{"id":1828284,"date":"2026-03-15T01:51:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-14T22:51:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1828284"},"modified":"2026-03-15T01:51:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T22:51:19","slug":"irans-capabilities-must-be-quickly-degraded-analyst-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1828284","title":{"rendered":"Iran&#8217;s capabilities must be quickly degraded, analyst says"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76367094_6.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"s1sfzv1a sk6xmai\">\n<div class=\"content-area sa7l9jt s9mg977\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"sharing-icons-inline\" class=\"c75t7t0 hh5424a in-line closed\">\n<div class=\"copy-button-wrapper closed\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5APk9<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"s4bcs45\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76367094_800.webp 50w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76367094_801.webp 129w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76367094_802.webp 352w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76367094_803.webp 575w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 575px)\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" \/><figcaption class=\"c1oedowi lofg86o m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Iran and the US have both set out their opposing conditions to end the war<small class=\"copyright c19ed66t ihwmx5 idu7i8u lxmvniw icns9en rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Image: Atta Kenare\/AFP<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-live-blog-rich-text-overview\" id=\"live-blog-rich-text-overview\" class=\"c1800ln sq3xutt atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921#post-live-blog-rich-text-overview\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section What you need to know<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"c2fyhwl ctymiyf content-block i1if36d6 i1ytahzz\">\n<h2 class=\"cp7bjxx h1du6kc5 lt5vbch pohyj9x s16w0xvi m1u0isv1 b1fzgn0z\">What you need to know<\/h2>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-president-donald-trump-russia-ukraine-israel-gaza-tariffs-trade-war\/t-19434433\">Trump<\/a> has said Iran is looking for a deal, but the terms were not good enough<\/li>\n<li>Iran&#8217;s Foreign Minister Araghchi said Tehran has not sought a ceasefire<\/li>\n<li>Trump has confirmed US forces carried out strikes on Kharg Island, adding &#8216;we may hit it a few more times just for fun&#8217;<\/li>\n<li>The US president has also questioned whether Iran&#8217;s new supreme leader is alive<\/li>\n<li>Tehran has continued to strike Gulf countries<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a> has warned it would strike US companies based in the Mideast if Washington strikes\u00a0its energy infrastructure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Here is a roundup of the main developments from\u00a0the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US-Israeli war with Iran<\/a> on Sunday, March 15:<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"s1ogwy7c ev9ivjh\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76368020\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921#post-liveblog-post-76368020\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section IDF making war plans for at least another 6 weeks<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/15\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 15, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">IDF making war plans for at least another 6 weeks<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The\u00a0spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Effie Defrin, told US broadcaster CNN that &#8220;we have thousands of targets ahead&#8221; in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are ready, in coordination with our US allies, with plans through at least the Jewish holiday of Passover, about three weeks from now. And we have deeper plans for even three weeks beyond that,&#8221; Defrin continued.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The spokesperson said Israeli forces are &#8220;not working according to a stopwatch, or a timetable, but rather to achieve our goals.&#8221; The US-Israeli operation against Iran began on February 28.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Iran's capabilities must be quickly degraded, analyst says\" class=\"headline\">Iran&#8217;s capabilities must be quickly degraded, analyst says<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76167917\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76167917\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/tvdownloaddw-a.akamaihd.net\/stills\/images\/je\/je20260228_qSCHALTEsussex16f_image_512x288_3.jpg\" data-duration=\"07:31\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260228_qSCHALTEsussex16f_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQoG<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76367898\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921#post-liveblog-post-76367898\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Rocket attack on Baghdad International Airport injures four<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/15\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 15, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Rocket attack on Baghdad International Airport injures four<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"57306062\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/57306062_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\" Iraqi airways aircraft is parked next to the building of the International airport of Baghdad, Iraq on October 7, 2019\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Hundreds of flights leave Baghdad airport per day serving hundreds of destinations<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Vitaliy Belousov\/Sputnik\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A rocket attack on Baghdad International Airport left four people injured, Iraqi authorities said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Five rockets targeted Baghdad International Airport and its surrounding area, injuring four airport employees and security personnel, and engineers,&#8221; the head of\u00a0Iraq&#8217;s Security Media Cell, Saad Maan, said in\u00a0a post on Facebook.<\/p>\n<p>The rockets hit &#8220;the airport and a water desalination plant,&#8221; according to Iraqi authorities. The projectiles also landed in the vicinity of a prison where members of the &#8220;Islamic State&#8221; are being held and an Iraqi airbase\u00a0located next to a US diplomatic facility.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Security forces said they had taken control of the launch site used in the attacks, located in the al-Radwaniya area, southwest of the capital.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s the second time the Baghdad airport complex has been attacked in a week.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s unclear which group carried out the attack but the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a>-backed, anti-US Kataib Hezbollah militia had released video on Sunday of a purported drone attack on a US base near the airport.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQmI<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76367874\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921#post-liveblog-post-76367874\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Germany&#8217;s Wadephul &#8216;skeptical&#8217; about expanding EU naval mission to Hormuz<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/15\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 15, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Germany&#8217;s Wadephul &#8216;skeptical&#8217; about expanding EU naval mission to Hormuz<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>German Foreign Minister <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/johann-wadephul\/t-72493606\">Johann Wadephul<\/a> expressed skepticism in an interview with German public broadcaster ARD that the EU naval mission Aspides could be expanded to the Strait of Hormuz. EU foreign ministers are expected to convene in Brussels on Monday to discuss the widening of the Aspides mission.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Aspides mission <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/red-sea-germanys-bundestag-approves-naval-mission\/a-68356649\">was initiated in February 2024<\/a> in the Red Sea in response to attacks on shipping by the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/houthis\/t-67629191\">Houthis<\/a> in the region. The Houthis are an Iran-backed group in Yemen that vowed to disrupt Red Sea shipping in response to Israel&#8217;s military operation in Gaza after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Wadephul had characterized the Aspides Red Sea mission as &#8220;not effective.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And that is why I am very skeptical that extending Aspides to the Strait of Hormuz would provide greater security,&#8221; Wadephul said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The German foreign minister also reiterated that Germany would not become an &#8220;active part&#8221; of the war and asserted that Germany would not send ships to the Strait of Hormuz to protect shipping. US President Donald Trump has urged allies to help escort tankers through the vital shipping lane.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 US calls on allies to help secure Strait of Hormuz\" class=\"headline\">US calls on allies to help secure Strait of Hormuz<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76367472\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76367472\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76363240_605.webp\" data-duration=\"01:34\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/DWVG\/DWVGENG260315_Alliances_PH_01SMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQlu<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76367676\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921#post-liveblog-post-76367676\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Iranian FM Araghchi rejects Trump&#8217;s claim Tehran wants to make a deal<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/15\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 15, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Iranian FM Araghchi rejects Trump&#8217;s claim Tehran wants to make a deal<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told US outlet CBS News that\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a> has &#8220;never asked for a ceasefire, and we have never asked even for negotiation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes,&#8221; Araghchi said. &#8220;And this is what we have done so far, and we continue to do that until President Trump comes to the point that this is an illegal war with no victory.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Trump on Saturday had told US broadcaster NBC that\u00a0Iran &#8220;wants to make a deal,&#8221; with the president claiming that the &#8220;terms aren&#8217;t good enough yet.