ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday, including US President Donald Trump saying the war with Iran could be a “short-term excursion," a US-Israeli attack on residential blocks in Iran’s capital killing around 40 people, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan telling Iran that the violation of Türkiye's airspace ‘cannot be excused for any reason.'

TOP STORIES

• Trump says Iran war could be ‘short-term excursion’

US President Donald Trump said the war with Iran could be a “short-term excursion” while adding that US-Israeli joint attacks will continue until Iran is “totally and decisively defeated.”

“We took a little excursion because we felt we had to do that to get rid of some evil, and I think you'll see it's going to be a short term excursion,” Trump said at a Republican conference in Florida.

“If we didn't do that, they would have had a nuclear weapon within two weeks,” he added.

Trump claimed that US and Israeli forces are “crushing” Iran and that Iran’s drone and missile capabilities are being “utterly demolished.”

“The Navy is gone. It's all lying at the bottom of the ocean -- 46 ships,” he said, adding that Iranian leaders had been repeatedly targeted during the campaign.

• Around 40 killed in US-Israeli attack on residential blocks in Iran’s capital

The US and Israel bombed residential blocks in Iran’s capital, killing around 40 people, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

The strikes targeted an area near Resalat Square in Tehran, Tasnim reported.

Regional escalation has intensified since Israel and the US launched a joint attack on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,200 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Iranian authorities.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries that are home to US military assets.

• Turkish President Erdogan tells Iran that the violation of Türkiye's airspace ‘cannot be excused for any reason’

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss recent regional developments, including the interception of another missile heading to Türkiye.

Erdogan told Pezeshkian that the violation of Türkiye's airspace "cannot be excused for any reason whatsoever” and that “Türkiye will continue to take all necessary measures against this," Türkiye's Communications Directorate said in a statement.

The call came after the Turkish National Defense Ministry said Monday that a ballistic missile fired from Iran that entered Turkish airspace was neutralized by NATO air and missile defense assets deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Türkiye is "negatively affected" by conflicts in which it is not a party, Erdogan also told his Iranian counterpart.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• US President Donald Trump warned Iran, saying that any attempt to disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz would trigger a response “twenty times harder” than previous US strikes.
• Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) said that three drones were shot down in Erbil, following reports of explosions.
• Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said that several countries including China, Russia and France have contacted Tehran regarding a possible ceasefire.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone call with his US counterpart Donald Trump to discuss the conflict in Iran and trilateral negotiations with Ukraine, the state news agency Tass reported.
• US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran has Tomahawk cruise missiles in its arsenal as the munition becomes a key piece of evidence in a airstrike on an Iranian girls’ school that killed nearly 200 people.
• The death toll from Israel's attacks on Lebanon since last Monday rose to 486, with 1,313 people injured, the Lebanese Health Ministry said.
• After securing a commanding majority in Nepal’s parliament, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is set to form the country’s new government.
• At least one person was killed and several others injured in an Iranian attack in Bahrain’s capital, said the Gulf country’s Interior Ministry.
• Israel is seeking to completely sabotage the path to a two-state solution by taking advantage of the global community’s attention shifting away from Gaza, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
• Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani congratulated Mojtaba Khamenei on his selection as Iran’s new supreme leader.
• Israel's military response in Lebanon has been "heavy-handed," said the EU’s top diplomat, calling for an immediate halt to Israel's operations.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is ready to supply energy to Europe if European countries signal interest while noting that Moscow is increasing oil and gas deliveries to what he described as “reliable partners” in several regions.
• Lebanon’s parliament approved a two-year extension of the incumbent assembly’s mandate, Lebanese media reported.
• NATO said it has intercepted another ballistic missile heading toward Türkiye, reaffirming the alliance's readiness to defend all its members against any threat, a spokesperson said.
• Türkiye announced that six fighter jets and air defense systems have been deployed to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) as part of efforts to strengthen the territory’s security amid regional tensions.
• Lebanon’s president called for direct negotiations with Israel under international auspices as part of an initiative based on establishing a full truce that would halt all Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Bahrain's Bapco Energies declares force majeure over Iranian attacks

Bahrain's Bapco Energies announced a state of force majeure on its group’s operations affected by the ongoing Iranian attacks.

A recent attack targeted one of Bapco Refining's refinery units, an affiliate of the group.

All local market needs are secured under pre-established contingency plans, ensuring the continuity of supplies and the fulfillment of local demand without disruption, the company said, according to the Bahrain News Agency.

• Oil prices surpass $100 per barrel for 1st time since 2022 over concerns Iran war disrupting supply

Oil prices have surpassed the $100-per barrel mark for the first time since 2022 amid growing concerns over disruptions to global energy supplies and escalating tensions in the Middle East due to the Iran war.

Brent crude futures surged above $100 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude blew past the same threshold, driven by rising risks surrounding energy supplies.

The latest surge in prices comes amid escalating military tensions in the Middle East.