Iranian attacks escalate across Middle East as container ship struck near Dubai

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Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry said on Friday that its air defenses shot down 10 more drones headed toward its Eastern and Central Provinces, meaning nearly 50 drones entering Saudi airspace over the course of just a few hours had been knocked down.

The barrage marks a higher-than-usual number of aerial threats for the kingdom.

Locations such as the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, a military base hosting U.S. troops and oil infrastructure have been targeted in Saudi Arabia, as the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against Iran continues.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

The United Arab Emirates said its air defense systems were responding to a missile threat and urged those in the area to stay in a safe location.

"Air defense systems are currently responding to a missile threat," the UAE's National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said on X.

"Please remain in a safe location and follow official channels for warnings and updates," the post added.

The Pentagon announced that it is reassessing its efforts to minimize civilian harm amid the ongoing conflict against Iran.

In a statement, the department said it is "currently undergoing a strategic reassessment to inform its future reorganization."

"The Department continues to recognize the importance of civilian harm mitigation and remains confident in our military’s ability to strike with precision while minimizing civilian casualties," the statement said.

This comes after a U.S. missile strike on an elementary school in Iran that killed more than 165 people, with many of the victims being children. Outdated intelligence likely led to the U.S. conducting the strike, according to The Associated Press.

The Pentagon did not address reports that the military cut the size of its mission central to civilian protection and that the focus on updating intelligence had come to a near stop. But the statement did say that the department was undergoing a "reorganization" and that functions to reduce civilian casualties have been "streamlined" directly into the operations of combatant commands.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

President Donald Trump argued on Thursday that higher oil prices caused by the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran actually help the U.S., reversing course after previously touting lower energy prices.

"The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money," he wrote on Truth Social.

"BUT, of far greater interest and importance to me, as President, is stoping [sic] an evil Empire, Iran, from having Nuclear Weapons, and destroying the Middle East and, indeed, the World. I won’t ever let that happen! Thank you for your attention to this matter," he continued.

In his State of the Union address last month, Trump boasted about gas prices at $2.30 a gallon, although prices have since surged more than 50% to a national average of $3.60 a gallon, according to AAA.

This comes as U.S. officials struggle to offer a clear plan for opening the Strait of Hormuz to allow tankers carrying oil and natural gas through.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

France President Emmanuel Macron said a French soldier was killed during an attack that targeted Irbil in Iraq’s northern Kurdish region.

Macron identified the soldier as Chief Warrant Officer Arnaud Frion of the 7th Battalion of Chasseurs Alpins from Varces.

"To his family, to his brothers in arms, I want to express all the affection and solidarity of the Nation," Macron said.

"Several of our soldiers have been wounded. France stands by their side and with their loved ones. This attack against our forces engaged in the fight against Daesh since 2015 is unacceptable," he continued.

The president added: "Their presence in Iraq is part of the strict framework of the fight against terrorism. The war in Iran cannot justify such attacks."

The United Kingdom is considering stepping up military support to protect vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating Iranian attacks on oil and gas tankers, Defense Secretary John Healey suggested Thursday.

Healey also said he had spoken to his counterparts in the so-called E5 group of European powers to discuss the deepening crisis.

“Recognizing the huge impact this potentially has on oil prices and the cost of living, there is an international imperative to try and see this resolved,” he said, referring to the attacks tankers face through the strategic waterway.

Speaking to reporters after meeting commanders at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in London, the defense secretary revealed that the U.K. has assets already in the region.

“I have — pre-positioned in the region — some autonomous mine hunting systems,” he said.

“I have been talking to planners today about additional options we can bring to bear alongside allies should it be needed.”

However, Healey stressed that discussions remain preliminary. “You should not read into that that we have got some hard options poised to go. But … I am discussing additional options with our planners.”

The U.K. is already deploying HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer with significant air defense capabilities, to bolster its presence and defensive posture in the region, according to reports.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have taken down hundreds of drones and neutralized as many launchers since the start of Operation Roaring Lion, and the joint military operation with the U.S in Iran.