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Aragchi told CBS that &#8220;we don&#8217;t see any reason why we should talk with Americans, because we were talking with them when they,\u00a0when they decided to attack us, and that was for the second time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76012185\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76012185_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran speaks at a Conference of Disarmament at a United Nations Headquarters in Geneva.17 February 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Araghchi has defended Iran&#8217;s crackdown on protests which had begun in December <small class=\"copyright\">Image: Jean Marc Ferr\u00e9\/MAXPPP\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This year&#8217;s war with the US and Israel comes after the US bombed Iranian nuclear sites during the 12-day war last year.<\/p>\n<p>Araghchi met with Trump&#8217;s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president&#8217;s son-in-law Jared Kushner in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/geneva\/t-39416687\">Geneva<\/a> for nuclear talks just days before the US-Israeli operation began on February 28. Araghchi on February 26\u00a0had\u00a0claimed that the third round of Geneva talks just prior to the war had yielded &#8220;good progress.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQii<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76367441\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921#post-liveblog-post-76367441\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section IEA says largest-ever oil stock release will start soon<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/15\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 15, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">IEA says largest-ever oil stock release will start soon<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) said its 32 member countries agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil amid the US-Israeli operation against Iran, the largest-ever\u00a0in the organization&#8217;s decadeslong history. The IEA was founded in 1974.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s the sixth time\u00a0in its history the IEA has taken emergency action to provide support to oil markets amid a crisis. The 400 barrels are\u00a0more than double the figure of oil stock released in 2022 when <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/russias-war-in-ukraine\/t-60931789\">Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The war in the Middle East is creating the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market,&#8221; the IEA statement said. &#8220;This emergency collective action, by far the largest ever, provides a significant and welcome buffer.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The statement said the stocks will be made available for countries in the\u00a0Asia Oceania region immediately, with stocks made available for member countries in the Americas and Europe by the end of this month.<\/p>\n<p>IEA said it is important for regular transit to resume in the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>. which is between the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Iran has attacked tankers in the strait in response to the war initiated by the US and Israel.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76271494\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76271494_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A man pumps gasoline into his vehicle at a gas station in Los Angeles, California on March 2, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The spike in the Brent crude oil price means that consumers will have to pay more at the pump <small class=\"copyright\">Image: Patrick T. Fallon\/AFP<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The strait allows oil and natural gas to be shipped from energy-rich countries such as Qatar and the UAE to nations in other regions, such as East Asia. China, India, Japan and South Korea are among the countries that are heavily reliant on energy shipped via the strait.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The disruption in the strait has caused the price of\u00a0Brent crude oil to skyrocket above $100 (\u20ac87), with the spike prompting fears that it could trigger a global economic slowdown.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQev<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76367279\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921#post-liveblog-post-76367279\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Israel denies reports of interceptor shortage <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/15\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 15, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Israel denies reports of interceptor shortage <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76169251\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76169251_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"This long exposure photo taken on Feb. 28, 2026 shows flare trails of the interceptor missiles launched from Israeli air defense systems in Tel Aviv, Israel.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Israeli interceptors have worked to stop Iranian ballistic missiles from hitting densely populated areas such as Tel Aviv (FILE: February 28, 2026) <small class=\"copyright\">Image: Chen Junqing\/Xinhua\/IMAGO<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>An unnamed Israeli military source, in comments to AFP and Reuters news agencies, denied reports that Israel is facing a shortage of missile interceptors.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;As of now, there is no interceptor shortage. The IDF is prepared for prolonged combat. We are continuously monitoring the situation,&#8221; the source said, using the acronym for Israel Defense Forces.<\/p>\n<p>Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also rejected the interceptor shortage report in remarks to Israeli outlet <em>Jerusalem Post<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Anonymous US officials had told New York-based news outlet Semafor in a report published Saturday\u00a0that Israel informed the US this week that it was running &#8220;critically low&#8221; on the interceptors. The Semafor report said the US knew about this shortage for months.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The report that Israel is running out of interceptors comes as the war enters its third week. Israel also intercepted ballistic missiles from Iran during the 12-day war last year.<\/p>\n<p>The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS)\u00a0at Tel Aviv University has counted almost 300 ballistic missiles, half of which carried cluster munitions, as well as hundreds of drones fired by Iran at Israel since the beginning of the war.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQcJ<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76366902\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921#post-liveblog-post-76366902\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Living amid bombings in Iran: How fear impacts mental health<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/15\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 15, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Living amid bombings in Iran: How fear impacts mental health<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76330942\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76330942_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Black smoke rises after fires broke out following US-Israel attacks targeting some oil storage facilities targeted, including the Shehran oil depot, in Tehran, Iran on March 8, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Iranians face the brunt of war and violence perpetrated by their regime state<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Fatemeh Bahrami\/Anadolu\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Bombs, government oppression, and fear are wearing down Iranians.<\/p>\n<p>How does trauma build up? And what can help people living with constant stress?<\/p>\n<p>Read <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/war-oppression-and-fear-in-iran-traumas-are-accumulating\/a-76360945\">DW&#8217;s full report on the impact of war and repression on life in Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQWE<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76366680\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921#post-liveblog-post-76366680\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Iran war will be over in &#8216;next few weeks,&#8217; says US energy secretary<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/15\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 15, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Iran war will be over in &#8216;next few weeks,&#8217; says US energy secretary<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"75935761\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/75935761_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright speaks in front of a US flag\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">US Energy Minister Chris Wright&#8217;s prediction differs from much expert analysis<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Juan Barreto\/AFP<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/united-states-of-america\/t-19065189\">United States<\/a>\u00a0Energy Secretary\u00a0Chris Wright has given his prediction\u00a0on when the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a> war will end, saying he expects it to be over within &#8220;the next few weeks.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Wright said oil supplies would then stabilize, bringing down the price of energy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think that this conflict \u200cwill certainly come \u200cto the \u200bend\u00a0in the next few weeks \u2014\u00a0could be sooner \u200bthan that,&#8221; he told ABC&#8217;s &#8220;This Week&#8221; program.<\/p>\n<p>While US President <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-president-donald-trump-russia-ukraine-israel-gaza-tariffs-trade-war\/t-19434433\">Donald Trump<\/a> has repeatedly spoken of a swift conclusion to the conflict, Middie East experts and military analysts believe it <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/how-long-can-iran-continue-the-war\/a-76234532\">could last for months<\/a>, due to uncertainty over Iran&#8217;s response and the difficulties in achieving regime change.<\/p>\n<p>The oil price soared to close to $120 at one point this week after Tehran blockaded the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>, a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n<p>Around a fifth of global oil exports from Arab Gulf countries\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/war-in-iran-developments-saturday-march-14\/live-76356584\">traverse the strait<\/a>, most of it destined for Asian markets.<\/p>\n<p>With hundreds of oil and gas tankers stranded, more than 30 countries agreed on Wednesday to release some of their reserve crude supplies to help ease the drop in global oil supply.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQSe<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76366651\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921#post-liveblog-post-76366651\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Spain-Argentina Finalissima match in Qatar cancelled due to war<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/15\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 15, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Spain-Argentina Finalissima match in Qatar cancelled due to war<\/h2>\n<div class=\"a9wq4ao author-details\"><span><span class=\"separator lxmvniw m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"> | <\/span><span class=\"extra-info lxmvniw m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"> Editor<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"68174656\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/68174656_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"An aerial view of Lusail Stadium at sunrise, in Doha, Qatar, on June 20, 2022\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Qatar&#8217;s Lusali stadium was due to host the Finalissima match on March 27<small class=\"copyright\">Image: David Ramos\/Getty Images<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The <em>Finalissima<\/em>,\u00a0a\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/soccer\/t-64665526\">football<\/a> &#8220;supermatch&#8221;\u00a0in Qatar between the reigning champions of Europe and South America, has been canceled due to the US-Israel war with Iran.