US-Israel attack Iran Day 6: US suspends operations at embassy in Kuwait

The US State Department said it has suspended operations at the US Embassy in Kuwait City amid the escalating regional conflict.

In a statement, the department said no US personnel were injured, but urged American citizens in Kuwait to leave the country if it is safe to do so or shelter in place if they cannot depart. US nationals were also advised to enrol in the STEP programme for updates and assistance.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on provincial governors and the armed forces to deal firmly with any separatist movements.

In a post on X, Pezeshkian also praised the people of Kurdistan for supporting Iran during the conflict and expressed condolences to the families of those killed and injured in recent events.

At least 330,000 people have been forcibly displaced across the Middle East, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said.

The figure includes about 100,000 people who fled Tehran, more than 84,000 displaced in Lebanon, and roughly 118,000 affected in Afghanistan and Pakistan, while over 30,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria.

US President Donald Trump said he would support Kurdish groups launching an uprising in Iran.

“I think it’s wonderful that they want to do that, I’d be all for it,” Trump said in an interview with Reuters.

Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Katz said the aim of the ongoing military operations is to eliminate Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities and create conditions that could lead to the fall of the Iranian regime.

In an interview with Israel’s Channel 12, Katz also said Israel would maintain strong deterrence against Hezbollah and would not allow the group to regain its previous military strength or strategic influence.

The Israeli Civil Administration has cancelled Friday prayers at the Al Aqsa compound and ordered the closure of holy sites in Jerusalem’s Old City due to security concerns amid the ongoing regional conflict.

Authorities said worshippers and visitors of all religions will not be allowed to enter sites including the Western Wall, the Temple Mount and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Israel’s military has urged residents of several towns in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley to evacuate immediately, warning of imminent strikes.

In a statement on X, the army called on residents of Douris, Brital and Majdaloun to head west via the Zahle–Baalbek road, saying it would target Hezbollah military infrastructure in the area.

US President Donald Trump said Washington intends to play a major role in shaping Iran’s political landscape after the war, according to remarks to Politico.

Trump said the United States wants new leadership in Iran that can rebuild the country without pursuing nuclear weapons, adding that the ongoing US military campaign against Iran is highly precise and aimed at removing a major threat to the United States.

Kuwait’s armed forces said its air defence systems are intercepting missile and drone attacks in the country’s airspace.

In a statement on X, the military said sounds heard in different areas were caused by air defences responding to the incoming threats

French President Emmanuel Macron said France will provide armoured vehicles and logistical support to the Lebanese army, while calling on Israel not to expand the war into Lebanon.

In a post on X, Macron also said France would send medical aid and humanitarian assistance to civilians displaced from southern Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel and the United States are engaged in “historic” military cooperation during the ongoing conflict.

In a post on X, Netanyahu said he visited an air force base in southern Israel where Israeli and US pilots are operating together, adding that Israel will continue striking targets linked to Iran and armed groups in Lebanon.

Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani warned the United States against sending ground troops into Iran, saying Iranian forces are prepared to respond.

In a post on X, Larijani said some US officials had spoken about deploying thousands of troops to Iranian territory, adding that Iranian forces are ready to “disgrace” US troops if such an invasion occurs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the United States has requested Ukraine’s assistance to counter Iranian Shahed drones in the Middle East.

In a post on X, Zelensky said he had instructed officials to provide the necessary support and deploy Ukrainian specialists to help strengthen protection against the drones.

Around 20,000 seafarers and 15,000 cruise ship passengers are stranded in the Gulf due to the escalating regional conflict, the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) told AFP.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the agency is ready to work with stakeholders to ensure the safety and well-being of affected crews, as the Strait of Hormuz has been designated a warlike operations area.

The first 100 hours of the US military campaign against Iran are estimated to have cost about USD 3.7 billion, or nearly USD 890 million per day, according to an analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Analysts said most of the spending is linked to replacing munitions and lost equipment, while the final cost will depend on the intensity of operations and Iran’s retaliation.

Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon said it is not yet the time for diplomacy, adding that Israel and the United States must first dismantle more of Iran’s military capabilities.

Danon said that within a few days Iran would find it much harder to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said a “chance for a unique deal” with the United States was lost after what he described as interference that derailed progress in negotiations.

In remarks shared on X, Araghchi criticised Washington’s approach, saying “Israel First always means America Last,” and warned that further military escalation would fail.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had launched the 20th wave of strikes targeting “American and Zionist targets”, according to a statement carried by Tasnim news agency.

The IRGC said the attacks were carried out in memory of personnel killed when a US submarine sank an Iranian naval vessel off the coast of Sri Lanka earlier this week.

Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, said Tehran appreciates Riyadh’s pledge not to allow its airspace, waters or territory to be used against Iran during the ongoing conflict.

Speaking to AFP, he said Saudi Arabia had repeatedly reaffirmed its neutral stance, adding that Riyadh had earlier supported diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between Tehran and Washington.

Two missing Indian sailors have been confirmed dead after the oil tanker SKYLIGHT was struck by an Iranian projectile near the Strait of Hormuz on March 1, according to media reports.

They were identified as Captain Ashish Kumar from Bihar and crew member Dalip Singh from Rajasthan.

Sri Lanka has evacuated 208 crew members from an Iranian navy vessel, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, a day after a US submarine sank another Iranian frigate.

He added that the Sri Lankan navy will take control of the second vessel and move it to the port of Trincomalee for safekeeping amid fears it could be targeted.

US President Donald Trump said there had been “another blow” to Iran’s leadership, according to Reuters.

Trump also accused Iran of attacking countries with no connection to the conflict and targeting civilian areas, adding that the situation inside Iran remains uncertain and that someone from within the country could emerge as a more suitable leader.

Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the first charter flight carrying stranded British nationals has departed from Oman, as London begins evacuations from the region.

He also announced the deployment of four additional Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar to strengthen defensive operations in the Middle East.

Starmer said more than 4,000 Britons have already returned via commercial flights from the UAE, with additional evacuation flights expected in the coming days. He added that rapid deployment teams are operating in Oman and Saudi Arabia to assist British citizens.

Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior said a facility in the Ma’ameer Industrial Area was targeted in what it described as “Iranian aggression.”

Authorities said a fire that broke out at the site was brought under control, with limited material damage and no casualties reported. Sirens had earlier sounded, urging residents to move to the nearest safe place.

Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran is ready to face a possible US ground invasion and has not requested a ceasefire, in an interview with NBC News.

He said Iran rejects negotiations with the United States, arguing that the recent attacks occurred while talks were ongoing, undermining trust. The minister added that Iran has no current plans to close the Strait of Hormuz, though all options remain under consideration as the war continues

Iran has launched more than 500 ballistic and cruise missiles and over 2,000 drones since the start of the war, Fars News Agency reported, citing a military source.

The source said the missile and drone strikes were part of Iran’s ongoing military response during the conflict

The UAE Ministry of Interior issued an emergency alert across the emirates, urging residents to seek immediate shelter in the nearest secure building due to potential missile threats.

Authorities advised people to stay away from windows, doors and open areas as a precaution.

Arab states in the Persian Gulf are running “dangerously low” on interceptors used to shoot down Iranian missiles and drones, CBS News reported, citing regional officials.

Governments in the region have asked the United States to accelerate military supplies, but deliveries are reportedly not moving fast enough to meet demand.

US President Donald Trump said he wants to be personally involved in choosing Iran’s future leadership, rejecting the possible succession of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Axios reported.

Trump said Mojtaba Khamenei would be “unacceptable” as Iran’s next leader, warning that continuing current policies could lead to another war within five years. He added that Washington wants a leader who would “bring peace and harmony to Iran.”

