Good afternoon. It's 12PM, Friday, 13th March. The headlines: Gulf nations confront a rise in missile and drone strikes. Iran is adamant about obstructing the Strait of Hormuz. The US allows sales of some Russian oil shipments. #Israel escalates attacks on Hezbollah in Beirut. A #UK couple's son lobbies in America for their freedom from Iranian custody. A US aircraft accident in #Iraq results in four fatalities. #BBC #News