Israel Claims Iran’s Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib Killed, Mojtaba Says 'Criminals Have To Pay Soon' After Larijani's Death

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Saudi defence ministry said that it intercepted and destroyed four ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh. 

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed revenge for the killing of security chief Ali Larijani in US-Israeli strikes on Tuesday. 

“Such acts of terror only reflect the enemies' hostility and will strengthen the resolve of the Islamic nation. Undoubtedly, justice will be served,” Mojtaba Khamenei said.

"Shedding this blood at the foot of the tree of the Islamic system only makes it stronger, and of course, every blood has a price that the criminal murderers of the martyrs must pay soon," he added.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: In a rare rebuke, the United Arab Emirates has called Israel’s attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field “dangerous escalation”. 

"The United Arab Emirates affirmed that targeting energy facilities linked to the South Pars gas field in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is an extension of the North Field in the sisterly State of Qatar, constitutes a dangerous escalation," the foreign ministry said.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard dodged questions from senators on Wednesday regarding whether she had warned President Trump about the likelihood of Iranian retaliatory strikes against Gulf nations and maritime traffic. During a high-stakes hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Gabbard repeatedly declined to "divulge internal conversations" with the president, particularly when pressed by Democratic Senator Mark Warner on whether the intelligence community had predicted the current instability in the Strait of Hormuz.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday that the U.S. military has "tricks up their sleeve" to break the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking outside the White House, Leavitt sought to project confidence as global energy prices continue to climb, asserting that while President Trump is still pressing allies for a multinational naval escort mission, the administration has a unilateral "plan" to restore navigation in the vital waterway.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The Israel Airports Authority confirmed on Wednesday that three private aircraft were damaged by falling fragments from an intercepted Iranian ballistic missile at Ben Gurion Airport. Images from the scene show that one of the planes caught fire after being struck by shrapnel, while the other two sustained minor damage. No casualties were reported in the incident, which occurred during a morning barrage of Iranian missiles targeting central Israel.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified before a Senate committee on Wednesday, stating that U.S. military strikes have successfully "obliterated" Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. Gabbard detailed that the targeted aerial campaign has effectively buried the country's sophisticated underground facilities, rendering them non-operational. This assessment follows weeks of high-intensity strikes aimed at dismantling Iran's strategic military and nuclear infrastructure since the conflict began in late February.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the IRGC Navy, announced on Wednesday that Iran has updated its list of strategic targets and issued a stark warning to all regional actors. Speaking as tensions escalate following strikes on the South Pars gas field, Tangsiri cautioned international vessels and neighboring states to "stay away" from any oil and energy infrastructure associated with the United States. He emphasized that any facility in the region where the U.S. holds an interest or shareholding is now considered a legitimate military target should Iran’s own energy assets face further aggression.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, issued a statement on Wednesday evening expressing their "heartfelt condolences" to the family of Yaron and Ilana Moshe. The couple was killed during an Iranian missile strike that targeted the center of the country earlier today. The Prime Minister, speaking on behalf of the citizens of Israel, shared his deep sorrow over the loss and concluded with the traditional blessing, "May their memory be a blessing."

