Oil drops to $97 a barrel
Stocks rose and oil fell this morning on reports of a US diplomatic push to end the war with Iran.
Brent crude fell about 7 per cent to $97 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was near $87.S&P 500 futures rose 0.9 per cent in the Asia morning as European futures lifted 1.2 per cent.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar25 March 2026 03:20
Trump’s ex-adviser warns Iran will continue its pursuit of nuclear weapons without regime change
John Bolton, US President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser turned foe, has warned Iran will continue its pursuit of nuclear weapons without regime change.
“If you leave this wounded animal in Tehran able to recover, it will return to the nuclear weapons program, return to its terrorism, and now its third big threat, closing the Strait of Hormuz”, Bolton told CNN.
Trump has claimed regime change in Iran, given that its leaders have been killed in the war.
But Bolton said, “This is a regime based on a radical Islamicist ideology, and it’s deeply inculcated in the ranks of the ayatollahs, in the civil government, in the Revolutionary Guard Corps.
“Trump doesn’t have a philosophy, so I don’t even think he understands what motivates these people. The faces may change, but the ideology remains the same. The regime will change when the ayatollahs and Revolutionary Guard are gone, and we’re not at that point yet”.
Rachel Dobkin25 March 2026 03:00
Fire breaks out at Kuwait airport after airstrike
A fire erupted at Kuwait International Airport after drones hit a fuel tank, the Gulf state’s civil aviation authority said this morning.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said the attack had caused only “limited” damage and no casualties.
Firefighters were working to bring the blaze under control, spokesperson Abdullah Al-Rajhi told AFP.
The Kuwait National Guard said in a statement that its forces intercepted six drones early this morning, and the army said air defences were “responding to hostile missile and drone attacks”.
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar25 March 2026 03:00
US Senate Democrats’ effort to rein in Trump’s Iran war failed for third time
US Senate Democrats’ effort to rein in President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran has failed for the third time.
A War Powers resolution, which would have required congressional approval for further attacks on Iran, failed to advance in a 47-53 vote Tuesday evening local time.
Rachel Dobkin25 March 2026 02:45
Iran rather negotiate with JD Vance over Trump’s special envoy and son-in-law: report
Iran would rather negotiate with US Vice President JD Vance over Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, according to a new CNN report.
Representatives from Iran reportedly told the Trump administration their preference, but White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told CNN, “President Trump and only President Trump determines who negotiates on behalf of the United States”.
“As the President stated today, Vice President Vance, Secretary Rubio, Special Envoy Witkoff, and Mr. Kushner will all be involved”, she added.
Rachel Dobkin25 March 2026 02:45
Trump offered Tehran 15-point ceasefire plan
The Trump administration has offered Tehran a 15-point ceasefire plan, according to reports.
The plan includes Iran dismantling its main nuclear sites and ending uranium enrichment, temporarily ending its ballistic missile program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing officials.
As part of the plan, Iranian nuclear-related sanctions would be lifted, and the US would help with the country’s civilian nuclear program, according to the publication.
Rachel Dobkin25 March 2026 02:34
Israeli strikes in Lebanon kill at least 9 and injure dozens more, local officials say
Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed at least 9 and injured dozens more, the Associated Press reported, citing the country’s health ministry.
Three people reportedly died, and another 18 were wounded in Nabatiyeh province in the recent strikes.
Another six were killed, and five were injured in Sidon province, the AP reported, and 29 others were wounded in Tyre province.
More than 1,000 people in Lebanon have been killed and nearly 3,000 others injured since March 2 in Israel’s bombing campaign, the Lebanese health ministry said.
Rachel Dobkin25 March 2026 01:30
Pentagon orders about 2,000 soldiers to help in Iran war: report
The Pentagon has ordered about 2,000 soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to help in the Iran war, two defense officials told The New York Times Tuesday local time.
The brigade can send paratroopers and equipment anywhere in the world within 18 hours.
This deployment is on top of the roughly 2,500 Marines from the 31st Expeditionary Unit that are reportedly set to arrive in the Middle East this week.
Rachel Dobkin25 March 2026 01:00
Nearly 300 American troops injured in Iran war, US military says
Nearly 300 American troops have been injured since the Iran war started more than three weeks ago, according to the US military.
A spokesperson for the US Central Command told several outlets that of the 290 service members who have been wounded, 255 have returned to duty.
There have also been 13 US service members killed amid the war.
Rachel Dobkin25 March 2026 00:30
