Day 29 of war: UAE aluminium firm assesses damage at Abu Dhabi site due to missile debris

UAE engages with incoming missiles and UAVs

UAE residents woke up to multiple emergency alerts on Saturday morning, as air defence teams responded to incoming missiles and UAVs from Iran.

The Ministry of Defence asserted that the sounds heard are the result of air defence systems engaging with missiles and intercepting cruise missiles and UAVs.

The authorities assured the public soon after that it was safe to resume normal activities.

2 fire incidents in Abu Dhabi from missile interception debris

Relevant authorities in Abu Dhabi are responding to two fire incidents in the vicinity of Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi - Kezad, caused by falling debris following the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems.

Further updates will be provided in due course, the authorities said. The public is advised to obtain information only from official sources and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information.

Sirens sounded in Bahrain

Bahrain authorities announced that the siren has been sounded; citizens and residents have been urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.

Day 29 of war

A month after the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, the war has spread across the Middle East, killing thousands and causing the biggest disruption ever to energy supplies, hitting the global economy and fuelling inflation fears.

An Iranian attack on an air base in Saudi Arabia wounded 12 US military personnel, two seriously, a US official told Reuters on Friday, as drones and missiles continued to strike around the Gulf.

Air defences in the GCC continue to deal with 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.

Iran is yet to respond to a US 15-point proposal after Israeli attacks on Iranian steel plants and nuclear infrastructure.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US expected to conclude military operations within weeks, not months.

Bahrain deals with fire from Iranian attacks

Bahrain's Ministry of Interior said that Civil Defence has succeeded in controlling a fire that broke out in one of the facilities targeted by Iran.

Iranian missile attack kills man in Tel Aviv

Israeli authorities said an Iranian missile attack killed a man in Tel Aviv on Friday, as Tehran pressed its retaliatory strikes across the region a month into the war.

The Israeli military said it had "identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel" in at least five rounds in just over five hours, triggering air defence systems and warning sirens late on Friday and early Saturday.

The Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency medical service said a man was killed in Tel Aviv in one of the attacks.

Two other men, aged 65 and 50, were wounded in a separate incident in the city, and another two in the southern town of Kuseife, MDA said.

Israel says missile launched from Yemen

Israel's military reported a first missile launch from Yemen since the Middle East war began on February 28, after Iran's Houthi allies threatened to join the fighting.

A military statement said Israeli forces had "identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory, aerial defence systems are operating to intercept the threat".

It was the first such statement mentioning a launch from Yemen during the war with Iran, which has entered its second month.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis, who had previously disrupted shipping with missile attacks, have not been active in the Iran war.

5 injured in Abu Dhabi fires

Abu Dhabi authorities confirmed that 5 individuals of Indian nationality were injured in the two fires that broke out in Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi - Kezad due to falling debris after the successful interception of a ballistic missile.

The injuries range from moderate to minor.

The public has been advised to obtain information only from official sources and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information.

Day 29: How war has unfolded so far

Take a look at Khaleej Times' live coverage from the beginning of the war to find out how the 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

• Day 28

Drones intercepted in Riyadh

The Saudi Ministry of Defence announced that it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh Region in the early hours of Saturday. This was stated by the Ministry’s official spokesperson, Major General Turki Al-Malki.

UAE's position explained

One month after Iran began launching missiles and drones towards the UAE and other Gulf states, Abu Dhabi’s message is clear: What it describes as “terrorism, premeditated intent and open aggression” will not shake its resolve.

In a post on X, senior diplomat Anwar Gargash reiterated that the country did not seek this war and had "worked to avoid it", a reference to efforts to mediate between Washington and Tehran in a bid to prevent escalation.

KT's UAE Editor Sahim Salim breaks down how the UAE has faced the crisis: From its position to the scale of strikes and casualties.

US President says Iran has to open up 'Strait of Trump'

US President Donald Trump on Friday insisted Iran must open up the Strait of Hormuz to oil traffic to make a peace deal — and dubbed the crucial waterway the "Strait of Trump."