West Asia War LIVE Updates: In a poignant statement issued on Wednesday, President Masoud Pezeshkian extended his deepest condolences to the Iranian people following the deaths of several high-ranking officials and their families. The President mourned what he termed the "cowardly assassination" of Minister of Intelligence Esmail Khatib, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani, and Minister of Defence Aziz Nasirzadeh. Pezeshkian honored the men as "dear colleagues" and "martyrs," noting that the strikes also claimed the lives of members of their accompanying teams and families.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Successive explosions were heard across northern Israel on Wednesday afternoon as specialized police units carried out the controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance. Authorities confirmed they were responding to a cluster bomb strike that had dispersed submunitions over a wide residential and rural area. The cleanup follows a massive overnight assault where Hezbollah and Iran fired repeated volleys of rockets and missiles into Israeli territory between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: In a significant move to address rising energy prices, the White House announced on Wednesday that President Trump will waive Jones Act requirements for a period of 60 days. The 1920s-era law normally mandates that all goods shipped between U.S. ports be transported on vessels that are U.S.-built, U-S.-owned, and U.S.-flagged. By suspending these restrictions, the administration aims to increase the flexibility and speed of fuel distribution across the country, particularly as the conflict with Iran continues to strain global oil supplies.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated on Wednesday that recent damage to Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility does not appear to be "very significant" following a reported drone strike. Speaking to reporters in Washington, Grossi noted that the agency received information from both Iranian and Russian sources suggesting the strike targeted a small auxiliary building containing a laboratory rather than the primary reactor infrastructure.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The White House praised the death of Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib on Wednesday, with Chief Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt describing the official as a "known terrorist." During an appearance on Fox News, Leavitt stated that Khatib’s removal from the global stage is "a good thing for the United States" and for the American people, citing the long-standing threats posed by the Iranian government.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The Trump administration cleared the way for increased oil exports from post-Maduro Venezuela on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in U.S. energy policy aimed at stabilizing global markets. This move is part of a broader strategy to boost the world oil supply as the ongoing war with Iran continues to threaten production in the Middle East. By integrating Venezuelan crude more fully into the global economy, Washington seeks to provide a buffer against potential price spikes and supply shortages resulting from the recent strikes on critical Iranian energy infrastructure like the South Pars gas field.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz addressed lawmakers on Wednesday, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining strong trans-Atlantic relations despite the pressures of the ongoing war. Merz stated that Berlin is currently "speaking at all levels with Washington" in an effort to find common ground and "seeking trans-Atlantic agreement" on regional security. While the Chancellor acknowledged that Germany shares many strategic objectives with the United States, he signaled a firm stance on protecting European economic and security interests that may diverge from the current American military approach.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Qatar officially blamed Israel on Wednesday for an airstrike targeting the massive offshore natural gas field it shares with Iran. Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, confirmed that the Iranian side of the South Pars field was hit and reported that facilities were burning following the attack. The field, known as the North Field in Qatar, is the world's largest natural gas reserve and a critical hub for global energy supplies.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: FIFA officials maintained on Tuesday that the 2026 World Cup schedule remains unchanged despite a formal request from the Iranian Football Federation to move its group-stage matches to Mexico. The request follows a public warning from U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated last week that he could not guarantee the "life and safety" of Iranian players on American soil amid the ongoing military conflict.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: President Donald Trump is scheduled to travel to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Wednesday to pay his respects during the dignified transfer of six U.S. service members. The personnel were killed when their refueling aircraft crashed during operations related to the ongoing conflict. This marks the second time in just three weeks that the president has attended the solemn ritual since the commencement of military actions against Iran on February 28, 2024.

As per a recent social media post by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he held a telephone conversation with the Crown Prince of Kuwait, HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, on Wednesday to convey Eid greetings and discuss the deteriorating security situation in West Asia. The Prime Minister informed that during the call, he reiterated India’s strong condemnation of recent attacks violating Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which have escalated following Iranian strikes on Gulf infrastructure earlier this month. He further added that ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains India's "foremost priority".

In a provocative social media post on Wednesday (March 18th, 2026), Donald J. Trump weighed in on the escalating Middle East conflict, questioning the outcome of "finishing off" what he described as the “Iranian Terror State”. The president suggested that the United States should let countries reliant on Iranian energy resources take responsibility for the security of the "so-called 'Straight'"—an apparent reference to the Strait of Hormuz arguing that such a shift in policy would force "non-responsive 'Allies'" to take more decisive action in the region.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Iranian state-run media reported on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, that facilities associated with the country’s massive South Pars natural gas field came under attack. According to state television and the IRNA news agency, the strikes targeted energy infrastructure at Asaluyeh in the southern Bushehr province. While authorities confirmed the incident, they did not immediately provide details regarding the extent of the damage or whether the strike resulted in any casualties.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: At least eight people were killed on Wednesday in an airstrike targeting a courthouse complex in Larestan County, southern Iran. According to Iran’s official judiciary news agency, Mizan, the dead include one lawyer, six clients, and a member of the judicial staff. While the head of the Fars province judiciary confirmed these specific casualties, Mizan noted that the total number of killed and wounded remains uncertain as recovery efforts continue.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: In a sharp assessment of the escalating conflict on Wednesday, Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s special envoy for Lebanon, stated that Hezbollah "bears full responsibility for the resumption of fighting in Lebanon." Speaking to France Info radio, the envoy criticized the Iran-backed group for prioritizing external interests over Lebanese stability, noting that their actions provoked the current crisis.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: After the high-profile killing of the head of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, Israel today claimed killing the Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib. The announcement was made by the Israel Defence Forces' official social media handle. 

