World News
Latest world news and updates
Total: 2262
US Central Command Says Campaign Against Iran 'Has Just Begun' as Strikes Mount and Region Teeters on Edge
US Central Command says the campaign against Iran is only beginning after nearly 2,000 Iranian targets were struck following a Feb. 28 US–Israeli strike that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The wide-ranging military effort aims to degrade Iran’s strike capabilities, but risks regional escalation, prolonged conflict and broader economic disruption.
Iran Says It Controls Strait of Hormuz as Tankers Come Under Fire — Global Shipping and Energy Flows Grind to a Halt
Iran's IRGC says it now controls the Strait of Hormuz and has struck multiple tankers, prompting a near halt to shipping through the chokepoint. The disruption has sent freight rates and oil prices sharply higher, forced major carriers to reroute and impose surcharges, and squeezed air cargo capacity, threatening wider supply‑chain pain if the situation is not quickly resolved.
Trump Pledges U.S.-Backed Insurance and Naval Escorts for Ships Transiting Strait of Hormuz
President Trump vowed that a U.S. development finance entity will offer affordable insurance for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and that the U.S. Navy will escort tankers if needed. The move aims to reassure markets amid heightened tension with Iran after attacks disrupted Gulf oil shipments, but raises legal, operational and escalation risks.
Middle East Escalation Sends Oil Soaring and Markets Reeling; China Watches Closely as Corporates Reshape Portfolios
Iran’s reported strikes on U.S. THAAD systems and accompanying regional violence have driven a sharp uptick in oil prices and broad market volatility. China is responding on multiple fronts: urging de-escalation diplomatically, adjusting trade and logistics routes, and seeing rapid corporate and capital reallocation at home as firms and state-linked buyers react to heightened risk.
Macron Proposes “Forward Deterrence,” Seeks European Buy‑In as France Moves to Expand Nuclear Arsenal
President Emmanuel Macron announced a plan to expand France’s nuclear arsenal and launch a “forward deterrence” strategy that tightens nuclear‑related cooperation with eight European partners. Paris will keep exclusive command of its forces while offering temporary, conditional integration—exercises, intelligence sharing and possible short‑term deployments—to strengthen Europe's collective deterrence amid weakened arms control and doubts about U.S. reliability.
Public Turns Cold on US Strike Against Iran, Raising Political and Strategic Costs for Trump
Two polls in early March show broad American skepticism about the US-led strike on Iran, with a majority opposing action and widespread concern that diplomacy was not fully tried. Rising casualties and higher oil prices are increasing political and strategic costs, putting pressure on the White House and complicating prospects for further escalation without congressional approval.
Trump Says Iran’s Military ‘All but Destroyed’ as He Rebukes European Allies over Bases and Spending
President Trump told reporters that U.S. pre‑emptive strikes have largely destroyed Iran’s air‑defence, radar and missile capabilities and insisted the U.S. was not being dragged into war by Israel. He simultaneously rebuked Spain and Britain over base access and defence spending, praising Germany and NATO while ordering a halt to dealings with Madrid.
U.S. Says It Has Carried Out More Than 1,700 Strikes Inside Iran as Tehran Is Hit
The U.S. military says it has executed over 1,700 strikes inside Iran since February 28, with reported hits on Tehran by March 3. The scale and speed of the campaign raise the risk of wider regional escalation, economic disruption and a hardening of diplomatic positions that could make de-escalation difficult.
Explosions in Iraqi Kurdistan as Drones Crash Near Erbil and Militia Claims Strike on US-Hosted Airbase
Two drones crashed near Erbil and explosions were reported in Sulaymaniyah on March 3, while a militia claiming the "Islamic Resistance" said it struck Harir airbase — a site hosting U.S. forces. A separate small drone was shot down near Baghdad airport; no casualties or damage were reported in any incident.
Retired Military Medic Springs into Action Twice in One Day, Highlighting Gaps in Public Emergency Response
Xu Yanli, a recently retired Chinese military medic, intervened twice in one day to help ill passengers on a flight and a high-speed rail station queue. Her actions—rapid assessment, improvised treatment and crowd management—underscore both the value of veteran medical training and gaps in routine emergency equipment and coordination in public transport settings.
Israel Says Its Air Force Has Dropped More Than 4,000 Bombs on Iran — A Marker of Escalation
The Israel Defense Forces said on March 3 that its air force has dropped over 4,000 bombs on Iran since the start of its current campaign, surpassing munitions used during a 12-day clash in June 2025. The announcement signals an intensification of direct Israeli strikes on Iranian territory and raises the prospect of further regional escalation and logistical strains on munitions supplies.
U.S. Deploys Army’s New PrSM Missile in Strikes on Iran — A First Combat Test of Long‑Range Land‑Launched Firepower
The U.S. has used the Army’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) in strikes against Iran, in what may be the weapon’s first combat employment since entering service about two years ago. The deployment validates a new long‑range land‑launched capability while raising strategic and escalation considerations in an already volatile region.