Main PointsKey Reads <\/p>\n
Katie Mellett – 3 minutes ago<\/p>\n
Iran reviewing possible exit from Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty<\/p>\n
Iran\u2019s parliament \u200cis reviewing a possible exit from the \u200cNuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei \u200bsaid on Monday, while insisting Tehran has not and will not seek \u200bnuclear weapons.<\/p>\n
Iranian lawmakers had also raised the \u2060possibility of leaving the NPT, which \u200crecognises \u200cthe \u200bright to develop, research, produce and use nuclear energy \u2060as \u200blong as nuclear \u200bweapons are not pursued, after the \u200c12-day-war last June \u200bwhen Israel and the US struck \u2060Iranian nuclear facilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat \u2060is \u200bthe benefit of joining a treaty in which bullying parties at the international level not only do not allow us to benefit \u200cfrom its rights \u2060but also attack our nuclear facilities?\u201d Baghaei said, adding that \u200cTehran would respect the treaty as long \u200bas it is \u200ba member.<\/p>\n
Katie Mellett – 8 minutes ago<\/p>\n
Fire erupts at Israeli oil refinery after reported missile attack <\/p>\n
An industrial building and a a fuel tanker at the Bazan oil refinery in Israel\u2019s northern city of Haifa were struck by debris from an intercepted missile, the Times of Israel has cited the country\u2019s fire and rescue service as having said. <\/p>\n
There were no immediate reports of any casualties or damage to production facilities. <\/p>\n
The Wall Street journal is among those reporting that the oil refinery was hit by an Iranian missile. – Guardian<\/p>\n
Katie Mellett – 19 minutes ago<\/p>\n
No direct US-Iran negotiations have taken place, says Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson <\/p>\n
Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, has reaffirmed that Iran has not had any direct negotiations with the US. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat has been discussed are messages we received through intermediaries stating that the US wants to negotiate,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIran has been clear about its position from the beginning, and we know very well what the framework is that we are considering. The material conveyed to us has been excessive and unreasonable requests.\u201d <\/p>\n
Pakistan, seen as a potential mediator between Washington and Tehran, hosted a four-way meeting with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt on Sunday, but nothing significant appeared to emerge from the talks and the war is showing no signs of de-escalation. <\/p>\n
Last week after President Trump said the US and Iran had held \u201cvery good and productive conversations\u201d about ending the war, Iranian officials quickly denied any such talks had occurred.\u00a0– Guardian<\/p>\n
Katie Mellett – 24 minutes ago<\/p>\n
Starmer says UK won\u2019t get \u2018dragged into\u2019 Iran war![\"Prime](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/JTWSBZN2U66YP2UCEBFZMICFCU.jpg\")
Prime minister Keir Starmer speaks to media after speaking at the launch of Labour’s local election campaign in the West Midlands at City College on March 30th, 2026 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. Photograph: Christopher Furlong\/Getty Images <\/p>\n
The British prime minister, Keir Starmer said: \u201cPeople look at their screens and they\u2019re worried when they see explosions, infrastructure blown up, the rhetoric that goes with it, worried about whether this is going to escalate even further. <\/p>\n
\u201cAnd therefore it\u2019s really important that I reiterate where I stand and where this government stands, because this is not our war and we are not going to be dragged into it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He says this applies \u201cwhatever the pressure [to join in] and whoever it\u2019s coming from\u201d. – Guardian<\/p>\n
Katie Mellett – 31 minutes ago<\/p>\n
Spain closes airspace to US planes involved in Iran war, defence minister says<\/p>\n
Spain has closed its airspace to US planes involved in attacks \u200con Iran, a step beyond its previous denial of use of jointly-operated \u200bmilitary bases, defence minister Margarita Robles said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t authorise either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions \u200brelated to the war in Iran,\u201d she told reporters in Madrid.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis decision \u200cis part of the \u200bdecision already made by the Spanish government not to participate \u2060in or contribute to \u2060a \u200bwar which was initiated unilaterally and against international law,\u201d economy minister Carlos Cuerpo said during an interview with radio Cadena Ser when asked if the decision to close Spain\u2019s airspace could worsen relations with the US.<\/p>\n
Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has been one \u200cof the most vocal \u2060opponents of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, describing them as reckless and illegal.<\/p>\n
