Starmer speaks with Qatari Emir after Iranian attacks
British prime minister Keir Starmer on Thursday told Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani Britain would continue to stand with Qatar and its gulf allies, during a call between the two following Iranian attacks on Qatar’s gas infrastructure.
“The prime minister began by condemning the Iranian strikes on Qatari energy facilities overnight,” a readout of the meeting issued by Sir Keir’s office said.
“He (Sir Keir) said that such reckless attacks on critical infrastructure risk pushing the region further into crisis and worsening the severe economic impacts being felt globally, including in the UK.
“Discussing the ongoing defensive support the UK is providing to our partners in the region, the prime minister was clear that the UK would continue to stand with Qatar and all our allies in the Gulf.”
Alex Croft19 March 2026 17:16
Iran releases footage apparently showing strike on F-35 jet
Iran has released footage purporting to show the moment Iranian air defences attacked a US F-35 fighter jet.
We earlier reported that US Central Command spokesperson Captan Tim Hawkins had told CNN the fifth-generation jet was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when it was forced into making an emergency landing.
The pilot is in a “stable condition”, he said.
Alex Croft19 March 2026 17:00
Mapped: Where have people been killed in the Middle East conflict?
Alex Croft19 March 2026 16:55
Full report: Pete Hegseth again uses Iran war update to tear into media
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth tore into the media again at a press conference to update the nation about President Donald Trump’s Iran War.
Hegseth began Thursday morning by paying tribute to the U.S. service members who have been killed in the conflict.
“What I heard through tears, through hugs, through strength and through unbreakable resolve was the same from family after family,” Hegseth said of the fallen soldiers’ families. “They said, ‘finish this.’”
The Pentagon chief again berated the press for “call[ing] into question every step” of the war, now in its third week, and has so far claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members.
Rhian Lubin brings our full report:
Alex Croft19 March 2026 16:41
Iran strikes Israeli oil refinery in Haifa
An Iranian missile attack hit Israeli oil refineries in the northern port city of Haifa without causing “significant damage”, Israel’s Energy Ministry said on Thursday.
Energy Minister Eli Cohen said power was briefly disrupted, with electricity restored to most of those who were affected.
“The damage to the power grid in the north is localized and not significant,” Mr Cohen said. “Also, in the barrage toward the north, there was no significant damage to Israeli infrastructure sites.”
Police said bomb disposal units were at several sites in Haifa where munitions landed. No casualties were reported.
Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection said debris from a missile that was intercepted fell in Haifa and is being examined as a hazardous materials incident.
Smoke rises from an oil refinery that was damaged in an Iranian attack, amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, in Haifa, Israel, March 19 (Reuters)
Alex Croft19 March 2026 16:24
‘It’s too late’: Trump slams UK and Nato over Strait of Hormuz
Donald Trump has resumed his attacks on Nato and the UK for what he describes as their lack of support in the war in Iran and in defending the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’re defending the Strait for everyone else, then in the case of Nato, they don’t want to help us defend the Strait, and they’re the ones that need it,” Trump said.
“Now they’re getting much nicer because they’re seeing my attitude but as far as I’m concerned it’s too late.”
He added: “The UK wants to send aircraft carriers now. I said I want the aircraft carriers before the war, I don’t want them after the war is won. They want to send me aircraft carriers after the war is won, there’s practically no one to shoot at them.”
Alex Croft19 March 2026 16:17
Trump: I told Netanyahu to halt attacks on Iran’s South Pars gas field
Trump has just been asked whether he spoke with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel attacked Iran’s South Pars gas field in a major escalation of its war on the country.
“I did, I did, I told him: ‘don’t do that’,” the US president said.
“We’re independent, we get along great, it’s coordinated. But on occasion, he’ll do something, and if I don’t like it… so we’re not doing that anymore.”
Alex Croft19 March 2026 16:08
Trump: War will be over with soon, I thought the global impact would be worse
Donald Trump speaking to reporters in the White House, during a meeting with Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi.
He says he thought the global impact of his war on Iran would be worse than it was and that it will be over with soon, adding that the US will not be putting troops anywhere.
The US president added that the Iranian leadership is gone and that they are now searching for new leaders again.
Prime Minister of JapanÂSanae Takaichi meets with US president Donald Trump during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House (Getty Images)
Alex Croft19 March 2026 16:03
Israel attacks Iranian naval targets in Caspian Sea
Israel’s Air Force has carried out strikes against Iranian naval targets in the Caspian Sea, we’re hearing from Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani.
He told reporters that Israel had taken out Tehran’s naval capabilities there, but did not say when the strikes were carried out.
Alex Croft19 March 2026 15:52
‘Pilot is in stable condition’: More on F-35 fighter jet struck by Iran
We can bring you some more detail on the F-35 fighter jet which was struck by Iranian defences during an attack on Iran.
US Central Command spokesperson Captan Tim Hawkins told CNN the fifth-generation jet was “flying a combat mission over Iran” when it was forced into making an emergency landing.
“The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition. This incident is under investigation,” Capt. Hawkins added.
Both the US and Israel are flying F-35 jets – which cost upwards of $100 million (£75 million).
A source told the US outlet that Iranian fire is believed to be behind the damage to the jet.
A US F-35 fighter jet, one of which was reportedly struck by Iran on Thursday (AFP/Getty)
Alex Croft19 March 2026 15:40
