EasyJet cancels UK Cyprus flights

Passengers have been told that all easyJet flights from the UK to a Mediterranean holiday hotspot have been cancelled due to the impact of the conflict in the Middle East.

A statement from easyJet read: “Due to the events overnight affecting the RAF base in Akrotiri in Cyprus, as a precaution, three return flights between Paphos and Larnaca and the UK today will not be operating.

Iran targeted crashed US aircraft in Kuwait, says state TV

Iran targeted one of the US aircraft that crashed in Kuwait, it said on the country's state TV, although it did not elaborate.

It comes after Kuwait’s Defence Ministry said earlier today that several US warplanes crashed, with all the pilots safely bailing out and in stable condition.

Iran has had an internet blackout for at least 48 hours

Iran's internet blackout has been ongoing for at least 48 hours, according to a cybersecurity watchdog.

NetBlocks stated on X: "The shutdown, which also applies to telephone lines, has made it difficult to understand the full extent of events unfolding on the ground, including casualty numbers.

"Update: #Iran's internet blackout has now surpassed 48 hours, leaving its population of 90 million out of touch as war spreads. Shutdowns are a go-to tactic for the regime, with the previous instance in January lasting several weeks and masking severe human rights violations."

'Several' US military jets crash

Multiple US military aircraft have come down in Kuwait, according to the nation's Ministry of Defence. It stated that all crew members survived and were pulled from the scene this morning.

Search-and-rescue efforts were launched immediately by the relevant authorities, Kuwait's defence ministry spokesman, Colonel Saud Al-Atwan, confirmed. He said the crews were being removed from the crash locations and taken to hospital for assessment, where they received "necessary medical care".

Their conditions were described as "stable".

Oil prices soar and stock prices fall as US-Israel war with Iran rattles markets

Global markets were shaken on Monday after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, triggering sharp falls in US futures and a surge in oil prices.

Futures linked to major US stock indexes dropped more than 1%, with contracts tied to the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average sliding by about 1.7%.

Oil prices spiked as investors reacted to fears of wider regional disruption. U.S. benchmark crude jumped around 9% to roughly $73 a barrel, while Brent crude climbed nearly 10% to close to $80 a barrel.

Emirates cancels Dubai flights for third day

Emirates has suspended all flights for third day running as hotels across Dubai were instructed not to evict stranded British tourists from their rooms under any circumstances.

The UAE's airspace was partially closed on Saturday after the US and Israel conducted strikes against Iran, killing its supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. As retaliatory strikes by Iran continue across the Middle East, hundreds of thousands of Brits remain trapped in the region, with the Foreign Office having launched an unprecedented operation to support those abroad.

Map shows location of Cyprus strikes

A map shows the location of the Cyprus RAF strikes.

Embassy warns 'terrorist groups intent on attacking'

The US Embassy in Bahrain has warned US nationals that "terrorist groups are intent on attacking US nationals abroad".

They have also been warned to avoid hotels in the capital city due to possible attacks.

In a statement, the US Embassy said: "The US Embassy has advised U.S. citizens in Bahrain that hotels might be a target for attacks, and encourages US citizens to avoid hotels in Manama.

"Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking US citizens abroad."

Scottish teacher 'heard loud bangs' in Dubai

A Scottish teacher living in Dubai has described hearing “loud bangs” she believes were caused by missile explosions as Iran launched retaliatory strikes across the Middle East.

Felicity Flanagan, who has been based in Dubai since August, said the incident unfolded on Saturday around midday while she was spending time with friends on the Palm. Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland’s Breakfast programme, Ms Flanagan said she and her friends initially had no idea what the noises were.

She said they heard “two or three loud bangs”, which created immediate uncertainty as they tried to work out what was happening. Ms Flanagan said that moments later they believed they saw shrapnel from a missile fall into the water in front of them.

Smoke seen at Aramco refinery

Smoke has been seen billowing out of the world's largest oil refinery after an alleged drone strike.

Aramco refinery in Ras Tanura was allegedly struck in an Iranian drone attack.

Foreign Secretary says 'precautionary measures' are taken in Cyprus

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said "precautionary measures" were being taken following the drone strike on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

She told Sky News: "This is an unmanned drone strike, specifically on the airport runway and we're not able to provide further information and detail at this point.

"But obviously all of the precautionary measures are being taken around the base."

'Iranian drone strike' at world's biggest oil refineries

A large fire has erupted at one of the world's largest oil refineries in Saudi Arabia.

Thick plumes of smoke have been seen billowing from the Aramco refinery in Ras Tanura following a reported drone strike.

The refinery is Saudi Aramco’s largest refinery, with capacity of roughly 550,000 barrels per day.

British RAF Cyprus families being moved off base

The Ministery of Defence confirmed that family members in the Cyprus RAF base are being moved this morning.

This comes after the base was targeted by an unmanned Shahed drone.

A spokesperson for the MOD said: "The safety of our personnel and their families is our absolute priority. As a precautionary measure we are moving family members who live at RAF Akrotiri to alternative accommodation nearby on the island of Cyprus.

