US-Israel-Iran Conflict Enters Third Week: Israel Claims to Have Killed Top Iranian Military Leaders, Iran Launches Missile Attacks on Tel Aviv
The US-Israel-Iran conflict has now entered its third week — with the UAE and other Gulf countries firmly at the center of the conflict. UAE air traffic back to normal; blasts near US Embassy in Baghdad; Europe says ‘this is not our war’ Israel’s military said it is carrying out strikes on positions of Iran’s Basij paramilitary force in and around Tehran after announcing it had killed the group’s top commander. In a statement, the Israeli air force said it had targeted Basij fighters and positions deployed across the capital in recent hours, sharing footage of what it described as strikes. Earlier, Israel said it had killed Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani in an air strike, alongside its claim of assassinating Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani. Iran has not confirmed either of the reported killings. US President Donald Trump said rising oil and gas prices linked to the Iran conflict are temporary and will fall sharply once the war ends. “As soon as that war’s over – which will be soon – your prices are gonna drop like a rock,” he said. His remarks come as global fuel prices have surged amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing regional tensions. Tesla has announced free Supercharging at select locations across the GCC, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, in a post on X. Saudi Arabia: Dammam Jeddah Jeddah - Al Ajawad Street Jeddah - Al Amir Sultan Riyadh Taif Qatar: Doha – Doha Festival City UAE: Abu Dhabi - Al Dhanna Abu Dhabi - Al Maryah Abu Dhabi - Al Mirfa Abu Dhabi - Masdar Central Park Abu Dhabi - Masdar City Centre Abu Dhabi - Yas Mall Hypermarket LG Abu Dhabi - Yas Mall Main Entrance Ajman - City Centre Al Ain Al Ain - Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium Dubai - Abu Hail Dubai - Al Habtoor City Dubai - Dubai Hills Grand Atrium Dubai - Dubai Hills Storm Coaster Dubai - Dubai Mall Za’abeel Dubai - Mall of Emirates Dubai - Meadows Village Dubai - Wadi Al Safa Dubai - Wafi City Fujairah Hatta Jebel Ali - Abu Dhabi bound Jebel Ali - Dubai bound Ras Al Khaimah – Al Naeem Mall Sharjah - City Centre Sharjah - Rahmania Mall Sharjah - Suyoh Mall US President Donald Trump said it will not be long before ships can move freely through the Strait of Hormuz as operations continue in the region. Speaking at the White House, Trump said efforts are underway along the coast to secure the key shipping route. “We’re knocking the hell out of the coast… It won’t be too long,” he said. He also said Middle Eastern countries, including Israel, have been supporting the efforts to restore navigation through the strait. US President Donald Trump said it was “a good thing” that National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent resigned, criticising him as “very weak on security.” Trump said Kent’s view that Iran was not a threat showed poor judgment, adding that most countries recognise the risks posed by Iran, even if they differ on how to respond. US President Donald Trump criticised NATO, saying the alliance is making a “very foolish mistake” by refusing to support US operations in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking from the White House, Trump expressed frustration that member countries are unwilling to send troops to help secure the key shipping route. “They don’t want to help us, which is amazing,” he said, adding that the United States does not need assistance. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it has carried out its 59th wave of strikes, targeting multiple locations across the region. According to a statement carried by the ISNA news agency, the attacks hit areas in Israel including Beit Shemesh, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The IRGC also said strikes targeted US forces at Kuwait’s Ali al-Salem Air Base, as well as locations in the UAE’s Fujairah and Iraq’s Erbil. The group added that the operations began at dawn and are part of its ongoing campaign. Trump on Truth Social today stated that most NATO allies refused to take part in the US military operation against Iran despite agreeing that Tehran should not possess nuclear weapons, criticising the alliance as a “one-way street” where the US bears the cost of protecting others without reciprocal support. He claimed that American forces had effectively dismantled Iran’s military capabilities, including its navy, air force and defence systems, and eliminated key leadership, asserting that the US had achieved decisive success. Trump added that, given this outcome, the US neither needs nor seeks assistance from NATO or other allies such as Japan, Australia and South Korea, emphasising that the country is powerful enough to act independently. Scandinavian airline SAS has announced short-term flight cancellations due to a sharp increase in fuel prices. The carrier said the spike in jet fuel costs is linked to rising global oil prices amid the Iran war and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Last week, SAS had also introduced temporary fare increases in response to the higher fuel costs. Around 1,600 Indian nationals have returned to India from Qatar on Qatar Airways flights, the Indian Embassy in Doha said. The airline operated five flights to India, including two to Delhi and one each to Mumbai, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. Saudi Arabia’s Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud held a phone call with his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani to discuss the regional impact of the US-Israel war on Iran. In a post on social media, bin Saud said the talks focused on security implications arising from the ongoing developments in the region. He reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for Qatar in ensuring the safety and security of its citizens and residents. The Saudi minister also held a similar call with UAE Interior Minister Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan. One person has been killed and another injured in an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon, according to the National News Agency. The strike reportedly targeted a car between the towns of Abba and Jebchit, near a school. Israel’s military said it has detected increased preparations by Hezbollah to launch rocket attacks towards its territory in the coming hours. In a post on X, the army said its air defence systems and forces along the border are on high alert and ready to respond. It added that operations are underway to prevent the anticipated rocket launches. France will not take part in operations to unblock the Strait of Hormuz while hostilities continue, President Emmanuel Macron said. Speaking at the