LIVE: US warns of ‘largest strike’, says Iran war to end on its terms

Big relief for Congress: Congress leader K Sudhakaran NOT to contest

Senior Congress leader K Sudhakaran has declared that he is loyal to the party and will not leave the Congress.

He made it clear that he would continue to remain in the Congress, that the party is paramount, and that he will not contest as an independent candidate. He was speaking to the media in New Delhi, breaking his silence after two days of disputes and uncertainty over the candidate announcement for the Kannur constituency.

There had been a standoff for two days between the Congress High Command and the senior MP over the Kannur seat in the Assembly elections. 

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US warns Iran of “largest strike package” yet as over 7,000 targets hit

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday said Iran will face the “largest strike package” again, asserting that the ongoing Gulf war will end on America’s terms and that Washington remains committed to completing its mission.

The defence secretary said the US military has struck more than 7,000 targets in Iran so far and that Thursday would see the “largest strike package” yet, similar to the previous day. “Our capabilities continue to build, Iran’s continue to degrade,” he said, adding that Iran’s air defence systems have been “flattened.”

Hegseth said that strikes on Iran's military capabilities on Kharg Island give the US control over the fate of the country. Claiming that Iran's “surface fleet is no longer a factor,” he said that “their submarines — they once had 11 — are gone.” 

Pentagon seeks USD 200 billion in additional funds for the Iran war

The Pentagon is seeking USD 200 billion in additional funds for the Iran war, a senior administration official told news agency AP.

The department sent the request to the White House, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private information. It's an extraordinarily high number and comes on top of extra funding the Defence Department already received last year in Trump's big tax cuts bill.

Congress is bracing for a new spending request but it is not clear the White House has transmitted the request for consideration. It is unclear the spending request would have support.

PM Modi, Macron call for de-escalation in West Asia crisis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday as tensions in West Asia continue to mount, with both leaders stressing the need to cool the situation and return to diplomacy.

In a post on X, Modi referred to Macron as a “dear friend” and said they discussed the conflict’s wider impact. "Spoke with my dear friend, President Emmanuel Macron, on the situation in West Asia and the urgent need for de-escalation, as well as a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We look forward to continuing our close coordination to advance peace and stability in the region and beyond," the post read.

Earlier, Modi held talks with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, calling it a “productive conversation.” "Had a productive conversation with my brother Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and conveyed advance Eid greetings..." He added, "Reiterated India's condemnation..." amid rising instability and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.

Modi speaks to Sultan of Oman, Malaysian PM; discusses West Asia situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke to Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, and discussed with them the West Asia situation, favouring de-escalation of the conflict in the region and subsequent restoration of peace and stability.

In his separate telephonic conversations with the two leaders, Modi also stressed the need for safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. "Had a productive conversation with my brother Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and conveyed advance Eid greetings to the people of Oman. We agreed on the need to prioritize dialogue and diplomacy for de-escalation and subsequent restoration of peace and stability," Modi said in a post on X.

The PM reiterated India's condemnation of the violation of Oman's sovereignty and territorial integrity and appreciated its efforts to facilitate the safe return of thousands of people, including Indian nationals. "India and Oman stand for safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz," he said.

In his conversation with Ibrahim, Modi conveyed his warm greetings to his Malaysian counterpart and the people of the country on the occasion of the upcoming festival of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

"We also discussed the deeply concerning situation in West Asia and reaffirmed our shared commitment to de-escalation and the early restoration of peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy," he said.

This was Modi's second conversation with the Sultan of Oman since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28 and the Islamic Republic retaliated by attacking several of its Gulf neighbours.

Centre launches RELIEF acheme to support exporters amid West Asia conflict

The Centre on Thursday (March 19) announced the launch of the Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) to deal with the challenges faced by Indian exporters due to the ongoing West Asia conflict.

Speaking to reporters, Chief of Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Lav Agarwal, said that the Strait of Hormuz amounts to around USD 178 billion, of which approximately USD 56 billion is with the GCC area, and about USD 36 billion is with the UK.

