Iran conflict does "not lack weapons, but lacks communication." He added that Germany is contributing to overcoming the conflict.

Drone attack targets Kuwaiti port; no casualties reported

Shuwaikh Port, which is under the jurisdiction of the Kuwait Ports Authority, was attacked this morning by hostile drones, Kuwaiti Centre of Government Communication said.

While material damage was reported, no casualties were recorded, according to initial reports.

Emergency procedures have been activated in coordination with the relevant authorities, Kuwait said.

Sri Lanka jails man for hoarding 4 litres of petrol

Sri Lanka has jailed a man for three weeks after he admitted to hoarding four litres of petrol during a nationwide fuel shortage triggered by the Middle East war, local media reported Friday.

The 48-year-old man initially said the fuel was for his lawnmower.

A magistrate in Nikaweratiya, 125 kilometres (78 miles) northeast of the capital Colombo, also imposed a fine of 1,500 rupees ($5), according to the Lankadeepa daily newspaper.

It added that the man had been charged with hoarding petrol and trying to sell it on the black market at a time when authorities had imposed fuel rationing.

Security threat level high in Qatar: QNA

The security threat level is high in Qatar, the country's news agency reported, citing the Ministry of Interior.

Residents are urged to stay in homes and safe places, away from windows and exposed areas, to preserve public safety, the agency said.

Abu Dhabi launches guide during regional conditions

Amid the regional conditions, Abu Dhabi has launched the second phase of a campaign aimed at raising public awareness.

The guide is accessible to different segments of society, available in nine different languages, including Malayalam, Urdu, Tagalog, and Bangla.

The guide covers various topics ranging from how to protect yourself from rumours, key emergency numbers, and how to support children and elderly during these times.

Qatar announces security threat end

Qatar's Ministry of Interior announced the end of the security threat, and a return to normal conditions, the country's news agency reported.

Authorities called on the public to continue adhering to instructions issued.

Fact check busts social media claim that India has 'only 9 days of oil reserves left'

PIB Fact Check, which busts fake news related to the Indian government, has denied social media claims that India has 'only 9 days of oil reserves left'.

The fact check clarified that India has a total reserve capacity of 74 days, with the current stock cover at around 60 days.

This includes crude oil, petroleum products, and strategic reserves stored in underground caverns. This ensures nearly two months of assured fuel supply across the country, PIB Fact Check said.

They added that India’s fuel supply remains stable and secure for the coming months, and there is no cause for concern regarding availability. Indian citizens and residents are urged to rely only on official sources for information regarding gas and oil.

No fans, no fireworks as Pakistan T20 league begins

The Pakistan Super League got under way with a win for Lahore Qalandars against Hyderabad Kingsmen but without the usual razzmatazz accompanying cricket's shortest format — or fans.

Organisers of the T20 tournament last weekend said that matches would be played without spectators, and at just two venues instead of six, because of the war in the Middle East.

Pakistan's government has introduced sweeping austerity measures designed to save fuel, with mounting concerns about supplies as the conflict drags on.

Israel says struck Iran's missile, sea mine production facility

Israel's IDF claimed that it struck Iran's primary facility for the productions of missiles and sea mines in Yazd.

"The site was used for the planning, development, assembly, and storage of advanced missiles intended for launch from cruise platforms, submarines, and helicopters toward both mobile and stationary maritime targets," IDF said.

Israel says identified missiles launched from Iran

UAE diplomat says country 'did not seek this war'

Dr Anwar Gargash, the Diplomatic Adviser to UAE President, said that the Emirates "did not seek this war and strove to avoid it."

The country continues to confront Iranian aggression with logic, and a firm stance, he added.

US Secretary of State Rubio arrives at G7 foreign ministers meeting in France: AFP

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday arrived at a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in France for talks expected to be dominated by tensions over the war against Iran, an AFP correspondent said.

Making his first trip abroad since the US-Israeli war on Iran broke out on February 28, Rubio is expected to be pressed by European and other allies over American strategy for the further conduct of the conflict which has led to a spike in global energy prices.

Kuwait's Mubarak Al-Kabeer port hit by drones, missiles

Kuwait said its Mubarak Al-Kabeer port infrastructure was hit by drones and missiles.

