{"id":1829691,"date":"2026-03-16T01:40:57","date_gmt":"2026-03-15T22:40:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1829691"},"modified":"2026-03-16T01:40:57","modified_gmt":"2026-03-15T22:40:57","slug":"nowhere-feels-safe-beirut-hit-by-new-israeli-airstrikes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1829691","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Nowhere feels safe&#8217;: Beirut hit by new Israeli airstrikes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76381560_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\/5ARIR<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"s4bcs45\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76381560_800.webp 50w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76381560_801.webp 129w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76381560_802.webp 352w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76381560_803.webp 575w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 575px)\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" \/><figcaption class=\"c1oedowi lofg86o m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">The war in Iran has had destabilizing impacts on the global economy, with no end to the conflict in sight<small class=\"copyright c19ed66t ihwmx5 idu7i8u lxmvniw icns9en rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Image: Majid Asgaripour\/WANA\/REUTERS<\/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-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891#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>The EU&#8217;s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said &#8216;this is not Europe&#8217;s war&#8217;<\/li>\n<li>Germany&#8217;s Merz has said &#8216;we will not do it&#8217; in reference to military support for the war against Iran<\/li>\n<li>The US has said it is allowing Iranian oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz<\/li>\n<li>Donald Trump demanded seven countries join a coalition to ensure safe passage of tankers through Strait of Hormuz\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Trump told<em> Financial Times<\/em> that there will be a &#8216;very bad&#8217;\u00a0future for NATO if allies don&#8217;t help reopen Hormuz as he steps up calls to secure vital shipping channel<\/li>\n<li>China&#8217;s Foreign Ministry sidestepped a request for comment on Trump&#8217;s call for military support<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Here is a roundup of the main developments from the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US-Israeli war with Iran<\/a> on Monday, March 16:<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"s1ogwy7c ev9ivjh\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76386285\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891#post-liveblog-post-76386285\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section UN experts say Israel&#8217;s strike on Evin Prison was a war crime<\/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\/16\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 16, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">UN experts say Israel&#8217;s strike on Evin Prison was a war crime<\/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=\"73742299\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/73742299_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Iranian cameramen capture videos of an office building of the Evin prison, which is destroyed in Israeli strikes in northern Tehran, Iran, on July 1, 2025\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Numerous political prisoners have been held in the notorious prison<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Morteza Nikoubazl\/NurPhoto\/IMAGO<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Israel&#8217;s strike on Tehran&#8217;s Evin Prison last year amounted to a war crime, according to UN human rights experts reporting to the Human Rights Council in Geneva.<\/p>\n<p>They say the June 2025 airstrikes, which killed around 80 people, targeted a civilian facility rather than a military site.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We found reasonable grounds to believe that, in carrying out the airstrikes on Evin prison, Israel committed the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against a civilian object&#8230;,&#8221; Sara Hossain, chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, told the council.<\/p>\n<p>The experts based their conclusion on interviews with victims and witnesses, satellite imagery and other documents presented to the council.<\/p>\n<p>Israel did not immediately react to the experts&#8217; assessment.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hossain also accused Iranian authorities of committing crimes against humanity, citing murder, torture, arbitrary detention, sexual violence and the systematic persecution of women.<\/p>\n<p>She warned of further risks of repression due to the current US-Israel war in Iran.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Iranian people are caught between a large-scale military campaign by two countries, the US and Israel, and ongoing repression by their own government in Iran,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AVYr<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76385819\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891#post-liveblog-post-76385819\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section WATCH \u2014 &#8216;Nowhere feels safe&#8217;: Beirut hit by new Israeli airstrikes<\/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\/16\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 16, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">WATCH \u2014 &#8216;Nowhere feels safe&#8217;: Beirut hit by new Israeli airstrikes<\/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>Over 800,000 people have reportedly been displaced in Lebanon as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies.<\/p>\n<p>Some fear this is only the start. DW met families living on the streets and in makeshift shelters.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 'Nowhere feels safe': Beirut hit by new Israeli airstrikes\" class=\"headline\">&#8216;Nowhere feels safe&#8217;: Beirut hit by new Israeli airstrikes<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76383948\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76383948\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76383706_605.webp\" data-duration=\"06:22\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260316_beirut_,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\/5AVRL<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76385826\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891#post-liveblog-post-76385826\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Trump questions who is leading 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\/16\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 16, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Trump questions who is leading 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>President Donald Trump said he believes Tehran wants to negotiate an end to the US-Israeli war with Iran but it remains unclear who is actually in charge.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t know who their leader is. We have people wanting to negotiate. We have no idea who they are,&#8221; Trump told reporters during a White House event.<\/p>\n<p>He said intermediaries have approached Washington without clear authority.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the early strikes of the war.<\/p>\n<p>His son, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-mojtaba-khamenei-ali-khamenei-us-israel-irgc\/a-76271184\">Mojtaba Khamenei, was named his successor<\/a>, but he has not appeared in public.<\/p>\n<p>US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week the new leader may have been wounded, and Trump repeated unconfirmed reports that he is severely injured or possibly dead.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AVRS<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76383941\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891#post-liveblog-post-76383941\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section WATCH: India faces mounting LPG shortages as Iran war drags on<\/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\/16\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 16, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">WATCH: India faces mounting LPG shortages as Iran war drags on<\/h2>\n<div class=\"a9wq4ao author-details\"><span><span class=\"separator lxmvniw m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"> | <\/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>Far from the battlefield, gas shortages are causing long queues and mounting frustration as people line up with empty LPG cylinders in New Delhi.