UAE air defences deal with 4 ballistic missiles, 26 drones on March 20

Removing sanctions on Iran oil will bring supplies into ports: US energy secretary

Removing oil sanctions on stranded Iranian oil would get supplies to Asia within three or four days, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Friday.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday the US may soon remove sanctions on Iranian oil stranded on tankers at sea, as Washington seeks to curb prices soaring over Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

"Within days, within three or four days, that oil will start to arrive at ports," Wright said in an interview with Fox Business Network.

Latest update from Akasa Air

Akasa Air continues to operate flights to/from Jeddah and Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kochi and Kozhikode and to/from Riyadh and Mumbai.

The operation of these flights is based on the prevailing situation and their ongoing safety assessment and may be subject to change.

Flights to/from Abu Dhabi, Doha and Kuwait remain suspended until March 21, 2026, it said.

Akasa Air has extended its cancellation/rescheduling charges waiver policy for passengers booked to or from these cities until March 31, 2026.

Sri Lanka refuses to let US use their airport

Sri Lanka refused permission to the United States to station two of its warplanes at an airport in the island's south in early March, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told parliament.

Sri Lanka maintains close ties with the United States, its biggest export market, and Iran which is a key buyer of tea, its main export commodity.

6 Indians dead, 1 missing; 300,000 return to India since Feb 28

Six Indian nationals have lost their lives, and one remains missing in separate incidents across the Gulf region, India's Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

An Indian national was killed in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia on March 18, taking the death toll to 6.

Addressing the Inter-Ministerial Briefing, Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the MEA, Aseem R Mahajan, said Indian missions in multiple countries are working closely with authorities to locate the missing person and facilitate the return of the deceased to India, ANI reported.

"Six Indian nationals have unfortunately lost their lives, and one is missing in various incidents. Our missions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq and UAE are in regular touch with the concerned authorities regarding the missing Indian national and for the early repatriation of mortal remains of the deceased Indian nationals to India," Mahajan said.

Funeral underway for Iran intelligence minister

Iran's Press TV shared a video from the funeral ceremony underway in Tehran for their Intelligence Minister Ismail Khatib, who was killed in attacks. His death was confirmed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Wednesday.

UAE air defences deal with 4 ballistic missiles, 26 drones on March 20

The UAE air defence systems on engaged 4 ballistic missiles and 26 UAVs launched from Iran on March 20, the Ministry of Defence announced.

Since the onset of the blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 338 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,740 UAVs.

These attacks have resulted in the martyrdom of 2 members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, as well as 6 fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi and Palestinian nationalities.

A total of 158 people were also injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate and severe. The injured included nationals of the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia, Sweden and Tunisia.

US, Israel strike 16 Iranian cargo vessels

The United States and Israel struck 16 Iranian cargo vessels in port towns on the Gulf on Friday, local media reported, saying the ships were burnt.

"Following the American-Zionist air attack, at least 16 cargo vessels belonging to citizens of the towns of Bandar Lengeh and Bandar Kong were completely burnt in the fire," a local offical from the southern Hormozgan province said, quoted by the Tasnim news agency.

More attacks on Iran

Israeli military says it has begun attacking Iranian targets east of Tehran.

Abu Dhabi Police arrest 109 individuals for filming, posting misleading videos

Abu Dhabi Police announced the arrest of 109 individuals of various nationalities who filmed locations and incidents and circulated inaccurate information via social media platforms during the ongoing events. Such actions could stir public opinion and spread rumors within the community, they said.

The police have taken the necessary legal and administrative measures against them, as part of ongoing efforts by security authorities to monitor and track violations.

They emphasized that such behavior constitutes a violation of applicable laws and regulations, stressing the importance of verifying information and refraining from publishing or resharing any unverified content or content not issued by official sources, due to its negative impact on community security and the course of security operations.

The police also urged the public to obtain information only from approved official sources and to refrain from filming or publishing locations of incidents or related footage, in order to preserve the integrity of procedures and protect the public interest.

