Gulf states condemn Iranian retaliatory strikes on their territories following US-Israeli operation

 Arab nations are sounding off against Iran after the regime launched strikes against U.S. interests in neighboring countries in the region in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli joint strikes against Iran’s leaders.

The Iranian response targeted all U.S. bases in the Gulf, except for U.S. bases in Oman, Fox News’ Jennifer Griffin reported, since the Omani foreign minister had tried to mediate the nuclear talks in Geneva, even flying to Washington, D.C., to meet Vice President JD Vance at the White House on Friday to try to avert what is quickly turning into a regional war.

Griffin reported that approximately 40 missiles had landed in Israel. Meanwhile, the U.S. military in Iraq intercepted at least one missile targeting U.S. facilities. Additionally, Iran appeared to hit the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, but no casualties were reported.

Iran also launched missiles at Saudi Arabia and Jordan, where the U.S. has squadrons of advanced fighter jets, Griffin reported.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates were among the Gulf states that condemned the Iranian strikes, with many saying they reserve the right to defend themselves and respond accordingly to attacks on their sovereign territories.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said it reserves its "full right" to defend itself after what it described as Iranian aggression targeting Qatari territory. Its Defense Ministry said it "successfully thwarted a number of attacks targeting the country’s territory" after multiple rounds of alerts sounded. Authorities reported no immediate injuries or damage in residential areas.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said it affirmed "its full solidarity with and unwavering support for the brotherly countries" and warned of "grave consequences resulting from the continued violation of states' sovereignty and the principles of international law."

The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Defense said the country "was subjected to a blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles," adding that air defense systems "successfully intercepted a number of missiles." Authorities said falling debris in a residential area caused "one civilian death of an Asian nationality" and material damage.

The ministry called the attack "a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the safety of civilians and undermines stability," and stated the UAE "reserves its full right to respond."

Jordan's foreign minister wrote a series of posts on X, saying that King Abdullah II "condemns the attack on the territories of Jordan, and any attacks on Arab countries," expressing Jordan’s "solidarity with the brotherly Arab countries in confronting any aggressions that affect their sovereignty, security, and stability."

Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it also "strongly condemns the Iranian attacks," adding that it "affirms its full solidarity with these fellow Arab States and firmly rejects any violation of their sovereignty, any threat to their security, or any action undermining their stability."

Meanwhile, the Omani Foreign Ministry condemned the U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Sultanate of Oman's profound regret over the military operations launched by Israel and the United States of America against the Islamic Republic of Iran, warning of the danger of the conflict expanding into consequences that cannot be rectified in the region," the Omani Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to X's translation.

"The Sultanate of Oman considers this action to be in contravention of the rules of international law and the principle of resolving issues through peaceful means rather than hostile means, the shedding of blood, and calls on all parties to immediately suspend military operations, while urging the United Nations Security Council to convene an urgent meeting to impose a ceasefire and for the international community to take a clear stance in support of international law," it added.

Arab nations condemn Iran retaliatory strikes on their territories | Fox News

Moscow Urges Russians to Leave Iran, Warning of Regional ‘Catastrophe’

Russia on Saturday condemned United States and Israeli strikes on Iran as a "dangerous adventure" that could spark "catastrophe" in the region.

"Washington and Tel-Aviv have once again embarked on a dangerous adventure that is rapidly bringing the region to the brink of a humanitarian, economic, and — this cannot be ruled out — radiological catastrophe," the Foreign Ministry said.

"The aggressors' intentions are clear and openly declared: to destroy the constitutional order and overthrow the government of a state they find undesirable, which has refused to submit to the diktat of force and hegemonism," it added.

During a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov condemned Washington's airstrikes as "unprovoked." 

On Saturday morning, the country’s embassy urged Russians to leave Iran if they could, urging those staying behind remain vigilant and not approach military and government facilities. The Russian embassy in Israel also called for Russians in the country to leave.

Russia's air transport authority said on Saturday that commercial flights from Russia to both Iran and Israel had been suspended "until further notice" following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran.

US and Israel attack Iran; Tehran retaliates across Middle East

 US President Donald Trump called for regime change in Tehran, telling Iranians "the hour of your freedom is at hand."

• US and Israel strike Iran: The US and Israel have attacked Iran. Israel said its strikes targeted Iran’s supreme leader, president and head of the armed forces. The US is planning for several days of attacks, sources tell CNN.

• Trump calls for regime change: President Donald Trump described the US military campaign as “massive and ongoing,” and warned American lives may be lost. He also called on Iranians to “take over your government.”

• Iran retaliates: Iran launched an unprecedented wave of strikes toward Israel and US targets across the Middle East. Explosions were reported in the UAE, Qatar, Dubai and Bahrain, where video shows the moment a missile struck a US Navy base.

• Global reaction: The United Arab Emirates called the conflict a “historic moment” in the Middle East, saying world leaders had failed to ensure the region’s stability. The leaders of some US allies expressed concern, while some Arab nations condemned Iran’s retaliation.