The Defence Minister of Israel, Israel Katz, had also given an explosive statement in which he said, “significant surprises are expected throughout this day on all the fronts”, hinting at a large scale operation to eliminate top Iranian leaders.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Iran’s judiciary reported Wednesday an enemy “attack” hit southern Iran, killing and wounding civilians and judicial staff. The judiciary’s Mizan news agency reported the attack at a judiciary site in Larestan County in Iran’s Fars province.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The IDF targeted Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmaeil Khatib, in an overnight airstrike in Tehran, according to an Israeli official. The strike was first reported by Iran International, and shortly afterward confirmed by an Israeli official.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations has formally addressed the global body, asserting that Israel must be held accountable for "ongoing aggression against Iran'.

According to state broadcaster Press TV, the envoy's letter further accused the Israeli regime of the "violation of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity," resulting in the deaths of civilians and the destruction of vital infrastructure.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: A Russian oil-laden tanker that was bound for China has U-turned in the South China Sea, and is now hurrying to India after New Delhi began doubling down on imports from Moscow. 

West Asia War LIVE Updates: At least four explosions were heard on Wednesday in the city of Erbil in the autonomous Kurdistan region, news report says. It was not immediately clear what the target was.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: As the conflict in the Middle East is widening, India sends aid to Tehran. Iran expressed its gratitude to India for the aid.
 

West Asia War LIVE Updates: After Shivalik and Nanda Devi, another Indian-flagged LPG oil tanker, Jag Laadki, has arrived in Gujarat's Mundra port. The ship has carried approximately 80,886 metric tonnes (MT) of crude oil, sourced from the UAE.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Iran does not believe in a ceasefire; instead, it believes in ending the war on all fronts, as per reports.

"We do not believe in a ceasefire; we believe in ending the war. And ending the war means exactly ending the war on all fronts. in Lebanon, in Yemen, in Iraq, in Iran, and in the other countries of the region," he said. 

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The coffins of Iran's Security Chief Ali Larijani and his son arrived at the Martyrs' Memorial in Tehran.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council had officially confirmed the deaths of its chief, Ali Larijani, and his son, Morteza Larijani, following a targeted Israeli airstrike on their residence in Pardis early Tuesday.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry says another drone has been shot down as it attempted to approach Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The International Maritime Organization is set to hold an “extraordinary session” to address “the impacts on shipping and seafarers of the situation” in the Gulf amid the US and Israel’s war on Iran.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Fire breaks out near Ben Gurion Airport after missile strike.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has announced the completion of a "wide-scale airstrike in Tehran," confirming that "command centres of the Iranian terror regime were attacked" during the operation. In a post on X, the IAF detailed that the mission, which took place on Tuesday, was guided by Military Intelligence. The operation specifically targeted “command centres, sites of the ballistic missile array, and additional infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime".

