After U.S. and Israeli missiles struck Iran’s nuclear sites in June 2025, Tehran responded with a limited attack on the American airbase in Qatar.

Five years before that, a U.S. drone strike against Qasem Soleimani, head of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, was met with followed by an attack on two American bases in Iraq shortly thereafter.

Expect none of that restraint by Iran’s leaders following the latest U.S. and Israeli military operation currently playing out in the Gulf nation.

In the early hours of Feb. 28, 2026, hundreds of missiles struck multiple sites in Iran. Part of “Operation Epic Fury,” as the U.S. Department of Defense has called it, the strikes follow months of U.S. military buildup in the region.

But they also come after apparent diplomatic efforts, in the shape of a series of nuclear talks in Oman and Geneva aimed at a peaceful resolution.

Any such deal is surely now completely off the table. In scale and scope, the U.S. and Israel attack goes far beyond any previous strikes on the Gulf nation.

In response, Iran has said it will use “crushing” force. As an expert on Middle East affairs and a former senior official at the National Security Council during the first Trump administration, I believe the calculus both in Washington and more so in Tehran is very different from earlier confrontations: Iran’s leaders almost certainly see this as an existential threat given President Donald Trump’s statement and the military campaign already underway. And there appears to be no obvious off-ramp to avoid further escalation.

What we should expect now is a response from Tehran that utilizes all of its capabilities – even though they have been significantly degraded. And that should be a worry for all nations in the region and beyond.

The apparent aims of the US operation

It is important to note that we are in the early stages of this conflict – much is unknown.

As of Feb. 28, it is unclear who has been killed among Iran’s leadership and to what extent Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities have been degraded. The fact that ballistic missiles have been launched at regional states that host U.S. military bases suggests that, at a minimum, Iran’s military capabilities have not been entirely wiped out.

Iran fired over 600 missiles against Israel last June during their 12-day war, but media reporting and Iranian statements over the past month suggested that Iran managed to replenish some of its missile inventory, which it is now using.

Clearly Washington is intent on crippling Iran’s ballistic program, as it is that capability that allows Iran to threaten the region most directly.

A sticking point in the negotiations in Geneva and Oman was U.S. officials’ insistence that both Iran’s ballistic missiles and its funneling of support to proxy groups in the region be on the table, along with the longstanding condition that Tehran ends all uranium enrichment. Tehran has long resisted attempts to have limits on its ballistic missiles as part of any negotiated nuclear deal given their importance in Iran’s national security doctrine.

This explains why some U.S. and Israeli strikes appear to be aimed at taking out Iran’s ballistic and cruise missile launch sites and production facilities and storage locations for such weapons.

With no nuclear weapon, Iran’s ballistic missiles have been the country’s go-to method for responding to any threat. And so far in the current conflict, they have been used on nations including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain.

‘It will be yours to take’

But the Trump administration appears to have expanded its aims beyond removing Iran’s nuclear and non-nuclear military threat. The latest strikes have gone after leadership, too.

Among the locations of the first U.S.-Israeli strikes was a Tehran compound in which the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in known to reside, and Israel’s prime minister has confirmed that the 86-year-old leader was a target of the operation.

While the status of the supreme leader and other key members of Iran’s leadership remains unknown as of this writing, it is clear that the U.S. administration hopes that regime change will follow Operation Epic Fury. “When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take,” Trump told Iranians via a video message recorded during the early hours of the attack.

Regime change carries risks for Trump

Signaling a regime change operation may encourage Iranians unhappy with decades of repressive rule and economic woes to continue where they left off in January – when hundreds of thousands took to the street to protest.

But it carries risks for the U.S. and its interests. Iran’s leaders will no longer feel constrained, as they did after the Soleimani assassination and the June 2025 conflict. On those occasions, Iran responded in a way that was not even proportionate to its losses – limited strikes on American military bases in the region.

