\u201cWe will not allow ourselves to be divided; we stand firmly together,\u201d he said at a press conference with his Moldovan counterpart, Mihai Popsoi.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 28m ago<\/p>\n First government-organised German repatriation flight from Middle East lands in Frankfurt<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 33m ago<\/p>\n ‘We will not allow ourselves to be divided,’ German FM says backing Spain after Trump’s trade threats<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 35m ago<\/p>\n Nato’s Rutte praises Spain’s role across Nato territory amid US-Spain spat<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 39m ago<\/p>\n Rutte welcomes French nuclear deterrence debate, but says US remains ultimate guarantor<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 51m ago<\/p>\n Nato’s Rutte confirms Turkey’s ballistic missile interception was ‘serious’<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 1h ago<\/p>\n Italy will send naval assets to protect Cyprus, support Middle Eastern allies after requests for assistance, defence minister says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n France authorises US aircraft to use some of its Middle East bases, military says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n Spain sending frigate to help protect Cyprus, defence ministry confirms<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands to send naval assets to protect Cyprus, Italian minister says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n EU hopes to see US respect its trade agreement with applies to all countries, Kallas says on tensions with Spain<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n Iran trying to ‘export war, expand it to as many countries as they can,’ EU’s Kallas says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n Sweden advises citizens to keep ‘warchest’ in cash<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2h ago<\/p>\n Ukraine ready to share expertise on fighting against Shaheds with Middle East partners, Zelenskyy says<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 3h ago<\/p>\n ‘They know it’s not true,’ Spanish defence minister rejects US suggestions of U-turn on Iran<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 3h ago<\/p>\n Morning opening: Spain dismisses suggestions it changed position on Iran<\/p>\n <\/a>Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n First government-organised German repatriation flight from Middle East lands in Frankfurt in Berlin<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the first government-organised flight carrying German travellers stranded due to the US-Israeli military operation in Iran<\/a> landed at the country\u2019s busiest airport on Thursday morning,<\/p>\n A young couple speaks to the media as they arrive from Muscat, Oman, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany. Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach\/Reuters<\/p>\n More than 250 relieved passengers touched down in Frankfurt on an Airbus A340-300 operated by Lufthansa from Oman with a nearly two-hour delay due to a late departure.<\/p>\n The evacuees were handpicked by the German government among tens of thousands waylaid in the Gulf. The group whose transport was deemed most urgent were first driven over land to Muscat from various points in the region.<\/p>\n Foreign minister Johann Wadephul, who has faced criticism for a muddled reaction to the traveller crisis, identified particularly vulnerable groups to get priority for the flights including the pregnant, the ill and children.<\/p>\n Further evacuations are planned in the coming days.<\/p>\n Other German nationals had managed to get on a severely limited number of flights offered by commercial airlines in recent days, primarily from the United Arab Emirates.<\/p>\n A heated debate broke out in Germany this week about the extent to which the foreign ministry was responsible for ferrying nationals out of the crisis region and whether the ministry\u2019s travel advisories in the run-up to the outbreak of war were sufficient.<\/p>\n Wadephul had falsely claimed in a television interview that a travel warning had been in place for Gulf states for several days when one was only levelled for Dubai, a popular German destination, on Saturday, the day the US-Israeli military action began.<\/p>\n A travel warning includes a formal urgent call for nationals to leave an affected area based on a concrete threat to their wellbeing.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>‘We will not allow ourselves to be divided,’ German FM says backing Spain after Trump’s trade threats<\/p>\n On that note, Germany has offered its solidarity with Spain in a marked change of tone, after chancellor Friedrich Merz’s previous refusal to defend the European partner in front of Donald Trump sparked some tensions between Madrid and Berlin.<\/p>\n German foreign minister Johann Wadephul said that Spain<\/a> can rely on solidarity from the European Union, and from Germany, when it comes to the threat of new US trade barriers, Reuters reported.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will not allow ourselves to be divided; we stand firmly together,\u201d he said at a press conference with his Moldovan counterpart, Mihai Popsoi.