<\/p>\n<p>European football&#8217;s governing body UEFA said the\u00a0Spain vs\u00a0Argentina game, slated for March 27, will no longer be played.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It \u200bis a source of great disappointment to UEFA \u200band the organizers that circumstances and \u2060timing \u200bhave denied \u200bthe teams of \u200bthe chance \u200cto compete for this \u200bprestigious \u2060prize in Qatar,&#8221; UEFA said \u2060in \u200ba statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The match was due to be played at Qatar&#8217;s\u00a0Lusail Stadium, the site of the 2022 World Cup final.<\/p>\n<p>Although UEFA said it tried to find an alternative location for the match, including in Madrid, those suggestions\u00a0were rejected by Argentina.<\/p>\n<p><em>Finalissima<\/em> pitches the\u00a0winner\u00a0of the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/uefa-euro-2025\/t-47382022\">UEFA European Championship<\/a> and the Copa America for a one-off intercontinental match.<\/p>\n<p>The first <em>Finalissima<\/em> was played in 1985 and the concept was revived after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>It won&#8217;t be the first football casualty of the war. Iran has already <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-signals-2026-world-cup-boycott-after-us-strikes\/a-76309956\">signalled that it will boycott this year&#8217;s\u00a0World Cup finals<\/a> which is jointly being hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQSB<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76366588\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921#post-liveblog-post-76366588\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Pope calls for Middle East ceasefire in strongest comments yet<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/15\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 15, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Pope calls for Middle East ceasefire in strongest comments yet<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76017768\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76017768_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV, man in white robe and cap standing in vehicle before a crowd, a puppet representing him being held up in the background\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Pope Leo, seen here in February, has called for a ceasefire in the Middle East<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Remo Casilli\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/pope-leo-xiv\/t-72486328\">Pope Leo XIV<\/a> has called on the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">leaders responsible for starting the war in Iran<\/a> to stop fighting, saying that violence will never bring hoped-for peace.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and all women and men of good will, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict,&#8221; Leo said. \u201cCease fire so that avenues for dialogue may be reopened. Violence can never lead to the justice, stability, and peace that the people are waiting for.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Although he mentioned neither the US or Israel by name in his Sunday noon blessing, he did refer to attacks that hit schools, apparently meaning the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/amid-iran-war-civilians-trapped-between-bombs-and-regime\/a-76291146\">missile strike on an elementary school in Minab in southern Iran<\/a>\u00a0in the first days of the war, which killed more than 165 people, mostly children.<\/p>\n<p>Leo said he was close to the families of those who had been killed in the attacks &#8220;which have hit schools, hospitals and residential centers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>US officials have said the strike on the Iranian school was likely carried out by the US while acting on outdated intelligence information and that an investigation is ongoing.<\/p>\n<p>The<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/vatican\/t-39325063\">Vatican<\/a> has highlighted the deaths caused by the strike in Minab, with an aerial photo of the mass grave being dug for the young victims on the front page of its official newspaper, <em>L&#8217;Osservatore Romano<\/em>, on March 6, bearing the headline &#8220;The Face of War.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The pope, the first US pontiff in history,\u00a0also said he was particularly concerned about the consequences\u00a0of the war in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/lebanon\/t-19131661\">Lebanon<\/a>, a country with a major Catholic population,\u00a0where aid groups are warning of a humanitarian crisis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQRA<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76366458\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921#post-liveblog-post-76366458\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Israel and Lebanon could hold talks in Cyprus in coming days \u2014 report<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/15\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 15, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Israel and Lebanon could hold talks in Cyprus in coming days \u2014 report<\/h2>\n<div class=\"a9wq4ao author-details\"><span><span class=\"separator lxmvniw m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"> | <\/span><span class=\"extra-info lxmvniw m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"> in Nicosia<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Israeli and Lebanese officials could hold their first direct talks since the start of the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US and Israel&#8217;s war with Iran<\/a> in the &#8220;coming days,&#8221; Israeli daily <em>Haaretz<\/em> reports.<\/p>\n<p>The negotiations could take place in Cyprus or Paris and are expected to center on ending fighting in Lebanon and disarming Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, according to the newspaper.<\/p>\n<p>A <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/cyprus\/t-38380392\">Cypriot<\/a> government spokesperson did not confirm earlier reports of upcoming talks on the island, but told DW that the country maintains &#8220;diplomatically excellent relations with all countries in the area.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The message that we send every day to all the countries, to all our allies, to all the participants in this crisis, is that Cyprus is not part of the problem. It&#8217;s always part of the solution,&#8221; spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis\u00a0said earlier this week.<\/p>\n<p>Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides\u00a0is expected to travel to Brussels on Tuesday. Talks between Israel and Lebanon are unlikely to take place while he is outside the country.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve been reporting on the fallout of the US-Israel war with Iran here in Cyprus, after an Iranian-made drone <a rel=\"noopener follow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external-link\" href=\"https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59dbF\" title=\"External link \u2014 hit the runway of Britain's Akrotiri military base\">hit the runway of Britain&#8217;s Akrotiri military base<\/a>\u00a0on the island in early March. The Cypriot government says the drone was likely launched by Hezbollah.<\/p>\n<p>The drone impact, which caused limited damage and no casualties, has sparked fresh debate among Cypriots about the UK&#8217;s military presence on the island.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 A Cyprus village feels the impact of the Iran war\" class=\"headline\">A Cyprus village feels the impact of the Iran war<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76331664\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76331664\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76223208_605.webp\" data-duration=\"03:15\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/EURO\/EUROENG260312_ENG_Cyprus_Evacuation_01SMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQP4<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76365910\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921#post-liveblog-post-76365910\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Countries must avoid escalating conflict, Iran tells France<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/15\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 15, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Countries must avoid escalating conflict, Iran tells France<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Iran and France&#8217;s foreign ministers have discussed rising regional tensions in a phone call.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi told French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot that insecurity in the region and the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a> stems from <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">actions by the United States and Israel<\/a>, according to a Telegram post published by the minister.<\/p>\n<p>Araghchi urged countries to take a &#8220;responsible approach,&#8221; condemn what he called the &#8220;aggressors\u2019 attack&#8221; on Iran, and avoid steps that could widen the conflict.<\/p>\n<p>He said Iran remains firmly determined to defend its sovereignty, dignity, territorial integrity, and national security.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Iran&#8217;s defensive measures are exclusively against the military bases and facilities of the aggressors in the region and should in no way be considered an attack by Iran on the countries of the region.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Is Iran sliding into total isolation in the Gulf region? \" class=\"headline\">Is Iran sliding into total isolation in the Gulf region? <\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76354827\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76354827\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/74787836_605.webp\" data-duration=\"11:56\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/DWVG\/DWVGENG260313_IranGulfIns_01SMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQGE<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76366247\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921#post-liveblog-post-76366247\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Ukraine&#8217;s Zelenskyy warns against loss of US support over Iran<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/15\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 15, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Ukraine&#8217;s Zelenskyy warns against loss of US support over Iran<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Ukraine says it does not want the United States to scale back support for Kyiv&#8217;s war effort because of Washington&#8217;s conflict with Iran.<\/p>\n<p>President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists that Ukraine does not want to &#8220;lose the Americans&#8221; while they are &#8220;without a doubt currently preoccupied with the Middle East.