International
Four Arrested in UK Over Alleged Iranian Spying on Jewish Sites
British counter-terrorism police have arrested four men suspected of spying on Jewish sites and individuals in the United Kingdom on behalf of Iran’s intelligence services.
According to the Metropolitan Police in London, the suspects; one of the Iranian national and three men with dual British-Iranian citizenship , were arrested early Friday during coordinated raids at properties in Harrow, Watford and Barnet. The arrests were carried out shortly after 1 a.m. as part of a pre-planned counter-terrorism operation.
Authorities said the men aged 22, 40, 52, and 55 are suspected of assisting a foreign intelligence service by conducting surveillance on locations and individuals linked to the Jewish community in London.
The investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing London, which described the operation as part of a long-running probe into suspected foreign interference activities in the UK.
Police confirmed that several properties were searched during the operation and that the suspects remain in custody while investigations continue. Authorities also urged the public; especially members of the Jewish community, to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
Reports indicate that six additional men were arrested separately in connection with assisting one of the suspects during the operation, although investigations into their roles are ongoing.
The arrests come amid heightened concerns in the UK about foreign intelligence operations targeting individuals, institutions, and diaspora communities. Security officials have previously warned that hostile states; including Iran, have increased espionage and influence activities within Britain.
Saudi Aramco, one of the world’s largest oil producers, has warned that global energy markets could face “catastrophic consequences” if the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains blocked amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The warning was issued by Aramco’s Chief Executive Officer, Amin Nasser, who said any prolonged disruption to shipments through the narrow waterway would severely affect global oil supplies and trigger significant volatility in energy markets.
The Strait of Hormuz is regarded as one of the most critical oil transit routes in the world, with about one-fifth of global oil consumption passing through the channel daily. A sustained blockade, analysts warn, could remove millions of barrels of crude from international markets, sending prices sharply higher and disrupting global trade.
The warning comes as tensions escalate between Iran and the United States following threats from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards to halt oil exports from the region if attacks by the U.S. and Israel continues.
Energy experts say such a move could trigger one of the most severe supply disruptions in decades, with ripple effects across industries including aviation, shipping, manufacturing, and agriculture.
Despite the growing uncertainty, Saudi Aramco said it is exploring alternative supply routes and using its infrastructure, including pipelines connecting the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea, to ensure the continued flow of oil to global markets.
However, market analysts caution that these alternatives may only partially offset the impact if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed for an extended period.
International
Iran Tightens Grip on Strait of Hormuz, Offers Conditional Passage to Europe and Arab States
Iran has announced that it may allow conditional safe passage through the strategic Strait of Hormuz for ships from certain European and Arab countries, as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East.
The offer was reportedly made by Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which said vessels belonging to countries that take specific political steps against the United States and Israel could be granted unrestricted transit through the waterway.
According to reports carried by Iranian state media, the condition includes expelling U.S. and Israeli ambassadors or distancing themselves diplomatically from the ongoing military campaign against Iran. Countries that comply could be allowed to move their ships safely through the strait despite the ongoing conflict.
The announcement comes amid a deepening regional crisis triggered by ongoing military confrontations involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The conflict has disrupted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz; one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and significant volumes of liquefied natural gas pass through the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, making it a vital artery for global energy supplies.
Shipping activity in the area has already slowed significantly as oil tankers and cargo vessels avoid the route due to security concerns. Industry sources say several shipping companies have suspended operations through the strait, raising fears of supply disruptions and sharp increases in global oil prices.
Analysts say Iran’s conditional offer appears to be a strategic attempt to exert political pressure on Western allies while maintaining economic ties with countries willing to distance themselves from Washington and Tel Aviv.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most sensitive geopolitical flashpoints in the world, and any prolonged disruption could have far-reaching consequences for global energy markets and international trade.
Madagascar’s President Michael Randrianirina has dismissed his Prime Minister and the entire cabinet, further deepening the political turbulence gripping the Indian Ocean island nation.
The move, announced on Monday, March 9, 2026, came nearly five months after Randrianirina seized power in a controversial transition of authority in October 2025 following weeks of youth‑led protests that ultimately forced out his predecessor, Andry Rajoelina.
President Randrianirina’s spokesperson, Harry Laurent Rahajason, said in an official statement that the government has “ceased its functions” and that a new prime minister will be appointed soon in accordance with constitutional procedures. No specific reason was given for the dismissal.
In the interim, secretaries‑general of each ministry have been tasked with managing day‑to‑day government operations until a successor administration is formed.
The dismissed prime minister, Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo, was appointed in October 2025 shortly after Randrianirina took over leadership of the country. His departure marks another chapter in Madagascar’s ongoing governance reshuffle during a period of heightened political uncertainty.
Political analysts say the shake‑up reflects deep divisions within Malagasy politics and ongoing efforts by Randrianirina to consolidate authority, even as calls for a clearer roadmap to elections and civilian governance persist from regional partners and international observers.