Keir Starmer accused of ‘mimicking Trump’ with Middle East crisis TikTok post
PM justifies position on US-Israel war on Iran in social media post using the Dire Straits song Money for NothingKeir Starmer has been accused of trying to mimic Donald Trump’s social media output after posting a TikTok video about the crisis in the Middle East overlaid with the prime minister’s voice and the Dire Straits song Money for Nothing.The video opens with footage showing Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters flying over his head before cutting to British military jets in action and a drone being destroyed, as Starmer’s voice states the position he has taken on the conflict. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Sri Lanka takes control of Iranian ship, brings crew to shore
Sri Lanka began transferring more than 200 sailors from an Iranian vessel to shore on Friday after the ship sought help while anchored outside the country’s waters, as tensions mounted in the Indian Ocean following the sinking of an Iranian warship by a US submarine. Sri Lanka navy spokesman Commander Buddhika Sampath said the sailors of the IRIS Bushehr were being brought first to the port of Colombo and the ship will later be moved to an eastern port on the island. “The disembarkation is in... [Continue Reading]
Dubai Residents Receive Emergency Alerts Amid Increased Missile Threats from Iran
Residents of Dubai have received emergency alerts urging them to seek immediate shelter amidst heightened missile threats originating from Iran. Reports indicate that the threats are part of a significant increase in missile strikes by Iran, described as "its most intense barrage of missile strikes yet." Multiple alerts were issued, with at least two sent in quick succession to residents, including those who are British expatriates. Emergency advisories recommended that individuals remain sheltered until further instructions were relayed. The situation escalated dramatically as Dubai reported incidents involving drones being intercepted. Debris from these drones has caused fires at notable landmarks,... [Continue Reading]
Albanese says Australian troops were on board US submarine that sank Iranian ship
Three Australian military personnel were on board an American submarine that sank an Iranian navy ship off Sri Lanka this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday. Speaking to Sky News, Albanese said: “I can confirm that there were three Australian personnel on board that vessel”. The personnel were on board the submarine as part of training arrangements under Aukus, a multidecade defence pact with Britain and the United States, Albanese said. “These are long-standing third country... [Continue Reading]
Trump expresses desire for US involvement in selecting Iran's future supreme leader amid political turbulence
In a recently issued statement, US President Donald Trump has expressed his desire for the United States to play a pivotal role in selecting the future supreme leader of Iran, particularly in the wake of ongoing political turbulence within the country. With Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s eventual succession on the horizon, Trump identified that it is still early in the decision-making process but firmly stated that he does not believe Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, is a viable candidate for leadership. Trump asserted, “We want to be involved in the process of choosing the person who is going to lead Iran into the... [Continue Reading]
Breaking: Australians on US sub sat out operation to sink Iranian ship, PM says
The prime minister confirms three Royal Australian Navy personnel were on board a US submarine that sank an Iranian warship earlier this week. [Continue Reading]
Trump urges Iranian diplomats around the world to request asylum
Trump touted the U.S. military actions in Iran on Thursday, saying they were destroying Tehran's missile and drone capability and that "their navy is gone - 24 ships in three days," as he called on Iranian diplomats to request asylum and help shape a better country. "We also urge Iranian diplomats around the world to request asylum and to help us shape a new and better Iran," he said. FRANCE 24's Fraser Jackson reports from Washington. [Continue Reading]
The Royal Navy's destroyer will arrive too late for Cyprus - the French are already here
Twice, the air raid sirens sounded around RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on Thursday afternoon. We were rushed inside as soldiers lay on the floor in body armour. It was over quickly. [Continue Reading]
Iranian ship asks to dock in Sri Lankan port after US sinking of frigate
Urgent request to dock is submitted by vessel after US submarine sank Iranian warship in same area on TuesdayMiddle East crisis – live updatesSri Lanka has evacuated 208 crew members from an Iranian navy vessel that made an emergency request to dock, a day after a US submarine strike sank another Iranian frigate, killing more than 80 people on board.Sri Lanka’s president, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on Thursday confirmed that the country’s navy would take over Iranian military support ship IRIS Bushehr and allow it to dock at the north-eastern port of Trincomalee. Continue reading... [Continue Reading]
Kim tests missile from new destroyer as North Korea draws lessons from Iran conflict
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected a newly built destroyer and oversaw a test launch of what state media called a “strategic cruise missile” this week, casting the navy’s build-up as a key part of Pyongyang’s evolving nuclear deterrent, analysts said. The two-day inspection of the 5,000-tonne destroyer Choe Hyon came as North Korea was closely watching recent US military strikes on Iran and ahead of US-South Korea joint exercises set to begin on March 9. Kim hailed the warship as a “new... [Continue Reading]
Israel Conducts Airstrikes on Iranian Targets Near Iran-Iraq Border Amid Escalating Middle East Conflict
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has intensified, with Israel launching fresh airstrikes on Iranian targets, specifically near the Iran-Iraq border. This military action aligns with a broader strategy involving both the United States and Israel, aimed at countering perceived threats from Iran in the region. Key political figures, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, have affirmed their nations' commitment to supporting allies amidst increasing hostilities. Recent reports indicate that the airstrikes were part of a coordinated effort to address growing tensions. The US and Israeli plans reportedly include mobilizing Kurdish forces, indicating a strategic realignment in regional military... [Continue Reading]
Canadian PM Mark Carney and Albanese brush off calls for Middle East ceasefire
Anthony Albanese and Mark Carney stop short of calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East as the war widens, with Iran launching missiles at Türkiye and a United States submarine sinking an Iranian navy vessel off Sri Lanka. [Continue Reading]