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He said Kyiv was\u00a0showing its willingness to help the United States and its allies in the region by offering to <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/ukraine-kyivs-anti-drone-tech-in-demand-in-gulf-and-nato\/a-76338633\">share Ukraine&#8217;s expertise in drone warfare<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are demonstrating our readiness to help the United States and its allies in the Middle East&#8230; We very much hope that, because of the Middle East, the United States will not step away from the issue of the war in Ukraine,&#8221; Zelenskyy said.<\/p>\n<p>Zelenskyy\u00a0told reporters that Kyiv wants assistance in return for helping Middle Eastern countries defend against Iranian-made kamikaze drones.<\/p>\n<p>Ukraine&#8217;s military has experience <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/will-ukraine-help-gulf-states-down-iranian-drones\/a-76255467\">downing Iranian shahed drones<\/a>, whcih have been utilized by Russian forces in Moscow&#8217;s invasion.<\/p>\n<p>The Ukrainian president said his country had sent three expert teams to the region to assess defenses and demonstrate how drone protection systems should operate. He said the teams were dispatched to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as well as to a US military base in Jordan.<\/p>\n<p>Zelenskyy said longer-term drone cooperation with Gulf countries could be negotiated and that Kyiv would seek both technology and financial support in return for the help.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Are drones the real game changer for Iran? \" class=\"headline\">Are drones the real game changer for Iran? <\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76360548\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76360548\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76338300_605.webp\" data-duration=\"10:08\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260314_DroneWarfareN_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQLf<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76365785\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921#post-liveblog-post-76365785\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Israeli military says it launched wide strikes in western Iran<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/15\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 15, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Israeli military says it launched wide strikes in western Iran<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Israel&#8217;s military, known as the\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/israeli-troops-fire-at-un-peacekeepers-in-lebanon\/a-74768105\">Israel Defense Forces (IDF)<\/a>, says it has launched a broad wave of strikes on western Iran.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A short while ago, the IDF began a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime in western Iran,&#8221; the military said in a statement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQED<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76365775\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921#post-liveblog-post-76365775\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Three Iran women&#8217;s players reverse asylum decision<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/15\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 15, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Three Iran women&#8217;s players reverse asylum decision<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Three members of Iran&#8217;s women&#8217;s national football\u00a0team who had <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-womens-team-lands-in-malaysia-amid-asylum-talks\/a-76304007\">accepted refugee visas in Australia<\/a> have decided to return to Iran.<\/p>\n<p>The move leaves three of the original seven who had chosen to stay in Australia still in the country.<\/p>\n<p>Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke\u00a0said the players informed Australian officials of their decision and were given repeated opportunities to discuss their options.<\/p>\n<p>Initially, six players and one staff member from the 26-person squad accepted humanitarian visas while the rest of the delegation flew from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur on March 9. One player later changed her mind and left <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/australia\/t-18172340\">Australia<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Three of the players departed Sydney for Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night, joining the rest of the team, which has remained in Malaysia since leaving Australia.<\/p>\n<p>The Iranian players remained silent as the national anthem played ahead of a\u00a0Women&#8217;s Asian Cup match in Australia. It was seen as a symbolic act of defiance against the Islamic Republic, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/fears-grow-for-irans-womens-football-team\/a-76278906\">fueling fears they could face persecution upon returning home<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AQE3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"bp605kw center\">\n<div role=\"button\" data-tracking-name=\"show-more\" class=\"show-more-button s1va3u11 t1y9040i m7i2pic e3w9kkf b19vsmfu cx4rgdt ih9bob8 sngcpkw w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Show more posts<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-president-donald-trump-russia-ukraine-israel-gaza-tariffs-trade-war\/t-19434433\">Trump<\/a> has said Iran is looking for a deal, but the terms were not good enough<\/li>\n<li>Iran&#8217;s Foreign Minister Araghchi said Tehran has not sought a ceasefire<\/li>\n<li>Trump has confirmed US forces carried out strikes on Kharg Island, adding &#8216;we may hit it a few more times just for fun&#8217;<\/li>\n<li>The US president has also questioned whether Iran&#8217;s new supreme leader is alive<\/li>\n<li>Tehran has continued to strike Gulf countries<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a> has warned it would strike US companies based in the Mideast if Washington strikes\u00a0its energy infrastructure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Here is a roundup of the main developments from\u00a0the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US-Israeli war with Iran<\/a> on Sunday, March 15:<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Here is a roundup of the main developments from\u00a0the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US-Israeli war with Iran<\/a> on Sunday, March 15:<\/em><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The\u00a0spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Effie Defrin, told US broadcaster CNN that &#8220;we have thousands of targets ahead&#8221; in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are ready, in coordination with our US allies, with plans through at least the Jewish holiday of Passover, about three weeks from now. And we have deeper plans for even three weeks beyond that,&#8221; Defrin continued.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The spokesperson said Israeli forces are &#8220;not working according to a stopwatch, or a timetable, but rather to achieve our goals.&#8221; The US-Israeli operation against Iran began on February 28.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Iran's capabilities must be quickly degraded, analyst says\" class=\"headline\">Iran&#8217;s capabilities must be quickly degraded, analyst says<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76167917\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76167917\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/tvdownloaddw-a.akamaihd.net\/stills\/images\/je\/je20260228_qSCHALTEsussex16f_image_512x288_3.jpg\" data-duration=\"07:31\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260228_qSCHALTEsussex16f_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The\u00a0spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Effie Defrin, told US broadcaster CNN that &#8220;we have thousands of targets ahead&#8221; in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are ready, in coordination with our US allies, with plans through at least the Jewish holiday of Passover, about three weeks from now. And we have deeper plans for even three weeks beyond that,&#8221; Defrin continued.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The spokesperson said Israeli forces are &#8220;not working according to a stopwatch, or a timetable, but rather to achieve our goals.&#8221; The US-Israeli operation against Iran began on February 28.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"57306062\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/57306062_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\" Iraqi airways aircraft is parked next to the building of the International airport of Baghdad, Iraq on October 7, 2019\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Hundreds of flights leave Baghdad airport per day serving hundreds of destinations<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Vitaliy Belousov\/Sputnik\/dpa\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A rocket attack on Baghdad International Airport left four people injured, Iraqi authorities said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Five rockets targeted Baghdad International Airport and its surrounding area, injuring four airport employees and security personnel, and engineers,&#8221; the head of\u00a0Iraq&#8217;s Security Media Cell, Saad Maan, said in\u00a0a post on Facebook.<\/p>\n<p>The rockets hit &#8220;the airport and a water desalination plant,&#8221; according to Iraqi authorities. The projectiles also landed in the vicinity of a prison where members of the &#8220;Islamic State&#8221; are being held and an Iraqi airbase\u00a0located next to a US diplomatic facility.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Security forces said they had taken control of the launch site used in the attacks, located in the al-Radwaniya area, southwest of the capital.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s the second time the Baghdad airport complex has been attacked in a week.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s unclear which group carried out the attack but the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a>-backed, anti-US Kataib Hezbollah militia had released video on Sunday of a purported drone attack on a US base near the airport.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>A rocket attack on Baghdad International Airport left four people injured, Iraqi authorities said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Five rockets targeted Baghdad International Airport and its surrounding area, injuring four airport employees and security personnel, and engineers,&#8221; the head of\u00a0Iraq&#8217;s Security Media Cell, Saad Maan, said in\u00a0a post on Facebook.<\/p>\n<p>The rockets hit &#8220;the airport and a water desalination plant,&#8221; according to Iraqi authorities. The projectiles also landed in the vicinity of a prison where members of the &#8220;Islamic State&#8221; are being held and an Iraqi airbase\u00a0located next to a US diplomatic facility.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Security forces said they had taken control of the launch site used in the attacks, located in the al-Radwaniya area, southwest of the capital.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s the second time the Baghdad airport complex has been attacked in a week.