Middle East war news highlights: Two Kuwait ports damaged in drone attacks; UAE willing on Strait of Hormuz force

Middle East war news highlights: The United Arab Emirates has told Washington and other Western allies that it would participate in a multinational maritime task force aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Middle East war news LIVE updates: Iran has effectively kept the Strait of Hormuz closed, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, (REUTERS/ Representative)

Middle East war news highlights: The Houthis' Humanitarian Operations Coordination Centre (HOCC) – which manages the Houthis' maritime security in the Red Sea – has told maritime intelligence company Lloyd’s List that there is no reason for concern regarding oil tankers transiting the waterway via the Bab al-Mandeb Strait....Read More

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• 27 Mar 2026, 10:12:11 PM IST

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• 27 Mar 2026, 09:22:13 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Iran's response to US peace proposal expected today, says report

  Middle East war news LIVE: Iran's response to a US peace proposal aimed at ending the war in the Middle East is expected later today, Reuters said citing sources. US President Donald Trump and top White House officials have been told via interlocutors that Iran's counter-proposal would likely arrive Friday, the report said.

• 27 Mar 2026, 09:00:51 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Gulf bloc demands security guarantees in any Iran deal

  Middle East war news LIVE: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has presented a united stance, insisting that any agreement with Iran must directly address the security of Gulf states. Officials say their concerns can no longer be overlooked in negotiations.

  They have pointed to thousands of past attacks on energy facilities and infrastructure, warning that the region will not accept being targeted again.

  (Reuters)

• 27 Mar 2026, 08:46:50 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: UAE signals closer security ties with US after attacks

  Middle East war news LIVE: Recent Iranian strikes have pushed the UAE closer to the United States on security matters. Officials said the attacks have reshaped regional threat perceptions and strengthened alignment with Washington.

  The shift highlights growing concerns over Iran’s actions and the need for stronger defence partnerships in the region.

  (Reuters)

• 27 Mar 2026, 08:31:18 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Gulf nations push for long-term curbs on Iran’s military power

  Middle East war news LIVE: Officials from the region are calling for enforceable restrictions on Iran’s ability to carry out missile and drone attacks, target energy infrastructure, or threaten shipping routes. They say any agreement must prevent a repeat of recent disruptions and proxy conflicts.

  Leaders have stressed that without such guarantees, any deal would only delay future crises. They argue that past agreements failed to address these risks, leaving the region vulnerable.

  (Reuters)

• 27 Mar 2026, 08:09:17 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Gulf states tell US ceasefire is not enough in Iran war

  Middle East war news LIVE: Gulf Arab states have told the US that ending the Iran war alone will not be sufficient, and any deal must go further to reduce Iran’s military capabilities. Officials want strict limits on Iran’s missile and drone programmes, along with guarantees that global energy routes are not disrupted again, reported Reuters.

  The message comes as concerns grow over the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas supplies. Gulf policymakers said the focus is now not just on ending the war, but on shaping a stable regional order afterward.

  (Reuters)

• 27 Mar 2026, 07:52:56 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Indian pilots demand probe into airline decision-making

  Middle East war news LIVE: The pilots’ body in India has urged authorities to investigate Air India’s internal decision-making on operating flights into conflict zones. It specifically called for scrutiny of operational leadership and crew scheduling decisions.

  The ALPA India association said accountability must be established if safety risks were overlooked, particularly in the absence of clear insurance coverage.

• 27 Mar 2026, 07:36:28 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Indian pilots’ body flags safety risks of flying into Gulf conflict zones

  Middle East war news LIVE: The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India) has raised urgent safety concerns over continued commercial flights by Air India into Gulf regions affected by ongoing conflict. In a letter to the DGCA, the body said operating in or near active war zones poses a serious risk to passengers, crew and aircraft.

  The association called such operations a potential “wilful endangerment of human life” and urged authorities to immediately review and suspend flights to high-risk areas until a proper safety assessment is conducted.

• 27 Mar 2026, 07:21:10 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Airlines continue to suspend Middle East flights

  Middle East war news LIVE: Global air travel remained heavily disrupted as the Iran conflict forced the closure of key Middle East hubs like Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, leaving many passengers stranded. Airlines across the world have cancelled or reduced services, with uncertainty continuing over when normal operations will resume.

