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Global Update

US Defence Stockpiles of Rare Earth Elements Down to Just Two Months as Iran Conflict Escalates

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The United States faces a critical vulnerability in its military capabilities, with defence stockpiles of rare earth elements reportedly sufficient for only about two months of sustained operations, according to sources cited by the South China Morning Post and echoed across industry analyses.

The alarming depletion has gained urgency amid the ongoing US-led strikes on Iran, which began on February 28, 2026. Pentagon estimates indicate that the initial days of the campaign alone consumed roughly $5.6 billion in munitions, rapidly drawing down inventories of precision-guided weapons and interceptors that rely heavily on these strategic minerals.

Rare earth elements — such as dysprosium, terbium, neodymium and others — are vital for key defence technologies, including missile guidance systems, fighter jet components, radar arrays, phased-array systems, secure communications and advanced actuators. Without reliable access to these materials, replenishing depleted stocks of systems like THAAD interceptors, Patriot missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles becomes severely constrained, potentially limiting the duration of high-intensity operations.

Colored and realistic stone mineral icon set. Image: Freepik

The shortage stems in large part from China’s near-monopoly on global processing and export of rare earths. Industry assessments suggest Chinese-controlled supply chains feature in more than 75% of US defence platforms. Beijing has periodically imposed export restrictions on dual-use minerals critical to US military contractors, amplifying concerns over supply-chain resilience during extended conflict.

The situation has handed China potential indirect leverage: analysts note that any tightening of exports could influence how long Washington can sustain its campaign against Iran. A high-level meeting on rare earth export policies is reportedly scheduled for next month, adding to the uncertainty.

The Pentagon has responded by urgently seeking fresh domestic and allied supplies of 13 critical minerals (including rare earths), issuing requests to mining companies just before the Iran strikes escalated. The Trump administration has also invested in US-based producers like MP Materials and explored partnerships to build resilient “mine-to-magnet” chains, though scaling to meet defence needs could take years.

As domestic buffers dwindle, attention is shifting toward alternative global sources, including Africa’s substantial untapped reserves. Nations such as Botswana (with a newly announced high-grade rare earth deposit containing all 15 elements plus copper, cobalt, nickel and vanadium), South Africa (rich in manganese, platinum group metals and antimony) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (over 70% of global cobalt) are positioned as strategic options to help diversify away from China-dependent chains.

The two-month stockpile window underscores a broader strategic challenge: prolonged military engagements risk exhausting not just munitions but the foundational materials needed to rebuild them, exposing vulnerabilities in US defence readiness at a time of heightened geopolitical tension.

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Global Update

Influential Foreign Policy Group Sends Direct Message to Trump Warning of Global Risks From His Actions in Iran

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An Indonesian foreign policy group has released a video message addressed directly to Donald Trump, warning that recent U.S. and Israeli actions in the Middle East could destabilize global security and violate international norms.

The message was shared by Indonesian diplomat and foreign policy analyst Dino Patti Djalal on social media, where he called on viewers to share the video with policymakers and political leaders in the United States.

Djalal said he was speaking on behalf of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia, which he described as one of the largest grassroots foreign policy groups in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.

“We hope that you will listen and hear our view,” Djalal said in the video, addressing Trump directly. “This message represents the concern of the overwhelming majority of the Indonesian people.”

Criticism Over Military Escalation

In the video, Djalal criticized what he described as growing U.S. militarism and warned that actions taken by Washington and Israel could escalate tensions across the Middle East.

The message referenced the reported killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, arguing that targeting a foreign head of state would violate international law and global norms.

“No leader of any country, no matter how powerful, has the right to plan and execute the murder of another country’s leader,” Djalal said.

He added that such actions would contradict the principles of the United Nations Charter and could set a dangerous precedent for international relations.

Concerns Over Global Stability

The video also warned that escalating conflict could spread across the Middle East, citing countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey and Lebanon as potentially affected by regional instability.

According to Djalal, rising tensions could undermine previous diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region, including reconciliation initiatives between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

He warned that the international system could face consequences similar to those that preceded major global conflicts.

“If direct military action to kill foreign leaders is considered fair game, then any of the world’s 193 countries could see it the same way,” he said.

Economic Impact on Indonesia

The message also highlighted potential economic consequences for Indonesia, the world’s fourth-most populous country.

Djalal said escalating conflict could push up global oil prices, putting pressure on Indonesia’s national budget and potentially leading to higher inflation, rising food prices, increased unemployment and slower economic growth.

Civil Society Appeal

Djalal framed the video as a message from civil society rather than the Indonesian government, noting that governments must often remain cautious in their diplomatic communications.

The group encouraged viewers to circulate the message widely and engage in public discussion about global security and the role of major powers in maintaining international peace.

The video adds to a growing number of international voices calling for restraint and diplomacy as tensions in the Middle East continue to draw global attention.

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Global Update

Iran’s New Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Reportedly Suffered Fractured Foot and Facial Injuries in Opening Airstrikes of US-Israel War

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Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, sustained a fractured foot, a bruised left eye, and facial lacerations during the initial wave of US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28, 2026, according to multiple international media reports citing Iranian officials and diplomatic sources.

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was named supreme leader earlier this week following his father’s death in the same February 28 strike. Iranian officials told The New York Times that the new leader was sheltering in a highly secure location when the attack occurred, suffering only “minor” injuries.

He remains conscious and reportedly stable, though no public statement or appearance has been made since his appointment.

