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Donald Trump has said the situation in Iran is “moving along very rapidly” as he hailed the US military as “unsurpassed”.
The US president’s remarks, made at a Women’s History Month event at the White House, came as the war in the Middle East raged on for its thirteenth day.
Iran has warned it will not back down despite the heavy damage sustained in Tehran and across the country.
On Thursday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned it will set the region’s oil and gas “on fire” if there are attacks on its energy infrastructure, according to a CNN report.
“In the event of such aggression, all the region’s oil and gas infrastructure in which the United States and its Western allies have a vested interest will be set on fire and destroyed,” the group said.
Earlier, Ali Larijani, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, vowed that Tehran will “not relent until making you sorry for this grave miscalculation”, addressing the US president.
Meanwhile, Israel has launched a fresh wave of strikes on central Beirut on Thursday, where our chief international correspondent Bel Trew is reporting on the ground.
Joe Rogan attended UFC fights alongside Trump. Now he thinks it’s ‘weird’ to hold fight at the White House amid Iran war
Rebecca Whittaker13 March 2026 00:01
Rescue mission underway after US military plane crashes in western Iraq
Rebecca Whittaker12 March 2026 23:40
US fired at Iranian vessel that approached aircraft carrier
The US fired at an Iranian vessel that sailed too close to the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, two US officials briefed on the matter told CBS News.
They said during the incident that occurred earlier this week, a US Navy vessel attempted to fire on the Iranian vessel using its 5-inch, 54-caliber Marck-45 gun.
But officials said it missed multiple times and the status of the Iranian ship and its crew is not known.
Rebecca Whittaker12 March 2026 23:24
Watch: Iran: Trump says conflict ‘moving rapidly’ as Tehran threatens to set region’s energy sites ‘on fire’Iran: Trump says conflict ‘moving rapidly’ as Tehran threatens to set region’s energy sites ‘on fire’
Rebecca Whittaker12 March 2026 23:10
WHO confirms 18 attacks on healthcare sites in Iran
The World Health Organization said it has verified 18 attacks on healthcare centres in Iran since the start of the US and Israel war on Iran on February 28, which has resulted in 8 deaths among health workers.
“These attacks not only cost lives but deprive communities of care when they need it most. Health workers, patients and health facilities must always be protected under international humanitarian law,” the WHO said in a statement.
Rebecca Whittaker12 March 2026 22:54
US navy will escort oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz despite Iran threats
“My belief, that as soon as it is militarily possible, the US Navy, perhaps with an international coalition, will be escorting vessels through,” Scott Bessent told Sky News.
Read our full story here.
Daniel Keane12 March 2026 22:40
Question Time audience applauds guest’s criticism of ‘illegal’ war in IranQuestion Time audience applauds guest’s criticism of ‘illegal’ war in Iran
Alex Croft12 March 2026 22:30
Pakistan PM discusses regional tensions with Saudi crown prince
Pakistan’s prime minister Shehbaz Sharif met Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah on Tuesday, where the two leaders discussed regional developments, the prime minister’s office said.
The meeting comes as the Middle East grapples with escalating conflict, including tensions involving Israel, the United States and Iran.
“The Prime Minister expressed Pakistan’s full solidarity and support for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in these challenging times,” Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesman for Sharif, shared a press release from his office on X, adding that the two leaders held an in-depth exchange of views on recent regional developments and agreed to work together for peace and stability.
Sharif also assured the crown prince that Pakistan would always stand firmly with Saudi Arabia, the post read.
Alex Croft12 March 2026 22:13
US military aircraft crashes in ‘friendly airspace’, Centcom says
The US Central Command is was carrying out rescue efforts after it lost a military aircraft in “friendly airspace” in Iraq during the ongoing conflict with Iran, it has announced.
“Two aircraft were involved in the incident. One of the aircraft went down in western Iraq, and the second landed safely,” the military said.
It added that the incident was not the result of hostile fire or friendly fire.
Alex Croft12 March 2026 21:54
Six French soldiers wounded in drone attack in Iraq, says army
Six French soldiers engaged in counter-terrorism training with Iraqi partners were wounded after a drone attack in the Erbil region of Iraq, France’s army said on Thursday.
The six were immediately taken to the nearest medical centre, the army said in a statement, without elaborating.
Alex Croft12 March 2026 21:53