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s unclear which group carried out the attack but the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a>-backed, anti-US Kataib Hezbollah militia had released video on Sunday of a purported drone attack on a US base near the airport.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>German Foreign Minister <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/johann-wadephul\/t-72493606\">Johann Wadephul<\/a> expressed skepticism in an interview with German public broadcaster ARD that the EU naval mission Aspides could be expanded to the Strait of Hormuz. EU foreign ministers are expected to convene in Brussels on Monday to discuss the widening of the Aspides mission.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Aspides mission <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/red-sea-germanys-bundestag-approves-naval-mission\/a-68356649\">was initiated in February 2024<\/a> in the Red Sea in response to attacks on shipping by the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/houthis\/t-67629191\">Houthis<\/a> in the region. The Houthis are an Iran-backed group in Yemen that vowed to disrupt Red Sea shipping in response to Israel&#8217;s military operation in Gaza after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Wadephul had characterized the Aspides Red Sea mission as &#8220;not effective.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And that is why I am very skeptical that extending Aspides to the Strait of Hormuz would provide greater security,&#8221; Wadephul said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The German foreign minister also reiterated that Germany would not become an &#8220;active part&#8221; of the war and asserted that Germany would not send ships to the Strait of Hormuz to protect shipping. US President Donald Trump has urged allies to help escort tankers through the vital shipping lane.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 US calls on allies to help secure Strait of Hormuz\" class=\"headline\">US calls on allies to help secure Strait of Hormuz<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76367472\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76367472\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76363240_605.webp\" data-duration=\"01:34\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/DWVG\/DWVGENG260315_Alliances_PH_01SMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>German Foreign Minister <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/johann-wadephul\/t-72493606\">Johann Wadephul<\/a> expressed skepticism in an interview with German public broadcaster ARD that the EU naval mission Aspides could be expanded to the Strait of Hormuz. EU foreign ministers are expected to convene in Brussels on Monday to discuss the widening of the Aspides mission.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The Aspides mission <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/red-sea-germanys-bundestag-approves-naval-mission\/a-68356649\">was initiated in February 2024<\/a> in the Red Sea in response to attacks on shipping by the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/houthis\/t-67629191\">Houthis<\/a> in the region. The Houthis are an Iran-backed group in Yemen that vowed to disrupt Red Sea shipping in response to Israel&#8217;s military operation in Gaza after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Wadephul had characterized the Aspides Red Sea mission as &#8220;not effective.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And that is why I am very skeptical that extending Aspides to the Strait of Hormuz would provide greater security,&#8221; Wadephul said.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The German foreign minister also reiterated that Germany would not become an &#8220;active part&#8221; of the war and asserted that Germany would not send ships to the Strait of Hormuz to protect shipping. US President Donald Trump has urged allies to help escort tankers through the vital shipping lane.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told US outlet CBS News that\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a> has &#8220;never asked for a ceasefire, and we have never asked even for negotiation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes,&#8221; Araghchi said. &#8220;And this is what we have done so far, and we continue to do that until President Trump comes to the point that this is an illegal war with no victory.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Trump on Saturday had told US broadcaster NBC that\u00a0Iran &#8220;wants to make a deal,&#8221; with the president claiming that the &#8220;terms aren&#8217;t good enough yet.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Aragchi told CBS that &#8220;we don&#8217;t see any reason why we should talk with Americans, because we were talking with them when they,\u00a0when they decided to attack us, and that was for the second time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76012185\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76012185_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Abbas Araghchi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran speaks at a Conference of Disarmament at a United Nations Headquarters in Geneva.17 February 2026.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Araghchi has defended Iran&#8217;s crackdown on protests which had begun in December <small class=\"copyright\">Image: Jean Marc Ferr\u00e9\/MAXPPP\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>This year&#8217;s war with the US and Israel comes after the US bombed Iranian nuclear sites during the 12-day war last year.<\/p>\n<p>Araghchi met with Trump&#8217;s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president&#8217;s son-in-law Jared Kushner in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/geneva\/t-39416687\">Geneva<\/a> for nuclear talks just days before the US-Israeli operation began on February 28. Araghchi on February 26\u00a0had\u00a0claimed that the third round of Geneva talks just prior to the war had yielded &#8220;good progress.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told US outlet CBS News that\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a> has &#8220;never asked for a ceasefire, and we have never asked even for negotiation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes,&#8221; Araghchi said. &#8220;And this is what we have done so far, and we continue to do that until President Trump comes to the point that this is an illegal war with no victory.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Trump on Saturday had told US broadcaster NBC that\u00a0Iran &#8220;wants to make a deal,&#8221; with the president claiming that the &#8220;terms aren&#8217;t good enough yet.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Aragchi told CBS that &#8220;we don&#8217;t see any reason why we should talk with Americans, because we were talking with them when they,\u00a0when they decided to attack us, and that was for the second time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>This year&#8217;s war with the US and Israel comes after the US bombed Iranian nuclear sites during the 12-day war last year.<\/p>\n<p>Araghchi met with Trump&#8217;s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the president&#8217;s son-in-law Jared Kushner in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/geneva\/t-39416687\">Geneva<\/a> for nuclear talks just days before the US-Israeli operation began on February 28. Araghchi on February 26\u00a0had\u00a0claimed that the third round of Geneva talks just prior to the war had yielded &#8220;good progress.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) said its 32 member countries agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil amid the US-Israeli operation against Iran, the largest-ever\u00a0in the organization&#8217;s decadeslong history. The IEA was founded in 1974.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s the sixth time\u00a0in its history the IEA has taken emergency action to provide support to oil markets amid a crisis. The 400 barrels are\u00a0more than double the figure of oil stock released in 2022 when <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/russias-war-in-ukraine\/t-60931789\">Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The war in the Middle East is creating the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market,&#8221; the IEA statement said. &#8220;This emergency collective action, by far the largest ever, provides a significant and welcome buffer.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The statement said the stocks will be made available for countries in the\u00a0Asia Oceania region immediately, with stocks made available for member countries in the Americas and Europe by the end of this month.<\/p>\n<p>IEA said it is important for regular transit to resume in the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>. which is between the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Iran has attacked tankers in the strait in response to the war initiated by the US and Israel.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76271494\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76271494_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A man pumps gasoline into his vehicle at a gas station in Los Angeles, California on March 2, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The spike in the Brent crude oil price means that consumers will have to pay more at the pump <small class=\"copyright\">Image: Patrick T. Fallon\/AFP<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The strait allows oil and natural gas to be shipped from energy-rich countries such as Qatar and the UAE to nations in other regions, such as East Asia. China, India, Japan and South Korea are among the countries that are heavily reliant on energy shipped via the strait.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The disruption in the strait has caused the price of\u00a0Brent crude oil to skyrocket above $100 (\u20ac87), with the spike prompting fears that it could trigger a global economic slowdown.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) said its 32 member countries agreed to release 400 million barrels of oil amid the US-Israeli operation against Iran, the largest-ever\u00a0in the organization&#8217;s decadeslong history. The IEA was founded in 1974.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s the sixth time\u00a0in its history the IEA has taken emergency action to provide support to oil markets amid a crisis. The 400 barrels are\u00a0more than double the figure of oil stock released in 2022 when <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/russias-war-in-ukraine\/t-60931789\">Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The war in the Middle East is creating the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market,&#8221; the IEA statement said. &#8220;This emergency collective action, by far the largest ever, provides a significant and welcome buffer.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The statement said the stocks will be made available for countries in the\u00a0Asia Oceania region immediately, with stocks made available for member countries in the Americas and Europe by the end of this month.<\/p>\n<p>IEA said it is important for regular transit to resume in the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>. which is between the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Iran has attacked tankers in the strait in response to the war initiated by the US and Israel.<\/p>\n<p>The strait allows oil and natural gas to be shipped from energy-rich countries such as Qatar and the UAE to nations in other regions, such as East Asia. China, India, Japan and South Korea are among the countries that are heavily reliant on energy shipped via the strait.