Tehran, March 27: Iran has issued an “ultimatum” to hotel owners in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, warning that hosting US military personnel could make their properties legitimate military targets, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

Fars reported that US forces have taken refuge in regional hotels following Iranian missile strikes and joint operations with allied militant groups that targeted American military infrastructure across the Middle East. The warning covers any facility hosting foreign military personnel and takes effect immediately if such activity continues, Xinhua news agency reported.

The report also claimed US personnel have established a presence at civilian sites across the region, including a logistics base near Beirut’s old airport and advisory operations at Damascus’ Republic Palace, the Four Seasons, and Sheraton hotels. US Marines were reportedly moved this week to Djibouti International Airport via Istanbul and Sofia.

Earlier on Thursday, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned hotels in Gulf Arab countries against accepting US military personnel, accusing the soldiers of fleeing their bases and using civilian sites as cover.

“From the outset of this war, US soldiers fled military bases in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) to hide in hotels and offices. They use GCC citizens as human shields,” Araghchi wrote on the social media platform X. He compared the situation to hotels in the United States, which he claimed deny bookings to officers who may endanger customers, and urged Gulf hotels to adopt the same practice.

On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior military commanders, and civilians. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes against Israel and US bases and tightened control of the Strait of Hormuz, blocking vessels affiliated with Israel and the United States.

Abu Dhabi, March 26: One Indian national was killed and another injured as two people died and three suffered injuries after the debris of a ballistic missile fell in UAE’s Abu Dhabi on Thursday following a successful interception by the country’s air defence systems.

“As part of the ongoing follow-up to the previously reported incident caused by falling debris following the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems, the incident has resulted in the deaths of two individuals of Pakistani and Indian nationality, and in injuries ranging from serious to moderate sustained by three individuals of Emirati, Jordanian and Indian nationality,” the Abu Dhabi Media Office wrote on X.

“The public is advised to obtain information only from official sources and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information,” it added.

Earlier in the day, Abu Dhabi Media Office had said that authorities had responded to an incident involving falling debris in Sweihan street after the missile was intercepted by air defence systems.

“Abu Dhabi authorities have responded to an incident involving falling debris in Sweihan street, following the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems. The incident resulted in the deaths of two unidentified individuals, three injuries, and damage to a number of cars. Further updates will be provided in due course,” Abu Dhabi Media Office posted on X.

“The public is advised to obtain information only from official sources and to avoid spreading rumours or unverified information,” it added.

The ongoing conflict in West Asia began on February 28 following the strikes carried out by Israel and the US on Iran, which resulted in the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military officials. In response, Iran has launched drone and missile attacks targetting the US and Israeli facilities, regional capitals and allied forces in West Asia.

Earlier in the day, UAE’s Ministry of Defence said that its air defences were responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. It advised people to adhere to the safety and security instructions issued by the authorities.

In a statement shared on X, UAE’s Ministry of Defence said, “UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. MOD asserts that the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones.”

Washington, March 25: Top American lawmakers and experts have warned that the country’s heavy reliance on foreign critical minerals, especially those from China, poses a direct threat to national security, and called for urgent steps to build resilient domestic supply chains.

At a House subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, Congressman Paul Gosar said the “very security of our nation relies heavily on a steady input” of minerals essential for defence systems, electronics and advanced technologies. He pointed to copper, rare earths and lithium as key inputs for fighter jets, missiles and batteries.

Gosar warned that the US remains heavily reliant on imports. “We import half of our supply of 20 of the 60 minerals… and we are entirely reliant on the importation of 13,” he said, adding that China dominates global processing and refining capacity.

Lawmakers from both parties agreed that the supply chain vulnerability has strategic implications. Representative Jared Huffman said the issue was not just about resources but governance, alleging that billions in federal investments lacked transparency and oversight.

Expert witnesses told the panel that China has effectively “weaponised” mineral supply chains. Gracelin Baskaran said the key question was no longer whether China controls critical minerals, but how quickly the US can build alternative supply chains.

“The question is what the United States does about it,” she said, calling for coordinated industrial policy and stronger alliances to secure supply.

Geologist Simon Jowitt said the US has “huge unrealised mineral potential” but remains underexplored due to limited geoscientific data and slow permitting. He stressed that exploration is the foundation of any supply chain and can deliver significant economic returns.

Jowitt also underscored the need for a full domestic ecosystem. “There’s no point in just having mineral deposits without having an entirety of a supply chain,” he said, arguing that processing and refining must accompany mining to ensure security.

National security expert Abigail Hunter highlighted structural challenges, noting that supply chains take years to build while disruptions can occur “overnight”. She said China’s control over processing creates a “choke point” that allows it to influence global markets rapidly.

“Capacity must be built in advance,” Hunter said, warning that relying on imports during crises could leave US defence systems vulnerable.

At the same time, watchdog groups raised concerns about government investment strategies. Faith Williams said federal equity stakes in mining firms could create conflicts of interest and reduce transparency.

“Corruption or the appearance thereof is bad for business,” she said, cautioning that unclear rules could distort markets and increase costs for taxpayers.

Despite political divisions, there was broad agreement that critical minerals underpin both economic growth and military capability. Lawmakers cited their role in everything from semiconductors and smartphones to advanced weapons systems.

The hearing also highlighted the economic stakes. Mining contributes billions to the US GDP and supports nearly two million jobs, with wages significantly above the national average.

Experts said solutions would require a combination of domestic production, allied cooperation and demand-side policies. Baskaran urged creating a “market of 2.6 billion consumers” among US allies to counterbalance China’s dominance.

The issue has gained urgency amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing demand for minerals driven by clean energy, defence modernisation and digital infrastructure, placing supply chain resilience at the centre of US strategic planning.