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11:59 AM, Mar 20 2026
Israel says Iranian missiles launched, defences preparing to intercept
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11:59 AM, Mar 20 2026
Kuwait shuts down parts of Al Ahmadi refinery after drone attack
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11:53 AM, Mar 20 2026
Iran attacks could disrupt Qatar’s gas supply for 3–5 years, $20 billion loss expected
- Recent Iranian attacks have heavily impacted Qatar’s gas industry, targeting key facilities, including the Ras Laffan LNG plant.
- Qatar Energy CEO Saad Al-Kaabi stated that around 17% of the country’s LNG export capacity has been affected, potentially causing $20 billion in annual losses.
- At least two LNG trains and a gas-to-liquids plant have been shut down; repairs are expected to take 3–5 years.
- The disruption will affect countries dependent on Qatar for gas, including India, China, Europe and South Korea. India imports roughly 20% of its gas needs from Qatar.
- Qatar Energy has applied force majeure on LNG supply contracts to Italy, Belgium, China and South Korea, indicating delays in deliveries due to the attacks.
- Production of other energy products, condensates, LPG, helium, and naphtha, is also expected to decline.
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11:51 AM, Mar 20 2026
UAE claims to have busted Iran-Hizbullah-linked terror network
- Authorities say several members of the network have been arrested.
- The network was reportedly involved in money laundering, terror funding, and activities threatening national security.
- It operated through fake business fronts within the country.
- The group allegedly attempted to infiltrate the national economy and execute external operations, posing a threat to the UAE’s economic stability.
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11:19 AM, Mar 20 2026
Targeting ships unacceptable, says India on vessels hit in Strait of Hormuz
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11:18 AM, Mar 20 2026
UN Security Council holds emergency meeting over Iran attacks
The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session following Iran’s attacks on energy facilities in the Middle East.
Bahrain’s Ambassador to the UN, Jamal Al-Ruwai, said the meeting was necessary as Iran continues its “cowardly attacks” on Gulf countries, Jordan, and other nations.
After the meeting, he stated that several council members urged Iran to implement the March 11 resolution immediately. The resolution calls for an immediate halt to attacks on Gulf countries and emphasises that civilians and civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities, must not be targeted.
The resolution was passed with a 13-0 vote, while Russia and China abstained. It also demands that Iran stop any actions or threats that could obstruct or interfere with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route that handles nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply.
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11:05 AM, Mar 20 2026
Saudi Arabia downs four drones amid ongoing attacks
- Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry said four drones were intercepted and destroyed in the country’s eastern region.
- The development comes amid a series of continuous drone attacks over the past several hours.
- Air defence systems have been actively responding to the incoming threats.
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11:04 AM, Mar 20 2026
Iran war pushes up airfares as fuel costs surge
- Air travel is becoming more expensive due to the ongoing Iran conflict, with rising fuel prices directly impacting passengers.
- Reports indicate that the surge in crude oil and jet fuel prices has significantly increased airline operating costs.
- As a result, airlines are passing on the burden to passengers through higher ticket prices.
- Several carriers have already introduced fuel surcharges on tickets.
- In India, airlines such as Air India, IndiGo and Akasa Air have added additional charges.
- Ticket prices in some regions have reportedly risen by hundreds of dollars, with further hikes expected.
- Experts warn that if the conflict and oil crisis persist, flight frequencies may be reduced and airfares could climb even higher.
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11:03 AM, Mar 20 2026
Airstrikes continue in Iran ahead of Persian New Year
- Airstrikes continued in Iran just ahead of the Persian New Year, with multiple attacks reported overnight around the capital, Tehran.
- The strikes occurred on the last day of the Iranian calendar year.
- Reports indicate around five attacks from eastern Tehran to central parts of the city.
- One of the strikes reportedly targeted the Parchin military complex.
- Another attack was reported in central Tehran, though it has not yet been officially confirmed.
- Air defence systems were activated multiple times over the city, suggesting attempts to intercept incoming threats.
- Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and armed forces claimed they carried out multiple phases of missile strikes against Israel.
