Key developments
- Donald Trump is pressing US allies to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz and warns it “will not be good for NATO” if they refuse.
- Germany, Japan and Australia have already rejected the proposal.
- Axios reports that the US president is considering the seizure of Kharg Island if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.
- The British prime minister Keir Starmer spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump on Sunday to discuss the “current situation in the Middle East”. They stressed the “importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to end the disruption to global shipping, which is raising costs worldwide”.
- EU foreign ministers are examining extending the EU naval mission Operation Aspides to the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Financial Times. The issue is expected to be raised at today’s EU Council meeting.
16/03/2026 – 07:27
Flights suspended at Dubai airport
Flights have been suspended at Dubai International Airport after a fire broke out following an Iranian drone attack on Monday.
“A drone incident in the area of Dubai International Airport (DXB) caused damage to one of the fuel tanks,” Dubai’s press office said earlier on X.
The fire has been brought under control and no injuries have been reported.
The temporary suspension of flights could have global ripple effects, as Dubai airport is the world’s busiest for international traffic.
Some flights are being diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport, located about 50 km southwest.
Monday’s incident is the third at Dubai airport since the new war in the Middle East began.
Emirates announced that after 8:00 a.m. (Greece time) a limited flight schedule resumed.
16/03/2026 – 08:24
Israeli army launches ground operations in southern Lebanon
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced Monday morning that forces from the 91st Division have begun targeted ground operations in southern Lebanon.
According to the statement, “this operation is part of efforts to establish forward defense, including the destruction of terrorist infrastructure and the elimination of terrorists operating in the area, in order to remove threats and create an additional layer of security for residents of the north.”
במסגרת מאמץ משימת ההגנה הקדמית: כוחות אוגדה 91 החלו בפעילות קרקעית ממוקדת בדרום לבנון
כוחות אוגדה 91 החלו בימים האחרונים בפעילות קרקעית ממוקדת ליעדי מפתח בדרום לבנון להרחבת מרחב ההגנה הקדמי.
פעולה זו היא חלק מהמאמץ לביסוס ההגנה הקדמית, ובה השמדת תשתיות טרור וחיסול מחבלים… pic.twitter.com/07Gzzh1H3r
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) March 16, 2026
16/03/2026 – 08:16
Asian markets decline
Markets across the Asia-Pacific region are trading lower as investors assess persistently high oil prices and the latest developments in escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.
Goldman Sachs estimates that the rise in energy prices caused by the war with Iran could reduce global GDP by around 0.3% over the next year, while increasing overall inflation by 0.5% to 0.6%.
16/03/2026 – 07:56
Javier Bardem shouts “No to war, free Palestine” at the Oscars
Javier Bardem used his moment on stage at the Academy Awards to express opposition to the war and support for Palestine while presenting the award for Best International Feature Film.
“No to war, free Palestine,” Bardem said into the microphone, receiving applause from the audience.
16/03/2026 – 07:51
Trump: I’ve spoken with seven countries about ‘policing’ the Strait of Hormuz
During a flight from Florida to Washington, D.C. on Sunday night, Donald Trump answered questions about the possibility of forming a coalition to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
He said the US administration has spoken with “around seven” countries about “policing” the strait and mentioned China among those contacted.
Trump did not name other countries but referred to NATO and other states that, he said, should “defend their own territory,” defining that territory as “where they get their energy from.”
16/03/2026 – 07:48
US crude and Brent rise above $100
Oil prices remained elevated Sunday night as the administration of Donald Trump considers potential military strikes on Iran’s main oil export facilities on Kharg Island, while the war has already entered its third week.
US crude temporarily exceeded $100 per barrel, before easing to about $98.9.
Meanwhile Brent crude oil, the global benchmark, rose 1.2% to $104.2 per barrel.
16/03/2026 – 07:37
Macron calls on Iran to stop attacks
French President Emmanuel Macron urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to immediately end attacks carried out by Iran against countries in the region, either directly or through proxies, including in Lebanon and Iraq.
16/03/2026 – 07:21
Saudi Arabia intercepts more than 60 drones overnight
Saudi Arabia intercepted more than 60 drones since midnight, according to new figures from the defense ministry.
The ministry said 61 drones were shot down overnight in the eastern part of the country.
16/03/2026 – 07:19
UAE activates air defenses against Iranian missiles and drones
The defense ministry of the United Arab Emirates said its air-defense systems responded to threats from missiles and drones launched from Iran.
The ministry said loud sounds heard in some areas were caused by air-defense systems intercepting incoming projectiles.
16/03/2026 – 07:19
Trump: Tehran not yet ready to end the war
Donald Trump said Sunday night that the US government is holding talks with Iran, but that Tehran is not yet “ready” to end the war.
“Yes, we are talking with them. But I don’t think they are ready,” he told reporters, adding that Iranian armed forces have been “decimated” amid ongoing air strikes by the United States and Israel since 28 February
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