Donald Trump said the UK “should have acted a lot faster” after it gave the US the green light to use its bases to carry out raids on Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The move was announced after ministers met to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East.No 10 Downing Street said any such action would still amount to “collective self-defence” and insisted it would not mean the UK was drawn into the wider conflict.
Earlier, President Trump lashed out at Nato allies, calling them “cowards” as he criticised them for inaction on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
In his latest post on Truth Social, the US president said Nato was complaining “about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices.
“So easy for them to do, with so little risk. COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!”
Read MoreIran oil attacks trigger 35% gas price spike – and warning of interest rate rises
How Trump’s Iran war could derail the economy – and the Labour government
Trump makes Pearl Harbor joke before Japanese PM when pressed on lack of warning over Iran attack
Netanyahu is copying Putin’s tactics by bombing Iran’s energy system – it will backfire badly
Key Points
- US gets green light to use UK bases to hit Iranian missile sites attacking ships in Strait of Hormuz
- Trump calls Nato 'cowards' over lack of support in Iran war
- UN Secretary General suggests both sides committing war crimes
- Israel launches new wave of attack on Iran
- UAE says it disrupted 'terrorist network' backed by Hezbollah and Iran
- Full statement: Trump lashes out at 'cowards' in Nato
As the US shifts missiles towards Iran, officials raise concerns of gaps in European air defenses
21:15 , Dan HaygarthA large number of US Patriot air defence missiles have been moved from Europe toward the Middle East as Washington diverts resources toward its war on Iran, leaving concerning gaps in Europe's air defences against Russia, US defence officials told The Associated Press.
The war in Iran, about to enter its fourth week, has seen the US deploy thousands of troops to the region and pushed the Pentagon to seek an additional $200 billion in funding. Iran meanwhile has fired missiles and drones across the Gulf, including at U.S. bases and hotels in vacation hot spots.
Two Patriot missile systems were sent from Germany to Turkey after several ballistic missiles were fired toward Turkey from Iran since the start of the war, the Turkish defence ministry and three US officials said.
The US officials said missiles for the Patriot system were moved from various locations around Europe in an effort to reinforce air defences towards the Middle East. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military matters.
One of the officials said stocks of Patriot missiles are "absolutely" dwindling in Europe and elsewhere because of the war in Iran, and added the situation is "pretty concerning."
Asked to comment on the missiles being moved, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to AP: "The US military has more than enough munitions, ammo, and weapons stockpiles to achieve the goals of Operation Epic Fury laid out by President Trump — and beyond."
Watch: Republican Senate candidate tells Americans to 'skip Starbucks' to help support Iran war
21:00 , Bryony GoochStarmer is 'putting British lives in danger', Iranian foreign minister says
20:50 , Harriette BoucherIran’s foreign minister has said Keir Starmer is “putting British lives in danger” after the government allowed Donald Trump the use of UK military bases.
In response to the move, Abbas Araghchi said Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.
He wrote on social media: “Vast majority of the British People do not want any part in the Israel-U.S. war of choice on Iran.
“Ignoring his own People, Mr. Starmer is putting British lives in danger by allowing UK bases to be used for aggression against Iran. Iran will exercise its right to self-defence.”
John Rentoul: Iran will be the making or the breaking of Keir Starmer
20:45 , Dan HaygarthThe prime minister deserves credit for his handling of the Iran crisis – he was right to oppose the first strikes – but he could win the battle and still lose the war, writes John Rentoul.
Iran will be the making or the breaking of Keir Starmer
Analysis: Democrats bashing Trump over the Iran war lean on a callback to Bill Clinton
20:44 , Harriette BoucherThe Independent’s Washington bureau chief Eric Garcia writes:
President Donald Trump’s war in Iran looks no closer to ending, all while he declares victory.
But even if somehow the war were to wrap up, Trump is facing a massive crisis when it comes to the price of gas. He largely won a second term in the White House on the promise to lower energy prices, which spiked after the Covid-19 pandemic and the global supply shocks amid the war in Ukraine.
The Trump team seems to understand this. Vice President JD Vance admitted in Michigan this week that there would be a “rough road ahead,” with gas prices, but insisted, “This is a temporary blip.”
