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US-Israel-Iran War Highlights: As tensions escalated between the United States, Israel and Iran, the conflict entered its eighth day. with Israel launching a new wave of strikes and explosions reported at one of Tehran’s main commercial airports, where eyewitnesses said planes were burning on the tarmac.
The confrontation, which began on February 28 with a strike in Tehran, has expanded beyond aerial attacks to include naval activity in the Indian Ocean and drone strikes across the Gulf. US President Donald Trump said there would be “no deal” with Iran except “unconditional surrender”, adding that after any capitulation the country should choose a new leader acceptable to his administration.
In a definitive hardening of the US stance, President Donald Trump declared via Truth Social that diplomatic negotiations are off the table until the Iranian regime agrees to an “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.”
“There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! After that… we will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink… making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before. MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!),” Trump posted.
The President further intensified the rhetoric by urging Iranian Kurdish forces to open a domestic front against the central government, signaling a strategy aimed at total regime collapse.
The geographical scope of the war widened significantly following a rare submarine engagement in the Indian Ocean. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed that a US Navy submarine torpedoed and sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena off the coast of Galle, Sri Lanka.
In this rapidly evolving kinetic environment, The Indian Express Global Desk prioritises official military briefings from the IDF and CENTCOM, corroborated by satellite intelligence. All casualty figures are attributed to specific reporting agencies. Given the fluid situation in Tehran and the Gulf, we advise readers to strictly follow official government travel advisories.
For the fifth time since midnight, the Israeli Defence Forces said it has detected the launch of ballistic missiles from Iran. Sirens sound in Tel Aviv and other parts of central Israel, reported The Times of Israel.
Explosions sent up clouds of dark smoke in the Iranian capital city early Saturday, and Tehran retaliated by firing missiles at Israel as the United States warned of a forthcoming bombing campaign that officials said would be the most intense yet in the weeklong conflict.There was no foreseeable end to the fighting. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration approved a new $151 million arms sale to Israel after Trump said he would not negotiate with Iran without its “unconditional surrender.”
Tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran intensified on Saturday as Israeli forces launched fresh strikes on Iranian targets, including one of Tehran’s main commercial airports, where witnesses reported burning aircraft on the tarmac.
The Israeli military said it has detected missile launches towards the Greater Tel Aviv area and large parts of central Israel.
Earlier, missiles were detected heading towards other parts of the country, including southern Israel, as reported by the Aljazeera.
Bahrain's Interior Ministry has activated air raid sirens, urging citizens and residents to remain calm and head to the nearest safe location.
This is likely due to the ongoing regional conflict between Iran and Israel-US forces. The ministry has also asked people to use main roads only when necessary to maintain public safety. (Aljazeera)
A moderate earthquake with a magnitude of 4.1 struck near Bandar Abbas in southern Iran on Saturday, March 7, 2026, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The tremor originated approximately 75 km west of Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan province, at a shallow depth of 10 km, causing noticeable shaking in the region. However, no immediate reports of major damage or casualties.
Here's a brief overview of the conflict:
The US State Department has approved a $151.8 million arms sale to Israel, including 12,000 1,000-pound bomb bodies, citing an emergency situation due to ongoing conflicts. The sale aims to enhance Israel's defense capabilities and deter regional threats.
(With inputs from agencies)
US President Donald Trump said he will visit Dover Air Force Base on Saturday with the First Lady and members of his Cabinet to pay tribute to fallen US service members returning home.
“I will be going to Dover Air Force Base tomorrow, with the First Lady and Members of my Cabinet, to pay our Highest Respect to our Great Warriors, who are returning home for the last time. God bless them all!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to discuss Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and measures to halt them under their Joint Strategic Defense Agreement.
They emphasized that such actions undermine regional security and stability, hoping Iran will exercise wisdom and avoid miscalculation.
Met with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defense Forces, Field Marshal Asim Munir. We discussed Iranian attacks on the Kingdom and the measures needed to halt them within the framework of our Joint Strategic Defense Agreement. We stressed that such actions undermine… pic.twitter.com/OuELnf9LU6
— Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) March 7, 2026
At least three people were killed and 16 injured in Israeli airstrikes on the village of Nabi Chit in Lebanon's Bekaa region, as reported by the Lebanese Ministry of Health, according to Aljazeera.
Kuwait's military reported on Friday that its air defense systems neutralized 12 Iranian drones and 14 ballistic or cruise missiles in multiple waves since dawn. Explosions from successful interceptions echoed across the country, causing only limited property damage from falling debris.
بيان رقم 17
— KUWAIT ARMY - الجيش الكويتي (@KuwaitArmyGHQ) March 6, 2026
صادر عن المتحدث الرسمي لوزارة الدفاع
العقيد الركن سعود عبدالعزيز العطوان
تصدت القوات المسلحة الكويتية منذ فجر اليوم الجمعة الموافق 6 مارس 2026 لموجة من الهجمات الصاروخية والطائرات المسيّرة المعادية القادمة من إيران.
حيث اعترضت ودمرت الدفاعات الجوية الكويتية عدد… pic.twitter.com/X2nO5kjsew
A drone attack targeted a compound housing foreign oil company employees in Iraq's Basra province, sparking fires at US firms Halliburton and KBR's offices and warehouses, according to security sources quoted by Reuters.
Meanwhile, Baghdad international airport came under attack with drones and missiles, with a security official telling Agence France Presse that the facility, which houses a military base and US diplomatic facility, was hit.
As The Guardian reports, "The international coalition forces downed four explosive-laden drones over Erbil," with debris from one drone falling near a hotel, though no casualties were reported.
Saudi Arabia invoked its Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement with Pakistan as Iran’s drone and missile strikes on the Kingdom continue, including attacks on oil facilities and the US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said on X on Friday.
التقيت معالي قائد قوات الدفاع قائد الجيش الباكستاني المشير عاصم منير.
— Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) March 7, 2026
بحثنا الاعتداءات الإيرانية على المملكة في إطار اتفاقية الدفاع الإستراتيجي المشترك بين بلدينا الشقيقين، وسبل وقف هذه الاعتداءات التي لا تصب في مصلحة أمن واستقرار المنطقة، متمنيّن أن يُغلب الجانب الإيراني الحكمة… pic.twitter.com/ex5Qf32lMj
The Titan Airways repatriation flight that landed at 12.30am on Saturday had departed from Muscat international airport in Oman at 5.33pm before a short layover in Cairo on Friday, PA Media is reporting.
The latest evacuees join about 6,500 Britons who have returned from the United Arab Emirates since widespread conflict began in the region a week ago.
More than 160,000 British nationals have registered their presence in the Middle East with the UK government.
Donald Trump refused to answer a question from Fox News about Russia providing intelligence to Iran, calling it a "stupid question" and scolding the reporter for mentioning the war during a roundtable on college sports. Trump claimed the US is "doing very well" in Iran, scoring it a "12 to a 15".
Iran's UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, has strongly condemned US President Donald Trump's insistence on being involved in selecting Iran's next supreme leader, saying the process will follow constitutional procedures without foreign interference.
The comments come after Trump's remarks that he should be involved in choosing Iran's next leader, citing concerns about the country's stability and security. Iravani emphasized Iran's sovereignty and independence, stating that the selection process will be solely determined by the Iranian people.
Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called the US-Israel war with Iran "an extraordinary mistake", adding that the conflict is "clearly outside of international legality".
He continues by saying that he believes "among allied countries, it is good to help when one is right and also to point out when one is wrong or making a mistake, as is the case".
French president Emmanuel Macron has held phone conversations with Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa and Lebanese president Joseph Aoun, amid growing fears that the US-Israeli war on Iran is fast expanding to other parts of the Middle East.
In a post on X, Macron said: "France is working with its partners to prevent the conflict from spreading further in the region. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and Lebanon must be respected, as must the sovereignty and territorial integrity of every country in the region. The ongoing acts of destabilization must leave no room for terrorism. France will ensure that this is the case.
Je me suis entretenu avec le Président syrien Ahmad Al-Charaa ainsi que le Président libanais Joseph Aoun.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 6, 2026
La France œuvre avec ses partenaires à éviter que le conflit ne se propage davantage dans la région.…
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has sounded the alarm on the devastating impact of the Middle East conflict, stating that "all unlawful attacks in the region are causing tremendous suffering and harm to civilians" and posing a significant threat to the global economy, especially for vulnerable populations.
He emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and serious diplomatic negotiations, warning that the situation "could spiral beyond anyone's control.
All the unlawful attacks in the Middle East and beyond are causing tremendous suffering and harm to civilians throughout the region – and pose a grave a risk to the global economy, particularly to the most vulnerable people.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) March 6, 2026
The situation could spiral beyond anyone’s control.…
Huge explosions rocked areas in western Tehran near Mehrabad Airport and Ekbatan neighborhood early Saturday, videos shared on social media.