Live updates: US and Israel attack Iran as Tehran retaliates across Middle East | CNN

On the trail of Putin's 'shadow fleet' defying sanctions in the English Channel

 As tankers carrying hundreds of millions of dollars worth of Russian oil pass through British waters, a Sky News expert warns we are heading for "militarised confrontation at sea".

In the English Channel, less than two hours by fishing boat from Dover, some of the most potent weapons in Russia's war on Ukraine are hiding in plain sight.

On a misty February morning midway between Britain and France, we watch tankers carrying Russian oil worth around $100m (£74.1m) cruise past in defiance of Western sanctions, embargoes, and price caps.

Dozens of these vessels pass through the Channel every month, part of a "shadow fleet" of up to 800 vessels that have kept the oil revenues that fund the war on Ukraine flowing.

This week, the UK government announced fresh sanctions against the Russian oil trade but the evidence of a day on the water is that the shadow fleet operates with apparent impunity, right under the nose of Kyiv's allies.

Our skipper, Matt Coker, usually takes sea fishing parties out on the Portia, but we were after a bigger catch; three vessels in the shadow fleet carrying oil from Russia's Baltic ports.

He says they are a routine sight in the world's busiest shipping lane: "When you see these Russian ships and these oil tankers, you know, it's a regular occurrence. To be honest, no one really takes any notice."

We had tracked the tankers - the Rigel, the Hyperion and the Kousai - from the Gulf of Finland, where they had been loaded with oil at Russian Baltic ports, to intercept them as they passed the narrowest point of the Dover Straits.

Up close in a rising swell, the scale of the vessels is unavoidable, and each one tells a story about both the impact and the limits of Western action.

The Rigel, a Suezmax-class tanker, is more than 270 metres long and fills the near horizon as it emerges from the mist. With a capacity of one million barrels, its cargo of oil, loaded a week earlier at Primorsk, is worth around $55m (£40.7m).

It is sailing under a Cameroon flag, owned and managed by a company in the Seychelles, and sanctioned by the EU, UK and Canada, among others.

That prevents it from using port facilities in any of the sanctioning countries, but not from heading to its next known stop, Port Said at the head of the Suez Canal. We cannot know where its oil will be unloaded, but since the invasion of Ukraine, the bulk of Russian oil has been sold to China and India, at a significant discount.

The flag switching tactic

As recently as December, it was sailing under a Sierra Leone flag when, after making a delivery to Venezuela, it switched flags and evaded the US naval blockade in the Caribbean.

Switching flags is a routine tactic in the shadow fleet, opaque ownership is common, and insurance cover is often unclear, a serious concern given many of the vessels are ageing and poorly maintained.

The US has taken direct military action against tankers in the shadow fleet linked to Venezuela, with at least seven seized since last year, the most recently in the Indian Ocean on Tuesday.

French paramilitaries also seized a vessel in the Mediterranean last month, but despite the almost daily passage of shadow tankers through the Channel, direct British interventions so far have focused on insurance.

As we watch the passage of our third sanctioned tanker, the Kousai, we overhear a message from the coastguard to its captain on the open VHF radio channel, demanding proof of insurance.

The captain is asked to email documentation to a government email address within 24 hours. We do not hear the Kousai's response, and in a matter of minutes, it too has passed.

A reaction to sanctions

Sanctions against Russia's oil industry have had an impact, reducing the value of Russian oil if not the volumes that it moves.

The growth of the shadow fleet itself is a market response to tightening sanctions. With the majority of western-controlled tankers and associated marine services beyond Russia's reach, it turned to an ad-hoc, opaque collection of older vessels to move oil, often covertly.

"Over 60% of Russian crude is being exported on the shadow fleet," says Pamela Munger, head of European market analysis for energy analysts Vortexa.

"You have more vessels that need to be in the chain. Let's say a sanctioned vessel loads Russian crude and let's say it's on its way to China.

"It could make up to five, six, seven ship-to-ship transfers along the way in order to disguise the origin of the crude and move it on to… Non-sanctioned vessels, which it will eventually discharge into its end buyer."

On the trail of Putin's 'shadow fleet' defying sanctions in the English Channel | Money News | Sky News

UK unveils fresh military aid for Ukraine

 

The UK Government has announced a new package of military, humanitarian and reconstruction support for Ukraine, marking four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is convening a meeting of the so-called Coalition of the Willing alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, following their January declaration with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signalling the UK’s intent to deploy British troops to Ukraine once peace is secured. A 70-person headquarters for the proposed Multinational Force for Ukraine is already operational, backed by £200 million in funding.

In Kyiv, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is expected to condemn what she described as Russia’s campaign of “Russification” in temporarily occupied territories, including the forced adoption of Russian passports and suppression of Ukrainian language and media.

On the anniversary, Keir Starmer said: “On this grim anniversary, our message to the Ukrainian people is simple: Britain is with you, stronger than ever. That is why we are announcing new support today and we will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.” He added: “Russia is not winning this war. They will not win this war. Ukraine’s courage continues to hold the line for our shared values, in the face of Putin’s aggression.”