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, whom Trump passed over to become chairman of the Federal Reserve, said on CNBC that the pain consumers could feel thanks to the increased prices that come from the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz was “the last of our concerns right now.”
I don’t know about you, but this all feels very 2022 — maybe with a touch of 1992.
As the economy recovered from Covid-19, Jerome Powell famously said at the time that inflation would be “transitory” and Joe Biden had called it “temporary” in 2021, which came off as glib and disconnected from the pain Americans felt at the grocery store. When Vladmimir Putin launched an assault on Ukraine, the price of gas spiked. The last Democratic president who served only one term, the late Jimmy Carter, also had an oil shock and crisis in Iran that bedevilled him, albeit not one of his own making.
That might be why Democrats faced with the war in Iran are ripping a page from Bill Clinton, one of the most astute political operators we’ve had in the modern-era White House, and using a line his chief adviser James Carville famously uttered in 1992: “It’s the economy, stupid.”
US making preparations for potential use of ground troops in Iran, reports
20:30 , Dan HaygarthOfficials at the Pentagon have made preparations to deploy US ground forces into Iran, multiple sources briefed on the discussions told CBS News.
CBS said the sources said: “Senior military commanders have submitted specific requests aimed at preparing for such an option as President Trump weighs moves in the US-Israel-led conflict with Iran“.
Trump responds to UK bases decision: "It's been a very late response"
20:23 , Dan HaygarthSpeaking to reporters outside the White House, US president Donald Trump said: “It’s been a very late response from the UK.
“I’m surprised because the relationship is so good, but this has never happened before.
“They were really, pretty much our first ally, all over the world.”
Referring to Diego Garcia, he said: “They didn’t want us to use the island, the so called island, which for some reason they gave up rights to it.
“I was a little surprised in the UK, to be honest.
“They should have acted a lot faster.”
Mr Trump confirmed he had spoken to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer when asked by a reporter.
Trump says he has no interest in a ceasefire in Iran
20:18 , Dan HaygarthOpposition parties criticise UK's decision
20:15 , Dan HaygarthThe UK has given Donald Trump the green light to use its bases RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia to carry out raids on Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the move as the “mother of all U-turns” in a post on X.
Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said: “Where we have been clear from the outset that we would have allowed our closest military ally to use our bases, Starmer has been all over the place.
“When we need strong leadership in challenging times, Starmer is weak and indecisive.”
The Liberal Democrats said granting further permission for the US to use British bases must first have a parliamentary vote.
Foreign affairs spokesman Calum Miller said: “We have warned from the start that the UK has to avoid being dragged into another war in the Middle East with no obvious end.
“This decision by the Prime Minister reminds us all of the disaster of Iraq and shows how we’re being drawn further and further down Trump’s slippery slope.
“Starmer must now let Parliament vote on the terms of the agreement with the US for their use of UK bases.”
‘I don’t want a ceasefire’: Trump declares victory over Iran despite military deployment reports and $200B funding demand
20:14 , Dan HaygarthPresident Donald Trump rejected calls for a ceasefire in Iran and proclaimed US victory over the nation, even as reports indicate the Pentagon is deploying more troops to the region and seeking an additional $200 billion in funding.
"I don't want to do a ceasefire,” the president told reporters outside the White House on Friday.
“You don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side.”
“I think we’ve won,” he added. “We’ve knocked out their navy, their air force. We’ve knocked out their anti-aircraft, we’ve knocked out everything. We’re roaming free.”
Trump says there are no leaders in Iran left to talk to
20:00 , Bryony GoochUS President Donald Trump said on Friday that there are no leaders left in Iran to talk to about the war, with military strikes continuing to target Iranian officials.
Trump says UK should have acted a lot faster
19:59 , Dan HaygarthUS president Donald Trump said the UK “should have acted a lot faster” in allowing America to use British bases to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz.
French sailor gave away location of nuclear-powered warship in Middle East by logging run on Strava
19:45 , Dan HaygarthA French sailor revealed the location of an aircraft carrier by tracking his jog on the vessel’s deck using popular fitness app Strava.
The sailor used Strava to monitor his workout on the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier as it sailed through the eastern Mediterranean Sea amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
He used a smartwatch to track his 4.3-mile, 35-minute jog, which he publicly uploaded immediately afterwards, Le Monde reported.