Trump, who has renamed several buildings in Washington after himself during his second term, said his comment was a "mistake" but then added that "there's no accidents with me."

"They have to open up the Strait of Trump — I mean Hormuz. Excuse me, I'm so sorry. Such a terrible mistake."

Repeating his claims that Tehran is ready to make a deal despite its denials, the 79-year-old US leader said that talks were underway to negotiate an end to the month-long conflict.

Thailand-Iran deal on Hormuz strait

Thailand has reached an agreement with Iran to allow Thai oil vessels to travel through the Strait of Hormuz, its prime minister said Saturday.

"An agreement has been reached to allow Thai oil tankers to transit safely through the Strait of Hormuz," Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said at a press conference, adding the development would alleviate concerns over fuel imports.

Sirens go off again in Bahrain

Bahrain's Ministry of Interior said that the alarm siren has been activated. Citizens and residents have been requested to remain calm, head to the nearest safe location, and follow updates through official channels.

Lana Nusseibeh discusses Iran attacks with UN Ambassadors

Lana Nusseibeh, UAE's Minister of State, held a series of exchanges with UN Ambassadors in New York on the repercussions of Iran’s illegal and unprovoked attacks on the UAE, neighboring GCC states and Jordan, and its unlawful actions against navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

Nusseibeh highlighted the grave implications of Iran's attacks and threats on international peace and security, as well as their impact on freedom of navigation, energy and food security, and the global economy.

12 US troops wounded in Saudi Arabia, US official tells Reuters

Twelve US troops were wounded, two of them seriously, in an Iranian military strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, a US official told Reuters on Friday.

The latest casualties add to the more than 300 US military service members who have been wounded since the war against Iran started on February 28. Earlier on Friday, the US military said 273 of them had already returned to duty. Thirteen US troops have been killed in the conflict.

Oman's Salalah port targeted by two drones, 1 expat injured

A security source has reported that the port of Salalah was targeted by two unmanned aerial vehicles. The incident resulted in moderate injuries to one expatriate worker at the port and caused limited damage to one crane within the port facilities, Oman News Agency reported.

The Sultanate of Oman reiterated its strong condemnation of these hostile attacks and affirms its commitment to taking all necessary measures to uphold the nation's security and ensure the safety of all individuals on its soil.

India's pilots' association highlights safety concerns about flying into conflict zones

The Airline Pilots' Association of India has written to the Director General of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Secretary of Ministry of Civil Aviation regarding urgent safety concern regarding continued operations into conflict zones, ANI reported.

They have asked for an immediate review and suspension of operations into identified high-risk conflict zones until a centralized and authoritative risk assessment is conducted especially in light of worsening situation, among other things.

Ships crossing Strait of Hormuz

Two more merchant vessels carrying petroleum products for India are crossing Strait of Hormuz. Indian Navy warships are on standby to provide support to them. More vessels are expected to follow soon, ANI reported citing sources.

UAE, Ukrainian Presidents discuss regional developments

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, discussed security developments in the region amid ongoing military escalation and their implications for regional and international peace and security, as well as their impact on international navigation and the global economy.

Zelenskyy is on a working visit to the UAE.

The meeting also addressed the continued Iranian terrorist aggression targeting the UAE and other countries in the region, including attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.

The two sides also discussed opportunities to advance bilateral cooperation under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the UAE and Ukraine, reaffirming their shared commitment to achieving its objectives.

Yemen's Houthis confirmed they launched attack on Israel

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis confirmed on Saturday that they had launched an attack on Israel for the first time during the current Israeli-US war against Iran, marking their entry to the conflict and raising the prospects of a broader regional confrontation.

The group said the attack with a barrage of missiles came after continued targeting of infrastructure in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and the Palestinian territories, adding that their operations would continue until the "aggression" on all fronts ends.

Third fire breaks out at Abu Dhabi's Kezad from falling debris, 6 injured so far

As part of the ongoing follow-up to the previously reported incident in the vicinity of Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD, caused by falling debris following the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems, authorities confirmed outbreak of a third fire.