  Middle East airlines affected:

  1. Emirates (reduced flight schedule)
  2. Etihad Airways (limited operations from Abu Dhabi)
  3. Flynas (suspended multiple regional routes)
  4. Qatar Airways (gradually resuming flights)
  5. El Al Israel Airlines (cancelled most flights)
  6. Pegasus Airlines (suspended wide range of regional routes)
  7. Turkish Airlines (cancelled most Middle East flights)
• 27 Mar 2026, 06:58:34 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: All Indian ships, seafarers safe in Gulf amid West Asia tensions

  Middle East war news LIVE: All Indian-flagged ships and seafarers operating in the Gulf region are safe, with no incidents reported in the past 24 hours, a senior official from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said on Friday.

  Officials added that authorities are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with stakeholders. Around 20 Indian ships are currently operating in the Persian Gulf, carrying nearly 540 Indian crew members, all of whom are reported to be safe.

  (ANI)

• 27 Mar 2026, 06:10:39 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Riyadh, Dubai delay major finance events amid Iran war disruptions

  Middle East war news LIVE: Several high-profile finance events in Riyadh and Dubai have been postponed as the ongoing Iran conflict disrupts travel and raises security concerns across the region. Saudi Arabia’s Capital Markets Forum, originally set for April, has been delayed by a full year and will now take place in March 2027, the Bloomberg reported.

  Dubai has also pushed back key events, with the Dubai Financial Market postponing its capital markets conference to December, while Dubai Future Finance Week has been moved from May to November.

  (Bloomberg)

• 27 Mar 2026, 05:55:05 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Asian buyers shift away from Middle East crude amid price swings

  Middle East war news LIVE: Asian refiners are increasingly turning away from Middle Eastern crude as price volatility intensifies due to the conflict and disruptions in Gulf oil transport. Many buyers are now sourcing oil from Europe, Africa and the Americas instead.

  The shift comes after supply constraints and tanker disruptions, including issues around the Strait of Hormuz, drove prices sharply higher last week. Some Asian buyers are also beginning to price US crude against the global Brent benchmark instead of Dubai, signalling a broader change in trading patterns.

  (Reuters)

• 27 Mar 2026, 05:34:53 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Dubai crude premium drops sharply as sellers flood market

  Middle East war news LIVE: The spot premium for Dubai crude oil has fallen sharply this week, dropping more than 65% as sellers flooded the market with offers. The benchmark ended the week at about $23.81 per barrel, down from last week’s peak of around $65, amid high volatility linked to the ongoing Iran conflict.

  Traders said major sellers began offering cargoes early in the trading window, pushing prices lower, while demand remained limited. French energy giant TotalEnergies’ trading arm continued to be the main buyer, but did not aggressively counter the heavy selling pressure.

  (Reuters)

• 27 Mar 2026, 05:22:35 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: The latest on oil prices

  Middle East war news LIVE: Oil prices moved higher as traders prepared for the Iran conflict to continue into April, with ongoing attacks across the Middle East adding to uncertainty. Movement through the crucial Strait of Hormuz remains largely halted, raising concerns over global supply.

  Brent crude climbed to around $110 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered near $96. The rise comes after the US delayed a potential strike on Iran’s energy infrastructure by 10 days, extending worries about how long the conflict could last.

  (Bloomberg)

• 27 Mar 2026, 05:05:47 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Indian Embassy in UAE condoles death of Indian national in Abu Dhabi

  Middle East war news LIVE: The Indian Embassy in the UAE has expressed condolences over the death of an Indian national in Abu Dhabi, after debris fell following the interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems. The embassy said it is coordinating closely with UAE authorities to provide support and assistance.

  According to officials, two people, one Indian and one Pakistani, were killed when debris struck a busy street, while three others were injured.

• 27 Mar 2026, 04:53:25 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Saudi intercepts 3 more drones over Riyadh, debris falls near military site

  Middle East war news LIVE: Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry said its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed three drones in the Riyadh area. The ministry added that debris from the drones fell near a military site, but no casualties or injuries were reported.