The French newspaper verified the leak using satellite imagery captured shortly after the sailor’s exercise, confirming the aerial view of the 262-meter-long carrier northwest of Cyprus.
Read the full article below:
French sailor gave away location of warship in Middle East by logging run on Strava
Stocks drop, bond yields jump as Iran war fuels central bank rethink
19:26 , Dan HaygarthGlobal shares slumped for a third straight session and were set for a third consecutive weekly decline on Friday while bond yields climbed on fears the Iran war would keep upward pressure on oil prices and spark inflation.
Iran attacked an oil refinery in Kuwait on Friday and Israel killed a spokesman of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, while three US officials told Reuters that thousands of additional U.S. troops will be deployed to the Middle East.
Iraq declared force majeure on all oilfields developed by foreign oil companies, as military operations in the region have disrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, preventing most of the country's crude exports from moving, oil ministry sources said.
On Wall Street, US stocks slumped, with the S&P 500 energy index the best performer of the 11 major S&P 500 sectors.
The S&P 500 energy index is up 3.5 per cent on the week, putting it on track for its 13th straight weekly gain.
That week-over-week rally would be its longest since at least the late 1980s, according to LSEG data.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 285.29 points, or 0.62 per cent, to 45,736.14, the 500 dropped 70.00 points, or 1.06 per cent, to 6,536.49 and the Nasdaq Composite tumbled 341.79 points, or 1.56 per cent, to 21,748.90.
The S&P 500 is on track for its fourth straight weekly decline, its longest streak of weekly losses since February 2025.
Full story: Starmer allows Trump to use British bases for strikes to help reopen Strait of Hormuz
19:16 , Daniel HaygarthThe UK has given Donald Trump the green light to use British bases to strike Iranian missile sites targeting the Strait of Hormuz.
Downing Street said any such action would still amount to “collective self-defence”, insisting it would not mean the UK was drawn into the wider conflict.
It said UK bases will now be used for US “defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships” in the key shipping lane, crucial to the globe’s oil supply.
Starmer allows Trump to use British bases for strikes to help reopen Strait of Hormuz
In pictures: An explosion following a strike on an Iranian facility in Haji Abad, Iran
19:00 , Bryony Gooch Full Downing Street statement
18:35 , Daniel HaygarthA Downing Street spokesperson said: “Ministers met this afternoon to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East and Iran’s targeting of unarmed commercial shipping, civilian infrastructure including oil and gas facilities and its blocking of the Strait of Hormuz.
“They underlined that the UK is working closely with international partners to develop a viable plan to safeguard international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Ministers condemned Iran’s expansion of its targets to include international shipping. They agreed that Iran’s reckless strikes, including on Red Ensign vessels and those of our close allies and Gulf partners, risked pushing the region further into crisis and worsening the economic impact being felt in the UK and around the world.
“They confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
“They reaffirmed that the principles behind the UK’s approach to the conflict remain the same: the UK remains committed to defending our people, our interests and our allies, acting in accordance with international law and not getting drawn into the wider conflict.
“Ministers underlined the need for urgent de-escalation and a swift resolution to the war.”
Conservatives accuse Labour of massive U-turn
18:13 , Dan HaygarthWhitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has accused the government of the “mother of all U-turns”.
Labour has previously allowed the US to use British bases for operations to prevent Iran firing missiles that put British interests or lives at risk.
But now ministers have expanded their use to include protecting ships in the Strait of Hormuz, while still claiming such action would amount to collective self defence and not mean Britain was dragged into a wider conflict.
In a statement No 10 said ministers had agreed bases could now be used for "US defensive operations" to target "capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz".
Nato says it has relocated all its Iraq mission personnel to Europe
18:00 , Bryony GoochNato's Iraq mission has safely relocated all of its personnel from the Middle East to Europe, the military alliance said on Friday. "I would like to thank the Republic of Iraq and all the Allies who assisted in the safe relocation of Nato personnel from Iraq," US Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, Nato's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said in a statement. The mission advises Iraqi security forces and is not involved in combat, Nato says.