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 India faces mounting LPG shortages as Iran war drags on\" class=\"headline\">India faces mounting LPG shortages as Iran war drags on<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76381605\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76381605\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76327021_605.webp\" data-duration=\"03:44\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260316_IndiaInsertsN_,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\/5AUx3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76385741\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891#post-liveblog-post-76385741\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section US wants help to guard Strait of Hormuz, but EU is not keen<\/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\/16\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 16, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">US wants help to guard Strait of Hormuz, but EU is not keen<\/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=\"76363240\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76363240_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Commercial vessels are pictured offshore in Dubai on March 11, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">As Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz, it has plunged the global economy into crisis<small class=\"copyright\">Image: AFP\/Getty Images<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>US President Donald Trump&#8217;s demand for European allies to help secure the passage of oil and gas tankers through the Strait of Hormuz was a major talking point at today&#8217;s meeting of European Union foreign affairs ministers in Brussels.<\/p>\n<p>But Europeans are generally unwilling to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<p>Read <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-wants-help-to-guard-strait-of-hormuz-but-eu-is-not-keen\/a-76380348\">DW&#8217;s full report on the rising tensions between the US and EU over the war in Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AVQ5<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76385479\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891#post-liveblog-post-76385479\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section EU foreign affairs chief: &#8216;This is not Europe&#8217;s war&#8217; <\/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\/16\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 16, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">EU foreign affairs chief: &#8216;This is not Europe&#8217;s war&#8217; <\/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=\"76375261\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76375261_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Kaja Kallas , high Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission arrives for a meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council at the Europa building in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, 16.03.2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Kallas has made efforts to keep Europe focused on the war in Ukraine<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Wiktor Dabkowski\/ZUMA\/IMAGO<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US-Israel war with Iran<\/a> is &#8220;not Europe&#8217;s war.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Kallas said there is a &#8220;clear wish&#8221; from EU foreign ministers in Brussels to strengthen the EU Aspides naval mission in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>The Aspides mission was launched in 2024 after the Iran-backed Houthis group in Yemen began attacking ships\u00a0in the Red Sea.<\/p>\n<p>However, Kallas said there was no interest from ministers in Brussels &#8220;in changing the mandate of the operation&#8221; such as expanding it to the Strait of Hormuz.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She also said that Russia &#8220;stands to gain from higher energy prices and diversion of air defense from Ukraine to the Middle East.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AVLr<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76385504\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891#post-liveblog-post-76385504\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Trump criticizes NATO allies for failing to back US in Strait of 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\/16\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 16, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Trump criticizes NATO allies for failing to back US in Strait of 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<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76385408\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76385408_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"President Donald Trump speaks during a board meeting of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Trump says he&#8217;s asked roughly a half-dozen other countries to send warships to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Alex Brandon\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>President Donald Trump lashed out at <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nato\/t-19016346\">NATO<\/a> allies, criticizing what he said was their reluctance to help the US secure the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They should be jumping to help us,&#8221; he said in response to a reporter&#8217;s question, asking, &#8220;Why are we protecting countries when they do not protect us?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In his prepared remarks, Trump again urged countries to send ships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, though he avoided naming allies that were unwilling to take part.<\/p>\n<p>When he later took questions from journalists, he sharpened his criticism, saying some NATO allies are lukewarm to the idea.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t need anybody,&#8221; he said, despite earlier saying, &#8220;We want them to come and help of us with the strait.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Trump said he made the request because he &#8220;wanted to see how they [allies] will react.&#8221; He added that &#8220;We have been protecting these countries for years with NATO, because NATO is US.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Trump said he had talked with French President Emmanuel Macron about it and his response had been &#8220;an eight, not perfect.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think he&#8217;s going to help,&#8221; Trump said<\/p>\n<p>He also again slammed the United Kingdom for refusing to join the war against Iran, saying, &#8220;We worked with them in Ukraine, we don&#8217;t need to work with them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AVMG<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76385283\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891#post-liveblog-post-76385283\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Merz says Israeli ground operation in Lebanon an &#8216;error&#8217; <\/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\/16\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 16, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Merz says Israeli ground operation in Lebanon an &#8216;error&#8217; <\/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>Merz also criticized an Israeli decision to launch a ground operation in southern Lebanon against Iran-backed\u00a0group <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/hezbollah\/t-41508807\">Hezbollah<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We urgently call on our Israeli friends: Do not take this path\u00a0\u2014\u00a0it would be an error,&#8221; Merz said. The Israeli military said earlier on Monday it began &#8220;limited and targeted ground operations&#8221; in southern Lebanon.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Merz believes the Israeli operation would &#8220;further exacerbate the already highly tense humanitarian situation&#8221; in Lebanon.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hezbollah, which is deemed a terror group by Israel, Germany and several other countries, attacked Israel earlier in the war following the Israeli assassination of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei. In response, Israel has launched airstrikes on Hezbollah in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/lebanon\/t-19131661\">Lebanon<\/a>, which has also prompted evacuations of the civilian population.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Israel threatens to 'take territory' in Lebanon\" class=\"headline\">Israel threatens to &#8216;take territory&#8217; in Lebanon<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76336551\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76336551\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76331978_605.webp\" data-duration=\"02:37\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260312_QLebanon16D_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<p><a rel=\"noopener follow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rescue.org\/article\/lebanon-crisis-what-happening-and-how-help\" title=\"External link \u2014 According to the International Rescue Committee\">According to the International Rescue Committee<\/a>, more than 4.1 million people or 70% of Lebanon&#8217;s population were in need of\u00a0humanitarian aid before the latest fighting this month. Lebanon in recent years has faced economic collapse with approximately 80% of the population living in poverty, &#8220;lacking reliable access to healthcare, electricity and education.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Lebanon said Monday that over 1 million people have been displaced amid the most recent war.