Huge explosions rocked areas in western Tehran near Mehrabad Airport and Ekbatan neighborhood early Saturday, videos shared by @Vahid show. pic.twitter.com/wrf2VP0N44
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) March 6, 2026
President Donald Trump privately expressed serious interest in deploying US troops on the ground inside Iran, focusing on a small contingent for specific strategic purposes rather than a large-scale invasion, according to NBC News sources familiar with his discussions amid the escalating US-Israel war with Iran.
EXCLUSIVE: Trump has privately shown serious interest in U.S. ground troops in Iran. https://t.co/Ptbl4NTa85
— NBC News (@NBCNews) March 6, 2026
The Israeli military said it has begun a “broad-scale” wave of strikes in Tehran, per the AP.
The report came minutes after the Israeli military said it was working to intercept missiles launched from Iran toward Israel early on Saturday morning
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with Fox News on Friday that the United States is launching what he described as its largest bombing campaign yet targeting missile launchers and production facilities in Iran.
“Tonight would be our biggest bombing campaign and we will do the most damage to the Iranian missile launchers, the factories that build the missiles. We are substantially degrading them and our campaign has been overwhelming,” Bessent said.
INTERESTING: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Iran:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 6, 2026
Tonight will be our biggest bombing campaign.
We will do the most damage to the Iranian missile launchers and the factories that build the missiles. pic.twitter.com/zCYvaytdeC
We now have more on that phone call between Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian and Vladimir Putin.
The Russian president expressed his condolences for the deaths of Iran’s supreme leader, other government officials and civilians around the country, the Kremlin said, according to Russian state news agency TASS.
Putin also reiterated Russia’s stance that the hostilities must end immediately, and that a diplomatic resolution must be found.
Pezeshkian, meanwhile, expressed gratitude for Russia’s support, and provided a detailed report of Iran’s developments.
“It was agreed that contacts with the Iranian side will continue via various channels,” the Kremlin said.
Our colleagues from BBC Persian report that explosions have resumed in the Iranian capital.
Writing on Telegram, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it "has begun a broad-scale wave of strikes on the Iranian terror regime infrastructure in Tehran.
Russia has provided Iran with information that could help Tehran strike American warships, aircraft and other assets in the region, according to two officials familiar with U.S. intelligence on the matter.
The people, who were not authorized to comment publicly on the sensitive matter and spoke on the condition of anonymity, cautioned that the U.S. intelligence has not uncovered that Russia is directing Iran on what to do with the information.
Still, it’s the first indication that Moscow has sought to get involved in the war that the U.S. and Israel launched on Iran a week ago. Russia has tightened its relationship with Iran as it looked for badly needed missiles and drones to utilize in its four-year war Ukraine. Tehran, meanwhile, has been isolated for years over its nuclear program and its support of proxy groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, that have wreaked havoc in the Middle East.
The United States is well on its way toward controlling Iranian airspace, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, adding that Washington expects the achievable U.S. objectives to be completed in four to six weeks. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Leavitt also said Washington was looking at potential candidates to lead Iran, a day after President Donald Trump told Reuters in an interview that the United States must be involved in choosing the next leader of Iran.
"I know there's a number of people that our intelligence agencies and the United States government are looking at, but I won't get any further on that," Leavitt said.
The United States has sufficient weapons stockpiles to meet operational needs related to the conflict in Iran, said White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt as President Donald Trump prepares to meet with major defense contractors on Friday alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday he spoke to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and praised his efforts to keep his country out of the conflict in the Middle East.
"I reiterated my support for his resolute action to prevent Iraq from being drawn into the conflict," Macron said in a post on social media X.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsتحدثتُ للتو مع رئيس الوزراء العراقي محمد شياع السوداني.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 6, 2026
وأعربتُ له عن تضامن فرنسا الكامل مع العراق في مواجهة التصعيد الجاري في الشرق الادنى و الشرق الأوسط. وجددتُ دعمي لجهوده الحازمة من أجل عدم جرّ العراق إلى هذا النزاع.…
Saudi Arabia’s finance ministry says the kingdom’s fiscal position was strong and it had access to multiple export routes including the Red Sea, a week into the US-Israeli war on Iran.
“Economic activity across Saudi Arabia continues to operate normally,” the finance ministry’s spokesperson said in a statement that referred to “recent developments” but did not directly mention the conflict.
“We continue to assess economic and fiscal indicators on an ongoing basis, and current data confirm that our fiscal position and medium-term outlook remain solid,” the statement added.
(Al Jazeera)
"Trump still does not realize what he has brought upon himself and American soldiers by turning our Imam into a martyr, yet he wants to dictate terms to a nation," Iran's parliament speaker posted on his X handle.
"The Americans, instead of taking a hard line, had not done so, and now they will come to understand that the fate of dear Iran, which is more precious than life, will be determined solely by the proud Iranian nation, not by Epstein's gang," Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf added.
5 IDF soldiers were severely injured and 3 lightly injured as a result of projectile fire toward Israel near the Lebanese border, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) posted on X.
The soldiers were evacuated to receive medical treatment in the hospital, and their families have been notified, IDF added.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js⭕️5 IDF soldiers were severely injured and 3 lightly injured as a result of projectile fire toward Israel near the Lebanese border.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 6, 2026
The soldiers were evacuated to receive medical treatment in the hospital, and their families have been notified.
The Israeli military says missiles have been launched from Iran towards Israel.
In a statement, the army said its defence systems were working to intercept the incoming projectiles.
(Al Jazeera)
Iranian forces fired seven attack drones at residential neighbourhoods in Bahrain on Thursday evening, the head of the US military’s Middle East-based Central Command (CENTCOM), Brad Cooper, has said.
In a statement published on social media, Cooper accused Iran of “deliberately” targeting civilians across the Middle East.
“This is unacceptable and will not go unanswered,” he said.
(Al Jazeera)
Germany has pulled additional Bundeswehr troops out of the Middle East, a military spokesman told Reuters Friday.
Soldiers deployed with the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon are being withdrawn due to the security situation, the spokesperson said after the Bundeswehr already sharply reduced its presence in Erbil in northern Iraq.
The RND newspaper network, which first reported the news, said that German troops stationed in Bahrain had already returned home, and preparations for withdrawals from Kuwait were underway. The RND report also said that soldiers and staff from the German embassy in Baghdad were being relocated to Jordan.
An Israeli airstrike on a house in southern Lebanon’s town of Majdal Selm has killed nine members of the same family, Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reports.
Most of those killed were woman and children, NNA said, without providing more details.
(Al Jazeera)
India has allowed the urgent docking of an Iranian ship in Kochi and provided accommodation to its 183 crew members, government sources said on Friday. The ship, IRIS Lavan, developed urgent technical issues and was granted emergency docking approval on March 1, following a request from the Iranian side, they said.
India was approached by the Iranian side days before the Iranian warship IRIS Dena was sunk by a US submarine using a torpedo off the coast of Sri Lanka.
IRIS Dena was returning home after participating in the Milan multilateral naval exercise hosted by India. At least 87 Iranian sailors were killed in the attack.
Days before the IRIS Dena incident south of Sri Lanka, India was approached by Iran to take in IRIS Lavan, which was also in the region for the International Fleet Review, the sources said.
(PTI)
Sri Lanka transferred more than 200 sailors from an Iranian naval vessel to shore Friday after it sought assistance while anchored outside the country’s waters, as tensions mounted in the Indian Ocean following the sinking of an Iranian warship by a US submarine.
Sri Lankan Navy spokesperson Cmdr. Buddhika Sampath said 204 sailors of the IRIS Bushehr were brought to Welisara Naval Base near the capital, Colombo. They underwent border control procedures and medical tests, but none were found to have health issues.
About 15 others have been left aboard the ship with Sri Lankan naval personnel for assistance because they had reported a fault with the ship.
The Iranian sailors are interpreting operational instructions, manuals and logs for their Sri Lankan counterparts. He said the ship will be taken to the port of Trincomalee in eastern Sri Lanka, and remain in Sri Lankan custody until further notice.
Iranian ship was taking part in naval exercises. The Sri Lankan government took custody of the Bushehr after the US sank an Iranian warship, the IRIS Dena, off Sri Lanka’s coast Wednesday.
Russia is providing Iran with targeting information that includes locations of US warships and aircraft in the Middle East, the Washington Post reported Friday, citing three officials familiar with the intelligence.
The extent of Russia's support to Iran was not entirely clear but the Iranian military's own ability to locate US forces has been degraded since the US and Israel launched strikes against Tehran last week, the Post reported.
The war has since escalated, triggering retaliatory strikes by Iran, and ensnared its neighbours as it seeks to impose a high cost on the US, Israel and their allies.
The US military has identified six reserve soldiers killed in Kuwait when a drone slammed into a US military facility in Port Shuaiba. Trump and other senior officials have warned the conflict will likely result in more US military deaths.
A White House spokeswoman did not directly comment on the alleged Russian support to Iran.
"The Iranian regime is being absolutely crushed. Their ballistic missile retaliation is decreasing every day, their navy is being wiped out, their production capacity is being demolished, and proxies are hardly putting up a fight," White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement, responding to questions from Reuters.