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The first shipment of medical aid from India has been delivered to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, amid ongoing tensions. Iran expressed gratitude to India for this support.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: About 90 ships including oil tankers have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the outset of the war with Iran and it is still exporting millions of barrels of oil at a time when the waterway has been effectively closed, according to maritime and trade data platforms.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The Maharashtra government is intensifying efforts to ensure uninterrupted delivery of LPG cylinders to domestic consumers and curb black marketing, officials said on Wednesday. According to the Maharashtra DGIPR, a total of 2,129 raids have been conducted across Maharashtra so far, resulting in the seizure of 1,208 LPG cylinders that were being illegally marketed.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The funeral procession of the sailors of the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena took place at the Imamzadeh Saleh shrine in Tehran on Tuesday, as reported by Press TV. The Islamic Republic of Iran Ship (IRIS) Dena sank on March 4 after the frigate was hit by a US torpedo and sunk approximately 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle in Sri Lanka.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The US aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, deployed in operations against Iran, is expected to temporarily pull into port after a fire on board that reportedly took 30 hours to put out, US officials said on Tuesday, the 18th day of the war with Tehran.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: As part of the strikes across tehran, the israeli air force, under the direction of the idf intelligence directorate, struck command centers, ballistic missile array sites, and additional infrastructure of the iranian terror regime.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: PM Modi discussed West Asia's situation with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, condemned attacks on the UAE, and agreed to collaborate for restoring peace, security, and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The Israeli military is ordering residents of more Lebanese villages to leave their “homes immediately and move north of the Zahrani River”. Arabic language spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a new threat shared on X that Israel was planning attacks on the Lebanese villages of Khirbet Selm, Beit Yahoun, Sarafand and Deir Qanoun En Nahr.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Koroush Kiyavani, a spy for Israel, was executed after legal proceedings confirmed his guilt. He had provided Mossad with sensitive information, was arrested on June 16 with 30,000 euros, a pickup truck, motorcycle, and advanced spying equipment by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Intelligence Organization.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the assassinations of key officials, including security chief Ali Larijani, won't undermine Tehran's government. In an Al Jazeera interview, he emphasized that Iran’s governance relies on institutions rather than individuals, and the system remains intact despite such attacks.

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said on Wednesday that it has begun a wave of strikes targeting the infrastructure of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Sharing the details in a post on X, it said "Following the evacuation of residents of the city of Tyre in southern Lebanon and in response to rocket fire toward Israeli territory, the IDF has begun a wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in southern Lebanon".

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has accused the United States of planning to overthrow Cuba’s government and take control of the country, warning that any such attempt would be met with what he described as “impregnable resistance”.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Israeli airstrikes struck zuqaq al-blat in beirut. Zuqaq al-blat is a central, densely populated neighborhood known as one of its twelve historic quarters. The raid happened moments after the Israeli military issued a forced evacuation order for the neighbourhood.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Crude oil prices in the international markets surged again to as high as USD 103 per barrel on Wednesday after Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf indicated that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz would not return to normal.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Saudi Arabia is hosting a ministerial meeting of foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic countries in Riyadh on Wednesday to coordinate on supporting regional security and stability.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Australian Prime Minister Anthony ​Albanese said an ‌Iranian projectile on Wednesday hit near its ​Al Minhad ​Air Base in the ⁠United Arab Emirates, ​and that all ​Australian defence personnel were safe.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The UAE Ministry of Defence says the country’s air defences are “currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran”.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Israel Railways reported shrapnel falling near the Tel Aviv Savidor Center train station, causing massive damage to the station's platforms. Trains to and from the station have been suspended, with shuttle services operating between Herzliya, Tel Aviv Savidor Center, and Ben Gurion Airport.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Iranian forces launched another round of missiles, with reports pointing to use of khorramshahr-4 medium-range ballistic missiles. The 60th wave of its ongoing “operation true promise 4” was launched in retaliation for the killing of senior basij commander gholamreza soleimani and targeted israeli territory and U.S. Regional bases.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: In a new video alongside US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, Netanyahu firmly declared, “Yes, I’m alive,” as Huckabee joked that President Donald Trump sent him to check on the Israeli leader.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Senior Iranian figures have paid high-level tributes following the death of the nation's top security official, Ali Larijani, who was killed during a military strike carried out by the Israeli and US forces, according to state broadcaster Press TV.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Two Israeli strikes on residential apartments in central Beirut’s Basta and Zokak Al-Blat neighborhoods early Wednesday killed at least six people and wounded 24 others, according to an initial toll by the Lebanese Health Ministry.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad was targeted early Wednesday, two Iraqi security officials said.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Iran launches a new wave of attacks targeting central Israel, reportedly using cluster munitions. The IDF confirms the strike but says no injuries have been reported so far. 

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has reacted to the confirmation of Ali Larijani's assassination, calling it a “source of national awakening” according to report.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will continue targeting anyone who "poses a threat to the state of Israel," including Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, military spokesperson Effie Defrin has said, saying that they have no current information on Khamenei's whereabouts.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The U.S. military has fired multiple 5,000-pound (2,270-kilogram) deep penetrator bombs on hardened Iranian missile sites along Iran’s coastline near the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. Central Command.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: The government’s Dubai Media Office said “the sounds heard across parts of the city were the result of successful air defence interception operations.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: According to a statement released by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Larijani was killed along with his son Morteza Larijani and the head of his office, Alireza Bayat, as well as several guards.