Iran’s mission to the United Nations refuted allegations that the Strait of Hormuz was closed. In a post on X, the mission argued the United States had endangered maritime security and added Iran “remains committed to international law and freedom of navigation.”
The statement also accused the US of sinking the Iranian frigate Iris Dena in international waters without warning while it was visiting India with 130 sailors on board.
On Monday, Iranian state media reported the Strait of Hormuz is closed and that Iran will fire on any ship trying to pass.

The US Department of State stated that around 20,000 Americans have returned home since February 28.
“Other Americans evacuated to third countries or are currently en route home. We are coordinating charter flight and ground transportation operations for their easy and smooth return,” the department said.

Benchmark US crude West Texas Intermediate rose more than five per cent to USD 78.88 (Rs 7,242.27) a barrel, its highest since January last year, as the US-Israel war with Iran threatens oil supplies.
Global benchmark Brent crude climbed 3.6 per cent to USD 84.34 (Rs 7,743.57) a barrel.
Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital point that handles about one-fifth of the world’s traded oil and major LNG exports from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Around 20 million barrels of oil per day pass through the waterway.

Over 3,600 civilian sites, including 3,090 homes, 528 commercial centres, 13 medical facilities and nine Red Crescent centres, have suffered severe destruction in attacks it attributes to the United States and Israel, according to figures released by the Iranian Red Crescent, cited by the Iranian government on X.
Khatam Hospital and Gandhi Hospital, Iran’s major medical buildings, have also been heavily damaged.
Facilities such as Valiasr Burn Hospital had been rendered inoperable.

Indian Navy has joined the search and rescue operation after learning about a distress call from the Iranian warship IRIS Dena, which went down off the coast of Sri Lanka after being hit by a torpedo fired by a US submarine.
In a statement, the Indian Navy said it promptly launched its search and rescue (SAR) efforts with a long-range maritime patrol aircraft at 10 am on Wednesday to augment the rescue operations led by Sri Lanka.
The Iranian warship was returning home after participating in the Milan multilateral naval exercise hosted by India. At least 87 Iranian sailors were killed in the attack, according to Sri Lankan authorities.

India is tapping the United States to secure marine cover for vessels to ferry oil from the Middle East as it looks for continuity in energy supplies beyond its current stockpile, a top oil ministry official said.
The country has stocks in tanks, pipelines and ships in transit to meet 25 days’ requirement of crude oil — the raw material for making fuels like petrol and diesel — and a similar number of days’ stock of finished fuel.
India imports about 88 per cent of its crude oil and around half of its LNG, with 40-50 per cent of crude oil and 50-60 per cent of LNG shipments routed through the corridor, which is roughly 21 nautical miles wide at its narrowest point, with the shipping lanes even narrower — two 2-mile-wide channels separated by a 2-mile buffer.

Israeli strikes have killed 102 people and wounded 638 more since Monday, March 2, Lebanon’s Ministry of Health released the latest death and injury toll. The toll is likely to rise.

The Israeli army announced it had killed a Hamas commander, Wasim Attallah Ali, in Lebanon’s northern city of Tripoli. Ali, according to the military, was responsible for training young Hamas fighters.
There was no immediate response from Hamas.

Reza Pahlavi, the son of exiled Iranian Shah, Reza Shah Pahlavi, has urged the Islamic Republic to “hand over power immediately” and any attempt to appoint a successor to slain leader Ali Khamenei would fail.

IDF said its air force has struck and disabled more than 300 ballistic missile launchers in Iran since the start of the war. The military said the strikes have mainly targeted launchers in western Iran to reduce Tehran’s ability to fire missiles at Israeli territory.

