Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever:

We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense.

In private, European leaders agree with me, but no one dares to say it out loud.

We must end the conflict in the interest of Europe, without being naïve towards Putin.

📸 Dubai.

Keir Starmer on Iran:

We will not be drawn into the wider war.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz:

The IDF has begun a ground maneuver in Lebanon in order to remove threats and protect the residents of the Galilee and the north.

Hezbollah will pay a heavy price for its aggression and its activity in the Iranian axis aimed at destroying Israel.

If Naim Qassem misses Nasrallah and Khamenei so much — he will be able to meet them soon in the depths of hell together with all those eliminated from the axis of evil.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius:

What does Trump expect a handful of European frigates to do that the powerful US Navy cannot?

This is not our war, and we did not start it.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius:

Germany will not participate with its military in securing the Strait of Hormuz.

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German Foreign Minister Wadephul:

It will be important that the United States and Israel clarify when they consider the military objectives of their operation to have been achieved.

Here we need more clarity.

German Foreign Minister Wadephul:

It is clear that the Iranian regime poses a significant danger: to its neighbors, to the entire region, to the freedom of navigation, and to global economic development.

This danger must definitely not continue to exist. On this point we are in full agreement with our partners and friends in Israel and the United States.

German Foreign Minister Wadephul:

Through the Persian Gulf, not only oil and gas are exported, but also many fertilizers.

If these transports are disrupted, this can also have effects on food prices and on food security worldwide.

German Foreign Minister Wadephul:

We also see that when the prices for oil and gas rise, this also fills Russia’s war chest.

That is why Germany and the European Union stand firmly behind the energy sanctions against Russia, and we want to further reduce Russia’s revenues with additional measures.

Now is definitely the wrong path to loosen sanctions.

North Korea held elections on Sunday for the Supreme People's Assembly, the legislature that formally approves government policies and appoints top officials.

Nearly 99.99% of eligible voters had cast ballots by 6 p.m., according to KCNA.

It appears Strait of Hormuz has been partially mined by Iran.

The Pakistani Aframax tanker Karachi transited on March 15–16 with AIS turned on, openly broadcasting its position, unusual if the area were fully mined.

Its route hugged Iranian waters, suggesting controlled or safer lanes.

Dubai’s main stock index (DFMGI) has officially entered a bear market, falling ~22–23% from its February peak (6,785) to around 5,250.

Heavy losses across banks, real estate, airlines, and tourism stocks.

WATCH: Dashcam footage shows a massive airstrike hitting a building in Hamadan, Iran, with the explosion sending shrapnel and debris toward nearby cars.

Axios:

Trump expected a quick victory in the war with Iran, but the conflict is increasingly looking like an “escalation trap.” In such situations, the stronger military keeps intensifying attacks to prove dominance even as the strategic gains get smaller.

Unlike tariffs or political disputes, war cannot be easily reversed. Iran can prolong the conflict by disrupting key oil routes like the Strait of Hormuz or continuing missile strikes, meaning the outcome is not fully in Trump’s control.

Although the U.S. and Israeli militaries currently have clear superiority, there is still no obvious way for Trump to declare a convincing victory.

Behind the scenes, some officials are experiencing “buyer’s remorse,” worrying the decision to attack Iran was a mistake and that Trump overestimated his ability to topple the regime without sending ground troops.

UK says it won’t automatically follow Trump’s demands over the Iran war and the Strait of Hormuz, calling his presidency “very transactional.”

UK Minister Pat McFadden:

Trump is “a very transactional president.”

That doesn’t mean that we will always have to support every intervention and every action that the United States chooses to take.

Source: The Guardian

🇩🇪 Germany – Explicitly refused.

🇮🇹 Italy – Part of the EU Aspides mission discussion but no commitment to Hormuz deployment.

🇮🇳 India – Not joining coalition; pursuing direct diplomacy with Iran and escorting some tankers independently.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent:

Putin would get even more money if oil spiked to $150.

Iran’s missile and drone attacks have dropped to a lower but stable level.

The US and Israel have destroyed much of its strike capability, but Iran can still launch dozens of drones and ballistic missiles, with some still hitting targets.

The UAE says its air defenses intercepted 6 ballistic missiles and 21 drones from Iran on March 16.

Since the war began:
304 ballistic missiles
15 cruise missiles
1,627 drones intercepted

Casualties:
2 UAE soldiers killed
5 civilians killed
145 people injured