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AVIh<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76385326\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891#post-liveblog-post-76385326\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Trump says some allies lack enthusiasm for Hormuz mission<\/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\/16\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 16, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Trump says some allies lack enthusiasm for Hormuz mission<\/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>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>\u00a0also gave an address while his German counterpart Merz was speaking in Berlin.<\/p>\n<p>Trump reiterated his call for other nations to help ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open, and he appeared to criticize countries he said were reluctant to contribute support.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Some are very enthusiastic about it, and some aren&#8217;t,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Several US allies, including Germany, said Monday they have no immediate plans to send ships.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The level of enthusiasm matters to me,&#8221; Trump said.<\/p>\n<p>He did not mention NATO directly but said the reluctance from some countries comes despite years of US military support for their security. He added that he has been a critic of those countries because &#8220;they won&#8217;t be there for us.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AVJO<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76384863\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891#post-liveblog-post-76384863\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Germany&#8217;s Merz on military role in Iran war: &#8216;We will not do it&#8217;  <\/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\/16\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 16, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Germany&#8217;s Merz on military role in Iran war: &#8216;We will not do it&#8217;  <\/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=\"76384862\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76384862_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) and Netherlands' Prime Minister Rob Jetten address the media after a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, on March 16, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (right in photo) is growing more critical of the US-Israeli war against Iran as it continues. <small class=\"copyright\">Image: Tobias Schwarz\/AFP<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/friedrich-merz\/t-60575802\">German Chancellor Friedrich Merz<\/a>\u00a0has firmly rejected a military role for Germany in the Iran war and in securing the Strait of Hormuz.\u00a0He made the comments alongside Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten who he was hosting in Berlin.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The US and Israel did not consult us before this\u00a0war. There has never been a joint decision regarding Iran,&#8221; Merz said. He noted that Germany lacks a required mandate from the UN, the EU, NATO and the German constitution to participate.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In regards to Germany helping out militarily, Merz said &#8220;we will not do it.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Trump earlier suggested that NATO faces a &#8220;very bad future&#8221; if member countries do not step up and secure the Strait of Hormuz. Merz said NATO is not an alliance meant for military intervention but for defense.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AVBv<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76383461\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891#post-liveblog-post-76383461\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Iran FM: Over 200 children killed in &#8216;Israel-US bombings&#8217; <\/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\/16\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 16, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Iran FM: Over 200 children killed in &#8216;Israel-US bombings&#8217; <\/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, in a post on X, said that &#8220;hundreds of Iranian civilians have been killed in Israel-US bombings, including over 200 children.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Reports claim that neighboring states which host US forces and permit attacks on <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a> are also actively encouraging this slaughter,&#8221; Araghchi said without substantiating. &#8220;Stances should be promptly clarified.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The US is accused of attacking a girls school in Minab, in southern Iran\u00a0on February 28, killing over 100 children. Rights watchdog Amnesty International said Monday that its analysis shows that a US-manufactured Tomahawk missile hit the school, with the US being the only party in the current conflict to be using Tomahawks.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The US has launched a probe into the Minab strike. Amnesty said those &#8220;responsible for planning and executing&#8221; the strike &#8220;must be held accountable.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Evidence points to US role in deadly Iran school attack\" class=\"headline\">Evidence points to US role in deadly Iran school attack<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76331098\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76331098\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76209722_605.webp\" data-duration=\"08:47\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260312_FSSchool_,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\/5AUpJ<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76383302\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891#post-liveblog-post-76383302\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section IEA may release more oil stocks &#8216;as and if needed&#8217; <\/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\/16\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 16, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">IEA may release more oil stocks &#8216;as and if needed&#8217; <\/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>Fatih Birol, the executive director of the Paris-based International Energy Agency, said the 32-member organization could release more oil stocks &#8220;as and if needed.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It comes after the IEA announced on Sunday it would release 400 million barrels of oil, the largest release since the organization was founded in 1974. That measure was taken to shore up oil markets as prices per barrel jumped above $100 (\u20ac87).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Despite this huge release, we still have a lot of\u00a0stocks left. This current stock release, once it is completed, will reduce the emergency stocks in IEA countries only by around 20%,&#8221; Birol said. He said there are still 1.4 billion barrels left in IEA members&#8217; emergency oil stocks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The single most important thing for a return to stable flows of oil and gas is the resumption of transit through the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>,&#8221; Birol added.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AUmk<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76382405\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891#post-liveblog-post-76382405\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section WHO tells Reuters that 6 hospitals evacuated amid US-Israeli war with 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\/16\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 16, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">WHO tells Reuters that 6 hospitals evacuated amid US-Israeli war with 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>Hanan Balkhy, the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/world-health-organization-who\/t-38396203\">World Health Organization&#8217;s<\/a> Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, told Reuters news agency that six hospitals have been evacuated amid the US-Israeli military operation against Iran. The WHO has an office in Tehran\u00a0and is assisting Iranian health authorities amid the conflict.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The agency has verified 18 attacks on healthcare facilities and the killing of eight medics.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, Balkhy said the &#8220;primary health and the health infrastructure of Iran is quite good and robust, and they&#8217;re able to accommodate the casualties as of now.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76273894\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76273894_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"This video grab taken from UGC images posted on social media on March 7 and 8, 2026 shows fire erupting at an oil depot in Iran's capital Tehran\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The WHO is warning that US-Israeli attacks on energy infrastructure such as oil depots are causing further health challenges for Iranians <small class=\"copyright\">Image: UGC\/AFP<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Balkhy noted that black rain from damaged oil facilities could cause more respiratory infections in Iran, creating an additional challenge for health authorities. Israel and the US have\u00a0hit oil facilities near Tehran and other parts of the country, triggering environmental and health risks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Iran&#8217;s Ambassador to the UN, Ali Bahreini, also said that over 1,300 people have been killed since the war began on February 28, with over 7,000 people wounded.