Live! Iran makes ominous threat to Netanyahu; Trump urges allies to send warships to Hormuz

An Indian-flagged crude tanker sailed out safely from the UAE's Fujairah after loading oil, despite an attack on the oil terminal, as the government on Sunday said it is closely monitoring the situation in West Asia while ensuring stable fuel supplies and maritime safety.

The vessel, Jag Laadki, carrying about 80,800 tonnes of Murban crude oil, departed Fujairah at 1030 hrs IST and is bound for India, with all crew members safe, the government said in an update on preparedness measures.

Jag Laadki is the fourth Indian-flagged vessel to have come out of the war zone unharmed.

Besides, the safe passage being an important milestone for Indian diplomacy, the cargo they are carrying is considered critical as shipping constraints in the Strait of Hormuz have impacted India's energy supplies.

"On March 14, 2026, while the Indian-flag vessel Jag Laadki was loading crude oil at the Fujairah Single Point Mooring, the Fujairah oil terminal was attacked. The vessel sailed safely from Fujairah at 1030 hrs IST today (Sunday) carrying about 80,800 tonnes of Murban crude oil and is bound for India," the update said.

LPG refill bookings have declined to about 77 lakh from 88.8 lakh earlier, indicating some easing of panic buying, even as the government said there is no shortage of petrol, diesel or cooking gas, and supplies remain stable despite the West Asia conflict.

In a daily update on the impact of the West Asia situation, the government said the share of online LPG bookings has risen to about 87 per cent from 84 per cent, attributing the increase to a campaign by oil marketing companies promoting digital booking and discouraging people from queuing up at LPG dealerships for panic purchases.

The UAE on Sunday ordered the arrest of 35 individuals, including 19 Indians, for publishing video clips on social media platforms that contained misleading and fabricated content amid regional tensions due to the Israel-US-Iran war.

The UAE’s official news agency Wam said the accused have been referred for an expedited trial. The latest list has 25 individuals of various nationalities, including 17 Indians, listed under different sections, separate from the 10 people, including two Indians, who were named and ordered to be arrested on Saturday.

According to a statement released by the Attorney-General Dr Hamad Saif Al Shams, the move follows rigorous monitoring of digital platforms to combat the spread of fabricated information and artificial content intended to incite public disorder and undermine general stability.

“Investigations and electronic monitoring revealed that the defendants were divided into three groups that committed various acts. These included the publication of real clips related to current events, the fabrication of clips using AI, and the promotion of a state practising acts of military aggression while glorifying its leadership and military actions,” it said.

Against the backdrop of spiralling hostilities between Iran and the US, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) focusing on various aspects of the evolving situation in West Asia.

Jaishankar held the phone conversations with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Saturday night.

"Discussed ongoing developments related to the conflict in West Asia," the external affairs minister said on social media on Sunday about his talks with the Saudi foreign minister.

"All examinations of class 12 scheduled from March 16 to April 10 stands cancelled in case of students from Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Exams which were earlier postponed also stand cancelled," CBSE Examination Controller Sanyam Bhardwaj said.

"The mode of declaration of results in these countries will be announced separately," he said. Earlier, the Board had announced cancellation of Class 10 exams in the region.

US President Donald Trump is facing mounting political pressure in the two weeks since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, with critics saying the conflict has dented his political standing. The war has raised concerns among the American public amid reports of US casualties, rising oil prices and falling financial markets.

Kelly Dietrich, CEO of the National Democratic Training Committee, which trains party backers to run for office and staff campaigns said the past two weeks show the Trump administration has failed at long-term planning. “They're flying by the seat of their pants, and rest of us are paying the price,” he said.

Trump has also grown increasingly frustrated with media coverage, while some of his own supporters and conservative commentators have begun questioning the administration’s strategy and its ability to bring the conflict to an end.

The political fallout comes as the US heads toward crucial midterm elections, where control of Congress is at stake. Leaders in the Democratic Party (United States) argue the economic turbulence linked to the war could weaken Trump’s support, especially as higher fuel prices affect everyday costs.

Leading figures on the right, including Tucker Carlson and Megyn Kelly, have sharply criticised Trump. Trump, though, has continued to insist that he created the MAGA movement and that it will follow him anywhere, on any issue.

The political turbulence has some Democrats predicting their party could see midterm gains rivaling 2018's “blue wave” election during Trump's first term.

“Democrats just have to keep reminding people that he made a promise to bring prices down, and they're still going up,” Democratic strategist Brad Bannon said of Trump.

Some Republicans have also warned that if energy prices remain high, it could hurt the party’s prospects in November, raising concerns within Trump’s camp about the potential electoral impact of the conflict.

Hours after US President Donald Trump urged several countries, including China, to deploy warships in the Strait of Hormuz to secure the region, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington told CNN that Beijing wants an immediate cessation of hostilities. The spokesperson said “all parties have the responsibility to ensure stable and unimpeded energy supply.”

The Chinese Embassy added, “As a sincere friend and strategic partner of Middle Eastern countries, China will continue to strengthen communication with relevant parties, including parties to the conflict, and play a constructive role for de-escalation and restoration of peace.”

The response comes amid uncertainty over a possible meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing in over two weeks.