Fire at Kuwait airport after Iranian drones hit fuel tank: Aviation authority
Strikes and drone activity across the regionOvernight, Israel and Iran exchanged strikes as regional tensions continued to escalate. Saudi Arabia intercepted several drones in the wee hours of Wednesday, while Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior advised citizens to move to safe locations after air raid sirens were activated. A drone strike at Kuwait International Airport caused a fire. In Lebanon, the Israel Defence Forces issued evacuation warnings for residents in southern Beirut.This picture shows the site of an overnight Israeli airstrike that hit Amana fuel station in the town of Deir Qanoun al-Nahr near Tyre in southern Lebanon on March 24, 2026This photograph taken from the southern city of Tyre, shows rockets fired from Lebanon towards Israel on March 24, 2026An Iranian missile with cluster warhead flies over the city, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, as seen from Tel Aviv, Israel, March 24, 2026Emergency personnel respond at a site following Iranian missile barrages in central Israel, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 24, 2026Fuel shortagesThe Philippines is working with Washington to secure waivers and exemptions so it can obtain oil from US-sanctioned countries to ensure supply, its ambassador to the United States said.The Philippines, which relies heavily on imported fuel, on Tuesday declared a state of national energy emergency to deal with the fallout from the Middle East war, including oil procurement. Jose Manuel Romualdez We are working with the State Department to get waivers or exemptions to purchase oil from U.S.-sanctioned countriesUAE ramps up retail inspectionThe UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has intensified nationwide inspection and consumer protection efforts. Between February 28 and March 18, authorities carried out 8,168 inspection visits across markets to ensure compliance with consumer protection regulations.Key outcomes include:729 warnings issued to non-compliant businesses216 penalties imposed, with fines ranging from Dh2,000 to Dh200,000During the same period, the Ministry received 2,441 consumer complaints (28 February to 17 March 2026), including:1,994 complaints related to food price increases9 complaints related to hotels438 other complaintsMore, awareness campaigns have been launched to reassure the public about product availability, price stability, and to strengthen consumer awareness across the UAE.A supermarket in DubaiUS is negotiating with itself: Iran military spokespersonThe US is negotiating with itself, an Iranian military spokesman said according to state media on Wednesday, a day after US President Donald Trump said Tehran wants to make a deal to end the war in the Middle East."Has the level of your inner struggle reached the stage of you negotiating with yourself?" Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperon for the unified command of Iran's armed forces, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, taunted the US leadership.Ebrahim Zolfaqari"People like us can never get along with people like you."Iran sets tough conditions for ceasefire talks: WSJIranian representatives have reportedly set strict conditions for returning to ceasefire negotiations with the Trump administration, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the discussions.The reported demands include the closure of all US military bases in the Arabian Gulf, reparations for strikes on Iran, a new arrangement for the Strait of Hormuz allowing Tehran to collect transit fees, guarantees against renewed conflict, an end to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah, full lifting of sanctions, and no restrictions on Iran’s missile programme.A US official described the proposals as “ridiculous and unrealistic.”Israel plans to control Lebanon bridgesIsrael has repeatedly invaded Lebanon in recent decades, and occupied the south until 2000. Since March 13, it has destroyed five bridges over the Litani and demolished homes in border villages, actions it says are part of a campaign against Hezbollah.Now, Israel will occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, an area Defence Minister Israel Katz described as a "security zone", spelling out for the first time Israel's intent to seize territory amounting to nearly a tenth of the country.Below is an infographic with a map showing the key bridges over the Litani River in southern Lebanon:Key bridges in south LebanonGlobal petrol pricesTake a look at the infographic below that shows both the price of petrol per litre, in US dollars, and how much the cost of petrol has changed since Feb 23, just before the war in the Middle East. Global petrol pricesDeadly strikes on LebanonLebanese state media reported that Israeli strikes killed at least six people in a town and a Palestinian refugee camp in the southern Sidon area, and three more in another town.There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which earlier warned of an imminent attack on Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold that has been targete
Strikes and drone activity across the region
Overnight, Israel and Iran exchanged strikes as regional tensions continued to escalate. Saudi Arabia intercepted several drones in the wee hours of Wednesday, while Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior advised citizens to move to safe locations after air raid sirens were activated. A drone strike at Kuwait International Airport caused a fire. In Lebanon, the Israel Defence Forces issued evacuation warnings for residents in southern Beirut. This picture shows the site of an overnight Israeli airstrike that hit Amana fuel station in the town of Deir Qanoun al-Nahr near Tyre in southern Lebanon on March 24, 2026 This photograph taken from the southern city of Tyre, shows rockets fired from Lebanon towards Israel on March 24, 2026 An Iranian missile with cluster warhead flies over the city, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, as seen from Tel Aviv, Israel, March 24, 2026 Emergency personnel respond at a site following Iranian missile barrages in central Israel, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 24, 2026
Fuel shortages
The Philippines is working with Washington to secure waivers and exemptions so it can obtain oil from US-sanctioned countries to ensure supply, its ambassador to the United States said.