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hospitals and healthcare facilities are protected by international humanitarian law and may not be attacked or obstructed even during war.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AUYH<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76381848\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891#post-liveblog-post-76381848\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section US stocks jump after open as oil prices show decrease<\/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\/16\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 16, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">US stocks jump after open as oil prices show decrease<\/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>US stocks jumped after market open\u00a0on Monday at 9:30 a.m. EST (1330 GMT).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The US Dow Jones Index had surged over\u00a0500 points as of 10:20 a.m. EST with the S&amp;P 500 jumping 1.32%.<\/p>\n<p>The increase comes as the WTI oil price dropped over\u00a0$5 (around 5.3%) at that time, with Brent Crude also showing a drop of\u00a02.85%.<\/p>\n<p>The fall in oil prices also comes after US Treasury Secretary Bessent said earlier that the US is allowing Iranian oil tankers to move through the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Iran war: Who benefits from the oil price shock?\" class=\"headline\">Iran war: Who benefits from the oil price shock?<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76317880\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76317880\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76331811_605.webp\" data-duration=\"26:04\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/que\/que20260312_GesamtHd_,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\/5AUPI<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76381487\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891#post-liveblog-post-76381487\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Trump-Xi summit in China might be postponed due to Iran war, White House says<\/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\/16\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 16, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Trump-Xi summit in China might be postponed due to Iran war, White House says<\/h2>\n<div class=\"a9wq4ao author-details\"><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<p>White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told US broadcaster Fox News that a summit between <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> and Chinese leader <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/xi-jinping\/t-17449321\">Xi Jinping<\/a> could be delayed due to the Iran war.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Trump was originally expected to visit China from March 31 to April 2, with tariffs and possibly the issue of <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/taiwan\/t-66708568\">Taiwan<\/a> on the agenda.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s quite possible the meeting could be delayed,&#8221; Leavitt said.\u00a0She said she believed the meeting was not in jeopardy but added\u00a0&#8220;it&#8217;s really just a matter of timing.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Trump had suggested on Sunday that the meeting could be delayed to force China into making Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz to tankers.<\/p>\n<p>Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, meanwhile, seemed to walk back Trump&#8217;s remarks during a Monday\u00a0interview with CNBC.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If the meetings are delayed, it wouldn&#8217;t be delayed because the president demanded that China police the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>,&#8221; Bessent said. &#8220;If the meeting, for some reason, is rescheduled, it would be rescheduled because of logistics.&#8221;\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 What is China's NPC  and why does it matter?\" class=\"headline\">What is China&#8217;s NPC  and why does it matter?<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76237676\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76237676\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76230761_605.webp\" data-duration=\"14:18\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260305_ChinasNewPriorities_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;It would be a decision the president made as commander in chief to stay in the White House or to stay in the United States while this war is being prosecuted,&#8221; Bessent said, in comments suggesting that the war could still be happening by the end of this month.<\/p>\n<p>Bessent\u00a0and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are meeting Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and other officials in Paris to discuss trade and to pave the way for the Trump-Xi summit. Bessent said Monday that those talks were &#8220;constructive.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5AUJT<\/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>The EU&#8217;s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said &#8216;this is not Europe&#8217;s war&#8217;<\/li>\n<li>Germany&#8217;s Merz has said &#8216;we will not do it&#8217; in reference to military support for the war against Iran<\/li>\n<li>The US has said it is allowing Iranian oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz<\/li>\n<li>Donald Trump demanded seven countries join a coalition to ensure safe passage of tankers through Strait of Hormuz\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Trump told<em> Financial Times<\/em> that there will be a &#8216;very bad&#8217;\u00a0future for NATO if allies don&#8217;t help reopen Hormuz as he steps up calls to secure vital shipping channel<\/li>\n<li>China&#8217;s Foreign Ministry sidestepped a request for comment on Trump&#8217;s call for military support<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Here is a roundup of the main developments from the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US-Israeli war with Iran<\/a> on Monday, March 16:<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Here is a roundup of the main developments from the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US-Israeli war with Iran<\/a> on Monday, March 16:<\/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<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"73742299\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/73742299_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Iranian cameramen capture videos of an office building of the Evin prison, which is destroyed in Israeli strikes in northern Tehran, Iran, on July 1, 2025\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Numerous political prisoners have been held in the notorious prison<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Morteza Nikoubazl\/NurPhoto\/IMAGO<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Israel&#8217;s strike on Tehran&#8217;s Evin Prison last year amounted to a war crime, according to UN human rights experts reporting to the Human Rights Council in Geneva.<\/p>\n<p>They say the June 2025 airstrikes, which killed around 80 people, targeted a civilian facility rather than a military site.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We found reasonable grounds to believe that, in carrying out the airstrikes on Evin prison, Israel committed the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against a civilian object&#8230;,&#8221; Sara Hossain, chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, told the council.<\/p>\n<p>The experts based their conclusion on interviews with victims and witnesses, satellite imagery and other documents presented to the council.<\/p>\n<p>Israel did not immediately react to the experts&#8217; assessment.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hossain also accused Iranian authorities of committing crimes against humanity, citing murder, torture, arbitrary detention, sexual violence and the systematic persecution of women.<\/p>\n<p>She warned of further risks of repression due to the current US-Israel war in Iran.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Iranian people are caught between a large-scale military campaign by two countries, the US and Israel, and ongoing repression by their own government in Iran,&#8221; she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Israel&#8217;s strike on Tehran&#8217;s Evin Prison last year amounted to a war crime, according to UN human rights experts reporting to the Human Rights Council in Geneva.<\/p>\n<p>They say the June 2025 airstrikes, which killed around 80 people, targeted a civilian facility rather than a military site.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We found reasonable grounds to believe that, in carrying out the airstrikes on Evin prison, Israel committed the war crime of intentionally directing attacks against a civilian object&#8230;,&#8221; Sara Hossain, chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, told the council.