Detained Britons used as 'human shields' in Iran war zone, family says

The family of a British couple detained in Iran said on Friday the pair were being used as "human shields" during the US-Israeli war on Iran and they accused Britain's government of failing to make progress on their release.

Lindsay and Craig Foreman were sentenced to 10 years in prison last year after Iran charged them with espionage, which they deny.

The family said the couple were being used as "effective human shields" and said a blast near Evin prison in Tehran had blown out window panels in Craig Foreman's ward and had sent plaster falling on inmates who dived under beds for cover.

Israeli reservist arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran

Israeli police said on Friday they had arrested an army reservist who served on the Iron Dome air defence system on suspicion of passing secrets to Iran.

The arrest comes as Israel and the United States are locked in a war with Iran that has spread across the Middle East.

"Raz Cohen, a 26‑year‑old resident of Jerusalem who served in the reserves in the Iron Dome system, was recently arrested on suspicion of committing security offenses involving contact with Iranian intelligence," Israeli police said.

Israeli refinery infrastructure damaged in Iranian strike

The owner of an Israeli oil refinery hit in an Iranian missile strike said on Friday that essential infrastructure was damaged in Thursday's attack but that most production facilities were operating and the rest were being restarted.

Oil Refineries Ltd said in a statement that there had been "localised hits" at its complex in Haifa, northern Israel, striking electrical infrastructure supplying a service facility and an open area adjacent to an administrative building.

Lebanon condemns terrorist plot targeting UAE and Hezbollah's involvement in it

The Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants condemned the terrorist plot targeting the United Arab Emirates.

The ministry, in a statement carried by the National News Agency, condemned the involvement of the Lebanese Hezbollah in the plot, recalling the government’s decision on March 2, 2026, to ban the outfit's military and security activities.

The ministry said that Lebanon expresses its full solidarity with the United Arab Emirates, which has always stood by it in times of hardship and difficulty.

Over 70,000 Americans returned to US since Feb 28

The US State Department's task force has provided security guidance and travel assistance to 50,000 Americans and the Department has completed over 60 charter flights. Over 70,000 American citizens have safely returned to the US from the Middle East since February 28.

Kuwait deals with missile and drone attacks

Kuwaiti air defenses are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks.

The General Staff of the Army said that any explosion sounds heard are the result of air defence systems intercepting the hostile attacks.

They requested residents to adhere to the security and safety instructions issued by the competent authorities.

Bahrain intercepts attacks

Bahrain has intercepted and destroyed 141 missiles and 242 drones targeting the Kingdom so far, Defence Force General Command said.

Iranian strike on Israel's oil refinery

Israel's oil refineries say Iranian strike on Haifa refinery damaged external infrastructure owned by a third party that is essential to operations. It is expected to return to operations within a few days, Reuters reported.

Reem Al Hashimy visits India, meets external affairs minister

Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy, UAE's Minister of State for International Cooperation, paid a working visit to New Delhi on Thursday, March 19, 2026, where she met Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India's Minister of External Affairs, and Vikram Misri, Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs.

The two sides reviewed current regional developments and the repercussions of the Iranian missile attacks on security and stability in the region, in addition to their impact on the global economy and energy security.

The talks also addressed the importance of protecting maritime security, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, as it is a vital waterway for global energy supplies and international trade.

Spokesperson for Iran's Revolutionary Guards killed in strike

Ali Mohammad Naini, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its deputy of public relations, has been killed in strikes launched by the US and Israel, Iranian state TV reported on Friday.

Tehran's Green Palace damaged

Mehr News Agency shared a photo of the Green Palace in Tehran's Saadabad Complex damaged in the US-Israeli airstrikes.

Iran FM warns UK against US use of British bases

Iran's foreign minister told his UK counterpart in a phone call that Tehran would view any US use of British bases as "participation in aggression".

"These actions will certainly be regarded as participation in aggression and will be recorded in the history of relations between the two countries," said Abbas Araghchi, according to a statement released by Iran's foreign ministry, which did not say when the phone call took place.

War in Iran threatens fresh food-price shock

Disrupted fertiliser shipments and soaring energy prices from the war in Iran are threatening to unleash a fresh food-price surge across vulnerable nations, risking a years-long setback just as many were recovering from successive global shocks, Reuters reported.