While material damage was recorded, no casualties were reported, according to the country's Public Works Ministry.

UN demands justice after Iran school strike evokes 'visceral horror'

The deadly bombing of an Iranian school on February 28 spurred "visceral horror", the UN rights chief said Friday, urging Washington to conclude its probe and demanding justice "for the terrible harm done".

"The bombing of the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School in Minab evoked a visceral horror," Volker Turk told the United Nations Human Rights Council, stressing that "the onus is on those who carried out the attack to investigate it promptly, impartially, transparently and thoroughly".

"Senior US officials have said the strike is under investigation. I call for that process to be concluded as soon as possible, and for its findings to be made public. There must be justice for the terrible harm done," he insisted.

UK and G7 allies deeply concerned by Russia-Iran links, UK foreign minister says

British foreign minister Yvette Cooper said on Friday that Britain and G7 allies were deeply concerned about growing links between Russia and Iran, after European powers accused Moscow of helping Tehran target US forces in the Middle East war.

"We're deeply concerned about the links between Russia and Iran that have been longstanding in terms of shared capabilities," Cooper said ahead of a G7 meeting taking place in France.

Iran FM tells UN Human Rights Council: Our defence shall persist as long as needed

School strike 'calculated' assault by US: Iran foreign minister

The deadly bombing of an Iranian school on the first day of the Middle East war was a "calculated" assault by the US, Iran's foreign minister said Friday.

In a video address to the United Nations Human Rights Council, Abbas Araghchi slammed the 'calculated, phased assault' on an elementary school 'in the city of Minab, south of Iran, where more than 175 students and teachers were slaughtered in cold blood'.

'The United States' contradictory remarks aimed at justifying their crime could not, in any manner, elude their responsibility,' he said, describing the February 28 attack as 'a war crime and a crime against humanity'.

Six missiles launched toward Riyadh

Six ballistic missiles were launched towards Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, two of which were intercepted.

The other four missiles fell in the waters of the Arabian Gulf and uninhabited areas, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence said.

Ukraine's Zelenskyy says reached agreement with Saudi Arabia on defence cooperation

The Ukrainian President said Saudi Arabia also has capabilities that are of interest to Ukraine. This cooperation can be "mutually beneficial," he added.

Iran says US, Israeli strikes damage 120 museums, historic buildings

US and Israeli strikes on Iran have damaged at least 120 museums and cultural and historic sites across the country since the start of the war, the head of Tehran city council's cultural heritage committee said.

"At least 120 museums, historical buildings and cultural sites across various provinces were directly targeted and sustained serious structural damage," said Ahmad Alavi.

He was quoted by state TV as naming UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace along with other sites damaged in the war, including Saadabad Palace, the Marble Palace and Teymourtash house, also known as the War Museum.

India clarifies retail pump prices of fuel will not change

The Indian government clarified that retail pump prices of petrol and diesel will not change. Keeping Indian pumps fully supplied takes precedence over export opportunities, it added.

The combined daily financial hit being absorbed by oil marketing companies is about 24 billion rupees, the Indian government said.

Over 370,000 children forced out of homes in Lebanon: Unicef representative

Over 370,000 children have been forced out of their homes in Lebanon, according to a Unicef representative. At least 121 children have been killed, and 399 injured.

A quarter of women and girls in Lebanon have been forced to flee their homes, according to a UN Women official.

Overall, around 20 per cent of Lebanon's population has been displaced, the representative said.

The Unicef representative said that a rapid response mechanism reached over 167,000 displaced people with essential non-food items and winterisation kits.

Shipping to, from ports of US-Israeli allies prohibited, state media cites Iran's IRGC

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Friday that shipping "to and from ports of allies and supporters of the Israeli-American enemies" is prohibited through any corridor or to any destination, Iranian state media reported.

The IRGC added that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and any transit through the waterway will face "harsh measures".

Three container ships of various nationalities were turned back from the Strait of Hormuz after warnings from the IRGC revolutionary guards' navy, media also reported.