Azerbaijan has announced the closure of its airspace near Iran for 12 hours. The move comes after a drone from the Iranian side hit the country’s Nakhchivan exclave, including a school and its international airport. Extensive damage to its infrastructure and civilian injuries were reported.
Iran has denied responsibility for the incident and blamed Israel

Responding to Azerbaijan, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied any involvement in the drone attack at its international airport.
Aragchi spoke to his Azerbaijan counterpart on the call, assuring investigation is underway. He pointed out the role of Israel in such attacks in order to distort public opinion and destroy Iran’s good relations with its neighbours, Tasnim news agency reported.

Iran has said that four health workers have been killed and 28 injured since February 28. As many as 11 hospitals, seven emergency centers and nine ambulances were reported damaged. 

White House says US Navy will begin escorting tankers through Strait of Hormuz ‘if necessary.’
Earlier, Iran had declared the strait was officially closed and threatened attacks if any ships tried to pass, impacting oil trade globally

World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says emergency logistics hub operations in Dubai suspended.
Ghebreyesus told a press conference that more than 10 verified attacks on Iran’s health infrastructure have been recorded with four deaths and 25 wounded amid the escalating tensions.
“WHO has verified 13 attacks on healthcare in Iran and one in Lebanon,” he said.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Thursday announced the cancellation of all board exams for Class 10 and Class 12 for the Middle East – (Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
For Class 10
Examinations scheduled from March 7 to March 11 stand cancelled.
Examinations scheduled on March 2, March 5 and March 6, which were postponed earlier, also stand cancelled.

For Class 12
Examinations scheduled on March 7 have been postponed. Revised dates will be announced later.
CBSC will review the situation on March 7 and issue appropriate direction on March 9.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has dismissed the IRGC’s claim that it shot down an American F-15 Strike Eagle fighter over the southern border.
In an X post it dismissed the news as “rumours,” “baseless” and “NOT TRUE.”

Hezbollah claims it launched direct missiles at Israeli troops advancing towards the southern Lebanese town of Markaba.
In a statement, the group described the attack as a response to what it called Israeli strikes on Lebanese cities and towns, including Beirut’s southern suburbs.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps released a statement claiming its drones attacked a US military base in Erbil, northern Iraq. “Significant damage” was caused in the attack, Tasnim news agency reported.

Lebanon’s Minister of Information Paul Morcos said the country would do “whatever is necessary” to prevent any IRGC activity.
Speaking after a cabinet session at the Grand Serail, Morcos said Salam also rejected accusations that the government is aligning itself with Israeli demands or implementing “Israeli decisions.”

Dubai has announced spring break from March 9 to March 22.
“The spring break for students and educational and administrative staff in all private educational institutions in Dubai will begin on Monday, March 9, 2026, and continue until Sunday, March 22, 2026, with classes and work resuming on Monday, March 23, 2026,” the UAE’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority shared via Dubai’s Media Office in a post on social media.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev has demanded an apology from Iran after a drone strike injured two people at the Nakhchivan International Airport.
In a statement, Aliyev said civilian sites, including the airport’s terminal building and a nearby school, were hit.
“The territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was subjected to fire by the Iranian state with unmanned aerial vehicles. The targets were civilian objects,” he said, calling the incident a “terrorist act” and demanding those responsible be held accountable.
Azerbaijan has summoned Iran’s ambassador to the foreign ministry in Baku over the incident, which Tehran denies carrying out.

Iranian IRGC stated it shot down an enemy Israeli Hermes 900 drone in Khorramabad, located west of the country.
Israel is yet to comment.

The Israeli military has asked residents of Beirut’s Bourj el-Barajneh and Hadath suburbs to flee their homes to “save their lives.”
Residents of the Haret Hreik and Shiyyah neighbourhoods were also asked to leave towards Tripoli on the Beirut–Tripoli road, and to the east toward Mount Lebanon “via the Metn Expressway.”

