International News from Saturday, March 21st, 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Iranian leaders on Nowruz and said Moscow remained a loyal friend and reliable partner to Tehran, the Kremlin said on Saturday.

Iran is ready to let Japanese-related vessels pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies, Kyodo news has reported, citing Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.

The Trump administration said on Friday it has lent 45.2 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to oil companies, in an attempt to control prices that have spiked to four-year highs due to the war on Iran.

The Israeli military said early on Saturday it was striking Hezbollah targets in Beirut, after issuing an evacuation warning for seven neighbourhoods in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital.