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The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has taken a significant turn as foreign ministers from Arab and Muslim countries gathered in Riyadh for urgent discussions. The meeting, which included representatives from 12 countries, aimed to muster a common response to Iran's increasing retaliation against US assets and infrastructure in the region.The talks were held as Iran targeted several energy facilities across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar in retaliation against Israel's strike on the South Pars gasfield, Iran's biggest source of energy. This escalation comes after a series of Israeli assassinations of top Iranian security officials.The joint statement issued on Thursday confirmed that the countries present at the meeting, including Qatar, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates, asserted the right of states to defend themselves, citing Article 51 of the United Nations Charter on defensive action.The foreign ministers condemned deliberate Iranian attacks with ballistic missiles and drones that have struck various targets, including residential areas, water desalination plants, oil facilities, airports, and diplomatic positions. They called on Iran to:Halt its attacks.Stop "provocative actions or threats" aimed at its neighbours.Cease supporting, financing, and arming pro-Iran proxy groups based in Arab states.Refrain from actions or threats aimed at blocking the Strait of Hormuz or threatening maritime security in the Bab al-Mandeb strait.The meeting yielded a unified response to Iran's increasingly unpredictable behaviour, but the joint statement was vague about how countries would follow this up. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud emphasized his country's right to defend itself and hinted that Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states would act if necessary, adding that they have "very significant capacities and capabilities that they could bring to bear should they choose to do so".The Iranian leadership's response to these developments remains unclear, with New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei having not been seen in public since his appointment. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement saying that Iranian forces had responded to the "deceiving and lying enemy" that had targeted energy facilities in the country, and that they had "entered a new phase of warfare" to defend Iran's infrastructure.

Iran's IRGC spokesman has made a bold statement directed at US President Donald Trump, saying 'You're fired!'. This remark comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations.The statement was reported by Al Jazeera on March 23, 2026. While details surrounding the context of the statement remain limited, it underscores the strained relationship between Iran and the United States.The IRGC, or Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, plays a significant role in Iran's military and political landscape. Statements from its spokespeople are often scrutinized for insights into Iran's policy stances and geopolitical strategies.

Iran has granted safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz to ships from select countries, including Pakistan, India, and Turkey, despite its ongoing war with the United States. The strait, a vital waterway for global oil shipments, has been effectively blocked since the conflict began on February 28, causing oil prices to skyrocket above $100 per barrel.On March 2, Ebrahim Jabari, a senior adviser to the commander-in-chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), announced that the strait was 'closed' and warned that any vessels attempting to cross would be 'set ablaze' by the IRGC and the navy. This move led to a significant increase in oil prices, with Brent crude rising 2.5 percent to $105.70 on Monday, more than 40 percent higher than before the war began.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi revealed that Tehran had been approached by several countries seeking safe passage for their vessels, with the decision ultimately resting with the military. He confirmed that a group of vessels from 'different countries' had been allowed to pass through, although details were not provided.Pakistan was one of the first countries to have a ship pass through the strait, with a Pakistani-flagged Aframax tanker called Karachi sailing out of the Gulf on Sunday. India also secured permission for some of its vessels to pass through, with two Indian-flagged tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas safely crossing the strait on Saturday.In addition, Turkey obtained permission for one of its ships to pass through the strait after authorities received approval from Tehran. China is reportedly in talks with Iran to secure safe passage for its crude oil and Qatari liquefied natural gas carriers, with 45 percent of China's oil imports passing through the strait.Meanwhile, France and Italy have requested talks with Iran regarding safe passage for their ships, according to reports. The US has proposed a naval coalition to secure the strait, but countries such as Germany and Greece have ruled out military involvement.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United States and Israel of causing disruptions to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which one-fifth of the world's oil shipments pass.In a phone conversation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Araghchi called for an end to what he described as military aggression against Iran by the US and Israel. He emphasized that every country and international institution concerned with peace and security must condemn these actions.The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has led to significant increases in oil prices, with Brent crude up 2.5% to $105.70 on Monday, more than 40% higher than before the conflict began on February 28.Several countries are reportedly in talks with Iran to secure safe passage for their ships. A senior adviser to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had announced on March 2 that the strait was effectively 'closed' and threatened to set transiting ships 'ablaze'.US President Donald Trump has proposed a naval coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz, but so far, no countries have pledged to join. French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that France will not participate in operations to unblock the strait, but may consider joining an escort system once fighting ends.The European Union is seeking diplomatic solutions to guarantee safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz and mitigate the impact of soaring energy prices on global markets.

