![]() |
|
War in the Middle East: latest developments Paris, France, March 18 (AFP) Mar 18, 2026 Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:
Lebanon's health ministry said at least 12 people had been killed in central Beirut, as the war between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah continued.
An AFP correspondent at the scene said the strike hit near the city's civil defence headquarters and a seaside road where many displaced people are sleeping in their cars. Israel has issued an evacuation call for residents of four southern towns.
It was not immediately clear what the target was. The city, the capital of the Kurdistan region, is home to a major US consulate complex, and its airport houses US-led coalition troops.
Benchmark US oil contract, West Texas Intermediate, was down more than four percent in Asian trading, at $92.11, after jumping almost three percent Tuesday.
"The death sentence of a spy for the Zionist regime, who had been providing images and information, about the country's sensitive locations to Mossad officers was carried out this morning," the judiciary's Mizan Online website said.
"Wave of global repercussions has only begun and will hit all -- regardless of wealth, faith, or race," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X. Iranian army chief Amir Hatami threatened to launch a "decisive and regrettable" retaliation for the killing of security chief Larijani.
The Saudi defence ministry said it had intercepted a ballistic missile near Prince Sultan Air Base, which houses US military personnel. The country later said it had intercepted two drones targeting the diplomatic quarter of its capital, Riyadh. Kuwait's air defences responded to a rocket and drone attack, according to authorities from both countries. Qatar's defence ministry also said it intercepted a missile attack, as blasts were heard in Doha.
Trump also said he was disappointed with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's response, telling reporters: "He hasn't been supportive, and I think it's a big mistake... I like him, I think he's a nice man, but I'm disappointed." burs-jhb/gv |
|
|
|
All rights reserved. Copyright Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.
|