"Our base and personnel continue to operate as normal protecting the safety of Britain and our interests."

Americans in Kuwait urged to not come near embassy

"Do not come to the embassy. Take cover in your residence on the lowest available floor and away from windows. Do not go outside," the US Department of State Consular Affairs said.

The embassy has urged people to immediately seek cover if they hear a loud explosion or siren, go to the lowest level of a building if indoors and stay away from any windows or openings.

"Be aware that even if the incoming missile or drone is intercepted, falling debris represents a significant risk," it said.

Britain's RAF base in Cyprus 'targeted by Shahed drone'

Britain ‌RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus ‌was hit overnight by an unmanned Shahed drone which caused minor material ‌damage, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides said this morning.

"I want to be clear: Our country ⁠does not participate ⁠in any way and does ‌not intend to be part of any ‌military operation," Christodoulides said.

Airstrikes on Lebanon leave at least 31 dead

Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon after Hezbollah attacked Israel have killed at least 31 people, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said on Monday.

The Hezbollah attack and the Israeli retaliatory strikes expand the ongoing war gripping the Mideast after America and Israel launched an airstrike campaign targeting Iran.

The Health Ministry said that the strikes also wounded 149 people. It said about two thirds of the dead were in southern Lebanon.

Attack on Iran was delayed a week as last minute diplomacy played out against bad weather

Military planners were prepared to move after a second round of US-Iran nuclear talks ended on February 17 without major progress, but the final authorization was withheld.

The opening strike, which ultimately killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, had originally been scheduled for the previous Saturday, senior American and Israeli officials told Axios.

Iran fires new wave of missiles as explosions heard in Jerusalem and Doha

Iran has fired a new barrage of missiles toward Israel on Monday, Israel’s military said.

“Defense systems are operating to intercept the threat,” said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

It added that preliminary alerts have been sent to mobile phones in affected areas.

Explosions have been reported in Jerusalem and Doha, according to reports.

Lebenon prime minister condemns 'irresponsible' Hezbollah strikes

Lebanese prime minister Nawaf Salam described the firing of projectiles from southern Lebanon as irresponsible, calling it a suspicious act that jeopardised the country’s security.

He said that the “strikes are a reckless and suspicious act that endangers Lebanon’s security” and provides Israel with pretexts to continue its attacks on it.

Lebanon’s presidency said it had been told by the US ambassador that Israel would not escalate against Lebanon as long as there were no hostile acts from the Lebanese side.

Donald Trump says US may continue Iran strikes for multiple weeks

Donald Trump has suggested the attack on Iran could continue for weeks.

Read the full story here.

Dubai hotels ordered not to evict stranded Brits

Hotels across Dubai have been instructed that stranded tourists must not be evicted from their rooms under any circumstances - offering much-needed reassurance for British holidaymakers stuck in the United Arab Emirates.

Read the full story here.

Satellite images show aftermath of US-Israeli strikes on Iran

Satellite images of Iran have exposed the scale of destruction caused by US-Israeli strikes over the last three days.

See the images here.

Hezbollah launches missiles towards Israel

Hezbollah has confirmed it has launched missiles and drones from Lebanon towards Israel. The group says it's in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

Ministry of Defence issues statement after attack on UK military base in Cyprus

A UK military base in Cyprus has been hit by a suspected drone strike this evening, A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed.

Read the full story here.

Suspected drone strike hit RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that a UK military base in Cyprus has been hit by a suspected drone strike this evening.

No casualties were reported from the incident, it is understood.

More to follow.

US soldiers killed in Iran operation were part of logistics unit in Kuwait

The three U.S. service members killed in the operation targeting Iran were Army soldiers who were deployed to Kuwait as part of a unit that oversees supplies and logistics, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The person was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The development was reported earlier by NBC News and The Washington Post. U.S. Central Command on Sunday announced that three service members were killed and five others were seriously wounded. They are the first American casualties in a major offensive that President Donald Trump said could likely lead to more losses in the coming weeks.

Australia is not taking part in military strikes against Iran

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has ruled out Australia taking part in military strikes against Iran.

“We didn’t participate in these strikes and we wouldn’t anticipate participating in the future,” Wong told Nine Network television.

Killing of Khamenei ‘opens a dangerous Pandora’s box’

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in a letter to the United Nations on Sunday that the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “constitutes a grave and unprecedented breach of the most fundamental norms governing relations among States.”

He once again called on the world body and the Security Council to take measures to ensure accountability from the U.S. and Israel for their role in the killing.

“Such conduct does not merely violate established principles of international law; it recklessly opens a dangerous Pandora’s box, eroding the bedrock of sovereign equality and the stability of the international system,” he added.

Trump touches down in Washington

In the last hour Air Force One landed at Joint Base Andrews, an airport a short distance from Washington DC.

After a short wait, Donald Trump, sporting a red USA cap, did not stop to speak with reporters after getting off the plan, instead walking straight over to a waiting helicopter.

Oil prices spike after Middle East attacks disrupt energy supply

Global oil prices have already climbed following strikes across the Middle East after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran over the weekend.

Read the full story here.