(Reuters)
US President Donald President is hosting executives from various defence contractors Friday to push them to expedite the delivery of more American-made weapons.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the US military has “more than enough munitions, ammo, and weapons stockpiles” to continue its operations in the Middle East.
“Nevertheless, President Trump has always been intensely focused on strengthening our military, which is why this meeting with defence contractors was scheduled weeks ago.”
(AP)
A fire at Fujairah Oil Industry Zone in the United Arab Emirates was sparked by falling debris after air defences successfully intercepted a drone, state media reported. Emirates News Agency (WAM) wrote in a brief social media post that the flames are now under control.
The zone flanks the Port of Fujairah and comprises the Middle East’s largest commercial storage capacity for refined oil products, according to its website.
(Al Jazeera)
There have been several very large explosions in Tehran, with columns of smoke rising, multiple eyewitnesses tell The Associated Press.
In northern Iran, around the city of Rasht in Gilan province, numerous explosions were also heard.
It remains unclear what the strikes’ targets were.
(AP)
In his latest Truth Social post, US President Donald Trump has claimed that the Department of State is “moving thousands of people out of various Countries throughout the Middle East”.
“It is being done quietly, but seamlessly,” the US president said, praising Secretary of State Marco Rubio for “doing a great job!”
The State Department said Tuesday that 20,000 Americans had returned home and that it was ramping up chartered flights, without providing more details.
The Trump administration has received questions over evacuations after urging Americans to leave more than a dozen countries in the Middle East on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday ordered strict action against any disruption by hoarders in the petroleum products in the country as officials scrambled to offset any impact of the ongoing Iran conflict on the energy supplies.
He presided over a high-level meeting on petroleum products, which was attended by ministers and representatives of all four provinces.
According to a handout by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Ministry of Petroleum gave a detailed briefing about stocks of petroleum products in the country, in the context of the changing situation in the region.
The ministry told the participants of the meeting that there were sufficient reserves of petroleum products in the country to meet national needs.
According to the handout, Shehbaz directed provincial governments to take strict legal action against those hoarding petroleum products.
He said that any petrol pump involved in the illegal practice of creating an artificial shortage should be immediately closed, its licence cancelled, and legal action taken against it.
(PTI)
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported the air strike. It was not immediately clear how close it was to the Iranian compound.
Iran’s military spokesperson earlier this week threatened that if Israel targets Iran’s embassy in Lebanon, Iran will consider all of Israel’s embassies in neighbouring countries to be legitimate targets.
Israel’s military did not immediately respond to questions about the strike.
(AP)
Hezbollah said it has fired rockets at two locations in northern Israel in response to Israeli attacks across Lebanon. In two statements, the group said its fighters targeted Malkia and Ramot Naftali with rocket barrages Friday.
Hezbollah said the first attack struck Malkia at about 9 am local time, while a second barrage targeted Ramot Naftali at about 2 local time.
(Al Jazeera)
Israel deployed a little-known ballistic missile capable of briefly travelling into space before striking its target during the attack that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Read the full story here
The US Navy will escort ships as soon as reasonable, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in an interview on Fox News, as the conflict in the Middle East kept shipping and energy exports through the vital Strait of Hormuz halted.
Wright also said Americans should see lower gas prices in weeks, not months.
There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!, posted US President Trump on his TruthSocial handle.
"After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before. IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE. “MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!),” he added.
The UAE’s Defence Ministry says it has intercepted nine ballistic missiles and 109 drones today, with three other drones falling within Emirati territory.
Since the start of the conflict, 205 ballistic missiles have been detected, with 190 ballistic missiles destroyed, while 13 of them fell in the sea, and 2 missiles fell within the country's territory, according to the ministry. Additionally, 1,184 Iranian drones were detected and 1,110 of them were intercepted, while 74 drones fell within the country's territory. Eight cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed, the statement read.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsالدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية تتعامل مع 9 صواريخ باليستية و109 طائرة مسيّرة.
— وزارة الدفاع |MOD UAE (@modgovae) March 6, 2026
رصدت الدفاعات الجوية الإماراتية اليوم (6 مارس 2026) عدد 9 من الصواريخ الباليستية وتم تدميرها. كما رصدت عدد 112 طائرة مسيّرة، حيث تم اعتراض 109 طائرة مسيّرة، بينما سقطت 3 منها داخل أراضي الدولة.
ومنذ بدء… pic.twitter.com/zHsASPKnSO
Iran’s army said its ground forces targeted US military bases in Kuwait with a heavy barrage of kamikaze drones.
(Iran International)
With the effective halt in maritime cargo movement through the Strait of Hormuz hitting crude oil flows to India, the US has issued a temporary 30-day "waiver" to allow Indian refiners to buy Russian crude that is already sitting in tankers on water.
India had, in recent months, cut down significantly on its oil imports from Russia amid trade negotiations with the US, as Washington made it a pre-requisite for scrapping its 25% additional penal tariff on India.
Read how the war in West Asia forced Trump’s hand, giving India short-term relief.
Kuwait's air defenses are currently dealing with missile and drone attacks, according to the Kuwaiti army, news agency Reuters reported.
Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) posted a video on its X handle saying, "50 Israeli Air Force fighter jets dismantled Ali Khamenei’s underground military bunker beneath the Iranian regime’s leadership compound in Tehran."
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js🎥 WATCH: ~50 Israeli Air Force fighter jets dismantled Ali Khamenei’s underground military bunker beneath the Iranian regime’s leadership compound in Tehran. pic.twitter.com/Nw0tvvQMRX
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 6, 2026
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the king of Bahrain that four jets the UK is deploying to Qatar could be used to help defend the kingdom from Iranian missile and drone strikes against Gulf states.
"The Prime Minister also offered further defensive air cover from these jets for Bahrain to bolster their security," Starmer told Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in a call late on Thursday, according to a readout from Starmer's office.
"His majesty welcomed the confirmation, and they agreed operational teams would work together on plans in the coming days."
The Japan government issued a statement saying that the evacuation of Japanese nationals in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and UAE will be carried out sequentially, starting tomorrow.
They will be transported by land by neighbouring countries where airports are open, and then to Tokyo on chartered commercial planes, the statement read.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js▼The Government’s response regarding the protection of Japanese nationals given the situation surrounding Iran (March 6, 2026). pic.twitter.com/KjkmdRHrWf
— PM's Office of Japan (@JPN_PMO) March 6, 2026
A spokesperson for Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said a US-owned oil vessel was targeted near Kuwait’s borders and is on fire.
The spokesperson said the vessel was struck near Kuwaiti waters and was burning, but provided no further details.
(Iran International)
Lebanon’s Health Ministry says five people have killed and seven injured in the Israeli attacks on the southern city of Sidon.
(Al Jazeera)
Some countries have initiated efforts for mediation, said Iranian President Pezeshkian, adding, "Our response to them is clear, we are committed to lasting peace in the region."
"But we don't have the slightest hesitation in defending the dignity and authority of our country," he said in a post on X.
He added, "Mediation should address those who underestimated the Iranian people and ignited this conflict."
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsSome countries have begun mediation efforts. Let's be clear: we are committed to lasting peace in the region yet we have no hesitation in defending our nation's dignity & sovereignty. Mediation should address those who underestimated the Iranian people and ignited this conflict https://t.co/MxWCuNYOYR
— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) March 6, 2026
Qatar condemned the Iranian attack that "targeted buildings in scattered areas" of Bahrain, which house elements of the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces.
We "consider it a brazen hostile act and a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Bahrain and a direct threat to its security and stability and the security of the region."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms the State of Qatar's full solidarity with the sisterly Kingdom of Bahrain in confronting this aggression, and emphasizes that targeting facilities housing forces operating within the framework of the joint Gulf action system constitutes a dangerous escalation that undermines the security of the Cooperation Council states and undermines the principles of good neighbourliness and respect for state sovereignty, the statement read.
Qatar expects all Gulf energy producers to shut down exports within weeks if the Iran conflict continues and drives oil to $150 a barrel, the country's Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi told the Financial Times in an interview published on Friday.
Qatar halted its production of liquefied natural gas on Monday, as Iran continued to strike Gulf countries in retaliation for Israeli and US attacks.
"Everybody that has not called for force majeure we expect will do so in the next few days that this continues. All exporters in the Gulf region will have to call force majeure," Kaabi told the FT.
(Reuters)
Azerbaijan is evacuating its diplomats from Iran for their own safety, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said on Friday, a day after Baku said four Iranian drones had crossed its border and injured four people in the Nakhchivan exclave.
He said Azerbaijan was evacuating employees from its embassy in Tehran and its consulate general in Tabriz. (Reuters)
Residents of Dubai Friday received an Emirati interior ministry alert on their phones, urging them to shelter from potential missile threats, reported Al Jazeera.
“Due to the current situation, potential missile threats, seek immediate shelter in the closest secure building and steer away from windows, doors and open areas,” the alert read.
Israeli media said that Iranian missiles hit Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, reported Al Jazeera. Visuals showed a barrage of missiles over Tel Aviv, while sirens were heard in the area. Israeli media saying at least five missiles intercepted.
