Live! Iran writes ‘thank you India’ on missile fired at Israel; airstrike in Lebanon kills 3 journalists
Houthi missile attack on Israel puts lens back on Red Sea shipping corridor; Iran rubbishes Trump's claim of negotiations 'going well'
Here is the top, trending news of Saturday, March 28, 2026, including Iran war, Indian politics, states' politics, geopolitics, federal issues, economics, development issues, sports, entertainment, and so on.
Read updates below.
Live Updates
- 28 March 2026 8:35 PM IST
Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon kills 3 journalists covering the war
An Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon on Saturday killed three journalists who were covering the latest Israel-Hezbollah war, their TV stations said.
Hezbollah's al-Manar TV said that its longtime correspondent Ali Shoeib was killed Saturday in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military said that it had targeted Shoeib, accusing him of being a Hezbollah intelligence operative without providing evidence.
Meanwhile, Beirut-based pan-Arab Al-Mayadeen TV said reporter Fatima Ftouni was killed in the same airstrike in the southern district of Jezzine along with her brother Mohammed, a video journalist. She had just been on air with a live report from southern Lebanon before the strike.
- 28 March 2026 7:10 PM IST
Two India-bound LPG tankers pass through Hormuz as Iran allows ‘friendly nations’ safe transit
Two more LPG tankers headed for India passed through the sensitive Strait of Hormuz on Saturday after Iran said ships from India and four other “friendly nations” would be allowed transit amid the ongoing conflict. Latest shipping data showed the vessels, BW ELM and BW TYR, moving through the high-risk corridor, effectively shut since the war began, and heading towards the Gulf of Oman.
The two India-flagged tankers, carrying over 90,000 tonnes of LPG (cooking gas), sailed in close proximity at a speed of around 27 km/h as they exited the Gulf. Around five other Indian tankers, mostly transporting crude oil, remain anchored near the United Arab Emirates, awaiting clearance to pass through the strait, a route that handles about one-fifth of global oil flows.
In total, 20 Indian-flagged ships are currently stranded in the Gulf. India is also loading LPG onto empty vessels stuck in the region, Reuters reported.
The development comes a day after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified Tehran’s position on Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital oil transit chokepoints. Speaking to state TV, Araghchi said tankers from five “friendly nations”—China, Russia, India, Iraq and Pakistan—would be granted safe passage, while warning that vessels linked to Iran’s adversaries would continue to face a blockade.
- 28 March 2026 6:55 PM IST
Iran warns neighbours against allowing US, Israel to ‘run’ war from their soil
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has urged neighbouring countries not to allow the United States and Israel to “run” the ongoing war from their territories if they seek “development” and “security.”
His message comes as the conflict has continued for over a month, drawing in several countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar. While the United States has been using military bases in Gulf nations to carry out strikes on Iran, Tehran has responded by launching retaliatory attacks on targets in these countries.
“I have said many times that Iran doesn't carry out preemptive attacks, but we will retaliate strongly if our infrastructure or economic centers are targeted,” Pezeshkian wrote in a post on X. “To the countries of the region: If you want development and security, don't let our enemies run the war from your lands,” he added.
- 28 March 2026 6:54 PM IST
Centre pushes faster PNG rollout amid LPG supply concerns
The Centre on Saturday pressed for faster rollout of piped natural gas networks in cities, citing concerns over LPG supply linked to the West Asia conflict.
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar set out priorities such as a single-window clearance mechanism, embedding gas pipelines into city planning, and fixing last-mile gaps. A target of 50 lakh new PNG connections was discussed at a roundtable with ministers, states and industry players.
Officials pointed to familiar obstacles—delays in municipal permissions, right-of-way clearances and steep restoration costs. States argued for reducing or waiving these charges and moving to time-bound approvals.
Participants backed a gradual shift from LPG to PNG in urban areas, paired with awareness drives to prevent disruption. Khattar urged a mission-mode push, calling cities growth drivers. Ministers also stressed energy security, steady fuel supply, and action against misinformation and black marketing, alongside tighter coordination and monitoring.
- 28 March 2026 6:48 PM IST
Trump claims Saudi crown prince ‘had to be nice’ amid shifting US-Saudi ties
US President Donald Trump has said that Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), was effectively “kissing my ass,” as he described the current state of ties between Washington and Riyadh.
Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative conference in Florida, Trump recalled what he portrayed as a conversation with the Saudi leader about the US resurgence during his presidency, claiming MBS had not anticipated such a strong comeback. “He didn’t think this was going to happen... he didn’t think he’d be kissing my ass... he thought it’d be just another American president that was a loser... but now he has to be nice to me,” Trump said, according to The Wire.
Despite the remark, Trump also praised the crown prince, describing him as “a fantastic man” and “a warrior,” and said Saudi Arabia “can be very proud” of his leadership.
Trump’s comments come against the backdrop of the ongoing US-Israel military campaign against Iran, which has significantly altered regional dynamics.
According to a recent New York Times report, MBS has been engaging with Trump in private discussions, encouraging him to continue the war and calling it a “historic opportunity” to weaken Iran’s government. The report, citing sources familiar with the talks, said the Saudi leader has advocated for more aggressive measures, including strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure.
- 28 March 2026 6:43 PM IST
Modi, Saudi Crown Prince discuss West Asia tensions, stress secure shipping routes
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia, stressing the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and secure shipping routes.
In a post on X, Modi said he discussed the evolving regional situation with the Saudi leadership and reiterated India’s condemnation of attacks on energy infrastructure in the region. Both leaders agreed on the need to keep shipping lanes open and secure, especially in light of the current tensions.
The prime minister also expressed his appreciation to the Saudi Crown Prince for his continued support for the welfare of the Indian community in the kingdom.
- 28 March 2026 5:49 PM IST
Zelenskyy visits UAE for talks on security situation
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the UAE and met his Emirati counterpart Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday, to discuss regional security in the Middle East.
“For Ukraine, this is also a matter of principle: terror must not prevail anywhere in the world. Protection must be sufficient everywhere,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X following his meeting with the Emirati leader.
He said they discussed “the security situation in the Emirates, Iranian strikes, and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which directly affects the global oil market.”
The Emirates News Agency said the two leaders discussed “security developments in the region amid ongoing military escalation and their implications for regional and international peace and security, as well as their impact on international navigation and the global economy.”
During his visit to Saudi Arabia a day before, Zelenskyy said the two countries have agreed to "an important arrangement" on defence cooperation.
Zelenskyy, in a social media post Friday, said the document "lays the foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation, and investment", providing no further details.
Drone combat experts from Ukraine, with over four years of experience in fending off Iran-manufactured drones used during the Russian offensive, are helping five Gulf Arab countries to counter Tehran's attacks, according to Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy said last week that Kyiv is helping the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan to counter drone attacks on their territory.
- 28 March 2026 5:43 PM IST
German chancellor criticises Trump's approach to Iran war
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has sharply criticised US President Donald Trump for his course of action in the Iran conflict, the German Press Agency reported.
“What Trump is doing right now is not de-escalation and an attempt to reach a peaceful solution, but a massive escalation with an uncertain outcome,” Merz said late Friday at an event in Frankfurt.
“These are escalations that are threatening,” he added. “Not only for those directly affected, but for all of us.” Merz also expressed doubt that the current leadership in Iran can be overthrown by the war.
“Is regime change really the goal?” he said. “If that is the goal, I don't think they will achieve it. That has usually gone wrong.”
- 28 March 2026 2:47 PM IST
Iran writes ‘thank you India’ on missiles fired at Israel
As part of a symbolic move amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, Iran inscribed messages of gratitude to the “people of India” on missiles fired towards Israel. Footage released online by the Consulate General of Iran in Mumbai and Iranian state media shows members of Iran’s Aerospace Force writing notes such as “Thank you to people of India” on the missiles with blue markers before launch. Reports indicate that similar messages were also directed at citizens of Spain, Pakistan, and Germany, suggesting a broader attempt by Tehran to reach out to nations it views as sympathetic. - 28 March 2026 2:26 PM IST
5 Indians injured in UAE by ballistic missile debris
Five Indians were injured in the UAE by the fall of debris in the vicinity of the Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) following interception of a ballistic missile by the country’s air defence system, local media reported on Saturday.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office in a social media post said the authorities confirmed that the incident resulted in injuries to five individuals of Indian nationality, ranging from moderate to minor.
Earlier, it reported that the authorities were responding to two fire incidents in the vicinity of KEZAD, caused by falling debris following the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems.
On Thursday, an Indian national was among two killed in the UAE when debris of missiles intercepted by the country’s air defence system fell on a street.