India export duties on fuel to create revenue of Rs15 billion per fortnight

India will review export duties on diesel, petrol and ATF on a fortnightly basis, according to a tax official.

The new export duties will give the Indian government a revenue gain of around Rs15 billion per fortnight, the official said.

US military fired over 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles in 4 weeks of Iran war: Washington Post

The US military has fired over 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles in four weeks of war with Iran, burning through the precision weapons at a rate that has alarmed some Pentagon officials and prompted internal discussions about how to make more available, the Washington Post reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. The US Department of Defence and the White House did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

17 Red Crescent centres struck, nearly 100 ambulances damaged or destroyed in Iran

According to Iranian Red Crescent, 17 Red Crescent centres have been struck, and nearly 100 ambulances were damaged or destroyed.

In addition, 289 medical, pharmaceutical, and healthcare facilities have been damaged, along with 600 schools and educational institutions, a Red Cross official said.

Iranian Red Crescent Society still remains the only nationwide humanitarian organisation able to operate across the country, according to a Red Cross official.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies allocated 1.5 million Swiss Francs to Iran through Disaster Response Emergency Fund, the official said. The official also called on the international community to support emergency appeal and operation in Iran.

No refuge from war even in Beirut, Unicef official says

People have no safe space to find refuge in Lebanon, even in the capital Beirut, Unicef's representative in Lebanon, Marcoluigi Corsi, told a briefing on Friday, amid Israel's offensive against Hezbollah.

A UNHCR official separately said around 150,000 people had been left isolated after bridges were destroyed.

Over 1,900 killed, at least 20,000 injured: Iran Red Crescent

UAE's Mohre issues guide for workers

UAE's Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has launched a guide for workers in collaboration with the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority.

The guide covers awareness topics including debris, early warning systems, social responsibility, and photography and publication.

It provides detailed instructions on handling falling objects and alerts, emphasising adherence to official guidelines and prohibiting the photographing or sharing of accident sites or the dissemination of misleading content.

WHO official says 2 humanitarian convoys for Middle East

A World Health Organisation official said one humanitarian convoy is on its way to Lebanon, and has reached Syria.

A second convoy is being prepared to depart for Gaza early next week, the official said.

Israel says strikes will expand, Iran to pay 'heavy' price

Israeli Defence Minister said that strikes on Iran will escalate and expand to additional "targets and domains" that assist Iran in building and operating weapons against Israeli civilians.

Iran will pay "heavy and increasing" prices for targeting Israeli civilians, Katz said.

Germany not pursuing direct talks with Iran on Strait of Hormuz passage

Germany is not pursuing any direct agreements with Iran on allowing its ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, said a government spokesperson on Friday.

"I believe the arrangement that China, and also India, has found for some ships stems from direct agreements with the Iranian regime," said the spokesperson in Berlin.

"The German government is not currently pursuing this type of agreement. Therefore, we are waiting until the military situation allows passage again," he added.

Debris landed near a military site

The Saudi Ministry of Defence reported that 3 drones were intercepted and destroyed over the Riyadh area.

Some debris fell near a military site, but no injuries were reported.

4 reports of falling shrapnel, projectiles in Jordan

Jordan's News Agency reported that the Armed Forces confirmed the Kingdom’s territory was targeted by 3 missiles over the past 24 hours.

Two of the missiles were successfully intercepted, while one landed in the eastern part of the Kingdom.

The Public Security also handled 4 reports of falling shrapnel and projectiles during the same period.

US, Iran to hold direct talks 'very soon': German FM

Direct US-Iran talks will take place "very soon", according to German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Friday.

"According to my information, there have been indirect contacts. And they have also prepared for a direct meeting," Wadephul told public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk.

He added that such a meeting was "expected to take place in Pakistan very soon", without revealing the source of the information.

UAE injuries due to Iran attacks at 171

UAE air defences have dealt with 6 ballistic missiles and 9 drones on March 27, 2026, the Ministry of Defence said in its daily report.

The number of injuries in the country now stands at 171 since the war started on February 28. Eleven people have been killed, includind two members of the UAE armed forces, a Moroccan civilian contractor who was working with the army and 8 civilians.