Key humanitarian air, sea and land routes are being constricted by disruption from the war in the Middle East, delaying life-saving shipments to some of the world's worst crises, 10 aid officials have told Reuters. The U.S.–Israeli war on Iran entered its seventh day on Friday, convulsing global markets and disrupting supply chains with airspace closures and the halt of shipping through thecritical Strait of Hormuz.
Aid to Gaza and Sudan is grinding to a halt and costs are soaring for help to the hundreds of millions suffering hunger crises around the world. (Reuters)
India has invoked emergency powers and instructed domestic oil refiners to ramp up production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in a bid to avoid a shortage, reported news agency Reuters.
This follows supply disruptions linked to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, according to a government order. India, the world’s second-largest importer of LPG, consumed about 33.15 million metric tons of the fuel last year.
Evacuation of Indonesian citizens from Iran will start today, as per Al Jazeera. Quoting an Indonesian foreign ministry official, Heni Hamidah, the news outlet reported the first phase of evacuation will be via Azerbaijan.
The first batch of 32 Indonesian citizens will "arrive in Jakarta on Monday or Tuesday", she wax quoted as saying.
There are a total of 329 Indonesian citizens living in Tehran and other cities of Iran. The majority is concentrated in Qom.
Six people were wounded in a missile strike launched by Israel in the residential areas of Iran, reported news agency Tasnim. The attack was carried out in Poldokhtar city. Israel has also launched a fresh wave of missile attacks on Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon.
China is in talks with Iran to negotiate safe passage for crude oil ships through the Strait of Hormuz, as per a Reuters report. Hundreds of ships are stranded around the strait, resulting in the skyrocketing of prices across Europe and Asia. A fifth of the world's oil and gas pass through this water channel, which is controlled by Iran.
The Israeli Air Force has unleashed a 26-strike wave in the Dahieh area of Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure.
"Among the targets were an executive council’s command centre and a facility storing UAVs used for attacks against Israel. Prior to the strikes, measures were taken to mitigate the risk of harm to civilians," the Israeli Defense Forces.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js⭕️ The IAF conducted a broad-scale wave of 26 strikes in the Dahieh area of Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 6, 2026
Among the targets were an executive council’s command center and a facility storing UAVs used for attacks against Israel.
Prior to the strikes,…
Emirates and Etihad Airways are resuming limited flights to key global cities from their UAE hubs, amidst ongoing missile threats and airspace closures in the Middle East. Authorities are arranging charter flights and securing seats on commercial services to evacuate tens of thousands of people.
A government-chartered Air France flight was forced to turn back due to missile fire, highlighting the complexity of repatriation operations. Britain's first repatriation flight from Oman landed at London's Stansted Airport, rescheduled due to operational delays.
(With inputs from Reuters)
The US and South Korean militaries are discussing relocating some US Patriot missile defense systems from South Korea to the Middle East to support the war against Iran, according to South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun.
Saudi Arabia's air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed a drone northeast of Riyadh, the capital city, according to state media reports.
The Indian Navy has deployed ships INS Tarangini and INS Ikshak, along with maritime patrol aircraft, to assist in search and rescue operations for the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, which sank after being struck by a US submarine torpedo. The INS Tarangini has arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka, as part of the mission.
The Indian Navy ship INS Tarangini (54m) arrived in Colombo after joining the search and rescue operations for the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, which sank Wednesday after being struck by a US submarine torpedo.
— Sri Lanka Tweet 🇱🇰 (@SriLankaTweet) March 6, 2026
India has also deployed INS Ikshak and maritime patrol aircraft to… pic.twitter.com/JTFp74KQCw
Iran's capital, Tehran, is reeling from intense bombardment, with explosions reported across the city, including a popular shopping strip on Jomhuri Avenue.
The Israeli military has confirmed a "broad-scale wave of strikes" on key regime infrastructure in Tehran, with reports of destruction in residential areas and deserted streets. Iran's military command has vowed to retaliate with "more severe and comprehensive" attacks in the coming days.
(With inputs from agencies)
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiyeh, following warnings to evacuate the area. This move comes after Hezbollah's attacks on Israel, with the group vowing to respond to Israel's "aggression". The IDF has also deployed additional forces to southern Lebanon, citing defensive measures to protect Israeli civilians and strategic sites.
Hezbollah brought this on itself.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 6, 2026
Don’t threaten our people. pic.twitter.com/DkQUWmIq3Z
Rescue workers and military personnel carry a body of a victim from the scene where several people were killed by an Iranian missile strike in Beit Shemesh, Israel, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File)
Kian Tajbakhsh, a former political prisoner in Iran, discusses the brutality of the regime and how he and other prisoners dreamed of regime change. He also says it can only happen with external forces. The NewsNight panel weighs in.
The first UK government-chartered flight evacuating British nationals from the Middle East landed at London Stansted airport, carrying passengers from Muscat, Oman, after a delayed departure.
Over 140,000 Britons have registered with the Foreign Office, and around 4,000 have returned home so far. Meanwhile, Australia faces criticism for allegedly not filling evacuation flights from Abu Dhabi, with only a third of seats filled on one flight.
Airlines like Emirates and Etihad Airways have resumed limited services, but airspace closures and missile threats continue to disrupt travel.
Japan has confirmed two of its citizens are being held in Iran and is urging their release. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi met with Iran's ambassador to Japan, emphasizing the protection and release of the detainees as an "extremely important matter".
One of the detainees is believed to be NHK's Tehran bureau chief, detained on January 20. Both citizens are safe, and contact has been made with them since the conflict started. (CNN)
The sinking of the Iranian naval ship IRIS Dena by a US submarine in the Indian Ocean off Sri Lanka’s coast, in international waters, on March 4, raises awkward and complex political, diplomatic, and military questions for India.
This act of war took place soon after the IRIS Dena participated in India’s International Fleet Review (IFR) at Visakhapatnam in February. This was a major national maritime event graced by the Indian President and has an inherent military symbolism.
House lawmakers rejected a war powers resolution to halt Trump’s attack on Iran in a 212-219 vote, a day after the Senate voted down a similar measure.
The US Embassy in Kuwait shut down after retaliatory Iranian strikes on the country, becoming the second American diplomatic mission to fully halt work as the war in Iran escalates. Kuwait is also where six American soldiers were killed by an Iranian drone Sunday.
US President Donald Trump said Thursday he should have a role in choosing Iran’s next supreme leader, raising questions about whether Washington and Israel seek regime change or policy concessions as the conflict has appeared increasingly open-ended. (AP)
US President Donald Trump is downplaying concerns about rising gas prices amid the Iran conflict, stating, "If they rise, they rise." He prioritizes the military operation over temporary fuel price increases, expecting prices to drop rapidly once the conflict ends.
The national average gas price has risen 27 cents to $3.25 per gallon, 15 cents higher than last year. Trump also ruled out tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, confident the Strait of Hormuz will remain open.
China is in negotiations with Iran to allow ships carrying crude oil and Qatari gas safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing anonymous sources.
Now into its seventh day, the war between Israel, the US and Iran has left hundreds of ships at a standstill around the channel - a critical waterway for about a fifth of the world's oil and gas. Energy prices have surged.
Reuters and Bloomberg cited ship tracking data that showed a tanker claiming to be Chinese passed through the strait on Thursday, though the BBC has not been able to confirm its movements.
China is a big buyer of Iranian oil and has condemned the Israeli and US attack on the country.
US President Donald Trump has dismissed Iran's claims that it's ready for a US and Israeli ground invasion, saying "it's a waste of time" because Iran has already lost its navy and other capabilities.
Trump was responding to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's warning that such a move would be a "big disaster" for the US and Israel. Trump also hinted at influencing Iran's future leadership, stating they want a "good leader" who won't rebuild the country's capabilities over 10 years.
(With inputs from agencies)
Persian Gulf states have fended off a wave of Iranian missiles, amid reports of growing frustrations within the nations the US is not providing its partners with enough warning or support.
The Qatari defence ministry said air defences thwarted a drone attack targeting the US air base at Al-Udeid, Washington’s largest military facility in the Middle East on Friday. "Qatar Emiri Air Defense Forces successfully intercepted a drone attack targeting Al-Udeid Air Base.
US forces have struck an Iranian drone carrier, roughly the size of a WWII aircraft carrier, and it's currently on fire. This is part of Operation Epic Fury, aimed at dismantling Iran's naval capabilities. The US Central Command has confirmed the strike, stating that over 30 Iranian warships have been sunk or destroyed so far.
U.S. forces aren't holding back on the mission to sink the entire Iranian Navy. Today, an Iranian drone carrier, roughly the size of a WWII aircraft carrier, was struck and is now on fire. pic.twitter.com/WyA4fniZck
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 6, 2026
The United States has allowed India to buy Russian oil for a short period as concerns grow about supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict, according to Reuters.
