Iran-US conflict newest: Fresh blasts heard throughout Gulf cities as prime Iran official guidelines out negotiations with Trump
A series of loud explosions were heard across Gulf cities on Monday as the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran spilled further across the Middle East.
Blasts were reported in Jerusalem, Dubai, Abu Dhabi in UAE, Doha in Qatar, and Manama in Bahrain on the third day of a conflict that has plunged the region into chaos.
As the American and Israeli airstrikes continued, top Iranian security official Ali Larijani vowed on X that “we will not negotiate with the United States.”
Meanwhile, Israel launched a wave of missile and drone attacks on Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut in Lebanon on Monday and ordered evacuations.
Smoke was also seen rising from the vicinity of the US embassy in Kuwait, according to witnesses, and the US consulate urged Americans to “not come to the embassy”.
Three American troops have been killed and five are seriously injured, the US military said, confirming its first casualties in the conflict.
President Donald Trump has suggested the conflict with Iran could go on for the next four weeks after the US president earlier said that operations are “ahead of schedule”.
Government considering ‘all options’ to support 300,000 British citizens in Gulf countries, foreign secretary says
The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
The government is considering “all options” to support the 300,000 British citizens who are currently in Gulf countries that have been targeted by Iran, Yvette Cooper has said.
She told Sky News: “We are setting up support systems because, as well as the 94,000 people who have been in touch when we set up the Register your Presence system, there’s an estimated 300,000 British citizens in Gulf countries that have now been targeted by Iran, including countries where now airspace is closed as a result of those attacks.
“That is, of course, extremely stressful for people who include holiday makers and transit passengers at airports, people who have gone there for business trips, as well as those who live in the region.
“So we’re saying to people, the most important thing at the moment is to follow the local advice, which in most places, is around sheltering in place.”
Pressed on whether the government is considering setting up evacuation flights, the foreign secretary said: “We’re working on every possible option. What we want, obviously, is for a resolution and for airspace to be reopened so people can get normal flights back again. But of course, we are looking at a wide range of options.”
Ms Cooper has confirmed that Britain is sending a rapid deployment team to the Middle East to support the travel industry amid the outbreak of conflict between the US and Iran. She called for airspace to be re-opened.
In pictures: Aftermath of Israeli strikes on Lebanon’s capital, Beirut
Fire erupts in a building damaged in an Israeli air strike in the southern Beirut suburb of Haret Hreik on 2 March 2026.
Israel bombarded Lebanon on Monday, expanding conflict across the region after the massive Israel-US attack on Iran launched by President Donald Trump to topple Tehran’s ruling clerics.
UK foreign secretary says ‘precautionary measures’ being taken following Iranian strike on RAF base in Cyprus
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Monday that “precautionary measures” are being taken following a drone strike on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus over the weekend.
She told Sky News: “This is an unmanned drone strike, specifically on the airport runway and we’re not able to provide further information and detail at this point.
“But obviously all of the precautionary measures are being taken around the base.”
Saudi oil refinery hit by drone strike, say reports
A fire has broken out at the Aramco Ras Tanura refinery in Saudi Arabia after being hit by a drone strike on Monday, a source told Reuters.
The facility has been shut as a precautionary measure and the situation is now under control, said the source. The Times of Israel reported that a small fire broke out following the hit.
One Chinese national killed in Tehran and over 3,000 evacuated, says foreign ministry
One Chinese national has been killed in Tehran, China’s foreign ministry has confirmed on Monday.
Over 3,000 Chinese nationals have been evacuated from Iran as the foreign ministry reminded its citizens to leave the country as soon as possible.
It said it is willing to work with the international community to “promote resolving issues”.
The ministry condemned the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and reiterated that it opposes the use of force.
British Airways flight crew coming home from Oman on special flight
British Airways has laid on a special flight for pilots and cabin crew who were stranded in the UAE, after Iran’s attack on the Gulf nations began.
A Boeing 787 flew out overnight from London Heathrow to Muscat in Oman.
According to data from the flight tracking website, Flightradar24, the aircraft spent four hours on the ground at the Omani airport.
The Independent understands the BA staff were bussed from the UAE to Muscat.
The area of Oman where the airport is located is not subject to a Foreign Office no-go warning.
Their homeward flight, BA80, is expected to land back at Heathrow shortly before 11am.
Thousands of British Airways passengers are stuck in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The Foreign Office says they should “remain indoors in a secure location” and “avoid all travel”.
The warning rules out the possibility of travelling across to Oman for a flight home.
However, The Independent understands that rescue flights to Muscat for UAE passengers are being considered.
EU stands with member states in face of any threat, von der Leyen says
he European Union stands with its member states in the face of any threat, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said following the overnight drone strike that hit Britain’s Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri in Cyprus.
“While the Republic of Cyprus was not the target, let me be clear: we stand collectively, firmly and unequivocally with our Member States in the face of any threat,” von der Leyen said in a post on X.
Americans in Kuwait urged to not come near embassy
After smoke was seen rising from near the US embassy in Kuwait this morning, people there have been now urged to not come near the embassy and stay in their homes.
“Do not come to the embassy. Take cover in your residence on the lowest available floor and away from windows. Do not go outside,” the US Department of State Consular Affairs said.
The embassy has urged people to immediately seek cover if they hear a loud explosion or siren, go to the lowest level of a building if indoors and stay away from any windows or openings.
“Be aware that even if the incoming missile or drone is intercepted, falling debris represents a significant risk,” it said.
IDF launched strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon
Israeli military announce offensive against Hezbollah
The IDF’s chief of the general staff said Israel is not only operating defensively but offensively against Hezbollah.
The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, said, “We have launched an offensive campaign against Hezbollah. We are not only operating defensively — we are now going on the offensive as well.
“We must prepare for many prolonged days of combat ahead. This requires strong defensive readiness and sustained offensive readiness, operating in continuous waves while constantly utilizing opportunities״.
Source: independent.co.uk
