US President Donald Trump threatened further strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub and urged allies to send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran vowed to step up its response and the war showed no sign on Sunday of coming to an end.Trump said the US strikes had “totally demolished” most of Kharg Island and warned that more could follow, telling Jattvibe News, “We may hit it a few more times just for fun.”While he said Tehran appeared ready to make a deal to end the conflict, he added that “the terms aren’t good enough yet.” The comments marked an escalation in rhetoric from the President, who had previously said the US targeted only military sites on Kharg.“The Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT!” Trump wrote in a social media post on Saturday. “The US will also coordinate with those Countries so that everything goes quickly, smoothly, and well.”As the conflict stretched into its third week, both sides appeared to be digging in for an extended fight. Iran projected defiance, rejecting the possibility of any ceasefire until US and Israeli airstrikes end. Iranian forces have kept up their strikes. A drone attack disrupted a major United Arab Emirates energy hub on Saturday. — with AgenciesTehran will study any proposal to end the war: Iranian foreign ministerMarch 15, 2026 6:01 pmDubai: Iran’s top diplomat says his country is ready to consider any proposal that includes ‘a complete end’ to the US-Israeli war on the Islamic Republic, according to an interview with an Arab daily. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was quoted as saying by the London-based Al-Araby al-Jadeed that mediations by Iran’s neighbours were underway to de-escalate and present “ideas to end the war.” He gave no indication of whether progress has been made. Araghchi also insisted that Iran’s attacks on its Arab neighbours were limited to US bases and assets. He said that Tehran is ready to establish a joint committee with its neighbours to investigate such attacks. APIran says 56 cultural sites damaged in 2 weeks of strikesMarch 15, 2026 6:00 pmDubai: The sites include museums and bazaars, historic government buildings and mosques, Iran’s Cultural Heritage Ministry said on Sunday. Among the damaged sites are the ornate Qajar-era Golestan Palace in Tehran, the Shah Abbas Mosque and the 17th-century Chehel Sotoun palace in Isfahan. The damage isn’t limited to Tehran and Isfahan. The ministry said sites in Kurdistan, Lorestan and Kermanshah were also affected. APWar unleashes mass displacement in IranMarch 15, 2026 5:14 pmCairo: The UN migration agency said on Sunday that deteriorating conditions in Iranian cities were pushing many Iranians to northern provinces for safety. The International Organisation for Migration said that Iranians are also fleeing to neighbouring countries, including nearly 32,000 to Afghanistan and nearly 4,000 to Pakistan, even though airports and most border crossings — especially with Iraq — are closed. After earlier wars — including in Syria and Afghanistan — sparked refugee crises that stretched resources and polarised politics in Europe, Turkey and North Africa, neighbouring states worry the Iran war could again force large numbers of people from their homes. APTrump urges allies to send warships to the Strait of HormuzMarch 15, 2026 5:12 pmCairo: As global anxiety soars over oil prices and supplies, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he hopes China, France, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and others send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz “open and safe.” It was unclear if any planned to satisfy his request. In Europe, which relies heavily on oil and gas imports from the Gulf, Britain responded by saying it was discussing with allies a “range of options” to secure shipping. Araghchi, in a social media post, urged neighbours to “expel foreign aggressors” and described Trump’s call as “begging.” Iran’s joint military command has reiterated its threat to attack US-linked “oil, economic and energy infrastructures” in the region if the Islamic Republic’s oil infrastructure is hit. APIran says the US attacked from the UAEMarch 15, 2026 5:11 pmCairo: Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said the US attacked Kharg Island and Abu Musa Island from two locations in the UAE — Ras Al Khaimah and a place ‘very close to Dubai’ — calling the escalation dangerous and saying Iran “will try to be careful not to attack any populated area” there. US Central Command said it had no response to Iran’s claim. Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, rejected the Iranian claim that the US used Emirati land or airspace for its attacks on Kharg Island. Iran has fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Gulf neighbours — Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman — during the war. APGulf states intercept new missiles, drones as Iran threatens to widen warMarch 15, 2026 5:09 pmCairo: Gulf Arab states reported new missile and drone attacks on Sunday after Iran threatened to widen its campaign and further expand the war with the United States and Israel, now in its third week. Israel and the US attacked Iran on February 28, saying they were striking nuclear and military sites and encouraging the Iranian people to rise against their leaders. Iran has responded with attacks against Israel and neighbouring states in the Persian Gulf. The war, which shows no signs of ending soon, has upended global air travel, disrupted oil exports from the region and sent fuel prices rising across the world. AP’If he’s alive…’: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard vows to kill NetanyahuMarch 15, 2026 3:01 pmIran’s Revolutionary Guard vowed Sunday to hunt down Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. “If the criminal Zionist prime minister is still alive, we will continue to pursue and kill him with full force,” the IRGC said in a statement.Tehran welcomes any initiative that leads to complete end to the war: Iranian Foreign MinisterMarch 15, 2026 2:37 pmAccording to the state agency, the minister says US-made drone Lucas may be behind attacks on regional targets. Diplomatic communications with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, neighbouring countries continue, he says.CBSE cancels class 12 exams in Middle East region, mode for declaration of results to be announcedMarch 15, 2026 2:17 pm”All examinations of class 12 scheduled from March 16 to April 10 stands cancelled in case of students from Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Exams which were earlier postponed also stand cancelled,” CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj said. “The mode of declaration of results in these countries will be announced separately,” he said.’These are fake news’: Netanyahu’s