Indian refiners have begun buying millions of barrels of Russian crude for quick delivery after Washington issued a temporary waiver allowing purchases of cargoes already stuck at sea. The move comes after months of pressure from the US on New to cut imports of Russian oil following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
House lawmakers rejected a war powers resolution to halt Trump’s attack on Iran in a 212-219 vote, a day after the Senate voted down a similar measure.
The US Embassy in Kuwait shut down after retaliatory Iranian strikes on the country, becoming the second American diplomatic mission to fully halt work as the war in Iran escalates. Kuwait is also where six American soldiers were killed by an Iranian drone Sunday. (AP)
The Trump administration is confronting mounting discontent from allies in the Persian Gulf who have complained they were not given adequate time to prepare for the torrent of Iranian drones and missiles bombarding their countries in retaliation for strikes launched by the US and Israel.
Officials from two Gulf countries said their governments were disappointed in the way the US has handled the war, particularly the initial attack on Iran last Saturday. They said their countries were not given advance notice of the US-Israeli attack and complained the US had ignored their warnings that the war would have devastating consequences for the entire region.
One of the officials said that Gulf countries were frustrated and even angry that the US military has not defended them enough. He said there is a belief in the region that the operation has focused on defending Israel and American troops, while leaving Gulf countries to protect themselves and said that his country's stock of interceptors was "rapidly depleting." Like others in this story, the Gulf officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing a confidential diplomatic matter.
The governments of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain did not respond to requests for comment.
(With inputs from AP)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has revealed that the US has requested help defending Gulf allies against Iranian drones. Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is willing to provide assistance, including sending specialists and necessary equipment, but only if it doesn't compromise its own defense.
He also emphasized that any help would be conditional on diplomatic gains for Ukraine. US President Donald Trump welcomed the offer, saying "I'll take any assistance from any country.
Israel said it launched a wave of strikes on Tehran early Friday, targeting “regime infrastructure” in the Iranian capital.
Israeli forces launched a large-scale “wave of strikes against Iranian terror regime infrastructure in Tehran”, a military statement said.
Iranian state TV reported explosions in several parts of the city.
Hezbollah has warned Israeli residents to evacuate towns within 5 km of the border, saying Israel's aggression against Lebanon won't go unchallenged.
The warning comes as Israel launched new strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, after ordering the evacuation of the area's 500,000 residents.
Qatar's Ministry of Defence says its air force has successfully intercepted a drone attack targeting the al-Udeid air base, the largest US military base in the Middle East.
The announcement comes after the Qatari government earlier sent out security alerts to cell phones in the country, warning residents to stay away from windows and open areas.
Explosions are being reported in Beirut, Lebanon following major evacuation orders by the Israeli military.
“The Defense Army has launched a wave of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah's terrorist infrastructure in Beirut's southern suburbs," a spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said earlier on X.
The Israeli military says it began striking the southern suburbs of Beirut late on Thursday.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that three Australian defence personnel were on board a US submarine that sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, killing at least 87 people.
The personnel were part of an Aukus training program, aiming to provide experience across various assets, including nuclear-powered submarines. Albanese emphasized that no Australian personnel participated in any offensive action against Iran, maintaining compliance with international law.
Iranian missiles triggered explosions in Tel Aviv, causing damage to residential buildings, but no injuries were reported, according to Israel's emergency services.
Firefighters were working to contain a blaze at a building near the commercial hub, and residents were evacuated from another building hit by a projectile.
The attacks came after Israel launched strikes against Hezbollah in Beirut's southern suburbs, vowing retribution. Iran's state broadcaster claimed Tehran fired missiles at targets in Tel Aviv.
(With inputs from agencies)
Bahrain's interior ministry says two hotels and a residential building in the capital Manama have been targeted in an attack by Iran.
The latest attack has caused "material damage but no loss of life", the Ministry of Interior says in a post on X.
Earlier this week, the US Navy base in Bahrain was targeted by Iranian missiles.
Indian refiners are buying millions of barrels of prompt Russian crude oil cargoes as the South Asian nation seeks to navigate an oil supply crunch triggered by the Middle East conflict, six sources familiar with the matter said.
After months of Washington pressuring New Delhi to avoid buying Russian barrels in an effort to reduce money flowing to Moscow's war effort in Ukraine, the US Treasury Department issued a 30-day waiver on Thursday allowing India to buy Russian oil currently stuck at sea.
"To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
The US state department has suspended operations at its embassy in Kuwait City, and staff have reportedly been ordered to evacuate.
While there have been no reported injuries to US personnel, the safety of Americans abroad remains the highest priority of the US Department of State.
Following the announcement, CBS News reported that staff had been ordered to evacuate, and were told to destroy sensitive information and wipe classified servers.
The United Arab Emirates is weighing freezing billions of dollars of Iranian assets held in the Gulf state, a move that could curb Tehran's access to foreign currency and global trade amid the US-Israeli military conflict, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday.
Reuters could not immediately confirm the report. The Emirati foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters' request for comment outside business hours.
UAE authorities are weighing measures ranging from freezing the assets of UAE-based shadow companies used to mask trade to a sweeping financial crackdown on local currency exchanges which are used to move money outside of formal banking channels, the report said, citing officials familiar with discussions.
In a telephone interview with Reuters on Thursday, Trump said the United States would have to help pick the next person to lead the country. The US and Israeli military campaign that started on Saturday has hit targets across the country and triggered Iranian retaliatory strikes in the region as Tehran seeks to impose a high cost on the United States, Israel and their allies.
Iran has attacked countries including Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Fire crews in Bahrain extinguished a blaze at a refinery following a missile strike.
Azerbaijan became the latest country drawn in, as it accused Iran of firing drones at its territory and ordered its southern airspace closed for 12 hours.
Hegseth said by striking countries in the region, Iran would only bring them closer to the United States.
"It's actually firming up the unity of the resistance in order to focus exactly where we need to," Hegseth said.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday the United States was not expanding its military objectives in Iran, after President Donald Trump told Reuters the United States must be involved in choosing the next leader of Iran.
The Pentagon earlier this week said the military campaign, known as Operation Epic Fury, is focused on destroying Iran's offensive missiles, missile production and navy, while not allowing Tehran to have a nuclear weapon.
"There's no expansion in our objectives. We know exactly what we're trying to achieve," Hegseth said.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned that a US ground invasion would be a "big disaster" for them, stating "we are waiting for them" and are confident in their ability to confront American forces. Araghchi emphasized that Iran isn't seeking a ceasefire and has no positive experience negotiating with the US, especially under the current administration. He also stressed that choosing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's successor is the Iranian people's business, and no one, including Trump, can interfere.
(With inputs from NBC)
Iran has targeted two hotels and a residential building in Manama, says Bahrain’s interior ministry. The buildings have suffered damage but no casualties have been reported.
“We have decided for security reasons to temporarily close our embassy in Tehran and move the personnel to Baku,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told reporters on Thursday.
A reporter asks Hegseth about Trump's involvement in influencing who runs Iran after the death of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"I think the president is having a heck of a say in who runs Iran given the ongoing operation we have," Hegseth responds.
"There's no expansion in our objectives. We know exactly what we're trying to achieve."
Donald Trump has urged Iran's military, including the Revolutionary Guard and police, to surrender and receive full immunity, warning they'll face "certain death" if they don't. He's also called on Iranian diplomats worldwide to seek asylum and help shape a new Iran. Trump framed this as an opportunity for Iranians to take back their country and usher in a better future, saying "freedom is at hand today".
👁 ImageDuring Trump's preamble for his Inter Miami meeting, the president said Iran was "calling and saying how do we make a deal?"
"I say you're being a little bit late," he said. "We want to fight now more than they do."
In an interview with NBC News on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran "see's no reason why [they] should engage" with the US.
"The fact is that we don’t have any positive experience of negotiating with the United States. You know, especially with this administration. We negotiated twice last year and this year, and then in the middle of negotiations, , externalthey attacked us," Araghchi said.
The press conference has now ended, but we're continuing to bring you lines from it. After Donald Trump's criticism of the UK over its initial refusal to permit the use of British bases in the Middle East, Hegseth said it was "unfortunate" access wasn't granted "from day one".
"But we got there. We got there, and that's now part of the way that we're operationalising bomber runs... It's more fighter squadrons, it's more capabilities, it's more defensive capabilities, and it's more bomber pulses more frequently," he says.
"The amount of firepower over Iran and over Tehran is about to surge dramatically," he said.
Hegseth and Cooper also said the US and Israel were targeting those who were targeting protesters in Iran.
"The more you do that, and you erode their will and capabilities, the more you create an opportunity for people to boldly stand up," Hegseth said.
The United States ordered the evacuation of its embassy in Kuwait City overnight into Friday local time after multiple reported attacks on the compound, CBS News reported.
The order included instructions for staff to destroy sensitive information and wipe classified servers, according to US officials cited in the report.
The evacuation comes days after six US soldiers were killed in an Iranian strike in Kuwait.
President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was not concerned about rising US gas prices driven by the widening Iran conflict, telling Reuters in an exclusive interview that the US military operation was his priority.
