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

Updates to this live blog have now ended.

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.

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.