“Over 250 UAVs dismantled. Hundreds of launchers neutralized,” IDF International Spokesperson Nadav Shoshani said Thursday in a post shared on X.

“The IDF expanded strikes on the Iranian terror regime’s UAV array,” he said.

“In one strike, IAF aircraft identified operatives preparing a UAV launch toward Israel and quickly struck the launcher and the operatives,” Shoshani added. 

President Donald Trump said he believes Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is still alive “in some form,” despite not being seen publicly since taking office after the war in Iran began.

“I think he probably is. I think he is damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form, you know,” Trump said in an interview with Brian Kilmeade scheduled to air Friday at 10:06 a.m. ET on “The Brian Kilmeade Show.”

Trump’s comments came after Mojtaba Khamenei signaled that Iran would not back down in the war with the United States and Israel.

The newly appointed Supreme Leader had issued a statement Thursday amid rumors about his condition following recent strikes.

“We will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs,” Khamenei said in a section addressed to the Iranian nation, according to text published by Iranian state media.

The statement followed reports that Khamenei had been injured and was possibly in a coma after U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed his father during a Tehran compound attack on Feb. 28.

The president also touched on the Iranian regime’s ambitions regarding neighboring countries in the Middle East.

"Iran had thousands of missiles pointed at all these Middle Eastern countries for the last four months," he said.

"They were going to take over the Middle East, they were going to control it all, UAE, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia" before warning that Iran had "1,200 missiles pointed at these countries."

"All these nations were afraid of Iran and they are not anymore. But they had reason to be afraid. We have knocked the hell out of them like no other nation could and they still have remnants left," Trump said.

Speaking on the difficulties facing vessels wanting to traverse the Strait of Hormuz and Trump suggested they should "go through the strait of Hormuz and show some guts."

"There's nothing to be afraid of. They have no Navy and we sunk all their ships," the president added.

The U.S. Treasury is allowing countries to buy Russian oil that is stranded at sea to help stabilize global energy markets and keep prices down during the war with Iran.

In a post on X Thursday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the authorization applies only to oil already in transit and is “short-term.”

“.@POTUS is taking decisive steps to promote stability in global energy markets and working to keep prices low as we address the threat and instability posed by the terrorist Iranian regime,” Bessent said.

“To increase the global reach of existing supply, @USTreasury is providing a temporary authorization to permit countries to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea,” he added.

“This narrowly tailored, short-term measure applies only to oil already in transit and will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government, which derives the majority of its energy revenue from taxes assessed at the point of extraction,” Bessent said.

Bessent went on to highlight how President Donald Trump’s pro-energy policies have driven U.S. oil and gas production to record levels, "contributing to lower fuel prices for hardworking Americans."

“The temporary increase in oil prices is a short-term and temporary disruption that will result in a massive benefit to our nation and economy in the long term,” he said.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted and killed top Iranian nuclear scientists, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, the Israeli leader said those scientists killed had been leading the development of nuclear bombs.

"In the current operation, we also opened the path for a broad strike against Iran’s massive missile stockpiles and missile-production facilities, as well as its nuclear project — including severe blows to senior Iranian scientists who led the development of nuclear bombs meant to destroy us," he said.

"They are no longer here," he added.

Netanyahu also spoke about Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared in public since his appointment was announced.

"In a short time, we eliminated the tyrant Khamenei and many senior figures in the terror regime," he said.

“'The old dictator is gone, and the new one, Mojtaba Khamenei, the puppet of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cannot even appear in public," he said.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) air defense systems intercepted 10 ballistic missiles and 26 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) Thursday, the Ministry of Defense confirmed.

The Ministry also said more than 1,000 drones have been taken down since the start of the conflict with Iran.

“The UAE air defense systems today (March 12, 2026) engaged 10 ballistic missiles and 26 UAVs launched from Iran,” the ministry said in a post shared on X.

