Iran-US war latest: Nato allies reject Trump’s demand for help to open Strait of Hormuz after threats

In pictures: Members of Iran’s women’s football team arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport(AP)(AP)

Bryony Gooch16 March 2026 12:09

‘Like an earthquake’: Inside Israel’s deadly strike on medical centre

Bryony Gooch16 March 2026 12:01

Greece will not engage in military operations in Strait of Hormuz, says government official

Greece will ⁠not engage ⁠in ​any military ⁠operations ⁠in ​the ⁠Strait ‌of ‌Hormuz, ‌Greek government ⁠spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said ‌on ​Monday.

It comes as both Germany and the UK have cast doubt on Donald Trump’s calls for Nato involvement in the Strait of Hormuz.

Bryony Gooch16 March 2026 11:51

Dubai shutdown reveals ‘asymmetric’ passengers’ rights rules

Simon Calder, travel correspondent, reports:

Dubai airport is now back and running a reduced service. The latest shutdown will impact UK travellers for many days as Emirates seeks to recover is schedules.

Under air passengers’ rights rules, travellers whose journeys start in the UK are entitled to be flown to their destination as soon as possible on any airline that has seats available.

But with a sharply reduced schedule of flights between the UK and the Middle East, rebooking passengers will prove difficult. Many intercontinental flights returned to their starting points, including inbound aircraft from Sydney, Melbourne, Bangkok and Hong Kong – all of which will have had significant numbers of British passengers on board.

In addition, some Emirates flights are on the ground in Europe, Africa and Asia rather than in the Middle East. Passengers from Toronto found themselves in Rome, while the flight from Dallas Fort Worth is in Milan. The Emirates flight from Accra landed in Addis Ababa.

Many departing flights have been cancelled, which will also affect passengers in the UK due to travel out to Dubai on Monday night and into Tuesday.

British travellers heading home from Asia and Australia are likely to face yet more problems. Air passengers’ rights rules are asymmetric: they do not apply for flights starting outside Europe for non-UK/EU airlines. If Emirates, Etihad or Qatar Airways cancels a flight from an Asian airport to its hub, or an onward service to the UK, the carrier merely has to offer a replacement flight at a time of its choosing – or a refund of the appropriate fare.

The Gulf crisis has revealed air passengers’ rights rules are unfit for purpose.

Bryony Gooch16 March 2026 11:45

Citibank branches and offices will remain closed until further notice in UAE

American bank Citibank has said most of its branches and offices in the United Arab Emirates will continue to be closed until further notice.

It comes after Iran threatened to target the Gulf’s financial institutions last week as part of the Iran war.

Bryony Gooch16 March 2026 11:31

Watch: Medical centre destroyed by Israeli missile in LebanonMedical centre destroyed by Israeli missile in Lebanon

Bryony Gooch16 March 2026 11:23

Starmer: We cannot allow Iran war to become windfall for Putin

Millie Cooke, political correspondent, reports:

Sir Keir Starmer has warned against allowing the war in Iran to benefit Vladimir Putin.

He told a press conference in Downing Street: “It’s vital we continue to focus on supporting Ukraine.

“We cannot allow the war in the gulf to turn into a windfall for Putin.”

Bryony Gooch16 March 2026 11:12

Starmer resists call to send UK ships to Strait of Hormuz as Trump warns Nato faces ‘very bad’ future

Bryony Gooch16 March 2026 11:00

We will not be drawn into the wider war, Starmer warns

Millie Cooke, political correspondent, reports:

Sir Keir Starmer has insisted that the UK will “not be drawn into the wider war” in Iran as the conflict enters its third week.

It comes as Donald Trump piles pressure on Britain and other allies to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to protect the shipping route.

But Sir Keir has so far resisted the calls, on Monday insisting ministers are working hard to secure de-escalation.

Bryony Gooch16 March 2026 10:52

Iranian missile prompted evacuation in Doha residential neighbourhood, says Qatar

Evacuations in parts of Doha on Saturday were prompted by an Iranian missile, launched on a residential neighbourhood, Qatar’s foreign ministry has claimed.

The missile was intercepted, a spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that Qatar was unaware of any formal mediation between the US and Iran right now.