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War in the Middle East: latest developments Paris, France, March 18 (AFP) Mar 18, 2026 Here are the latest developments Wednesday in the Middle East war:
While Tehran "bears responsibility" for the current crisis in the region, Merz said, Berlin had "made it clear that we still have many questions regarding this war," and Israel and the US had shown "no convincing plan as to how this operation could succeed".
Gas imports in neighbouring Iraq, highly dependent on Iran's gas, were immediately halted, authorities said, adding that it would have a knock-on affect on power supplies there.
Brent North Sea crude jumped over five percent to $108.60 per barrel, while the main US oil contract West Texas Intermediate climbed 1.9 percent to $98.01.
Russia, which helped build the plant and has staff on site, said it had received a report of a missile strike on the plant's inner perimeter and called the attack "completely unacceptable".
"We firmly condemn actions aimed at harming the health and, even more, the killing of the leadership of sovereign and independent Iran," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Seven members of the delegation had sought sanctuary in Australia last week after being branded "traitors" in Iran for refusing to sing the national anthem before their opening game at the Women's Asian Cup. Five later changed their mind while two chose to remain in Australia.
"It is with dismay that I have received information that a Swedish citizen was executed in Iran earlier today," Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said in a statement.
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.
"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.
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