"Nato Mission Iraq will continue from Joint Force Command Naples," the statement added.
US gets green light to use UK bases to hit Iranian missile sites attacking ships in Strait of Hormuz
18:00 , Dan HaygarthWhitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
The UK has given Donald Trump the green light to use RAF Fairford and Diego Garcia to carry out raids on Iranian missile sites attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The move was announced after ministers met to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East.
No 10 said any such action would still amount to “collective self-defence” and insisted it would not mean the UK was drawn into the wider conflict.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “Ministers condemned Iran’s expansion of its targets to include international shipping. They agreed that Iran’s reckless strikes… risked pushing the region further into crisis and worsening the economic impact being felt in the UK and around the world.
“They confirmed that the agreement for the US to use UK bases in the collective self-defence of the region includes US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
“They reaffirmed that the principles behind the UK’s approach to the conflict remain the same: the UK remains committed to defending our people, our interests and our allies, acting in accordance with international law and not getting drawn into the wider conflict.
“Ministers underlined the need for urgent de-escalation and a swift resolution to the war.”
Cooper warns Tehran against targeting UK interests
17:45 , Dan HaygarthThe Foreign Secretary has warned Tehran against targeting UK interests as her Iranian counterpart said the UK providing its military bases to the US to use is seen as “participation in aggression”.
Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi delivered the message in a phone call with Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who told him that UK operations in the region were in response to Iran’s own strikes on Gulf countries.
She also condemned the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key international shipping route, and warned Tehran against targeting UK bases, territory or interests.
Read more:
Cooper warns Tehran against targeting UK interests
How could the war impact inflation in Britain
17:30 , Daniel HaygarthThe Bank of England said on Thursday that recent increases in wholesale energy costs would delay the return of CPI inflation to target, as it was already seeing higher fuel prices.
It is now expecting inflation to be around 3 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, up from the 2.1 per cent that had been forecast in February.
The central bankers stressed the situation is volatile and events over the next six weeks could shed light on the scale of the disruption and impact to prices.
Economists have weighed in with their own projections of where inflation could go if things persist.
Edward Allenby, senior economist for Oxford Economics, said he is now expecting CPI inflation to exceed 4 per cent during the second half of 2026.
“Under our updated assumptions, we now anticipate a much sharper rise in petrol prices, while higher wholesale gas prices cause a 19 per cent increase in the Ofgem energy price cap in July,” he said.
Pantheon Macroeconomics agreed that, if the latest spike in gas prices is sustained, then CPI could be headed to 4 per cent later this year.
Oil and gas prices retreated on Friday after Thursday’s painful cost spikes, with Brent crude dropping to 108 dollars a barrel.
The surge in prices is a direct result of Tehran’s refusal to allow the world’s oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which has wreaked chaos on the global economy.
Trump ‘considers risky ground offensive to free Strait of Hormuz’ after branding Nato ‘cowards’
17:15 , Dan HaygarthDonald Trump is said to be considering a risky ground offensive aimed at dismantling Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has wreaked chaos on the global economy and sent oil prices spiralling.
Under the plan, the US military would occupy or blockade Iran’s Kharg Island, a crucial transport hub 15 miles from the country’s mainland, which processes 90 per cent of Iran’s crude oil exports, in order to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait, Axios reported.
Oil and gas prices retreated on Friday after Thursday’s painful cost spikes, with Brent crude dropping to 108 dollars a barrel. The surge in prices is a direct result of Tehran’s refusal to allow the world’s oil tankers to pass through the Strait.
Read more:
Trump ‘considers ground offensive to free Hormuz’ after calling Nato ‘cowards’
In pictures: The tail section of an Iranian ballistic missile fired from Iran, sticks out of the ground at a vineyard in Golan Heights
17:00 , Bryony Gooch Thousands of additional US Marines and sailors heading to Middle East, reports
16:50 , Dan HaygarthThe United States is deploying thousands of additional Marines and sailors to the Middle East, three US officials told Reuters on Friday.
No decision had been made to send troops into Iran itself, two of the officials said, but they will build up the capacity for potential future operations in the region.
The deployments of the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, along with its Marine Expeditionary Unit and accompanying warships, come after Reuters reported that President Donald Trump's administration was considering deploying thousands of U.S. troops to reinforce its operation in the Middle East.
