Lebanon says at least 8 people killed in Israeli strike in south

This live blog follows updates for Day 12 of the US-Israel war on Iran

• US and Israel intensify strikes across Iran, targeting military bases and airports

• Iran launches missiles at Israeli cities and United States bases across the region

• Israel begins new airstrikes on Tehran and Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut

• The United States destroys sixteen Iranian mine-laying boats near the Strait of Hormuz

• Gulf states intercept Iranian drones and missiles as the conflict spreads regionally

Lebanon says at least 8 people killed in Israeli strike in south
 Published: March 11, 2026 | 18:11 GMT

Lebanon said an Israeli strike in the country's south killed eight people, while official media said the raid targeted a building housing displaced families.

"The Israeli strike on the town of Tibnin in Bint Jbeil district lead to an initial toll of eight dead," a health ministry statement said, while the state-run National News Agency said the toll included five members of one family.

 
Trump vows 'great safety' for oil tankers in Strait of Hormuz

Published: March 11, 2026 | 17:09 GMT

President Donald Trump promised "great safety" for oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran tightened its chokehold on the vital sea passage amid the US-Israeli war with Tehran.

"I think you're going to see great safety, and it's going to be very, very quickly," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked how he was going to ensure security in the crucial waterway for the global oil trade.

Iran's armed forces threaten to target regional ports if its own attacked: spokesman

Published: March 11, 2026 | 16:46 GMT

Iran's armed forces threatened on Wednesday to target regional ports if its own ports were attacked during the war with Israel and the United States, a spokesman said.

"If our ports and docks are threatened, all ports and docks in the region will be our legitimate targets," armed forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi said, according to state TV.

He warned that the armed forces "will carry out a heavier operation than what we have done so far" if Iranian ports were to come under attack.

"We call on the countries of the region to expel the Americans from their lands," he added.

France's Macron says 'no confirmation' Iranian mines in Strait of Hormuz

Published: March 11, 2026 | 16:41 GMT

French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday he had "no confirmation" Iran was laying sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz following reports Tehran was mining the key waterway virtually closed by the Middle East war.

"I have no confirmation of this, either from partner services or from our own services," Macron said after a video call with G7 leaders.

Iran military capabilities 'not reduced to zero', says Macron

Published: March 11, 2026 | 16:25 GMT

France's President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that Iran's military capabilities had been weakened but not "reduced to zero" in US and Israeli strikes.

"Considerable damage has already been inflicted on Iran's military ballistic capabilities, but it continues to attack several countries in the region, and therefore its capabilities have not been reduced to zero," he said after a video call with G7 leaders.

He added that he left it up to US President Donald Trump to "clarify both his ultimate objectives and the pace he wants to set for operations".

Targeting mistake led to US missile strike on Iranian school: report

Published: March 11, 2026 | 15:48 GMT

The United States was responsible for a Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian school because of a targeting mistake, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.

The newspaper, citing US officials, said the investigation into the February 28 strike was ongoing but preliminary findings were that the United States was responsible.

The US military was conducting strikes on an adjacent Iranian base of which the school building was formerly a part and target coordinates were set using outdated data, it said.

US military warns of possible strikes on Iran's civilian ports

Published: March 11, 2026 | 15:30 GMT

The United States warned Iranians that it considers civilian ports in the Strait of Hormuz to be legitimate targets, alleging the Tehran government was using the facilities for military operations.

"Iranian regime is using civilian ports along the Strait of Hormuz to conduct military operations that threaten international shipping," the US military said

Macron urges speedy G7 action to restore Hormuz strait navigation

Published: March 11, 2026 | 15:04 GMT

President Emmanuel Macron, whose country is current president of the Group of Seven advanced economies, Wednesday urged other G7 leaders to act to restore navigation in the Strait of Hormuz "as soon as possible."

Addressing a video conference of the group's leaders, he said it was important to coordinate "to make sure that freedom of navigation is clearly restored in all the states as soon as possible" after the Middle East war brought traffic in the key shipping route to a standstill.

Macron said it was necessary to "engage with third parties to avoid any type of export restrictions for oil and gas".

IEA says members to release 400 mn barrels from oil reserves

Published: March 11, 2026 | 14:40 GMT

The International Energy Agency said Wednesday its member countries would unlock 400 million barrels of oil from their reserves -- the biggest such release ever -- to ease the impact of the Middle East war.