Oil up, stocks down

In a first reaction on Trump's decision to extend his deadline for striking Iran's energy assets, oil prices rose and stocks mostly fell Friday.

Take a look at this graph which shows the performance of oil, stock markets in certain countries since February 26, 2026:

However, the announcement largely failed to lift the mood for markets, with European stocks falling and oil prices up around 2.5 per cent.

Frankfurt and Paris stock markets each shed more than one per cent, while London was down 0.7 per cent around midday.

Intercepted, destroyed Iranian threats in Bahrain so far

Israel vows to keep fighting Hezbollah

Israel vowed to continue operating against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah long as it continues in its attempts to rebuild its terror capabilities.

Dubai sends supplies to Lebanon

Dubai has dispatched a shipment of essential medical supplies for the World Health Organization (WHO) to Lebanon.

The urgent supplies were sent by Dubai Humanitarian under directives of Dubai Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and are expected to reach Lebanon within days.

The shipment, which carries 21.5 metric tonnes of medical supplies, is currently on its way through an overland convoy.

Iranian missile capabilities degraded: US intelligence

US intelligence showed that about 1/3 of Iran's missiles were destroyed in American strikes, five sources tell Reuters.

Another third of Tehran's missiles were liked damaged, destroyed or burried underground by strikes, according to four sources.

Fleeing with felines

As violent clashes between the Iran-backed Hezbollah group and Israel renewed after the war began, Lebanese Diana Abadi found herself again in face of displacement. For her, leaving with the dozens of cats she provides shelter for was the only option available—she simply cannot leave them behind.

The 57-year-old cat shelter owner from Beirut's southern suburbs, had to carry the felines she rescued two by two from the top of her building to the car to move with them away from danger.

Watch the following Reuters video telling Abadi's story:

Bahrain king meets army officers

Wearing military gear, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa met with high-ranking officers in the Kingdom’s Defence Force, praising the troops’ advanced readiness for combat and preparedness.

Chinese containers fail to exit via Hormuz

Two Chinese container ships turned backed after trying to exit the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, ship-tracking data showed.

The CSCL Indian Ocean and CSCL Arctic Ocean, both Hong Kong flagged, have been stuck in the Gulf since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began on February 28.

They attempted to pass through the strait at 0350 GMT on Friday but then turned back, analysis from the Kpler data platform showed.

Travel disruptions so far

Here are the cancellations announced by major airlines around the world due to the conflict:

Air Canada

The Canadian carrier has cancelled all flights to Tel Aviv until May 2 and to Dubai until April 30.

Air France, KLM

Air France has cancelled Tel Aviv and Beirut flights until April 4 and Dubai and Riyadh flights until March 31, as well as an April 1 departure from Dubai. KLM suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Riyadh, Dammam and Dubai until May 17.

Cathay Pacific

The Hong Kong airline has cancelled all passenger flights to Dubai and Riyadh until May 31. To cater to a surge in demand to Europe, it will operate extra passenger flights to London, Paris and Zurich, along with additional capacity to London, in April.

Delta Airlines

The U.S. carrier cancelled its New York-Tel Aviv flights and delayed the restart of its Atlanta-Tel Aviv route until September 5. It said the launch of its Boston-Tel Aviv route, planned for late October, had been delayed until further notice.

El Al Israel Airlines

The Israeli carrier said customers who planned to depart Israel through April 4 had their flights cancelled, including corresponding return flights. The airline is operating a limited number of flights to several key destinations.

Emirates

The UAE airline said it was operating a reduced flight schedule following a partial reopening of regional airspace.

Etihad Airways

The UAE carrier said it was operating a commercial flight schedule between Abu Dhabi and around 80 destinations.

Flynas

Saudi budget airline Flynas has extended its suspension of flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and Syria until March 31.

Indigo

The Indian airline has suspended operations to Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dammam, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah until March 28.

Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines has suspended scheduled Tokyo-Doha flights until April 10 and Doha-Tokyo flights until April 11.

Lufthansa Group

Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways and Edelweiss have suspended flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv until May 31, and to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Dammam, Riyadh, Erbil, Muscat and Tehran until October 24. Lufthansa Cargo is the same, except for Tel Aviv suspension which will last through April 30.

