US-Israel-Iran conflict: Kuwait hit by new drone attacks on vital facilities; Trump warns Iran against charging tankers in Hormuz; Latest updates
Follow live updates below
Follow live updates below
Anwar Gargash said that while it is too early to draw full lessons from the Iranian attacks, the UAE will move to strengthen the foundations of its state model and enhance its ability to defend the country.
Speaking with “the confidence of one who has triumphed over a perfidious assault,” he said the UAE will closely examine its regional and international relationships to “determine who can be relied upon,” including restructuring its economy and financial system to reinforce national resilience.
He described a rational review of national priorities as “our path to the future.”
Emirates announced it is running a reduced flight schedule covering over 100 destinations. New bookings include one complimentary date change, while customers with existing bookings between February 28 and May 31 can rebook for travel up to June 15, 2026, or request a full refund within 21 days.
The airline advised passengers to continue checking flight status before traveling and said it is monitoring the situation and adjusting operations accordingly.
Gold edged down 0.1% to $4,759.54 per ounce on Friday but remained on track for a third consecutive weekly gain of 1.8%, supported by expectations of earlier and deeper US interest rate cuts.
US gold futures for June fell 0.7% to $4,782.70. Silver rose 0.9% to $75.74, while platinum and palladium declined 2% and 1.2% respectively.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he has instructed the government to begin direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible, following what he described as repeated Lebanese requests.
He said talks will focus on the disarmament of Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between the two countries. Netanyahu also said Israel appreciates the Lebanese prime minister’s call to demilitarize Beirut.
Mojtaba Khamenei, marking 40 days since the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said Iran’s people are “the definite victors in this battlefield.”
He addressed Iran’s southern neighbors, telling them to “observe closely, understand matters correctly, stand on the right side” and warning them against trusting what he called false promises from outside powers.
He said Iran is “still waiting for an appropriate response” from its Gulf neighbors to demonstrate goodwill, adding this requires them to “renounce the Arrogant Powers.”
He declared that Iran “definitely won’t allow the criminal aggressors who attacked our country to go unpunished” and vowed to “demand full reparations for all damages caused, as well as blood money for the martyrs and compensation for the war’s wounded.”
He also stated Iran would “take the management of the Strait of Hormuz to a new phase.”
Khamenei said Iran has “not sought, nor do we seek, war” but “will in no way relinquish our legitimate rights,” adding that Iran considers “the entire Resistance Front as a unified entity.” He said the nation would maintain its determination to “avenge the pure blood of its martyred Leader.”
Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reported that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday has risen to 303 killed and 1,150 wounded, with rescue teams still recovering bodies from rubble at multiple sites.
DNA testing is being used to identify some of the deceased. The Ministry said the cumulative toll from March 2 to April 9 has reached 1,888 killed and 6,092 wounded.
Kuwait strongly condemned drone attacks launched Thursday evening by Iran and its proxies targeting several vital facilities in the country.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attacks as a violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty and airspace, and a breach of international law, humanitarian law, and the UN Charter.
The Ministry said the continued attacks against Kuwait and other regional states undermine the recent ceasefire announced between the United States and Iran.
It called on the international community to compel Iran and its affiliates to immediately and unconditionally cease all hostile acts against Kuwait and the wider region, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026).
Kuwait reaffirmed its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and said it will take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty, security, and stability.
The five Gulf states – Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait – submitted a formal letter to the United Nations through Bahrain’s Permanent Mission, condemning what they described as unjustified Iranian aggression and calling it a violation of national sovereignty, international law, and the UN Charter.
The letter stated that Iran’s actions are part of a long-standing pattern of aggression, including direct support for armed groups such as Al-Qaeda, the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Iraqi militias through weapons, training, financing, and operational guidance.
It noted that these groups have undermined state institutions and engaged in cross-border violence destabilizing the region, and referenced the dismantling of terrorist cells linked to Iran and Hezbollah involved in money laundering, drug trafficking, and terror financing.
The Gulf states called on Iraq to take immediate action to halt militia attacks against neighboring countries.
They described Iran’s support for armed proxies and interference with navigation in the Strait of Hormuz as a structured framework of unlawful conduct aimed at undermining regional stability.
The letter urged the UN Security Council to take decisive measures to ensure Iran’s compliance with international obligations, end its support for proxies, and prevent military technology transfers.
The Gulf states reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful solutions while asserting their right to individual and collective self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Kuwait’s National Guard announced that one of its sites was struck by hostile drones, causing significant material damage but no casualties.
Spokesperson Brigadier General Dr. Jadaan Fadel said authorities immediately initiated security and field measures to handle the incident.
Bahrain’s Defense Force announced that its air defense systems have intercepted and destroyed 194 missiles and 515 drones targeting the kingdom since the onset of Iranian aggression.
The BDF stated that using ballistic missiles and drones against civilian targets and private property constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, describing the attacks as criminal, indiscriminate, and a direct threat to regional peace and security.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense announced that air defenses are responded to hostile drone attacks that violated the country’s airspace and targeted vital installations, according to spokesman Colonel Saud Al-Atwan.
The attack comes just hours after the ministry reported no new developments over the previous 24 hours.
President Donald Trump warned Iran against reportedly charging fees to tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, stating “they better stop now,” via Truth Social.
In a separate post, he hit back at the Wall Street Journal for claiming he “declared premature victory in Iran,” calling it “a Victory” with “nothing ‘premature’ about it.”
He declared that “IRAN WILL NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON” and predicted oil would “start flowing, with or without the help of Iran.”
Trump accused the Journal of being “one of the worst and most inaccurate ‘Editorial Boards’ in the World,” adding they are “always quick to criticize, but never to admit when they’re wrong.”
Day 26 – US-Israel conflict on Iran enters Day 26: Trump says war is ‘won’, in talks with ‘right people’, Kuwait airport hit, latest updates
Day 6 – US-Israel conflict on Iran: Fresh strikes on Tehran, UAE flight status, latest updates
Day 5 – US‑Israel conflict on Iran: UAE affirms right to self‑defence, latest updates
Day 4 – US-Israel strikes on Iran: Latest updates – everything you need to know
Day 2 – Israel-US strikes Iran: Latest updates
Day 1 – Israel launches ‘pre-emptive attack’ on Iran as explosions hit central Tehran
Subscribe to our free newsletter