"The oil market challenges we are facing are unprecedented in scale, therefore I am very glad that IEA member countries have responded with an emergency collective action of unprecedented size," IEA executive director Fatih Birol said in a statement.

"Oil markets are global so the response to major disruptions needs to be global too."

US has 'practically nothing left to target' in Iran, Trump tells Axios

Published: March 11, 2026 | 14:23 GMT

President Donald Trump on Wednesday again signaled there could be a swift ending to the US war on Iran, saying there is little left in the country for US forces to attack.

There is "practically nothing left to target" and the war will end "soon," Trump was quoted as saying in an interview with Axios. "Any time I want it to end, it will end."

Trump has given repeated mixed messages about the timing and aims of the war but on Monday he said the ending could come "soon." The US president faces negative domestic polls and fears over the global economic disruption from the US-Israeli operation against Iran.

Drone strike hits fuel tanks at Omani port: state media

Published: March 11, 2026 | 14:05 GMT

Drones struck fuel tanks at Oman's Salalah port on Wednesday, state media reported, as Iran continues to target Gulf infrastructure in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks.

"A security source reported that several drones were shot down, while others struck fuel tanks at the port of Salalah," the Oman News Agency said, adding that no casualties were reported.

Private maritime security company Vanguard Tech reported the suspension of the port's operations after the attack on its southern section.

Iran military says ships of US, Israel, allies in Hormuz strait 'legitimate targets'

Published: March 11, 2026 | 12:55 GMT

Iran's military on Wednesday said any ships belonging to the United States, Israel or their allies passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz could be targeted.

"Any vessel whose oil cargo or the vessel itself belongs to the United States, the Zionist regime or their hostile allies will be considered legitimate targets," said the military's central operational command, Khatam Al-Anbiya, in a statement carried by state TV.

It reiterated that Iran's armed forces "will not allow a single litre of oil to transit" through the strait.

Israel defense minister says no time limit on Iran campaign

Published: March 11, 2026 | 12:30 GMT

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the joint bombing campaign with the US against Iran would go on "as long as necessary", insisting the strikes had inflicted heavy casualties on Tehran's forces.

"This operation will continue without any time limit, as long as necessary, until we achieve all the objectives and decide the outcome of the campaign," he said, adding that the Iranian leadership was fleeing "like mice into tunnels".

Iran Guards say targeted US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain

Published: March 11, 2026 | 11:55 GMT

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday they had targeted several US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain during the war with the United States and Israel.

"Key infrastructure at the US base at Mina Salman port, the nerve center of the US Fifth Fleet... was hit by Iranian missiles and drones," the Guards said on their website Sepah News, referring to US installations in Bahrain.

"At the same time Camp Patriot (in Kuwait), including equipment hangars, accommodation and assembly centers for American soldiers at the Mohammed Al-Ahmad and Ali Al-Salem naval bases, also suffered heavy losses," they said, adding that they also attacked the Camp Buehring base in Kuwait.

Iran army says targeted Israel's military intelligence agency, naval base

Published: March 11, 2026 | 10:46 GMT

Iran's army said Wednesday it had targeted Israel's military intelligence agency, a naval base in the city of Haifa, and an Israeli radar system.

"Since this morning, the army of the Islamic republic has targeted the Israeli military intelligence directorate known as Aman, as well as Israeli military unit 8200, the Green Pine radar, and the submarine headquarters building at Haifa naval base," the army said in a statement broadcast by state TV.

It added that the attacks were ongoing.

Israel army says begun new 'wide-scale' strikes across Iran, in Beirut
Published: March 11, 2026 | 10:35 GMT

Israel's military said Wednesday it had begun a new "wide-scale wave of strikes" across Iran and was also hitting Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon's capital Beirut.

The fresh strikes targeting what the Israeli army called "Iranian terror regime infrastructure" came on the 12th day of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

War must be stopped 'before it engulfs entire region in flames': Erdogan
Published: March 11, 2026 | 09:59 GMT

The war raging in much of the Middle East must be stopped before it engulfs the entire region at increasing cost to the global economy, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday.

"This war must be stopped before it becomes bigger and completely engulfs the region in flames," he said, warning that if it continued, "there will be more loss of life and property, and the cost to the global economy will increase even further."

War death toll in Lebanon rises to 570: health ministry
Published: March 11, 2026 | 10:03 GMT

Israeli strikes have killed 570 people in Lebanon since the Middle East war spread to the country on March 2, the health ministry said on Wednesday.