Trump told reporters on Thursday that he was not putting troops "anywhere," but that if he were to do so, he would not tell journalists.
The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss future deployments, did not say what the role of the additional troops would be.
One of the officials said the troops were departing the West Coast of the United States about three weeks ahead of schedule. The expeditionary unit has about 2,500 Marines.
The White House referred questions to the Pentagon, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Reuters said,
The additional deployments will add to the 50,000 U.S. troops already in the Middle East and would bring two Marine Expeditionary Units to the region.
The first MEU, which was dispatched from the Indo-Pacific, is expected to arrive in the Middle East next week.
Shipping firm ‘paid Iran $2 million’ to let boats through Strait of Hormuz
16:30 , Dan HaygarthA shipping firm paid Iran $2 million to secure the safe transit of one of its ships through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report, as Tehran moves towards a “selective” blockade of the waterway.
Read more:
Shipping firm ‘paid Iran $2 million’ to let boats through Strait of Hormuz
Inflation outlook 'rarely been more uncertain than it is now'
16:17 , Dan HaygarthUK inflation is expected to have been broadly steady last month but experts warn of another “twist” to the cost-of-living story in the months ahead, as war in the Middle East is set to send energy bills soaring.
The rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation has been gradually easing back towards the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target level since last summer.
Some analysts are expecting CPI to have held relatively steady in February, or dipped slightly, from the 3 per cent level recorded in January.
Official figures for last month will be published on Wednesday.
Economists for Deutsche Bank and Pantheon Macroeconomics said they are anticipating CPI to hold steady at 3 per cent in February, with lower fuel and services inflation being offset by higher clothes prices and air fares.
Edward Allenby, senior economist for Oxford Economics, said he thinks CPI inflation fell to 2.8 per cent in February, largely thanks to a predicted fall in petrol prices and slower inflation in the services sector.
Analysts for Barclays said they are expecting the headline rate to dip to 2.9 per cent also partly because of lower pump prices during the month.
But Sanjay Raja, Deutsche Bank’s chief UK economist, said the inflation outlook has “rarely been more uncertain than it is now”.
Netanyahu foreign policy advisor says cooperation between US and Israel a first in 'history of human conflict'
16:00 , Bryony GoochForeign policy adviser to Benjamin Netanyahu Ophir Falk has responded to questions about whether the Israeli strikes have been coordinated with the US, saying that the level of cooperation between Trump and Netanyahu is a first in “the history of human conflict”.
He said on CNN News Central: "I can’t speculate on what The New York Times says, and I’m not going to get into that. What I can tell you is that never in the history of human conflict has there been such coordination and cooperation between two great world leaders, prime minister Netanyahu and president Trump.
“They’ve had great cooperation and coordination. On this specific strike, we struck - we hit them alone. We hit them alone. It’s their gravy train. We hit them hard. We were asked not to hit them again. And we’re holding off on that. But it’s important to see that we’re well ahead of our war objectives.
“Our objective is to remove the existential threat posed by this genocidal ayatollah regime. The best way of doing that is to remove the Ayatollah regime. Another way of doing that is to hit their capabilities, to decimate their nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.
“And we’re doing that along with the United States day in, day out, day after day, harder and harder. And we’re going to continue to do that until we get the job done.”
Watch: Iranian man arrested with woman after ‘attempting to enter UK nuclear naval base’
15:45 , Bryony GoochIn pictures: A damaged building at an impact site in Israel, following a barrage of missiles launched from Iran
15:30 , Bryony Gooch Iran Supreme Leader names new year 'resistance economy', denies role in attacks on Turkey, Oman
15:20 , Bryony GoochIran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei released a message on Friday marking the start of Persian New Year which he named the year of a "resistance economy under national unity and national security."
In the statement, released on his Telegram channel, Khamenei said that attacks against Turkey and Oman were not carried out by Iran or its allied forces.
US to deploy of thousands of additional troops to the Middle East, officials say
15:15 , Bryony GoochThe US will deploy three more warships, and roughly 2,500 more Marines to the Middle East, an official has said.