Iran: At least 1,230 people killed, including 175 schoolgirls and staff in a Saturday missile strike on a school in Minab.
UAE: ⁠Three people killed.
Lebanon: At least 77 people killed by Israeli attacks.
Bahrain: One person was killed in Salman ⁠Industrial City after a missile interception.
Kuwait: Four people, including two Kuwaiti soldiers, were killed.
Oman: One person ⁠killed.
Israel: Eleven people killed, including nine in an Iranian missile strike on Beit Shemesh on March 1.
United States: Six US service members killed.

After European countries like France, Germany and Italy announced support for the United States, Iran warned they will “pay the price, sooner ⁠or later.”

IRGC released another update claiming to have shot down an American F-15 Strike Eagle fighter over Iran’s southern border.
The US is yet to respond.

Iran launched a drone attack against a US military base in Kuwait. “Drone units of the armed force’s navy targeted a site of the US forces Camp Udairi in Kuwait using combat drones,” the army said in a statement broadcast by state TV.
Camp Buehring, formerly known as Udairi, is a major U.S. military facility in northwestern Kuwait.

A US-Israeli missile attack targeted two schools in the city of Berand, southwest of the capital Tehran, Fars News Agency reported.

du, UAE’s second telecom operator, has announced free 15 GB data for residents stranded outside the country amid escalating tensions and airspace closures.
“A free 15GB roaming data bundle for its customers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with unlimited outgoing calls and 500 incoming minutes, has been activated. It is valid for three days,” read the statement.

UAE reported that since the beginning of the conflict in the Middle East, the UAE has reported three deaths of Pakistani, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi nationalities and 94 minor injuries involving Emirati, Egyptian, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese, Afghan, Bahraini, Comorian, and Turkish nationals.

The emirate released a statement saying on Thursday, March 5, its air defences detected seven ballistic missiles, of which six were successfully intercepted and destroyed, while one landed in its territory. As many as 131 drones were detected, with 125 drones intercepted, and six fell within its territory.

In fresh updates, Tehran’s Azadi stadium, which hosted several international football matches, has been “destroyed,” Tasneem News Agency reported. Footage shared on social media shows thick smoke from the stands and extensive damage to the stadium.

Israeli air strikes have targeted the towns of Harouf and Kfar Rumman in southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported. At least eight people have been killed on Thursday across Lebanon. The total death toll stands at 77 as of Thursday, March 5.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has denied that the country targeted Azerbaijan, after Baku said two Iranian drones struck its Nakhchivan region, including an airport building.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has not targeted the Republic of Azerbaijan,” Gharibabadi said, according to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency. “We do not target our neighbouring countries.”
He added that Iran’s policy is to strike only the military bases of its enemies operating in the region and used to attack Iran, including those of the United States and Israel.

IRGC claimed it has struck down Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel with four missiles.
“Our missiles penetrated Israel’s seven air defence layers,” read a statement.
Israel is yet to respond.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has extended full support to President Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran. “United States is one iof our key allies. There is no sliver of light between us,” Rutte told Fox News.
“The Europeans, Canada, Mark Carney, the United States, the American president… All for one, one for all, because everybody supports, here in Europe, the fact that [Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei is gone, that the nuclear capability is gone, that the ballistic missile program has been now degraded, which was a big threat for Europe, for Israel, for the whole region,” he said.

In an interview with Reuters, Rutte said Iran is “close to becoming a threat to Europe,” and it was “important that it is no longer”

On its sixth day of the conflict, the death toll in Iran has risen to 1,230, Tasnim news agency reported.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it “successfully targeted” an American oil tanker in the Arabian Gulf.
No further details were provided.

In the last four days, a total of 77 people, with eight killed today (March 5), have died while 527 have been wounded, the Lebanese Health Ministry released a statement.
On Thursday, two children and their parents died in the southern village of Kfar Tebnit, wiping out an entire family.

Russian ⁠spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that its ally Iran has not yet approached them for help amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. “There were no requests from the Iranian side. Our consistent position ‌is well known to everyone, and there have been no changes ‌in ‌this regard,” Peskov told reporters.
Last year, Iran sealed ‌a 20-year strategic partnership agreement with Russia.