The ministry provided a demographic breakdown of those killed, reporting that 439 of them were men, 45 women, and 86 children.

The toll includes 14 healthcare workers, the ministry said.

Iran military says to hit US, Israeli economic targets in region
Published: March 11, 2026 | 08:59 GMT

Iran's military vowed on Wednesday to launch strikes against US and Israeli economic targets in the region, including banks, after overnight attacks reportedly hit an Iranian bank.

"The enemy has given us free rein to target economic centers and banks belonging to the United States and the Zionist regime," said the military's central operational command, Khatam Al-Anbiya, in a statement carried by state TV.

Iranian media said US and Israeli strikes hit a bank in Tehran overnight, killing an unspecified number of employees.

Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs
Published: March 11, 2026 | 8:51 GMT

Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs on Wednesday, state media said, after Israel issued evacuation warnings.

Images from AFPTV showed thick black smoke rising from the targeted areas.

The new raids came after a dawn strike on a building in central Beirut.

Iran military says to hit economic targets, banks in region after strikes on Iran bank
Published: March 11, 2026 | 8:38 GMT

Iran's military vowed on Wednesday to launch strikes against US and Israeli economic targets in the region, including banks, after overnight attacks hit an Iranian bank.

"The enemy has given us free rein to target economic centers and banks belonging to the United States and the Zionist regime," said the military's central operational command, Khatam Al-Anbiya, in a statement carried by state TV.

It urged people across the region to refrain from going within one kilometer of banks.

Iranian media said US and Israeli strikes hit a bank in Tehran overnight, killing an unspecified number of employees. 

Israeli strike on east Lebanon town kills 7: health ministry
Published: March 11, 2026 | 08:36 GMT

An Israeli air strike killed seven people and wounded 18 others in an east Lebanon town on Wednesday, the Lebanese health ministry said, as Israeli attacks on Lebanon entered its 10th day.

"The Israeli enemy's air strikes this morning on the Bekaa resulted in the following toll in Tamnin al-Tahta: seven martyrs and 18 wounded," the ministry said.

State media reported that the raid targeted "a building... inhabited by a Syrian family".

Drones fall near Dubai airport, injuring four: government
Published: March 11, 2026 | 7:52 GMT

Drones fell near Dubai airport on Wednesday, injuring four people, but air traffic continued as normal, Dubai's government said.

"Authorities confirm that two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport a short while ago, resulting in minor injuries to two Ghanaian nationals and one Bangladeshi national, and moderate injuries to one Indian national. Air traffic is operating as normal," said a statement from the Dubai Media Office.

Trump said Iran 'welcome to compete' in World Cup: FIFA Chief
Published: March 11, 2026 | 7:38 GMT

US President Donald Trump has said that Iran is "welcome" to play at the upcoming World Cup in North America, despite the ongoing war in the Middle East, FIFA chief Gianni Infantino said Wednesday.

During a meeting to discuss preparations for the competition, "we also spoke about the current situation in Iran," the head of the world football governing body, wrote on Instagram.

"During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States," he wrote.

Vessel hit by projectile off UAE coast: UK maritime agency
Published: March 11, 2026 | 7:29 GMT

A second container ship was hit off the coast of the UAE by an unidentified projectile on Wednesday, a British maritime security agency said, as Iran presses attacks on the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.

"The master of a bulk carrier has reported their vessel being hit by an unknown projectile. There is no report of any environmental impact. The crew are reported safe and well," said the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.

It said the incident took place 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai.

Iran's new supreme leader 'safe and sound' despite war injury reports: president's son
Published: March 11, 2026 | 6:43 GMT

Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is "safe and sound" despite reports of an injury during the war with Israel and the United States, said the son of the Iranian president on Wednesday.

"I heard news that Mr Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured. I have asked some friends who had connections. They told me that, thank God, he is safe and sound," said Yousef Pezeshkian, who is also a government adviser, in a post on his Telegram channel.

State television had called Khamenei a "wounded veteran of the Ramadan war" but never specified his injury.

Cargo ship hit in Strait of Hormuz, crew evacuating: UK maritime agency

Published March 11, 2026 | 06:30 GMT

An unknown projectile hit a cargo ship in the strategic Strait of Hormuz abutting Iran, causing a fire and forcing the crew to evacuate, a maritime security agency said on Wednesday.

"It has been reported that a cargo vessel has been hit by an unknown projectile in the Straits of Hormuz which has resulted in a fire onboard," the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said.

