UK deploys more fighter aircraft to Gulf as Starmer urges peaceful negotiations with Iran
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday called for a negotiated settlement with Iran, the target of US and Israeli air strikes, as he deployed a further set of fighter jets to West Asia to bolster the UK's "defensive operations".
Addressing reporters from Downing Street in London, Starmer reiterated his stance against the UK joining the strikes on Tehran and said he remained focused on providing "calm, level-headed leadership" in favour of Britain's national interest.
"No matter the pressure to do otherwise, the longstanding British position is that the best way forward for the region and the world is a negotiated settlement with Iran, where they give up their nuclear ambitions," Starmer said in his address.
Iranian missile strikes Bapco Energies refinery in Bahrain, fire under control
A fire broke out at a unit of Bahrain's Bapco Energies refinery after an Iranian missile strike, but the blaze has been contained, with no injuries reported and refinery operations continuing, Bahrain’s National Communication Centre said on Thursday.
Indian Navy says it tried to help Iranian frigate that US sunk near Sri Lanka
The Indian Navy released a statement on the sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena near Galle, Sri Lanka’s southern coastal town, saying it had launched search and rescue (SAR) operations after receiving a distress call from the vessel.
The naval training ship INS Tarangini, which was operating in the vicinity, was diverted to assist in the rescue effort and reached the search area by 1600 hours the same day.
By then, search and rescue operations had already been initiated by the Sri Lankan Navy and other agencies.
Smoke seen rising above northern Riyadh
Smoke seen rising above northern Riyadh, reports Reuters
20,000 Israelis returned since start of Iran war
More than 20,000 Israelis have returned to the country since the start of the Iran air war that began last Saturday, the Transportation Ministry said on Thursday.
Israel began to open its airspace on Thursday and allowed a handful of flights to land at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.
The ministry said 120,000 Israelis are currently abroad who wish to return to Israel and that the operation to repatriate them would likely take seven to 10 days.
It added that it was working to expand options for arriving in and departing from Israel by air, land and sea crossings.
Israel's military issues evacuation orders in Beirut's southern suburb
Israel's military issued on Thursday an evacuation order for all residents of Beirut's southern suburb.
On Wednesday, Israel warned residents to immediately leave a swathe of south Lebanon, ordering them to move north of the Litani River on the third day of full-blown hostilities with the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah.
1,230 people killed in war: Iranian govt agency
The death toll in Iran from the ongoing war with the United States and Israel has reached at least 1,230 people, an Iranian government agency said Thursday.
The Iran's Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs offered the toll.
US F-15E crash in Iran not true: US CENTCOM
Rumours circulating on social media of a US F-15E crash in Iran early Wednesday are baseless and not true: US CENTCOM
Had a telecon with Araghchi: Jaishankar
External affairs minister S. Jaishankar posted on X: "Had a telecon with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi this afternoon. @araghchi"
BP's foreign staff evacuated from Iraq's Rumaila oilfield after two drones landed inside the field
Foreign staff were evacuated on Thursday from Iraq's giant Rumaila oilfield, operated by British oil major BP, after two unidentified drones landed inside the field, three Iraqi oil industry sources told Reuters.
Foreign secretary Vikram Misri, on behalf of Govt of India, signed Condolence Book at Embassy of Iran
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, on behalf of Government of India, signed the Condolence Book at the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi today, and offered condolences to the slain Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iraq's Kurdistan regional govt says it is not part of any campaign to expand war or tensions in the region
Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government says it is not part of any campaign to expand war or tensions in the region - spokesperson.
Spain will send frigate to Cyprus together with French aircraft carrier, other Greek navy ships
Spanish Defence Ministry: Spain will send frigate to Cyprus together with French aircraft carrier and other Greek navy ships.
France authorises US use of French bases, BFMTV reports
France has authorized U.S. armed forces to use French bases amid the conflict in Iran, French broadcaster BFMTV reported on Thursday.
Spokespeople at the French Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Emirates currently operating a reduced flight schedule until further notice
Emirates is currently operating a reduced flight schedule until further notice: Spokesperson.
Over 100 Emirates flights will depart from Dubai and return for March 5-6: Spokesperson.
These flights will carry people as well as essential cargo like perishables and pharmaceuticals: Spokesperson.
Watch: Marine veteran’s arm broken as security removes him for disrupting US Capitol meeting
The arm of a protester was broken as security officers tried to remove him for interrupting a meeting at the U.S. Capitol on March 4.
SpiceJet to operate 13 special flights from UAE on Thursday
SpiceJet will operate 13 special flights from the UAE on Thursday to facilitate the return of passengers stranded due to the Middle East conflict.
"Of the 13 flights, 12 will operate from Fujairah and 1 will operate from Dubai. The airline will operate seven special flights to Mumbai, five special flights to Delhi and one special flight from Dubai to Mumbai," it said in a statement on Thursday.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the airline said it operated 12 special flights from Fujairah to Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi.
The escalating conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran in the Middle East have significantly disrupted flight operations, leaving a large number of passengers stranded in various cities.
Qatar says it was subjected to missile attack, air defence systems are intercepting it: Defence ministry
Qatar says it was subjected to missile attack, air defence systems are intercepting it - Defense ministry.
Satellite imagery shows damage to key Iranian government, military sites: Report
Commercial satellite imagery has shown extensive damage to key Iranian government and military sites after the United States and Israel launched their most ambitious campaign against Iran in decades.
Multiple booms in Doha, smoke seen rising from residential district on western edge of Doha
Multiple booms in Doha, smoke seen rising from residential district on western edge of Doha - Reuters witness.
