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Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei hasn't been seen in public since the war began (Image: Getty)
Donald Trump has questioned whether the new Supreme Leader of Iran, who hasn't been seen since Operation Epic Fury began, is "even alive" in a new interview. The US President said: "I don’t know if he’s even alive. So far, nobody’s been able to show him."
In an interview with NBC News, he added: "I’m hearing he’s not alive, and if he is, he should do something very smart for his country, and that’s surrender." This comes after US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth claimed on Friday that the son of Ali Khamenei, the former Supreme Leader of Iran who died on the first day of US and Israeli strikes on February 28, is "wounded and likely disfigured". The new Supreme Leader spoke to his country for the first time last weeek, but only released a written statement rather than a video or audio message. In his interview, Mr Trump also admitted he was left "very surprised" by Iran's decision to launch retaliatory strikes and target neighbouring countries following the beginning of the US-Israeli military operation. He added this was "the biggest surprise I had of this whole thing.”
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2 mins ago07:46 Astha Saxena
IRGC says it launched missiles targeting US bases in UAE
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched 10 missiles and an unspecified number of drones aiming to target the US forces at the al-Dhafra airbase in the UAE.
In a statement carried by Iranian news agencies, the IRGC said the attack was directed at American military positions at the base, which hosts US forces.
10 mins ago07:38 Astha Saxena
Twenty informants arrested for helping Israel
Around twenty people have reportedly been detained in northwestern Iran for trying to help Israel by sending the location of military and security assets, reports Tasnim news agency.
IDF claims Iran has fired furhter missiles towards Israel
The Israeli Defence Force says it has swatted away a number of Iranian strikes on Sunday morning local time, with missile interceptors working to combat threats while precautionary alerts were sent to any people within targeted areas. Israel has advised its citizens to enter protected places or bomb shelters and to remain there until further notice.The update comes after state-affiliated Fars News Agency reported that a new wave of missiles had been launched from Iran, while Lebanese militant group Hezbollah also are understood to have fired strikes towards the northern regions of Israel.
Blitz unleashed on Isfahan in series of pre-dawn strikes
Heavy airstrikes have been reported across the central Iranian city of Isfahan on Sunday (March 15), with the Iran International reporting explosions were heard across the city.Videos circulating online appeared to show a fighter jet flying at low altitude over Isfahan, while other photographs show thick columns of smoke rising from different areas in the metropolis, however most explosions were heard in the city’s northern and southern districts, as per reports.
Trump reveals he has rejected a ceasefire request from Iran
Trump has claimed that Iran is ready to negotiate a ceasefire in the wake of ongoing airstrikes by the US, but he rejected the current terms as insufficient.
“Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet," NBC News cited Trump during a telephone interview.
He added: “We totally demolished Kharg Island, but we may hit it a few more times just for fun.”
The US President made the wild claims in the same interview in which he claimed Iran's Supreme Leader was dead.
Get out now: US issues warning to citizens in Middle Eastern nation
The US embassy in Baghdad has issued a new warning for Americans, urging US citizens to leave Iraq after a missile hit a building within the embassy complex on Saturday.
In its warning, the US embassy said citizens should "leave Iraq now".
"US citizens choosing to remain in Iraq are strongly encouraged to reconsider in light of the significant threat posed by Iran-aligned terrorist militia groups," the embassy said.
US Ambassador to the UN highlights Iran isolation
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz has taken to social media to highlight that a record number of countries have shunned Iran at the UN.
He also pointed out that Russia and China have refused to support Tehran’s position, instead vetoing their votes on motions regarding the war at recent UN meetings.
Waltz gloated about the country’s growing diplomatic isolation in a post on X.
US orders non‑emergency staff, families to exit Oman
The US State Department has ordered non‑emergency government employees and their family members to leave Oman.
Officials cited safety risks as regional tensions escalate in theongoing US‑Israeli conflict.
Trump claims Supreme Leader dead in new interview
US president Donald Trump has asserted that he was informed Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is "not alive".
His speculation about Khamenei, which surfaced during a phone call with NBC News on Saturday, comes after the newly appointed Ayatollah of Iran failed to appear on camera last Thursday as expected, to deliver his inaugural statement as the beleaguered nation's leader.
READ MORE: Trump says Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei 'not alive' after 'losing leg' in bombing
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Saudi, Dubai, and Qatar governments confirm missile interceptions
The Saudi Arabian defence ministry has confirmed it has intercepted and destroyed seven drones in Riyadh and in the Gulf's Eastern Region overnight.
Authorities in Dubai and Qatar have also reported air defence interceptions.
Dubai’s media office posted on X, saying the sounds heard in the Marina and Al Sufouh areas were the result of successful interceptions.
The Qatari defence ministry also said it had intercepted four ballistic missiles and a number of drones launched by Iran on Saturday.
F1 cancels two Grand Prix races in Middle East
Grand Prix events in both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have been officially cancelled, Formula One has announced.
They were initially scheduled for April 12 and April 19, respectively, but will now not go ahead due to the "ongoing situation in the Middle East", as per a press statement.
A Formula One spokesperson said that, while alternatives were considered, no substitutions will be made for the races.
The cancellations mean there will be a five-week gap between the Japanese Grand Prix on 27-29 March and Miami on 1-3 May.
"The FIA will always place the safety and wellbeing of our community and colleagues first. After careful consideration, we have taken this decision with that responsibility firmly in mind," said FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
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