West Asia War LIVE Updates:  The International Atomic Energy Agency says it has been informed by Iran that a projectile hit the premises of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant yesterday evening.

West Asia War LIVE Updates: In a post on X , Netanyahu says, "This morning, we eliminated Ali Larijani. Ali Larijani is the boss of the Revolutionary Guards, that group of gangsters that effectively runs Iran'. 

West Asia War LIVE Updates: Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry says on X that the drones were intercepted and destroyed in the eastern province. Iran has been launching drone and missile attacks at countries across the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia, claiming it is targeting US military-linked sites, although civilian infrastructure has also been hit.

West Asia War Updates: Rocket and drone attacks on ​the U.S. embassy ‌and a diplomatic facility in Iraq resumed on Tuesday ​after a series ​of earlier strikes the ⁠same day, security ​sources said.
Rockets and an ​explosive drone targeted the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, ​triggering sirens and ​an explosion was heard near ‌the ⁠compound, security sources said. (Reuters)
 

West Asia War Updates: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said that there are currently 201 Ukrainians in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf region and another 34 are ready for deployment. Zelenskyy said that these are military experts who know how to help against "Shahed" drones.

West Asia War Updates: US President Donald Trump said in a press conference at the Oval Office that it was a "good thing" that the head of the National Counterterrorism Centre Joseph Kent has resigned because he had claimed that Iran was not a threat.

"When I read his statement, I realised that it's a good thing that he is out because he said that Iran was not a threat. Iran was a threat to every country," Trump said.

West Asia War Updates: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a light-hearted video of himself with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, saying that “crossing names off the list is good - doing it shoulder to shoulder with our American friends is even better.”

In the video, Netanyahu also spoke of false online claims that his videos were deepfake.
 

West Asia War Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with UAE president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan amid the war in West Asia. He condemned the loss of lives and damage to civilian infrastructure, and agreed on ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

“We will continue to work together for the early restoration of peace, security and stability in the region,” he said.

West Asia War Updates: The Israeli military said that the Hezbollah may be carrying out a major rocket attack in the coming hours. The IDF said that the group might fire a large number of rockets at both northern and central Israel.

West Asia War Updates: US President Donald Trump said that most NATO allies have informed Washington that they do not want to get involved in the US war in Iran. Trump criticised NATO as a “one way street” and said the United States no longer needs or wants allied assistance.

Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation on Tuesday (March 17th, 2026) amid rumours of his death. In the 2.38-minute video posted from his official account, the PM echoed the claims of the Israel Defence Forces of eliminating Iran's security chief Ali Larijani. 

Previosuly, two more videos were posted from the PM's account to refute the rumours of his death, however they were later doubted to be AI-generated.

The Director of the National Counterterrorism Center under the Trump government, Joe Kent, resigned, saying he cannot, in good conscience, support the war with Iran. In a detailed letter, he wrote that Israel and its powerful lobby in the US dragged the country into the war as there was no imminent threat from Iran.

West Asia War Updates: In his first foreign policy session on Tuesday, Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, rejected de-escalation and ceasefire proposals from the United States and Israel. According to a senior Iranian official, the leader dismissed offers conveyed through two intermediary nations, asserting that it is "not the right time for peace" until Israel and the U.S. are brought to their knees, accept defeat, and provide compensation.

West Asia War Updates: Beijing has officially announced an emergency humanitarian assistance package for Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq in response to the escalating regional conflict. During a press briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized that the ongoing warfare has resulted in a grave humanitarian disaster for the people in these nations, particularly in Iran, necessitating China's direct intervention to provide relief and support to affected populations.

West Asia War Updates: In a significant policy shift on Tuesday, Albania’s Parliament approved a resolution officially designating Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. Supported by 79 lawmakers from Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party, the measure further labels Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism, citing its destabilizing regional influence and history of cyberattacks against Albanian state infrastructure.

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared details about how Kyiv had requested Iran in the past not to sell the Shahed drones to Russia. He further added, that Iran not only sold the drones, but also helped Russia, but also transferred the license to produce the Shahed-type drones, helped them build a manufacturing unit, and even provided training.