<\/p>\n<p>The experts based their conclusion on interviews with victims and witnesses, satellite imagery and other documents presented to the council.<\/p>\n<p>Israel did not immediately react to the experts&#8217; assessment.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hossain also accused Iranian authorities of committing crimes against humanity, citing murder, torture, arbitrary detention, sexual violence and the systematic persecution of women.<\/p>\n<p>She warned of further risks of repression due to the current US-Israel war in Iran.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The Iranian people are caught between a large-scale military campaign by two countries, the US and Israel, and ongoing repression by their own government in Iran,&#8221; she said.<\/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>Over 800,000 people have reportedly been displaced in Lebanon as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies.<\/p>\n<p>Some fear this is only the start. DW met families living on the streets and in makeshift shelters.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 'Nowhere feels safe': Beirut hit by new Israeli airstrikes\" class=\"headline\">&#8216;Nowhere feels safe&#8217;: Beirut hit by new Israeli airstrikes<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76383948\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76383948\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76383706_605.webp\" data-duration=\"06:22\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260316_beirut_,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>Over 800,000 people have reportedly been displaced in Lebanon as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah intensifies.<\/p>\n<p>Some fear this is only the start. DW met families living on the streets and in makeshift shelters.<\/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>President Donald Trump said he believes Tehran wants to negotiate an end to the US-Israeli war with Iran but it remains unclear who is actually in charge.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t know who their leader is. We have people wanting to negotiate. We have no idea who they are,&#8221; Trump told reporters during a White House event.<\/p>\n<p>He said intermediaries have approached Washington without clear authority.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the early strikes of the war.<\/p>\n<p>His son, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-mojtaba-khamenei-ali-khamenei-us-israel-irgc\/a-76271184\">Mojtaba Khamenei, was named his successor<\/a>, but he has not appeared in public.<\/p>\n<p>US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week the new leader may have been wounded, and Trump repeated unconfirmed reports that he is severely injured or possibly dead.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>President Donald Trump said he believes Tehran wants to negotiate an end to the US-Israeli war with Iran but it remains unclear who is actually in charge.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t know who their leader is. We have people wanting to negotiate. We have no idea who they are,&#8221; Trump told reporters during a White House event.<\/p>\n<p>He said intermediaries have approached Washington without clear authority.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the early strikes of the war.<\/p>\n<p>His son, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-mojtaba-khamenei-ali-khamenei-us-israel-irgc\/a-76271184\">Mojtaba Khamenei, was named his successor<\/a>, but he has not appeared in public.<\/p>\n<p>US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last week the new leader may have been wounded, and Trump repeated unconfirmed reports that he is severely injured or possibly dead.<\/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>Far from the battlefield, gas shortages are causing long queues and mounting frustration as people line up with empty LPG cylinders in New Delhi.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 India faces mounting LPG shortages as Iran war drags on\" class=\"headline\">India faces mounting LPG shortages as Iran war drags on<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76381605\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76381605\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76327021_605.webp\" data-duration=\"03:44\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260316_IndiaInsertsN_,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>Far from the battlefield, gas shortages are causing long queues and mounting frustration as people line up with empty LPG cylinders in New Delhi.\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<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76363240\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76363240_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Commercial vessels are pictured offshore in Dubai on March 11, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">As Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz, it has plunged the global economy into crisis<small class=\"copyright\">Image: AFP\/Getty Images<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>US President Donald Trump&#8217;s demand for European allies to help secure the passage of oil and gas tankers through the Strait of Hormuz was a major talking point at today&#8217;s meeting of European Union foreign affairs ministers in Brussels.<\/p>\n<p>But Europeans are generally unwilling to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<p>Read <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-wants-help-to-guard-strait-of-hormuz-but-eu-is-not-keen\/a-76380348\">DW&#8217;s full report on the rising tensions between the US and EU over the war in Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>US President Donald Trump&#8217;s demand for European allies to help secure the passage of oil and gas tankers through the Strait of Hormuz was a major talking point at today&#8217;s meeting of European Union foreign affairs ministers in Brussels.<\/p>\n<p>But Europeans are generally unwilling to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<p>Read <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-wants-help-to-guard-strait-of-hormuz-but-eu-is-not-keen\/a-76380348\">DW&#8217;s full report on the rising tensions between the US and EU over the war in Iran<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76375261\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76375261_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Kaja Kallas , high Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission arrives for a meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council at the Europa building in Brussels, Belgium, Monday, 16.03.2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Kallas has made efforts to keep Europe focused on the war in Ukraine<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Wiktor Dabkowski\/ZUMA\/IMAGO<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US-Israel war with Iran<\/a> is &#8220;not Europe&#8217;s war.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Kallas said there is a &#8220;clear wish&#8221; from EU foreign ministers in Brussels to strengthen the EU Aspides naval mission in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>The Aspides mission was launched in 2024 after the Iran-backed Houthis group in Yemen began attacking ships\u00a0in the Red Sea.<\/p>\n<p>However, Kallas said there was no interest from ministers in Brussels &#8220;in changing the mandate of the operation&#8221; such as expanding it to the Strait of Hormuz.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She also said that Russia &#8220;stands to gain from higher energy prices and diversion of air defense from Ukraine to the Middle East.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US-Israel war with Iran<\/a> is &#8220;not Europe&#8217;s war.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Kallas said there is a &#8220;clear wish&#8221; from EU foreign ministers in Brussels to strengthen the EU Aspides naval mission in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>The Aspides mission was launched in 2024 after the Iran-backed Houthis group in Yemen began attacking ships\u00a0in the Red Sea.<\/p>\n<p>However, Kallas said there was no interest from ministers in Brussels &#8220;in changing the mandate of the operation&#8221; such as expanding it to the Strait of Hormuz.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>She also said that Russia &#8220;stands to gain from higher energy prices and diversion of air defense from Ukraine to the Middle East.&#8221;\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=\"76385408\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76385408_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"President Donald Trump speaks during a board meeting of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Trump says he&#8217;s asked roughly a half-dozen other countries to send warships to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Alex Brandon\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>President Donald Trump lashed out at <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nato\/t-19016346\">NATO<\/a> allies, criticizing what he said was their reluctance to help the US secure the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They should be jumping to help us,&#8221; he said in response to a reporter&#8217;s question, asking, &#8220;Why are we protecting countries when they do not protect us?