Airlines suspended flights across the Middle East yesterday, including to and from the world’s busiest travel hub, Dubai, after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, plunging the region into a renewed military confrontation.

Ahead of the US attack on Iran, President Donald Trump received briefings that not only delivered blunt assessments about the risk of major US casualties but also touted the prospect of a generational shift in the Middle East in favour of US interests, a US official told Reuters.

Leftist Senator Bernie Sanders slammed Trump for triggering 'an illegal, premeditated and unconstitutional war'

Residents heard multiple blast‑like sounds, which were believed to be interceptions, and were advised by authorities to stay indoors.

It is the second time in under a year that Israelis undertake the wartime routine

Explosions reported over cities across the region, including in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq and Jordan

Oman said yesterday that Iran and the United States expressed openness to new solutions as indirect talks between the two foes began in Geneva.

President Donald Trump on Monday evening denied reports that the top US military officer had flagged the risks of a major operation against Iran, saying Washington would “easily” beat Tehran in any war.

The tragedy took place in the city of Khomeynishahr in Isfahan province

Iran yesterday said that a US attack of any scale would spur the Islamic republic to respond “ferociously”, after President Donald Trump said he was considering limited strikes against the country.

Iran is refusing to export its 300kg stockpile of highly enriched uranium, but is willing to dilute the purity of the stockpile it holds under the supervision of UN nuclear inspectorate the IAEA, Iranian sources have said.

State Department distances itself, stressing policy rests with Trump and White House

Discussions on Gaza’s future must begin with a total halt to Israeli “aggression”, Palestinian movement Hamas said after US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace met for the first time.

President Donald Trump warned Iran on Thursday it must make a deal over its nuclear programme or “really bad things” will happen, and set a deadline of 10 to 15 days, drawing a threat from Tehran to retaliate against US bases in the region if attacked.

Images also show that Iran has buried tunnel entrances at a nuclear site bombed by the U.S. during Israel's 12-day war with Iran last year, fortified tunnel entrances near another, and has repaired missile bases struck in the conflict

Crescent moon sighting marks holy month’s commencement

Iran is ready to consider compromises to reach a nuclear deal with the United States if Washington is willing to discuss lifting sanctions, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi told the BBC in an interview published yesterday.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi yesterday said he hoped talks with the United States would resume soon, while reiterating Tehran’s red lines and warning against any American attack.

The United Arab Emirates has drafted plans to build a compound to house thousands of displaced Palestinians in a part of south Gaza under Israeli military control, according to a map seen by Reuters and people briefed on the plans.

Iranian army chief Amir Hatami yesterday warned the United States and Israel against an attack, saying his country’s forces were on high alert following Washington’s heavy military deployments in the Gulf.