Developing countries were strengthening — and attracting investment — after the global pandemic and the Ukraine war sent food, fuel and financial markets into turmoil. Now the Iran conflict threatens to unravel those gains and leave households struggling to feed families.

Born on Eid, amid war

Even as geopolitical tensions continue in the background, moments of quiet joy unfolded in hospitals across the UAE as UAE families welcomed newborns on Eid Al Fitr.

The sound of newborn cries brought a sense of hope and renewal, offering families a deeply personal reason to celebrate.

Israel strikes 'decimated' Iran

Israel launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran on Friday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran was being "decimated".

The Iranian capital, under near daily bombardment since a joint US-Israeli attack started the war on February 28, was hit by strikes the Israeli military said were "targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime".

The bombardment came shortly after Netanyahu said the Middle East war had eradicated the Islamic republic's capacity to enrich uranium or manufacture ballistic missiles as the conflict heads towards a fourth week.

Crude prices drop

Crude prices fell more than two per cent Friday after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war with Iran could finish sooner than many feared.

Traders also welcomed US President Donald Trump's remarks that Israeli forces would not target any more of Tehran's energy infrastructure.

Both main oil contracts sank, though Brent remains at about $105 and West Texas Intermediate about $93. On Thursday, Brent jumped almost six percent to hit $119 a barrel before falling back to around $109.

Work from home, avoid air travel: IEA

The International Energy Agency (IEA), which this month agreed a record release of oil from strategic stockpiles to deal with the effects of the US-Israeli war with Iran, outlined on Friday proposals to ease oil price pressures on consumers, such as working-from-home and avoiding air travel.

The US-Israel war with Iran has driven up energy prices, causing concerns over inflation across the world.

Israeli military says it struck Syrian government targets

In response to Thursday's events in which Druze civilians were attacked, the IDF struck a command center and weapons in military compounds belonging to the Syrian regime in southern Syria, the military said.

"The IDF will not tolerate harm towards the Druze population in Syria and will continue to operate to defend them. The IDF continues to monitor developments in southern Syria and will operate in accordance with directives from the political echelon," they said.

No stockpile shortage: IRGC

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Friday that the Islamic republic has continued to produce missiles despite the war with Israel and the United States.

"Our missile industry deserves a perfect score... and there is no concern in this regard, because even under wartime conditions we continue missile production," Guards spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini said, quoted by the Fars news agency.

South Korea flags uncertainty from Qatar LNG plant damage

South Korean authorities said on Friday that Iranian attacks on Qatar's energy facilities raise uncertainty, but downplayed concerns about disruption to its liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply, citing the availability of alternative sources.

State-owned QatarEnergy said it will have to declare force majeure on long-term contracts for up to five years for LNG supplies bound for Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China after the Iranian attacks knocked out 17 per cent of LNG export capacity.

India advises airlines to avoid Gulf airspace, calls for contingency plans

India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked airlines to avoid operating within the affected airspace over Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia. They have been asked to ensure contingency plans as part of safety risk assessments, according to sources.

Earlier, the civil aviation regulator had temporarily allowed Air India relaxations in flight duty norms amid the ongoing conflict in the region.

According to sources, Air India is operating flights through longer alternative routes, resulting in longer flying hours, due to restrictions on Iranian and Iraqi airspace, reported ANI.

Bahrain warehouse fire under control

Bahrain's Civil Defence managed to extinguish the fire that broke out in a warehouse belonging to a company, after deploying 20 vehicles and 62 officers and personnel. The fire broke out as a result of Iranian attacks.

Flight update from Etihad

Etihad announced they are currently operating a limited commercial flight schedule between Abu Dhabi and a number of key destinations. Guests with previous bookings will be accommodated on these flights as soon as possible.

Guests and members of the public have been advised not to travel to the airport unless they have been contacted directly by Etihad or hold a confirmed booking on one of the new flights.