Now the gloves are off, and each side will be trying to land a knockout blow. But what does that constitute? The U.S. administration appears to be set on regime change. Iran’s leadership will be looking for something that goes beyond its previous retaliatory strikes – and that likely means American deaths. That eventuality has been anticipated by Trump, who warned that there might be American casualties.

So why is Trump willing to risk that now? It is clear to me that despite talk of progress in the rounds of diplomatic talks, Trump has lost his patience with the process.

On Feb. 26, after the latest round of talks in Geneva, we didn’t hear much from the U.S. side. Trump’s calculus may have been that Iran wasn’t taking the hint – made clear by adding a second carrier strike group to the other warships and hundreds of fighter aircraft sent to the region over the past several weeks – that Tehran had no option other than agreeing to the U.S. demands.

What happens next

What we don’t know is whether the U.S. strategy is now to pause and see if an initial round of strikes has forced Iran to sue for peace – or whether the initial strikes are just a prelude to more to come.

For now, the diplomatic ship appears to have sailed. Trump seems to have no appetite for a deal now – he just wants Iran’s regime gone.

In order to do that, he has made a number of calculated gambles. First politically and legally: Trump did not go through Congress before ordering Operation Epic Fury. Unlike 23 years ago when President George W. Bush took the U.S. into Iraq, there is no war authorization giving the president cover.

Instead, White House lawyers must have assessed that Trump can carry out this operation under his Article 2 powers to act as commander in chief. Even so, the 1973 War Powers Act will mean the clock is now ticking. If the attacks are not concluded in 60 days, the administration will have to go back to Congress and say the operation is complete, or work with Congress for an authorization to use force or a formal declaration of war.

The second gamble is whether Iranians will heed his call to remove a regime that many have long wanted gone. Given the ferocity of the regime’s response to the protests in January, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of Iranians, are Iranians willing to face down Iran’s internal security forces and drive what remains of the regime from power?

Third, the U.S. administration has made a bet that the Iranian regime – even confronted with an existential threat – does not have the capability to drag the U.S. into a lengthy conflict to inflict massive casualties.

And this last point is crucial. Experts know Tehran has no nuclear bomb and only has a limited stockpile of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles.

But it can lean on unconventional capabilities. Terrorism is a real concern – either through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force, which coordinates Iran’s unconventional warfare, or through its partnership with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Or actors like the Houthis in Yemen or Shia militias in Iraq may seek to conduct attacks against U.S. interests in solidarity with Iran or directed to do so by the regime.

A mass casualty event may put political pressure on Trump, but I cannot see it leading to U.S. boots on ground in Iran. The American public doesn’t have the appetite for such an eventuality, and that would necessitate Trump gaining Congressional approval, which for now has not yet materialized.

No one has a crystal ball, and it is early in an operation that will likely go on for days, if not longer. But one thing is clear: Iran’s regime is facing an existential threat. Do not expect it to show restraint.

The awards air this evening on ITV and will play host to various famous singers, both at the event and performing on stage.

For the first time, the BRIT Awards will be held at Manchester’s Co-op Live after nearly five decades in London.

While there are nine confirmed artists who are performing, more could yet appear at the event or on stage, with surprises confirmed to be coming.

Jack Whitehall says ‘many surprises’ coming at 2026 BRITs

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, earlier this week, Jack wrote: “My rehearsals for The Brits are done.

“It is insane how many surprises there are this year on top of all the amazing acts we have already announced.

“Only one more day of having to keep my gob shut!”

Among the rumours swirling are that Taylor Swift, who is up for International Artist of the Year and Best International Song with The Fate of Ophelia, may be at the event.

Showbiz correspondent Ross King spoke about the possibility of the American pop icon being at the event on an episode of ITV’s Lorraine recently.

My rehearsals for The Brits are done. It is insane how many surprises there this year on top of all the amazing acts we have already announced. Only one more day of having to keep my gob shut! 🤐 @BRITs

— Jack Whitehall (@jackwhitehall) February 26, 2026

He said: “The word is that she is in the country already, she’s here with her big entourage, they’re already heading up to Manchester, where the Brits will be for the first time.”

