Month: March 2026

Iraq extends airspace closure 48 hours; Jordan announces partial shutdown

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ISTANBUL

Iraq has extended the closure of its airspace for 48 hours, while Jordan announced a partial daily shutdown, civil aviation authorities in both countries said Monday, citing escalating regional tensions.

Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority said it would keep the country’s airspace closed to all arriving, departing and overflying aircraft for an additional 48 hours starting at 12 pm local time (0900GMT) Monday as a “temporary and precautionary measure.”

The authority said in a statement carried by the state news agency INA that the decision followed “an ongoing assessment of the security situation and a comprehensive review of developments and regional tensions.”

Iraq initially closed its airspace Saturday following a US-Israeli offensive against Iran.

Jordan’s Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission also said in a statement it would implement a “partial and temporary” closure of the kingdom’s airspace to all arriving, departing and transit flights “in light of current regional developments and a risk assessment conducted in accordance with international standards.”

The closure will take effect from 6 pm local time (1500 GMT) until 9 am (0600 GMT) the following day and the decision will remain in force until further notice “to ensure the safety and security of civil aviation in Jordanian airspace,” the commission said.

The decisions come as Israel and the United States have conducted a military offensive against Iran since early Saturday, killing at least 550 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top military officials.

Tehran has responded by firing missiles and drones toward Israel and US bases in countries across the region. Some of those attacks have caused casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, prompting condemnation from the Gulf countries, which have called for an end to the attacks.

Washington and Tel Aviv accuse Tehran of pursuing nuclear and missile programs that threaten Israel and US allies in the region. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful and that it does not seek to produce nuclear weapons. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/iraq-extends-airspace-closure-48-hours-jordan-announces-partial-shutdown/3846682

17 injured in southern Israel by shrapnel from missile launched by Iran

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JERUSALEM

At least 17 Israelis were injured in Beersheba in southern Israel on Monday by shrapnel from a missile launched by Iran amid ongoing regional escalation, Israeli media reported.

Channel 12 said that the injuries ranged from minor to moderate.

Israel’s emergency service MDA said its teams were providing first aid to 15 people wounded by missile shrapnel.

The public broadcaster KAN reported that sirens had sounded in Beersheba and surrounding areas, and that rocket debris had been reported.

According to Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, 12 people have been killed and 834 injured in Iranian attacks in Israel since Saturday, the majority with minor injuries.

The US and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran on Saturday, killing several top Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In response, Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as regional countries which are home to US assets. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/17-injured-in-southern-israel-by-shrapnel-from-missile-launched-by-iran/3846623

Afghanistan, Pakistan cross-border tensions continue

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 – Pakistani army destroyed ammunition depot in eastern Khost province, Pakistan Television reports, citing security sources

KARACHI, Pakistan

Cross-border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan continued on Monday, with at least three children killed in ongoing fighting in eastern Kunar province, Afghan media reported.

According to Afghanistan’s broadcaster Tolo News, three children were killed, and two were injured when shells allegedly fired by Pakistani military forces struck a refugee camp in the Khass Kunar district.

However, state broadcaster Pakistan Television reported, citing security sources, that Pakistani army forces destroyed an ammunition depot in eastern Khost province as part of their operations against the “Afghan Taliban regime’s aggression.”

There was no official statement from either party regarding the latest developments.

Pakistan has claimed that its “self-defense” measures ensured that no civilians were targeted.

In a related development, Pakistan on Monday ordered the closure of scores of schools located near the border in the North Waziristan, Mohmand, Khyber, and Bajaur districts until further notice as a precautionary measure in light of the prevailing security situation.

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Monday claimed 435 Afghan Taliban operatives and suspected militants have been killed and more than 630 injured in airstrikes and clashes since Thursday.

Kabul, for its part, claims 56 Pakistani soldiers were killed in the border clashes.

The veracity of casualty claims by Islamabad and Kabul could not be independently verified.

Chinese envoy meets Pakistan’s top diplomat

Separately, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday received Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong in Islamabad.

“Discussions were held on the evolving regional situation and broader developments,” the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said on the US social media company X.

Dar emphasized the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and continued consultations, while reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region and beyond.

The statement did not mention whether they discussed border tensions with Afghanistan.

Notably, Beijing has said it was engaging Islamabad as well as Kabul to de-escalate the border situation.

