Iran-Israel Conflict: Macron, Turkey & Global Reactions – March 9, 2026

“When Cyprus is attacked, Europe is attacked.” That’s what French President Emmanuel Macron said during a visit to Paphos on Monday. “The defense of Cyprus – Macron emphasized although speaking alongside Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis – is evidently a crucial matter for your country, for your neighbor, partner and friend, Greece, but too for France and, with it, for the European Union.”

Emmanuel Macron stated he is preparing a “purely defensive” future mission with his partners to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and escort ships “after the end of the hottest phase of the conflict” in the Middle East, in order to allow the circulation of oil and gas. During his visit to Cyprus, the French president also announced that France will contribute “in the long term” with “two frigates” to the operation launched in 2024 by the European Union in the Red Sea.

A ballistic missile launched from Iran entered Turkish airspace and was intercepted by NATO air defense systems, the Turkish Ministry of Defense reported. Debris fell near Gaziantep without causing casualties, according to the ministry.

The Lebanese government is prepared to evaluate any proposal for negotiations with Israel to reach a “solid, lasting and effective” peace based on the “land for peace” formula, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated in an interview published by L’Orient-Le Jour.

Iran is accusing European countries of contributing to the conditions that enabled recent American and Israeli attacks. In the last two or three days, European countries “have undertaken actions that have made the U.S. And the Zionist regime more audacious in committing crimes and violating the law,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei. “Instead of insisting on the rule of law and opposing the excessive demands of the U.S., they have talked and agreed with them, particularly in the UN Security Council during discussions on restoring sanctions and other issues,” he added, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of congratulations to Mojtaba Khamenei on his election as the new Supreme Leader of Iran, expressing confidence that he will “honorably” continue the work of his father, Ali Khamenei, as the country faces “armed aggression.” The message was reported by the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

At least eleven people were killed and dozens injured in a series of Israeli airstrikes that occurred at dawn and in the early morning hours in several locations in southern Lebanon, between the regions of Tyre and Bint Jbeil. The Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported that the bombings hit the populated areas of Juwayya, Tayr Dibba and Maarake, causing severe damage to homes, infrastructure and essential services networks.

At least eleven people were killed and dozens injured in a series of Israeli airstrikes that occurred at dawn and in the early morning hours in several locations in southern Lebanon, between the regions of Tyre and Bint Jbeil. The Lebanese National News Agency (Nna) reported that the bombings hit the populated areas of Juwayya, Tayr Dibba and Maarake, causing severe damage to homes, infrastructure and essential services networks.

The United States and Israel have resumed their attacks on the Iranian capital, Tehran. Explosions were heard, according to reports from the Associated Press.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Sunday to the Times of Israel that the decision on when to end the war with Iran will be a “mutual” one, to be made together with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump also said in the brief phone interview that the Islamic Republic would have destroyed Israel if he and Netanyahu had not been in power. “Iran would have destroyed Israel and everything around it… We worked together. We destroyed a country that wanted to destroy Israel.” When asked if he would decide alone when the war with Iran would end, or if Netanyahu would have a say, he responded, “I think it’s a mutual decision… somewhat. We’ve talked about it. I’ll develop a decision at the right time, but everything will be taken into consideration,” indicating that while Netanyahu will have a voice, the final word rests with the U.S. President.

The G7 is prepared to discuss a coordinated release of strategic oil reserves today to curb rising oil prices following the war in Iran, according to the Financial Times. An online meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. New York time (2:30 p.m. Italian time). The decision, previously made after the invasion of Ukraine, would also involve the International Energy Agency.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange recorded its largest daily drop since April of last year amid fears of an expansion of the conflict in the Middle East, with oil prices settling above $105 a barrel for the first time since 2022, following attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran. The Nikkei fell 5.20%, to 52,728.72, a loss of 2,892 points. In the currency market, the yen weakened against the dollar to 158.40 and against the euro to 183.30. Japan is heavily reliant on oil from the Gulf.

Turkey will deploy six F-16 fighter jets to northern Cyprus after a drone struck the RAF Akrotiri base on the island. The move was reported by Ntv after other drones launched toward Cyprus were intercepted. Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos stated that the drones were launched by Hezbollah.

A fire broke out at the Al Ma’ameer oil facility in Bahrain, which also sustained damage but no casualties, following an Iranian attack targeting the country’s energy facilities. “A fire broke out due to the Iranian aggression against a facility in Al Ma’ameer, with material damage, but no casualties were recorded,” the Bahrain News Agency posted on X. A 17-year-old girl sustained serious injuries to the head and eyes, and two children, ages 7 and 8, suffered severe injuries to their lower limbs, the ministry said, adding that the youngest of the injured was two months old.

Saudi Arabia condemned the attacks Iran is launching against the kingdom and its Gulf neighbors, calling them “unjustified.” The statement was released by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Saudi Arabia “categorically renews the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s condemnation of the reprehensible Iranian aggressions against the Kingdom, the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, numerous Arab and Islamic countries and friendly nations, which cannot be accepted or justified under any circumstances,” read a post on the Saudi ministry’s X account.

A new missile and drone attack against the emirate occurred overnight, marking the tenth day of war between Iran, Israel and the United States, according to the AFP. “Kuwaiti air defenses are currently dealing with enemy missile and drone attacks,” the Ministry of Defense announced, as reported by the Kuwait News Agency Kuna. On Sunday, Kuwait was already targeted by seven missiles and five drones, according to authorities.

Loud explosions were heard in Doha, according to a journalist with the AFP. The Qatari capital was already the target of an attack with 10 ballistic missiles and 2 cruise missiles on Saturday.

Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of “illegally” using white phosphorus munitions in populated residential areas of southern Lebanon, following the resumption of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. “Israeli forces used white phosphorus munitions fired by artillery into residential areas in the town of Yohmor, southern Lebanon, on March 3, 2026,” the organization stated in a note reported by the Belga news agency. The NGO said it “verified and geolocated seven images showing white phosphorus munitions exploding in a residential area and personnel from the Civil Defense intervening to extinguish a fire in at least two homes and a car in that area.” Human Rights Watch identified the shape of the smoke cloud caused by the explosions in the image as “entirely consistent with the burst produced by the 155mm M825 artillery projectile containing white phosphorus.” “The illegal employ of white phosphorus by Israeli forces in residential areas is extremely alarming and will have devastating consequences for civilians,” said Ramzi Kaiss, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The incendiary effects of white phosphorus can cause death or severe injuries resulting in permanent suffering.”

Oil prices are surging amid the conflict in Iran. WTI is up 26%, trading well above $100 a barrel. Brent crude is up 23% to $114.20.

An Iranian drone attack at dawn on Monday injured 32 civilians in Sintra, Bahrain. Four are in serious condition, according to the Ministry of Health, the Bahrain News Agency and Afp. “The attack carried out by an Iranian drone against the Sitra region injured 32 civilians, who are receiving care according to established medical protocols. Among them are four serious cases, including children who required surgery,” the Ministry stated. A 17-year-old girl sustained severe injuries to the head and eyes, and two children, ages 7 and 8, suffered severe injuries to their lower limbs, the ministry said, adding that the youngest of the injured was two months old.