Host Jack Whitehall also discussed the possibility of Taylor Swift being at the show on Capital Breakfast with Jordan North, Chris Stark and Sian Welby earlier this week.

He said: “Yeah, look, I’m not going to confirm if Taylor Swift is going to be there.

“That’s good journalism, I’m not falling into that trap.

“But yeah, chasing your own adventure and every scenario you can, but the reason why people love the BRITs is it is chaos and you cannot plan for everything and stuff does happen.”

Who is performing at the 2026 BRIT Awards?

The full list of this year’s confirmed BRIT Awards live performances is:

• Harry Styles
• Olivia Dean
• Wolf Alice
• EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI (HUNTR/X)
• Alex Warren
• Mark Ronson
• ROSALÍA
• sombr
• RAYE

Harry Styles will open the show in what are just weeks before he plays at the same arena for his ‘One Night Only’ show.

Another surprise that could happen is Sam Fender joining Olivia Dean on stage to perform their popular song Rein Me In.

Dean and Fender are among the most nominated for the event, with the former up for five awards and the latter up for four.

Three awards have already been confirmed before this year’s event, with Oasis’ Noel Gallagher named Songwriter of the Year, PinkPantheress winning Producer of the Year, and Mark Ronson winning the award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

You can see the full list of nominations on the BRIT Awards website .

What time are the BRIT Awards on TV?

The 2026 BRIT Awards take place this evening, Saturday, February 28.

The event will be broadcast live from 8.15pm on ITV1 and ITVX, and is expected to finish at about 10.50pm

Who are you rooting for to win a BRIT award tonight? Let us know in the comments.

The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust aim to purchase the Rothbury Estate, a 15-square-mile tract of former grouse moor, woodland, farmland, streams, and rivers, with plans to boost wildlife, restore bogs, and champion nature-friendly farming.

The historic estate is the largest area of land to be put on sale in England in decades, and sits in the heart of what nature experts said could be a 40-mile ‘wild’ corridor of protected landscapes, nature reserves and wildlife-focused estates stretching from the coast to Kielder and the Scottish border.

Simonside, Rothbury (Image: Duncan Hutt)

Northumberland Wildlife Trust chief executive Mike Pratt has described the purchase as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ to make a meaningful impact for nature on a large scale through habitat restoration and protection, rewilding, increased access to the countryside, and sustainable food production.

Sir David Attenborough has also lent his support to the public appeal, which had raised more than £10 million towards its £30 million target as of early 2026.

Plans prompted fresh debate after a new Fieldsports Britain video questioned whether the land needs ‘saving’ at all.

More: Attenborough-backed appeal to buy historic Northumberland estate hits £10m

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The film, titled “Rothbury rewilding scandal?”, examined proposals by The Wildlife Trusts to manage the estate in what they describe as a national flagship for nature recovery.

Supporters claimed the vision could see enhanced peatland restoration, improved water management, carbon sequestration and long-term biodiversity gains across the Simonside Hills and surrounding uplands.

Critics, however, argued the estate already supports significant wildlife under its current and recent management, and warn that large-scale rewilding or predator reintroductions could damage existing species, particularly ground-nesting birds.

The debate comes at a time when large-scale landscape recovery projects are expanding across the UK, often attracting both strong public support and strong opposition.

The Fieldsports Britain video explored both sides of the debate and asked what the future of Rothbury should look like and who should decide.

Among those who raised concerns in the video was countryside writer Ian Coghill, who argued that conservation efforts should focus on ‘bottom up’ ecology, including plants, invertebrates and habitat management, rather than high-profile species reintroductions.

Caudhole Moss, Simonside in the estate (Image: Duncan Hutt)

He questioned the long-term funding model for the estate and called for full baseline data on existing wildlife to be published before major changes are made.

“The most important people are the ones that live and work there,” he said in the programme, referring to tenant farmers and local communities.