A boat struck a Bahamas-flagged oil tanker at the Iraqi port of Khor al-Zubair, causing damage and an oil spill, an Iraqi security source told Al Jazeera.

Six people were injured in Abu Dhabi from falling debris from drones intercepted by air defence, the emirate’s media office said.
The injured include nationals from Pakistan and Nepal. Minor injuries have been reported, the statement said.

European countries like Greece, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands will send naval assets (ships, submarines, naval helicopters, additional forces ) to Cyprus, currently under Iranian fire, in the coming days.

France joins the United Kingdom, Italy and Germany by announcing it will allow the United States Air Force to use its military bases in the Middle East

Oman Air announced additional flights to and from the following destinations:
London Heathrow (March 7 to March 16)
Istanbul (March 9 to March 16)
Bangkok (March 8 to March 15)
Kuala Lumpur (March 8 to March 11)
Cairo (March 8 to March 15)
Mumbai (March 7 to March 8)

Emirates announced it has reduced its flight schedule, with more than 100 flights to and from Dubai on Thursday (March 5) and Friday (March 6) due to the airspace restrictions.
“Emirates can confirm that it is currently operating a reduced flight schedule until further notice. This follows the partial re-opening of regional airspace for the safe conduct of commercial flights,” the airline’s spokesperson said.

Air India has dismissed claims circulating on social media that one of its flights flew over restricted airspace in the Middle East amid ongoing tensions.
The airline said it does not operate flights over restricted airspace and that routes are planned using real-time intelligence, global advisories and continuous monitoring to ensure safety and compliance.
“These claims circulating on social media are incorrect and do not reflect our actual flight operations or safety protocols,” the airline said.

After a series of back-to-back explosions hit the central part of Doha, authorities have sent out a national emergency alert, with a message of “elevated threat” to locals, urging everyone to remain indoors.

Six explosions were heard in Doha, each reportedly closer to the city centre than the last. Locals are witnessing smoke from buildings, Al Jazeera reported.
Qatar’s Defence Ministry said that its Air Force successfully stopped an Iranian missile attack.

Iranians have been under an over 120-hour internet shutdown, cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks said. Iran’s near-total internet shutdown has now reached its fifth day, with internet use “around one per cent of ordinary levels”.

Amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have mobilised around 20,000 reserve soldiers to the Home Front Command, the army stated. 
These soldiers are involved in search and rescue operations and civilian emergency responses.

Two Iranian missiles landed over the Nakhchivan International Airport, one near a school in Shakarabad village. Two people were injured, Al Jazeera Arabic reported.
Following this, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has summoned the Iranian ambassador. “We condemn the attacks in Nakhchivan and reserve the right to respond. We call on Iran to urgently clarify the issue of the drone attack on Nakhchivan,” the foreign ministry said in a statement

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a “swift end” to the conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine, saying no issue can be resolved through military confrontation.
Modi made the remarks after holding wide-ranging talks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
“India and Finland, both, believe in the rule of law, dialogue, and diplomacy. We are in agreement that no issue can be resolved through military conflict alone,” he said. “Be it Ukraine or West Asia, we will continue to support the swift end of conflicts and every effort towards peace,” Modi said in his media statement.

Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport will resume limited flight operations, its media office released a statement. Earlier, Emirates and Etihad announced limited flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Six people, including four members of one family, have reportedly died in Israeli attacks in villages in southern Lebanon, the National News Agency reported.
A family of two children and their parents were wiped out in Kfar Tebnit village and a couple were killed in Nabatieh region.

Italian Prime Minister ⁠Giorgia Meloni announced her government is planning to send air defence to its allies facing Iranian strikes.
“Like the UK, France and Germany, Italy ‌intends to send assistance to Gulf countries, specifically in the field of defence and in particular, air defence,” she told ⁠an Italian radio station, according to Reuters.
“This ⁠is not only because they are friendly nations, but above ⁠all because tens of thousands ⁠of Italians live ⁠in the region and around 2,000 Italian troops are deployed there – people ‌we want to, and must, protect.”