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Nato’s Rutte praises Spain’s role across Nato territory amid US-Spain spat<\/p>\n Nato\u2019s Rutte also responded to the public spat between the US and Spain over Madrid\u2019s refusal to back the US-Israeli attack on Iran and its reluctance to meet the 5% GDP spending target.<\/p>\n Rutte said that Spain had signed up to the Hague declaration just like other countries, and the debate is not on capabilities, but on spending required to meet that target.<\/p>\n \u201cPractice will show, but \u2026 I am sure they will see they need to spend what is necessary,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n But he also pointedly praised Spain, stressing it has deployments \u201call over Nato territory,\u201d including \u201cdefending key American interests in Turkey.\u201d<\/p>\n He declined to clearly side with Washington or Madrid, saying:<\/p>\n \u201cWhen there are debates between allies I always try to stay a bit muted and therefore able, if necessary, to help [to resolve these differences] a bit,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Rutte welcomes French nuclear deterrence debate, but says US remains ultimate guarantor<\/p>\n In his Reuters interview, Rutte also welcomed the French president Emmanuel Macron\u2019s speech on nuclear deterrence on Monday, which he said \u201cis opening up our conversation within Nato on what we need to have,\u201d and adds a layer of complexity for enemies, like Russia.<\/p>\n But he said the US nuclear deterrence programme remained the critical element of Europe\u2019s security.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, and we all agree on this, the ultimate, supreme guarantor of our way of life, the fact that we have free media, free press, that we have elections, that we have our way of life, [all] regained so hard fought after the second world war is \u2026 the United States nuclear umbrella, and that is key.\u201d<\/p>\n He also rejected any suggestion that the French move could have anything to do with doubts as to whether the US was still committed to Nato.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m absolutely convinced the US is completely committed to Nato – not only because the US knows that there is a historic reason to be so much involved in European security \u2013 \u2026 but also because the US knows that to stay safe itself, the US mainland, you need a secure Atlantic, a secure Europe, a secure Arctic.\u201d<\/p>\n He also praised Trump for his actions strengthening the alliance.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Nato’s Rutte confirms Turkey’s ballistic missile interception was ‘serious’<\/p>\n Nato secretary general Mark Rutte is now giving an interview to Reuters, offering his reaction to the recent events in the Middle East.<\/p>\n On Wednesday, Turkey said Nato defences intercepted a ballistic missile launched from Iran before it entered Turkey\u2019s airspace.<\/p>\n Rutte said it was a \u201cserious and absolutely condemnable\u201d incident, but declined to offer more details. He said it did not provide an immediate reason to trigger the mutual defence clause in Article 5.<\/p>\n Speaking more broadly about Iran, Rutte said that \u201cwe know that Iran was close to getting his hands on a nuclear capability \u2026 which would be a threat not only to the Middle East, and of course, to Israel, \u2026 but also a threat to Europe<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the Iran war was still in \u201cearly stages,\u201d and \u201cit will be difficult to assess exactly how this will end in the coming weeks,\u201d but he added:<\/p>\n \u201cThere is widespread acknowledgment and agreement that at least we have to be sure that going forward, Iran is not [going to be] able again to pose death threat to its neighbours, to Israel, the Middle East, to Europe, but also through its terrorist activities, exporting chaos, exporting terrorism, basically to the whole world.\u201d<\/p>\n Nato\u2019s Rutte also insisted that there is an understanding that the Iran war should not distract allies from supporting Ukraine as it continues to defend itself from Russia.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that Ukraine is now exporting [its capabilities] and making available to allies, friends, partners – it\u2019s impressive,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.25 EST<\/p>\n Italy will send naval assets to protect Cyprus, support Middle Eastern allies after requests for assistance, defence minister says in Rome<\/p>\n Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto said Italy will send naval assets to protect Cyprus in the coming days as well as anti-drone and anti-missile air defence systems to Middle East countries.<\/p>\n Speaking to parliament before a vote on Italy sending military aid to the Middle East, he confirmed earlier suggestions by prime minister Giorgia Meloni (10:56<\/a>).<\/p>\n \u201dWe\u2019re not the only country facing this situation and we have all received requests for assistance,\u201d Crosetto said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are evaluating together, including how to share responsibility \u2026 we must reassess our positions in the region and respond to the requests of friendly countries in difficulty.\u201d<\/p>\n Crosetto added that Italy intended to deploy a \u201cmulti-domain\u201d presence in the Middle East, \u201cwith anti-drone and anti-missile air defence systems within the scope of our authorised operations and within the limits of our missions\u201d.<\/p>\n Among of the Italian opposition parties, the Five Star Movement said its deputies would abstain from the vote.