Several loud explosions heard across Doha: AFP journalists

Published March 11, 2026 | 05:35 GMT

Several blasts rang out across the Qatari capital Doha on Wednesday, AFP correspondents said, as Iran's retaliatory strikes on the Gulf entered a twelfth day.

"The security threat level is high," the interior ministry posted on X, urging "everyone to adhere to staying at home, not going out, and staying away from windows and open areas to preserve public safety".

Israeli strike hits central Beirut: state media

Published March 11, 2026 | 04:41 GMT

An Israeli strike hit an apartment in central Beirut on Wednesday, state media reported, the second targeting the heart of the Lebanese capital since the start of the latest war with Iran.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said that "the enemy targeted an apartment in the Aisha Bakkar area" in central Beirut.

North Korea says respects Iran's choice of new supreme leader: Report

Published March 11, 2026 | 02:25 GMT

North Korea respects Iran's choice of a new supreme leader, state media said, accusing the US and Israel of undermining regional peace.

Pyongyang, a longstanding US adversary, has previously condemned the US-Israeli attack on Iran as an "illegal act of aggression."

Iran's Guards say targeted US base in Kuwait

Published March 11, 2026 | 02:25 GMT

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said that at least two missiles targeted a United States base in Kuwait, according to Iranian news agencies Fars and Mehr.

"The American base in Arifjan was ... hit by firing 2 missiles by the IRGC Ground Force missile unit," the Guards said, Fars and Mehr reported, referring to Camp Arifjan located south of Kuwait City.

Iran says no ceasefire

Published March 11, 2026 | 02:25 GMT

The speaker of Iran's parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said on social media, "we aren't seeking a ceasefire" and declared the United States and Israel must be "taught a lesson that will deter them from attacking Iran again."

Iran says it carried out strikes on US, Israeli targets: Report 

Published March 11, 2026 | 01:25 GMT

Iran has launched new strikes on Israeli and American targets in the Middle East, state broadcaster IRIB said on Wednesday.

The barrage was "the most intense and heaviest since the start of the war", lasting three hours, the broadcaster said, citing a statement from Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards.

It targeted Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa, as well as "West Jerusalem", referring to the area of the contested city that sits under full Israeli control.

IEA proposes record oil reserve release over Iran war: WSJ

Published March 11, 2026 | 00:50 GMT

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has proposed its largest ever release of oil reserves to counter soaring crude prices driven by the US-Israeli war with Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing officials familiar with the matter.

The release would exceed the 182 million barrels IEA member countries put on the market in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the paper said.

The proposal was circulated at an emergency meeting of energy officials from the IEA's 32 member countries on Tuesday, with a decision expected Wednesday, according to the Journal.

UAE says air defenses responding to Iran missile, drone attack

Published March 11, 2026 | 00:40 GMT

The United Arab Emirates said that its air defense systems were trying to intercept missiles and drones launched from Iran, after Tehran said it had fired a new salvo against US targets in the region.

"UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran," the UAE defense ministry said in a post on X, adding sounds of explosions were a result of the systems "intercepting missiles and drones".

UN expert warns oil price shocks could cause ‘global devastation’

Published March 11, 2026 | 00:25 GMT

Balakrishnan Rajagopal, the UN special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, has expressed concern over oil price shocks causing school closures in Pakistan and Bangladesh, Al Jazeera reported.

“All due to the illegal Iran war,” he wrote in a post on LinkedIn.

He said he was also worried by “historical parallels”.

Rajagopal noted that oil price rises in the 1970s in the Middle East led to “massive borrowing” by developing countries. The borrowing, “accompanied by US stagflation, a global recession and high interest rates,” caused a debt crisis with developing countries unable to service their loans, he wrote.

This scenario “sounds eerily possible,” again, Rajagopal said.

“Global devastation ahead unless this war ends soon,” he added.

Israeli military says missiles launched from Iran towards Israel

Published March 10, 2026 | 23:30 GMT

Israel's military said that it detected missiles heading towards the country from Iran and had activated air defences, as it pressed a "wave" of strikes against Iran and Lebanon.

"A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," the military said on its official Telegram account.

AFP journalists heard air raid sirens sounding in Jerusalem and the sound of explosions in the distance.

A short time later, Israel's military said it was permitted to leave shelters.

Israel's Magen David Adom emergency services reported no immediate injuries following the missile fire, but said its teams were treating "a small number of people who were injured on their way to protected areas".

Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported several injuries from the Iranian strikes near Tel Aviv.