“Since the onset of the blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defenses have engaged 278 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,540 UAVs,” the post added.

The ministry also confirmed six fatalities — including Emirati, Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationals — and 131 minor to moderate injuries among nationals of the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Turkey, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana and Indonesia.

“The Ministry of Defense affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront any attempts to undermine state security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability and safeguards its national interests and capabilities,” the post said.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) completed several waves of strikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut and southern Lebanon, an official confirmed Thursday.

“The IDF struck several Hezbollah command centers, from which Hezbollah terrorists operated to advance terror attacks against the State of Israel and its civilians,” the official said.

“The Hezbollah terrorist organization systematically embeds its infrastructure within the civilian population across Lebanon,” the IDF said before adding that it was “another example of the organization’s cynical exploitation of Lebanese civilians for its terrorist activities.”

“Prior to the strikes, measures were taken to mitigate the risk of harm to civilians, including advance warnings, the use of precision munitions, and aerial surveillance,” the IDF said.

A U.S. aircraft has been reported lost in Iraq during ongoing military operations against Iran, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Thursday.

This came on day 12 of Operation Epic Fury targeting Iranian-linked assets in the region.

According to CENTCOM, the incident involved two U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft operating in friendly airspace. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, while the second landed safely.

CENTCOM said the loss was not the result of hostile fire or friendly fire. Rescue efforts are ongoing, and officials have not yet released details about the number or condition of personnel involved.

"More information will be made available as the situation develops. We ask for continued patience to gather additional details and provide clarity for the families of service members.," CENTCOM said in a statement.

With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East rattling oil markets and raising fears of supply disruptions, gas prices are climbing—adding fresh strain for Americans already worn down by inflation.

Oil prices have surged as traders brace for the risk that fighting could continue to snarl exports out of the Persian Gulf, including through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor for global energy supplies.

This week, benchmark oil prices punched back above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022, underscoring how quickly geopolitical shocks can ripple through the energy complex. 

That jump is showing up at the pump.

As oil prices climb, gasoline and diesel prices are rising fast—especially diesel, which can move quickly because it’s tied closely to freight and industrial demand.

On Thursday, the national average for regular gasoline rose to about $3.59 a gallon, according to AAA.  Diesel prices have also jumped, with the national average up $1.20 to $4.86 a gallon. 

With energy costs accelerating, the White House is weighing steps to safeguard commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and leaning on emergency stockpiles to try to cushion the blow. 

President Donald Trump on Thursday pressed the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates “immediately,” as fallout from the conflict involving Iran fuels an energy-price spike.

“Where is the Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome ‘Too Late’ Powell today? He should be dropping Interest Rates, IMMEDIATELY, not waiting for the next meeting,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post, using a mocking nickname for Powell.

The remarks come ahead of next week’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting, when policymakers will decide whether to lower the Fed’s key interest rate — a move that can ripple through borrowing costs for consumers and businesses, including mortgages, car loans and credit cards.

Trump has repeatedly argued the Fed should move faster to cut rates, framing cheaper borrowing as key to boosting growth and easing financial pressure on households. Fed officials, however, have signaled they want clearer evidence that inflation is cooling.

The Fed's rate cut decision also comes as higher energy prices threaten to keep inflation elevated, complicating Trump’s pledge to lower costs for Americans. Rising fuel costs can quickly spill into transportation and shipping, pushing up prices across the economy.

Israel is relying on target information given by Iranians to carry out strikes on Iran during the war, according to reports.

Citing a senior Israeli security official, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Israel has been using intelligence provided by civilians inside Iran.

The official said Iranians on the ground transmit information about possible targets through Israeli social media accounts in Persian.

The information is first verified and vetted by Israeli authorities, the official said.

If the information turns out to be accurate, Israel acts on it. The official described how one strike on a Basij checkpoint in Tehran on March 10 was an example.

After President Donald Trump warned recently about Iranian "sleeper cells" potentially operating in North America, Canadian opposition lawmakers are accusing their government of allowing operatives linked to Tehran’s regime to remain in the country.

