World News
Latest world news and updates
Total: 3434
Iran Publicly Debuts 'Mudstone' Ballistic Missile — Footage Signals Shift in Tehran's Strike Posture
Iran on March 15, 2026 released footage of what it calls the Mudstone ballistic missile in its first public firing, showcasing a mobile launch and an apparent emphasis on survivability. While technical specifications remain unverified, the unveiling underscores Tehran's continued emphasis on missile forces as a central deterrent and a means of strategic signaling to regional rivals.
Hormuz Chokehold: Iran Keeps Crude Flowing to China as Washington Empties Reserves
Escalation between the United States and Iran has threatened oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and pushed prices sharply higher. China continued to take most Iranian exports in January–February, while the U.S. and a coalition of countries tapped emergency reserves to stabilise markets, a stopgap that risks depleting strategic buffers without a political resolution.
Washington Demonstrators Condemn US–Israeli Strikes on Iran as Prices Rise and Legal Questions Mount
Hundreds protested at the White House on March 14 against US and Israeli strikes on Iran, citing moral outrage, claims of attacks on a girls’ school, and sharp rises in domestic petrol prices. Demonstrators also questioned the legal basis for the strikes and warned of broader political and economic consequences at home.
Iran Releases Photos Showing Damage to U.S. Defensive Works at Prince Sultan Air Base
Iran released photos claiming damage to defensive structures at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia during the 51st wave of its "Real Promise 4" campaign. The base houses a major U.S. military presence that supports Saudi air defences and operational sorties, making the reported strikes strategically significant and a potential flashpoint for escalation.
Allies Hedge as Trump Urges Multinational Escort for Strait of Hormuz Shipping
President Trump urged France, Japan, South Korea and the UK to send warships to escort shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, but France and Japan have refused and South Korea said it will consider the request carefully while the UK is discussing options. The muted allied responses highlight strains in coalition-building and leave Washington facing a choice between unilateral action, which risks escalation, or renewed diplomatic efforts to secure the waterway.
Thousands March in Rome to Protest US–Israel Strikes on Iran, Warning Europe Against Escalation
Thousands marched in Rome on 14 March to protest US and Israeli strikes on Iran, with unions and social groups warning that a widening Middle East war would burden ordinary people. Demonstrators demanded diplomatic solutions and urged European governments to avoid military escalation while protecting vulnerable domestic constituencies from the economic fallout.
Iran Shifts to Sustained Strikes: Night Raid on U.S. Base in Kuwait and a Wider Campaign to Wear Down Washington and Tel Aviv
Iran says it has moved from isolated retaliation to a sustained campaign of multi‑wave strikes against U.S. and Israeli targets, claiming a night attack on a U.S. helicopter base in Kuwait that it says produced more than 100 wounded. The shift, combined with proxy operations and attacks on shipping, raises the prospect of a wider, protracted regional conflict with immediate economic effects on global energy markets.
False Assassination Claims of Netanyahu Spread on Social Media, Israeli Office Denies
Social media claims that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been assassinated were decisively denied by his office after rumours resurfaced following the outbreak of war with Iran. A viral video frame alleged to show a six-fingered hand was debunked by fact-checkers as a shadow artifact, illustrating how visual anomalies and limited official visibility fuel dangerous misinformation in conflict settings.
Allies Hedge as Trump Urges Multinational Naval Escorts in the Strait of Hormuz
President Trump urged allied navies to escort shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, but France, Japan, South Korea and the UK offered largely cautious or negative replies. The responses highlight allies’ reluctance to join a potentially escalatory military intervention and complicate Washington’s options amid halted shipping and rising regional tensions with Iran.
Israel Says No Immediate Plan for Direct Talks with Lebanon Amid Conflicting Reports
Israel’s foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar said on March 15 there are no plans for direct talks with Lebanon in the coming days, contradicting earlier reports that meetings might be held in Paris or Cyprus. The denial highlights the sensitivity of any bilateral engagement amid ongoing border tensions and the involvement of non-state armed groups.
From Okinawa to the Gulf: US Dispatches Japan-Based Marines to Middle East, Exposing Alliance Strains
The US has dispatched the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the USS Tripoli from bases in Japan to the Middle East, involving roughly 5,000 Marines. The move has provoked Japanese concern that US bases in Okinawa are being used as unconsulted attack hubs, creating domestic political pressure and broader strategic tensions for the US‑Japan alliance.
Trump Rejects Talks and Vows to Reopen Strait of Hormuz as Iran Holds It Closed
President Trump has refused mediation with Iran and signalled a readiness to use force to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open, while Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says it controls and can close the waterway to vessels of countries attacking Tehran. Diplomatic efforts by Oman and Egypt have stalled, raising the prospect of sustained maritime confrontation with significant economic and geopolitical consequences.