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the Israel Defence Forces have claimed that they have killed Gholamreza Soleimani, the head of the Basij unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. The post also accused the unit of engaging in widespread violence and use of force against civilians.

West Asia War Updates: Ali Larijani, a top figure in Iran’s establishment, was among those targeted in Israeli strikes overnight from Monday to Tuesday. Israel is believed to have attempted to assassinate Larijani, who serves as secretary of Iran’s National Security Council and is widely seen as one of the most influential figures in the country’s power structure.

West Asia War Updates: Iran has released images of the sailors of the IRIS Dena who were killed in a strike by the US military off the coast of Sri Lanka this month.

West Asia War Updates: China has said it will provide humanitarian assistance to Middle Eastern countries, including Iran and Lebanon, targeted in US and Israeli strikes.

West Asia War Updates: The military says the strikes in Tehran hit command centers, launch sites and air defense systems.

In Shiraz, the internal security forces’ command center and a ballistic missile site were hit.

West Asia War Updates: Iraq's ​oil ⁠minister said Baghdad ‌is in contact ​with Iran to ​allow some oil ​tankers to pass through the ⁠Strait of Hormuz, the state news ​agency reported ‌on Tuesday.

West Asia War Updates: Iran announced that in response to US military aggression, it has targeted the American Sheikh Isa Air Base (Bahrain) and the Al Dhafra Air Base (UAE).

The countries along the Persian Gulf would be better off expelling the Americans from their territories in order to avoid harm.

West Asia War Updates: Division 36 forces joined the expansion of ground operations focused in southern Lebanon.

Division 36 forces have begun in recent days a focused ground operation targeting an additional objective in southern Lebanon to expand the forward defense zone.
 

West Asia War Updates: Another Indian LPG carrier, Nanda Devi, carrying around 45,000 metric tonnes of gas reached Gujarat after crossing the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.

West Asia War Updates: Dubai Airport authorities have suspended landing permissions for incoming flights until further notice due to the prevailing security situation in the region, according to an IndiGo update. The move comes as missile and drone threats intensify across the Gulf, impacting airspace safety and aviation operations. 

West Asia War Updates: Falling shrapnel from an intercepted missile has killed a Pakistani national in Abu Dhabi, the government media office has said.

The incident took place in the Bani Yas area "following the interception of a ballistic missile by air defences", the Abu Dhabi Media Office said.

West Asia War Updates: Qatar's Ministry of Interior has confirmed that emergency response teams are currently attending to a blaze in an industrial zone. The incident was triggered by falling debris following the successful neutralisation of an aerial threat. 

According to the ministry, "Civil Defence staff are dealing with a 'limited fire'" at the site, which was caused by "shrapnel falling from an intercepted missile."

West Asia War Updates: The communist island has plunged into darkness under a total power blackout linked to a crippling oil embargo imposed by washington

West Asia War Updates: Gulf Arab states did not ask the U.S. to go to war with Iran, but many are now urging it not to stop short by leaving the Islamic ​Republic still able to threaten the Gulf’s oil lifeline and the economies that depend on it. 
 

West Asia War Updates: Tehran has already demonstrated its reach, attacking airports, ports, oil facilities and commercial hubs in the six gulf states with missiles and drones while disrupting shipping through the Strait Of Hormuz - the artery carrying ​about a fifth of global oil and underpinning gulf economies.

West Asia War Updates: Relevant authorities in the emirate of fujairah have confirmed that a fire broke out in the Fujairah Petroleum Industries Zone (FOIZ), caused by a drone attack; no injuries were reported.

West Asia War Updates: Multiple explosions rocked Doha and Dubai on Tuesday morning following a series of urgent missile alerts, prompting regional authorities to issue high-level safety warnings as the conflict continues to expand across the Gulf.

West Asia War Updates: A tanker has been hit by an "unknown projectile" approximately 23 nautical miles east of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). 

The agency noted in a post on X that the vessel was "at anchor" when the incident occurred. While the strike caused "minor structural damage" to the tanker, the vessel's integrity remained stable.

West Asia War Updates: The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has declared that air navigation has returned to normal across the UAE's airspace, as reported by the WAM news service. This follows the stabilisation of the situation and the lifting of the "temporary precautionary measures" that had been previously implemented. 