  (Reuters)

• 27 Mar 2026, 04:35:12 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Saudi Arabia permits exit without fines for expired visa holders

  Middle East war news LIVE: Saudi Arabia has also offered a second option for foreign nationals with expired visas, allowing them to leave the country without facing penalties. Those wishing to depart immediately can exit through international ports without extending their visas or paying overstay fines.

  The Ministry of Interior said the measures are meant to support visitors and residents affected by travel disruptions while ensuring smooth border operations. The initiative reflects efforts to manage the situation and ease the burden on those stranded due to the ongoing regional crisis.

  (ANI)

• 27 Mar 2026, 04:20:33 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Saudi Arabia allows visa extensions for stranded foreigners

  Middle East war news LIVE: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has introduced a new initiative to help foreign nationals whose visas have expired due to ongoing regional disruptions. The move applies to holders of visit, Umrah and transit visas, as well as those with final exit permits, particularly those unable to leave the country as planned.

  Under the new rules, individuals with visas that expired from February 26 can request an extension through their host via the Absher platform. The extension will be valid until April 18, provided standard fees are paid, as authorities aim to help residents maintain legal status during the instability.

  (ANI)

• 27 Mar 2026, 04:04:00 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Saudi Arabia intercepts drone attacks over Riyadh amid rising tensions

  Middle East war news LIVE: Saudi Arabia’s air defence systems have intercepted multiple drones targeting Riyadh and parts of the Eastern Region, authorities said. The Defence Ministry confirmed that two drones were destroyed in the latest incident, marking the second attempted aerial strike on the capital within an hour.

  Earlier in the day, two more drones were shot down, while four others reportedly fell into the Arabian Gulf or landed in uninhabited areas. With back-to-back attempts to target key regions, the Saudi military remains on high alert as regional tensions continue to escalate.

  (ANI)

• 27 Mar 2026, 03:46:56 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Saudi Arabia asks citizens to leave Lebanon

  Middle East war news LIVE: Saudi Arabia has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon immediately, citing the “repercussions of the current events” in the country, according to a statement from the Saudi Embassy in Beirut on Friday.

  The embassy noted that a travel ban to Lebanon has already been in place for years. The advisory comes as tensions intensify, with Israel deploying thousands of troops across the border and engaging in ground fighting with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants for the past three weeks.

  (AP)

• 27 Mar 2026, 03:33:02 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE: Egypt FM speaks with Turkish, Pakistani counterparts on US-Iran talks

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held phone talks with his counterparts from Turkey and Pakistan, focusing on ongoing diplomatic efforts related to the United States and Iran, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said.

  The discussions were centred on “intensive efforts” to facilitate direct talks between Washington and Tehran, as regional countries step up mediation to ease tensions, though no further details were shared.

  (AP)

• 27 Mar 2026, 03:15:17 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Over 3,000 killed across region so far

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: The ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and allied forces has killed thousands across the Middle East. More than 1,900 people have died in Iran, while nearly 1,100 have been killed in Lebanon amid continued airstrikes and cross-border fighting. In Israel, at least 18 people have died, along with four Israeli soldiers killed during operations in Lebanon.

  The war has also claimed the lives of 13 US military personnel, along with several civilians in the Gulf region on land and at sea. Beyond the death toll, the humanitarian crisis is worsening, with millions displaced in Iran and Lebanon as the conflict shows no signs of slowing down.

  (AP)

• 27 Mar 2026, 02:53:49 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Ukraine, Saudi Arabia sign defence cooperation deal

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Ukraine and Saudi Arabia have signed a new defence cooperation agreement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday. The deal is expected to open the door for future contracts, joint technology work and investment between the two countries.

  Zelenskyy, who is currently visiting Saudi Arabia, said the agreement was finalised ahead of his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He added that Ukraine is willing to share its defence expertise and systems, and work with Saudi Arabia to improve security and protect lives.

  (Reuters)

• 27 Mar 2026, 02:29:31 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia says six ballistic missiles fired towards Riyadh

  Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry has said that six ballistic missiles were fired towards the Riyadh area.