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In his prepared remarks, Trump again urged countries to send ships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, though he avoided naming allies that were unwilling to take part.<\/p>\n<p>When he later took questions from journalists, he sharpened his criticism, saying some NATO allies are lukewarm to the idea.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t need anybody,&#8221; he said, despite earlier saying, &#8220;We want them to come and help of us with the strait.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Trump said he made the request because he &#8220;wanted to see how they [allies] will react.&#8221; He added that &#8220;We have been protecting these countries for years with NATO, because NATO is US.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Trump said he had talked with French President Emmanuel Macron about it and his response had been &#8220;an eight, not perfect.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think he&#8217;s going to help,&#8221; Trump said<\/p>\n<p>He also again slammed the United Kingdom for refusing to join the war against Iran, saying, &#8220;We worked with them in Ukraine, we don&#8217;t need to work with them.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>President Donald Trump lashed out at <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/nato\/t-19016346\">NATO<\/a> allies, criticizing what he said was their reluctance to help the US secure the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;They should be jumping to help us,&#8221; he said in response to a reporter&#8217;s question, asking, &#8220;Why are we protecting countries when they do not protect us?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In his prepared remarks, Trump again urged countries to send ships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, though he avoided naming allies that were unwilling to take part.<\/p>\n<p>When he later took questions from journalists, he sharpened his criticism, saying some NATO allies are lukewarm to the idea.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t need anybody,&#8221; he said, despite earlier saying, &#8220;We want them to come and help of us with the strait.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Trump said he made the request because he &#8220;wanted to see how they [allies] will react.&#8221; He added that &#8220;We have been protecting these countries for years with NATO, because NATO is US.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Trump said he had talked with French President Emmanuel Macron about it and his response had been &#8220;an eight, not perfect.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think he&#8217;s going to help,&#8221; Trump said<\/p>\n<p>He also again slammed the United Kingdom for refusing to join the war against Iran, saying, &#8220;We worked with them in Ukraine, we don&#8217;t need to work with them.&#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>Merz also criticized an Israeli decision to launch a ground operation in southern Lebanon against Iran-backed\u00a0group <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/hezbollah\/t-41508807\">Hezbollah<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We urgently call on our Israeli friends: Do not take this path\u00a0\u2014\u00a0it would be an error,&#8221; Merz said. The Israeli military said earlier on Monday it began &#8220;limited and targeted ground operations&#8221; in southern Lebanon.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Merz believes the Israeli operation would &#8220;further exacerbate the already highly tense humanitarian situation&#8221; in Lebanon.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hezbollah, which is deemed a terror group by Israel, Germany and several other countries, attacked Israel earlier in the war following the Israeli assassination of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei. In response, Israel has launched airstrikes on Hezbollah in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/lebanon\/t-19131661\">Lebanon<\/a>, which has also prompted evacuations of the civilian population.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Israel threatens to 'take territory' in Lebanon\" class=\"headline\">Israel threatens to &#8216;take territory&#8217; in Lebanon<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76336551\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76336551\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76331978_605.webp\" data-duration=\"02:37\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260312_QLebanon16D_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<p><a rel=\"noopener follow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rescue.org\/article\/lebanon-crisis-what-happening-and-how-help\" title=\"External link \u2014 According to the International Rescue Committee\">According to the International Rescue Committee<\/a>, more than 4.1 million people or 70% of Lebanon&#8217;s population were in need of\u00a0humanitarian aid before the latest fighting this month. Lebanon in recent years has faced economic collapse with approximately 80% of the population living in poverty, &#8220;lacking reliable access to healthcare, electricity and education.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Lebanon said Monday that over 1 million people have been displaced amid the most recent war.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Merz also criticized an Israeli decision to launch a ground operation in southern Lebanon against Iran-backed\u00a0group <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/hezbollah\/t-41508807\">Hezbollah<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We urgently call on our Israeli friends: Do not take this path\u00a0\u2014\u00a0it would be an error,&#8221; Merz said. The Israeli military said earlier on Monday it began &#8220;limited and targeted ground operations&#8221; in southern Lebanon.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Merz believes the Israeli operation would &#8220;further exacerbate the already highly tense humanitarian situation&#8221; in Lebanon.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hezbollah, which is deemed a terror group by Israel, Germany and several other countries, attacked Israel earlier in the war following the Israeli assassination of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei. In response, Israel has launched airstrikes on Hezbollah in <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/lebanon\/t-19131661\">Lebanon<\/a>, which has also prompted evacuations of the civilian population.<\/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<p><a rel=\"noopener follow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"external-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rescue.org\/article\/lebanon-crisis-what-happening-and-how-help\" title=\"External link \u2014 According to the International Rescue Committee\">According to the International Rescue Committee<\/a>, more than 4.1 million people or 70% of Lebanon&#8217;s population were in need of\u00a0humanitarian aid before the latest fighting this month. Lebanon in recent years has faced economic collapse with approximately 80% of the population living in poverty, &#8220;lacking reliable access to healthcare, electricity and education.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Lebanon said Monday that over 1 million people have been displaced amid the most recent war.\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>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>\u00a0also gave an address while his German counterpart Merz was speaking in Berlin.<\/p>\n<p>Trump reiterated his call for other nations to help ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open, and he appeared to criticize countries he said were reluctant to contribute support.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Some are very enthusiastic about it, and some aren&#8217;t,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Several US allies, including Germany, said Monday they have no immediate plans to send ships.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The level of enthusiasm matters to me,&#8221; Trump said.<\/p>\n<p>He did not mention NATO directly but said the reluctance from some countries comes despite years of US military support for their security. He added that he has been a critic of those countries because &#8220;they won&#8217;t be there for us.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>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>\u00a0also gave an address while his German counterpart Merz was speaking in Berlin.<\/p>\n<p>Trump reiterated his call for other nations to help ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open, and he appeared to criticize countries he said were reluctant to contribute support.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Some are very enthusiastic about it, and some aren&#8217;t,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Several US allies, including Germany, said Monday they have no immediate plans to send ships.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The level of enthusiasm matters to me,&#8221; Trump said.<\/p>\n<p>He did not mention NATO directly but said the reluctance from some countries comes despite years of US military support for their security. He added that he has been a critic of those countries because &#8220;they won&#8217;t be there for us.