According to the authority, the decision to resume standard operations was reached following a "comprehensive assessment of operational and security conditions." This process was conducted in close coordination with relevant authorities to ensure the safety of the region's flight paths.

West Asia War Updates: The commander of the Iranian Navy has issued a stern warning following a fatal incident in the Indian Ocean, stating that the nation's adversaries will encounter "deadly retaliation" after several sailors were killed off the coast of Sri Lanka, according to Iranian state broadcaster Press TV.

Rear Admiral Shahram Irani addressed the loss of life, asserting that Tehran remains committed to responding to the attack. "We will not forget the enemy's crime, and we will exact retribution for the blood of our martyrs," the commander was quoted as saying.

West Asia War Updates: The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has initiated the 57th phase of 'Operation True Promise 4', launching strikes against strategic locations within what it claimed to be "occupied territories" and a primary US air installation in Qatar, as reported by Iranian state broadcaster Press TV. 

Citing a statement from the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the broadcast noted that the military action was dedicated to Mojtaba, a three-day-old infant killed earlier today. 

The child reportedly died in his mother's arms, alongside his family, during recent hostilities.

West Asia War Updates: Several people, including two teenagers, were wounded in a rocket attack in northern Israel. Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group said it had launched rockets and attack drones targeting the city of Nahariya. 

West Asia War Updates: Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said wars are decided on the battlefield, not on social media, in response to comments by US President Trump.

He also derided the US campaign name “Epic Fury” as better described as “Epic Fear”.

West Asia War Updates: Israeli warplanes conducted a series of dawn strikes across Beirut and southern Lebanon on Tuesday, targeting residential buildings and Hezbollah infrastructure as ground forces pushed further toward the Litani River.

West Asia War Updates: While the IRGC has claimed to have destroyed several U.S. fighter jets across the region using a combination of missiles and drones, these reports are demonstrably false.

In reality, no U.S. fighter aircraft have been struck or lost to Iranian action. On the contrary, U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps jets continue to maintain total air superiority, demonstrating unmatched lethality during ongoing strike operations throughout Iranian airspace.

West Asia War Updates: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday extended greetings to the people of Iran on the holiday season, expressing hope for the triumph of good over evil amid ongoing regional tensions. 

In a video message shared on X, Netanyahu said, "To the brave people of Iran, I wish you, as I do every year, a happy holiday season, beginning with the Festival of Lights. It signifies the age-old belief of the Iranian people that light will triumph over darkness, that good will triumph over evil."

West Asia War Updates: Iran warned US against deploying troops on its soil, saying it would drag them into a "Quagmire."

Deputy foreign minister Saeed Khatibzadeh said, "Even suggesting that a foreign country can put boots on the ground of another country… is very much wrong, very reckless, illegal."

West Asia War Updates: US Vice-President JD Vance said, “Had I not sent this incredible machine times numerous others to hit iran at midnight with no moon, dead dark, every single bomb was dropped right down the chute that it was supposed to hit. How they do it; who knows? Nobody else can figure. No other country can do it. No other country has our military or even close. And I think we probably proven that with Venezuela…” 

West Asia War Updates: Amid escalating tensions, US President Donald Trump said, “So, China is a great example. They get 91% of their oil from the Hormuz Strait, which we've protected for years. And it always bothered me that we have these countries - Japan gets 95% of its from the straits, the Hormuz Straits - and it always bothered me that we're protecting and we don't need them….”

West Asia War Updates: Rockets and at least five drones were launched at the US embassy in Iraq's Baghdad early on Tuesday from areas around the city, Iraqi security sources said, describing the attack as the most intense since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.

West Asia War Updates: US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) said that the ongoing conflict involving Iran would end soon, saying the situation would be "wrapped up" shortly and would ultimately result in a safer world. 

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said that the war could be "wrapped up soon", adding, "It won't be long. And we're going to have a much safer world when it's wrapped up. It'll be wrapped up soon. We're going to have a much safer world. I had an obligation to do this. I didn't want to" Trump said.

West Asia War Updates: A drone attack has once again sparked a fire at an oil tank farm in Fujairah, a UAE emirate on the country’s east coast along the Gulf of Oman. 

No injuries have been reported following the blast.