start of a cabinet meeting, Macron said France is not a party to the conflict and will therefore not participate in efforts to open the waterway in the current situation. He added that France is continuing work to prepare a coalition that could help ensure freedom of navigation once the conflict ends. Hezbollah has denied having any members or networks in Kuwait, a day after authorities announced the arrest of individuals allegedly linked to the group over a suspected sabotage plot. In a statement, the Iran-backed Lebanese group described the allegations by Kuwait’s interior ministry as “baseless” and rejected the accusations. “There are no Hezbollah cells, members or networks in Kuwait,” the group said. Emirates has advised passengers of their options if their flights are cancelled or if they choose not to travel between February 28 and April 15, 2026. In a notice shared on X, the airline said travellers can rebook onto an alternate flight to their destination for travel up to May 31, 2026. Passengers may also opt for a full refund by submitting a request through the airline’s website. One person has been killed and nine others injured in an Israeli air strike on Beirut’s Airport Road, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said. The ministry’s emergency operations centre reported the casualties, according to the National News Agency. Hamad International Airport has announced it is withdrawing from all external exhibitions, conferences, industry events and awards programmes amid the ongoing regional conflict. The move includes major events such as the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2026 and the Passenger Terminal Expo 2026 in London. In a statement, the airport said the safety and wellbeing of passengers, staff and their families remain its top priority, and thanked aviation partners and stakeholders for their continued support during this period. The head of the United States’ National Counterterrorism Center, Joe Kent, has resigned over the US-Israel war on Iran. In a letter to President Donald Trump posted on X, Kent said he could not support the ongoing conflict. “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” he wrote, adding that he did not believe Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that the killing of Iran’s national security chief Ali Larijani was part of efforts to weaken the country’s leadership. In a televised statement, Netanyahu said the move was intended to give Iranians a chance to challenge their rulers. He added that any change in Iran’s leadership would not happen quickly or easily, but said continued pressure could allow people to “take their fate into their own hands.” Lufthansa Group has extended its suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until April 9 due to ongoing airspace restrictions in the Middle East. For operational reasons, the airline has also halted flights to Riyadh until April 5, while ITA Airways services will continue as scheduled. Several other major international carriers, including British Airways, Air Canada and US airlines Delta, United and American Airlines, have also suspended flights to Tel Aviv, with some extending cancellations into April and May as the conflict continues. Hezbollah said it fired a salvo of rockets at Israeli soldiers in the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon. In a post on X, the group said the soldiers were near a municipal building when they were targeted. Earlier, Hezbollah said it had also targeted Israeli troops inside a tent in the border town of Maroun al-Ras in the Bint Jbeil district. Iran has arrested 10 foreign nationals among dozens detained on suspicion of collaborating with the United States and Israel, Iranian media reported on Tuesday. Authorities said the arrests come amid heightened security concerns during the ongoing conflict, with officials warning that public events could be exploited by what they described as “the enemy.” Officials also urged residents to stay at home during an upcoming festival, citing fears of potential security threats The Israeli military said it is investigating a strike in southern Lebanon that Lebanese authorities say killed one soldier and injured at least four others. In a statement, the army’s Arabic-language spokesperson Ella Waweya said Israeli forces target Hezbollah members and not Lebanese military personnel. She added that the incident is under review. Germany said on Tuesday it will grant additional powers to its competition watchdog to tackle potential price gouging by energy companies amid rising fuel costs linked to the Middle East conflict. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said petrol prices in Germany have increased more sharply than the European average, adding that the oil industry has not provided a convincing explanation for the rise. She said the Federal Cartel Office will be empowered to quickly investigate and curb excessive price markups in the wholesale sector. IndiGo said flights to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to be affected and will resume based on prevailing safety conditions and regulatory approvals. The airline said it has managed to reunite many passengers with their families despite evolving circumstances and short-notice schedule changes, and is continuing to assist those with upcoming travel plans. Passengers have been advised to stay updated and follow IndiGo’s guidance to ensure a smooth travel experience. Akasa Air has suspended all flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha and Kuwait until March 21 amid the ongoing regional situation. The airline has also extended its waiver on cancellation and rescheduling charges for affected passengers until March 31. A projectile has struck a tanker anchored about 23 nautical miles (42.6km) east of Fujairah in the UAE, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. No injuries were reported, and the incident caused only minor structural damage to the vessel. UKMTO said initial investigations suggest the damage was likely caused by falling debris from aerial interceptions in the area. Iran has launched a new wave of missiles targeting Tel Aviv, according to state broadcaster Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). The development marks a fresh escalation in the ongoing conflict, with previous missile barrages triggering air raid sirens and interceptions across central Israel Qatar’s Defence Ministry said its armed forces successfully intercepted a second wave of missile attacks targeting the country. Authorities issued alerts indicating an elevated security threat before confirming that the situation had been brought under control. Officials later said the threat had been eliminated and normal conditions had been restored.
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