President Trump \u200chas threatened to cut trade with Madrid for denying the US use \u200bof Spain\u2019s bases in the war. – Reuters<\/p>\n
Katie Mellett – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n
Fuel costs in Ireland![\"Fuel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/B57JZOHLQ5AKZLZBTL5V5R24Z4.jpeg\")
Fuel prices at Circle K on O’Moore Street, Tullamore on March 24th. Photograph: Vivienne Clarke <\/p>\n
Photographs sent in by Vivienne Clarke show that at Circle K on O\u2019Moore Street, Tullamore on March 24th, before the Government\u2019s measures to reduce fuel costs, diesel was priced at \u20ac2.20 a litre while petrol cost \u20ac2.<\/p>\n
The Government introduced its \u20ac250 million package of measures to mitigate increases in the cost of fuel, including cutting excise duty on diesel by 20c and on petrol by 15c.<\/p>\n
Since then, on March 26th and 27th, fuel at the same station was priced at \u20ac2.10 for diesel and \u20ac1.90 for petrol.<\/p>\n
![\"Fuel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LCY4FTJHBBFPZGAZLFPABEZQ6Q.jpeg\")
Fuel prices at Circle K on O’Moore Street, Tullamore on March 26th and 29th. Photograph: Vivienne Clarke <\/p>\n
Katie Mellett – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n
IDF claims to have struck cell of Hizbullah military operatives<\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfafSTRUCK: A cell of Hezbollah military operatives who were dressed as paramedics and operated near an ambulance in southern Lebanon. <\/p>\n
The military operatives systematically used ambulances to transfer weapons between northern to southern Lebanon. Additionally, dozens of rockets\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2014 Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n In a post on X, Israel Defense Forces claims it has struck a cell of Hizbullah military operatives.<\/p>\n It also said, \u201cdozens of rockets have been launched toward Israel from areas in which these terrorists operated\u201d.<\/p>\n Katie Mellett – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n UN secretary-general Ant\u00f3nio Guterres \u2018strongly condemns\u2019 killing of Indonesian peacekeeper<\/p>\n I strongly condemn Sunday\u2019s incident during which an Indonesian peacekeeper of @UNIFIL_<\/a> was killed amidst hostilities between Israel &\u00a0Hizbullah. Another Indonesian peacekeeper was seriously injured in the same incident. \u2014 Ant\u00f3nio Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Guterres also condemned the killing of an Indonesian peacekeeper in an incident that also saw another Indonesian peacekeeper seriously injured.<\/p>\n In a post on X he said, \u201cMy deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the peacekeeper who died and to Indonesia. I wish a full and fast recovery to the injured peacekeeper.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is just one of a number of recent incidents that have jeopardized the safety and security of peacekeepers. I call on all to uphold their obligations under international law and to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property at all times.\u201d<\/p>\n Katie Mellett – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s health ministry said 6,008 injured people have been evacuated to hospitals since the beginning of the war, of whom 121 are currently hospitalised, including one in critical condition, and 16 in serious condition.<\/p>\n Katie Mellett – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n Taoiseach condemns killing of Indonesian peacekeeper in Lebanon On Sunday, an Indonesian peacekeeper was killed and three others wounded when a projectile exploded near a village in south Lebanon.<\/p>\n Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin said all Irish personnel were safe and accounted for.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cI strongly condemn the killing of an Indonesian Unifil peacekeeper and the shocking escalation of violence that has injured a number of peacekeepers in recent days.<\/p>\n \u201cThe role of the peacekeeper must be respected and honoured at all times.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth Israel and Hizbullah must do everything in their power to keep peacekeepers from harm,\u201d said Martin.<\/p>\n \u201cI have been briefed by our defence forces and all Irish personnel serving in Lebanon continue to be well and accounted for.\u201d<\/p>\n There are more than 360 Irish peacekeepers on a six-month deployment to a United Nations interim force (Unifil) base in southern Lebanon. – Press Association<\/p>\n I strongly condemn the killing of an Indonesian @UNIFIL_<\/a> peacekeeper and the shocking escalation of violence that has injured a number of peacekeepers in recent days.<\/p>\n The role of the peacekeeper must be respected and honoured at all times. (1\/2)<\/p>\n \u2014 Miche\u00e1l Martin (@MichealMartinTD) March 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Katie Mellett – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s use of cluster munition attacks on Israel may amount to war crimes, says report<\/p>\n The Iranian government has \u201crepeatedly\u201d used cluster munitions delivered by ballistic missiles in attacks on Israel since the US-Israeli war on Iran started on February 28th, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report.