The latest package includes £20 million in emergency energy funding to repair and protect Ukraine’s power grid, bringing total UK energy support since 2022 to more than £490 million. A further £5.7 million will be directed towards humanitarian assistance for frontline communities and those displaced by the conflict.

The UK will also expand medical mentoring for Ukrainian clinicians, with British military surgeons, nurses and physiotherapists continuing to advise on complex battlefield trauma care. Ukrainian pilots are now training at a UK air base to become helicopter flying instructors, marking the first time Britain has provided rotary-wing instructor training to Ukraine.

Yvette Cooper said: “Today I am shining a light on Russia’s disgraceful attempts to erase the Ukrainian identity, in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.” She added that “Russia can and must end this war. The UK will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes to achieve a just and lasting peace.”

Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Four years after Putin launched his war to wipe Ukraine as a sovereign nation off the map, the UK is more determined than ever to stand strong with Ukraine.” He added: “I am determined that we make 2026 the year this brutal war ends.”

UK unveils fresh military aid for Ukraine

Iran’s shadowy chemical weapons program draws scrutiny as reports allege use against protesters

 A new report from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) raises concerns about Iran's opaque chemical weapons program, which argues policymakers have paid little attention to compared with Iran's more scrutinized nuclear weapons program. 

The FDD report outlines how the Iranian regime may have resorted to the unconventional use of chemical weapons while it faced an unprecedented uprising beginning in December 2025, a wave of unrest Tehran has not seen since the 1979 Islamic revolution. Any use of chemical weapons by Iran would be in defiance of their obligations under the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention.

"The United States, its allies and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) should investigate credible claims that Iran’s regime used chemical weapons against its own people," Andrea Stricker, deputy director of FDD's nonproliferation program and author of the report, told Fox News Digital.

Iran’s illicit chemical weapons program is under renewed scrutiny as the Trump administration appears closer to taking military action against Iran and its nuclear weapons program.

While the U.S. has been engaged in indirect talks with Iranian officials mediated by Oman in Geneva, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the Persian Gulf, sending the USS Gerald R. Ford to join dozens of other warships to the region.

On Tuesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on X that "Iran will resume talks with the U.S. in Geneva with a determination to achieve a fair and equitable deal—in the shortest possible time."

The foreign minister claimed that Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons under any circumstances but emphasized that Iran will not forgo its right to harness peaceful nuclear technology.

"A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority," he added.

Despite the optimism and push for continued talks, there remain fears that Iran will not make any meaningful concessions on their nuclear program, which could lead to U.S. military strikes on the nation.

A broader regime change campaign to topple the Islamic republic’s government, led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is also not off the table, according to some reports.

"If Washington launches strikes against Iran, it should give serious consideration to targeting the regime’s chemical weapons research and production facilities. Such action would help halt further development and potential use of these weapons while sending a clear message that the regime cannot commit atrocities with impunity," Stricker said.

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which Iran is party to, upholds the norms against state-held chemical weapons, specifically, banning states’ development, stockpiling, production and use of chemical weapons, even for retaliatory reasons, as well as their receipt from or transfer to anyone.

Iran chemical weapons program scrutinized amid growing regional tensions | Fox News

UK intelligence says Russia increased drone strike tempo

 

UK Defence Intelligence has reported that Russia launched approximately 4,400 one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems (OWA UAS) against Ukrainian targets in January 2026, a moderate decrease from around 5,100 launched in December 2025, the Ministry of Defence stated.

In its latest update on 19 February 2026, Defence Intelligence said: “In January 2026 Russia launched approximately 4,400 one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems (OWA UAS) against Ukrainian targets. This was a moderate decrease from the approximately 5,100 OWA UAS that Russia launched in December 2025, almost certainly due to poorer weather conditions in January 2026.”

However, the assessment said Russian strike activity increased again in early February. Defence Intelligence stated: “Daily launch rates increased significantly in the first two weeks of February 2026, with Russia averaging approximately 190 per day compared to approximately 140 per day in January 2026. This follows a short pause in energy strikes from 28 January 2026 – 2 February 2026 that both sides broadly observed. Russia immediately returned to widespread energy sector targeting in Ukraine on 3 February 2026.”

The update said Russia has focused heavily on energy-related infrastructure since late 2025. It stated: “Energy-related critical national infrastructure (CNI) has been Russia’s primary target since the beginning of October 2025. Russia has launched more than 20,000 OWA UAS and more than 300 of its premier air launched missiles, fired by its long-range bomber fleet, in attempts to systematically destroy Ukraine’s electrical grid and heat generation capacity. Water provision is also being impacted by this concerted campaign as a second order effect.”

Defence Intelligence said any reduction in missile usage could enable Russia to rebuild stockpiles while maintaining pressure through alternative systems. It stated: “Any pause in this missile usage allows Russia to build its stocks for future strikes with its primary target almost certain to remain energy CNI. Russia can also offset any gaps in long-range bomber usage by drawing on its arsenal of deep strike weapons. Short range ballistic missiles have been heavily relied upon by Russia for this purpose, used in far greater numbers during this winter strike campaign than previously in the conflict.”

UK intelligence says Russia increased drone strike tempo