TEHRAN, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Iran has issued an ultimatum to hotel owners in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, warning that hosting U.S. military personnel could make their properties legitimate military targets, the semi-official Fars news agency reported Thursday.Fars reported that U.S. 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.The report also claimed U.S. 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. U.S. 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 U.S. military personnel, accusing the soldiers of fleeing their bases and using civilian sites as cover.From the outset of this war, U.S. 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 Feb. 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 U.S. bases and tightened control of the Strait of Hormuz, blocking vessels affiliated with Israel and the United States.

QUITO, March 26 (Xinhua) -- At least one person was killed and another injured after two light aircraft collided on Thursday in Puebloviejo canton, Ecuador's coastal province of Los Rios, according to the country's emergency response system.Residents alerted authorities after hearing the impact and seeing a thick column of smoke rising from the crash site among a crop field. Emergency teams were deployed after the alert was received.Local media reported that the planes were conducting crop-spraying operations. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

The Pentagon is considering deploying up to 10,000 additional ground troops to the Middle East to give U.S. President Donald Trump more military options beyond diplomacy, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.

BAGHDAD, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Iraq on Thursday reaffirmed its firm rejection of any attacks targeting Gulf Arab states and Jordan, noting that the security of Arab countries is an integral part of Iraq's own national security.In a statement, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said the government is committed to a balanced foreign policy based on mutual respect and joint efforts to reduce tensions in the region.Iraq rejects the use of its soil for attacks on other nations, the ministry said, adding that the government is taking all necessary steps to protect its sovereignty and regional stability.Iraq is prepared to receive and examine any evidence of attacks launched from its territory and to address such matters cooperatively and swiftly, it said.On Wednesday, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan issued a joint statement, denouncing Iranian attacks targeting countries in the region, including attacks launched by Iranian-backed armed groups from Iraq.On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.