In pictures: Beirut worshippers take part in the Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of Ramadan
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Bryony Gooch20 March 2026 13:00
How countries are cutting deals with Iran to move oil through Hormuz
Bryony Gooch20 March 2026 12:45
Israel strikes Iran’s feared Basij from commanders down to street level, but its grip remains strong
Hours after Israel killed the top commander of Iran’s Basij this week, it struck again – this time at the rank and file of the feared force that helped crush widespread protests this year.
A drone blasted one of the Basij’s many temporary roadblocks erected around the capital, Tehran.Israel and the US say they aim to break the Islamic Republic’s tools of domestic control in their campaign of bombardment, now nearly three weeks old.
Since the war began, monitors estimate that up to a third of strikes have targeted the top echelons and major bases of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and its Basij volunteers tasked with enforcing loyalty to Iran’s theocratic rulers.
Last week, Israel began striking Basij checkpoints, extending the threat to low-ranking members. But the Basij, police and Revolutionary Guard have maintained their grip, and there has been no sign yet of Iranians heeding US and Israeli calls to rise up, as many seek refuge from the airstrikes and uncertainty.
Bryony Gooch20 March 2026 12:30
Iranian man arrested trying to get into naval base where Britain’s nuclear submarines are
A 34-year-old man, understood to be Iranian, has been arrested after trying to get into Faslane naval base where Britain’s nuclear submarines are based, Police Scotland said.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Around 5pm on Thursday, 19 March, 2026, we were made aware of two people attempting to enter HM Naval Base Clyde.
“A 34-year-old man and 31-year-old woman have been arrested in connection and enquiries are ongoing.”
Bryony Gooch20 March 2026 12:26
Watch: Trump denies he’s sending troops to IranTrump denies he’s sending troops to Iran
Bryony Gooch20 March 2026 12:15
Inside the White House plan for ‘banger memes’ to sell his Iran war
Bryony Gooch20 March 2026 12:00
Pictured: The shattered structure of a police station is seen after it was hit Friday in Tehran
Iran US Israel (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Bryony Gooch20 March 2026 11:45
Spain to reduce VAT on fuel to 10 per cent
Spain will reduce VAT on fuel to 10 per cent in order to mitigate the impact of the Iran war, according to Spanish radio. It is currently 21 per cent.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (Bernat Armangue/AP) (AP)
Bryony Gooch20 March 2026 11:30
Iranian missile hits infrastructure at Israeli oil refinery.
An Iranian missile has reportedly hit electrical infrastructure at a Haifa refinery, according to Israel’s oil refineries.
The refinery, hit on Thursday, supplied a service facility, a statement read.
It is expected to return to operations within a few days.
Bryony Gooch20 March 2026 11:15
Watch: Iran airs disputed footage claiming strike on US F-35 jet Iran airs disputed footage claiming strike on US F-35 jet
Bryony Gooch20 March 2026 11:00