“In fact, nearly 15 per cent of our global trade is linked to this particular territory... This scheme is being launched to address challenges such as maritime logistics disruptions due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, increased war‑risk premiums and surcharges imposed by shipping lines and insurers, higher logistics costs due to longer routes and vehicle diversions, and congestion at trans‑shipment hubs,” he said.

“The Export Promotion Mission has introduced a targeted, time‑limited scheme to stabilise India’s export flows through a corridor that accounts for nearly 15% of global trade,” he added as quoted by ANI. 

Oil and natural gas prices soar as Iran attacks Gulf energy facilities

Global oil and natural gas prices soared Thursday after Iran attacked a key natural gas facility in Qatar that can supply one-fifth of the worlds gas as well as two oil refineries in Kuwait.

The attacks added to fears the energy crisis triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to tanker traffic may be longer and more extensive than feared, with lasting damage to oil and gas production.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose to USD 116.38 per barrel, up from under USD 73 per barrel on the eve of the war.

The European TTF benchmark for natural gas prices traded 24 per cent higher on Thursday.

The Iranian attack hit the Ras Laffan terminal for shipping out liquefied natural gas in Qatar. Qatar normally supplies some 20 per cent of the world's consumption of LNG, which can be carried by ship. The facility shut down after a drone attack. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz to most tanker traffic also left the gas with nowhere to go.

If the disruptions from Iran's attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbours' energy infrastructure keep oil and gas prices high for long, they could create a debilitating wave of inflation for the global economy.

US benchmark crude oil gained 1.1 per cent to USD 96.45 a barrel early Thursday, while the Henry Hub future contract, the benchmark for US natural gas, gained 5.1 per cent.

As oil and gas prices spiked, world shares retreated and US futures edged 0.2 per cent lower.

Trump warns Iran, rules out Israel strike unless Qatar hit

US President Donald Trump said Israel would refrain from striking Iran’s South Pars gas field unless Tehran escalates by targeting Qatar, which he described as “a very innocent” party. His comments followed a surge in attacks across Gulf energy infrastructure, including Iranian strikes on Qatar after Israel hit part of the shared South Pars field.

Trump said Israel’s move was driven “out of anger” and carried out “violently,” adding that Washington had no prior knowledge. “Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out… The United States knew nothing about this particular attack,” he wrote, stressing Qatar had no involvement.

He said Iran reacted without full information: “Unfortunately, Iran did not know this… and unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatar's LNG Gas facility.”

Trump warned, “NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL… unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent… Qatar,” adding the US would respond forcefully if that line is crossed.

Saudi Arabia warns Iran after missile interceptions

Saudi Arabia has issued a pointed warning to Iran after a fresh wave of strikes targeting energy infrastructure across the Gulf, with Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud describing the attacks as “a blatant attempt at blackmail.” Riyadh urged Tehran to immediately “recalculate,” signalling that Gulf states retain “very significant capacities and capabilities” if pushed further.

The remarks followed Saudi claims that four ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh were intercepted just before a gathering of regional and Islamic foreign ministers. “For me, it was clear that the attack today was timed with this meeting, in order to attempt to intimidate those present, to send out the message that Iran will not stop,” Al Saud said as quoted by NDTV.

He pointed to what he described as coordinated intent behind the strikes, noting, “The level of accuracy in some of this targeting… indicates that this is something that was premeditated, preplanned, preorganised and well thought out.”

Saudi officials insist they are not “intimidated.” “What little trust there was has been completely shattered,” he said.

Drones spotted over key US base amid Iran war tensions

A reported security lapse at a prominent US Army installation in Washington has raised fresh concerns as tensions with Iran intensify. According to The Washington Post, unidentified drones were detected over Fort Lesley J. McNair, a base that houses the National Defence University and senior Pentagon officials, and where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth reside.

Situated roughly two miles from the White House and Capitol Hill, the base lacks the layered protection seen at other sites in the capital. Multiple drone sightings on a single night within the past 10 days triggered tighter security and urgent discussions at the White House.

Officials briefly considered relocating Rubio and Hegseth after their residences became public, though they remain in place. The drones’ origin is still unclear.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell declined comment, saying, "The department cannot comment on the secretary's movements for security reasons, and reporting on such movements is grossly irresponsible."