UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia engage Iranian attacks on day 39 of war

Saudi Arabia intercepts 7 missiles; debris fall near power facilities

The Ministry of Defence of Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday that defence forces intercepted and destroyed seven ballistic missiles, and that the debris had fallen near power facilities.

It added that authorities were assessing the damage.

Israel, Iran trade blows on Tuesday morning

Israel's military announced a "wave" of air strikes on Iran on Tuesday morning after Trump said that a truce proposal to end the US-Israeli war on Iran from international mediators was not yet enough.

"The IDF completed an air strike wave with the aim of damaging Iranian terror regime infrastructure in Tehran and additional areas across Iran," the Israeli military wrote on its official Telegram channel.

Shortly after the announcement, Israel's military said that its air defences were activated in response to missiles fired by Iran.

"The IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," the Israeli military said.

Philippines fuel prices high despite Hormuz deal

The reported guarantee by Iran of safe passage of ships bound for the Philippines through the Strait of Hormuz will not bring down fuel prices just yet, the country’s Department of Energy (DoE) admitted, as reported by KT's Raymund Villanueva.

DoE secretary Sharon Garin announced that while the Philippines secured "a safe and preferential access" to the Strait of Hormuz, Filipinos should manage their expectations and accept the likelihood of more fuel price increases while the Middle East war rages.

US-Israeli projectile flattens synagogue in Tehran: Semi-official Mehr News Agency

Reuters reported that a US-Israeli projectile has flattened a synagogue in the centre of Tehran, citing Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency.

Iran minister calls on artists, athletes to form human chains at power plants after Trump's threat

After Trump's threat yesterday that "every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding, and never to be used again," Alireza Rahimi, Iran's deputy sports minister, called on artists and athletes to form human chains at power plants across the country on Tuesday, reported Reuters.

"We will stand hand in hand to say: Attacking public infrastructure is a war crime," Rahimi said on X.

Philippines says second national killed in war

The war has claimed its second Philippine victim, Manila said Tuesday, when a missile struck the home of a Filipina living in Israel, according to AFP. 

The woman was killed in the port city of Haifa on Sunday "alongside her Israeli husband and elderly parents-in-law", the foreign affairs department said, without naming the victims.

Israeli news outlets identified the Filipina victim's given name as Lucille-Jean, saying that she and her family had been pulled from the rubble of their collapsed residence following an hours-long rescue effort.

"The Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv has informed the family and is providing all necessary assistance, including arrangements for the earliest possible repatriation of her remains despite the current travel situation in the region," the foreign affairs department said Tuesday.

Mary Ann Velasquez De Vera, a 32-year-old caregiver, became the war's first Philippine fatality on March 1 as she attempted to escort her elderly ward to an Israeli bomb shelter.

Day 39 of war begins with Iranian attacks on GCC countries

UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia all dealt with Iranian missile and drone threats this morning, as the war enters its 39th day and negotiations for a ceasefire seem uncertain.

Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed at least seven ballistic missiles that were attacking its eastern region. Residents in UAE and Bahrain were asked to stay in safe places as air defence forces engaged incoming Iranian attacks.

The war's death toll increases daily, with Philippines confirming that a Filipina in Israel was killed on Sunday,

Meanwhile, fuel prices continue to rise globally, causing countries to take measures such as rationing and postponing maintenance shutdowns to ensure supply disruption is kept to a minimum.

Stay tuned to Khaleej Times as we bring you the latest regional and global developments from the war today.