Pegasus

Turkey's Pegasus Airlines has cancelled its Iran, Iraq, Amman, Beirut, Kuwait, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Riyadh, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah flights until April 13.

Qatar Airways

The carrier said it is gradually increasing its flights to and from Doha with additional flight frequency to more than 90 destinations.

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines has cancelled most Middle East flights until the end of March. SunExpress, its joint venture with Lufthansa, has cancelled flights to Dubai until April 6 and to Bahrain until April 30.

Wizz Air

The low-cost airline has suspended flights to Israel until March 29, and to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman and Jeddah from mainland European destinations until mid-September.

Rmembering Minab girls

Iran’s men's national soccer team wore black armbands and held schoolbags as their anthem played ahead of a match in Turkey on Friday in what a team official said was a protest over the killing of schoolgirls on the first day of the Iran war.

The men lined up holding pink and purple bags with ribbons on them—a reference to the attack on the Shajareh ​Tayyebeh School in the city of Minad, which Tehran says killed more than 175 people including children and teachers on the first day of joint U.S.-Israeli strikes.

"The players are holding the school bags close to their heart in remembrance of the 165 girls the Americans killed in an Iranian school," a media official for the Iranian team told Reuters.

U.S. military investigators believe it is likely that U.S. forces ⁠were responsible but have not yet reached a final conclusion or completed their investigation.

Two steel plants in Iran damaged: Media

US-Israeli airstrikes damaged two major steel plants in Iran, Iranian media reports said.

"Minutes ago, the American–Zionist enemy targeted the Khuzestan Steel (in southwest Iran) and Mobarakeh Steel factories in Isfahan (central Iran) in two separate attacks," the Fars news agency said, with state broadcaster IRIB also reporting the strikes.

"Rescue forces have immediately arrived at the scene of the incident," Fars wrote.

Strike on south Beirut without Israeli warning: AFPTV

FBI chief emails compromised: DOJ official

Iran-linked hackers have publicly claimed the breach of FBI Director Kash Patel's personal inbox, publishing photographs of the director and his purported resume to the internet.

On their website, the hacker group Handala Hack Team said Patel "will now find his name among the list of successfully hacked victims."

A Justice Department official confirmed to Reuters that Patel's emails were compromised but did not go into detail.

Hostile targets intercepted in Kuwait

Kuwait air defences have intercepted and destroyed 4 hostile ballistic missiles in the country's airspace. A cruise missile has tageted Mubarak Al Kabeer port and caused material damage. No casualties were reported.

Kuwaiti forces tackled three hostile drones and destroyed them. Four drones targeted Mubarak Al Kabeer and Al Shuwaikh ports, causing material damage.

Heavy water reactor in Iran targeted: Official

An airstrike has targeted Iran's Khondab heavy water research reactor, an Iranian official told Fars News.

No casualties were reported and there is no danger to residents in the area, he added.

CBSE Class 12 assessment scheme revealed

The assessment scheme for CBSE Class 12 students has been announced.

In subjects where students have appeared for their examinations, their actual performance can be taken into account for declaration of results.

Iran to respond to peace proposal

Iran's response to a U.S. peace proposal aimed at ending the war is expected later on Friday, a source briefed on the matter told Reuters.

Nuclear facility attacked: Iran's atomic energy organisation

US-Israeli strikes hit a uranium processing facility in central Iran on Friday, the country's atomic energy organisation said.

"The plant in Ardakan, located in Yazd Province, was targeted minutes ago in an attack by the American-Zionist enemy," it said on its Telegram channel, adding the attack "did not result in the release of any radioactive material."

Over 300 US soldiers injured so far

More than 300 US troops have been wounded since the start of the Iran war, US Central Command said on Friday.

"Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, approximately 303 US service members have been wounded. The vast majority of these injuries have been minor, and 273 troops have returned to duty," US Navy Captain Tim Hawkins said.

A US official who asked not to be identified told AFP that 10 troops remain seriously wounded.

A further 13 troops have been killed in the war, according to the latest figures, with seven killed in the Gulf and six in Iraq.

