Israel said it had killed Alireza Tangsiri, the Commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)’s Navy, on Thursday, as confict in the Middle East continued.
See you tomorrow. A wrap-up of today's key events is below.
Vice-President of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Dr Razieh Alishvandi, told AnewZ's Touraj Shiralilou that Iran had alerted the International Criminal Court (ICC) to the killing of civilians, medical staff and aid workers in U.S.–Israeli attacks.
Iran is not a member of the ICC, meaning the court cannot automatically investigate crimes committed within the country.
You can find more details in Touraj's piece below.
The Israeli military said on Thursday that two soldiers were killed during combat operations in southern Lebanon, amid ongoing clashes with Hezbollah along the border.
Earlier on Thursday, Israel's armed forces said one soldier had been killed in fighting there.
A total of four Israeli soldiers have now been killed in south Lebanon since Israel began its offensive.
Israel's military previously said two soldiers were killed on 8 March.
Britain's Chancellor Rachel Reeves convened the country's six largest banks and building societies on Thursday to assess the impact of the Middle East conflict on households and small businesses.
The meeting follows Reeves's acknowledgment this month of the economic risks Britain faces from rising energy costs due to the conflict.
The UK's Treasury said Reeves secured a commitment from lenders to contact 1.6 million customers whose fixed-rate mortgage deals are due to expire between now and the end of the year.
"This will set out customers' options on how to access bespoke support well before the payment changes," the Treasury said.
Discussions among Iranian hardliners about whether Tehran should seek a nuclear bomb are becoming more public and more insistent, sources in the country say.
With the Revolutionary Guards now dominant, hardline views on Iran's nuclear approach are in the ascendant, two senior Iranian sources said.
While Western countries have long believed that Iran wants the bomb, or at least the ability to make one very quickly, Tehran has always denied this.
The Iranian Embassy in Spain said on Thursday that Iran would be receptive to any request from Madrid related to the Strait of Hormuz, saying that the country respects international law.
The concession would be the first offered to an EU state.
Spain has a relatively small merchant fleet but was among the first countries to condemn U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, denouncing the war as reckless and illegal.
U.S. President Donald Trump criticised NATO allies for refusing to get involved in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran on Thursday.
"When I told NATO, where we give billions... do you mind coming up and giving us a little hand with the straits, they didn't want to get involved and I think that's going to cost them dearly," Trump said.
"I've done a great favour for the world," he added, referring to the U.S. strikes on Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump hinted on Thursday that the Iranian government allowed 10 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a goodwill gesture.
Trump made the comments at a cabinet meeting at the White House, elaborating on what he had previously described as a "present" from Iran.
"They said, to show you the fact that we're real and solid and we're there, we're going to let you have eight boats of oil, eight boats, eight big boats of oil," Trump said. "I guess they were right, and they were real, and I think they were Pakistani-flagged... It ended up being 10 boats."
Earlier, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the country's vessels were now being allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The French Armed Forces Chief held a video conference with 35 nations about ways to re-open the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, France's Defence Ministry said. The call was not connected to ongoing military operations and was focused on how to restart navigation through the sea passage once fighting ends, the Ministry clarified.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday told reporters that taking control of Iran's oil was an option, but said that he would not talk about it.
The U.S. Central Command on a post on X confirmed the killing of Alireza Tangsiri, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
This comes on the heels of Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, announcing the death of Tangsiri in a press briefing on Thursday. Katz said Tangsiri was "directly responsible for the terrorist act of bombing and blocking the Strait of Hormuz."
Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday that Malaysian vessels were now being allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. He said he has been in talks with the leaders of Iran, Egypt, Turkey and other regional countries to facilitate peace in the Middle East.
In a televised address where he thanked the Iranian president for allowing the passage of Malaysian ships, he said, "We are now in the process of releasing the Malaysian oil tankers and the workers involved so that they may continue their journey home."
According to the US 5th Fleet, A U.S. Navy sailor was injured aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) while the aircraft carrier was conducting flight operations in the Arabian Sea on 25 March. The injury aboard USS Abraham Lincoln is not combat-related nor life-threatening.
In a post on his Truth Social account, the U.S. president Donald Trump said that the nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have done "absolutely nothing" to help with the war in Iran.
Trump, in his post, also said that Iran is now "militarily decimated" and further said that the "U.S needs nothing from NATO but 'never forget' this very important point in time!"
As of March 20-22, approximately 1,900 vessels are stranded in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the real-time ship tracker MarineTraffic.