Iran has started to permit a limited but increasing number of commercial vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, as indicated by ship tracking data. On Monday, eight non-Iranian flagged vessels were detected in the strategic waterway. This represents a notable increase, with MarineTraffic recording nine transits on Monday and Sunday, compared to just five over the preceding two days. According to Michelle Wiese Bockmann, an analyst at Windward, the growing number of ships rerouting via Iran's territorial waters suggests that Tehran is granting 'permission-based transits to friendly countries.' The Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage that normally carries about one-fifth of global oil supplies, has seen traffic plummet by more than 95 percent since the onset of the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. This drastic reduction has led to a surge in oil prices, which have risen above $100 per barrel, an increase of over 40 percent. Iranian officials have issued mixed messages regarding the strait's status. Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi stated that the strait was 'open, but closed to our enemies'. Conversely, a spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned earlier in the month that any ship attempting passage would be set ablaze. The situation has drawn international attention, with US President Donald Trump asserting that Washington does not require other countries' assistance to secure shipping traffic through the strait. Meanwhile, the US military reported dropping bunker buster bombs on 'hardened' Iranian missile sites located near the strait, citing the risk these posed to international shipping.

US President Donald Trump has ordered a pause in attacks on Iran's power infrastructure for five days. The move comes after Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran to reopen the critical shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz or risk US attacks on its power plants.Iran's Response to US Ultimatum: Iran threatened to attack power plants in Israel and the Gulf if its own power plants were targeted. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that it would hit power plants in Israel as well as any supplying electricity to military bases hosting US troops and assets in the region.Potential Targets: Iran could target Israeli power plants, including Orot Rabin north of Tel Aviv, with a capacity of around 3,900 megawatts, and Rutenberg in Ashkelon, with a capacity of around 2,250 megawatts. Iran also mentioned that it would target financial entities that finance US military assets, including US Treasury bonds.Energy Infrastructure: Iran's attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf have already had significant impacts. Qatar's state-run energy firm, QatarEnergy, halted LNG production following Iranian attacks on its operational facilities, causing an estimated $20bn in lost annual revenue. Saudi Arabia also shut down operations at the Ras Tanura plant, its biggest domestic oil refinery.Financial and Corporate Entities: Iran could target large US companies with Israeli links, including Google, Microsoft, Palantir, IBM, Nvidia, and Oracle. Iranian officials also mentioned that they would target US Treasury bonds and entities that finance US military assets.Other Critical Infrastructure: Iran's foreign minister accused the US of striking a desalination plant on Qeshm Island off the coast of Iran, cutting off the water supply to 30 villages. Bahrain also reported that an Iranian drone caused material damage to one of its desalination plants.