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11:02 AM, Mar 20 2026
Claim: Oil could surge to $180 per barrel if crisis worsens
- Saudi officials believe crude oil prices could rise to $180 per barrel if disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue until April, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing sources.
- Oil prices have seen sharp volatility since the conflict began on February 28.
- On Thursday, Brent crude briefly touched $119 per barrel before easing later.
- Omar Karim of the King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies in Riyadh told Al Jazeera that prices could also reach $150 per barrel depending on how the situation unfolds.
- He warned that any attack or disruption at oil terminals in the Red Sea could push prices beyond $150.
- Karim added that the route remains a crucial link for energy supplies between Europe and Asia.
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11:01 AM, Mar 20 2026
Global gas prices may surge after attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG plant, experts warn
- Energy experts warn that the attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG (liquefied natural gas) plant could have a major global impact on gas prices.
- Anne-Sophie Corbeau of the Centre on Global Energy Policy in Paris told Al Jazeera that repairs to the damaged facility could take a long time.
- She noted that the full extent of the damage is still unclear, but based on past incidents, restoration may take several months.
- Citing examples, she said the US Freeport LNG plant remained shut for eight months after a 2022 accident.
- Similarly, Norway’s Snohvit LNG plant took nearly one-and-a-half years to restart after a fire in 2020.
- Corbeau warned that if the damage is severe, the Ras Laffan plant may not be fully operational until 2026.
- This could bring LNG supply levels in 2026 down to around those seen in 2021.
- She cautioned that such a scenario would be a major shock for global energy markets and could significantly drive up gas prices.
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10:57 AM, Mar 20 2026
Drone attack hits Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery again, several units shut down
According to Kuwait’s state media, multiple drone strikes targeted the Mina Al-Ahmadi oil refinery on Friday morning.
The Kuwait News Agency reported that parts of the refinery caught fire following the attack, forcing the shutdown of several units. However, no casualties have been reported so far.
Firefighters and emergency response teams rushed to the site soon after the incident and began efforts to bring the situation under control.
Notably, the refinery was also attacked on Thursday. It has a daily production capacity of around 454,000 barrels of oil.
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10:56 AM, Mar 20 2026
Global oil shock fears rise as G7 nations pledge action to secure Strait
As the conflict shows no signs of abating and fears of a potential global “oil shock” intensify, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan have issued a joint statement pledging support for measures to ensure safe navigation through the Strait. The countries also signalled their willingness to take additional steps to stabilise energy markets, including engaging with key oil-producing nations to boost output, Reuters reported.
PTC Web Desk: Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly dismissed rumours surrounding his death, stating firmly, “I am alive,” during a late-night press briefing on Thursday.
Addressing the media, Netanyahu asserted that Israel’s military operations over the past 20 days have significantly weakened Iran’s strategic capabilities. He claimed that Iran no longer possesses the ability to enrich uranium or manufacture ballistic missiles, adding that Israeli forces would continue operations until these capabilities are completely dismantled.
Highlighting the objectives of the ongoing offensive, Netanyahu outlined three primary goals: eliminating Iran’s nuclear threat, neutralising its missile programme, and creating conditions that could enable greater freedom for the Iranian people.
He further stated that coordinated efforts between the United States and Israel are putting immense pressure on Tehran, claiming that Iran’s leadership is beginning to fracture under the strain of sustained attacks. However, he clarified that a recent strike on the South Pars gas field processing facility was carried out solely by Israel, without direct US involvement.
In a reference to US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu remarked that any decision to join the conflict would be independent, suggesting that no external influence could dictate such a move.
He also indicated that while airstrikes have been central to the campaign, any potential regime change in Iran may require ground-level developments, possibly driven by internal dissent among the Iranian population.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it had targeted a US F-35 Lightning II fighter jet, releasing footage that allegedly shows the aircraft being hit. The authenticity of the video, however, remains unverified.
Separately, the US Central Command confirmed that an F-35 Lightning II was forced to make an emergency landing during a mission over Iran. The aircraft was reportedly diverted to a location in the Middle East, though further details have not been disclosed.
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- With inputs from agencies
