What to know about the growing conflict in the Middle East
- More than 1,300 people have been killed since the U.S. and Israel began striking Iran late last month, according to Iranian authorities.
- US President Donald Trump has demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and says he wants to be involved with the selection of the country’s new leader after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes.
- US military officials say it was likely that America was responsible for an attack on an Iranian girls’ school, which killed about 150 people.
Rachel Dobkin7 March 2026 01:43
Emirates says all flights to and from Dubai have been suspended
The airline said on X: “All flights to and from Dubai have been suspended until further notice.
“Please do not go to the airport.
“Emirates will share updates when available. We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and will not be compromised.”
Dan Haygarth7 March 2026 07:24
In photos: Iranian airport in flames as huge explosion seen from miles away
Arpan Rai7 March 2026 06:54
Civilians trapped at Dubai airport take shelter in train tunnels
Passengers waiting for flights at the Dubai international airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, found themselves ushered down into train tunnels at the sprawling airfield after missile alert sounded.
Earlier on Saturday morning, mobile phone alerts were issued in Dubai about “potential missile threats”.
Emirati authorities urged the public to seek immediate shelter.
Emirati air defences had activated over the missile threat, the government said.
Arpan Rai7 March 2026 06:33
Tehran’s Mehrabad airport attacked in latest strikes by Israel
Massive explosions have been reported this morning at Iran’s Mehrabad airport, with video footage showing a burning plane and large plumes of smoke rising into the sky.
Mehrabad in Tehran serves Iran as its busiest airport and main domestic hub. It also serves as a facility for Iran’s air force.
Videos shared on social media confirmed the attack on the airport. Hours earlier, satellite imagery of the airport showed multiple aircraft on the premises.
Arpan Rai7 March 2026 06:27
Iran begins new wave of retaliation after huge explosions rock Tehran
Gulf countries said they have intercepted more ballistic missiles and drones this morning as Iran launched another wave of retaliatory strikes.
Saudi Arabia said early on Saturday it stopped four drones attacking the country’s massive Shaybah oil field, the second attack within hours.
In Dubai, people heard several blasts in the morning, with Emirati authorities saying there had been “a minor incident resulting from the fall of debris after an interception”.
Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes hammered Beirut and Tehran. The death toll continued to rise on Saturday with at least 1,230 people killed in Iran, more than 200 in Lebanon and around a dozen in Israel, according to officials.
At least six US troops have been reported killed in the war so far.
Arpan Rai7 March 2026 06:18
Trump has privately shown ‘serious interest’ in deploying US ground troops to Iran, report claims
The president reportedly floated the idea while talking about his larger vision of stopping Iran from enriching uranium that could be used in a nuclear weapon and ensuring Iranian cooperation with U.S. oil producers, the sources said.
“This story is based on assumptions from anonymous sources who are not part of the President’s national security team and are clearly not read into these discussions,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to the outlet.
“President Trump always, wisely keeps all options open, but anyone trying to insinuate he is in favor of one option or another proves they have no real seat at the table.”
Arpan Rai7 March 2026 05:46
Pete Hegseth says Trump ‘aware of who’s talking to who’ on Russia aiding Iran
Defence secretary Pete Hegseth has said the US is “tracking everything” and factoring it into battle plans, in response to reports of Russia aiding Iran with intelligence.
Russia has provided Iran with information that could help Tehran strike American warships, aircraft and other assets in the region, according to two officials familiar with US intelligence on the matter.
“The American people can rest assured their commander in chief is well aware of who’s talking to who,” he said in a CBS’ “60 Minutes” interview.
“And anything that shouldn’t be happening, whether it’s in public or back-channeled, is being confronted and confronted strongly,” he said.
Arpan Rai7 March 2026 05:25
Dubai reports ‘minor incident’ after interception
A ‘minor incident’ has been contained, officials in Dubai said, stating that it was caused by falling debris from an interception.
No injuries have been reported, they said, reported BBC.
At the same time, more than half a dozen flights preparing to land at Dubai airport are in a holding pattern, flight tracking websites showed.
Arpan Rai7 March 2026 05:10
Trump lashes out at Fox News reporter for asking ‘stupid question’ about claims Russia is helping Iran target US troops
When correspondent Peter Doocy asked the president about the report during an unrelated White House event, Trump grew visibly annoyed.
“That’s an easy problem compared to what we’re doing here”, the president said. “Can I be honest. It’s just — I have a lot of respect for you, you’ve always been very nice to me — what a stupid question that is to be asking at this time. We’re talking about something else”.
MS NOW anchor Chris Hayes later defended Doocy’s question, using a mocking tone to highlight Trump’s apparent irritation about being asked about the war during a White House event on college sports.
Josh Marcus7 March 2026 05:00