One of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the USS Boxer, along with the Marie Expeditionary Unit aboard, were departing the West Coast of the United States about three weeks ahead of schedule.
Trump: Iran hasn't got a navy after two weeks at war
15:03 , Bryony GoochUS president Donald Trump has said Iran hasn’t got a navy anymore, echoing Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments that their navy was “at the bottom of the sea.”
He said: "I want to begin by just saying we're doing extremely well in Iran. The difference between them and us is they had a navy two weeks ago. They have no navy anymore. It's all at the bottom of the sea. 58 ships knocked down in two days, and we have the greatest Navy anywhere in the world.
“That's not even close. So we are doing really well. We're not going to let them have nuclear weapons, because if they had them, they'd use them, and we're not going to let that happen. Should have been done a long time ago by other presidents."
Republican Senate candidate tells Americans to ‘skip Starbucks’ to help support Iran war
15:00 , Bryony Gooch GOP candidate tells Americans to ‘skip Starbucks’ to help support Iran war
Removing sanctions on Iran oil will bring supply to ports, US energy secretary says
14:45 , Bryony GoochRemoving sanctions on stranded Iranian oil would get supplies to Asia within three or four days, US energy secretary Chris Wright said on Friday.
Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday the US may soon remove sanctions on Iranian oil stranded on tankers at sea, as Washington seeks to curb prices soaring over Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Indian gas tankers getting ready to sail through Hormuz, data shows
14:30 , Bryony GoochTwo Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas tankers are preparing to sail through the Strait of Hormuz in coming days after a pause in voyages with no crude oil tankers leaving the waterway in the past 24 hours, according to shipping data and sources.
The two tankers were currently anchored in Gulf waters, according to data from Kpler and shipping sources. According to market assessments from sources on Friday, based on available data, there had been no voyages over the past 24 hours by crude tankers through the waterway, with one empty crude oil tanker, hit with US sanctions, returning through the Strait back towards Iranian waters on 18 March, separate Kpler data showed.
Full statement: Trump lashes out at 'cowards' in Nato
14:25 , Bryony GoochUS president Donald Trump has called Nato “cowards” in a bid to encourage their support in his bid to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
He said: “Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER! They didn’t want to join the fight to stop a Nuclear Powered Iran. Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don’t want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices.
“So easy for them to do, with so little risk. COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Nowruz: What to know about the festival marking the Iranian new year
14:15 , Bryony Gooch Nowruz: What to know about the festival marking the Iranian new year
China calls for end to war in Middle East warning of economic impact
14:00 , Bryony GoochChina called for an end to the war in the Middle East on Friday, warning of the impact on global energy, shipping and trade, with the near three-week conflict showing no sign of slowing.
"History and reality have repeatedly shown the world that force is not the solution to problems and armed conflict will only breed new hatred," Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's foreign ministry said when asked whether Beijing had a message for Muslim communities as they mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The "still widening war" in the Middle East harms the common interests of all countries, Lin said, repeating Beijing's position that all sides in the Gulf conflict should cease fighting and that energy flows from the region should be unimpeded.
Indian gas tankers getting ready to sail through Hormuz, data shows
13:59 , Tara CobhamTwo Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas tankers are preparing to sail through the Strait of Hormuz in coming days after a pause in voyages with no crude oil tankers leaving the waterway in the past 24 hours, according to shipping data and sources.
The two tankers were currently anchored in Gulf waters, according to data from Kpler and shipping sources.
According to market assessments from sources on Friday, based on available data, there had been no voyages over the past 24 hours by crude tankers through the waterway, with one empty crude oil tanker, hit with US sanctions, returning through the Strait back towards Iranian waters on 18 March, separate Kpler data showed.
Nato mission in Iraq to start evacuating temporarily, state news agency citing source
13:58 , Tara CobhamNato has begun withdrawing personnel from Iraq due to regional tensions and conflict, a senior security source told Iraq's state news agency on Friday.
The source added that the Nato mission is non-combat and advisory, and will return once the war ends and security in Iraq stabilises.
Trump calls Nato 'cowards' over lack of support in Iran war
13:56 , Tara CobhamPresident Donald Trump assailed Nato allies on Friday over their lack of support for the US-Israel war against Iran, calling the longtime US allies “cowards”.
