Iran War: 'No longer be an eye for an eye,' warns Iran after attack on infra | Highlights

Iran has warned that it will 'no longer be an eye for an eye' following attacks on the country's infrastructure.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has said that Israel has targeted the Middle East country's two largest steel factories, a power plant and civilian nuclear sites.

"Israel claims it acted in coordination with the U.S. Attack contradicts POTUS extended deadline for diplomacy. Iran will exact HEAVY price for Israeli crimes," he said.

Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, said on Friday that Russia is not doing anything for Russia. "There is nothing Russia is doing for Iran that is in any way impeding or affecting our operations," he said.

Iran state media has said that the country's nuclear facilities, including heavy-water plant and yellowcake production plant, have been targeted, reports AP.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon states to carry out a collective response as they did in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, to tackle the challenging energy supply situation posed by the West Asia conflict, expressing optimism that "Team India will overcome this situation". The remarks came during a virtual meeting of chief ministers and lieutenant governors chaired by the prime minister on Friday to review preparedness in the wake of the conflict and its potential impact on India. Click here to read more.

Air India and Air India Express will together operate 36 scheduled and non-scheduled flights, to and from the West Asia region on 28 March 2026.

Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi attacked Benjamin Netanyahu and said that the Israeli prime minister "gambled with American taxpayer dollars" and the lives of the people of the United States (US).

"Having badly lost that gamble, he is now singlehandedly making sure that ordinary Americans, particularly retirees and those retiring in next few years, will pick up the tab," he said on X. 

The Lebanese Ministry of Health has said that at least 1,142 people have been killed and 3,315 were injured by Israeli attacks on the Middle East country since March 2.

The email of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) chief Kash Patel was hacked by an Iran-linked group on Friday, as the situation in the Middle East remains tensed due to the ongoing war between the United States (US), Israel and Iran, according to reports by US media. Click here to read more.

At least four people, including two children, have been killed in a US-Israeli attack on a residential area in the Iranian city of Yamchi, in the East Azerbaijan province, reports Iran’s Mehr news agency.

At least 18 people were killed, while ten others were wounded in US-Israel attack on residential area in Iran's Qom.

Israel on Friday launched a new wave of attacks on Iran, even though US President Donald Trump extended the self-imposed deadline to Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz. It targeted sites used by Iran to produce ballistic missiles and other weapons.

US President Donald Trump has commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a leader who delivers results, expressing strong optimism about the future of India-US ties. In a message shared through the US Embassy in India, Trump said, "Our amazing relationship with India will be even stronger going forward. Prime Minister Modi and I are two people that get things done, something that cannot be said for most." Click here to read more.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday that diesel and petrol rates remain unchanged despite volatility in crude oil prices due to West Asia crisis. She further said the government is active and responding to evolving situation.

"It has been slashed so that there is no burden on the public. Price of oil is rising in foreign countries. We refine oil in India after importing crude oil. Refined products are exported. So, there were two issues on the mind of the PM. 1) Price of petrol and diesel should not be raised for public. 2) Supply in our country should be sufficient and there should not be any shortage. So, we levied a tax on refineries that are exported, that they will not be able to export at a rate below what is given to them. And make an adequate quantity of petrol, diesel and ATF available in the country...However, the price goes, Govt will bear the burden of the rate. Burden of price won't fall on the Govt. For these two matters, PM called all the officers yesterday and decided this. This was worked on overnight, notified in the Parliament in the morning and  finally announced," she said. 

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India closely following all the developments ongoing in West Asia. 

"We continue to call for ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as a matter of priority," he said.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that four ships laden with LPG have arrived in India after crossing the Strait of Hormuz safely. He said India continues to be in touch with all concerned countries for the safe transit of its ships to meet the energy requirements.

"You are well aware of a broad approach to sourcing energy needs. It is based on our imperative to secure the needs of 1.4 billion people, dynamics of the market and the global situations. These 3 issues are vital for our decision making," he said.

At least two people lost their lives in an Israeli strike in Lebanon.

The Centre has formed an inter-ministerial group headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to monitor the West Asia conflict and the issues arising out of it in the country amid concerns over natural gas and crude oil supply, sources said on Friday. Click here to read more.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said that shipping “to and from ports of allies and supporters of the Israeli-American enemies” is still not allowed. It warned that transit through the Strait will face “harsh measures”, reports Reuters.

Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry on Friday that its air defence systems intercepted and destroyed two drones that were aimed at Riyadh, reports ANI. 

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz on Friday warned that his country will "escalate and expand" its attacks on Iran, despite US President Donald Trump pressing for talks with Tehran.

"We warned Iran to stop firing at civilians. Since it continues, our strikes will escalate and expand to more targets supporting its war capabilities," he said.

Taking a dig at Iran and the current regime in the Middle East nation, US Vice President JD Vance said on Friday: "You talk about people who walk into a crowded supermarket and have a vest on, and they blow up the vest, and a couple of people get killed, and that's a terrible tragedy. What happens when what's on the vest can kill many, many tens of thousands of people?"

Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) chairperson Vivek Chaturvedi has pointed out that international crude prices have naturally risen sharply due to the conflict in the Middle East. He said there has also been a substantial increase in the prices of petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel.

"This situation has created a market incentive for refineries to export at higher international prices. The government’s response has been very calibrated. It introduced certain export duties in the form of Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) and Road and Infrastructure Cess (RIC)," he said. 

Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing & Oil Refinery) at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has said that the conflict in the Middle East has affected India’s supplies of crude oil, LPG, and LNG. She further said that crude prices, along with other petroleum products, have risen in the international market, but the government has taken several important decisions at different levels to manage the situation effectively. 

