US secretary of state Rubio expresses concern over Israeli settler violence in West Bank
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday the United States is concerned about violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and has expressed that position to the Israeli government.
Speaking to reporters before leaving a G7 meeting in France, Rubio said he expects the Israeli government to do something about it.
IRGC tells US, Israel-linked industries to 'start evacuation' after 'attack on Iran's nuclear sites'
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned US-linked and Israel-allied industrial companies and heavy industries in the region to evacuate workplaces, according to Iranian media.
The warning came as Iran said its nuclear facilities were targeted on Friday, hours after Israel signalled that its attacks would “escalate and expand”.
State media reported that a heavy-water plant and a yellowcake production facility were struck. Yellowcake is a concentrated form of uranium produced after impurities are removed from raw ore.
Pro-Iranian group hacks account of FBI Director Kash Patel; uncovers personal photos, documents
A pro-Iranian hacking group claimed Friday to have hacked an account of FBI Director Kash Patel and has posted online what appear to be years-old photographs of him, along with a work resume and other personal documents. Many of those records appeared to be more than a decade old.
"Kash Patel, the current head of the FBI, who once saw his name displayed with pride on the agency's headquarters, will now find his name among the list of successfully hacked victims," said a message posted Friday from the group Handala.
Saudi Arabia and Ukraine sign defence procurement memorandum in Jeddah
Saudi Arabia's defence ministry has signed a memorandum regarding arrangements related to defence procurement with Ukraine's defence ministry in Jeddah, the Saudi state news agency SPA reported on Friday.
Iran's Khondab heavy water research reactor targeted in air attack: Report
Iran's Khondab heavy water research reactor was targeted in air attack, official tells Fars News Agency. There has been no casualties and no danger threatens residents in the area.
Foreign ministers of G7 call for an immediate stop to attacks against civilians
The foreign ministers of the G7 group of nations called on Friday for an immediate stop to attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Iran war.
In a joint statement agreed on the second day of a G7 meeting in France - this year's host country - the ministers said they had underscored the importance of minimising the impact of the conflict on regional partners, civilian populations and critical infrastructure.
"We focused on the value of diverse partnerships, coordination, and supporting initiatives, including to mitigate global economic shocks such as disruptions to economic, energy, fertilizer and commercial supply chains, which have direct impacts on our citizens," they said in the statement seen by Reuters.
The ministers also reiterated the need to restore safe and toll-free freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The G7 members are the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, along with the European Union.
US is certain about having 'destroyed about a third' of Iran's missiles
US is certain about having destroyed a third of Iran's missiles, say sources.
Another third is believed to be damaged, destroyed or burried.
They added that Iran is continuing attacks, may be conserving missiles, while estimates of Iran's missile stockpile vary widely.
Russia helps Iran identify strike targets: German minister
German foreign minister Johann Wadephul on Friday accused Russia of helping Iran identify potential strike targets, saying President Vladimir Putin was hoping to use the Iran war as a distraction from his attack on Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters at a G7 meeting in France, Wadephul also said he had spoken to US Secretary of State Marcio Rubio to outline Germany's position, that it was willing to help play a role in the Strait of Hormuz after hostilities end.
"Putin cynically hopes that the escalation in the Middle East will divert our attention from his crimes in Ukraine," Wadephul said. "This calculation must not succeed. We see very clearly how closely the two conflicts are intertwined. Russia is evidently supporting Iran with information about potential targets."
UN rights chief urges US to conclude probe into deadly Iran school strike
The U.N. rights chief urged Washington to conclude its investigation into a fatal strike on a primary school in Iran at a UN Human Rights Council meeting on Friday, with some states voicing outrage over the incident.
The emergency debate at the Geneva council was called by Iran to discuss the attack on the Shajareh Tayyebeh School which Tehran says killed more than 175 children and teachers on the first day of the nearly month-long regional war which began with joint US-Israeli strikes.
Reuters reported on March 5 that US military investigators believed it was likely that US forces were responsible but have not yet reached a final conclusion or completed their investigation. The Pentagon has since elevated the probe. Israel has also said it was investigating the incident.
UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk called for Washington to conclude its probe as soon as possible and publish the results.
"There must be justice for the terrible harm done," he said by video link after meetings with US officials in Washington this week.
"This atrocity cannot be justified, cannot be concealed, and must not be met with silence and indifference," Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told the council by video link.
Pakistan's ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva Bilal Ahmad said the death of school children was unconscionable while China's ambassador Jia Guide said he was deeply shocked.
"(It) is a breach of the bottom line of human morality, the most egregious violation of human rights and (shows) blatant contempt for IHL (international humanitarian law)," China's Jia said. Numerous other countries said they were appalled while also drawing attention to Iran's own human rights violations during mass protests against Iranian authorities in January. Others condemned Iran's retaliatory strikes since the war began on February 28, 2026 which include attacks against Israel, U.S. bases and Gulf states which were discussed by the council earlier this week. A bereaved mother, Mohaddeseh Fallahat, also addressed the 47-member council, calling for justice "so that the world knows that children's lives are not worthless".
Escalation in Middle East possible in coming days: Polish PM
There are reasons to believe that there could be an escalation in the conflict in the Middle East in the coming days, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Friday.
"I have reasons to believe, also based on information we've received from our allies, that stabilisation is unlikely in the coming days. On the contrary, a new escalation may occur," Tusk told reporters.
Over 1,900 dead in Iran since start of US-Israel strikes
More than 1,900 people have been killed and at least 20,000 injured in Iran since the start of US and Israeli attacks, said Maria Martinez of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Friday, citing figures provided by the Iranian Red Crescent.