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The disruption in the strait has caused the price of\u00a0Brent crude oil to skyrocket above $100 (\u20ac87), with the spike prompting fears that it could trigger a global economic slowdown.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76169251\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76169251_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"This long exposure photo taken on Feb. 28, 2026 shows flare trails of the interceptor missiles launched from Israeli air defense systems in Tel Aviv, Israel.\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Israeli interceptors have worked to stop Iranian ballistic missiles from hitting densely populated areas such as Tel Aviv (FILE: February 28, 2026) <small class=\"copyright\">Image: Chen Junqing\/Xinhua\/IMAGO<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>An unnamed Israeli military source, in comments to AFP and Reuters news agencies, denied reports that Israel is facing a shortage of missile interceptors.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;As of now, there is no interceptor shortage. The IDF is prepared for prolonged combat. We are continuously monitoring the situation,&#8221; the source said, using the acronym for Israel Defense Forces.<\/p>\n<p>Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also rejected the interceptor shortage report in remarks to Israeli outlet <em>Jerusalem Post<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Anonymous US officials had told New York-based news outlet Semafor in a report published Saturday\u00a0that Israel informed the US this week that it was running &#8220;critically low&#8221; on the interceptors. The Semafor report said the US knew about this shortage for months.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The report that Israel is running out of interceptors comes as the war enters its third week. Israel also intercepted ballistic missiles from Iran during the 12-day war last year.<\/p>\n<p>The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS)\u00a0at Tel Aviv University has counted almost 300 ballistic missiles, half of which carried cluster munitions, as well as hundreds of drones fired by Iran at Israel since the beginning of the war.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>An unnamed Israeli military source, in comments to AFP and Reuters news agencies, denied reports that Israel is facing a shortage of missile interceptors.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;As of now, there is no interceptor shortage. The IDF is prepared for prolonged combat. We are continuously monitoring the situation,&#8221; the source said, using the acronym for Israel Defense Forces.<\/p>\n<p>Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also rejected the interceptor shortage report in remarks to Israeli outlet <em>Jerusalem Post<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Anonymous US officials had told New York-based news outlet Semafor in a report published Saturday\u00a0that Israel informed the US this week that it was running &#8220;critically low&#8221; on the interceptors. The Semafor report said the US knew about this shortage for months.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The report that Israel is running out of interceptors comes as the war enters its third week. Israel also intercepted ballistic missiles from Iran during the 12-day war last year.<\/p>\n<p>The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS)\u00a0at Tel Aviv University has counted almost 300 ballistic missiles, half of which carried cluster munitions, as well as hundreds of drones fired by Iran at Israel since the beginning of the war.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76330942\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76330942_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Black smoke rises after fires broke out following US-Israel attacks targeting some oil storage facilities targeted, including the Shehran oil depot, in Tehran, Iran on March 8, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Iranians face the brunt of war and violence perpetrated by their regime state<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Fatemeh Bahrami\/Anadolu\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Bombs, government oppression, and fear are wearing down Iranians.<\/p>\n<p>How does trauma build up? And what can help people living with constant stress?<\/p>\n<p>Read <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/war-oppression-and-fear-in-iran-traumas-are-accumulating\/a-76360945\">DW&#8217;s full report on the impact of war and repression on life in Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Bombs, government oppression, and fear are wearing down Iranians.<\/p>\n<p>How does trauma build up? And what can help people living with constant stress?<\/p>\n<p>Read <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/war-oppression-and-fear-in-iran-traumas-are-accumulating\/a-76360945\">DW&#8217;s full report on the impact of war and repression on life in Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"75935761\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/75935761_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright speaks in front of a US flag\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">US Energy Minister Chris Wright&#8217;s prediction differs from much expert analysis<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Juan Barreto\/AFP<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/united-states-of-america\/t-19065189\">United States<\/a>\u00a0Energy Secretary\u00a0Chris Wright has given his prediction\u00a0on when the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a> war will end, saying he expects it to be over within &#8220;the next few weeks.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Wright said oil supplies would then stabilize, bringing down the price of energy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think that this conflict \u200cwill certainly come \u200cto the \u200bend\u00a0in the next few weeks \u2014\u00a0could be sooner \u200bthan that,&#8221; he told ABC&#8217;s &#8220;This Week&#8221; program.<\/p>\n<p>While US President <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-president-donald-trump-russia-ukraine-israel-gaza-tariffs-trade-war\/t-19434433\">Donald Trump<\/a> has repeatedly spoken of a swift conclusion to the conflict, Middie East experts and military analysts believe it <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/how-long-can-iran-continue-the-war\/a-76234532\">could last for months<\/a>, due to uncertainty over Iran&#8217;s response and the difficulties in achieving regime change.<\/p>\n<p>The oil price soared to close to $120 at one point this week after Tehran blockaded the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>, a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n<p>Around a fifth of global oil exports from Arab Gulf countries\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/war-in-iran-developments-saturday-march-14\/live-76356584\">traverse the strait<\/a>, most of it destined for Asian markets.<\/p>\n<p>With hundreds of oil and gas tankers stranded, more than 30 countries agreed on Wednesday to release some of their reserve crude supplies to help ease the drop in global oil supply.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/united-states-of-america\/t-19065189\">United States<\/a>\u00a0Energy Secretary\u00a0Chris Wright has given his prediction\u00a0on when the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a> war will end, saying he expects it to be over within &#8220;the next few weeks.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Wright said oil supplies would then stabilize, bringing down the price of energy.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think that this conflict \u200cwill certainly come \u200cto the \u200bend\u00a0in the next few weeks \u2014\u00a0could be sooner \u200bthan that,&#8221; he told ABC&#8217;s &#8220;This Week&#8221; program.<\/p>\n<p>While US President <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-president-donald-trump-russia-ukraine-israel-gaza-tariffs-trade-war\/t-19434433\">Donald Trump<\/a> has repeatedly spoken of a swift conclusion to the conflict, Middie East experts and military analysts believe it <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/how-long-can-iran-continue-the-war\/a-76234532\">could last for months<\/a>, due to uncertainty over Iran&#8217;s response and the difficulties in achieving regime change.<\/p>\n<p>The oil price soared to close to $120 at one point this week after Tehran blockaded the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>, a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n<p>Around a fifth of global oil exports from Arab Gulf countries\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/war-in-iran-developments-saturday-march-14\/live-76356584\">traverse the strait<\/a>, most of it destined for Asian markets.<\/p>\n<p>With hundreds of oil and gas tankers stranded, more than 30 countries agreed on Wednesday to release some of their reserve crude supplies to help ease the drop in global oil supply.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"68174656\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/68174656_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"An aerial view of Lusail Stadium at sunrise, in Doha, Qatar, on June 20, 2022\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Qatar&#8217;s Lusali stadium was due to host the Finalissima match on March 27<small class=\"copyright\">Image: David Ramos\/Getty Images<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The <em>Finalissima<\/em>,\u00a0a\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/soccer\/t-64665526\">football<\/a> &#8220;supermatch&#8221;\u00a0in Qatar between the reigning champions of Europe and South America, has been canceled due to the US-Israel war with Iran.<\/p>\n<p>European football&#8217;s governing body UEFA said the\u00a0Spain vs\u00a0Argentina game, slated for March 27, will no longer be played.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It \u200bis a source of great disappointment to UEFA \u200band the organizers that circumstances and \u2060timing \u200bhave denied \u200bthe teams of \u200bthe chance \u200cto compete for this \u200bprestigious \u2060prize in Qatar,&#8221; UEFA said \u2060in \u200ba statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The match was due to be played at Qatar&#8217;s\u00a0Lusail Stadium, the site of the 2022 World Cup final.<\/p>\n<p>Although UEFA said it tried to find an alternative location for the match, including in Madrid, those suggestions\u00a0were rejected by Argentina.<\/p>\n<p><em>Finalissima<\/em> pitches the\u00a0winner\u00a0of the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/uefa-euro-2025\/t-47382022\">UEFA European Championship<\/a> and the Copa America for a one-off intercontinental match.<\/p>\n<p>The first <em>Finalissima<\/em> was played in 1985 and the concept was revived after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>It won&#8217;t be the first football casualty of the war. Iran has already <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-signals-2026-world-cup-boycott-after-us-strikes\/a-76309956\">signalled that it will boycott this year&#8217;s\u00a0World Cup finals<\/a> which is jointly being hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The <em>Finalissima<\/em>,\u00a0a\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/soccer\/t-64665526\">football<\/a> &#8220;supermatch&#8221;\u00a0in Qatar between the reigning champions of Europe and South America, has been canceled due to the US-Israel war with Iran.