The strike that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also claimed the lives of his daughter, a grandchild, daughter-in-law, and son-in-law, according to Iran’s ambassador to Cyprus, Alireza Salarian, who spoke to The Guardian. Salarian indicated that Mojtaba Khamenei’s injuries — particularly the facial bruising and lacerations — have left him uncomfortable and unwilling to deliver a public address.

“I don’t think he is comfortable (in any condition) to give a speech,” Salarian told the Guardian, suggesting the physical and psychological impact of the attack and succession has delayed any televised or recorded statement from the new supreme leader.

Earlier speculation from Israeli media outlets had claimed Khamenei suffered a serious leg injury in the opening hours of the conflict, with CNN later reporting details of the eye bruise and facial cuts. The full extent of his injuries and current medical condition remains unconfirmed by Iranian state media, which has released no images or video of Mojtaba Khamenei since his appointment.

Notably, Khamenei was absent from his own succession rally in Tehran on Monday, where thousands of supporters gathered. State media footage showed only a large portrait of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dominating the stage, with a smaller image of Mojtaba placed to the side — an arrangement some observers described as symbolically overshadowing the new leader.

The rapid ascension of Mojtaba Khamenei — widely viewed as a continuation of dynastic rule within the clerical establishment — has drawn sharp international criticism. US President Donald Trump has publicly rejected the succession, calling the heir an “unacceptable” choice and warning that without American approval, “Iran’s new leader is not going to last long.”

The reported injuries come amid an intensifying US-Israel military campaign against Iranian targets, raising questions about command continuity, internal stability, and the Islamic Republic’s ability to project unified leadership during the ongoing conflict.

Iranian authorities have yet to issue an official medical bulletin or visual confirmation of Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition, leaving open speculation about his capacity to exercise full authority in the early days of his leadership.

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Global Update

Iran War Right Now: Iran Launches Fresh Strikes Targeting US and Israeli Assets, Mounting Death Toll and Controversial Incidents

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Tehran, Iran – March 10, 2026 – As the US-led bombing campaign against Iran enters its most intense phase, fresh strikes, environmental hazards, and defiant rhetoric from all sides are fueling fears of a prolonged regional war.

Drawing from reports by the World Health Organization (WHO), Iranian state media, and US officials, here’s a breakdown of the latest updates in this rapidly evolving crisis.

Iran Launches Fresh Strikes Targeting US and Israeli Assets

In what the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) described as the 34th wave of retaliatory attacks, Iran fired a barrage of missiles—including hypersonic variants—at US military personnel and Israeli installations. According to a statement carried by the semi-official Mehr news agency, targets included American soldiers at al-Dhafra airbase near Abu Dhabi and Bahrain’s Jufair airbase. Israeli sites, such as the Ramat David airbase, Haifa’s civilian airport, and hidden missile launchers in Bnei Brak east of Tel Aviv, were also hit. The IRGC claimed the strikes were in direct response to ongoing US and Israeli bombardments, underscoring Iran’s resolve to defend its sovereignty amid mounting casualties.

WHO Warns of ‘Black Rain’ Health Crisis from Oil Site Attacks

The United Nations’ health agency has raised alarms over environmental fallout from Israeli airstrikes on Iranian oil facilities. WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier reported “multiple” instances of oil-laden “black rain” this week, which could lead to severe respiratory issues due to the release of toxic hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen compounds. Speaking from Geneva, Lindmeier endorsed Iranian authorities’ advice for residents to stay indoors, calling it a prudent measure amid “serious air quality concerns.” The agency’s office in Iran is collaborating with local health teams to monitor the situation, highlighting the broader humanitarian risks of the conflict.

Israeli Push for Regime Change Contrasts with US Messaging

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has framed the military campaign as a historic opportunity to dismantle the Islamic Republic entirely, not merely weaken its leadership. Officials in Israel emphasize that the goal is to inflict maximum damage while US support persists, aiming for a “friendly Iran” in the regime’s place. This narrative diverges from the Trump administration’s portrayal, where President Donald Trump has described the war as a “little excursion” that could end “soon,” while also admitting the US hasn’t “won enough.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced today as the “most intense day” of US strikes inside Iran, even as Tehran countered with attacks on Israel and Gulf allies.

Iranian President Vows Endurance Amid Escalation

Defying calls for surrender, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian posted a message of resilience on X (formerly Twitter), stating that adversaries harboring illusions of destroying Iran “know nothing of history.” He asserted, “Through the trials of history, no power has ever succeeded in erasing this storied name. Aggressors have come and gone; Iran has endured.” This comes amid threats over oil supplies, with Trump warning of “death, fire and fury” if Iran continues blocking the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian officials retorted that not “one liter of oil” would flow from the Middle East until attacks cease, and cautioned Trump against personal risks.

Mounting Death Toll and Controversial Incidents

The human cost continues to rise, with the Iranian Red Crescent Society reporting over 1,200 deaths from US and Israeli strikes in Iran alone. In Israel, 13 fatalities have been attributed to Iranian counterattacks. A particularly grim development involves newly surfaced video footage showing what experts identify as a US Tomahawk missile striking a school area in Iran, killing more than 170 people, including many children. Trump has denied US involvement, claiming it was an Iranian mishap, despite the missile type not being in Iran’s arsenal.

As oil prices fluctuate wildly and global powers watch nervously, the conflict shows no signs of abating. Analysts suggest the differing endgames between the US and Israel could prolong the fighting, potentially drawing in more regional actors.

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