office debunks assassination rumours after ‘AI video’ sparks conspiracyMarch 15, 2026 2:12 pmThe office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that he is “fine,” following a surge of social media posts suggesting his demise. The clarification was issued after a correspondent from the Anadolu Agency questioned his office regarding widespread claims on digital platforms that “Netanyahu has been assassinated.” In a direct response, Netanyahu’s office dismissed the reports, stating, “These are fake news; the Prime Minister is fine.” The rumours gained momentum after the Israeli PM posted a video of a press conference on Friday discussing the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. Some social media users alleged that the footage was AI-generated, claiming to have identified six fingers on the Prime Minister’s right hand.After attacks on Iran’s oil facilities, toxic black rain endangers publicMarch 15, 2026 1:02 pmClouds of toxic smoke unleashed into the atmosphere by US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian oil facilities made a dangerous return to Earth in the form of “black rain,” prompting international health officials to warn of serious risks to the public. Residents in Tehran complained last week of burning eyes and difficulty breathing when the dark and oily precipitation fell near the Iranian capital after several fuel oil depots and a refinery were struck. Plumes of dark smoke have also been seen across other parts of the region over two weeks of war, as Iran retaliates against US-Israeli airstrikes by firing drones and missiles at the oil and natural gas facilities of its Persian Gulf neighbours.Strait of Hormuz open to all but US, Israel: Iranian Foreign MinisterMarch 15, 2026 12:07 pmIranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains open to global shipping, but warned that vessels from the United States and Israel would not be allowed to pass through the crucial maritime route, reported The Jerusalem Post. The Jerusalem Post cited an interview done by US news outlet MS NOW with Araghchi who stated that the waterway — a vital corridor for global oil shipments — is not closed to international traffic despite tensions in the region. However, he indicated that Iran considers the passage restricted specifically for ships linked to the United States and Israel. “The Strait of Hormuz is only closed to US and Israeli ships,” Araghchi said during the interview.Sirens sound in Tel AvivMarch 15, 2026 12:07 pmIsrael’s military said early Sunday that Iran launched another round of missiles toward Israel. Sirens sounded in Tel Aviv, and loud booms were heard.Iran accuses enemy of attacking neighbouring countries to pin blame on TehranMarch 15, 2026 12:03 pmIran’s joint military command accused in a statement Sunday “the enemy” of using copycat Iranian drones to attack neighbouring countries and pin the blame on Tehran, state media reported. Tehran usually uses “the enemy” as a reference to the United States and Israel. The statement said copies of Iran’s Shahed-136 drone, known as LUCAS, were used to hit “irrelevant targets in the regional states,” including attacks on Turkey, Iraq and Kuwait. No evidence was provided. The military command also said Iran openly shares its targets, which it describes as US and Israeli interests, and urged trust and cooperation from regional countries.Emirati adviser slams Iran’s claim that Kharg strikes were launched from UAEMarch 15, 2026 12:01 pm”This reflects a confused policy that missed the point, lost its direction, and lacked wisdom,” Anwar Gargash, adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates, wrote on social media late Saturday. Gargash was referring to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s comments in which he accused the US of using the UAE as a base for its attacks on Iran’s Kharg Island.UAE reports new missile attackMarch 15, 2026 12:00 pmThe United Arab Emirates reported a new missile attack Sunday morning, a day after Iran called for the evacuation of three major UAE ports, threatening for the first time a neighbouring country’s non-US assets.Saudi Arabia intercepts multiple drones amid escalating regional tensionsMarch 15, 2026 10:32 amThe Saudi Ministry of Defence has announced the interception and destruction of 10 drones targeting the Riyadh and eastern regions, marking a significant escalation in aerial activity. This latest statement followed an earlier announcement made an hour prior, in which the ministry confirmed it had successfully destroyed two other drones in the east of the country. Preceding these incidents, the ministry reported that its forces had already destroyed seven drones across the same regions. According to Euro News, officials noted that the sheer volume of drones represents an “unusually high level of aerial threats for Saudi Arabia”. The escalation comes as critical locations in the Kingdom, including the US Embassy in Riyadh, key oil infrastructure, and a military base hosting American troops, face heightened risks.Another 3 members of Iran’s women’s soccer team decide against staying in Australia as refugeesMarch 15, 2026 10:25 amAnother three members of the Iran’s women’s soccer team who accepted refugee visas to stay in Australia have decided to return to their homeland, an Australian government minister said on Sunday. The departure leaves three of an initial seven squad members in Australia. “Overnight, three members of the Iranian Women’s Football Team made the decision to join the rest of the team on their journey back to Iran,” Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a statement. “After telling Australian officials they had made this decision, the players were given repeated chances to talk about their options,” Burke added. Iran’s team arrived in Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup last month, before the war in the Middle East began on February 28.Hearing that Iran’s new Supreme leader may not be alive: TrumpMarch 15, 2026 8:51 amUS President Donald Trump said he is not ready to make a deal with Iran because “the terms aren’t good enough yet”. “It’s not clear whether Iran has dropped mines into the Strait of Hormuz,” he told Jattvibe News. Trump further said he was hearing that Iran’s new Supreme leader “may not be alive”.’Bomb the hell out of the shoreline’: TrumpMarch 15, 2026 8:44 amIn an earlier post on his Truth Social platform, Trump anticipated that many countries would send warships to allow shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a conduit for 20% of the world’s oil. He said in his post he hoped China, France, Japan, South Korea, Britain and others would send vessels. “In the meantime, the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water,” he wrote. There was no immediate indication of plans to do so by any of the countries.