Authorities further confirmed an additional injury as a result of the incident, to a Pakistani national, bringing the total number of injured individuals to six, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate.

Authorities have controlled all three fires and the cooling process is underway. The public is advised to obtain information only from official sources and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information.

Several drone attacks at Kuwait airport, no casualties reported

Kuwait International Airport was subjected to several drone attacks without recording any human casualties, Abdullah Al-Rajhi, official Spokesperson for Directorate General of Civil Aviation said to KUNA.

He clarified that the attack resulted in significant damage to the airport's radar system, and emergency teams and competent authorities immediately began dealing with the incident

Explosion heard near Iraq's Erbil airport: AFP journalist

An explosion was heard on Saturday morning near the international airport of Erbil, a city in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, an AFP journalist reported and a witness said they saw smoke.

Erbil is home to a major US consulate complex, while its airport houses military advisors attached to a US-led international anti-jihadist coalition. Regular drone attacks by pro-Iran armed groups are usually intercepted by air defences.

Production lines shut at Iran steel company

Khuzestan Steel Company of Iran said its production lines have been shut down following attacks on Friday, Iranian media reported.

Israeli Defence Forces say Iranian infrastructure struck across 3 areas

Over 50 IAF fighter jets completed strikes on Iranian regime infrastructure across 3 areas in Iran, IDF said.

Among the sites struck are a facility used for the production of a variety of weapons, an Iranian MOD site used for the development and production of advanced explosive devices and a site used for the production of components for ballistic missiles and anti-aircraft missiles.

Bahrain deals with 174 missiles, 385 drones

The General Command of the Bahrain Defense Force announced that the air defence systems have dealt with 174 missiles and 385 drones since start of Iranian attacks.

Pakistan to host talks

Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt will meet in Islamabad for talks on the war in the Middle East.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had invited his counterparts who would be in the Pakistani capital on Sunday and Monday, the government said.

US support vessel targeted at significant distance from Oman's Salalah port: IRGC

Spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters: In the early morning of March 28th, a support vessel belonging to the invading American army was targeted by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran at a significant distance from the port of Salalah in Oman.

Drone falls in Iraq's Majnoon oil field

Drone falls in Iraq's Majnoon oil field without exploding, no material damage or human injuries reported, defence ministry said.

Trump thanks leaders of UAE, Saudi, Qatar

On Friday evening, while onstage at a finance conference in Miami Beach for Saudi Arabia's sovereign investment fund, Trump thanked the leaders of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, saying the three countries had been 'under unexpected, tremendous attack', something he noted 'no one thought was going to happen'.

“Unlike NATO", Trump said, “Saudi Arabia fought, Qatar fought, the UAE fought, Bahrain fought and Kuwait fought.”

He added that the three Gulf states were facing Iranian attacks but said they “turned against them and became very powerfully aligned" and noted that he had to “acknowledge their bravery".

Iran's President says trust needed for talks

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has told Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that trust is needed to facilitate talks and mediation on the conflict in the Middle East, the prime minister's office said on Saturday, according to Reuters.

It said Pezeshkian had praised Pakistan's diplomatic efforts and that the two leaders had discussed hostilities in the region and efforts to end the conflict during a call that lasted over an hour.

Sharif briefed Pezeshkian on Pakistan's diplomatic contacts with the United States and Gulf states, it said.

Iranian President's message to the region 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that the country reiterated several times that Iran 'does not carry out pre-emptive attacks', stressing that Tehran would “retaliate strongly” if its infrastructure or economic centres were targeted.

He also addressed countries in the region, saying, 'If you want development and security, don't let our enemies run the war from your lands.'

Egypt foreign minister travels to Pakistan to discuss Gulf de-escalation

Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty will travel to Pakistan on Saturday to meet with his counterparts from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey and discuss regional de-escalation, Egypt's foreign ministry said in a statement.

'No Kings' protest against Trump

Thousands of rallies are expected across the US on Saturday, reported Reuters, in the latest 'No Kings' protest against the policies of US President Donald Trump and his administration.

