Israel struck an area in southern Lebanon with what appears to be white phosphorus — 8:22 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Associated Press journalists near the coastal city of Tyre on Friday saw smoke plumes resembling white phosphorus, which is banned under international law when used in civilian areas.
“This image clearly shows the use of artillery-delivered white phosphorus being dispersed over a wide area,” said Rich Weir, senior adviser at Human Right Watch’s crisis, conflict and arms division. “While the legality of its use here is difficult to ascertain without more information, its incendiary effects can cause devastating injuries.”
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Weir said the rights group has documented Israel using the substance “repeatedly (and) unlawfully” in populated areas in Lebanon in other instances. Israel has maintained that its use of the substance has been in line with international law, using it as a smokescreen or to light up areas.
Gaza hosts first marathon since the war — 7:51 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Wearing white numbered shirts, athletes ran through the streets of Gaza on Friday in the first marathon in more than two years. Organized by the Emirati group Al Fares Al Shahm, the race had some 300 participants from across the enclave, running 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) to the backdrop of cheering fans.
“It was a wonderful feeling today, after a break from sports for more than two years,” said Mahmoud Abu Sbeitan, a participant.
Salah al-Din street — where the race was run — was once difficult to walk on, said Kamel Khatib, another runner. “But today we are participating in a marathon and this is a very wonderful feeling.”
Runners take part in the 4-kilometer Zayed Marathon, sponsored by the United Arab Emirates, along Salah al-Din Street in the central Gaza Strip, Friday, March 27, 2026. Abdel Kareem Hana/Associated PressASEAN shifts most meetings online as oil prices surge — 7:15 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The Philippines will shift online about 650 meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, including by its foreign ministers, in a drastic move to save money as a result of the crisis caused by the war in the Middle East.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., this year’s ASEAN chair, said only an annual summit hosted by the Philippines in May will be done face-to-face but even that will be stripped of the pomp and pageantry in “a very bare-bones summit.”
“ASEAN meetings cannot be impervious to the complex adversities that the bloc has to overcome,” Executive Secretary Ralph Recto said.
Israel warns attacks on Iran will expand — 6:53 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Defense Minister Israel Katz made the comment in a statement noting that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “warned the Iranian terrorist regime to stop firing missiles at the civilian population in Israel.”
“Despite the warnings, the firing continues — and therefore (Israeli military) attacks in Iran will escalate and expand to additional targets and areas that assist the regime in building and operating weapons against Israeli citizens,” Katz said.
“They will pay heavy, increasing prices for this war crime.”
Lebanon says 2 were killed in Israeli strike on a Beirut suburb — 6:32 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The Health Ministry gave no further details on the early Friday strike that came without warning on the southern suburb of Tahwitat al-Ghadir.
Iran accuses US and Israel of ‘clear intent to commit genocide’ — 6:30 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said more than 600 schools have been damaged or demolished and more than 1,000 students and teachers “martyred or wounded” in Iran during the war.
“The aggressors’ targeting pattern accompanied by their rhetoric leave little doubt as to their clear intent to commit genocide,” Araghchi said by video during an urgent debate at the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Friday.
The debate focused on a Feb. 28 strike at an elementary school in the southern city of Minab. More than 165 people were killed, most of them of children, according to Iranian state media. Experts says evidence suggests the blast was likely caused by US airstrikes. US officials have said an investigation is underway. The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press.
An Israeli soldier and a combat officer were severely injured in Lebanon — 5:57 a.m.
By the Associated Press
The military said Friday the service members were evacuated to a hospital after being injured during an “operational accident” in southern Lebanon. No other details were immediately available.
Oil prices gained in early Friday trading — 5:56 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Brent crude futures, the international standard, was 1.6 percent higher at $103.51 per barrel.
France’s minister of armed forces says Middle East war ‘not ours’ — 5:53 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Catherine Vautrin also said that France’s position is strictly defensive.
Speaking on Europe 1 and CNews on Friday as G7 foreign ministers met outside Paris in presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vautrin said that France’s strategy in the Middle East is based on a diplomatic approach to avoid any escalation in the region.
“The goal, I repeat, is truly to facilitate the diplomatic path,” she said. Referring to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, Vautrin said “the aim is truly this diplomatic approach, which is the only one that can guarantee a return to peace. Many countries are concerned, and it is absolutely essential that we find a solution.”
UK says Iran can’t be allowed to hold global economy hostage — 5:27 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has called for a “swift resolution” to the war in the Middle East and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking at a meeting of G7 foreign ministers on the outskirts of Paris, Cooper said Iran is undermining the global economy by blocking international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important waterway for oil shipments. “Frankly, Iran cannot be allowed to hold the global economy hostage as a result of a strait that is vital to international shipping routes and the freedom of navigation,” she said.
France’s Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (R) and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pose for a family photo during a G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting at the Vaux-de-Cernay Abbey in Cernay-la-Ville outside Paris, on March 27, 2026. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesUkraine’s leader talks drone defense on Saudi visit — 5:24 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says his country and Saudi Arabia have agreed “an important arrangement” on defense cooperation.
Zelenskyy, on a visit to Saudi Arabia on Friday, said on social media that the document “lays the foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation, and investment.” He provided no details.