<\/p>\n<p>European football&#8217;s governing body UEFA said the\u00a0Spain vs\u00a0Argentina game, slated for March 27, will no longer be played.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It \u200bis a source of great disappointment to UEFA \u200band the organizers that circumstances and \u2060timing \u200bhave denied \u200bthe teams of \u200bthe chance \u200cto compete for this \u200bprestigious \u2060prize in Qatar,&#8221; UEFA said \u2060in \u200ba statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The match was due to be played at Qatar&#8217;s\u00a0Lusail Stadium, the site of the 2022 World Cup final.<\/p>\n<p>Although UEFA said it tried to find an alternative location for the match, including in Madrid, those suggestions\u00a0were rejected by Argentina.<\/p>\n<p><em>Finalissima<\/em> pitches the\u00a0winner\u00a0of the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/uefa-euro-2025\/t-47382022\">UEFA European Championship<\/a> and the Copa America for a one-off intercontinental match.<\/p>\n<p>The first <em>Finalissima<\/em> was played in 1985 and the concept was revived after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022.<\/p>\n<p>It won&#8217;t be the first football casualty of the war. Iran has already <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-signals-2026-world-cup-boycott-after-us-strikes\/a-76309956\">signalled that it will boycott this year&#8217;s\u00a0World Cup finals<\/a> which is jointly being hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76017768\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76017768_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV, man in white robe and cap standing in vehicle before a crowd, a puppet representing him being held up in the background\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Pope Leo, seen here in February, has called for a ceasefire in the Middle East<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Remo Casilli\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/pope-leo-xiv\/t-72486328\">Pope Leo XIV<\/a> has called on the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">leaders responsible for starting the war in Iran<\/a> to stop fighting, saying that violence will never bring hoped-for peace.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and all women and men of good will, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict,&#8221; Leo said. \u201cCease fire so that avenues for dialogue may be reopened. Violence can never lead to the justice, stability, and peace that the people are waiting for.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Although he mentioned neither the US or Israel by name in his Sunday noon blessing, he did refer to attacks that hit schools, apparently meaning the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/amid-iran-war-civilians-trapped-between-bombs-and-regime\/a-76291146\">missile strike on an elementary school in Minab in southern Iran<\/a>\u00a0in the first days of the war, which killed more than 165 people, mostly children.<\/p>\n<p>Leo said he was close to the families of those who had been killed in the attacks &#8220;which have hit schools, hospitals and residential centers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>US officials have said the strike on the Iranian school was likely carried out by the US while acting on outdated intelligence information and that an investigation is ongoing.<\/p>\n<p>The<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/vatican\/t-39325063\">Vatican<\/a> has highlighted the deaths caused by the strike in Minab, with an aerial photo of the mass grave being dug for the young victims on the front page of its official newspaper, <em>L&#8217;Osservatore Romano<\/em>, on March 6, bearing the headline &#8220;The Face of War.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The pope, the first US pontiff in history,\u00a0also said he was particularly concerned about the consequences\u00a0of the war in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/lebanon\/t-19131661\">Lebanon<\/a>, a country with a major Catholic population,\u00a0where aid groups are warning of a humanitarian crisis.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/pope-leo-xiv\/t-72486328\">Pope Leo XIV<\/a> has called on the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">leaders responsible for starting the war in Iran<\/a> to stop fighting, saying that violence will never bring hoped-for peace.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;On behalf of the Christians of the Middle East and all women and men of good will, I appeal to those responsible for this conflict,&#8221; Leo said. \u201cCease fire so that avenues for dialogue may be reopened. Violence can never lead to the justice, stability, and peace that the people are waiting for.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Although he mentioned neither the US or Israel by name in his Sunday noon blessing, he did refer to attacks that hit schools, apparently meaning the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/amid-iran-war-civilians-trapped-between-bombs-and-regime\/a-76291146\">missile strike on an elementary school in Minab in southern Iran<\/a>\u00a0in the first days of the war, which killed more than 165 people, mostly children.<\/p>\n<p>Leo said he was close to the families of those who had been killed in the attacks &#8220;which have hit schools, hospitals and residential centers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>US officials have said the strike on the Iranian school was likely carried out by the US while acting on outdated intelligence information and that an investigation is ongoing.<\/p>\n<p>The<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/vatican\/t-39325063\">Vatican<\/a> has highlighted the deaths caused by the strike in Minab, with an aerial photo of the mass grave being dug for the young victims on the front page of its official newspaper, <em>L&#8217;Osservatore Romano<\/em>, on March 6, bearing the headline &#8220;The Face of War.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The pope, the first US pontiff in history,\u00a0also said he was particularly concerned about the consequences\u00a0of the war in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/lebanon\/t-19131661\">Lebanon<\/a>, a country with a major Catholic population,\u00a0where aid groups are warning of a humanitarian crisis.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Israeli and Lebanese officials could hold their first direct talks since the start of the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US and Israel&#8217;s war with Iran<\/a> in the &#8220;coming days,&#8221; Israeli daily <em>Haaretz<\/em> reports.<\/p>\n<p>The negotiations could take place in Cyprus or Paris and are expected to center on ending fighting in Lebanon and disarming Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, according to the newspaper.<\/p>\n<p>A <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/cyprus\/t-38380392\">Cypriot<\/a> government spokesperson did not confirm earlier reports of upcoming talks on the island, but told DW that the country maintains &#8220;diplomatically excellent relations with all countries in the area.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The message that we send every day to all the countries, to all our allies, to all the participants in this crisis, is that Cyprus is not part of the problem. It&#8217;s always part of the solution,&#8221; spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis\u00a0said earlier this week.<\/p>\n<p>Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides\u00a0is expected to travel to Brussels on Tuesday. Talks between Israel and Lebanon are unlikely to take place while he is outside the country.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve been reporting on the fallout of the US-Israel war with Iran here in Cyprus, after an Iranian-made drone <a rel=\"noopener follow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external-link\" href=\"https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59dbF\" title=\"External link \u2014 hit the runway of Britain's Akrotiri military base\">hit the runway of Britain&#8217;s Akrotiri military base<\/a>\u00a0on the island in early March. The Cypriot government says the drone was likely launched by Hezbollah.<\/p>\n<p>The drone impact, which caused limited damage and no casualties, has sparked fresh debate among Cypriots about the UK&#8217;s military presence on the island.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 A Cyprus village feels the impact of the Iran war\" class=\"headline\">A Cyprus village feels the impact of the Iran war<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76331664\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76331664\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76223208_605.webp\" data-duration=\"03:15\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/EURO\/EUROENG260312_ENG_Cyprus_Evacuation_01SMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Israeli and Lebanese officials could hold their first direct talks since the start of the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US and Israel&#8217;s war with Iran<\/a> in the &#8220;coming days,&#8221; Israeli daily <em>Haaretz<\/em> reports.<\/p>\n<p>The negotiations could take place in Cyprus or Paris and are expected to center on ending fighting in Lebanon and disarming Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, according to the newspaper.<\/p>\n<p>A <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/cyprus\/t-38380392\">Cypriot<\/a> government spokesperson did not confirm earlier reports of upcoming talks on the island, but told DW that the country maintains &#8220;diplomatically excellent relations with all countries in the area.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The message that we send every day to all the countries, to all our allies, to all the participants in this crisis, is that Cyprus is not part of the problem. It&#8217;s always part of the solution,&#8221; spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis\u00a0said earlier this week.<\/p>\n<p>Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides\u00a0is expected to travel to Brussels on Tuesday. Talks between Israel and Lebanon are unlikely to take place while he is outside the country.<\/p>\n<p>We&#8217;ve been reporting on the fallout of the US-Israel war with Iran here in Cyprus, after an Iranian-made drone <a rel=\"noopener follow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external-link\" href=\"https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59dbF\" title=\"External link \u2014 hit the runway of Britain's Akrotiri military base\">hit the runway of Britain&#8217;s Akrotiri military base<\/a>\u00a0on the island in early March. The Cypriot government says the drone was likely launched by Hezbollah.<\/p>\n<p>The drone impact, which caused limited damage and no casualties, has sparked fresh debate among Cypriots about the UK&#8217;s military presence on the island.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Iran and France&#8217;s foreign ministers have discussed rising regional tensions in a phone call.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi told French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot that insecurity in the region and the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a> stems from <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">actions by the United States and Israel<\/a>, according to a Telegram post published by the minister.