The Wildlife Trusts have responded, outlining their approach and commitment to scientific monitoring.

In a statement, they said: “In October 2024, The Wildlife Trusts – in partnership with Northumberland Wildlife Trust – purchased part of The Rothbury Estate, which includes the much-loved Simonside Hills.

“Surveys and monitoring of the upland area that we’ve acquired are being undertaken to work out the best form of management to benefit wildlife, peatlands, water management and sequester carbon.

“As well as baseline surveys on every aspect of species and habitats, archaeology and geology surveys are also being undertaken, forming the basis of a long-term data bank used to inform all aspects of site management.

“This is added to by the close involvement of those who know, manage and farm the estate already, or who have in the past, as well as evaluation of existing data. We are also working closely with Newcastle University Centre for Landscape to ensure the very highest level of data collection and most up to date technology and techniques are applied across all disciplines into the future.

“We see this scientific survey and monitoring as a key facet of Rothbury being seen as a national exemplar of farming and nature recovery. We also intend to involve local communities in citizen science data gathering. The evaluation of impact of all we aim to achieve is central to our approach.

“Whilst fundraising for the purchase of the remainder of the estate, we have been speaking to the local community and are keen to work closely with tenants, including farm tenants, to develop a long-term strategy for the estate. This long-term strategy will aim to create a place where people and nature can thrive side by side.”

Israeli officials are claiming Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s body has been found

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there are growing signs that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died.

The Israeli Premier said that there was growing evidence the man he called “the dictator” had been killed in the US Israeli airstrikes carried out on Saturday and for which Iran retaliated with strikes across the region.

Other Israeli officials have claimed that the Iranian Supreme Leader’s body had been found. Other sources are said to have claimed that Israel’s ambassador had told the US that Khamenei was killed in the strike on his compound in the Iranian capital Tehran.

Israel’s media is widely reporting that Israeli officials are claiming that Khamenei is dead.

BBC Verity previously shared satellite images which it said showed significant damage to the property where Khamenei’s offices were based. It said the image, captured by Airbus, showed smoke rising from blackened buildings strewn with debris.

Iran’s leader has not spoken since the attacks although a senior member of the regime, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, previously said he believed he was alive and well.

Speaking earlier on Saturday, Araghchi said that the US Israeli strikes may have killed “one or two commanders” but he said that Khamenei, is “alive” as far as he is aware.

The BBC’s Persian service said that people in Tehran were celebrating, cheering the leader’s death by honking horns, screaming in celebration.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has led Iran since 1989 as head of state and commander in chief with authority over the national police, morality police and the feared Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which is in charge of internal security, and its volunteer wing, the Basij Resistance Force.

“That is in itself, for me, therapeutic because I’m putting it all out there”

Online sensation Serena Terry, aka Mammy Banter, is putting a difficult year behind her as she heads out on her biggest stand-up tour to date.

In 2024, the Derry woman was on a roll, becoming the first ever female comedian to sell out Belfast’s SSE Arena, millions of adoring fans on social media and two books under her belt.

However, last year she found herself facing some difficult battles, including the death of her father, and wants to show the world the reality behind the TikToks in her new show.

READ MORE: Mammy Banter creator Serena Terry on her upcoming ‘biggest tour to date’READ MORE: Mammy Banter Serena Terry announces SSE Arena Belfast show as part of ‘biggest tour to date’

Speaking to Belfast Live, Serena said her new tour ‘Therapy’ shows audiences that it’s ok if you don’t know what you’re doing and that sometimes we have to “just laugh about it and have a bit of craic”.

A description of the show reads: “Over the last 6 months, Serena has tried and tested 22 different types of therapy in a bid to improve her physical and mental health and calm the chaos that comes with being a busy mum on the cusp of turning 40, resulting in some diverse, embarrassing and hilarious outcomes.

“She’ll take you through her journey of self improvement. Park your worries at the door and strap in for a night of honest hilarity that’ll leave tears of laughter streaming down your face, providing a little bit of your own therapy in return.”