Among the stranded are some 324 bulk carriers, 315 oil/chemical product carriers, 267 petroleum product carriers, and 211 crude oil tankers.
According to analytics firm Vortexa, about 190 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products are aboard tankers stranded in the region.
According to Anadolu News Agency, citing Axios, the Pentagon is "developing military options for a ‘final blow’ in Iran that could include the use of ground forces and a massive bombing campaign".
Israel’s Health Ministry said in a statement on Thursday, 26 March, that 149 people have been injured by Iranian attacks in the past 24 hours.
Three of the injured are in critical condition. The ministry said a total of 5,229 people have been wounded since the start of the war with Iran
According to the Ministry, 114 people of the people injured are still hospitalized, 14 in serious condition, 28 in moderate condition, and 70 with minor injuries.
Israel says it has killed Alireza Tangsiri, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC)’s Navy.
Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, says Tangsiri was "directly responsible for the terrorist act of bombing and blocking the Strait of Hormuz".
He adds that some other "senior Naval command officials" have also been killed.
There was no immediate confirmation from Iran regarding the claim.
A cargo train carrying Russian humanitarian aid for Iran has arrived at Qaradagh station in Azerbaijan, officials said, as assistance continues to flow amid the ongoing conflict.
The train, operated by Russia’s emergency ministry, consists of 31 wagons transporting more than 300 tonnes of medicines and medical supplies. It follows an earlier delivery of more than 13 tonnes sent on 12 March via Azerbaijani territory.
The aid effort comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for helping evacuate Russian citizens from Iran and facilitating the transit of humanitarian supplies.
The Israeli military said one soldier has been killed during combat operations in southern Lebanon, amid ongoing clashes with Hezbollah along the border.
The latest death brings the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in the area to three since early March, following two fatalities reported on 8 March.
China’s Foreign Ministry said Beijing is ready to play a constructive role in efforts to ease the conflict involving Iran, calling for dialogue, negotiation, and an immediate ceasefire.
Spokesperson Lin Jian highlighted concerns over the war’s impact on Middle East stability and global oil markets, urging all parties to de‑escalate tensions.
France is set to announce targeted measures to ease rising energy costs driven by the ongoing Iran war, French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said on Thursday.
The government plans to support sectors most affected, including trucking companies and fisheries, which are struggling with soaring energy bills.
“In the next few days we will be able to announce new measures,” Lescure told French Radio broadcaster RTL, adding that previous support had already been extended to high-mileage drivers.
Lescure also said he had called a meeting of G7 finance and energy ministers, along with central bankers, on Monday to coordinate a response to the energy crisis. Updates will follow as details of the measures emerge.
Israel has reportedly removed Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf from its hit-list, a Pakistani official told Reuters on Thursday.
According to the official, Israel had the coordinates to target the two Iranian leaders, but Pakistan intervened, asking the United States to ensure they were not eliminated. “If they are also eliminated then there is no one else to talk to, hence the U.S. asked the Israelis to back off,” the official said.
Türkiye’s Transport Minister has confirmed that an oil tanker was struck by an explosion in the Black Sea, near the Bosphorus Strait, caused by an unmanned marine vessel.
At least two people have died in Abu Dhabi after debris from an intercepted missile struck Sweihan Road, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The emirate’s media office reported that three others were injured and several vehicles were damaged in the incident.
The UAE says its air defence systems are actively dealing with a missile threat, with authorities monitoring the situation closely.
The Israeli Defence Forces say they have identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel, with sirens and defensive systems activated.
The Israeli military has carried out a series of strikes across Iran, including in the central city of Isfahan, the Israeli Defence Forces said on Thursday.
In a brief statement, the military said its forces “completed a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime in several areas across Iran.”
Trade ministers have gathered in Yaoundé, Cameroon, for four days of talks on reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO), amid warnings that failure could push countries to set trade rules outside the organisation.
The meeting comes amid global trade tensions, including disruptions from the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and past tariff conflicts under Donald Trump. John Denton of the International Chamber of Commerce warned energy price spikes and fertilizer shortages could trigger a severe industrial and food crisis.
Ministers face deep divisions: the U.S. supports reforms but resists a detailed work plan, while the EU, Britain, and China back one. Key disputes include the extension of the moratorium on digital download duties, with Jamieson Greer seeking a permanent extension and India opposing. South Korea’s Yeo Han-Koo warned failure would be “a big blow” to the WTO.
The Philippines has temporarily suspended its wholesale electricity spot market across all three grids due to fuel supply risks and price volatility caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict, the country’s Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said on Thursday.