<\/p>\n<p>Araghchi urged countries to take a &#8220;responsible approach,&#8221; condemn what he called the &#8220;aggressors\u2019 attack&#8221; on Iran, and avoid steps that could widen the conflict.<\/p>\n<p>He said Iran remains firmly determined to defend its sovereignty, dignity, territorial integrity, and national security.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Iran&#8217;s defensive measures are exclusively against the military bases and facilities of the aggressors in the region and should in no way be considered an attack by Iran on the countries of the region.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Is Iran sliding into total isolation in the Gulf region? \" class=\"headline\">Is Iran sliding into total isolation in the Gulf region? <\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76354827\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76354827\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/74787836_605.webp\" data-duration=\"11:56\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/vps\/webvideos\/ENG\/2026\/DWVG\/DWVGENG260313_IranGulfIns_01SMW_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Iran and France&#8217;s foreign ministers have discussed rising regional tensions in a phone call.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi told French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot that insecurity in the region and the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a> stems from <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">actions by the United States and Israel<\/a>, according to a Telegram post published by the minister.<\/p>\n<p>Araghchi urged countries to take a &#8220;responsible approach,&#8221; condemn what he called the &#8220;aggressors\u2019 attack&#8221; on Iran, and avoid steps that could widen the conflict.<\/p>\n<p>He said Iran remains firmly determined to defend its sovereignty, dignity, territorial integrity, and national security.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Iran&#8217;s defensive measures are exclusively against the military bases and facilities of the aggressors in the region and should in no way be considered an attack by Iran on the countries of the region.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Ukraine says it does not want the United States to scale back support for Kyiv&#8217;s war effort because of Washington&#8217;s conflict with Iran.<\/p>\n<p>President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists that Ukraine does not want to &#8220;lose the Americans&#8221; while they are &#8220;without a doubt currently preoccupied with the Middle East.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He said Kyiv was\u00a0showing its willingness to help the United States and its allies in the region by offering to <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/ukraine-kyivs-anti-drone-tech-in-demand-in-gulf-and-nato\/a-76338633\">share Ukraine&#8217;s expertise in drone warfare<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are demonstrating our readiness to help the United States and its allies in the Middle East&#8230; We very much hope that, because of the Middle East, the United States will not step away from the issue of the war in Ukraine,&#8221; Zelenskyy said.<\/p>\n<p>Zelenskyy\u00a0told reporters that Kyiv wants assistance in return for helping Middle Eastern countries defend against Iranian-made kamikaze drones.<\/p>\n<p>Ukraine&#8217;s military has experience <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/will-ukraine-help-gulf-states-down-iranian-drones\/a-76255467\">downing Iranian shahed drones<\/a>, whcih have been utilized by Russian forces in Moscow&#8217;s invasion.<\/p>\n<p>The Ukrainian president said his country had sent three expert teams to the region to assess defenses and demonstrate how drone protection systems should operate. He said the teams were dispatched to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as well as to a US military base in Jordan.<\/p>\n<p>Zelenskyy said longer-term drone cooperation with Gulf countries could be negotiated and that Kyiv would seek both technology and financial support in return for the help.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Are drones the real game changer for Iran? \" class=\"headline\">Are drones the real game changer for Iran? <\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76360548\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76360548\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76338300_605.webp\" data-duration=\"10:08\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260314_DroneWarfareN_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Ukraine says it does not want the United States to scale back support for Kyiv&#8217;s war effort because of Washington&#8217;s conflict with Iran.<\/p>\n<p>President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists that Ukraine does not want to &#8220;lose the Americans&#8221; while they are &#8220;without a doubt currently preoccupied with the Middle East.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He said Kyiv was\u00a0showing its willingness to help the United States and its allies in the region by offering to <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/ukraine-kyivs-anti-drone-tech-in-demand-in-gulf-and-nato\/a-76338633\">share Ukraine&#8217;s expertise in drone warfare<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are demonstrating our readiness to help the United States and its allies in the Middle East&#8230; We very much hope that, because of the Middle East, the United States will not step away from the issue of the war in Ukraine,&#8221; Zelenskyy said.<\/p>\n<p>Zelenskyy\u00a0told reporters that Kyiv wants assistance in return for helping Middle Eastern countries defend against Iranian-made kamikaze drones.<\/p>\n<p>Ukraine&#8217;s military has experience <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/will-ukraine-help-gulf-states-down-iranian-drones\/a-76255467\">downing Iranian shahed drones<\/a>, whcih have been utilized by Russian forces in Moscow&#8217;s invasion.<\/p>\n<p>The Ukrainian president said his country had sent three expert teams to the region to assess defenses and demonstrate how drone protection systems should operate. He said the teams were dispatched to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as well as to a US military base in Jordan.<\/p>\n<p>Zelenskyy said longer-term drone cooperation with Gulf countries could be negotiated and that Kyiv would seek both technology and financial support in return for the help.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Israel&#8217;s military, known as the\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/israeli-troops-fire-at-un-peacekeepers-in-lebanon\/a-74768105\">Israel Defense Forces (IDF)<\/a>, says it has launched a broad wave of strikes on western Iran.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A short while ago, the IDF began a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime in western Iran,&#8221; the military said in a statement.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Israel&#8217;s military, known as the\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/israeli-troops-fire-at-un-peacekeepers-in-lebanon\/a-74768105\">Israel Defense Forces (IDF)<\/a>, says it has launched a broad wave of strikes on western Iran.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A short while ago, the IDF began a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime in western Iran,&#8221; the military said in a statement.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Three members of Iran&#8217;s women&#8217;s national football\u00a0team who had <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-womens-team-lands-in-malaysia-amid-asylum-talks\/a-76304007\">accepted refugee visas in Australia<\/a> have decided to return to Iran.<\/p>\n<p>The move leaves three of the original seven who had chosen to stay in Australia still in the country.<\/p>\n<p>Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke\u00a0said the players informed Australian officials of their decision and were given repeated opportunities to discuss their options.<\/p>\n<p>Initially, six players and one staff member from the 26-person squad accepted humanitarian visas while the rest of the delegation flew from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur on March 9. One player later changed her mind and left <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/australia\/t-18172340\">Australia<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Three of the players departed Sydney for Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night, joining the rest of the team, which has remained in Malaysia since leaving Australia.<\/p>\n<p>The Iranian players remained silent as the national anthem played ahead of a\u00a0Women&#8217;s Asian Cup match in Australia. It was seen as a symbolic act of defiance against the Islamic Republic, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/fears-grow-for-irans-womens-football-team\/a-76278906\">fueling fears they could face persecution upon returning home<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Three members of Iran&#8217;s women&#8217;s national football\u00a0team who had <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-womens-team-lands-in-malaysia-amid-asylum-talks\/a-76304007\">accepted refugee visas in Australia<\/a> have decided to return to Iran.<\/p>\n<p>The move leaves three of the original seven who had chosen to stay in Australia still in the country.<\/p>\n<p>Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke\u00a0said the players informed Australian officials of their decision and were given repeated opportunities to discuss their options.<\/p>\n<p>Initially, six players and one staff member from the 26-person squad accepted humanitarian visas while the rest of the delegation flew from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur on March 9. One player later changed her mind and left <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/australia\/t-18172340\">Australia<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Three of the players departed Sydney for Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night, joining the rest of the team, which has remained in Malaysia since leaving Australia.<\/p>\n<p>The Iranian players remained silent as the national anthem played ahead of a\u00a0Women&#8217;s Asian Cup match in Australia. It was seen as a symbolic act of defiance against the Islamic Republic, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/fears-grow-for-irans-womens-football-team\/a-76278906\">fueling fears they could face persecution upon returning home<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-developments-sunday-march-15\/live-76363921&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76367094_6.jpg&#8221;] https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5APk9 Iran and the US have both set out their opposing conditions to end the warImage: Atta Kenare\/AFP Skip next section What you need to know What you need to know Trump has said Iran is looking for a deal, but the terms were not good enough Iran&#8217;s Foreign Minister Araghchi said [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,74],"class_list":["post-1828284","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-dw-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1828284","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1828284"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1828284\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1828284"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1828284"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1828284"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}