&#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<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76384862\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76384862_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (R) and Netherlands' Prime Minister Rob Jetten address the media after a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, on March 16, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (right in photo) is growing more critical of the US-Israeli war against Iran as it continues. <small class=\"copyright\">Image: Tobias Schwarz\/AFP<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/friedrich-merz\/t-60575802\">German Chancellor Friedrich Merz<\/a>\u00a0has firmly rejected a military role for Germany in the Iran war and in securing the Strait of Hormuz.\u00a0He made the comments alongside Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten who he was hosting in Berlin.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The US and Israel did not consult us before this\u00a0war. There has never been a joint decision regarding Iran,&#8221; Merz said. He noted that Germany lacks a required mandate from the UN, the EU, NATO and the German constitution to participate.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In regards to Germany helping out militarily, Merz said &#8220;we will not do it.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Trump earlier suggested that NATO faces a &#8220;very bad future&#8221; if member countries do not step up and secure the Strait of Hormuz. Merz said NATO is not an alliance meant for military intervention but for defense.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/friedrich-merz\/t-60575802\">German Chancellor Friedrich Merz<\/a>\u00a0has firmly rejected a military role for Germany in the Iran war and in securing the Strait of Hormuz.\u00a0He made the comments alongside Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten who he was hosting in Berlin.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The US and Israel did not consult us before this\u00a0war. There has never been a joint decision regarding Iran,&#8221; Merz said. He noted that Germany lacks a required mandate from the UN, the EU, NATO and the German constitution to participate.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In regards to Germany helping out militarily, Merz said &#8220;we will not do it.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Trump earlier suggested that NATO faces a &#8220;very bad future&#8221; if member countries do not step up and secure the Strait of Hormuz. Merz said NATO is not an alliance meant for military intervention but for defense.\u00a0\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>Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a post on X, said that &#8220;hundreds of Iranian civilians have been killed in Israel-US bombings, including over 200 children.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Reports claim that neighboring states which host US forces and permit attacks on <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a> are also actively encouraging this slaughter,&#8221; Araghchi said without substantiating. &#8220;Stances should be promptly clarified.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The US is accused of attacking a girls school in Minab, in southern Iran\u00a0on February 28, killing over 100 children. Rights watchdog Amnesty International said Monday that its analysis shows that a US-manufactured Tomahawk missile hit the school, with the US being the only party in the current conflict to be using Tomahawks.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The US has launched a probe into the Minab strike. Amnesty said those &#8220;responsible for planning and executing&#8221; the strike &#8220;must be held accountable.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Evidence points to US role in deadly Iran school attack\" class=\"headline\">Evidence points to US role in deadly Iran school attack<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76331098\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76331098\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76209722_605.webp\" data-duration=\"08:47\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260312_FSSchool_,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>Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a post on X, said that &#8220;hundreds of Iranian civilians have been killed in Israel-US bombings, including over 200 children.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Reports claim that neighboring states which host US forces and permit attacks on <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a> are also actively encouraging this slaughter,&#8221; Araghchi said without substantiating. &#8220;Stances should be promptly clarified.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The US is accused of attacking a girls school in Minab, in southern Iran\u00a0on February 28, killing over 100 children. Rights watchdog Amnesty International said Monday that its analysis shows that a US-manufactured Tomahawk missile hit the school, with the US being the only party in the current conflict to be using Tomahawks.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The US has launched a probe into the Minab strike. Amnesty said those &#8220;responsible for planning and executing&#8221; the strike &#8220;must be held accountable.&#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>Fatih Birol, the executive director of the Paris-based International Energy Agency, said the 32-member organization could release more oil stocks &#8220;as and if needed.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It comes after the IEA announced on Sunday it would release 400 million barrels of oil, the largest release since the organization was founded in 1974. That measure was taken to shore up oil markets as prices per barrel jumped above $100 (\u20ac87).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Despite this huge release, we still have a lot of\u00a0stocks left. This current stock release, once it is completed, will reduce the emergency stocks in IEA countries only by around 20%,&#8221; Birol said. He said there are still 1.4 billion barrels left in IEA members&#8217; emergency oil stocks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The single most important thing for a return to stable flows of oil and gas is the resumption of transit through the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>,&#8221; Birol added.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Fatih Birol, the executive director of the Paris-based International Energy Agency, said the 32-member organization could release more oil stocks &#8220;as and if needed.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It comes after the IEA announced on Sunday it would release 400 million barrels of oil, the largest release since the organization was founded in 1974. That measure was taken to shore up oil markets as prices per barrel jumped above $100 (\u20ac87).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Despite this huge release, we still have a lot of\u00a0stocks left. This current stock release, once it is completed, will reduce the emergency stocks in IEA countries only by around 20%,&#8221; Birol said. He said there are still 1.4 billion barrels left in IEA members&#8217; emergency oil stocks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The single most important thing for a return to stable flows of oil and gas is the resumption of transit through the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>,&#8221; Birol added.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Hanan Balkhy, the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/world-health-organization-who\/t-38396203\">World Health Organization&#8217;s<\/a> Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, told Reuters news agency that six hospitals have been evacuated amid the US-Israeli military operation against Iran. The WHO has an office in Tehran\u00a0and is assisting Iranian health authorities amid the conflict.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The agency has verified 18 attacks on healthcare facilities and the killing of eight medics.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, Balkhy said the &#8220;primary health and the health infrastructure of Iran is quite good and robust, and they&#8217;re able to accommodate the casualties as of now.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76273894\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76273894_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"This video grab taken from UGC images posted on social media on March 7 and 8, 2026 shows fire erupting at an oil depot in Iran's capital Tehran\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The WHO is warning that US-Israeli attacks on energy infrastructure such as oil depots are causing further health challenges for Iranians <small class=\"copyright\">Image: UGC\/AFP<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Balkhy noted that black rain from damaged oil facilities could cause more respiratory infections in Iran, creating an additional challenge for health authorities. Israel and the US have\u00a0hit oil facilities near Tehran and other parts of the country, triggering environmental and health risks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Iran&#8217;s Ambassador to the UN, Ali Bahreini, also said that over 1,300 people have been killed since the war began on February 28, with over 7,000 people wounded.