<\/p>\n HRW said at least four civilians have been killed in the airstrikes, which may amount to war crimes. <\/p>\n \u201cIran\u2019s use of cluster munitions in populated areas in Israel pose a foreseeable and long-lasting danger to civilians,\u201d Patrick Thompson, a researcher in the crisis, conflict and arms division at HRW said. <\/p>\n \u201cCluster munition bomblets are dispersed over a wide area, making them unlawfully indiscriminate in violation of the laws of war.\u201d <\/p>\n Katie Mellett – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n The price of oil has risen sharply to $116 (\u20ac101) a barrel after Trump said he wanted to \u2018take the oil in Iran\u2019<\/p>\n Brent crude, the international benchmark for oil, rose by two per cent in early trading on Monday, after US president Trump said that he could seize the Iranian export hub of Kharg Island.<\/p>\n Trump told the Financial Times in an interview on Sunday: \u201cTo be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran, but some stupid people back in the US say: \u2018why are you doing that?\u2019 But they\u2019re stupid people.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don\u2019t. We have a lot of options,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Katie Mellett – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n Aircraft destroyed when Iraqi air base hit by rockets<\/p>\n Iraq\u2019s defence ministry \u200csaid that \u200bthe Mohamad Alaa air \u200bbase, located \u2060beside Baghdad International \u200cAirport, \u200cwas \u200bhit by \u2060rockets \u200bin the \u200bearly \u200chours of Monday, destroying \u200ban aircraft \u2060but \u2060causing \u200bno casualties.<\/p>\n The ministry added that authorities \u200care assessing \u2060the damage and tracking \u200cthe source \u200bof the \u200battack.<\/p>\n The Syrian \u200carmy also said that drone attacks \u200btargeted several \u2060of its \u200cbases \u200cnear \u200bthe Iraqi border, \u2060adding \u200bthat \u200bmost \u200cof the drones \u200bwere shot \u2060down \u2060and \u200bthat it is assessing response \u200coptions, state \u2060news agency SANA reported.<\/p>\n Katie Mellett – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n Israel Defense Forces takes responsibility for death of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy Commander<\/p>\n Iran confirmed the death of \u200bRevolutionary Guard\u2019s Navy Commander Alireza \u200bTangsiri following severe injuries, \u2060Iranian media reported, \u200cbased \u200con \u200ba statement by \u2060the \u200bguards.<\/p>\n The naval commander was killed in an Israeli airstrike last Thursday.<\/p>\n Israeli defence minister Israel \u200cKatz said on \u200bMarch 26th: \u201cIn a \u2060precise \u2060and lethal \u200boperation, the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) eliminated the commander of the \u200cIRGC Navy, \u2060Tangsiri, along with senior \u200cnaval command officials.\u201d – Reuters<\/p>\n Katie Mellett – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s defence ministry said it signed a $48m (\u20ac41.8m) deal with Elbit Systems for \u201ctens of thousands\u201d of 155mm artillery shells. <\/p>\n The ministry said in a LinkedIn post that the deal will help \u201creduce reliance on external munitions sources and grow Israel\u2019s domestic defence production base\u201d. <\/p>\n The US is overwhelmingly the biggest supplier of arms to Israel. – Guardian<\/p>\n Katie Mellett – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n A strike hit Beirut\u2019s southern suburbs on Monday, The strike hit the area after Israel issued a warning for people in the Hizbullah stronghold to leave.<\/p>\n The strike is the first since Friday in the area, which is now largely deserted since Israel began frequent attacks against Hizbullah in early March. – Guardian<\/p>\n Katie Mellett – 4 hours ago<\/p>\n Indonesian peacekeeper killed in the Lebanon <\/p>\n An Indonesian Unifil peacekeeper was killed by a missile near the southern Lebanese village of Adchit al-Qusayr yesterday, the UN has confirmed. <\/p>\n Another peacekeeper was critically injured, the UN said in a statement early this morning.<\/p>\n \u201cA peacekeeper was tragically killed last night when a projectile exploded in a Unifil position near Adchit Al Qusayr. Another was critically injured. No one should ever lose their life serving the cause of peace,\u201d Unifil said in a statement. <\/p>\n Indonesia\u2019s foreign ministry said the deceased peacekeeper was one of its citizens and that three others were injured by indirect artillery fire in the vicinity of the Indonesian Unifil contingent\u2019s position near Adchit al-Qusayr.<\/p>\n \u201cWe do not know the origin of the projectile. We have launched an investigation to determine all of the circumstances,\u201d Unifil said.<\/p>\n REPORTER: “You mentioned that Cuba will be next, what did you mean by that exactly?”