President Donald Trump has announced a significant diplomatic pause in the escalating conflict with Iran, instructing the US military to delay any strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five-day period. The announcement comes as Trump claims both nations have reached "major points of agreement" and are seeking a "complete and total resolution" of hostilities in the Middle East.This decision follows a tense 48-hour ultimatum issued by Trump on Saturday, in which he threatened to "obliterate" Iranian power plants if Tehran did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait is a critical global chokepoint, handling approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas; its closure has already triggered a severe global energy crisis and spiked oil prices.Speaking from Florida, Trump stated that Iran is eager to make a deal and that his envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, have been engaged in talks with a "respected" Iranian leader. For a resolution to materialize, Trump asserted that Iran must relinquish its enriched uranium stockpile, and he suggested the strategic Strait of Hormuz would be reopened very soon if an agreement is reached.The prospect of de-escalation provided immediate relief to global financial markets. Wall Street stocks saw early gains on Monday, while oil prices—which had soared since the onset of hostilities—experienced a sharp decline. The easing of tensions is viewed as a potential "off-ramp" for the war, which analysts suggest may be an attempt by Trump to secure a dignified exit from the conflict.While Iran has not officially confirmed the talks, its Foreign Ministry suggested the pause is a tactical maneuver to lower energy prices. However, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any attack on Iranian power plants would trigger a massive retaliation, including strikes on US bases and economic infrastructure. Analysts believe the likelihood of Iran refusing this offer is remote, as the country seeks to avoid further devastation.

Iran has reportedly claimed to have downed a US F-35 fighter jet during a combat mission, a development that could challenge the aircraft's reputation as 'unkillable'. According to sources familiar with the matter, the incident occurred last week when the F-35 made an emergency landing at an airbase in the Middle East. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement saying it had targeted a US aircraft, and Iran's semiofficial Tasnim news agency released military footage purporting to show Tehran's air defence systems hitting a US F-35 stealth fighter. The F-35, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is considered the cornerstone of Washington's aerial firepower, boasting advanced stealth technology, sensors, and high-speed computing. Its ability to gather and share data from a 360-degree camera suite and other sensors makes it a formidable asset in modern warfare. If confirmed, this would be the first time an F-35 has been struck by Iran during the ongoing conflict. Defence experts emphasize that even if the claims are true, it does not necessarily mean stealth technology is becoming obsolete, but rather that even advanced aircraft like the F-35 are not invulnerable in a dense, adaptive air-defence environment. The incident is under investigation, with the US military's Central Command stating that the pilot was in stable condition after the emergency landing. The US has not yet confirmed that the F-35 was hit by Iranian fire, with President Donald Trump stating, “We’re flying wherever we want. Nobody is even shooting at us.” This development comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran, with at least 13 US service members killed and roughly 200 wounded during combat operations against Iran. In Iran, at least 1,444 people have been killed and 18,551 injured since the start of the conflict.

Israel and the United States have launched a new wave of attacks against Iran, escalating the conflict in the region. The Israeli military confirmed that it carried out a second round of strikes, hours after initiating a wide-scale wave of attacks on infrastructure targets in Tehran. Al Jazeera Arabic's correspondent in Tehran reported that the size and volume of the explosions in the Iranian capital were unprecedented, especially on the eastern side of the city. Iranian air defense systems were activated in response to US-Israeli drones hovering over the city. According to Mohamad Elmasry of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, the war is escalating, with US and Israeli forces hitting not only military installations but also hospitals, schools, and over 5,000 residential units. He warned that the situation is becoming increasingly dangerous, especially for the people of Iran. Iran's Fars news agency reported that a strike on a residential building in Khorramabad killed one child and wounded several people, while at least six people were killed in strikes on homes in Tabriz city. The Iranian Red Crescent Society stated that over 80,000 civilian building units have been hit, with some fully demolished. The US military targeted a turbine engine production site in Qom province, used for drone and aircraft components linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Meanwhile, Iranian missile strikes continued overnight in Israel, with falling shrapnel reported across several locations. Iran's Foreign Ministry denied any dialogue with the US, claiming that President Trump's comments aimed to reduce energy prices and buy time to implement military plans. The IRGC warned that if the US targets Iran's power plants, it will hit power plants in areas supplying electricity to US bases and American interests. The conflict has resulted in over 1,500 deaths in Iran and 15 deaths in Israel. The situation has also unsettled oil markets, with prices fluctuating as Asian trading opened. The head of the International Energy Agency warned that the situation in the Middle East is very severe and worse than the two energy crises of the 1970s combined.