International news from Sunday, March 22nd, 2026

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has renewed its condemnation of continued Iranian attacks on member states, including the targeting of infrastructure and oil facilities, in flagrant violation of international law and a direct threat to regional security, stability and the safety of global energy supplies.

The Strait of Hormuz remains open to all shipping except vessels linked to "Iran's enemies", Iran's representative to the UN maritime agency was quoted as saying in Iranian media reports published on Sunday.

Four people have died in Oman in the past 24 hours as a result of heavy thunderstorms on Saturday.

Japan could consider deploying its military for minesweeping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil supplies, if a ceasefire is reached in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Sunday.

Seven people were killed in a helicopter crash in Qatar's territorial waters, Qatar and Türkiye said on Sunday.

US President Donald Trump and Iran threatened to escalate their war by attacking energy and desalination facilities in the Gulf, a potential widening of hostilities that could deepen a regional crisis and add to concerns in global markets.