<\/p>\n PRESIDENT TRUMP: “Yeah, Cuba’s going to be next. Cuba’s a mess, it’s a failing country, and they’re going to be next.”<\/p>\n “Within a short period of time, it’s going to fail, and we will be there\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/VFIOTs9Ewg<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Fox News (@FoxNews) March 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Katie Mellett – 4 hours ago<\/p>\n Aluminium increases in price following Iran attacks<\/p>\n Iran\u2019s weekend strikes on Middle Eastern aluminum plants are threatening to send a fragile market into crisis, raising the prospect of record prices for the metal used in everything from airplanes to food packaging and solar panels.<\/p>\n On the first day of trading after two major producers confirmed attacks by Iranian drones and missiles, aluminum futures on the London Metal Exchange surged nearly 6 per cent\u2014 the most since 2024. <\/p>\n The region\u2019s top supplier, Emirates Global Aluminium, said on Saturday it sustained \u201csignificant damage\u201d at its site in Abu Dhabi, while Aluminium Bahrain said it was assessing the extent of damage to its facility.<\/p>\n Even before the industry became a direct target, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz had left the Middle East\u2019s giant smelters running short of key input ingredients, and the industry had been bracing for a cascading series of production cuts in the coming weeks. The Middle East accounts for about 9 per cent of global production.<\/p>\n Katie Mellett – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n Trump has \u2018no problem\u2019 allowing Russian oil into Cuba<\/p>\n Donald Trump appeared to reverse course on blocking oil shipments to Cuba on Sunday, saying he had \u201cno problem\u201d with any country sending in crude as a Russian tanker neared a Cuban port with a badly needed shipment.<\/p>\n A sanctioned Russian vessel, \u200bpart of the country\u2019s \u201cshadow fleet,\u201d was just off the coast of eastern Cuba on Sunday, according to ship tracking data, and was expected to reach port on Monday, a lifeline for the country\u2019s economy that has nearly ground to a halt under a de facto oil blockade imposed by Washington.<\/p>\n The US cut off Venezuelan oil exports to Cuba after toppling Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on January 3rd, and Trump threatened to slap punishing tariffs on any other country that \u200bsent crude to Cuba. Mexico, the largest supplier to Cuba along with Venezuela, then halted its shipments.<\/p>\n As a result, Cuba has not received an oil tanker in three months, exacerbating an energy crisis that has \u2060led to strict rationing of fuel and a series of blackouts across the country of 10 million people. Cuban health officials say the crisis has increased the mortality risk \u200cfor \u200cCuban \u200bcancer patients, especially children.<\/p>\n Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed sympathy for the Cuban people\u2019s need for energy and said he was unconcerned with any assistance it might provide the Communist government in Havana because he predicted it would soon fall on its own.<\/p>\n \u201cIf a country \u2060wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem \u200bwith that, whether it\u2019s Russia or not,\u201d Trump said.\u201cCuba is finished. They have a bad \u200bregime. They have very bad and corrupt leadership, and whether or not they get a boat of oil, it\u2019s not going to matter. <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d prefer letting it in, whether it\u2019s Russia or anybody \u200celse, because the people need heat and cooling and all of the \u200bother things that you need.\u201d<\/p>\n Katie Mellett – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n US considering mission to extract uranium from Iran<\/p>\n Donald Trump<\/a> is weighing a military operation to extract nearly 1,000 pounds (454kg) of uranium from Iran, the Wall Street Journal is reporting, citing unnamed US officials.<\/p>\n The mission would likely put American forces inside the country for days or longer, the report says. It quotes the officials as saying the US president hadn\u2019t made a decision on whether to go ahead, and that he was considering the danger to US troops. <\/p>\n But the president remains generally open to the idea, according to the officials, because it could help accomplish his central goal of preventing Iran from ever making a nuclear weapon. <\/p>\n The report could not be independently verified. <\/p>\n White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said any Pentagon preparations \u201cdoes not mean the president has made a decision\u201d, the WSJ report said. <\/p>\n The Pentagon did not comment and a spokesperson for US Central Command declined to comment. <\/p>\n Trump told reporters on Sunday night that Iran must do what the US demands or \u201cthey\u2019re not going to have a country\u201d, the report said. <\/p>\n Referring to Iran\u2019s uranium, he said: \u201cThey\u2019re going to give us the nuclear dust.