Saudi

• Iran fired six ballistic missiles and 29 drones at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on Friday, wounding at least 15 US service members and destroying a US military E-3 Century radar aircraft. • The attack resulted in at least 13 US service members killed to date, prompting the Pentagon to prepare for weeks of potential ground conflict in Iran according to The Washington Post. • President Trump is reportedly considering a military operation in response, with 3,500 additional US troops beginning to arrive in the region as part of a broader deployment now exceeding 50,000 personnel.

Critics say films lauding country’s attitude to women and green credentials could damage corporation’s reputationThe BBC has been accused of making “glossy propaganda films” for Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and taking money from a “repressive regime”.BBC Storyworks, the corporation’s commercial arm, has entered into a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The broadcaster has made a series of films and written articles lauding the country’s supposedly progressive attitude to women and eco-friendly credentials. These are hosted on a mini-site that carried BBC branding. Continue reading...

The meeting of foreign ministers was, in a way, the opening ceremony of an initiative that is intriguing diplomatsMiddle East crisis – live updatesThe meeting on Sunday of the foreign ministers of Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in Islamabad not only represented the best hope for a ceasefire in Iran but was also the embryo for a new order designed to curb Israeli and Iranian dominance after the war.Although the four nations have met as a quartet before, the one-day meeting of foreign ministers in Islamabad on Sunday was, in a way, the official opening ceremony of an initiative that is intriguing diplomats. Continue reading...

Abnormally strong jet stream triggers deluge in Middle East, while north Africa braces for 60-80mph gustsAn unusual weather pattern unleashed severe thunderstorms across parts of the Middle East last week, battering countries including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The Arabian peninsula – typically dominated by arid desert climates – received up to 150mm of rain in just a few days.The deluge was caused by an abnormally strong jet stream, which helped form a deep area of low pressure to develop north of Saudi Arabia. This, in turn, drew moist tropical air from the Indian Ocean and triggered intense storms. Continue reading...

• At least 12 U.S. service members were injured, with two in serious condition, after an Iranian missile and drone attack on a U.S. military base in Saudi Arabia. • The attack followed Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and Iran's vow to retaliate against Israeli military actions in the region. • The incident marks a significant escalation in direct Iranian military engagement with U.S. forces in the Middle East conflict.

Mohammed bin Salman said to consider war a ‘historic opportunity’ to remake Middle East. Plus, Senate passes funding package for Homeland Security that excludes ICEGood morning.Saudi Arabia has urged Washington to intensify attacks on Iran, a Saudi intelligence source has confirmed, while it considers whether to join the war directly.Have there been reports of active Saudi military involvement? Not so far. But a Saudi analyst said the kingdom was likely to intervene if peace efforts led by Pakistan failed. Mohammed Alhamed said: “If [Iran] rejects the conditions and continues its attacks, the threshold for Saudi action will be crossed.”What is the latest on the strait of Hormuz? On Tuesday, Tehran said it would permit “non-hostile vessels” to pass: here is a visual guide.For the latest updates, follow our live blog.Why has there been no DHS funding? Democrats have blocked it as they demand changes to its immigration crackdown, particularly after agents in Minneapolis killed the US citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Continue reading...

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said to view US-Israeli war as ‘historic opportunity’ to remake Middle EastMiddle East crisis – live updatesSaudi Arabia has urged the US to ramp up attacks on Iran, a Saudi intelligence source has confirmed, while it is weighing a decision on whether to join the fight directly.The Saudi source confirmed reporting in the New York Times, which said the kingdom’s de facto leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has urged Donald Trump not to cut short his war against Iran, and that the US-Israeli campaign represented a “historic opportunity” to remake the Middle East. Continue reading...

• Iran hit Qatar's Ras Laffan Industrial City energy hub with missiles on March 18, 2026, causing extensive damage to QatarEnergy facilities. • Tehran also fired four ballistic missiles at Riyadh and attempted a drone attack on a Saudi gas facility, both intercepted by Saudi defenses. • The attacks mark a major escalation in the US-Israel-Iran war, driving oil prices higher and disrupting global supplies.

Bahrain circuit only 20 miles from targeted US baseRaces unlikely to be replaced because of logisticsFormula One has cancelled the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia grands prix because of the war in the Middle East.The races were due to take place on 12 April in Bahrain and 19 April in Saudi Arabia but the sport was approaching the point at which a decision on cancellation needed to be made to prevent more freight being sent to Bahrain. Continue reading...

President Donald Trump threatened severe retaliation against Iran on March 13, 2026, following multiple drone strikes on Saudi Arabia and related terror incidents in the US. In a Fox News interview, Trump commented on Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, stating, "I think he's damaged, but I think he's probably alive in some form." The US military reported four crew members killed in a refueling aircraft crash amid heightened tensions. These developments raise alarms about IRGC influence and potential escalation in the region.

President Donald Trump threatened severe retaliation against Iran on March 13, 2026, following multiple drone strikes on Saudi Arabia and related terror incidents in the US. In a Fox News interview, Trump stated Iran's new Supreme Leader is 'damaged, but probably alive in some form' amid reports of internal regime messages with errors possibly dictated by the Revolutionary Guard. The US military reported four crew members killed in a refueling aircraft crash linked to the tensions. These developments heighten fears of escalation as Iran appoints Mojtaba Khamenei as leader against his father's wishes, with experts citing regime assets as key to their fight.