G7 ministers meet in France

G7 foreign ministers Friday urged a stop to attacks against civilians in the Middle East war and urged Iran to immediately restore freedom of navigation in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

A joint statement, released in the name of all G7 members, including the United States, called for "an immediate cessation of attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure".

"We reiterated the absolute necessity to permanently restore safe and toll-free freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," the statement added.

When will the war end?

Three people familiar with the G7 talks in France told Reuters that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told his counterparts at the meeting that the Iran war should end "in matter of weeks".

Rubio added that the US can achieve its goals in Iran without any ground troops.

Emergency sirens in Israel

Around 20 kilometers from the border with Lebanon, an Israeli man was crouching next to a bomb shelter as missile-warning sirens sound in the northern town of Nahariya.

Take a look:

Saudi Arabia warns against filming interceptions

Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry warned again against filming, posting or circulating any information related to intercepting missiles and drones. Those who are caught doing this will be legally accountable, it clarified.

Arak heavy water plant struck: Israel

Russia to ban gasoline exports

In a bid to rein in rising fuel prices and tackle shortages, Russia plans to impose a ban on gasoline exports from April 1, the Russian government said.

The state-run TASS news agency earlier reported that the ban would remain in place until July 31.

War unlikely to change regime in Iran: German Chancellor

The US-Israeli war against Iran is unlikely to lead to "regime change", German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.

"Is regime change really the goal?" he said at a forum in Frankfurt organised by the FAZ newspaper. "If that's the goal, I don't think you'll achieve it. It's mostly gone wrong" in past conflicts, he said, pointing to the Afghanistan war.

The Iranian people deserve way better than what they have: Rubio

Israeli attack contradicts Trump's extended deadline: Araghchi

Iran Guards vow to target industrial sites after strikes on steel plants

Simple ceasefire is not enough: UAE ambassador to US

Yousef al-Otaiba, the UAE's ambassador to the US has framed the war not as a crisis to be frozen but as a test of whether Iran can still hold the global economy hostage afterwards.

"A simple ceasefire isn't enough," Otaiba wrote in a column for the Wall Street Journal. "We need a conclusive outcome that addresses Iran's full range of threats: nuclear capabilities, missiles, drones, terror proxies and blockades of international sea lanes."

A deal that only shelves missiles, drones and proxy warfare, he wrote, would simply defer the next crisis.

Changing dynamics

No increase in radiation levels after attack on nuclear facility: IAEA

The IAEA said that there is no increase in off-site radiation levels following an attack on the Shahid Rezayee Nejad Yellow Cake Production Facility in Yazd province (also known as Ardakan) in Iran earlier today.

Iranian response undecided

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran has yet to decide whether to respond to US proposal due to recent attacks on industrial and nucleat infrastructure.

Tehran's response was originally planned to be delivered on Friday or Saturday, he added.

Look: USS Abraham Lincoln transiting the Arabian Sea

Over 400 Hezbollah fighters killed

More than 400 fighters from Hezbollah have been killed since the Lebanese armed group joined the war on March 2, two sources familiar with Hezbollah's count told Reuters.

The figure was the first overall toll provided of Hezbollah fighters killed in Israel's expanding air and ground campaign in Lebanon.

End of Day 28

Twenty eight days have passed since war began in the Middle East. The conflict has since claimed the lives of thousands of people, disrupted air travel and created a shortage in energy sources worldwide.

Iran said it has not decided yet on whether to respond to a US 15-point proposal after Israeli attacks on Iranian steel plants and nuclear infrastructure.

In comments following a G7 meeting in France, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expected the war would end "in matter of week", adding that there was no need for ground troops to achieve US goals.

Air defences in the GCC continue to engage hostile threats launched by Iran. On March 28, the UAE tackled 6 ballistic missiles and 9 drones. Toll of injuries in the country since February 28 now stands at 171 and deaths at 11.

This blog is now closed, but stay tuned to Khaleej Times as we keep you updated on recent developments in the conflict.

Emergency alert

UAE air defense systems are currently responding to a missile threat. Please remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates, authorities said.

The authorities reassured the public soon after that the situation is safe and normal activities could be resumed.