  Air defences shot down two of the missiles while the other four fell in uninhabited areas or the Gulf waters, the ministry added.

• 27 Mar 2026, 02:04:50 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Second Kuwaiti port damaged by drone strike

  Kuwaiti authorities are reporting another attack on the country’s infrastructure, this one targeting Mubarak Al Kabeer port on its Bubiyan Island.

  According to Kuwait’s Ministry of Public Works, the port infrastructure was attacked by “hostile drones and cruise missiles”. It said there were material damages, but no casualties.

  A separate attack targeted Kuwait’s Shuwaikh Port earlier this morning, also causing material damage, according to authorities.

• 27 Mar 2026, 01:53:49 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Iran’s internet blackout continues for 28th day

  Cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks has said that a near-total internet blackout in Iran has now lasted 28 days.

  Authorities in the country are “continuing to refine a two-tiered system” in which the global internet is made available only to those on a state-approved whitelist.

• 27 Mar 2026, 01:45:16 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Iran says 250 teachers, students killed so far in US-Israeli strikes

  US and Israeli attacks on Iran have so far killed a total of 250 teachers and students, according to the head of the Iranian Ministry of Education’s public relations centre.

  Attacks have also damaged 723 educational and cultural facilities, Hossein Sadeghi was quoted as saying by Iran’s’ IRNA news agency.

  The total death toll in Iran is now at least 1,937 since the war was launched on February 28, according to Iran’s Deputy Health Minister Ali Jafarian.

• 27 Mar 2026, 01:38:04 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: 15 arrested in Iran for sharing sensitive information with ‘hostile network’

  Iranian authorities have arrested at least 15 people in Isfahan province for allegedly sending sensitive information to media networks that Tehran deems hostile.

  According to Iran’s IRIB broadcaster, the detained individuals are accused of sharing the location of military sites, photographs of attack damage, and other sensitive information.

• 27 Mar 2026, 01:36:24 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Israel detects incoming missiles from Iran

  Israel’s military has said that it has detected a wave of missiles from Iran heading towards the country, the first salvo this morning.

• 27 Mar 2026, 01:19:28 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Iran says it will target hotels housing US troops in the Middle East

  Iran’s military has warned that hotels housing US soldiers across the Middle East region will be targets in its war with the United States and Israel.

  “When all the Americans [forces] go into a hotel, then from our perspective that hotel becomes American,” armed forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi told state television.

  “Should we just stand by and let the Americans strike us? When we respond naturally, we have to strike wherever they are.”

• 27 Mar 2026, 01:02:03 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Germany raises hopes of direct US-Iran negotiations

  Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul says the United States and Iran have already held indirect contacts and are preparing for direct talks.

  Speaking to Deutschlandfunk radio, Wadephul said preparations are underway for a meeting between representatives from both sides, expected to take place soon in Pakistan.

  “Based on my information, there have been indirect contacts, and preparations have been made to meet directly. That would be very soon in Pakistan, apparently,” he said.

• 27 Mar 2026, 12:54:05 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Sirens sound in Bahrain, authorities urge ‘calm’

  Bahran’s Interior Ministry says alarm sirens have been activated in the country.

  “Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm, head to the nearest safe location, and follow updates through official channels,” said the ministry.

• 27 Mar 2026, 12:49:34 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Abu Dhabi launches awareness campaign

  Amid regional conditions, Abu Dhabi has launched the second phase of a campaign to raise public awareness.

  The guide is accessible to different segments of society and available in 9 languages, including Malayalam, Urdu, Tagalog, and Bangla.

  The guide covers topics ranging from protecting yourself from rumours to key emergency numbers to supporting children and the elderly during these times.

• 27 Mar 2026, 12:41:09 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Qatar says security threat ‘eliminated’

  Qatar has lowered its heightened security alert, with the ministry of interior sending a message to residents that the “threat has been eliminated and the situation has returned to normal”.

  The security alert just a few minutes earlier followed a week when Qatar residents had started to step out more, with no alerts giving them confidence that no missiles or drones were incoming.

  Schools are scheduled to reopen for in-person classes on Sunday.

