Live Updates: Mideast Conflict Widens Across Multiple Fronts

Here’s the latest.

‘We didn’t start this war but under president Trump, we’re finishing it,’ says Pete Hegseth – US politics live

Defense secretary says that for ‘47 long years’ Iranian regime has waged ‘savage, one-sided war against America’ as he holds press conference with Gen Dan Caine, chair of the joint chiefs of staffSign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inboxHegseth said today that Iran was “building powerful missiles and drones to create a conventional shield for their nuclear blackmail ambitions” and “had a conventional gun to our head as they tried to lie their way to a nuclear bomb”.The defense secretary said that after the 12-day Israel-Iran war in June, the US threatened Iran with “far worse” consequences if they rebuilt their nuclear program. “They arrogantly refused,” Hegseth said, noting that Trump, top officials and special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner “bent over backwards for real diplomacy”. Continue reading...

QatarEnergy, world’s largest LNG firm, halts production after Iran attacks

This comes after Saudi Arabia announced the temporary closure of one of its largest oil facilities following drone attacks.

Rijksmuseum reveals painting to be early work by Rembrandt

17th-century Dutch master’s Vision of Zacharias in the Temple to go on display this weekIt hung unrecognised on the wall of a private home for decades but now a 17th-century painting has been revealed as a Rembrandt, taking its potential value from thousands to millions of pounds.The Rijksmuseum announced on Monday that it had rediscovered an early biblical scene by the Dutch master that was once thought lost, thanks to hi-tech scanning and two years of expert analysis. Continue reading...

Deadly Texas bar shooting 'potentially act of terrorism', FBI says

Two people were killed and 14 injured, with the suspected gunman, identified by some media outlets, also shot dead.

Why did US and Israel attack Iran and how long could the war last?

Iran has carried out strikes against Israel, across the Gulf and against a British base in Cyprus in retaliation.

Hegseth: 'We didn't start this war but under President Trump we're finishing it'

The remarks are the first to reporters since the U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran began Saturday despite weeks of talks designed to stave off a conflict.

Middle East crisis live: Kuwait mistakenly shoots down three US fighter planes, as US says Iran’s ‘reckless’ attacks threaten regional stability

Israeli military says fighting Iran-backed Hezbollah could take ‘many’ more days; US crew bailed out safely after crash-landing, says KuwaitPodcast: The assassination of Iran’s ayatollahHave you been affected by events in the Middle East?Bahrain has said that one person was killed by shrapnel from an intercepted missile. The death of a foreign worker at Salman Industrial City, working on a boat there, marks the kingdom’s first reported fatality in the war.Bahrain, home to the US navy’s 5th fleet, said it intercepted 61 missiles and 34 attack drones launched against it. It said some shrapnel had gotten through, striking buildings and the naval base. Continue reading...

Oil prices rise and stock markets dip as Iran war threatens global economy

Brent crude up 13% in early trading with markets under pressure as US-Israeli strikes on Iran effectively close strait of Hormuz to shippingBusiness live – latest updatesUS-Israel war on Iran – live updatesOil prices rose and stock markets came under pressure on Monday after intense US-Israeli strikes on Iran prompted fears of significant global economic disruption.Brent crude jumped by as much as 13% during early trading – to hit $82 a barrel, a 14-month high – as the effective closure of the strait of Hormuz, one of the most important arteries for global trade, intensified concerns over oil supplies. Continue reading...