The Philippines, which relies heavily on imported fuel, on Tuesday declared a state of national energy emergency to deal with the fallout from the Middle East war, including oil procurement.
UAE ramps up retail inspection
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has intensified nationwide inspection and consumer protection efforts. Between February 28 and March 18, authorities carried out 8,168 inspection visits across markets to ensure compliance with consumer protection regulations.
Key outcomes include:
729 warnings issued to non-compliant businesses
216 penalties imposed, with fines ranging from Dh2,000 to Dh200,000
During the same period, the Ministry received 2,441 consumer complaints (28 February to 17 March 2026), including:
1,994 complaints related to food price increases
9 complaints related to hotels
438 other complaints
More, awareness campaigns have been launched to reassure the public about product availability, price stability, and to strengthen consumer awareness across the UAE. A supermarket in Dubai
US is negotiating with itself: Iran military spokesperson
The US is negotiating with itself, an Iranian military spokesman said according to state media on Wednesday, a day after US President Donald Trump said Tehran wants to make a deal to end the war in the Middle East.
"Has the level of your inner struggle reached the stage of you negotiating with yourself?" Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperon for the unified command of Iran's armed forces, Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, taunted the US leadership.
Iran sets tough conditions for ceasefire talks: WSJ
Iranian representatives have reportedly set strict conditions for returning to ceasefire negotiations with the Trump administration, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the discussions.
The reported demands include the closure of all US military bases in the Arabian Gulf, reparations for strikes on Iran, a new arrangement for the Strait of Hormuz allowing Tehran to collect transit fees, guarantees against renewed conflict, an end to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah, full lifting of sanctions, and no restrictions on Iran’s missile programme.
A US official described the proposals as “ridiculous and unrealistic.”
Israel plans to control Lebanon bridges
Israel has repeatedly invaded Lebanon in recent decades, and occupied the south until 2000. Since March 13, it has destroyed five bridges over the Litani and demolished homes in border villages, actions it says are part of a campaign against Hezbollah.
Now, Israel will occupy southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, an area Defence Minister Israel Katz described as a "security zone", spelling out for the first time Israel's intent to seize territory amounting to nearly a tenth of the country.
Below is an infographic with a map showing the key bridges over the Litani River in southern Lebanon:
Global petrol prices
Take a look at the infographic below that shows both the price of petrol per litre, in US dollars, and how much the cost of petrol has changed since Feb 23, just before the war in the Middle East. Global petrol prices
Deadly strikes on Lebanon
Lebanese state media reported that Israeli strikes killed at least six people in a town and a Palestinian refugee camp in the southern Sidon area, and three more in another town.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which earlier warned of an imminent attack on Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold that has been targeted multiple times during the war. Lebanese soldiers inspect the damaged car used by Hamas leader Hamdan in Sidon, Lebanon, on Monday 
15-point plan sent to Iran
The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Washington sent Iran a 15-point plan to end the war in the Middle East. Israel's Channel 12, quoting three sources, said the US was seeking a month-long ceasefire to discuss the 15-point plan.
A source familiar with the matter confirmed to Reuters that the US had sent a plan to Iran but provided no further details.