"I don't have any concern about it," he said, when asked about the higher prices at the pump. "They'll drop very rapidly when this is over, and if they rise, they rise, but this is far more important than having gasoline prices go up a little bit."
The comments mark a shift in tone for the president, who touted a drop in gas prices in his State of the Union address last month and at a Texas rally focused on energy that took place just hours before the US launched its air strikes on Saturday.
Israel launched a series of strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Thursday after ordering all residents of the densely populated area to evacuate.
Traffic was gridlocked in Lebanon's capital on Thursday as panicked residents tried to flee after Israel's military issued an evacuation notice telling residents to "save your lives and evacuate your homes immediately," and specified which routes they should take to escape.
Hours later, strikes began to hit the Beirut suburbs.
Since the resurgence of hostilities between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group, Israel has struck sites in Beirut's suburbs and issued a blanket warning for residents south of the Litani River - an area in southern Lebanon stretching to the border with Israel - to evacuate their homes, but had not previously issued a blanket evacuation order for Beirut's southern suburbs.
(With inputs from Reuters)
Iran’s government has condemned what it says was a US-Israeli strike on the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran, reporting that the 12,000-seat stadium at the site was heavily damaged.
Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali visited the site and called the attack a violation of international law and the Olympic Charter, urging global accountability.
The United States and Israel have not commented on the claim.
NATO has increased its alliance-wide ballistic missile defence posture following the intercept of a missile from Iran targeted at Turkey, its military headquarters said on Thursday.
The posture will remain at the heightened level until the threat from Iran's "continued, indiscriminate attacks across the region subsides," Colonel Martin O'Donnell, spokesperson for the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, said in a post on X.
O'Donnell said NATO had "perfectly executed" its missile defence in Turkey on Wednesday.
- Reuters
The World Health Organization chief said on Thursday that it has verified 13 attacks on health infrastructure in Iran amid a US-Israeli campaign and it was checking reports that four healthcare workers were killed and 25 others injured.
"An estimated 100,000 people have left Iran and in Lebanon, more than 60,000 people have been displaced," World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference, without attributing blame.
- Reuters
France will strengthen its cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces and provide them with armoured transport vehicles as well as operational and logistical support, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday.
In a post on X, Macron wrote, "Everything must be done to prevent this country, which is close to France, from being dragged into war once again."
Pour le Liban, nous devons agir.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 5, 2026
Tout doit être fait pour empêcher que ce pays proche de la France soit à nouveau entraîné dans la guerre.
Les Libanais ont droit à la paix et à la sécurité. Comme tous au Moyen-Orient.
C’est pour enrayer la guerre…
Russian Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday said that Moscow will do "everything possible" to create conditions which would make US-Israel operations against Iran "impossible".
Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati has appreciated Saudi Arabia for reportedly not allowing its territory to be used during the offensive being carried out by US and Israel.
"We appreciate what we have repeatedly heard from Saudi Arabia – that it does not allow its airspace, waters, or territory to be used against the Islamic Republic of Iran," Enayati told AFP news agency.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Kyiv has received request from the United States to help deal with drones in the Middle East amid Washington-Tel Aviv's attack on Iran, Reuters reported.
US President Donald Trump during an interview with Reuters on Thursday that he backs the Kurds launching an Iran offensive.
"I think it's wonderful that they want to do that, I'd be all for it," Trump said.
US President Donald Trump told Reuters in a telephone interview on Thursday that the United States will have a role in choosing Iran's next leader.
"We want to be involved in the process of choosing the person who is going to lead Iran into the future. We don't have to go back every five years and do this again and again ... Somebody that's going to be great for the people, great for the country," Trump said.
US President Donald Trump told Reuters in a telephone interview on Thursday that the United States will have a role in choosing Iran's next leader.
"We want to be involved in the process of choosing the person who is going to lead Iran into the future. We don't have to go back every five years and do this again and again ... Somebody that's going to be great for the people, great for the country," Trump said.
US President Donald Trump, during a telephonic interview with Reuters on Thursday, said that the gasoline prices have not risen much at this point amid the joint strikes by America and Israel against Iran.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that Iran operation is moving ahead of schedule but added that he won't provide a timeline for it, Reuters reported.
Iran said that Iran is committed to international law and freedom of navigation, and the claim that Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz is baseless and absurd. Iran blamed the US for endangering maritime security.
Israel's UN envoy said that given a few more days, things will get much harder for Iran to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz passageway.
(Reuters)
An oil refinery in Bahrain was hit by an Iranian missile, as per an AP report.
US President Donald Trump has said that he needs to be personally involved in selecting Iran's next leader, following the killing of Tehran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei last week in Washington and Tel Aviv's joint strikes against the Islamic nation, Axios reported.
Multiple explosions were heard in various parts of Iran's capital Tehran on Thursday amid the ongoing US-Israel joint strikes on the Islamic nation.
An indoor stadium in Tehran, Azadi stadium, has been "destroyed" in strikes, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) said. The stadium has a capacity of around 12,000 people.
The Indian Embassy in Doha will open on March 6 and March 7 for providing consular access, in particular renewal of passports on tatkal basis.
Important Notice pic.twitter.com/bXTgi7T5CU
— India in Qatar (@IndEmbDoha) March 5, 2026
The "special relationship" between Britain and the United States remains intact and they continue to share intelligence, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday, after Donald Trump rebuked him for hesitating to support US strikes on Iran.
After initially refusing to allow the United States to use British bases for the US-Israeli campaign, Starmer has come under personal attack from the US president, who said the British leader was "not Winston Churchill".
Repeated explosions were heard in Abu Dhabi near the Zayed International Airport on Thursday, Reuters reported citing witnesses.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has cancelled all upcoming Class 10 board examinations for students in the Middle East region, while Class 12 examinations scheduled for March 7 have been postponed, according to a fresh circular issued by the board on March 5, 2026.
The decision, as per the latest notice, applies to CBSE-affiliated schools located in Bahrain, Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
US State Department's principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott has said that multiple charter flights are "underway" to evacuate American citizens from the Middle East as the conflict involving Israel and Iran widens, CNN reported.
Qatar's Defence Ministry on Thursday said Iran attacked the country with 14 ballistic missiles and at least four drones.
Doha's armed forces successfully detected 13 ballistic missiles and one of the missiles fell in the territorial waters of Qatar, the defence ministry stated.
— وزارة الدفاع - دولة قطر (@MOD_Qatar) March 5, 2026</blockquo
Azerbaijan has shut its airspace partially in the south after the government said that four Iranian drones flew across its border, Reuters reported.
The Indian Navy has sent its aircraft and ships to augment the search and rescue efforts for IRIS Dena that was hit by an American torpedo Wednesday while it was on its voyage back to Iran after participating in exercise MILAN and the International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam.
"A distress call from IRIS Dena was received at the MRCC Colombo in the early hours of 04 March 26 as reported by the Sri Lankan Navy. The ship was operating 20 NM West of Galle in the SAR region under Sri Lankan responsibility. On receipt of the information, the Indian Navy promptly launched its SAR efforts commencing with a long-range maritime patrol aircraft at 1000 hr on 04 March 26 to augment the search efforts led by Sri Lanka," the Indian Navy said in a statement.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended his government's decision of not joining the US-Israeli strikes and reassured the public who are “worried sick”.
"My focus is on providing calm, level-headed leadership in the national interest," Starmer said, adding that this meant “having the strength to stand firm by our values and our principles no matter the pressure to do otherwise.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday said the country is sending at least four additional typhoon jets to Qatar amid the Middle East conflict between US-Israel and Iran.
Iran army has targeted US forces in Iraq's Erbil with drones amid the conflict in the Middle East, Tehran's state TV reported on Thursday.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he is ready to provide "expertise" to help defend oil infrastructure in the Middle East amid the US-Israel and Iran conflict.
Israel's war in Iran is entering a second phase that will see its fighter jets attacking ballistic missile sites buried deep underground, two sources familiar with Israel's military campaign said.
The joint air assault with the US in Iran is nearing the end of its first week after opening salvos killed the country's leaders and set off a regional war with Iranian attacks in Israel, the Gulf and Iraq, and Israeli attacks in Lebanon.
- Reuters
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have said that it has identified a new barrage of missiles launched towards the country from Iran.
The IDF added that defensive systems have been activated to intercept the missiles fired from Tehran and a warning has been sent to citizens on their phones in the respective areas.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Thursday praised the US President Donald Trump's decision to launch strikes on Iran but rejected the statement which stated that the western military alliance would participate in the conflict.
Rutte said, "NATO is not itself involved here. NATO allies are providing key enabling support…NATO, in that sense, is also this power projection platform for the United States because without European allies, the US would have found it very difficult," CNN reported.
Diplomats and staff at embassies in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter were told to shelter in place on Thursday due to a potential but unspecified threat, four people with direct knowledge of the matter said. (Reuters)
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to provide an update on the Middle East crisis at a Downing Street press conference at 7:30pm IST.
