Morning Briefing: March 30, 2026

ANKARA

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Monday, including Iran saying the US has been seeking to achieve its war goals via a 15-point plan after failing to do so by military force, an Iranian official saying that US-Israeli attacks have killed 281 students and teachers since last month, and Trump saying he would “prefer” to “take the oil” in Iran and indicating that the US could seize Kharg Island, a key export hub.

TOP STORIES

• Iran says US seeking to achieve war goals via 15-point plan after military failure

Iran’s parliament speaker accused the US of pursuing a 15-point plan to achieve its war goals after failing to achieve them by military force, warning that any ground attack on the country would face a “decisive” response.

Writing on Telegram, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said the US is “openly calling for negotiations while secretly planning a ground attack.”

He said the Iranians are prepared for any ground operation by US forces, vowing a “decisive response” for any such attack.

• Iran says 281 students, teachers killed in US-Israeli attacks

At least 281 students and teachers have been killed in US-Israeli attacks on Iran since last month, said an Iranian official.

The toll included 222 students, four preschool children, 48 teachers and seven retired education staff, Hossein Sadeghi, head of the Information and Public Relations Center at the Education Ministry, told the state news agency IRNA.

He added that 185 students and education personnel have also been injured in the US-Israeli assault.

• Trump says he ‘prefers’ to seize Iranian oil hub as troops deploy to region

US President Donald Trump said he would “prefer” to “take the oil” in Iran and indicated that Washington could seize Kharg Island, a key export hub, as US forces expand their presence in the Middle East, a report said.

“To be honest with you, my favorite thing is to take the oil in Iran,” he said in an interview with the Financial Times, comparing the approach to Venezuela, where the US aims to control the oil sector “indefinitely.”

His comments came as oil prices have surged more than 50% in a month, with Brent crude rising above $116 per barrel amid the escalating conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.

​​​​NEWS IN BRIEF

• Bahrain’s aluminum producer Alba confirmed that its facilities were hit in an Iranian attack the previous day, leaving two employees with minor injuries.
• Sirens sounded across Israel after Iran launched a new missile attack, Israeli authorities said.
• The United Arab Emirates said that air defense systems intercepted missile and uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks launched from Iran.
• A series of explosions were heard in Iran’s capital as US-Israeli attacks continued, Iranian media said.
• Saudi Arabia’s air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 10 drones over the past hours, the country’s Defense Ministry said in a statement.
• At least five people were killed and four others injured in a US-Israeli attack targeting a pier in southern Iran, according to Iran’s official news agency IRNA.
• One Israeli soldier was killed and three others injured in combat in southern Lebanon, the Israeli army announced.
• Oman’s Foreign Ministry said the attacks targeting the country have not been claimed by any party, adding that competent authorities are still investigating their source and motives.
• Israeli airstrikes targeted towns in southern Lebanon, killing at least 11 people and injuring several others, according to the country’s official news agency.
• Seven Palestinians were killed and four others injured in an Israeli airstrike and gunfire in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.
• Air raid sirens sounded across wide areas of southern Israel following a missile barrage from Iran, the Israeli army said.
• Bahrain said that air defenses had intercepted and destroyed 174 missiles and 391 drones targeting the kingdom since the start of Iranian attacks on Feb. 28.
• Hundreds of Israelis were stranded at King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, southern Jordan, after the Kingdom suspended flights of the Israeli airline Arkia, Israel’s Channel 12 reported.
• French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot denounced the killing of three journalists in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, noting that targeting journalists would be a violation of international law.
• A US-Israeli attack hit a building housing the office of Al Araby Television Network in the Iranian capital Tehran.
• Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the Israeli ambassador will be summoned to the Foreign Ministry after Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa was denied entry to a church in Jerusalem and prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass.
• Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called the denial of entry to the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, at a church in Jerusalem "unacceptable."
• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Israel's move to prevent Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering a church in Jerusalem was an “offense” to religious freedom.
• At least 14 civilians were killed in artillery shelling by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s South Kordofan state, a local medical group said.
• French President Emmanuel Macron condemned Israel’s decision to prevent the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass, one of the holiest ceremonies on the Christian calendar.
• Portugal condemned the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem being denied entry to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, one of Christianity’s holiest days.
• A worker at a chemical plant in Negev, southern Israel, was slightly injured after inhaling smoke when an Iranian rocket struck nearby, igniting a fire.
• Ten Kuwaiti soldiers were injured during a new wave of attacks in the last 24 hours, with the wounded receiving medical treatment, the Kuwaiti army said.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has ordered the military to expand the occupation in southern Lebanon, vowing to continue attacks until Israel achieves its objectives.
• Pakistan's foreign minister said that Islamabad would be "honored" to host talks between the US and Iran to end the ongoing Middle East conflict.
• Several people were detained in Moscow at the planned site of a rally against internet restrictions, an Anadolu correspondent reported from the site.
• The US Embassy in Qatar said it is reducing operations with its remaining emergency personnel as an escalation continues across the Middle East region.
• Power outages were reported in several parts of Iran, including areas of Tehran and the northern city of Alborz, following US-Israeli attacks on electricity infrastructure.
• Israel and the US are discussing the potential establishment of US bases in Israeli territory, local media reported.
• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that "severe damage" has been done to the heavy water production plant in Khondab, Iran, saying the facility is "no longer operational."
• A drone attack targeted the US Victoria Base in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, security sources said.
• Israeli artillery shelling targeted a headquarters of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Trump says US already moving to control Strait of Hormuz

US President Donald Trump said the United States has already begun taking steps to control the Strait of Hormuz amid the war with Iran.

Asked in an interview with Israel’s Channel 14 whether Washington is capable of taking control of the strategic waterway, he replied: “Yes, sure, it’s already happening.”

Trump also highlighted what he described as close coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Iran.

• US allows Russian oil tanker to break blockade, travel to Cuba

The US is allowing a Russian tanker to deliver crude oil to Cuba, breaking a months-long blockade on the Caribbean island nation by the Trump administration, according to a report by the New York Times.

The tanker, carrying an estimated 730,000 barrels of crude, is expected to dock at the Matanzas terminal by Tuesday, providing a critical supply of energy to Cuba amid escalating tensions with the US.

The Russian ship’s arrival would distribute an energy lifeline to Cuba, buying the island nation at least a few weeks before its fuel reserves run out, according to the Times report.

• Iranian attack on Kuwaiti power and desalination plant kills worker, causes major damage

A worker was killed and major material damage was caused after an Iranian attack on a service building at a power generation and water desalination plant in Kuwait, the country’s Electricity Ministry said.

The ministry said the fatality was an Indian national.

It said the strike caused extensive damage to infrastructure at the facility.