Ukrainian experts in drone combat, with experience of more than four years fighting Iranian drones used during Russia’s invasion, are helping five Middle East and Gulf countries to counter attacks, according to Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian leader said he would meet later in the day with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Egypt warns Rubio of economic repercussions of the war — 5:21 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio “emphasized the importance of providing economic support” to Egypt, as the country grapples with the economic crisis triggered by the war.
Egypt has started implementing fuel hikes and restrictions, and the government has reduced official overseas trips.
Saudi Arabia says Iran launched 6 missiles toward Riyadh — 5:01 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Of the six missiles, four fell into the Persian Gulf and on uninhabited areas, while two others were intercepted, the kingdom said.
82,000 civilian buildings have been damaged in Iran, UN says — 4:38 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Attacks on Iran have damaged 82,000 civilian buildings, including hospitals, residential units and the homes of 180,000 people, across 20 of Iran’s 32 provinces, the International Organization for Migration said on Friday.
People stand near a tape line after a police station was struck by airstrikes in Tehran, Iran, March 2, 2026. ARASH KHAMOOSHI/NYTRubio tries to sell Iran war to skeptical G7 diplomats — 4:26 a.m.
By the Associated Press
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in France meeting his Group of Seven foreign minister counterparts Friday, after President Trump criticized NATO countries over a reluctance or refusal to take part in the Iran war.
Rubio will have a hard time trying to sell the other top diplomats from G7 countries on the US strategy for the Iran conflict, to which almost all nations have raised objections. On his arrival at the meeting venue at a historic 12-century abbey in Vaux-de-Cerney outside of Paris, Rubio posed for a group photo with his fellow foreign ministers but none of them spoke.
Rubio left Washington for the G7 meeting just hours after Trump complained bitterly about NATO countries not stepping up to help the US and Israel in the Iran war. “We are very disappointed with NATO because NATO has done absolutely nothing,” Trump said.
Egyptian foreign minister holds talks with Turkish and Pakistani counterparts — 4:16 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry says phone calls between Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty with his Turkish and Pakistani counterparts dealt with their “intensive efforts” for direct talks between the United States and Iran. It offered no other details.
Mothers of Israeli soldiers call for a stop to the war in Lebanon — 4:10 a.m.
By the Associated Press
In a letter Friday to the Israeli military’s chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, mothers of soldiers called for an end to the further ground offensive into Lebanon.
The group, Parents of Combat Soldiers, includes 600 military parents. The letter said the military was receiving orders from politicians who are ready to “sacrifice” its children, and urged Zamir to focus on a political solution. “Four soldiers have already been killed in Lebanon, how many more will sacrifice their lives in vain?!” said the letter.
Norwegian aid group warns of devastating toll on Iranians — 3:58 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said the humanitarian organization’s workers in Iran have reported to him that “countless homes, hospitals and schools have been damaged or destroyed,” and that nearly every neighborhood in Tehran has sustained damage.
“Civilians are paying the highest price for this war — it must end” he said in a statement.
“If this war continues, we risk a far wider humanitarian disaster,” he added. “Millions could be forced to flee across borders, placing immense pressure on an already overstretched region.”
Israel’s military said that Iran launched missiles toward the country — 3:41 a.m.Russia’s top diplomat denies that Moscow is providing intelligence to Iran — 3:29 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia and Iran have a military-technical cooperation agreement, and Moscow “supplied Iran with certain types of military products.”
“But we can’t accept the accusations that we’re helping Iran with intelligence,” Lavrov said in an interview to France Television on Thursday night.
He added that “everyone knows” the coordinates of U.S. military bases in the region. “It’s public information. I’m not surprised that Iran is attacking them,” Lavrov said.
The main port in Kuwait damaged in an attack — 2:52 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Kuwait said Friday its Shuwaikh Port in Kuwait City came under attack and sustained “material damage.” It said no one was hurt in the attack but offered no other details.
A Zhonggu Shipping container ship sails past people fishing on a pier on the Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah Causeway on its way towards the port of Shuwaikh in Kuwait City on February 28, 2026. YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP via Getty ImagesAsian stocks mostly lower after Wall Street’s worst day since start of war — 2:20 a.m.
By the Associated Press
Asian shares mostly fell Friday after Wall Street had its worst day since the start of the Iran war over growing doubts about a de-escalation.
Expectations this week of negotiations between Washington and Tehran have sent markets into disarray.
On Thursday, Wall Street fell to its worst drop since the Iran war began, with the S&P 500 sinking 1.7 percent for its worst day since January.
Shortly after Wall Street closed Thursday, Trump said he was postponing his threatened attack on Iran’s energy facilities.
In early Friday trading, Brent crude futures, the international standard, was down 0.6 percent to $101.26 per barrel.
Oil prices are up roughly 40 percent since the Iran war started.
Thai cargo ship reportedly runs aground after Iran attack — 12:49 a.m.
By the Associated Press
A Thai-flagged cargo ship that came under attack from Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and was abandoned by its crew has run aground, Iranian media reported Friday.
The Mayuree Naree came under attack March 11, with three of its mariners going missing and still not found.
The semiofficial Tasnim and Fars news agencies, believed to be close to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, reported that the cargo ship ran aground near the village of Ramchah on Qeshm Island.