• 27 Mar 2026, 12:26:22 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Gold rises on softer dollar

  Gold rose 2% on Friday, buoyed by a weaker dollar and bargain hunting, but was on track for a fourth straight weekly decline as surging energy prices fuelled inflation concerns and raised expectations of higher global interest rates.

  Spot gold rose 2% to $4,466.38 per ounce as of 0637 GMT. The commodity has fallen about 0.5% so far this week.

  US gold futures for April delivery gained 1.9% to $4,461.

• 27 Mar 2026, 12:22:04 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Kuwait's Shuwaikh Port hit by drone

  Kuwait Ports Authority has said that Iranian drones have hit the Shuwaikh Port, causing material damage, Reuters reported.

  No injuries have been reported so far.

• 27 Mar 2026, 12:05:52 PM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Gold prices in Dubai rise

  Gold prices surged by over Dh6 per gram in Dubai on Friday as the US dollar weakened and uncertainty persisted over the Middle East conflict.

  The 24K gold price was trading at Dh535.5 per gram at market opening on Friday, up from Dh529.25 per gram at the close of markets on Thursday.

  Other variants of the yellow metal also rose, with 22K, 21K, 18K, and 14K trading at Dh495.75, Dh475.25, Dh407.50, and Dh317.75 per gram, respectively.

• 27 Mar 2026, 11:45:39 AM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Dubai Investments shares rally 3.2 per cent

  Dubai Investments shares have rallied 3.2 per cent in early trade, Reuters reported.

• 27 Mar 2026, 11:16:10 AM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia intercepts five more drones

  Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed five drones in the country's Eastern Region, its news agency reported, citing a Ministry of Defence spokesperson.

• 27 Mar 2026, 11:04:55 AM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: UAE willing to join multinational force intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, report says

  The United Arab Emirates has told Washington and other Western allies that it would participate in a multinational maritime task force aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

• 27 Mar 2026, 10:54:10 AM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Israeli military warns Lebanese villagers to ‘leave immediately’

  The military said residents of Sajd village in southern Lebanon should leave immediately as Israeli forces will “act against it forcefully”.

  Residents must evacuate the village – believed to be located in the Jezzine district of Nabatieh Governorate – and “move north of the Zahrani River”, the military said.

  The Zahrani River is located some 50km (31 miles) north of southern Lebanon’s border with Israel, and Israeli forces have warned all residents of southern Lebanon to move north of this location.

• 27 Mar 2026, 10:50:31 AM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Rubio heads to France to convince G7 on Iran war

  Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in France to meet his Group of Seven counterparts on Friday after President Donald Trump attacked NATO countries over a reluctance or refusal to take part in the Iran war, a conflict that some of America's closest allies have met with deep scepticism.

  Rubio will have a hard time selling the other top diplomats from G7 countries on the US strategy for the Iran conflict, which has drawn objections from almost all nations. Trump's vitriolic comments about NATO during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday will make it even tougher. Of the G7 nations, besides the US, Britain, Canada, France, Italy, and Germany are members of the transatlantic military alliance. Japan is the only one that is not.

  Rubio left Washington for the G7 meeting outside Paris just hours after Trump complained bitterly about NATO countries not stepping up to help the US and Israel in the Iran war.

  "We are very disappointed with NATO because NATO has done absolutely nothing," Trump said.

• 27 Mar 2026, 10:32:06 AM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Thai cargo ship reportedly runs aground after Iran attack

  A Thai-flagged cargo ship that came under attack from Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and was abandoned by its crew has run aground, Iranian media reported Friday.

  The Mayuree Naree came under attack March 11, with three of its mariners going missing and still not found.

  The semiofficial Tasnim and Fars news agencies, believed to be close to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, reported that the cargo ship ran aground near the village of Ramchah on Qeshm Island.

• 27 Mar 2026, 10:10:09 AM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Houthis issue update on Bab al-Mandeb Strait closure

  The Houthi-founded Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) – which manages Houthi maritime security in the Red Sea – has told maritime intelligence company Lloyd’s List that there is no reason for concern regarding oil tankers transiting the waterway via the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

  “There is no cause for concern in this regard, and at present there is no reason to prevent this trade from continuing,” the HOCC was quoted as saying in a Lloyd’s report on Friday.