Martinez said the Iranian Red Crescent continues to serve as the only nationwide humanitarian organization operating across the country amidst the escalating conflict.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz warns that Israeli attacks on Iran 'will escalate and expand'
Israel's defence minister said on Friday that Israeli attacks on Iran "will escalate and expand."
Israel Katz made the comment in a statement noting that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "warned the Iranian terrorist regime to stop firing missiles at the civilian population in Israel."
"Despite the warnings, the firing continues - and therefore (Israeli military) attacks in Iran will escalate and expand to additional targets and areas that assist the regime in building and operating weapons against Israeli citizens," Katz said.
"They will pay heavy, increasing prices for this war crime."
US uses hundreds of Tomahawk missiles on Iran, alarming some at Pentagon: Report
The U.S. military has fired over 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles in four weeks of war with Iran, burning through the precision weapons at a rate that has alarmed some Pentagon officials and prompted internal discussions about how to make more available, the Washington Post reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report. The U.S. Department of Defense and the White House did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.
Iran's IRGC: Shipping to and from ports of US-Israeli allies is prohibited, state media says
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said on Friday that shipping "to and from ports of allies and supporters of the Israeli-American enemies" is prohibited through any corridor or to any destination, Iranian state media reported.
The IRGC added that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and any transit through the waterway will face "harsh measures".
Three container ships of various nationalities were turned back from the Strait of Hormuz after warnings from the IRGC revolutionary guards' navy, media also reported.
Iran forbids its sports teams from traveling to 'hostile' countries
Iran has banned its sports teams from traveling to countries it considers "hostile," Iranian state TV reported Thursday ahead of Tractor FC's scheduled soccer game in Saudi Arabia.
The ban announced by Iran's Ministry of Sports in Tehran didn't mention the World Cup which starts June 11 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The ministry's statement singled out the Tractor game against Shabab Al Ahli of Dubai that was set to be played in Saudi Arabia. It's a playoff game in the Asian Champions League Elite.
"The presence of national and club teams in countries that are considered hostile and are unable to ensure the security of Iranian athletes and team members is prohibited until further notice," it said.
The Iran war has impacted the region, with nearly every country in the Middle East sustaining damage from missile hits, drone strikes or shrapnel.
Tractor's playoff game in Saudi Arabia was the result of the Asian Football Confederation's draw Wednesday to determine the quarterfinal pairings, a day after announcing that the western zone playoffs that were postponed because of the war in the Middle East have been rescheduled for April 13-14 in Jeddah.
The Saudi city is also slated to host the tournament quarterfinals, semifinals and final from April 16-25, with organizers setting the dates and hoping for peace in the region.
The Iranian ministry added that the soccer federation and clubs "will be responsible for notifying the Asian Football Confederation of this matter in order to relocate the games."
Iran's stance on the World Cup
The Iranian ambassador in Mexico City has said the country was negotiating with FIFA to move Iran's three group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico after U.S. President Donald Trump discouraged the team from attending the 48-nation tournament, citing safety concerns.
Last week, however, FIFA President Gianni Infantino further dampened Iran's attempts to move its World Cup matches, saying global soccer's governing body wants the tournament "to go ahead as scheduled."
Iranian government and soccer officials have said they do not want to boycott the World Cup but that it is not possible for the national team to come to the U.S. because of military attacks on the country by Israel and U.S. since Feb. 28.
Kuwait's Shuwaikh port hit by drones causing material damage, no injuries reported, ports authority says
Kuwait's Shuwaikh port was hit by drones, causing material damage with no injuries reported, Kuwait ports authority said on Friday.
UAE willing to join international force to reopen Strait of Hormuz: Report
The United Arab Emirates has told the U.S. and other Western allies it would participate in a multinational maritime taskforce to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The UAE is trying to push dozens of countries to create a “Hormuz Security Force” to defend the strait from Iranian attacks and escort shipping, the report added.
The UAE has faced more Iranian attacks than any other country in the region, including Israel.
Several U.S. allies have said they have no immediate plans to send ships to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, rebuffing a Trump request for military support to keep the vital waterway open.
France said on Thursday it had held talks with around 35 countries seeking partners and proposals for a mission to reopen the strait, but only once the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran ends.
Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas, spiking energy prices and fuelling global inflation fears.
The UAE is also working on a U.N. Security Council resolution with Bahrain to provide any future taskforce with a mandate, but Russia and China could oppose the move, the report added.
U.N. Security Council members have begun negotiating resolutions to protect commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, including a Bahraini draft that would authorise the use of "all necessary means", Reuters reported earlier this week.
Last week, a senior Emirati official said UAE may join a U.S.-led effort to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran all but shut the waterway to ships.
The waterway is vital to the economy of the UAE, a major oil exporter and trade hub. Iran has repeatedly attacked an Emirati port located outside the Gulf that is used to load oil exports.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report.
Airstrike hits building in Beirut's southern suburbs, security sources say
An airstrike with three missiles targeted a building in Beirut's southern suburbs early on Friday, security sources said.
No further details were immediately available. Israel launched an offensive against Hezbollah after the group opened fire on Israel on March 2, with Hezbollah saying it was acting in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader.
Trump weighs sending another 10,000 ground troops to the Middle East: Report
The Pentagon is looking at sending up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East to give President Donald Trump more military options even as he weighs peace talks with Tehran, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing Department of Defense officials with knowledge of the planning.
Thai ship hit in Hormuz runs aground off Iran's Qeshm Island, Iran's Tasnim says
A Thai-flagged cargo ship that was hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month has run aground off Iran's Qeshm Island, Iran's Tasnim news agency said on Friday.
Thailand said 20 crew members were rescued by the Omani navy, while three were missing after an explosion in the stern of the ship, Mayuree Naree, caused a fire in the engine room.