Trump said Wednesday U.S. authorities were monitoring Iranian networks believed to have entered the United States in recent years.

"I have been (briefed), and a lot of people came in through Biden with his stupid open border," Trump said in response to a question from Fox News’ Peter Doocy. "But we know where most of them are. We've got our eye on all of them."

The remarks came amid growing concern among Western security officials about Iranian intelligence activities targeting critics abroad.

In Canada, senior Conservatives say the government has failed to act against Iranian regime officials despite identifying individuals linked to Tehran.

Deputy Conservative leader Melissa Lantsman, immigration shadow minister Michelle Rempel and Pierre Paul-Hus, Conservative Québec lieutenant, called upon the Liberal government, in a statement released in Ottawa, to table a plan within one week to take immediate action to stop Iranian regime activities in Canada.

"The Liberals have known for years that there are hundreds of Iranian regime officials in Canada, 239 of whom have had their visas" canceled, the lawmakers said.

They added that government officials told a parliamentary immigration committee recently that only one person has been deported so far, citing legal obstacles, including asylum claims, the absence of direct flights to Iran and privacy protections.

"The presence of agents of the Islamic Republic in Canada is not a new issue," Maryam Shariatmadari told Fox News Digital.

Shariatmadari is one of the faces of the "Girls of Revolution Street" protests against Iran’s mandatory hijab laws who fled Iran after being imprisoned and now lives in exile in Canada.

"For years, the people of Iran have expressed concern about the presence of these individuals and their children in Canada," Shariatmadari added before stating she was aware of two known embezzlers. Iran Wire reported on that case in 2022.

"But these days we are seeing more of these individuals," Shariatmadari added.

"Their presence has become more visible, and they are organizing gatherings under the slogan ‘No to War,’ while expressing support for Hamas and Hezbollah. Meanwhile, they remained completely silent about the killing of Iranians."

Exiled Iranian journalist Mehdi Ghadimi, who now lives in Canada, also told Fox News Digital that individuals linked to Iran’s regime often arrive in Western countries through several different channels.

"Some arrive as students, academics or ordinary immigrants but were already connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps through family ties or ideological affiliation," he said.

"They often try to identify activists and critics, so those individuals can face legal or judicial problems either in Iran or even abroad."

Ghadimi said another category operates primarily through financial networks tied to the regime.

"Another group includes people who used to be members of the IRGC or other state institutions and later enter countries like Canada as private investors," he said. "When someone brings several million dollars for investment, it raises questions about where that money came from."

He added that wealthy business figures who move capital abroad may also do so with the approval of Iran’s security establishment.

"If someone is moving large amounts of money out of Iran and investing abroad, it is very difficult to do that without the approval of the IRGC and the security institutions of the Islamic Republic," he said.

This is an excerpt from a report by Efrat Lachter

Thousands of expats have fled Dubai in the wake of Operation Epic Fury, with people also fearing prosecution for posting images and videos of missile strikes online.

So far, four people have been killed in Dubai since Feb. 28, according to reports with the area

the target of two-thirds of Iran’s missiles.

The famous Fairmont hotel on Palm Jumeirah was also struck, and employees at Western banks, including Standard Chartered and Citibank, were evacuated following threats. Several major airlines have cancelled flights to the region.

Expats who have stayed also face prosecution if they share videos of missiles overhead.

British influencer Ben Moss admitted he is more worried about being fined or jailed for posting the “wrong” content than he is about the lethal explosives themselves, according to reports.

The content creator said: “I do feel completely safe here because of the UAE air defenses, but the laws can sometimes concern me, so I always keep everything positive.

“I’m far more scared of being fined or jailed for posting the wrong content than I am of the Iranian missiles and drones.”

Elsewhere, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates reported being targeted in attacks on Thursday involving missiles and drones.

Bahrain said the “Iranian aggression targeted fuel tanks,” while Saudi Arabia said it shot down two drones.