\u201cYou\u2019ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA won\u2019t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren\u2019t there for us,\u201d Trump said as he criticised countries who \u201crefused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said these countries could buy \u201cjet fuel\u201d from the US, where there is \u201cplenty\u201d, if they are running low on supplies.<\/p>\n
\u201cIran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!\u201d Trump concluded his social media post by saying. More details soon\u2026<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.24 EDT<\/p>\n Key events<\/p>\n Show key events only<\/p>\n Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature<\/p>\n A UN security source told AFP on Tuesday that Israeli fire had killed an Indonesian peacekeeper at the weekend, after the UN force said it was investigating the incident.<\/p>\n The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon<\/a> had said that the peacekeeper was killed on Sunday evening when a projectile of unknown origin \u201cexploded in a UNIFIL position near Adchit al Qusayr\u201d, while two more Indonesian blue helmets were killed in south Lebanon the following day.<\/p>\n The source told AFP on condition of anonymity that evidence had been identified that the source of the fire on Sunday was an Israeli tank.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Iran\u2019s Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday they will target US companies in the region as of 1 April in retaliation for attacks on Iran<\/a>, state media reported.<\/p>\n The 18 companies listed in the IRGC\u2019s threat included Microsoft, Google, Apple, Intel, IBM, Tesla and Boeing.<\/p>\n \u201cThese companies should expect the destruction of their respective units in exchange for each terror act in Iran, starting from 8 PM Tehran time on Wednesday, April 1st,\u201d the IRGC statement said.<\/p>\n Share<\/a> The destruction of a US E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft in an Iranian strike on a Saudi Arabian airbase has raised questions over how a critical surveillance asset was left unprotected, and how Iran<\/a> was able to launch a direct strike on the plane.<\/p>\n The plane was one of 16 operational E-3s, which first went into production in the 1960s and carry sophisticated monitoring equipment that allow them to warn of airborne threats such as missiles, as well as surveil and monitor their assigned battle space including communications, troop and equipment movements and air defence sites.<\/p>\n The attack that destroyed it on 27 March, while it was parked at Prince Sultan airbase, underlined once again the continuing ability of Iran to attack and accurately strike high-value targets in the region despite a month of US and Israeli air raids.<\/p>\n Images from the scene of the attack, which also injured US servicemen and damaged several in-flight refuelling aircraft, show a direct strike on the E-3\u2019s radar dome located near the tail, suggesting a high degree of accuracy.<\/p>\n The E-3 Sentry was destroyed at Prince Sultan airbase in Saudi Arabia on 27 March 2026.<\/p>\n Ukraine\u2019s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Ukrainian intelligence had information that a Russian spy satellite had photographed the base three times before the attack, on 20 March, 23 March and 25 March.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n China and Pakistan called on Tuesday for an immediate end to the war in the Middle East, and for peace talks as soon as possible, as they agreed to boost their cooperation on Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n The two countries outlined a joint initiative \u201cfor restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region\u201d, after a visit from senior Pakistani officials to Beijing.<\/p>\n Both countries have sought to mediate in the Middle East to prevent the conflict from escalating, with Islamabad saying it is ready to host \u201cmeaningful talks\u201d between the United States and Iran.<\/p>\n Pakistani foreign minister Ishaq Dar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and agreed to \u201cstrengthen strategic communication and coordination on the Iran situation and … make new efforts towards advocating for peace\u201d, Beijing said.<\/p>\n Dar\u2019s ministry later said the two sides had agreed on a five-point plan, starting with the \u201cimmediate cessation of hostilities\u201d and the \u201cstart of peace talks as soon as possible\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n You can keep up with the latest developments around Europe in our live blog here:<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Italy denies use of Sicily airbase to US aircraft carrying weapons for Iran war Italy has denied use of an airbase in Sicily to US military craft carrying weapons for the war in the Middle East.<\/p>\n A source at the Italian defence ministry confirmed a report in Corriere della Sera<\/a> that \u201csome US bombers\u201d had been due to land at Sigonella \u2013 a key US navy installation and Nato base \u2013 before heading to the Middle East.<\/p>\n According to treaties signed in the late 1950s, the US navy can use the base for logistical and training purposes but not as a transit hub for aircraft used to transport weapons for war unless in an emergency situation, permission for which needs to be approved in parliament.<\/p>\n The source said the US had only sought permission to land the aircraft while they were en route to Sicily, therefore failing to follow procedures that require authorisation to be approved in parliament. It is unclear when the aircraft had been due to land at the base but the source said there was no time to seek approval in parliament.<\/p>\n For days, politicians in Sicily from Italy\u2019s leftwing opposition parties have been urging Giorgia Meloni\u2019s far-right government to clarify the situation at Sigonella after activity at the base increased since the start of the war in Iran<\/a> and asked it to block the US from using bases in Italy for involvement in the conflict. Italy hosts seven US navy bases.<\/p>\n Civil associations, unions, peace activists and members of No MUOS movement gather in front of the US naval airbase to protest against US and Israel\u2019s attacks on Iran earlier this month. Photograph: Anadolu\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n The Lebanese health ministry said yesterday that nine people had been killed and 137 others injured in Israeli attacks on Lebanon<\/a> over the past day.<\/p>\n It said the latest figures brought the death toll from Israeli attacks since 2 March to 1,247, with 3,680 other people reported injured.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.30 EDT<\/p>\n The UN\u2019s refugee agency has said that over 200,000 people crossed from Lebanon<\/a> into Syria between 2 March \u2013 27 March as residents fled from the renewed Israeli war on Lebanon.