​​​​​Death toll at 84

Tensions between the two neighbors have been running high since last Thursday, when Kabul launched “retaliatory operations” along the border after Pakistani airstrikes in late February.

According to a tally of figures from both sides of the border, 84 people have been killed so far.

They include 12 Pakistani soldiers and one civilian, while 13 Afghan soldiers and 58 civilians lost their lives during the clashes. One Pakistani soldier remains missing.

Pakistan in late February launched airstrikes on “terror targets,” killing 70 “terrorists,” while Afghan officials and the UN reported civilian deaths, claims Pakistan denies.

Relations have deteriorated in recent months as Pakistan accuses militants of operating from Afghan territory, an allegation Kabul rejects, even as regional diplomatic contacts continue amid efforts to ease tensions. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/afghanistan-pakistan-cross-border-tensions-continue/3846605

US military says three aircraft downed by friendly fire over Kuwait

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The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Monday that three American fighter jets were shot down by friendly fire while flying over Kuwait amid ongoing regional hostilities.

In a statement, CENTCOM said Kuwaiti air defenses mistakenly targeted U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft during intense aerial engagements involving Iranian drones and ballistic missiles.

All six crew members ejected safely and were in stable condition, the command added, noting that Kuwaiti authorities acknowledged the incident.

Earlier, Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that several U.S. military aircraft had fallen and that their crews had been rescued safely, adding that coordination with U.S. forces was underway to determine the circumstances.

Several Arab states, including Kuwait, have faced missile and drone attacks over the past three days following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, resulting in casualties and property damage across parts of the region. https://sana.sy/en/international/2299842/

Ayatollah who once received UK ‘tolerance’ grant issues fatwa for Muslims to avenge Khamenei

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One of two high-profile Shiite religious leaders in Iran who issued fatwas following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, formerly received a religious tolerance’ £15,000 ‘religious tolerance’ grant from Brent Council.

On Sunday, following the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by the US and Israel, Grand Ayatollah Hossein Nouri Hamedani and Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi have issued fatwas calling on Muslims worldwide to take revenge.

Hamedani responded in writing to a request from the presidium of the Assembly of Seminary Students and Scholars in Qom, saying that “avenging the blood of the martyred leader of the revolution is obligatory for all Muslims.”

“Without doubt, criminal America and the bloodthirsty Zionists have reached the end of their path, and this time the powerful armed forces will deliver a decisive and unforgettable response,” he warned.

Shirazi issued a fatwa calling Israel and the US the “most wicked enemies of humanity” and “the principal perpetrators of this crime.”

“The people of Iran and the Islamic world are the avengers of the blood of the martyred leader of the Revolution,” he said, adding that “seeking revenge is the religious duty of all Muslims worldwide so that the evil of these criminals may be removed from the world.”

Brent Council alerted to IRGC links

Shirazi, one of the most important religious figures in Iran, launched a representative office on Harrow Road in London called the Babul Murad Centre in 2008.

Via the Centre, Shirazi also had a charity in the UK named International Islamic Link, which received a £15,000 grant from Brent Council, a local government body in London, to promote “religious tolerance” in 2009.

After being alerted to IRGC links, Brent Council stated that it has “not commissioned this [charity] since and have no future plans to fund them.”

Before being investigated by the Charity Commission, Shirazi’s own website featured several pages about his belief that the Holocaust was a myth invented by Jews to gain support for the Zionist project.

The trustees of International Islamic Link claim that there is no current link to Shirazi; organizations such as the Middle East Forum dispute this. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-888528

2 injured as knife-wielding man goes on stabbing spree in UK’s Edinburgh

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Two people were injured after a man was seen brandishing two knives in a residential part of Edinburgh, prompting a major armed police response and public warnings to avoid the area.

The incident happened in Calder, in the west of Edinburgh, where emergency services were deployed following reports of a man with a bladed weapon. Locals said police activity began before 9 am, with several streets sealed off as officers moved in.

Confirming the injuries, Police Scotland said officers were called to reports of a man with a knife earlier on Monday morning. Chief Inspector Scott Kennedy said the disturbance had been contained and there was no wider risk to the public.

“The incident is not being treated as terror-related,” Kennedy said, adding that officers would remain in the area to reassure residents.

