Nick Johnson
Reporting from RAF Fairford

At just under two miles, RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire - which is used by the US Air Force - has one of the longest runways in the UK.

It’s of a sufficient length to be used by some of the biggest and heaviest American bombers, including the B-52 and B-2 stealth aircraft.

The UK is also roughly halfway between the US East Coast and the Persian Gulf, making it a strategic location for American military aircraft to refuel.

Donald Trump has previously said it may be necessary to use RAF Fairford for US operations in Iran. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said British military bases would be used for defensive strikes on the country.

There are no planes on the tarmac at RAF Fairford today, but plenty of military-green refuelling trucks positioned alongside the runway.

While it’s quiet at the moment, there’s every chance that could change.

This afternoon, we're expecting to hear from both UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump.

Starmer is set to make a statement on the Middle East in the House of Commons at around 15:30 GMT.

Soon after, at around 16:00 GMT (11:00 ET), we're also expecting an update from Trump as he participates in a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House.

We'll bring you the news lines here, and you can also watch live by tapping the button at the top of the page.

New video, verified by the Reuters news agency, shows workers evacuating the state-owned Ras Tanura oil refinery in Saudi Arabia.

In the footage - which has been muted - thick plumes of smoke that appear to be billowing from multiple parts of the complex can be seen.

Earlier, the country's energy ministry put out a statement - shared by the Saudi Press Agency - saying a "limited fire" at the plant was now under control.

It also said that the refinery had sustained "minor damage" from falling debris after the interception of "two drones in the refinery's vicinity".

Dharshini David
Deputy economics editor

In a spate of breathtaking moments, the surge in oil and gas prices might appear another - not least as households around the world remain scarred by the spike in energy prices a few years ago.

What could the economics implications be? It depends on how far those prices go - and how long they remain elevated.

But the impact of the current level of those prices suggests the impact could be relatively muted.

Economists reckon that broadly, a sustained rise in oil prices of about 5% adds about 0.1% to inflation in major economies - so the current increase in crude costs would point to a rise of about 0.2% to inflation.

But then there’s gas futures to consider. They are now up more than 40% which, if sustained, may mean a considerable bump to energy bills (albeit not until the summer). Even so, we’re a long way off the peak movements we saw during the war in Ukraine

As it stands, barring a more extensive surge in energy costs, the impact on inflation could be unhelpful - but not disastrous . However, these are early days, and much could change.

Netanyahu tells reporters that the Iranian regime will "threaten all of humanity" if they are able to get nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them.

"So we set out to protect ourselves, but in so doing we protect many others," he says during his visit to Beit Shemesh.

"I want to say a special thanks to our great friend and a great leader of the world Donald Trump in joining us in this great effort to save the world."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently speaking to reporters at the site of a fatal Iranian ballistic missile strike on Sunday.

The blast, at Beit Shemesh - between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem - saw nine Israelis killed, including four teenagers.

Correction 14 April 2026: This post was amended to reflect that four teenagers, not three as originally reported, were killed in the strike at Beit Shemesh.

Ghoncheh Habibiazad
Senior reporter, BBC Persian

Iran state TV Channel Two has confirmed that Mansoureh Khojaste Bagherzadeh, wife of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has also been killed “at home”.

Iranian outlets had previously reported that Bagherzadeh was in a coma.

Previously, Iranian media had said that Khamenei’s daughter, grandchild and son-in-law have been killed.

Khamenei and his wife had six children, four sons and two daughters.

Carine Torbey
BBC Arabic correspondent, in Beirut

Earlier, we visited a school in Beirut that, since the very early hours of the morning, has turned into a shelter for the large number of displaced people who fled their houses for fear of being killed by the Israeli military campaign.

We saw people in their pyjamas; others coming with a small bag containing all they could grab as they left their houses in a rush. A few had also brought their pets along.

"I wouldn’t leave them [the pets] behind. They are souls," a woman who left her house in southern Beirut alongside her three children told me.

As we were there, news came of a new Israeli strike. A man commented: "They want to do the same thing they did in Gaza."

A lot of babies and toddlers were in the main court of the school while their parents tried to find an empty room in the building. But the place was filling up very quickly.

A lot of people were asked to check for shelter in other nearby schools.

Image source, Reuters

The United States has urged its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country immediately.

"We urge US citizens not to travel to Lebanon. If you are in the country, depart Lebanon NOW while commercial flight options remain available," the US Embassy in Beirut writes on X.

"The security situation in Lebanon is volatile and unpredictable. Airstrikes have occurred throughout the country, especially in the south, the Beqaa, and parts of Beirut."

Only a few minutes ago, our colleagues in the Lebanese capital reported hearing a large explosion in Dahieh, a stronghold of Iran-affiliated Hezbollah.

Dubai Airports say "a limited resumption" of flights will begin this evening, with a "small number of flights" from Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC).