Organisers say that more than 3,200 events are planned in all 50 states for what they hope could be the largest single-day nonviolent protest in US history.

The two previous No Kings events attracted millions of participants.

'Call to action against the bombardment of Iran'

Saturday's protests come amid what organisers called a call to action against the bombardment of Iran by the US and Israel, a conflict that is now four weeks old.

Deirdre Schifeling, chief political and advocacy officer for the American Civil Liberties Union, said protests ⁠have ​led to tangible results.

Iran footballers pay tribute to victims of school strike

The Iran men's national team wore black armbands and posed with school rucksacks as the national anthem played before a match with Nigeria to remember the victims of a strike on a primary school in Iran on the first day of the Middle East war.

The airstrike on the school in the southern Iranian city of Minab on February 28 killed at least 170 people, including students and teachers, according to AFP.

Iran's foreign minister on Friday accused the US of a 'calculated, phased assault' on the school.

A NYT report has reported that the preliminary findings of a US military investigation indicate that a US Tomahawk cruise missile hit the school due to a targeting mistake.

Resumption of Jazeera Airways flights to/from Jeddah

Jazeera Airways announces the resumption of its flights from and to Jeddah city via Al Qaisumah Airport in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The flights will be at a rate of 3 flights per week starting from April 7th.

2 drones destroyed

The Saudi Ministry of Defence confirms the interception and destruction of 2 drones during the past hours.

Portions of Tehran's university demolished

The US-Israeli attack on Tehran's Iran University of Science and Technology resulted in the complete demolition of portions of the university, local media said.

As a fully state-run university, its main educational offerings are in various branches of engineering.

3 journalists killed in Israeli strike: Lebanese military

Lebanese military source says three journalists killed in Israeli strike

UAE records 178 injuries so far in Iranian attacks

UAE Air Defences engaged 20 ballistic missiles and 37 drones on March 28, the Ministry of Defence said on Saturday.

Since the start of Iran's brazen attacks, the air defences have engaged 398 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,872 drones.

These attacks resulted in the martyrdom of 2 members of the Armed Forces while performing their national duty, in addition to the martyrdom of a Moroccan national civilian contractor with the Armed Forces, and the killing of 8 civilians of Pakistani, Nepalese, Bangladeshi, Palestinian, and Indian nationalities, and the injury of 178 with injuries ranging from minor to moderate to severe.

Maersk says operations at Oman port suspended

Danish shipping giant Maersk said operations had been temporarily halted at Oman's port of Salalah after a drone attack on Saturday injured one worker and damaged a crane.

Maersk, whose subsidiary APM Terminals runs the port, said "it was immediately evacuated and operations across the facility were temporarily suspended", predicting it would remain closed for 48 hours.

On Saturday, Iran said it had targeted a US logistics vessel "at a considerable distance from the port".

Iraq extends airspace closure for another 72 hours: State news agency

Zelenskyy arrives in Qatar

Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenssyy has arrived in Qatar in a working visit and met with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Lusail Palace.

UAE addresses the situation with wisdom, restraint: Sheikh Mohamed

Zelenskyy's visit to Qatar follows his stops in Saudi Arabia then the UAE. During his visit to the UAE, the Ukranian President met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Sheikh Mohamed also underscored that the UAE will continue to defend its sovereignty with determination in the face of terrorist attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure and stressed that the UAE remains fully prepared to confront all threats and retains its full right to self-defence in accordance with international law.

UAE air defences activated

Air defence systems are currently dealing with a missile threat. Authorities urged residents to remain in a safe place and follow warnings and updates on the official channels.

Ukraine, Qatar sign defence agreement

A defence agreement was signed by Ukraine and Qatar during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's current visit to the Gulf country.

Qatar's Defence Ministry said that the deal includes exchange of expertise in countering missiles, unmanned aerial systems.

Thwarted attack

Syria has foiled drone attacks launched from Iraqi territory that had targeted its strategic Al-Tanf military base, Syria's state news agency reported.