Returning to the SSE Arena stage on May 16, Serena is also performing three hometown gigs at Derry’s Millennium Forum on April 24, 25 and May 9.

She said: “It is essentially a recap of my 2025 where life threw a few curveballs, including depression, ADHD, divorce, my dad died and a few other things in between, whilst being a parent and going through perimenopause.

“It does not sound funny on paper, but it really is about talking through the quiet parts out loud and hoping that people recognise themselves in the chaos.”

With 2.5million followers and over 80million likes on TikTok, she is no stranger to making people laugh through their phones.

However, she described transforming likes and comments on her video to real in-person laughter while performing stand-up as “surreal”.

“I don’t think it even feels real to me anymore – it just kind of meshed the transition from online and doing everything behind my phone never felt like it was the actual real people who were commenting or engaging with my content,” Serena explained.

“So whenever you go out and go on stage to be actually in the place where people are and see their faces and see their reactions in real time, do your jokes, it’s incredible – it’s really, really addictive.”

While her two children are slightly too young just yet to be able to enjoy her stand-up content, she said being able to take her daughter behind the scene of her previous SSE Arena show as the “proudest day of [her] life”.

She added: “I will never, ever forget that as long as I live.”

As for stepping into the world of stand-up after years of creating skits, Serena said it pushes her to new levels which has meant to much to her while facing the darker times.

“It’s such a raw nature that you’re exposed to – you’re live, if you make a mistake, it’s not like online, you can’t just edit your video or hit stop. You’re there and you have to be vulnerable.

“But that is in itself, for me, therapeutic because I’m putting it all out there.

“I’m putting it all out on the line and when people laugh and appreciate it and relate to it, it makes me feel like I’m normal as well.”

Serena said that she hopes people “recognise themselves” in her stories on tour and leave knowing they can relate to someone, while also doubled over in laughter.

She concluded: “I want them to recognise themselves in those little life instances and traumas and curveballs and plot twists and understand that they are normal and how they survive it.

“A lot of us, we do struggle alone with things so if I can bring that out and have people relate and be able to laugh at the absurdity of how relaable it is and how actually we’re not alone, we’re all going through the same thing, then that to me means that people feel that they belong and they are doing better than they are.

“That’s what it’s about.”

You can find out more and get tickets to her tour shows here

VIDEO BY JUSTIN KERNOGHAN

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Groups descended on York and Knaresborough to perform a series of dances, featuring traditional English folk music and costume.

Crowds were seen gathering in Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square in York, and at Knaresborough Castle this afternoon (Saturday, February 28).

Recommended reading:

Morris dancing first appeared in England in the 15th century, with its earliest surviving mention dating back to 1448.

The dance, featuring dancers dressed in vibrant costume with bell pads tied to each leg, has captured the hearts of people across the world.

An array of colour – the groups were adorned in a variety of costumes (Image: Lisa Young – Press Camera Club)

Styles include Border Morris, Clog Step, Cotswold Morris, Longsword, Maypole, Molly, Mumming, North West Morris, Rapper Sword and Stave Dancing.

Dancers move to the rhythm of flutes and other instruments, with each movement heard by the sound of the bell pads attached to their shins.

Sticks, swords, handkerchiefs and other props can also be used in each dance.

The crowds gathered in Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square today (Image: Lisa Young – Press Camera Club)

In York, women from group Mortimer’s Morris in Nottingham played for audiences.

The all-women’s dance group was established 32 years ago and performed dances from the North West tradition to curious passers-by.

The Smokehouse arrived to Cardiff on February 27 and will stay until the end of the weekend, giving people a taste of their award winning smokehouse BBQ

People in Cardiff are being given the chance to try award-winning meat brisket this weekend as Meat and Eat Smokehouse has come into the city with a special food trailer pop-up.

The smokehouse trailer will be set up at Hire Me Rentals at 293 Penarth Road, on Saturday, February 28, and Sunda, March 1. Opening times for the pop-up are listed as 12pm until late on both days.

