World - Daily Politics

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that neighbouring countries will no longer be targeted by Iranian strikes unless attacks originate from their territory, as the war with the United States and Israel enters its second week.

The conditional ceasefire follows days of Iranian retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region targeting US military assets and installations. Pezeshkian clarified that Iran has not attacked its neighbours but has rather "targeted US military bases, facilities, and installations in the region."

The president stated that Iran's interim leadership council approved the decision and apologised to neighbouring countries for recent strikes. However, analysts suggest the announcement holds limited ...

Unverified reports circulating in regional media allege that Brigadier General Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran's elite Quds Force, has been arrested and executed by the Iranian regime on suspicion of espionage for Israel.

The claims follow the joint US-Israeli airstrike last Saturday that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Qaani, aged 68, was the highest-ranking IRGC figure not present at the Tehran presidential palace when it was destroyed in the large-scale operation involving dozens of Israeli fighter jets.

According to unconfirmed reports, Qaani is suspected of providing vital intelligence that enabled the precise strike on Khamenei's underground command bunker. He has long ...

Hungarian authorities have seized millions of euros in cash and gold from a Ukrainian convoy and detained seven Ukrainian nationals, sparking a diplomatic row between Budapest and Kyiv.

The national tax and customs administration intercepted two armoured bank vehicles carrying $40 million, €35 million, and 9 kilograms of gold. Officials launched a money-laundering investigation, noting that one of those detained was "a former Ukrainian intelligence service general."

Ukraine's state savings bank, Oschadbank, stated its employees were conducting a routine transfer between Austria and Ukraine, necessary due to restrictions on air travel. The bank insisted the shipment was supported by all required documentation ...

Israel has launched new and intense airstrikes on the capitals of Iran and Lebanon, targeting Tehran and Beirut, as the US-Israel conflict with Iran enters its seventh day with no sign of easing. The Israeli military described the operation as a "broad-scale wave" of strikes against what it called "regime infrastructure" in Tehran and Hezbollah command centres in Beirut's southern Dahieh suburb, a stronghold of the Iran-backed group.

The bombardment, which included 14 waves of strikes on Iran since Saturday, has prompted retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Iran targeting Israel and multiple Gulf states hosting US forces. Overnight, Iran launched ...

The first UK government-chartered rescue flight aimed at bringing stranded British nationals home from the Middle East was delayed on March 5, remaining grounded in Muscat, Oman, due to what ministers described as "operational reasons" related to boarding passengers.

Home Office minister Alex Norris confirmed the flight would now depart on Thursday, though he could not specify a time. The delay affects one of several planned evacuation efforts as an estimated 138,000 British nationals in the region have registered for government assistance, with 112,000 of those in the UAE alone.

The government has confirmed two additional chartered flights will depart by the ...

An Israeli air strike targeted Iran's Assembly of Experts building in Qom, south of Tehran, causing significant destruction.

The Assembly of Experts is a high-ranking political and religious body made up of senior clerics responsible for selecting, supervising, and potentially dismissing Iran's Supreme Leader. The strike hit the building as this body plays a crucial role in the succession process following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The attack marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, targeting not just military infrastructure but also a key institution of Iran's governance. Qom, a holy city and major centre ...

First Lady Melania Trump presided over a United Nations Security Council meeting on children and education in conflict on 2 March, delivering a humanitarian message that intersected with the escalating US-Israeli military action in Iran. Her appearance marked the first time a spouse of any world leader has chaired a Council session.

Speaking as the US holds the rotating monthly presidency, Trump focused her remarks on the importance of protecting education and children's welfare during wartime. "The US stands with all of the children throughout the world," she said. "I hope soon peace will be yours." She also offered condolences to ...

Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that the timing of US military strikes on Iran was directly influenced by a planned Israeli attack, a rationale that sparked sharp debate during a classified Congressional briefing on 2 March.

Speaking to reporters after the closed-door session with CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Dan Caine, Rubio explained that Washington was aware Israel intended to launch its own operation. He stated that US intelligence indicated Iran would retaliate against American interests regardless of who carried out the initial strikes.

"We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action," ...

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine held a Pentagon press conference on March 2 to address the widening US-Israeli conflict with Iran, seeking to reassure Americans while acknowledging the operation's gravity. Hegseth stressed the administration is wary of comparisons to past Middle East wars, declaring, "This is not Iraq. This is not endless."

The briefing confirmed Operation Epic Fury's objectives: eliminating Iran's ballistic missile capability, destroying its navy, and ensuring it cannot obtain nuclear weapons. Hegseth denied the mission is "regime change," though he noted "the regime sure did change" following the strike that killed Supreme ...

The Pentagon has given its first detailed public briefing on the ongoing US military operation against Iran, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine outlining the strategy and aims while warning that the conflict will not end quickly.

"We didn't start this war but under President Trump we're finishing it," Hegseth told reporters on March 2, framing the action as a response to years of Iranian attacks on US interests. The briefing confirmed the operation is called "Epic Fury" and began after President Trump gave final approval on Friday at 3:38 p.m. ET, authorising more than ...