7 injured in Israel

First responders in Israel are providing medical treatment and evacuating 7 mildly injured casualties, injured on their way to shelters and from blast effects, according to Magen David Adom.

In addition, other MDA teams on scene are treating people suffering from anxiety.

Public safety alert in the UAE over

Zelenskyy meets Ukranian experts in the UAE

During his visit to the UAE, Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with experts from Ukraine who have been working to help in protecting lives amid Iranian attacks, discussing the initial results, the key conclusions from their work in the Emirates, as well as several proposals.

Israel kills 3 journalists in Lebanon: Source tells AFP

Three Lebanese journalists including a correspondent with a Hezbollah-affiliated outlet were killed on Saturday by an Israeli strike that targeted their vehicle in southern Lebanon, a military source told AFP.

Al Shouaib of Hezbollah's channel Al-Manar and Fatima Fatouni of Al-Mayadeen, seen as close to the Iran-backed movement, were killed in Jezzine, alongside Fatouni's brother, a cameraman, the source said.

Al-Mayadeen and Al-Manar confirmed the deaths of their journalists.

Israel says it killed man 'disguised as journalist'

The Israeli army said in a statement that it killed Ali Hassan Shaib whom it described as a Hezbollah Radwan Force terrorist who operated for years under the guise of a journalist for the Al-Manar network.

"Shaib exposed IDF troop positions in southern Lebanon and maintained direct contact with Hezbollah operatives," it added.

Aoun condemns strikes that killed journlists

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the Israeli strike that killed a journalist for Hezbollah's Al Manar TV and another for the pro-Hezbollah Al Mayadeen channel in southern Lebanon.

"Once again, the Israeli aggression violates the most basic rules of international law, international humanitarian law and the laws of war, by targeting journalists, who are ultimately civilians performing a professional duty," Aoun said in a statement released by the presidency.

Situation at Bushehr deteriorating: Rosatom

The situation at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant continues to deteriorate and attacks pose a direct threat to nuclear safety, the head of Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom said on Saturday after another strike near the facility.

Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev also said that 163 more of its staff from Bushehr had returned to Russia after an evacuation, and that two more groups would be evacuated in the coming days.

122 cluster bombs dismantled: Iran Guards

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had found and dismantled more than 120 unexploded cluster bombs, alleging they were dropped during US and Israeli attacks on a southern province.

"So far, 122 cluster bombs have been discovered and destroyed around Shiraz and in several towns,"the ISNA news agency quoted Jalal Yarmohammadi, deputy head of public relations for the Guards in Fars province, as saying.

Bahrain imposes complete ban on the use of drones until further notice

In-person classes in Qatar starting tomorrow

In Qatar, students are getting ready to return to schools starting Sunday, March 29, 2026 following almost a month of remote learning.

The country's Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced that all preparations have been completed at public and private schools to resume in-person classes.

All arrangements to prepare for a suitable school environment to receive around 417,000 students have been finalised, as part of proactive measures supporting the continuity of education under all circumstances.

US Centcom shares video of destroying Iranian navy ships

Egypt acts to save energy

In Egypt, several measures will go into effect today to save energy amid shortages worldwide.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said the government would slow down large state projects involving high fuel and diesel consumption for two months to rationalize consumption.

Shopping malls and stores will close their doors at 9pm as part of the procedures.

Saudi pipeline working at full capacity: Report

Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline that circumvents the Strait of Hormuz is pumping oil at its full capacity of 7 million barrels a day, Bloomberg News reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.

Look: Aftermath of Israeli strike in Beirut's southern suburbs

10 years of Ukraine-Gulf defence cooperation: Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on that deals he signed with Gulf nations during a tour in the region envisaged a decade-long cooperation on defence, including on establishing joint production lines.

"We are talking about a 10-year cooperation. We have already signed a relevant agreement with Saudi Arabia, we have just signed a similar agreement with Qatar, also for 10 years" Zelensky told reporters.

"Over these 10 years we will be engaged in co-production, building plants in both countries – production lines in Ukraine as well as in these countries," he added.