The ERC has proposed a temporary pricing scheme expected to take effect by 1 April, under which coal plants would be paid a fixed rate, natural gas plants compensated based on contracted prices, and renewable sources such as hydro and geothermal managed under administered pricing with preferential dispatch.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has called on citizens and businesses to reduce electricity consumption amid rising fuel costs, warning that energy conservation is vital to stabilising prices and easing pressure on the national grid.
Foreign ministers from the G7 – Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the U.S. - alongside the EU, are meeting near Paris amid ongoing wars in Ukraine and Iran, economic uncertainty, and concerns over unpredictable U.S. policy under Donald Trump.
A key focus will be a briefing from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on U.S. and Israeli actions in Iran, including the Strait of Hormuz, and potential diplomatic solutions.
Abu Dhabi state oil company ADNOC’s CEO, Sultan Al Jaber, has described any Iranian attempt to curb passage through the Strait of Hormuz as “economic terrorism,” saying such actions threaten the global economy.
Speaking in the United States on Wednesday, Al Jaber said: “When Iran holds Hormuz hostage, every nation pays the ransom, at the gas pump, at the grocery store, at the pharmacy. No country can be allowed to destabilise the global economy in this way. Not now. Not ever.”
Iran has told intermediaries that Lebanon must be part of any ceasefire with the U.S. and Israel, linking an end to the month-long war to a halt in Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah, six regional sources said.
Hezbollah has received “Iranian guarantees” of inclusion, reflecting Tehran’s continued backing of the group, which opened fire on Israel on 2 March, urging Israeli strikes in Lebanon.
“Iran is prioritising Lebanon - it will not accept Israeli violations like after the 2024 ceasefire,” a source said. Israeli officials say they are not negotiating with Iran.
Iran has threatened to launch sustained strikes on a regional country if an alleged plan to occupy an Iranian island goes ahead, with parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf saying intelligence points to “enemies” preparing such a move with outside support.
He said Iranian forces are closely monitoring developments and warned that any action would trigger “continuous and relentless” attacks on critical infrastructure in the unnamed country.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has said Tehran is not looking for war but insists any resolution must deliver a lasting end to the conflict.
He rejected the idea of a temporary ceasefire, arguing that only firm guarantees preventing future attacks would be acceptable.
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Russian drone attacks on Ukraine have killed four people, Ukrainian officials said on Saturday (28 March).
The four astronauts selected for NASA’s Artemis II mission have arrived in Florida, entering the final phase of preparations for the first crewed journey towards the Moon in more than five decades
More than 372,000 people were left without electricity in Russia’s southern region of Dagestan after heavy rain triggered severe flooding, officials said.
Thousands of U.S. Marines have been deployed to the Middle East, the Pentagon says, as Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis report launching a second missile strike on Israel, targeting military bases.
The involvement of Yemen’s Houthis has heightened regional tensions as the Iran-aligned group joins the conflict. The U.S. says it is hopeful of holding talks with Iran in the coming days, while Tehran has said that "talking and bombing is intolerable". Welcome to our live coverage of the conflict.
Two months after Indian negotiators worked in January to secure relief from punitive U.S. tariffs on the country’s exports and New Delhi moved to cut back its purchases of Russian crude oil, India and Russia are stepping up their energy ties once again, according to Reuters.
Turkish military personnel participating in NATO’s mission in Iraq have been “successfully” withdrawn from the country, the Turkish Defence Ministry announced on Thursday.
Hamas would have to allow its vast network of tunnels in Gaza to be destroyed as it gives up its weapons over eight months, under a disarmament plan drawn up by the U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has voiced doubts about the effectiveness of the U.S. and Israeli military campaign in Iran, warning that the conflict risks becoming prolonged and increasingly complex.
More than 372,000 people were left without electricity in Russia’s southern region of Dagestan after heavy rain triggered severe flooding, officials said.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said his government will absorb a 56bn-rupee fuel subsidy to shield people from rising energy costs linked to the Middle East conflict.
The involvement of Yemen’s Houthis has heightened regional tensions as the Iran-aligned group joins the conflict. The U.S. says it is hopeful of holding talks with Iran in the coming days, while Tehran has said that "talking and bombing is intolerable". Welcome to our live coverage of the conflict.
AnewZ has released the official trailer for its upcoming original documentary, Halfway Across, an investigation into the systems behind illegal migration.
Hamas would have to allow its vast network of tunnels in Gaza to be destroyed as it gives up its weapons over eight months, under a disarmament plan drawn up by the U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace.
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