Earlier, police issued a public warning urging people to stay away from Calder. “The public is being advised to avoid the Calder area of Edinburgh following reports of a man with a bladed weapon,” the force said. “Police, including firearms officers, are in attendance.”

Residents described a prolonged and intense police presence. William Ramsay, who lives nearby, told Press Association he believed the man had entered the stairwell of his building.

“He smashed the local shop, possibly stabbed two people unconfirmed,” Ramsay said. “Armed police, dogs been here for about two hours.”

Images from the scene showed at least six police vehicles outside Cobbinshaw House, a tower block of flats, with armed officers positioned around the building as enquiries continued.

Public transport was also disrupted. Lothian Buses said its number 20 service was being diverted away from Calder until further notice.

Police have not released further details about the condition of the injured or any arrests, as officers continue investigations and maintain a visible presence in the area. https://www.indiatoday.in/world/uk-news/story/knife-wielding-man-stabs-multiple-people-in-uks-edinburgh-local-media-2876553-2026-03-02

Iran war: A visual guide to the expanding West Asia conflict

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As the conflict in the Middle East continues into its third day, much remains unclear about what is truly unfolding on the ground. Amid competing claims and fast-moving developments, the India Today Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) team has analysed satellite imagery, official statements, and verified data to cut through the haze and present what is confirmed so far.

Our analysis shows that the theatre of war has widened significantly. The Iranian leadership has faced a massive jolt, with many senior figures killed. However, this time the situation is not easy for either the US or Israel, as their allies are being struck and their air defences are being challenged, with casualties now being reported on all sides.

TRUMP’S GAMBLE IN IRAN: RISK OF WIDER POWER VACUUM

The US-Israel coordinated attack has deprived Iran of its leadership, killing not only Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but also the heads of at least three major departments, including the IRGC and the Intelligence, along with several other high-profile figures. Yet what it ultimately seeks to achieve appears far more difficult, if not impossible, from this point.

Verified developments indicate that these killings have triggered unrest in parts of Tehran. History shows that sudden decapitation of central authority, without a structured political alternative ready to assume control, can fracture state institutions. In Iraq after 2003, a weakened central command enabled militias and sectarian actors to consolidate power locally. In Iran, while the state apparatus remains deeply entrenched and cohesive for now, the absence of a unified opposition raises the risk that prolonged instability could empower hardliners. https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/iran-war-visual-guide-maps-satellite-images-west-asia-conflict-2876559-2026-03-02

Indian crew member killed after drone boat hits oil tanker off Oman coast

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An Indian crew member was killed after an oil tanker was struck by an unmanned drone boat off the coast of Oman, triggering a fire and forcing the evacuation of all crew on board, officials confirmed on Monday, as hostilities between Israel and Iran continued to escalate across the region.

The Sultanate of Oman’s Maritime Security Centre said the incident occurred about 52 nautical miles northwest of Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat Governorate on Saturday (March 1). The tanker, identified as MKD VYOM, flying the flag of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, was carrying approximately 59,463 metric tonnes of cargo at the time of the attack.

According to officials, the unmanned vessel hit the tanker, causing a fire and explosion in the main engine room. One crew member, an Indian national, died in the incident.

The vessel had 21 crew members on board, including 16 Indians, four Bangladeshis and one Ukrainian. All survivors were evacuated by the merchant ship MV SAND, which sails under the flag of Panama, in coordination with the Maritime Security Centre.

The Royal Navy of Oman has deployed a vessel to monitor the damaged tanker and is issuing navigational warnings to ships transiting the area. Authorities have not yet disclosed who was behind the attack.

Iran has warned vessels approaching the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow gateway to the Persian Gulf, and is suspected of launching multiple maritime attacks as the Middle East war intensified following major US and Israeli airstrikes on the Islamic Republic.

This marked the second such attack on cargo vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz since the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which has triggered widespread tensions across the Middle East.

Earlier, a Palau-flagged oil tanker Skylight, carrying 15 Indian nationals among its crew, was struck near Oman’s Musandam peninsula, injuring four people.

