The economic fallout of the Iran war 'won't be short-lived', EU energy ministers have warned.

Commissioner Dan Jorgensen told the meeting in Brussels that since the start of the ongoing conflict, prices in the EU have risen by around 70 per cent for gas and 60 per cent for oil. 

He added that one month of fighting has added €14bn to the bloc's fossil fuels import bill. 

It comes after Pete Hegseth has said the US knows 'exactly' what roles Russia and China are playing in the Iran war amid claims both countries are supporting Tehran.

The US Defense Secretary insists Washington will confront Moscow and Beijing 'where necessary' as he provided an update on the war in a Pentagon briefing today.

Asked about reports of the countries providing support to Tehran during the conflict, Hegseth said: 'As far as Russia and China, we know exactly what they're doing, what they are or are not doing.

'We don't have to air publicly what all of that is, but where necessary, we're addressing it, we're mitigating it or we're confronting it head on.'

Russia has been accused of providing Iran with the locations of American assets to attack and sharing advanced drone tactics.

While China is said to be providing military co-operation, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Follow the latest updates on the US-Israel war with Iran 

20:46

Economic fallout of Iran war 'won't be short lived', EU warned

At a meeting of EU energy ministers, the bloc has been warned that the economic damage done by the Iran war won't be short-lived.

Commissioner Dan Jorgensen told the meeting in Brussels that since the start of the ongoing conflict, prices in the EU have risen by around 70 per cent for gas and 60 per cent for oil.

He added that one month of fighting has added €14bn to the bloc's fossil fuels import bill.

These numbers paint a very clear picture: as the crisis in the Middle East enters its second month, it is clear that we are facing a very serious situation...  we should be under no illusion that the consequences of this crisis for the energy markets will be short-lived. Because they won't.'

Day 32 of the Iran war: Everything you need to know

Ultraorthodox Jews check on a residential building where damage was caused following the launch of barrages of Iranian missiles towards Israel, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Bnei Brak Israel, March 31, 2026. REUTERS/Itai Ron ISRAEL OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN ISRAEL

Here's all the latest developments on the US-Israel war with Iran:

  • Donald Trump told countries including the UK 'go get your own oil' as he challenged nations to get supplies straight from the Strait of Hormuz
  • Fears are growing the UK faces a jet fuel shortage in days as the 'last shipment' from the Middle East arrives in the next 48 hours
  • Trump also lashed out at France describing the nation as 'very unhelpful' over the Iran war amid claims Emmanuel Macron blocked US planes from French airspace
  • The President has reportedly signalled to aides he is willing to leave the Iran war without reopening the Strait of Hormuz
  • Pete Hegseth has said the US 'knows exactly' what China and Russia are doing amid claims the countries are supporting Iran
  • Hegseth told a Pentagon briefing the US would 'much prefer' a deal to end the war with Iran's leadership
  • An Iranian drone has stuck a fully loaded Kuwaiti tanker anchored at Dubai port
  • Iran's Revolutionary Guards have claimed an Israeli-owned ship has been struck in the Persian Gulf and US marines have been targeted with drones in the UAE
  • Israel's emergency services say eight people have been injured after an Iranian missile strike in central Israel
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war on Iran had achieved more than half its aims without putting a timeline on when it would end
  • Italy denied US bombers access to an air base in Sicily last week after pilots apparently failed to ask for permission to land
  • China has expressed its 'gratitude' after ships pass Strait of Hormuz

Stick with us for the latest developments throughout the day.

00:54

This live blog is now closing.

Thank you for joining us this evening.

You can find the latest stories on the conflict in the Middle East on the Daily Mail homepage.

23:36

Hezbollah leader killed in Beirut strikes, Israeli military says

Israel’s military said very early on Wednesday morning that it had killed a senior Hezbollah commander and another senior leader in two separate strikes in the Beirut area.

22:40

Two people killed and several more injured in strikes in Beirut

Two people were killed, and three were injured very early on Wednesday when a strike hit a car in the Khaldeh area south of the capital, Lebanon’s health ministry said.

More were injured as strikes hit another area of the city, according to a local hospital.

21:36

Americans in Saudi Arabia warned to find shelter

The US State Department's consular affairs branch says it has received reports that hotels and other American gathering points in Saudi Arabia could be targeted on Tuesday.

The US Embassy in the Kingdom's capital, Riyadh, also warned government employees to find shelter.

Iran has repeatedly threatened educational and business places connected to Americans in the region during the war.