Update on UK operations in the region: Ministry of Defence

• UK Typhoons and F-35 jets continued their defensive missions overnight, including over Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE.

• UK pilots have now completed more than 1,150 flying hours in missions in the region since the start of the conflict

Kuwait engages 15 drones

Kuwait army said air defences dealt with 15 hostile drones during the past 24 hours.

Some of them targeted the vicinity of Kuwait International Airpot, it added, resulting in significant damages to the radar system.

Qatar intercepts drones

Qatar's Ministry of Defence said that the country was targeted by a number of drones launched from Iran but all of them were intercepted.

USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Croatia

The USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier that has been part of Middle East war operations, arrived at the Croatian city of Split on Saturday, the US embassy said in a statement, adding that the stop was part of a "scheduled port visit and maintenance".

The carrier left a naval base in Crete earlier this week after returning to the base following a laundry fire onboard, which injured two crew members.

"During its visit the USS Gerald R Ford will host local officials and key leaders to recognise the strong and enduring alliance between the United States and Croatia," the embassy statement said.

Fire at fuel tanks in Kuwait airport extinguished

Spokesman for Kuwait Fire Force Brigadier Mohammed Al-Ghareeb said that the fire that broke out in fuel storage tanks at Kuwait International Airport following an attack by hostile drones earlier has been extinguished.

During a media briefing, he confirmed that firefighting operations continued for 58 hours

Emirates Global Alumium says Abu Dhabi site damaged in Iran attacks

Emirates Global Aluminium announced that the company’s Al Taweelah site sustained significant damage during the Iranian missile and drone attacks at Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi.

Assessment of the damage is ongoing. A number of EGA employees were injured. None of the injuries are life threatening, the aluminium producer added.

“The safety and security of our people is our top priority at EGA at all times. We are deeply saddened," said Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA.

15-year-old Palestinian killed: Health Ministry

The Israeli military killed a 15-year-old Palestinian boy near Bethlehem late on Friday, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

The Palestinian health ministry said in a statement that the boy had died after arriving at the hospital in a critical condition with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Kuwait says no security incident at mall

Kuwait's Ministry of Interior has refuted reports that circulated on social media regarding a threat or a security incident at a shopping mall in the country, saying that they are incorrect and there is no cause for concern.

Any security presence and deployment is part of routine procedures and approved preventive security plans, it clarified.

Watch: Kuwait army shares video of firefighting efforts at airport

Up to 2,500 US Marines arrive in the Middle East

The first batch of Marines (about 2,000-2,500) have arrived in the broader Middle East region. The other several thousand are still several weeks away.

Tehran industrial complex struck, says Israel

The Israeli military said it had struck an industrial complex in Tehran used for the research and development of naval weapons.

"The IDF struck the headquarters of the Iranian terrorist regime's Marine Industries Organization," the military said, adding the strike was part of a wave of attacks conducted overnight from Friday to Saturday.

"This headquarters is responsible for the research, development, and production of a wide range of naval weaponry, including surface and sub-surface vessels, manned and unmanned equipment, as well as engines and weapons."

Home of Iraq Kurdistan president attacked

A drone attack targeted the home of the president of Iraq's Kurdistan Region early on Saturday, security sources said.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani condemned the attack on Kurdish President Nechirvan Barzani’s home and spoke with him by phone, his office said.

Sudani ordered the creation of a joint federal-Kurdistan security and technical team to investigate the incidents and identify those responsible, the statement added.

Airstrikes have been targeting sites belonging to Iraq's umbrella group for Iran-backed Shi'ite militias, the Popular Mobilization Forces, and Kurdish Peshmerga fighters in Iraq's Kurdistan since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.

3 Iraqi fighters killed in Kirkuk

A strike in northern Iraq's Kirkuk on Saturday killed three fighters from the Popular Mobilisation Forces and wounded four others, the ex-paramilitary coalition said, blaming the US and Israel for the attack.

The fighters from the alliance, also known as the Hashed al-Shaabi, now part of Iraq's regular armed forces, were "subjected to a treacherous Zionist-American" attack, according to a PMF statement.

