Witnesses report more blasts in Qatar
Witnesses are reporting fresh explosions in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
In a brief statement, the country’s ministry of defence said that “armed forces intercepted [a] missile attack which targeted [the] state of Qatar”.
Have you been affected? Contact james.reynolds@independent.co.uk.
James Reynolds7 March 2026 15:54
Rishi Sunak: Interpretations on International law shouldn’t limit UK
Political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
Rishi Sunak has said the UK mustn’t let a “particular interpretation of international law limit” its our global role, as he called Sir Keir Starmer’s response to the outbreak of war in the Middle East “frankly embarrassing”.
The former prime minister said the unfolding conflict has underlined Britain’s need to “restore our hard power” and its “willingness to use our own assets”.
“I can tell you from personal experience that our decision to participate in the strikes against the Houthis meant we were able to influence the Biden administration’s approach to the problem,” he wrote in The Times.
“We mustn’t let a particular interpretation of international law limit our global role.”
He added: “Our government lacks strategic acumen. Given how much notice we had of these strikes, why was no ship moved to the Mediterranean to help protect our interests and allies? It is frankly embarrassing that the French appear to be doing more to protect Cyprus than we are, even though Cyprus is only a target because of our sovereign bases there.”
Dan Haygarth7 March 2026 15:32
Footage captures drone strike near Dubai AirportFootage captures drone strike near Dubai Airport
Dan Haygarth7 March 2026 15:16
How the Iran war is underpinned by ‘end times’ religious fervour in Washington and Tehran
An overlapping belief in end times, or the second coming, underpins much of the motivation in the corridors of power in Washington and in the bunkers where the ayatollahs hide today, writes world affairs editor Sam Kiley.
Dan Haygarth7 March 2026 15:00
US has starts using British bases for “specific defensive operations”
The US has started using British bases for “specific defensive operations” to prevent Iran firing missiles into the region, the Ministry of Defence has said.
A Merlin helicopter is also being sent to the region to help with surveillance from the air and RAF Typhoon and F-35 jets are continuing air operations over Jordan, Qatar and Cyprus.
Dan Haygarth7 March 2026 14:51
British military boss ‘completely rejects’ criticism of UK response to war
Political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
The head of the British military has said he “completely rejects” criticism that Britain was not prepared for the outbreak of war in the Middle East.
Sir Keir Starmer has faced criticism from both opponents and allies over what they have characterised as a slow response to conflict in the region.
On Saturday, Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton told the BBC that the UK had been “bolstering our presence” in the region for several weeks.
He said it was “probably the most dangerous time of the last 30 years”, and added that it was clear “that Iran’s response was going to be much broader, wild and indiscriminate, and rather reckless compared to what we saw in the 12-day war last summer”.
Dan Haygarth7 March 2026 14:45
Government should ‘focus on welfare, not warfare’, trade union leader says
A trade union leader has called on the Government to “focus on welfare, not warfare” and keep the UK “out of this conflict” during a protest in central London calling for the end of US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Maryam Eslamdoust, general secretary of the TSSA transport union, told a crowd of protesters on Saturday afternoon: “I’m here not just in my role as a British trade union leader and anti-war activist, but as an Iranian, who’s grieving for my homeland.
“Most Iranians are in a state of shock. We are completely stunned by what’s being done to Iran.”
Speaking outside the US Embassy in Vauxhall, she added: “War always has economic consequences, yet at the same time, we’re told there’s no money for the NHS, no money for policing, no money for our transport infrastructure, no money for potholes, no money for teachers.
“That’s why we must say clearly to our government, focus on welfare, not warfare, and keep our country out of this conflict.”
Dan Haygarth7 March 2026 14:44
Recap: Pezeshkian and Trump issue statements
Israel and Iran traded attacks as the Middle East war entered a second week on Saturday, while Tehran made an apology to neighbouring states for its “actions”.
Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian apologises to neighbouring countries that were affected by Iran’s actions, urging them not to join U.-Israeli attacks on Iran.
He dismissed Donald Trump’s demand for the Islamic Republic’s unconditional surrender as “a dream”, but said its temporary leadership council had agreed to suspend attacks on nearby states unless strikes on Iran originated from their territory.
Trump nonetheless cast Iran’s apology as a surrender, while saying the country would be “hit very hard” on Saturday.
Dan Haygarth7 March 2026 14:35
Full story: UK preparing aircraft carrier for possible deployment to the Middle East
Dan Haygarth7 March 2026 14:32
Starmer ‘too scared’ after by-election loss to support Trump’s war in Iran, Badenoch says
Kemi Badenoch has accused the prime minister of being “too scared” to intervene in Iran after being“spooked” by last week’s by-election loss.
Speaking at the Conservative Party’s spring conference in Harrogate on Saturday, Mrs Badenoch suggested the result had influenced the prime minister’s response to the unfolding war in the Middle East.
Read Athena Stavrou’s full article:
Dan Haygarth7 March 2026 14:19