ISTANBUL

Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Tuesday, including US President Donald Trump's warning that Iran's crucial energy infrastructure would be destroyed if talks do not soon bear fruit; the killings of two UNIFIL peacekeepers in explosions in southern Lebanon; and the Israeli Knesset passing a law mandating the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners.

TOP STORIES

• Trump threatens to destroy Iran's energy sites, desalination plants if talks fail

US President Donald Trump on Monday said negotiations with Iran to end joint US-Israeli strikes were progressing, but warned that the country's crucial energy infrastructure would be destroyed if talks do not soon bear fruit.

"If for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately 'Open for Business,' we will conclude our lovely 'stay' in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!)," Trump posted on his social media platform Truth Social.

Despite the warning, he said "serious discussions" were ongoing with a "new and more reasonable" Iranian regime.

Iran said Monday it has held no direct negotiations with the US, saying recent contacts were limited to messages conveyed through intermediaries.

• 2 UNIFIL peacekeepers killed, 2 injured in explosion in southern Lebanon

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Monday that two peacekeepers were killed and two others injured, including one critically, in a blast that targeted their vehicle in southern Lebanon.

In a statement, UNIFIL said the two soldiers were killed in an “explosion of unknown origin” that destroyed their vehicle near the town of Bani Hayyan in the Marjeyoun district.

The incident marks the second of its kind within 24 hours, the mission said, adding that an investigation into the circumstances has been launched.

On Sunday, UNIFIL said one peacekeeper was killed and another injured after a projectile hit a UNIFIL position near the town of Adshit al-Qusayr in southern Lebanon.

• Israeli Knesset passes law mandating death penalty for Palestinian prisoners

Israel’s Knesset (parliament) on Monday passed a controversial law allowing the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners.

The bill was approved in second and third readings by 62 votes against 48 and one abstention, the daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voted in support of the law.

Palestine on Monday condemned the passage of the law by the Israeli parliament that mandates the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners as a “war crime.”

​​​​NEWS IN BRIEF

• Explosions were heard early Tuesday in the Iranian capital Tehran as well as the cities of Isfahan and Zanjan amid ongoing US-Israeli attacks, according to local reports.

• The Israeli army announced on Tuesday that four of its soldiers were killed during the clashes in southern Lebanon, the Jerusalem Post reported.

• Kuwait Petroleum Corporation announced that the Kuwaiti very large crude carrier (VLCC) Al Salmi was attacked early Tuesday by an Iranian drone while positioned in the anchorage area of Dubai Port in the United Arab Emirates.

• Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that any decision to end the war with the US and Israel must “guarantee the security and interests of the Iranian people.”

• Eight countries, including Türkiye, on Monday strongly condemned Israeli restrictions on religious worship in Jerusalem, warning that continued measures threaten both religious freedom and regional stability.

• At least 70 people were killed and more than 30 wounded in a gang "massacre" in Haiti's Artibonite region, two rights organizations said, as nearly 6,000 residents fled attacks on the towns of Jean Denis and Pont Sonde.

• Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday held separate phone calls with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, and Pakistan's top diplomat, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, according to Turkish diplomatic sources.

• French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday condemned Israel's recent attacks on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, calling for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

• The leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan warned Monday that Iranian attacks on vital and civilian facilities constitute a “dangerous escalation” and threaten regional security.

• A ballistic munition launched from Iran and entering Turkish airspace was neutralized by NATO air and missile defense assets deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean, Türkiye’s Defense Ministry said on Monday.

• European Council President Antonio Costa on Monday expressed the bloc's persisting concern over the prolonged war in the Middle East amid US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

• US President Donald Trump said Washington is negotiating with Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and that the US would know within a week whether the two sides could work together.

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that Washington is close to achieving its objectives in Iran “in a matter of weeks,” adding that President Donald Trump has “a number of options available” to prevent Iran from controlling the Strait of Hormuz.

• The British prime minister on Monday reiterated that the UK is not "getting dragged" into the Middle East conflict, citing national interest.

• The Lebanese Health Ministry said Monday that nine people were killed and 137 others injured in Israeli attacks across various parts of Lebanon over the past 24 hours.

• The White House said on Monday that talks with Iran are continuing and “going well,” despite public statements from Tehran indicating otherwise.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• US WTI oil prices jump over 5% as Mideast tensions fuel supply fears

US crude oil prices surged on Monday, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rising more than 5.4% intraday as escalating tensions in the Middle East fueled fresh concerns over supply disruptions and kept energy markets on edge.

WTI hit $105 a barrel during the session, extending a rally that has accelerated since the conflict involving Iran widened and shipping risks around key regional routes intensified.

International benchmark Brent crude also traded firmly above $110, underscoring persistent worries over the security of crude flows from the Gulf.

• Maersk says Oman’s Port of Salalah to gradually resume operations on March 31

Danish shipping giant Maersk said Monday that Oman’s Port of Salalah will gradually resume operations as of March 31 following a security incident that disrupted activities at the facility.

In a customer advisory, Maersk said the affected area at the port remained limited and that steps would be taken to restore the port to full capacity as operations restart.

The company, however, warned that some operational constraints could continue for a period during the recovery process.