Shrapnel fall causes fire in Bahrain

A fire in a company warehouse in Bahrain was caused after shrapnel fell as a result of the Iranian aggression. The Civil Defence controlled the fire without any injuries.

The Ministry of Interior had announced that the siren has been sounded early morning on Fridaty. Citizens and residents were urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place.

Fire at Qatar warehouse

Qatar's Ministry of Interior announced early on Friday that Civil Defense is dealing with a fire in a warehouse in the Barakat Al Awamer area, with no injuries reported.

They later updated that the fire had been completely controlled, without any injuries being recorded.

Kuwait's Al Ahmadi Port Refinery hit by multiple drones

Mina Al Ahmadi Port Refinery, affiliated with the Kuwait National Petroleum Company, was subjected to several hostile attacks this morning using drones, resulting in a fire breaking out in some of its units.

Initial estimates indicate no human injuries resulting from these attacks. Firefighting and emergency teams immediately began addressing this fire, while several units in the refinery were shut down and all necessary measures and precautions were taken to ensure the safety of the workers.

Iran has stepped up attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure in recent days, hitting refineries and the world's biggest gas hub in Qatar, as Tehran retaliated over Israeli strikes on its South Pars gas field.

Kuwait intercepts drones

Kuwait's air defences intercepted hostile missile and drone attacks, the Ministry of Defence's official spokesman said on Friday morning.

UAE President says region will overcome current challenges

Sheikh Mohamed, while wishing the country on Eid, said that the region would overcome its challenges soon.

"I extend my warmest congratulations to my brothers, the Rulers of the Emirates, our family in the UAE, and Muslims around the world on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr.

"We remain confident that our region will overcome its current challenges, and that the UAE, through its strength, resilience, and the loyalty and unity of its people, will continue to advance towards a peaceful and prosperous future," he posted on X.

Qatar issues advisory on safe celebrations

On the occasion of Eid Al Fitr, government entities in Qatar emphasised the importance of adhering to public guidance, acting responsibly and following official instructions to help ensure the safety of all.

• Parents are required to keep their children with the family and avoid letting them outside to residential areas or walk between homes for Eid greetings

• Limit visits and activities to small family gatherings, and fully adhere to guidance and instructions issued by the relevant authorities

• In case of a national alert warning, do not leave the mosque and remain inside; those outside should return to the mosque or proceed to the nearest safe location

• Follow alerts issued by the relevant authorities promptly and rely on official sources for information

Saudi Arabia intercepts drones

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence announced that five drones were intercepted and destroyed in the Eastern Region on Friday morning, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defence Major General Turki Al-Malki as saying.

Eid amid war

Eid celebrations began on March 20 in many countries. Gulf nations continue to stay vigilant while celebrating Eid Al Fir this year amid war; some countries have issued advisories for safe celebrations.

Faithful across UAE attended Eid prayers in mosques across the country.

Take a look:

Emergency alerts early morning in UAE

UAE residents woke up to alerts early morning as air defences responded to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran.

The Ministry of Defence asserted that the sounds heard were the result of the air defence systems intercepting missiles and drones.

Residents were urged to remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates.

Dubai authorities later confirmed the success of all air interception operations, with no injuries reported.

Citizens were assured that the situation was safe and normal activities could be resumed, while continuing to remain cautious and taking necessary precautions.

Day 21 of Iran war

It has been 21 days since the Iranian retaliation to US-Israeli strikes resulted in attacks on several Gulf nations, causing damage to civilian infrastructure as well as energy facilities.

Israel launched a fresh wave of attacks on Iran on Friday, after US President Donald Trump told it not to repeat its strikes on Iranian natural gas infrastructure, which sharply escalated the US-Israeli war on Iran.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a phone call from Trump, during which they discussed developments in the region.

UAE's State Security Apparatus (SSA) announced the dismantling of a terrorist network funded and operated by Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iran, and the arrest of its members.

Energy prices jumped on Thursday after Iran responded to an Israeli attack on a major gas field by hitting Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City, which processes around a fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas, causing damage that will take years to repair.

UAE air defences dealt with 7 ballistic missiles, 15 drones on March 19.