21:30

Hezbollah to blame for death of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, says Israel

UN Ambassador Danny Danon says Israel blames Hezbollah for all three of the peacekeeper deaths in southern Lebanon.

Two of the peacekeepers were killed yesterday after a roadside explosion, according to an investigation from the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Danon provided no evidence and a spokesman confirmed that an investigation is ongoing.

Israeli's military has confirmed its troops were not present at the scene of the explosion on Monday.

21:10

IDF denies being behind deaths of two UN peacekeepers

The Israel Defence Forces has denied it was responsible for the deaths of two UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.

Since Sunday night, three UN peacekeepers have been killed in southern Lebanon.

Two of these were killed yesterday after a roadside explosion, according to an investigation from the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

In response to the findings tonight, the IDF has said:

No explosive device was placed in the area by IDF troops, and... no IDF troops were present in the area at all.'

It added that it was fighting Hezbollah and 'not against UNIFIL', but told the peacekeepers to avoid combat zones or areas where it has said it will strike.

21:08

PICTURED: Funeral of Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis, killed in combat in southern Lebanon

Soldiers carry the casket of Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis, who was killed in combat in southern Lebanon, to the burial at the funeral in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, on March 31, 2026. Israel's military had reported on March 31 that four more of its soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon, where the war has spilled and where they are clashing with Iranian-backed Hezbollah. (Photo by Ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images) /

TOPSHOT - The father of Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis, who was killed in combat in southern Lebanon, kisses the casket before burial at the funeral in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, on March 31, 2026. Israel's military had reported on March 31 that four more of its soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon, where the war has spilled and where they are clashing with Iranian-backed Hezbollah. (Photo by Ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images) /

TOPSHOT - Family and friends mourn at the funeral of Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis, who was killed in combat in southern Lebanon, in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, on March 31, 2026. Israel's military had reported on March 31 that four more of its soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon, where the war has spilled and where they are clashing with Iranian-backed Hezbollah. (Photo by Ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images) /

Mourners pay their respects at the funeral of Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis, who was killed in combat in southern Lebanon, in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, on March 31, 2026. Israel's military had reported on March 31 that four more of its soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon, where the war has spilled and where they are clashing with Iranian-backed Hezbollah. (Photo by Ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images) /

People walk about graves at the military cemetery as they awaiting the funeral of Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, on March 31, 2026. Israel's military had reported on March 31 that four more of its soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon, where the war has spilled and where they are clashing with Iranian-backed Hezbollah (Photo by Ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images) /

People walk about graves at the military cemetery as they awaiting the funeral of Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis in Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv, on March 31, 2026. Israel's military had reported on March 31 that four more of its soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon, where the war has spilled and where they are clashing with Iranian-backed Hezbollah (Photo by Ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP via Getty Images)

20:54

Breaking:Hezbollah claims more attacks on Israeli bases

The Lebanese group says its fighters have launched an attack targeting the Beria base north of the city of Safad with a rocket salvo.

The group also said it targeted the Meron base for air surveillance and operations management in northern Israel.

20:48

Trump declares war on Iran nearing its end

The US president has told NBC that the war with Iran is 'coming to an end'.

Trump claimed 'we’re doing great', saying that he expects the fighting to be wrapped up, but without specifying a timeline.

20:26

IDF says it struck 20 weapons manufacturing sites in Iran in past day

The Israel Defense Forces said they struck 20 weapons manufacturing sites in Iran over the past day.

The army also said it struck infrastructure in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' naval headquarters.

Key Updates
  • UK to boost defence support to Gulf allies
  • Pete Hegseth - Next days will be 'decisive' in Iran war
  • King Charles will head to US 'at the end of April' for state visit
  • Trump hits out at 'very unhelpful' France during Iran war
  • Trump challenges UK to 'build courage' and take fuel from the Strait of Hormuz
  • Pictured: Kuwaiti oil tanker damaged after Iranian drone strike
  • Day 32 of the Iran war: Everything you need to know
  • Italy denies US bombers access to Sicily air base
  • UK faces jet fuel shortage in days with last known shipment set to arrive in 48 hours
  • Oil prices sink as Trump signals he could end war even if Strait of Hormuz remains shut
  • Netanyahu says Iran war goals achieved 'beyond halfway point'
  • Iran claims it has hit Israeli-owned ship in Persian Gulf and fired drones at US marines
  • Kuwait's oil company hits out at 'heinous' Iranian attack on oil tanker
  • Trump unleashes 2,000lb bunker busters on ammunition depot
  • Trump tells aides he is willing to leave Iran war without reopening Strait of Hormuz - report

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