End attacks on health care, NOW: Who chief

Who Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned attacks on health care workers and facilities in Lebanon, saying that March has been the second most deadly month for health workers in the country since the organization started monitoring attacks on health care in the country in October 2023.

Four hospitals and 51 primary health care centres, he said, are closed in southern Lebanon. Nine paramedics were killed in five attacks on health care on Saturday.

Lebanese soldier killed: Army

Lebanon's army announced that a Lebanese soldier called Mohammed Mofeed Tofaili, was killed in an Israeli strike on southern Lebanon.

Loud explosions heard in Iranian capital: AFP journalist

Did Yemen's Houthis join the conflict?

A month into the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, a missile launched from Yemen has been detected for the first time, Israel's military said on Saturday.

News of the attack came just hours after Iran-aligned Houthis said they were prepared to act if what the group called an escalation against Iran continued.

So who are the Houthis?

The Houthis are a military, political and religious movement led by the Houthi family and based in northern Yemen. They adhere to the Zaydi sect of Shi'ite Islam.

The Houthis have a history of fighting guerrilla wars with the Yemeni army but expanded their power and built closer ties with Iran after the 2011 "Arab Spring" protests.

I intend to make Iran great again: Son of shah

The exiled son of Iran's last shah, Reza Pahlavi, earned thunderous applause from a packed conference hall of US conservatives in Texas.

Speaking to an audience, Pahlavi said "Can you imagine Iran going from 'death to America' to 'God Bless America?'" he asked the audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference in the Dallas suburbs, prompting one of several standing ovations.

The 65-year-old son of Iran's last shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, has lived in exile since the 1979 Islamic Revolution toppled the US-backed monarchy and ushered in the current system of clerical rule.

Pahlavi urged the United States to "stay the course" and "pave the way for the Iranian people to finish the job," arguing that only the complete collapse of the Islamic republic could bring lasting stability.

Two Iraqi officers killed in airstrike

At least two Iraqi police personnel were killed and two wounded in an airstrike that targeted a Popular Mobilisation Forces headquarters in Mosul, which was located adjacent to a police facility, security sources told Reuters.

The PMF, known in Arabic as Hashd al-Shaabi, is an umbrella group of mostly Shi'ite paramilitary factions that was formally integrated into Iraq's state security forces and includes several groups aligned with Iran.

Iranian water reservoir hit: Official

The water resrvoir of Iran's southwestern town of Haftkel was targeted in a US-Israeli air strike, Iran's state news agency IRNA quoted a local offiicial as saying.

More Pakistani vessels to cross Hormuz

Iran has agreed to allow 20 more ships under the Pakistani flag to pass through the Strait of Hormuz; two ships will cross the Strait daily, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said.

UAE air defences responding to missile threat: Ministry

The UAE's Ministry of Defence also said sounds heard in parts of the country were the result of intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.

UAE residents receive all clear message. Situation is now safe

Dubai confirms sounds heard across city were due to interceptions

UAE air defences deal with missile, drone threat; some residents receive alert

UAE's Ministry of Defence clarified that the sounds heard in various areas of the country are the result of the defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.

Situation now safe as residents receive all clear message after missile interceptions

Day 29 of war ends

The war in the Middle East nears the beginning of its fifth week, with no sign yet of a breakthrough in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran continued and Israel launched more attacks in Lebanon which was drawn to the war after Iran-backed Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel.

In the GCC, Kuwait airport was targeted by drones and its radar system was damaged. Oman's Salalah port was also hit by drones and one expat was injured. In the UAE, three fires at Abu Dhabi's Kezad following a missile interception were brought under control and 6 expats were injured.

Air defences in the UAE responded to 20 ballistic missiles and 37 drones on March 28. The number of injuries since February 28 stands at 178 and deaths at 11.

On the political front, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Abu Dhabi, stressing that the UAE is addressing the crisis with restraint and wisdom.

Keep following Khaleej Times' daily live blog as we bring you the latest developments in the regional war.