The flight, chartered by the UK government, was supposed to leave Oman on Wednesday night but was delayed by a technical issue. One passenger calls it a "total farce".

Attacks by Hezbollah and an Iraqi militia are the latest signs of the expanding reach of the war in the Middle East.

Israel announced multiple incoming attacks early Thursday and said it was intercepting the missiles. The Israeli military says it began new strikes in Lebanon against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran launched new strikes against Israel and U.S. military bases in the Middle East as aerial attacks resumed early Thursday after an American submarine sank an Iranian warship and Iran threatened the destruction of military and economic infrastructure across the region.

The Israeli army has launched a wave of airstrikes in Lebanon, saying the strikes are “in response to rocket fire toward northern Israel”, according to Israeli media reports. Earlier, the army said that it intercepted a rocket fired from Lebanon, adding that other rockets fell in open areas without causing damage or injuries.

Across Iran’s capital, explosions rang out overnight as the U.S. and Israel pounded Iran with airstrikes. Iran and its allies have hit back against Israel and neighboring Gulf states.

By Laila Bassam, Maya Gebeily, Emilie Madi and Tala Ramadan BEIRUT, March 2 (Reuters) - Lebanon's government on Monday banned military activities by Hezbollah after it opened fire on Israel to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader,

The US and Israel launched the war Saturday, targeting Iran’s leadership, missile arsenal and nuclear program while suggesting that toppling the government is a goal.