Meat and Eat was originally founded in Wolverhampton and has built a reputation for its smoky, slow-cooked meats. This year it has been travelling to different cities across the UK with weekend food truck appearances.

Cardiff is the latest stop on the tour, where they have been making an appearance from Friday, February 27 until Sunday, March 1.

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The weekend pop-up is expected to attract food lovers from across the city, the smokehouse’s Tiktok page showed large queues last night (February 27) of people waiting out in the rain for the a chance to buy the food.

The smokehouse business was started by brothers, Kasim Azim, Daud Azim and Abdulraheem Azim, in 2017. Since then, they have seen their humble business beginning turn into a popular and well loved food spot, gaining over 160k followers on Instagram and a strong social media presence on Facebook and Youtube.

Speaking about the journey, Kasim said: “It took us nine years. The first five years were a struggle. We had to put in the work, the passion, and the patience, and now it’s built our brand. We just carried it on, carried it on, carried it on.”

The team started with a restaurant in Wolverhampton in 2017 and has since expanded to a food trailer in Birmingham and a touring food truck, bringing their barbecue to cities across the UK.

The Cardiff pop-up is part of that ongoing tour. Since 2025, the Meat and Eat smokehouse has been visiting cities across the UK to give them a taste of their award winning meals. For the last six to seven months the smokehouse has been touring around many different cities every weekend.

Kasim explained their mission: “Cardiff probably hasn’t had this before. We want to make it readily available for whoever wants to have it. All ages. There’s no discrimination. A lot of smokehouses only attract a specific group, but we’ve made ours for everyone.”

The brothers pride themselves on making barbecue an inclusive experience. “With food, it’s like a love language. It ignites everybody. People from different backgrounds, ages, and genders come, and they enjoy it. We want everyone to have a taste.”

Kasim spoke enthusiastically on the importance of his business and his dedication to want people to try what Meat and Eat has to offer, “you cant come to us, we will come to you”, he says.

Speaking on his passion towards his smokehouse business, Kasim says: “We will be going to Texas next. That’s how serious we are. We’ll be going there for 10 days for more inspiration, for more research, and possibly get trained, so that’s the passion we give to this”

Last year, the smokehouse was invited to the Manchester Fume Festival to compete against world-class pit masters and chefs. That is where they were given the ‘Best Dish Award’ for their signature pulled-brisket samosa that was a fusion between American and South Asian flavours. Speaking on the award, Kasim said: “We did not expect to win, but once they had that samosa with the sauce, it was all over.”

Their approach has already taken them to around 16 cities, and each stop is chosen to ensure the food reaches new audiences.

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Si King says “not a day goes by” where fellow Hairy Biker Dave Myers is not in his thoughts, marking the anniversary of his death on Saturday (February 28).

The TV chef, who hails from Kibblesworth, rose to fame with Myers after meeting on the set of the drama “The Gambling Man” in 1995 and bonding over their love of cooking.

Hairy Bikers Si King and Dave Myers. (Image: Steve Lake/BBC/PA)

The friends then went on to publish several cookbooks, as well as presenting several shows, such as The Hairy Bikers Ride Again, The Hairy Bikers’ Food Tour Of Britain, The Hairy Bikers: Mums Know Best, The Hairy Bikers’ Cook Off and Hairy Bikers’ Best Of British.

But tragically, Myers passed away from cancer on February 28, 2024, aged just 66.

Marking the anniversary, King recorded and posted a short, emotional video which faded into a black and white photo of the friends.

“Well mate, it’s two years since you passed and I think about you every day,” he said.

King then went on to share a number of pictures of himself and his beloved co-star, inviting fans to do the same.

He wrote: “Sometimes words just don’t come easily. Two years today and not a day goes by when you aren’t in my thoughts.

“Miss you mate… I’m going to be posting some of my favourite pictures throughout the day and I hope they make you smile.

Si King and Dave Myers. (Image: BBC)

“Please take a moment to remember Dave today and what he meant to you.