"We have sufficient crude inventory, with supplies lined up for the next two months. The situation is comfortable with respect to LPG and PNG as well. Our refineries are operating at full or even above capacity, and domestic LPG production has increased by almost 40%... Since India has a high import dependency—about 90% of LPG imports came through the Strait of Hormuz—the government decided to prioritise domestic consumers over commercial supply," she said. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has criticised the strikes by the United States (US) and Israel, and appealed to the world to come together against this 'injustice'. He said reiterated that Iran will defend itself as long as needed. 

"Indifference and silence in the face of injustices would bring no security and peace. It would invite more insecurity and right violations. The United Nations and the core values it embodies as well as the overall human rights framework are at serious stake. You all need to call out the aggressors and let them know that the community of states, the human collective conscience hold them accountable for the abhorrent crimes they are committing against Iranians," Araghchi said.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday slammed the United States and Israel for the attacks on civilian infrastructure in Iran, most notably the Minab Elementary Girls' school which killed over 160 people. Calling the actions a war crime, he urged the world to come together against the injustice towards Iran and underlined that the country would continue to defend itself as long as needed. He made the remarks while virtually addressing the UN debate over the fatal school strike in Iran.

Despite US President Donald Trump making public peace overtures to Iran, the conflict in West Asia continues. Israel Defence Forces on Saturday said that it had struck the Iranian Regime's primary facility for the productions of missiles and sea mines in Yazd, Iran. The IDF claimed that the site was used for the planning, development, assembly, and storage of advanced missiles intended for launch from cruise platforms, submarines, and helicopters toward both mobile and stationary maritime targets. "In the strikes carried out across Tehran, the Air Force targeted infrastructure and sites used by the regime to produce weaponry, with an emphasis on ballistic missile production sites," the IDF stated

Iran has formally informed the United Nations about media reports which cited US and Israeli plans to assassinate senior Iranian leadership officials, which include Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, according to a report by Press TV. As per Press TV, Iran's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Amir Saeed Iravani expressed deep concern over the reported assassination plots in an official letter on Thursday addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the President of the Security Council.

The United States is considering sending an additional 10,000 ground troops to West Asia despite the talks with Iran, the Jerusalem Post said, citing a report by the Wall Street Journal. As per the Jerusalem Post, the report by the Wall Street Journal cited Department of War officials noting that the deployment is likely to include both infantry and armoured vehicles, in addition to the 82nd Airborne Division, which is already deployed to the region.

The International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi has reiterated his deep concern about recent military strikes reportedly occurring near Iran's Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, the latest on Tuesday evening. According to a statement the IAEA, "Given that it is an operating nuclear power plant with a large amount of nuclear material, DG Grossi warns that damage to the facility could result in a major radiological accident affecting a large area in Iran and beyond. DG Grossi calls again for maximum restraint to avoid the risk of such a nuclear accident and stresses the importance of observing the 7 pillars for ensuring nuclear safety and security during a conflict."

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced the launch of the 83rd wave of Operation True Promise 4 in the early hours of Friday, which targeted key American and Israeli military installations across the region with advanced missiles and drones, as reported by Press TV. As per Press TV, the targets included storage tanks and the oil depot in Ashdod, a military personnel site in the Modi'in settlement, and a US military information exchange center in the region. It further reported that the IRGC also struck American military bases at Al-Dhafra and Al-Udeiri, along with maintenance and storage hangars for transport aircraft and drones at Ali Al-Salem Air Base.

The United Nations' acting top envoy for Congo warned the UN Security Council on Thursday that the conflict in mineral-rich eastern Congo is escalating and expanding, with increasing use of heavy weapons and offensive drones posing serious risks to civilians. Vivian van de Perre said that despite the withdrawal of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and their allies from the town of Uvira under international pressure in January, clashes are escalating in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu between the M23 and Congolese army forces and their supporters.

Farmers around the world are feeling the squeeze of the Iran war. Gas prices have shot up and fertiliser supplies are waning due to Tehran's near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for US and Israeli bombing. The fertiliser shortage is putting the livelihood of farmers in developing countries - already troubled by rising temperatures and erratic weather systems - further at risk, and could lead to people everywhere paying more for food. The poorest farmers in the Northern Hemisphere rely on fertiliser imports from the Gulf, and the shortage comes just as planting season begins, said Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the World Food Programme. "In the worst case, this means lower yields and crop failures next season. In the best case, higher input costs will be included in food prices next year."

The Chief of Staff of the Israel Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir warned that the Israeli military could "collapse in on itself" due to increasing operational pressures and a worsening manpower shortage amid conflict in West Asia, Times of Israel reported. Zamir reportedly made the remarks during a security cabinet meeting, where he flagged serious concerns over the army's preparedness. "I am raising 10 red flags before you," he told ministers, as reported by the Times of Israel.

US President Donald Trump has extended his deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz to April 6. The president made the statement in a social media post. He said he will hold off on bombing Iran's energy plants. The update comes even as earlier in the day, the two countries appeared at an impasse, hardening their positions over ceasefire talks.

The UN Security Council has scheduled a closed consultation on Iran on Friday morning. As per reports, Russia asked for the meeting on US-Israeli attacks on civilian infrastructure in the country. The United States, which holds the Security Council presidency, scheduled the meeting.

Iran sent a letter to the United Nations over claims that the country’s foreign minister and parliament speaker had been "targets for assassination." The lette focused on media reports that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf both had been spared for the time being by Israel and the US as negotiations to reach a ceasefire in the war go on. "The reports indicate the existence of an operational framework contemplating the assassination of the highest-ranking political officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the letter reads, The Associated Press (AP) reported.