<\/p>\n Nearly 180,000 of those who crossed into Syria were Syrians returning to their country, in addition to more than 28,000 Lebanese people, the agency said. However, the Syrian government has restricted the entry of Lebanese people unless they have residency in Syria, a Syrian spouse or parent, or other exceptional circumstances, leaving many effectively stranded.<\/p>\n \u201cMost are people fleeing the intense Israeli bombardments. They arrive exhausted, traumatized and with very, very few belongings,\u201d UNHCR\u2019s representative in Syria, Aseer Al-Madaien, told a UN briefing in Geneva by video from Damascus.<\/p>\n Displaced people find shelter in Beirut, Lebanon, amid Israeli attacks. Photograph: Raghed Waked\/Reuters<\/p>\n The renewed Israeli assault on Lebanon was launched after Hezbollah<\/a> \u2013 the Iranian-backed Lebanese militant group \u2013 fired rockets into northern Israel in response to the killing of the former Iranian supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, in joint US-Israeli airstrikes.<\/p>\n Israel has said that the military will take control of south Lebanon all the way to the Litani river, which is about 30km (19 miles) from the Lebanon-Israel border, and has said a so-called \u201csecurity zone\u201d will be established.<\/p>\n Many Lebanese people fear Israel is attempting to separate southern Lebanon from the rest of the country ahead of a large-scale invasion.<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s defence minister, Israel Katz, said Israel will prohibit the return of 600,000 Lebanese who fled the area over the last few weeks until safety and security were \u201censured\u201d for residents of Israel\u2019s north. He said Israel will destroy all homes in Lebanese villages near the border.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.46 EDT<\/p>\n Hegseth concludes by reiterating that the mission will \u201cend on our terms\u201d and picks up on Trump\u2019s talking points earlier today about America\u2019s Nato allies.<\/p>\n He says:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe remain committed to a conflict that ends on our terms. In the president\u2019s terms, there\u2019s no doubt about that.<\/p>\n And as far as Nato\u2019s concerned, that\u2019s a decision that\u2019ll be left to the president. But I\u2019ll just say, a lot has been laid bare.<\/p>\n A lot has been shown to the world about what our allies would be willing to do for the United States of America when we undertake an effort of this scope on behalf of the free world.<\/p>\n He adds:<\/p>\n double quotation markThese are missiles that don\u2019t even range the United States of America. They range allies and others. And yet when we ask for additional assistance or simple access basic overflight, we get questions or roadblocks or hesitations.<\/p>\n And the president\u2019s pointing out you don\u2019t have much of an alliance if you have countries that are not willing to stand with you when you need them.<\/p>\n And, with that, the press conference is over.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Hegseth says \u201cmaybe negotiations will work\u201d but he is unwilling to commit one way or the other when asked about the potential for American boots on the ground.<\/p>\n He says:<\/p>\n double quotation markYou can\u2019t fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do or what you are not willing to do, to include boots on the ground.<\/p>\n Our adversary right now thinks there are 15 different ways we could come at them with boots on the ground and guess what? There are.<\/p>\n And so if we needed to, we could execute those options on behalf of the president of the United States and this department.<\/p>\n Or maybe we don\u2019t have to use them at all. Maybe negotiations work, or maybe there\u2019s a different approach. But the point is to be unpredictable in that certainly not let anybody know what you\u2019re willing to do or not do.<\/p>\n Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to members of the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Photograph: Manuel Balce Ceneta\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n The Pentagon chief says \u201cother countries should listen when the president speaks\u201d in reference to Donald Trump\u2019s latest tirade at allies for not joining his war on Iran.<\/p>\n Hegseth says:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe will make sure Iran is it knows that very clearly is not just the United States of America problem set.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s not just us. So ultimately, I think other countries should pay attention when the president speaks. He\u2019s proven that when he speaks, he means something.<\/p>\n And he\u2019s pointing out, you know, you might might want to start learning how to fight for yourself. It\u2019s something some of us have been saying for quite some time.<\/p>\n You can\u2019t just have flags. You have to have formations. You can\u2019t just have a few ships. You have enough to affect change. Those things matter in a dangerous world with ascendant adversaries.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Asked about talks with Iran<\/a>, Hegseth says the US \u201cwould much prefer\u201d to strike a deal but \u201cin the meantime, we\u2019ll negotiate with bombs\u201d.<\/p>\n The Pentagon chief describes talks as \u201cactive\u201d and ongoing\u201d, adding:<\/p>\n double quotation markOn the talks, I can tell you, having been with with Steve and Jared and the vice president and many Marco and many others yesterday, they are very real.<\/p>\n They are ongoing. They\u2019re active, and I think gaining strength. And we appreciate that. As I said in my remarks, we would much prefer to get a deal if Iran was willing to relinquish, material they have and ambitions they have open the strait. That\u2019s the goal.<\/p>\n We don\u2019t want to have to do more militarily than we have to. But I didn\u2019t mean it flippantly when I said, in the meantime, we\u2019ll negotiate with bombs.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Hegseth: next days in Iran war will be ‘decisive’<\/p>\n The next days of the Iran<\/a> war will be \u201cdecisive,\u201d Pentagon chief Hegseth says.<\/p>\n \u201cThe upcoming days will be decisive. Iran knows that, and there\u2019s almost nothing they can militarily do about it,\u201d Hegseth tells the news conference, his first in nearly two weeks.<\/p>\n He adds:<\/p>\n double quotation markWe have more and more options, and they have less… in only one month we set the terms, the upcoming days will be decisive.<\/p>\n Iran knows that, and there\u2019s almost nothing they can militarily do about it.<\/p>\n![\"Peter](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Peter_Beaumont,_L.png\")
Peter Beaumont<\/p>\n![\"Angela](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Angela_Giuffrida.png\")
Angela Giuffrida<\/p>\n