Oman’s Maritime Security Centre said in a post on X that the strike took place about five nautical miles north of Musandam’s Khasab Port, after which the tanker’s 20-member crew was evacuated. The agency did not specify the weapon used. https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/indian-crew-member-killed-after-drone-boat-hits-oil-tanker-off-oman-coast-2876550-2026-03-02

Air raid sirens sound in Israel, Jordan after launch of Iranian missiles

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Air raid sirens sounded Monday in the Jerusalem area and central Israel, including Tel Aviv, as well as in Jordan, after missiles were detected launched from Iran.

In a statement, the Israeli army said it had identified “the recent launch of missiles from Iran toward Israeli territory.”

“Defense systems are working to intercept the threat. In recent minutes, the Home Front Command distributed preemptive instructions directly to mobile phones in the affected areas,” the army added.

Sirens were later heard across central Israel, including the city of Tel Aviv. They also sounded in the Jerusalem area, where explosions from interception were heard.

Israel’s emergency medical service MDA said in a statement that no injuries or material damage had been recorded.

In Jordan, sirens also sounded in tandem with the announcement that Iranian missiles had been detected heading toward Israel.

An Anadolu correspondent reported hearing explosions resulting from air defense interceptions.

This came as the US and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran on Saturday, killing several top Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In response, Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as regional countries which are home to US assets. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/air-raid-sirens-sound-in-israel-jordan-after-launch-of-iranian-missiles/3846464

Victories overshadowed: War halts Israeli hoops momentum

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Less than 36 hours after both Israeli Euroleague representatives picked up huge victories, war broke out with Iran, which sent the Israeli sports scene into chaos.

Hapoel Tel Aviv finally snapped its five-game losing streak, while Maccabi Tel Aviv recorded an important win that will keep it in the postseason race as their respective campaigns head into March.

However, with the outbreak of war, the Reds’ home game against Paris this coming Tuesday was postponed, while the Euroleague derby between Maccabi and Hapoel will not take place in Israel and may also be postponed.

Both the local basketball and soccer leagues have been put on hold for the time being, with many of the team’s foreign players heading abroad, primarily through Jordan, until things quiet down in the region. Some important players and teams have decided to stay put in the Holy Land for the time being until more concrete plans are made.

During the FIBA International break, many foreign basketball players were already on vacation outside the country.

The Israeli basketball National Team played in Cyprus on Friday night and crushed the hosts 94-54, with Yam Madar starring.

The two teams were slated to play again on Sunday night, but several Hapoel Tel Aviv players were en route back to Israel on Saturday morning, and their flight had to be turned back to Larnaca. At this time, Hapoel is looking to return to Sofia, Bulgaria, where it had played the Euroleague season before returning to Israel, while Maccabi will return to Belgrade, where it has been based since the October 7, 2023, war with Hamas broke out.

Hapoel Tel Aviv in Euroleague

In Euroleague action, Hapoel Tel Aviv downed Milano 92-86, with Elijah Bryant, Vasilije Micic, and Dan Oturu all helping the Reds end their skid with the home victory at Yad Eliyahu. The win improved Dimitrios Itoudis’s squad’s Euroleague record to 17-11 and kept it in a playoff spot.

“We were in control of the game from the beginning through the end,” Itoudis began. “We had some significant lapses on the defensive end in the last five minutes in the second quarter, where we gave up 23 points, which was too much. But we changed our defense to limit their guards, which is what we did.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Monaco 91-86 as Lonnie Walker starred in his Euroleague return to help the yellow-and-blue to the road win in the Principality.

With the victory, Oded Katash’s squad improved to 14-15 to remain in 13th place, but moved to just a pair of games in the win column in order to book a place in the Play-In postseason round.

Katash shared his thoughts on the victory, “This was a big win, it wasn’t easy. In the first half, we were good offensively. Both they and we made adjustments heading into the second half, which created a very physical and aggressive game. There were a lot of hard-to-officiate calls, but we stayed in it. We were focused, something we didn’t do at the start of the season. I’m very happy. We have an amazing crowd. They are the main reason we are where we are and why we are making this run right now. It’s thanks to our fans.”

Walker, the game MVP, also spoke about the victory.

“Just resilience. I think we found our groove this second round as a team, and we continue to fight. We did well holding the possession and holding the lead when it was one or two points. We push each other in practices, and we put ourselves in uncomfortable situations, and this translates into the game. But thanks go to all the fans, as it felt like a home game. Their spirit and loudness kept us focused and with the spirit that we needed. Truly grateful to have this set of people.” https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-888464