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hospitals and healthcare facilities are protected by international humanitarian law and may not be attacked or obstructed even during war.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Hanan Balkhy, the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/world-health-organization-who\/t-38396203\">World Health Organization&#8217;s<\/a> Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, told Reuters news agency that six hospitals have been evacuated amid the US-Israeli military operation against Iran. The WHO has an office in Tehran\u00a0and is assisting Iranian health authorities amid the conflict.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The agency has verified 18 attacks on healthcare facilities and the killing of eight medics.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, Balkhy said the &#8220;primary health and the health infrastructure of Iran is quite good and robust, and they&#8217;re able to accommodate the casualties as of now.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Balkhy noted that black rain from damaged oil facilities could cause more respiratory infections in Iran, creating an additional challenge for health authorities. Israel and the US have\u00a0hit oil facilities near Tehran and other parts of the country, triggering environmental and health risks.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Iran&#8217;s Ambassador to the UN, Ali Bahreini, also said that over 1,300 people have been killed since the war began on February 28, with over 7,000 people wounded.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Hospitals and healthcare facilities are protected by international humanitarian law and may not be attacked or obstructed even during 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<p>US stocks jumped after market open\u00a0on Monday at 9:30 a.m. EST (1330 GMT).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The US Dow Jones Index had surged over\u00a0500 points as of 10:20 a.m. EST with the S&amp;P 500 jumping 1.32%.<\/p>\n<p>The increase comes as the WTI oil price dropped over\u00a0$5 (around 5.3%) at that time, with Brent Crude also showing a drop of\u00a02.85%.<\/p>\n<p>The fall in oil prices also comes after US Treasury Secretary Bessent said earlier that the US is allowing Iranian oil tankers to move through the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Iran war: Who benefits from the oil price shock?\" class=\"headline\">Iran war: Who benefits from the oil price shock?<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76317880\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76317880\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76331811_605.webp\" data-duration=\"26:04\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/que\/que20260312_GesamtHd_,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>US stocks jumped after market open\u00a0on Monday at 9:30 a.m. EST (1330 GMT).\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The US Dow Jones Index had surged over\u00a0500 points as of 10:20 a.m. EST with the S&amp;P 500 jumping 1.32%.<\/p>\n<p>The increase comes as the WTI oil price dropped over\u00a0$5 (around 5.3%) at that time, with Brent Crude also showing a drop of\u00a02.85%.<\/p>\n<p>The fall in oil prices also comes after US Treasury Secretary Bessent said earlier that the US is allowing Iranian oil tankers to move through the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>.\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>White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told US broadcaster Fox News that a summit between <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> and Chinese leader <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/xi-jinping\/t-17449321\">Xi Jinping<\/a> could be delayed due to the Iran war.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Trump was originally expected to visit China from March 31 to April 2, with tariffs and possibly the issue of <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/taiwan\/t-66708568\">Taiwan<\/a> on the agenda.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s quite possible the meeting could be delayed,&#8221; Leavitt said.\u00a0She said she believed the meeting was not in jeopardy but added\u00a0&#8220;it&#8217;s really just a matter of timing.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Trump had suggested on Sunday that the meeting could be delayed to force China into making Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz to tankers.<\/p>\n<p>Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, meanwhile, seemed to walk back Trump&#8217;s remarks during a Monday\u00a0interview with CNBC.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If the meetings are delayed, it wouldn&#8217;t be delayed because the president demanded that China police the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>,&#8221; Bessent said. &#8220;If the meeting, for some reason, is rescheduled, it would be rescheduled because of logistics.&#8221;\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 What is China's NPC  and why does it matter?\" class=\"headline\">What is China&#8217;s NPC  and why does it matter?<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76237676\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76237676\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76230761_605.webp\" data-duration=\"14:18\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260305_ChinasNewPriorities_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;It would be a decision the president made as commander in chief to stay in the White House or to stay in the United States while this war is being prosecuted,&#8221; Bessent said, in comments suggesting that the war could still be happening by the end of this month.<\/p>\n<p>Bessent\u00a0and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are meeting Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and other officials in Paris to discuss trade and to pave the way for the Trump-Xi summit. Bessent said Monday that those talks were &#8220;constructive.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told US broadcaster Fox News that a summit between <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> and Chinese leader <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/xi-jinping\/t-17449321\">Xi Jinping<\/a> could be delayed due to the Iran war.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Trump was originally expected to visit China from March 31 to April 2, with tariffs and possibly the issue of <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/taiwan\/t-66708568\">Taiwan<\/a> on the agenda.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s quite possible the meeting could be delayed,&#8221; Leavitt said.\u00a0She said she believed the meeting was not in jeopardy but added\u00a0&#8220;it&#8217;s really just a matter of timing.&#8221;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Trump had suggested on Sunday that the meeting could be delayed to force China into making Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz to tankers.<\/p>\n<p>Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, meanwhile, seemed to walk back Trump&#8217;s remarks during a Monday\u00a0interview with CNBC.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If the meetings are delayed, it wouldn&#8217;t be delayed because the president demanded that China police the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/strait-of-hormuz\/t-76193780\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>,&#8221; Bessent said. &#8220;If the meeting, for some reason, is rescheduled, it would be rescheduled because of logistics.&#8221;\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<p>&#8220;It would be a decision the president made as commander in chief to stay in the White House or to stay in the United States while this war is being prosecuted,&#8221; Bessent said, in comments suggesting that the war could still be happening by the end of this month.<\/p>\n<p>Bessent\u00a0and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are meeting Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and other officials in Paris to discuss trade and to pave the way for the Trump-Xi summit. Bessent said Monday that those talks were &#8220;constructive.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germany-firmly-against-military-role-in-conflict\/live-76369891&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76381560_6.jpg&#8221;] https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/5ARIR The war in Iran has had destabilizing impacts on the global economy, with no end to the conflict in sightImage: Majid Asgaripour\/WANA\/REUTERS Skip next section What you need to know What you need to know The EU&#8217;s top diplomat Kaja Kallas said &#8216;this is not Europe&#8217;s war&#8217; Germany&#8217;s Merz has 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-1829691","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\/1829691","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=1829691"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1829691\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1829691"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1829691"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1829691"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}