THE WORLD TODAY #277, 12 MARCH 2026, THURSDAY
Glynnis Winona Beschi, Lekshmi MK, Tonica Sharon C, Yesasvi Koganti

THE US-IRAN WAR, DAY 13
The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed, US embassies in the region to be immediately shut down, demands Iran’s new Supreme Leader in first public statement
On 12 March, Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first statement since taking over as Iran’s new supreme leader, announcing that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed in order to pressure the adversaries. He also asserted that while Iran believes in friendship, the US bases in the region will continue to be attacked and should be immediately closed. Khamanei thanked the military for their service and stated that the resistance in Yemen and Iraq “will also do the job,” and “want to help” the Islamic revolution.

Tehran lays out three major conditions to end the war including reparations and guarantees against future aggression
On 11 March, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian laid out three key conditions to end the ongoing war– “recognising Iran’s legitimate rights, payment of reparations, and firm international guarantees against future aggression,” he stated in a social media post. Iran has long upheld its civilian nuclear programme as a legitimate right of the country, but the announcement is the first time Iran has demanded reparations as a condition to end the conflict.

US intelligence declines the possibility of regime collapse as Tehran intensifies attacks
On 12 March, Reuters, in an exclusive report, revealed that Iran’s leadership is not under the risk of collapse and “retains control over the Iranian public.” The observations echo a recent Israeli report on the stability of the regime. Further, more Iranian drones were seen flying into Kuwait, Iraq, UAE, Bahrain and Oman despite US and Israeli claims that much of Iran’s  stock of long-range weapons have been destroyed. Two more tankers in Iraqi ports were also struck by suspected Iranian explosive-laden boats.

Israel-Hezbollah Confrontations: Hezbollah escalates strikes on Israel as Tel Aviv declines Beirut’s request to halt firing to facilitate negotiations
On 12 March, Hezbollah intensified strikes against Israel, announcing Operation “Eaten Straw,” launching more than 100 missiles at Israeli targets. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said later that they had carried out some strikes with Hezbollah, “in a joint and integrated operation.” The strikes targeted areas including Israeli military bases in Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Beersheba. In retaliation, Israel battered Beirut's southern suburbs. Israel has also turned down Lebanon administration's demands to halt the attack to initiate negotiations, asserting that the talks happen “under fire.”

The US: Washington launches trade probes to revive Trump’s tariff pressure
On 12 March, Reuters reported that US President Donald Trump's administration announced the launch of two trade investigations targeting excess industrial capacity and forced labour among key trading partners. This seeks to rebuild tariff pressure after the Supreme Court of the US struck down much of Trump’s previous tariff program last month. The investigation authorized under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 seeks to evaluate what is described as overcapacity. The US believes overcapacity is a problem in the manufacturing industries of various states, including China, EU, India, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Switzerland, and Norway. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that the inquiry would look for economies with sustained trade surpluses and slack industrial capacities, with a focus on areas like automobiles and EVs. Similarly, another inquiry would look into imports involving forced labor, with enforcement similar to that of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. However, China dismissed the claims of the US regarding overcapacity in the industries, calling it a “false proposition.”

China and North Korea: Passenger train service between Beijing and Pyongyang resumes after six years
On 12 March, the first passenger train service between Beijing and Pyongyang departed after a six-year suspension caused by the pandemic. The train is set to operate four days a week and it also includes a stop in Dandong. Chinese officials described the two countries as “friendly neighbours” and stated that the rail link would strengthen cross-border communication. Recent developments reflect expanding cooperation between Beijing and Pyongyang after a period of strained relations. Trade between the two countries has increased significantly, with China's exports to North Korea reaching USD 2.3 billion, the highest recorded in the past six years. Satellite imagery also reveals new infrastructure activity along the 1,350-kilometre border between the two, including road construction and developments near the long-delayed New Yalu River Bridge. According to North Korean state media, in a message sent to Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un stated that cooperation between the two countries “will become even closer in the future as we advance the common cause of socialism.” This renewed cooperation can influence future diplomatic developments as the US signals interest in reviving talks with North Korea.

Taiwan: Three main political parties allow government to proceed with US arms agreements
On 12 March, the three main political parties of Taiwan agreed to allow the government to sign stalled agreements with the United States for four arms sales packages. The reason being a warning issued by the officials stating that missing the deadlines could push Taiwan to the back of the production and delivery queue. The decision ensures that Taipei secures critical defence equipment despite the ongoing political disagreements over defence spendings. The arms packages include TOW anti- tank missiles, M109A7 self-propelled howitzers, Lockheed Martin- made Javelin missiles, and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). Authorities have stressed the urgency of signing the agreements because of approaching deadlines, including the key deadline of 26 March for the HIMARS systems. The agreement comes amid delays in approving Taiwan’s proposed 40-billion-dollar spending package. Opposition parties have broadly supported strengthening defence but have criticised the proposal for lacking clarity and have suggested more cost-effective alternatives. Despite these disagreements, the parties agreed that the government should move ahead with signing the US agreements to avoid delays in acquiring the weapons. The development highlights the strategic importance of US- Taiwan defence cooperation as Taipei seeks to maintain its security and military preparedness.

China: Parliament passes new ethnic unity law to create national identity among ethnic groups; Taiwan expresses fears of being targeted under the legislation 
On 12 March, China’s parliament passed the new ethnic unity law, aiming to create a shared national identity among all fifty-five ethnic minorities in the country. The law demands that Chinese ​citizens "shall protect the country's sovereignty" and cites President Xi Jinping as saying everyone has to "consciously uphold national unity, national security, and social stability." Taiwanese officials expressed concern that it would give another legal basis for Beijing to go after Taiwanese viewed as separatists to protect China’s sovereignty and security, stating that such language could "spill over into becoming a legal basis for handling cross-Strait issues." 

China already has laws and regulations against Taiwanese independence supporters, especially the guidelines published in 2024 to punish them with the death penalty. Taiwan has complained about Chinese lawfare against the island, and the new law includes legal accountability for undermining ethnic unity or inciting ethnic separatism beyond the borders of China.