<\/p>\n \u201cEurope doesn\u2019t have enemies, Italy doesn\u2019t have enemies, but we are fighting the enemies of others \u2013 the US and Israel are choosing our enemies,\u201d said Five Star Movement deputy Arnaldo Lomuti.<\/p>\n He added that Italy ought to be \u201csending an aid package to Iran\u201d and \u201csanctioning the US and Israel for attacking it\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>France authorises US aircraft to use some of its Middle East bases, military says<\/p>\n Meanwhile, France has allowed US aircraft on some of its bases in the Middle East during the conflict opposing the United States and Israel with Iran<\/a>, the French military said.<\/p>\n \u201cAs part of our relations with the United States, the presence of their aircraft has been temporarily authorised on our bases\u201d in the region, a spokeswoman for the military general staff told AFP.<\/p>\n \u201cThese aircraft contribute to the protection of our partners in the Gulf.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Spain sending frigate to help protect Cyprus, defence ministry confirms in Madrid<\/p>\n Spain, whose fierce opposition to the US and Israeli strikes on Iran and refusal to allow bases in its territory to be used in the attacks has prompted Trump to threaten to stop all trade with the country, has announced that it is sending a frigate to help protect Cyprus.<\/p>\n The announcement comes four days after a drone attack on the UK\u2019s RAF Akrotiri base on the island.<\/p>\n In a statement, Spain\u2019s defence ministry said:<\/p>\n \u201cThe frigate Crist\u00f3bal Col\u00f3n joined the Charles de Gaulle Naval Group on 3 March to carry out escort, protection, and advanced training duties in the Baltic Sea. The group will now head to the Mediterranean, arriving off the coast of Crete around 10 March.<\/p>\n The supply ship Cantabria will also briefly put to sea to provide fuel and logistical support during the Naval Group\u2019s transit through the Gulf of C\u00e1diz.<\/p>\n The Crist\u00f3bal Col\u00f3n is the most technologically advanced frigate. Its mission in the Mediterranean will be to provide air defence and protection, thus complementing the capabilities of the Patriot battery deployed in Turkey. It will also be on standby to support any evacuation of civilian personnel who may be affected by the conflict.\u201d<\/p>\n The statement added that the deployment was proof of Spain\u2019s commitment to defending the EU and its borders.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a005.12 EST<\/p>\n Italy, Spain, France, Netherlands to send naval assets to protect Cyprus, Italian minister says<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto signalled that Italy, Spain<\/a>, France and the Netherlands will send naval assets to protect Cyprus in the coming days.<\/p>\n Separately, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni told RTL 102.5 radio station that Italy was also planning to send air defence aid to Gulf countries in response to Iranian airstrikes, Reuters reported.<\/p>\n She said the move was driven not only by diplomatic ties but by the presence of Italians on the ground. Tens of thousands of Italian nationals live in the Gulf, while around 2,000 Italian troops are deployed there, she said.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>EU hopes to see US respect its trade agreement with applies to all countries, Kallas says on tensions with Spain<\/p>\n Kallas was also asked about the tension between the US and Spain (9:49<\/a>), but issued a rather diplomatic answer, saying that:<\/p>\n \u201cTrade is the European competence. We have a trade deal with United States that was signed in June, so we hope that United States also respects this agreement that applies to all member states.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n EU\u2019s Kallas also repeats the point about how Ukraine could help the Gulf countries with its experience of intercepting drones.<\/p>\n She says that some of the regional leaders expressed their positive \u201csurprise\u201d about \u201chow much Ukraine is helping them in this regard, keeping in mind that they are under heavy attacks all the time.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Iran trying to ‘export war, expand it to as many countries as they can,’ EU’s Kallas says<\/p>\n EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is now speaking ahead of today\u2019s extraordinary meeting of the bloc\u2019s foreign ministers.<\/p>\n She says that \u201cIran is exporting the war, trying to expand it as to as many countries as they can to sow chaos.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we see in the Middle East \u2026 [is] actually the same drones that are attacking Kyiv every day now \u2026 [and] Ukraine can help the Gulf countries, because they have developed \u2026 drone interceptors and drone protection.<\/p>\n So we [will] see also how we can put these things together to help the countries to fight back the drone attacks.\u201d<\/p>\n Some countries in the region also expressed concerns about the prospect of a \u201ccivil war inside Iran because of the regime\u2019s leadership [change] and what is going on there.\u201d<\/p>\n Kallas adds the first priority is \u201cthe safety of our citizens \u2026 in the region,\u201d with close coordination of the EU member state\u2019s consular services.<\/p>\n She also said the EU was \u201cextremely worried\u201d about maritime security and the traffic through the strait of Hormuz, and will work on naval missions to help with that.<\/p>\n She also warned that any spike in oil price caused by the conflict in the Middle East could inadvertently help Russia to fund its war against Ukraine, saying that is why \u201cwe have to really push through the maritime services ban\u201d to target Russia\u2019s shadow fleet.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a004.46 EST<\/p>\n Sweden advises citizens to keep ‘warchest’ in cash Nordic correspondent<\/p>\n The bank of Sweden has released new guidance advising Swedish households to keep a \u201cwarchest\u201d of 1,000 SEK (about \u00a381) per adult amid the current global instability.<\/p>\n A Swede buys a soup from a food truck using the mobile phone payment app Swish. Photograph: Idealink Photography\/Alamy<\/p>\n Riksbanken said the sum is calculated to cover a week\u2019s supplies in case of crisis or war.<\/p>\n The population is also advised to have access to a functioning Swish (a popular Swedish digital payment service) account on their mobile and payment cards from two different banking networks.<\/p>\n According to estimates, six out of 10 Swedish households need to increase their cash supplies to get it up to the recommended level.<\/p>\n Riksbanken\u2019s first deputy governor, Aino Bunge, said:<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a recommendation. It is based on the Swedish Consumer Agency\u2019s calculations of how much food people tend to get through per month.\u201d<\/p>\n But, she added, that people should build up the cash supplies over time rather than rushing out to take out cash. She added: \u201cThis is a preparedness that we should build over time.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Ukraine ready to share expertise on fighting against Shaheds with Middle East partners, Zelenskyy says<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was ready to offer partners in the Middle East its practical support on fighting against Iranian Shahed drones.<\/p>\n Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at a briefing earlier this week. Photograph: Ukrinform\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n In a post on X, he said<\/a> a number of partner countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar were \u201cseeking our expertise,\u201d including a further request from Europeans and the US.<\/p>\n Oh, how the tables have turned.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course any assistance we provide is only on the condition that it does not weaken our own defence in Ukraine and it serves as an investment in our diplomatic capabilities: we help protect against war those who help us, Ukraine, to bring the war to a dignified conclusion,\u201d he added<\/a>.<\/p>\n Zelenskyy also offered<\/a> an update on the next round of trilateral talks with Russia and the US, which was planned for early March. He said he spoke with the US about potentially postponing the meeting \u201cfor a while due to the war in the Middle East,\u201d and moving it to another location.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>‘They know it’s not true,’ Spanish defence minister rejects US suggestions of U-turn on Iran in Madrid<\/p>\n Spain\u2019s defence minister, Margarita Robles, has become the latest member of Pedro S\u00e1nchez\u2019s government to emphatically dismiss White House suggestions that the administration has executed a U-turn and is now prepared to let the US use its bases to strike Iran.<\/p>\n Spanish defence minister Margarita Robles speaks during an event last month. Photograph: JJ Guillen\/EPA<\/p>\n Robles told Cadena Ser radio she did not know why the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, had told reporters on Wednesday that Spain was now prepared to cooperate with the ongoing offensive.<\/p>\n She said:<\/p>\n \u201cThey know it\u2019s not true. Words are just words. I\u2019m not going to speculate; obviously, it could be a step backward they\u2019re trying to take after President Trump\u2019s inappropriate statements, but the facts are crystal clear. The Spanish government will not authorise the use of the Mor\u00f3n and Rota bases in this context.<\/p>\n We all understand that what is happening in Tehran is terrible, a violation of human rights. As a woman, I am particularly pained by the situation of women in Tehran, but no one can become the international guardian. There are norms, rules; even within the United States, congressional authorisation would have been required. Spain cannot support unilateral actions that lack support from international law.\u201d<\/p>\n Robles also said the government\u2019s position had been \u201ccrystal clear from day one\u201d, adding:<\/p>\n \u201cEthically and legally, we are doing the right thing. We will always support peace scenarios because Spain only acts when there is an umbrella of international law within the frameworks of the UN, Nato, or the EU.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Deborah](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Deborah_Cole_2.png\")
Deborah Cole<\/p>\n![\"Angela](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Angela_Giuffrida.png\")
Angela Giuffrida<\/p>\n![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1772711594_745_Sam_Jones.png\")
Sam Jones<\/p>\n![\"Miranda](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Miranda_Bryant_Next_Gen.png\")
Miranda Bryant<\/p>\nSam Jones<\/p>\n