“I see so many lovely comments on here of all of the special moments that he shared with so many of you and just how much those moments meant for you.

“Thank you so much sharing them with me everyone.”

Speaking to Radio Times in January 2025, Si opened up about the difficult loss of his “brother” Dave, who died after being diagnosed with cancer in 2024.

The 59-year-old told the publisher: “He doesn’t stop being your best mate just because he’s passed away. That’s never going to go. We were like brothers: we drove each other mad, because we were two very different people, but we absolutely adored each other.”

Si, who now runs popular foodie spot Propa in Sunderland, added that “nobody’s ever going to take Dave’s place”.

He explained: “I don’t want to look in the rear-view mirror of my motorcycle and see anyone else there. It’s Dave, you know? And the same when he was leading: I drove hundreds of miles looking at his ugly a**. That’s my memory, that’s what I want to keep. That’s what it was about.”

Si recalled how he travelled around 650,000 miles with Dave on their motorbikes, which is “more than to the moon and back” and that the only way he can begin to move forward is by “cherishing the memories”.

Former Hearts player Ryan Stevenson was on punditry duty as part of BBC Radio Scotland’s Sportsound commentary and echoed Braga and McInnes’ sentiments.

“The atmosphere is unbelievable,” he said. “What you would give to be a player on that pitch just now,” he said.

And, afterwards, he proclaimed: “I think Hearts will win the league. I genuinely do.

“I cannot see Hearts buckling. I cannot see Hearts losing three or four games.

“I just can’t see Hearts losing the title now.”

Rangers are second, two points above Celtic, who have a game in hand. Those two teams meet at Ibrox on Sunday so, one way or another, Hearts’ seven-point advantage will be reduced by weekends’ end.

And Celtic travel to Aberdeen on Wednesday to play their game in hand.

Studio pundit, former Hearts player Michael Stewart, is similarly minded to Stevenson.

“I do think with every game that’s ticked off, there’s an extra level of pressure but equally I think there’s an extra level of belief. They almost counter each other.

“They’re the ones that are sitting there top of the table and deservedly so.”

Drivers are anticipating hiked petrol prices following the eruption of conflict in the Middle East after the US and Israel carried out strikes across lran.

The attacks, along with retaliatory strikes by Iranian forces have seen targets in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Iraq hit, have prompted several oil companies to suspend the shipments of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

Edmund King, president of the AA, has now warned that the bombing across the Middle East will cause significant disruption to the oil trade.

Follow live updates here.

“The turmoil and bombing across the Middle East will surely be a catalyst to disrupt oil distribution globally, which will inevitably lead to price hikes,” Mr King told The Times.

open image in gallery

“So drivers beware, within the next 10 to 12 days we could be seeing record prices at the pumps.”

Oil prices are expected to surge when the New York Futures market opens at 11pm on Sunday, with crucial shipping lanes affected by the joint US-Israeli assault, which Iranian media reports has killed at least 201 people so far.

Several oil companies and tanker owners have suspended crude oil, fuel and liquefied natural gas shipments via the Strait of Hormuz following the eruption of conflict in the region, trading sources earlier told Reuters news agency.

The strait is the world’s most vital oil export route, which connects the biggest Gulf oil producers, such as Saudia Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates, with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

open image in gallery

“Our ships will stay put for several days,” one top executive at a major trading desk said. Satellite images from tanker trackers showed vessels piling up next to big ports, such as Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, and not moving through Hormuz.

Multiple vessels in the area have received VHF transmission from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards that “no ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz”, an official with the EU naval mission Aspides told Reuters.

The UK Navy said Iran’s orders were not legally binding and advised vessels to transit with caution.

An official from the European Union’s naval mission Aspides had earlier said that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards were warning that “no ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz”.

Iran has not formally confirmed any such order. About 20 per cent of global oil and gas flows through this narrow shipping lane in the Gulf, and blocking it could have serious consequences for the global economy.