  “As you can see, dozens of vessels, including oil tankers, transit the Bab al-Mandeb Strait every day. In this context, the Republic of Yemen remains committed to safeguarding navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab-al-Mandeb Strait, as well as ensuring the free flow of trade,” the centre said.

  Bab al-Mandeb has become an increasingly important sea route for crude oil exports leaving Saudi Arabia due to the de facto shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz to most vessels amid the US-Israel war on Iran.

  There were reports this week that the Iran-backed Houthis could join the war in support of Iran, and observers say the Bab al-Mandeb Strait could become a military target.

• 27 Mar 2026, 09:57:51 AM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Oil prices on track for steepest weekly fall in 6 months

  Oil prices fell on Friday and were on track for the steepest weekly decline in six months after U.S. President Donald Trump said talks to end the war with Iran were going well and that he would pause attacks on the country's energy plants for 10 days.

  Brent futures fell 84 cents, or 0.8%, to $107.17 per barrel as of 0353 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures lost $1.02, or 1.1%, to $93.46 per barrel, trimming gains from a bullish previous session.

  Both benchmarks were trading 4.6% lower on a weekly basis despite Brent rising 5.7% and WTI gaining 4.6% on Thursday on fears of further escalation of the war.

• 27 Mar 2026, 09:51:06 AM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: UN Security Council to hold closed-door consultations on Iran

  The UN Security Council has scheduled a closed consultation on Iran at 10 AM ET on Friday.

  According to the Associated Press news agency, Russia asked for the meeting on US-Israeli attacks on civilian infrastructure in the country, two UN diplomats said.

  The US, which currently holds the rotating Security Council presidency, scheduled the meeting.

• 27 Mar 2026, 09:25:14 AM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Saudi Arabia shoots down drones

  The Saudi Ministry of Defence said the drones were detected and destroyed in the kingdom’s eastern region, which is home to key oil facilities and has been constantly targeted by Iran since the outbreak of war.

• 27 Mar 2026, 09:20:08 AM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Weather forecast for UAE today

  The National Centre of Meteorology said that the country will continue to be affected by a rainy weather system until tonight.

  There is a chance of rain clouds forming over scattered areas of the country, with rainfall ranging from moderate to heavy at times, continuing until tonight.

  Winds will be light to moderate Southeasterly to Northeasterly, becoming Northwesterly, and will blow fresh to strong at times. They will cause blowing dust and sand, a reduction in horizontal visibility as they hit speeds of 15-30kmph, reaching 60 kmph at times. The sea will be moderate to rough in the Arabian Gulf and in the Oman Sea.

  The highest temperature in Dubai and Sharjah will be 25°C, while the lowest will be 22°C and 21°C, respectively. Temperatures in Abu Dhabi will range between 21°C and 26°C.

• 27 Mar 2026, 09:07:38 AM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Iran targets various US and Israeli military installations in the region

  The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced the launch of the 83rd wave of Operation True Promise 4 in the early hours of Friday, which targeted key American and Israeli military installations across the region with advanced missiles and drones, as reported by Press TV.

  As per Press TV, the targets included storage tanks and the oil depot in Ashdod, a military personnel site in the Modi'in settlement, and a US military information exchange centre in the region.

  It further reported that the IRGC also struck American military bases at Al-Dhafra and Al-Udeiri, along with maintenance and storage hangars for transport aircraft and drones at Ali Al-Salem Air Base.

  In addition to these targets, other assets attacked by Iran included fuel tanks for jets and fighter aircraft of American forces, as well as the maintenance and repair hangar for the Patriot missile system at Sheikh Isa Base.

• 27 Mar 2026, 08:55:45 AM IST

  Middle East war news LIVE updates: Iran Red Crescent says searching for survivors after attacks in Tehran, Qom

  Rescuers and firefighters are trying to find people “trapped in the rubble” of Tehran airstrikes and are also responding in Qom, where six people have reportedly been killed, the Red Crescent wrote on Telegram.