Iran’s navy in crosshairs as warship sinking by US submarine ups game
The Iranian warship IRIS Dena was in the Indian Ocean when a Los Angeles-class US attack submarine fired an MK-48 torpedo, setting off a massive explosion that lifted the ship’s stern out of the water before sinking the vessel. The US Defence Department highlighted the attack – releasing black-and-white video footage that showed the USS Charlotte’s strike – to draw attention to a key element of its campaign against Iran: eliminating the country’s navy to keep the country from impeding the flow... [Continue Reading]
UK government begins evacuation of citizens from Oman amid rising tensions in the Middle East
As tensions rise in the Middle East, the UK government has initiated the evacuation of its citizens from Oman. A government-chartered flight was reported to have departed from Muscat at around 7 PM UK time, marking the first of multiple evacuation efforts. This comes as the conflict in Iran continues to escalate, heightening safety concerns for British nationals in the region. In addition to this flight, eight commercial flights from the United Arab Emirates are also scheduled to depart for London. Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that, following the initial flight, two more government-chartered flights are set to leave Muscat... [Continue Reading]
U.S. submarine torpedoes Iranian warship IRIS Dena in Indian Ocean, resulting in at least 80 sailor fatalities
In a significant escalation of military tensions, a U.S. submarine has torpedoed the Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, in the Indian Ocean, reportedly killing at least 80 sailors. The attack occurred on Wednesday, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who confirmed the strike during a press briefing. Sri Lankan authorities have indicated that they rescued 32 crew members from the ship, which had a total of 180 personnel on board, with 148 still unaccounted for amidst fears that their chances of survival are dwindling. The incident marks a turning point in U.S.-Iran relations, characterized over the years by heightened military and... [Continue Reading]
US and Israel conduct airstrikes on Iranian targets, destroying 11 naval vessels and impacting missile capabilities
In a significant escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, recent airstrikes conducted by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets have resulted in the destruction of at least 11 naval vessels and substantial missile and nuclear capabilities within Iran. As these developments unfold, UK officials have indicated that Britain may consider participation in future strikes against Iran's ballistic missile launch sites, further complicating the geopolitical landscape in the region. Satellite images reviewed by BBC Verify revealed extensive damage to Iran's naval fleet following the coordinated US-Israeli strikes that began over the weekend. The attacks primarily targeted infrastructure at... [Continue Reading]
US Launches Operation Epic Fury, Targeting Nearly 2,000 Sites in Iran Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
The United States has undertaken a significant military offensive against Iran, marking a critical escalation in ongoing regional tensions. This operation, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, commenced on a recent Saturday and has thus far seen nearly 2,000 targets hit across the country, as reported by US military sources. The intensity of the strikes has been described as nearly double that of the initial phase of the 2003 Iraq War, known for its overwhelming force. The ongoing military actions have resulted in substantial casualties and heightened volatility across the Middle East. Confirmed reports indicate that at least 787 individuals have died... [Continue Reading]
US and Israel Intensify Military Operations Against Iran and Allied Forces in Lebanon
In an alarming escalation of hostilities, the United States and Israel have ramped up military operations against Iran and its allied forces in Lebanon. As reported, this intensified bombardment is drastically affecting regional stability and oil supply routes, particularly through the critical Strait of Hormuz. Recent attacks have focused on key Iranian military targets, as both the US and Israeli armed forces aim to disrupt what they perceive as an existential threat posed by Iran's military capabilities. According to sources, these strikes are a direct response to Tehran's recent counterstrikes that have disrupted oil flows in the Middle East. Reports... [Continue Reading]
UK Government Considers Deploying HMS Duncan to Middle East Amid Escalating Tensions Involving US, Israel, and Iran
The UK government is deliberating the deployment of the Type 45 missile destroyer HMS Duncan to the Middle East amid an escalation of hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. This consideration comes as relations in the region reach a new low following airstrikes initiated by the United States and Israel, which began escalating tensions over the weekend. Currently, the conflict has progressed into its fourth consecutive day, seeing significant casualties and prompting fears for regional stability and security. The current military actions follow the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reportedly conducted by joint US-Israeli airstrikes.... [Continue Reading]
US and Israel Launch Military Strikes Against Iran, Prompting Missile Response from Tehran
The United States and Israel have initiated military strikes against Iran, marking a significant escalation in tensions in the Middle East. Targeting the Iranian leadership, these strikes have incited a rapid and aggressive Iranian response, wherein Tehran has launched missiles directed at US military bases and Israeli interests in adjacent Gulf states. This development is pivotal in the ongoing conflict dynamics within the region. Iran's retaliation involves a series of drone and missile attacks aimed at American military installations across the Middle East. Notably, bases in the Gulf Arab states have been heavily targeted, escalating the situation further. The US... [Continue Reading]
US and Israel Conduct Extensive Strikes on Iran, Prompting Retaliation Across the Middle East
In a significant escalation of military conflict, the United States and Israel launched extensive strikes on Iran, prompting immediate retaliatory actions by Iranian forces across the Middle East. This escalation unfolded early on a recent Saturday morning, particularly affecting areas such as Haifa, northern Israel, and various locations throughout the Gulf region, including Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the initiation of what he termed a "pre-emptive strike," asserting that the operation aimed to neutralize perceived threats to Israeli security. Following these actions, US President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged the commencement of "major combat... [Continue Reading]