"Without the USA, NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!" Trump said in a social media post. "COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!"
France sees no obvious short-term end to Middle East war, Barrot says
13:45 , Bryony GoochFrance's foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said he did not see an obvious end to the conflict in the Middle East in the short-term, but that France and its allies would continue to work towards trying to find a lasting solution.
"There is no obvious short-term way out of the ongoing regional escalation, which has in some ways been unfolding since October 7, 2023. But this must in no way serve as a pretext for inaction," Barrot told reporters after meeting with Israeli counterpart Gideon Saar in Tel Aviv.
After visiting Lebanon on Thursday, Barrot said he had outlined Paris' reservations about a possible Israeli ground operation in southern Lebanon, but said the Lebanese army had to do everything possible to disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah as demanded by the Lebanese government.
Iran warns UK allowing US to use military bases could be considered ‘aggression’
13:30 , Bryony Gooch Iran warns UK allowing US to use military bases could be considered ‘aggression’
Iran's longest internet blackout continues for 21st day through the Persian New Year
13:15 , Bryony GoochAs Iran marks Nowruz, the Persian new year, the country remains in its longest internet blackout.
The country has been under an internet shutdown for 21 days, according to NetBlocks.
“With international connectivity cut and domestic service limited, many families are unable to contact loved ones when it's most needed.”
⚠️ Update: #Iran is entering Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in digital darkness, as the internet blackout continues into day 21 after 480 hours.
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) March 20, 2026
With international connectivity cut and domestic service limited, many families are unable to contact loved ones when it's most needed. pic.twitter.com/IP1Io8G3IB
In pictures: Beirut worshippers take part in the Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of Ramadan
13:00 , Bryony Gooch How countries are cutting deals with Iran to move oil through Hormuz
12:45 , Bryony Gooch How countries are cutting deals with Iran to move oil through the Strait of Hormuz
Israel strikes Iran's feared Basij from commanders down to street level, but its grip remains strong
12:30 , Bryony GoochHours after Israel killed the top commander of Iran's Basij this week, it struck again - this time at the rank and file of the feared force that helped crush widespread protests this year.
A drone blasted one of the Basij's many temporary roadblocks erected around the capital, Tehran.Israel and the US say they aim to break the Islamic Republic's tools of domestic control in their campaign of bombardment, now nearly three weeks old.
Since the war began, monitors estimate that up to a third of strikes have targeted the top echelons and major bases of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and its Basij volunteers tasked with enforcing loyalty to Iran's theocratic rulers.
Last week, Israel began striking Basij checkpoints, extending the threat to low-ranking members. But the Basij, police and Revolutionary Guard have maintained their grip, and there has been no sign yet of Iranians heeding US and Israeli calls to rise up, as many seek refuge from the airstrikes and uncertainty.
Iranian man arrested trying to get into naval base where Britain’s nuclear submarines are
12:26 , Bryony GoochA 34-year-old man, understood to be Iranian, has been arrested after trying to get into Faslane naval base where Britain’s nuclear submarines are based, Police Scotland said.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Around 5pm on Thursday, 19 March, 2026, we were made aware of two people attempting to enter HM Naval Base Clyde.
“A 34-year-old man and 31-year-old woman have been arrested in connection and enquiries are ongoing.”
Watch: Trump denies he’s sending troops to Iran
12:15 , Bryony GoochInside the White House plan for ‘banger memes’ to sell his Iran war
12:00 , Bryony Gooch Inside the White House plan for ‘banger memes’ to sell his Iran war
Pictured: The shattered structure of a police station is seen after it was hit Friday in Tehran
11:45 , Bryony Gooch Spain to reduce VAT on fuel to 10 per cent
11:30 , Bryony GoochSpain will reduce VAT on fuel to 10 per cent in order to mitigate the impact of the Iran war, according to Spanish radio. It is currently 21 per cent.
Iranian missile hits infrastructure at Israeli oil refinery.
11:15 , Bryony GoochAn Iranian missile has reportedly hit electrical infrastructure at a Haifa refinery, according to Israel’s oil refineries.
The refinery, hit on Thursday, supplied a service facility, a statement read.
It is expected to return to operations within a few days.