A couple from Ranchi, who travelled to Dubai days after their wedding, have said that they have been stranded there after their return flight was disrupted amid ongoing regional tensions, which led to the cancellation of several flights and the closure of airspace in parts of the region.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on Thursday said that the US-Israeli strikes on Iran which ignited the Middle East conflict were clearly in breach of international law.
The decision to launch the strikes last weekend "of course fell outside, needless to say, the rules of international law", Crosetto told the lower house of parliament, Reuters reported.
PM Narendra Modi spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday and discussed the evolving situation in the West Asia.
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, "Spoke with my friend President Emmanuel Macron today. We discussed our shared concerns over the evolving situation in West Asia and the need for a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We will continue to engage closely and coordinate efforts towards the early restoration of peace and stability in the region."
Spoke with my friend President Emmanuel Macron today. We discussed our shared concerns over the evolving situation in West Asia and the need for a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We will continue to engage closely and coordinate efforts towards the early restoration of peace…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 5, 2026
France has authorised a temporary presence of US aircraft on certain bases located in the country on a temporary basis, a French army general staff official said on Thursday.
"Considering the context, France demanded that the concerned resources do not participate in any way in operations conducted by the United States in Iran but strictly for the support of the defence of our partners in the region," the official said. (Reuters)
UK foreign minister Hamish Falconer on Thursday said there were indications the Iranian crisis could run into weeks or possibly months.
"The situation is evolving, but there are indications that this is a crisis, not of days, but of weeks and possibly months," Falconer told British parliament.
After the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reports showed various instances of mourning in the country and several other parts of the world. But why does the public grief isn't always a political statement?
Iran has denied launching a drone attack on Azerbaijan, following reports that four people were injured in the country after two drones flew from the direction of Tehran and fell near the airport, The Guardian reported.
"The Islamic republic of Iran…denies its armed forces launched a drone toward the Republic of Azerbaijan," Tehran's armed forces said in a statement, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.
Several European countries, including Britain, Italy, France and Spain are reportedly sending naval assets to Cyprus amid Iranian strikes in the Middle East region.
Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has said that the country will send "naval assets" to protect Cyprus - along with Spain, France and the Netherlands.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with Iran's foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday afternoon amid the ongoing US-Israeli strikes against the Islamic nation.
Had a telecon with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi this afternoon. @araghchi
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 5, 2026
Iran has warned the European Union countries that they would "pay the price, sooner or later" if they remain silent on the US-Israeli offensive against Iran, a spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry told Spanish broadcaster TVE on Thursday.
Amid the prevailing situation in the Middle East, Lufthansa announced suspension of its flights to and from Tehran until April 30.
The United Arab Emirates' Defence Ministry has said that it intercepted at least six ballistic missiles and 125 drones as the conflict in the Middle East between US-Israel and Iran widens.
Bahrain's air defences intercepted and destroyed 75 missiles and 123 drones since the start of the US-Israel and Iran conflict, the Bahrain Defence Force said on Thursday.
The defence forces further urged residents to stay home and not go out unless absolutely necessary.
Azerbaijan has cautioned Iran that it was preparing an unspecified response after a pair of drones from Tehran flew across its border and injured at least four people in the Nakhchivan exclave.
In a statement, the Azerbaijani Defence Ministry said, "These attacks will not remain unanswered."
Death toll in the US-Israel attacks on Iran has risen to 1,230, according to Tehran's Tasnim news agency.
The joint strikes against the Islamic nation started on February 28 with Tehran launching retaliatory fires across the Gulf countries in the region.
At least six people were injured from the falling debris in Abu Dhabi after air defences intercepted a drone, according to Abu Dhabi's media office.
In a post on X, the authorities wrote, "Abu Dhabi authorities have responded to an incident of debris falling in two locations in ICAD 2, following the successful interception of drones by air defence systems. The incident resulted in minor and moderate injuries to six Pakistani and Nepali nationals. The public is reminded to obtain information from official sources only, and to avoid the spreading of rumours or unverified information.
Abu Dhabi authorities have responded to an incident of debris falling in two locations in ICAD 2, following the successful interception of drones by air defence systems. The incident resulted in minor and moderate injuries to six Pakistani and Nepali nationals.
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) March 5, 2026</blockquo
The public is…
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signed the Condolence Book at the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi on behalf of the Indian government on Thursday.
Misri offered condolences to the slain Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
This is India's first official reaction to Khamenei's killing in US and Israeli strikes on February 28.
👁 ImageThe Israeli Air Force in a statement on X said, "The IDF has identified that a short time ago, missiles were launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defense systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the last few minutes, the Home Front Command has issued a preliminary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas."
"The public is requested to exercise responsibility and act in accordance with the directives - they save lives. One must enter protected spaces upon receiving the alert and remain in them until a new announcement. Exit from the protected space will be permitted only after receiving an explicit directive; continue to act in accordance with Home Front Command directives," it said.
The defence ministry of Qatar said on Thursday that the country was subjected to a missile attack, and its air defence systems are currently intercepting it, reported Reuters.
This comes shortly after Azerbaijan accused Iran of firing two drones at its territory, injuring two civilians, and said it has summoned the Iranian ambassador in order to issue a strong protest.
Azerbaijan accused Iran of firing two drones at its territory, injuring two civilians, and said it has summoned the Iranian ambassador in order to issue a strong protest.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said one drone fell on an airport in Nakhchivan, near the border with Iran, and another landed near a school.
In a statement, it condemns the attacks, demands an explanation from Iran, and said Azerbaijan reserves the right to take “appropriate response measures".
(The Times of Israel)
Iran’s Ambassador to India, Dr Mohammad Fathali, Thursday said Tehran does not want war but insisted that the “duration and ending” of the conflict will be determined by Iran.
Speaking in New Delhi, Fathali accused the United States of initiating hostilities and said Iran had repeatedly conveyed that it does not seek conflict. “Iran demonstrated sincerity and they showed open hostility. They started but duration of the war is in our hands,” he said.
The envoy also claimed Iran had informed neighbouring countries that its strikes were aimed only at US military bases, not regional states. According to him, those bases were used to launch attacks on Iranian targets.
"We don’t attack our neighbours… they provided bases. We have good relations with our neighbours and we announced to all neighbours that we attacked the bases of the United States,” Fathali said.
He further alleged that attacks launched from those bases had targeted Iranian schools, claiming that 160 elementary students were killed.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsVIDEO | Delhi: Iran's Ambassador to India, Dr Mohammad Fathali, says, "Iran demonstrated sincerity and they showed open hostility. They started but duration of the war is in our hands."
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 5, 2026
"We don't want war. They started. We announced several times that duration, ending of war is… pic.twitter.com/SbJzmTYzqv
The Iranian Red Crescent said it has recorded 1,332 attacks by US and Israeli forces in Iran since Saturday, with raids documented at 636 locations, including at least 105 civilian sites.
These include 14 medical facilities and seven Red Crescent buildings, it said, adding that at least 174 cities have been hit.
(Al Jazeera)
Dubai's Global Village will be closed until Friday, March 6, as a precautionary safety measure.
(Khaleej Times)
Oman Air has announced the cancellation of flights to and from some destinations on March 6, 7 and 8 due to continued airspace closures, including Amman (AMM), Dubai (DXB), Bahrain (BAH), Doha (DOH), Dammam (DMM), Kuwait (KWI), Copenhagen (CPH), Baghdad (BGW), and Khasab (KHS).
The airline said flights to other destinations may face some delays, but they are operating as scheduled.
(Khaleej Times)
The Israeli Defence Forces estimated that more than 300,000 Lebanese civilians have so far evacuated their villages in southern Lebanon. During the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in 2024, nearly 1.2 million Lebanese were displaced from their homes.
The IDF reiterates its warning to Lebanese civilians in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes amid the fighting against Hezbollah.
“Urgent warning to residents of southern Lebanon: You must continue moving immediately to the north of the Litani River,” says army spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee.
(The Times of Israel)
Sirens warning of a suspected drone intrusion are being heard in southern Israel near the border with Jordan, Al Jazeera reported, citing Israeli media.
The sirens were being heard in several communities in the region, The Times of Israel is reporting.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi Thursday condemned US' attack on Iranian warship -- which was torpedoed by a United States submarine off the southern coast of Sri Lanka in the early hours of Wednesday.
Taking to X, Araghchi said that "US will come to bitterly regret precedent it has set."
He added that US committed this act at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran's shores.
"Frigate Dena, a guest of India's Navy carrying almost 130 sailors, was struck in international waters without warning," he added.
The U.S. has perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran's shores.Iran said it targeted headquarters of Kurdish forces in Iraqi Kurdistan, according to Iranian state media, following strikes on Kurdish regions in both Iran and Iraq.
“We targeted the headquarters of Kurdish groups opposed to the revolution in Iraqi Kurdistan with three missiles,” Iran’s official IRNA news agency said on X.
Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters: We targeted the headquarters of opposition Kurdish groups in Iraqi Kurdistan with 3 missiles.
— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) March 5, 2026
Iran’s Armed Forces denied firing any missile toward Turkey's territory and said it respects the country's sovereignty, Reuters reported quoting Iranian state media.