\u201d<\/p>\n Katie Mellett – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n Talks on how to end conflict held in Pakistan <\/p>\n As Mark Weiss reports from Jerusalem,<\/a> regional powers held talks on Sunday in Pakistan<\/a> to discuss how to end the Middle East war<\/a>, now in its fifth week. <\/p>\n The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia<\/a>, Turkey<\/a> and Egypt<\/a> met in Islamabad for the talks, but neither Iranian<\/a> nor US diplomats were present in an indication of the significant gaps that remain between the sides. <\/p>\n The Iranian Kayhan newspaper, which is closely aligned with the regime leadership, outlined nine demands for ending the conflict but all appeared to be non-starters for Washington. <\/p>\n The demands included: a full withdrawal of US forces from the region; dismantling US bases in west Asia; lifting sanctions; releasing frozen Iranian assets; formally declaring the United States<\/a> and Israel<\/a> as aggressors while paying compensation; and Iranian control over maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz. <\/p>\n Katie Mellett – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n Israel attacks regime sites across Tehran<\/p>\n The Israeli military has just said it is attacking the Iranian regime\u2019s infrastructure \u201cthroughout Tehran\u201d.<\/p>\n The brief post on X<\/a> gave no further details. <\/p>\n \u05e6\u05d4”\u05dc \u05ea\u05d5\u05e7\u05e3 \u05db\u05e2\u05ea \u05ea\u05e9\u05ea\u05d9\u05d5\u05ea \u05e9\u05dc \u05de\u05e9\u05d8\u05e8 \u05d4\u05d8\u05e8\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d4\u05d0\u05d9\u05e8\u05d0\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d1\u05e8\u05d7\u05d1\u05d9 \u05d8\u05d4\u05e8\u05df<\/p>\n \u2014 \u05e6\u05d1\u05d0 \u05d4\u05d4\u05d2\u05e0\u05d4 \u05dc\u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc (@idfonline) March 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Katie Mellett – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n Trump wants to \u2018take the oil\u2019 in Iran<\/p>\n Good morning and welcome to our latest coverage of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.<\/a> <\/p>\n US president Donald Trump <\/a>has said his \u201cpreference would be to take the oil\u201d in Iran and that US forces could seize the Iranian export hub on Kharg Island, the Financial Times is reporting, as the US sends thousands of troops to the region. <\/p>\n In an interview with the FT on Sunday, he compared the potential move to Venezuela<\/a>, where the US intends to control the oil industry \u201cindefinitely\u201d following its ousting of president Nicol\u00e1s Maduro in January.<\/p>\n \u201cTo be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran, but some stupid people back in the US say: \u2018why are you doing that?\u2019 But they\u2019re stupid people,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n Such a move would involve seizing Kharg Island, through which most of Iran\u2019s oil is exported, the FT report<\/a> continues. But an assault on the export hub would be extremely risky, raising the chances of more US casualties and extending the cost and duration of the war.<\/p>\n \u201cMaybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don\u2019t. We have a lot of options,\u201d Trump said.<\/p>\n He also told the Financial Times that Iran had agreed to let through another 20 \u201cbig boats\u201d, presumably tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as a concession. That \u200cwould \u200calso \u200bseem to be a tacit recognition that Iran controls the Strait.<\/p>\n![\"Smoke](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ILF7FJYDCWDE2QGXJZ36MCVPRE.jpg\")
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli air strike that targeted an area in Beirut’s southern suburbs on March 30th, 2026. Photograph: Ibrahim Amro\/AFP via Getty Images <\/p>\n
\u00a0
My deepest condolences to the family, friends &\u2026<\/p>\n![\"24\/03\/2026](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2MXPEECOZXTJ3QPTWY6IQJHAP4.JPG\")
24\/03\/2026 Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin announced measures to reduce energy costs at Government Buildings this afternoon. Photograph: Stephen Collins\/Collins Photos<\/p>\n![\"Smoke](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LSZWEI3LKZ44QA7QE6PEJXYX2I.jpg\")
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli air strike that targeted an area in Beirut’s southern suburbs on March 30th, 2026. Photograph: Ibrahim Amro\/ AFP via Getty Images <\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/JBZXLZOODG4GNMQACLNTGPMFUY.jpg\")
A man carries buckets down a street in Havana, Cuba. Photo by Yamil Lage\/AFP via Getty Images <\/p>\n![\"White](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/52GJQS56HOCCP6VBQUVYWDAM4E.jpg\")
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt takes questions during a news briefing in the White House. Photograph: Heather Diehl\/Getty Images <\/p>\n![\"Kharg](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774867993_610_7S72JRECF2RGGP2U5XLM67XWSU.jpg\")
Kharg Island: the site of Iran’s key oil export hub. Photograph: Planet Labs PBC\/AP