But they tell travellers not to travel to the airports unless contacted by their airline with a confirmed departure time.

Emirates airline - based in Dubai - says "we are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority".

Meanwhile, Germany will send planes to evacuate tourists stranded in the Middle East, its foreign minister says.

They will be flown out of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Muscat, Oman, Johann Wadephul tells reporters, according to Reuters.

This morning, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government is working "immensely hard" to help people return home. She said around 100,000 British citizens have registered their presence with the UK Foreign Office.

Samantha Granville
Reporting from Beirut

Image source, Reuters

A huge explosion was just heard in Beirut.

The explosion, which was in Dahieh, a Hezbollah stronghold, was so strong it felt as though it had happened in the centre of the Lebanese capital.

Warnings were heard on loudspeakers coming from the US Embassy in Awkar instructing staff to take cover and get away from the window.

Asked by BBC if Nato forces will be involved, Mark Rutte says: "No, this is clearly a campaign led by the Americans and the Israelis."

He adds that what "we are seeing now" is that Nato allies and "friends in the region" are under "indiscriminate attacks" by Iran, so they are doing what they can in this situation.

We can bring you some fresh remarks from Secretary General of Nato Mark Rutte, who's just told BBC News that Europe is "absolutely supportive" of US action in Iran.

Rutte emphasises that Iran is a "threat" to Europe, Israel and its surrounding region - as he adds that Europe is "really stepping up" in the wake of this weekend's operations in Iran.

Asked whether Keir Starmer's decision to allow the US to use UK bases for "defensive" strikes on Iran came too late, he says his understanding is that "legal things" had to be worked through before permission could be granted.

When pushed further on whether he knew about the US-Israeli strikes on Iran ahead of time, Rutte says he does not publicly discuss these details. That said, he insists he has had "many conversations" with US officials, and that Washington and Nato "coordinate closely".

Hegseth left questions unanswered about the scope or duration of operationpublished at 13:58 GMT 2 March

13:58 GMT 2 March

Daniel Bush
Washington Correspondent

Image source, Reuters

Other than two social media posts and some brief telephone interviews with reporters by the president, the administration was largely silent over the weekend about the US military campaign launched against Iran.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth broke the silence on Monday in a brief news conference where he offered a vigorous defence of Operation Epic Fury.

Hegseth said the US would carry out the attack with “no apologies”, and he pushed back against comparisons to the US war in Iraq, a sign the administration is wary of criticism the operation in Iran could lead to another prolonged Middle East conflict.

But Hegseth offered few details about the operation, leaving questions unanswered about the scope or duration.

He also didn’t provide much information on US plans to respond to Iranian retaliatory attacks that have killed four US troops in the region.

Hegseth also framed the conflict as a “generational” chance to reshape the Middle East.

The rhetoric mirrors President Trump’s argument in social media posts that forcing regime change in Iran represents a victory that has eluded past US presidents for decades.

Later on, a team of BBC correspondents and specialists will answer questions you may have about the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

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Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte is speaking to the BBC now - watch live at the top of the page, and we'll have key lines here.

Image source, Getty Images

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will make a statement on the Middle East in the House of Commons later.

We're expecting that at 15:30 GMT, and will bring you all the key lines here when it happens.

The US embassy in Iraq is advising US citizens in the country to "shelter in place until further notice".

The guidance also says to "exercise increased caution, keep a low profile", and to "avoid crowds, as demonstrations may turn violent with little warning".

"Reports of missiles, drones and rockets in Iraqi airspace continue," it says.

"Do not attempt to come to the Embassy in Baghdad" or the Consulate General in Erbil - which is the US's main diplomatic mission in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, the advisory adds.

All embassy personnel have also been directed to shelter in place, says the statement.

Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, shares further details on the military action the US has taken in Iran so far.

Caine expresses his condolences to the US personnel killed and wounded in the operation.

The US Central Command earlier confirmed a fourth US service member had "succumbed to their injuries" after being wounded during Iran's initial attacks.

"We expect to take additional losses and as always, we will work to minimise US losses," he says.

Caine says that on Saturday, at 01:15 ET (09:45 Tehran time, 06:15 GMT), "Operation Epic Fury" began, adding that it won't be a single overnight mission.

He also says the operation involves the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard, working in co-operation with the Israeli military.

"And the flow of forces continues today," he says, adding that additional forces are coming.

The US defense secretary says the country is mourning four armed forces personnel lost so far.

"The absolute best of America," he says.

"May we prosecute the remainder of this operation in a manner that honours them, no apologies, no hesitation, epic fury," he adds.

Addressing soldiers directly, Hegseth tells them: "This is the generational turning point we've been waiting for."

With that, Hegseth finishes his media briefing and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine takes the podium. We'll bring you key lines from his statement in our next few posts.