Turkey’s defense ministry on Wednesday said that a drone was directed towards Turkish airspace but was timely engaged and neutralised by NATO air and missile defense systems over the eastern Mediterranean.
Statement Regarding the Neutralized Ballistic Munition#millisavunmabakanligi pic.twitter.com/wFjZuoAgPI
— T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı (@tcsavunma) March 4, 2026
An Israeli strike overnight killed a Hamas official, Times of Israel reported quoting Lebanese state media on Thursday.
Wassim Atallah al-Ali and his wife were killed when an “enemy drone targeted their home” in Beddawi, a Palestinian camp near Tripoli, in a predawn strike, the National News Agency (NNA) reported, describing the man as a senior Hamas official.
Over 17,500 American citizens have safely returned to the United States from the Middle East since February 28 – with over 8,500 citizens returning to the US yesterday alone, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs, Dylan Johnson said late Wednesday.
In a press release, Johnson said that the department's task force has assisted over 6,500 Americans abroad, including offering security guidance and travel assistance.
He added that the department will continue to actively assist any American citizen abroad who wishes to depart the Middle East, to do so.
"Americans in the Middle East who need assistance can call the U.S. Department of State 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444," the press release read.
Israel Defense Forces on Thursday said it struck down a Hezbollah's command centers in fresh strike on Beirut.
In a post on X, the military said, "among the command centers struck was one used by the aerial unit of the Hezbollah terror organization."
Israeli military said the command centers struck were used by the Hezbollah terror organization to advance and carry out various terror plots against IDF forces and civilians of Israel.
The military added that before the strikes, measures were taken to reduce civilian casualty -- including advance warnings, use of precision munitions, and aerial observations.
Sharing the video of the strike on X, the Israeli military wrote, "the IDF is acting forcefully against the Hezbollah terror organization's decision to join the campaign and operate under the auspices of the Iranian terror regime, and will not allow harm to civilians of the State of Israel."
במהלך הלילה: צה״ל תקף בביירות מפקדות נוספות בשימוש ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) March 5, 2026
צה"ל תקף לפני זמן קצר בביירות, והשלים גל תקיפות נגד מספר מפקדות של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה.
בין המפקדות שהותקפו, מפקדה בשימוש היחידה האווירית של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה.
המפקדות שהותקפו יועדו לשמש את ארגון… pic.twitter.com/mT6fxz4z04
Qatar airways flight operations from Doha remain suspended due to airspace closure, Qatar airways said in a post on X.
The airlines said that operations will resume after safe reopening of Qatari airspace is announced by the relevant authorities.
"A further update will be provided on 06 March by 09:00 Doha time."
The airlines said that a limited number of relief flights will start operating from 5 March to support passengers who are stranded due to the current situation across the region. The following services are planned:
The airlines urged the passengers to not to proceed to the airport unless they have received an official notification from Qatar Airways for these flights.
Update: Qatar Airways flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace. Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace by the relevant authorities. A further update…
— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) March 5, 2026
The Israeli military on Thursday said an Air Force aircraft attacked and destroyed a ballistic missile launcher -- armed and ready for launch towards Israel -- in the Qom area in Iran.
A defense system intended to strike Air Force aircraft in Isfahan was also destroyed, the military said in a post on X, sharing the video of the attack.
"These attacks join the effort to strike the Iranian terror regime's fire arrays and deepen the IDF's air superiority in the area."
תיעוד: תקיפת משגר טילים ומערכת הגנה באיספהאן ובקם שבאיראן
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) March 5, 2026
כלי טיס של חיל האוויר תקפו והשמידו במרחב קם שבאיראן משגר טיל בליסטי, חמוש ומוכן לשיגור לעבר מדינת ישראל.
בנוסף, הושמדה מערכת הגנה שנועדה לפגוע במטוסי חיל האוויר באיספהאן.
תקיפות אלה מצטרפות למאמץ לפגיעה במערכי האש של… pic.twitter.com/TE10NLVULz
A US government charter flight departed the Middle East in route to the United States, as part of our ongoing efforts to assist Americans return home on Thursday, the US state department said.
"Additional flights will be surged across the region and American citizens in UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel interested in the Department's charter flight or ground transportation options, should complete the Crisis Intake Form at http://mytravel.state.gov/s/crisis-intake or contact the State Department's 24/7 Task Force at +1-202-501-4444," the state department said on X.
Today, a Department of State charter flight of American citizens departed the Middle East in route to the United States, as part of our ongoing efforts to assist Americans return home.
— Department of State (@StateDept) March 5, 2026
Additional flights will be surged across the region and American citizens in UAE, Qatar, Saudi… pic.twitter.com/4egntuuWy3
India has rejected reports claiming that the US Navy is using Indian ports to attack Iran and cautioned people against such “baseless and fabricated” remarks.
Taking to its fact-checking account on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “Claims being made on OAN, a US based channel that Indian ports are being used by the US Navy are fake and false. We caution you against such baseless and fabricated comments.”
Fake News Alert!
— MEA FactCheck (@MEAFactCheck) March 4, 2026
Claims being made on OAN, a US based channel that Indian ports are being used by the US Navy are fake and false. We caution you against such baseless and fabricated comments. pic.twitter.com/xiFWnkoXBk
The response comes after US Army Colonel Douglas Macgregor in an interview to Open America News (OAN) Network claimed: “Our bases are being destroyed. Our harbour installations are destroyed. We’re having to fall back on India and its Naval ports.”
As reported by Al Jazeera, residents in Beirut have been hearing gunfire throughout the night -- coming from the southern suburbs of Beirut.
It is a warning for an imminent Israeli strike.
Normally, these forced evacuation orders come via an Arabic language spokesperson for the Israeli military, and he posts them on X in the middle of the night.. Since the residents cannot check X constantly, locals who become aware of these warnings, start firing in the air throughout the southern suburbs of Beirut to warn people that the Israeli military has issued an imminent threat to their homes and lives.
Israel's Magen David Adom ambulance service on Thursday reported rhat no injuries were sustained in the latest Iranian ballistic missile attack, reported The Times of Israel
Saudi Arabia on Thursday intercepted an incoming drone, the country's Ministry of Defense said Thursday morning on X.
The drone was headed east of the Al-Jawf region near the border with Jordan, the ministry said, CNN reported.
Israel and the United States have made “historic gains” in the war against Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said, reports The Times of Israel.
“Israel and the United States have together made historic gains to protect our citizens and the civilized world,” a spokesperson for Netanyahu, Shosh Bedrosian, says in a video message.
She added that the attack was necessary as Iran was rebuilding its atomic bomb program in “new underground bunkers,” which could've been used to attack US and Israeli military bases in the Middle East.
The Israeli military struck a building in Beddawi Palestinian refugee camp in the coastal city of Tripoli, killing two people, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said, reported AP.
The Israel Defense Forces Thursday said that Iran has launched another ballistic missile attack targeting Israel, as sirens are activated in communities in central Israel, the Jerusalem area and parts of the West Bank.
Qatar has begun evacuating residents of its capital living near the US embassy, the interior ministry said Thursday, reported AFP.
The Pentagon has released the names of the final two of the six soldiers who were killed during a recent drone strike in Kuwait, and they are from California and Iowa.
The soldiers identified Wednesday are Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento and Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa.
The other soldiers identified on Tuesday by the Pentagon were: Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa,; Sgt. First Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; and Sgt.First Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska.
(With inputs from The Guardian)
Indian embassy in Qatar issued a new advisory on Thursday, urging all Indian citizens to strictly follow the safety guidance issued by the competent Qatari authorities.
“Flight operations from Hamad International Airport remain temporarily suspended due to closure of Qatari airspace. Flights of Qatar Airways and others also remain suspended. Qatar Airways announced on March 4 that they will provide next update at 0900 hrs (Doha Time) on March 6, 2026. Passengers are advised to remain in close contact with their respective airlines for rescheduling of their travel,” the advisory said.
New helpline numbers were provided by the embassy in view of the current situation: +974 55647502, +974 55362508. The queries can also be raised with the Embassy on email address: cons.doha@mea.gov.in.
Important Advisory pic.twitter.com/yCu4oJFMSa
— India in Qatar (@IndEmbDoha) March 4, 2026
The UK Ministry of Defence Thursday said that the “Shahed-type drone” that targeted a British base in Cyprus was not launched from Iran, reported Iranian state media.
Breaking 🚨
— Iran Times (@IranTimes9) March 4, 2026
The UK Ministry of Defence says that the “Shahed-type drone” that targeted a British base in Cyprus was not launched from Iran.
First a British military base, then a Saudi oil refinery, and now Turkey. Israel is involved in all of these attacks and is trying to drag… pic.twitter.com/QpreNCvafu
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Thursday that his country’s military may nevertheless be drawn into the fighting, The New York Times reported.
“One could never categorically rule out participation,” Carney told reporters in Canberra, Australia, after speaking to Australia’s parliament. “We will stand by our allies. It makes sense.”
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