The United Kingdom called for de-escalation as the West Asia war intensified, with Israeli strikes in Iran, drone attacks in Iraq, and regional tensions spreading across the Gulf
As the war in West Asia continues to expand, a British minister said efforts must focus on reducing tensions following calls by US President Donald Trump for other countries to help protect global oil shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Energy Security Minister Ed Miliband said calming the situation had become essential as the conflict spreads.
“The plan now has to be to de-escalate the conflict,” Miliband told the BBC.
A spokesperson for the defence ministry said late on Saturday: “As we’ve said previously, we are currently discussing with our allies and partners a range of options to ensure the security of shipping in the region.”
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADTrump says no deal yet with Iran
US President Donald Trump said he is not prepared to negotiate a deal to end the war with Iran, as Israel carried out a new wave of strikes on Sunday and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards threatened to pursue and kill the Israeli leader.
In an interview with NBC News, Trump said he believed Tehran was interested in negotiations but that Washington would continue military operations to secure more favourable terms. He also suggested that US forces could again strike targets at Iran’s oil hub on Kharg Island, saying it might happen “just for fun”.
More than two weeks after the United States and Israel launched their war against the Islamic republic, both sides continue to exchange threats and military actions. The conflict has led to rising casualties and economic disruption, with global oil prices surging following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Key developments of the ongoing war
Israel’s military said it had begun a wide wave of strikes targeting sites in western Iran more than two weeks after the United States and Israel launched their military campaign against the Islamic republic.
“A short while ago, the IDF began a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime in western Iran,” the army said in a statement.
Iraqi authorities warned that drone attacks near Baghdad airport could threaten the security of a nearby prison holding suspects linked to the Islamic State group.
The detainees were recently transferred from Syria and are being held at Baghdad’s al-Karkh prison, formerly a US Army detention facility known as Camp Cropper.
The prison complex lies within the Baghdad airport zone, which has faced repeated attacks.
Since the start of the West Asia war, Iran-backed armed groups have reported daily drone and rocket strikes on US bases in Iraq.
Zelenskyy concerned about continued US support
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv does not want to lose support from the United States in its conflict with Russia as Washington’s attention shifts to the war with Iran.
“We are showing our willingness to help the United States and their allies in the Middle East” by offering to share Ukraine’s drone expertise, and “we strongly hope that as a result of the Middle East, the United States will not turn its back on the question of the war in Ukraine”, he said.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADIranian Guards threaten Israeli leadership
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they would pursue Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to their website, Sepah News, the Guards vowed to “pursue and kill” Netanyahu.
Pentagon releases names of soldiers killed in crash
The Pentagon identified six crew members who were killed when a refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq earlier this week.
Authorities said the crash was not caused by “hostile fire”.
The Pentagon named the victims as John Klinner, 33; Ariana Savino, 31; Ashley Pruitt, 34; Seth Koval, 38; Curtis Angst, 30; and Tyler Simmons, 28.
South Korea evacuates citizens from region
South Korea said it was evacuating 204 citizens and seven other nationals from the region using a military aircraft.
The foreign ministry described the evacuation as an “unprecedented” operation.
Those evacuated were expected to arrive in South Korea on Sunday afternoon.
Explosions heard in Bahrain
Explosions were heard early on Sunday in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, according to two AFP journalists.
Authorities said Bahrain had intercepted 125 missiles and 203 drones since Iran’s attacks began.
The strikes have killed two people in Bahrain and 24 others in neighbouring Gulf nations.
Iraq’s national football team will travel to Mexico for a 2026 World Cup playoff match despite calls to postpone the game because of the war.
The Iraqi football association said the team would depart in the coming days on a private aircraft ahead of the match scheduled for March 31 in Monterrey, Mexico.
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