The Israeli media outlet said the plan would include the dismantling of Iran's nuclear programme, ceasing support for proxy groups, such as Lebanon's Hezbollah, and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
What happened on March 24
US President Donald Trump said negotiations to end the Iran conflict are “happening now,” adding that the parties involved “want to make a deal so badly.” The claim comes after Iranian officials denied any contact with the US, calling reports of talks “fake news.”
Meanwhile, the Pentagon is expected to deploy troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, according to CBS News, as regional tensions continue to rise.
Israel and Iran are still exchanging strikes, while Israel has issued evacuation warnings in southern Lebanon.
Unconfirmed media reports also suggest the US has presented a 15-point peace proposal to Iran.
Israel strikes Tehran
Israel struck the Iranian capital Tehran on Wednesday, Israeli military and Iranian media said.
The Israeli Defense Forces said in a Telegram post it had launched a wave of strikes targeting infrastructure across Tehran. The semi-official Iranian SNN News Agency said the strikes hit a residential area in the city, with rescuers searching the rubble. A large vase stands in the dining room of a destroyed residential building in northern Tehran on March 23, 2026
Fresh attacks by Iran
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement carried by state broadcaster IRIB that they had launched missiles and drones at military bases hosting US forces in Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain as well as targets in Israel.
The Kuwait National Guard said in a statement that its forces intercepted six drones early Wednesday, and the army said air defences were "responding to hostile missile and drone attacks".
Fire at Kuwait airport after drones hit fuel tank
Drones hit a fuel tank and sparked a fire at Kuwait International Airport, the Gulf state's civil aviation authority said on Wednesday, as Iran presses on with its attacks in the nearly four-week regional war.
Citing preliminary information, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said in a statement posted online that the attack had caused only "limited" damage and no casualties.
Abdullah Al Rajhi explained that the authorities immediately began implementing the approved emergency procedures, with firefighting teams and concerned authorities dealing with the fire, while all competent authorities are present at the incident site. An aerial view of Kuwait City
Oil prices drop on prospect of Middle East ceasefire
Oil prices fell around 4% on Wednesday on the prospect of a possible ceasefire easing supply disruptions from the key Middle East producing region after reports the U.S. sent Iran a 15-point plan to end the war between them.
Brent crude futures fell $4.89, or 4.7%, to $99.60 a barrel by 0335 GMT, after declining to as low as $97.57. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were down $3.54, or 3.8%, at $88.81 a barrel, after falling to as low as $86.72.
Both benchmarks rose nearly 5% on Tuesday, before paring gains in volatile post-settlement trading.
Gold climbs more than 2%
Gold prices rose more than 2% on Wednesday, buoyed by a softer dollar, while a drop in oil prices eased concerns about elevated inflation and higher global interest rates, amid reports of a U.S. plan to end the Middle East war.
Spot gold rose 2.5% to $4,587.09 per ounce as of 0218 GMT. US gold futures for April delivery gained 4.2% to $4,586.10.
The dollar eased, making greenback-priced bullion cheaper for holders of other currencies.
Iran links oil market recovery to regional stability
An Iranian joint military command spokesperson said that previous oil prices and broader energy market conditions are unlikely to be restored until regional stability is ensured under the guarantees of Iran’s armed forces.
The statement reflects Tehran’s position that normalisation of energy markets is contingent on security conditions across the region.
What has happened so far?
The war started with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28. In what it says are retaliatory strikes, Tehran has been targeting the GCC and other countries in the region with missiles and drones.
As the war enters its 26th day, it is marked by sustained military pressure, mounting risks to energy infrastructure, and conflicting signals over the prospects for negotiations.
Here is how the conflict has unfolded so far, day by day:
Aerial threats in Saudi averted
The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence has reported a series of successful drone interceptions in the eastern region over a short period.
According to the statements, air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 4 drones, followed by 5 drones, and then 3 drones in successive operations. In a further update issued about an hour earlier, an additional 3 drones were also neutralised in the same region.
Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the origin of the drones, but confirmed that all aerial threats were successfully intercepted.
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