A day after Iran’s frigate IRIS Dena sank into the Indian ocean leaving only 32 survivors, the country’s media minister Nalinda Jayatissa has confirmed a second warship, carrying over 100 crew members, is heading towards Sri Lanka’s territorial waters. On Wednesday, a US submarine sank an Iranian warship with a torpedo in international waters off Sri Lanka’s coast.

Iranian television reported that several explosions were heard in the west and northwest region of Tehran.
Thick plumes of smoke were reportedly seen rising in various areas, with Al Jazeera reporting that there is information circulating about strikes targeting police stations and residential areas.

US President Trump thanked NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for his comments that the allies were supportive of Washington’s strikes on Iran on a “massive scale.”
“Thank you to our great NATO Secretary General!” Trump wrote in a social media post.
Rutte said that Washington’s actions had “large scale support” from allies, even though NATO was involved in the strikes on Iran.
“Obviously allies are basically, (on) a massive scale… supportive of what the president is doing and are also enabling what the US is doing now in the region, taking out this nuclear capability of Iran and, of course, the missile capability,” he said.

Iran’s Intelligence Ministry and the IRGC reported a joint preemptive operation against US and Israeli-supported separatist groups allegedly planning “terrorist attacks” and border breaches in the west.
In a statement released by Iran’s news agency, the ministry said the Iranian forces targeted several separatists’ positions and destroyed their facilities, resulting in “heavy losses for them.”

Iranian forces are reportedly cooperating with “noble Kurds” to prevent the Israeli-American scheme to attack Iranian soil. Previously, Iran’s Press TV reported that Iranian troops attacked separatist groups in the Kurdish area of Iraq.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed its navy hit a US tanker this morning in northern Gulf and announced that shipping, including military vessels linked to the US, Israel, or the European countries supporting them, will not be permitted to pass through.

“If they are observed, they will certainly be hit,” the IRGC said.

“We had previously said that, based on international laws and resolutions, in times of war, the Islamic Republic of Iran will have the right to control the passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” the IRGC said, according to Tasnim news agency.

“The US has perpetrated an atrocity 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,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X.

“Mark my words: The U.S. will come to bitterly regret precedent it has set.”

Iranian state television aired a message Thursday from an ayatollah in Iran calling for the “shedding” of blood from Israelis and US President Donald Trump.
The message came from Ayatollah Abdollah Javadi Amoli and represented one of the few clerical statements coming from Iran as it faces a combined airstrike campaign from Israel and the United States.

“We are now on the verge of a great test and we must be careful to fully preserve this unity, to fully preserve this alliance,” he said in the statement.

He called for “the shedding of Zionist blood, the shedding of Trump’s blood.”

“The Imam of the time says, Fight the oppressive America, his blood is on my shoulders,’” the ayatollah added.

Omani Foreign Minister on Thursday extended support to those stranded in the Gulf, saying the Omani government is working with other states and airlines to help repatriate them.
“For everyone hoping to fly home from the Gulf, the Omani government is working with your governments and international airlines to organise flights to get you home,” he said in a post on X. “We mean everyone, whatever passport you hold.”

“The citizens of all countries have the human right to safety and security. People matter. Let’s stop the war now.”

At least two people were injured in Iran after Israeli strikes hit the Khorramabad-Borujerd express highway, leaving an essential route in Lorestan Province non-functional. The victims were travelling on the other side of the freeway in a bus when they were struck, Iran’s Tasnim news agency said. The freeway was one of the eight places Israel reportedly targeted in the province since the joint attack began, an official told Tasnim.

Approximately 66 air strikes were launched on the province, the report said.

According to Israeli media, sirens warning of a suspected drone attack were heard in southern Israel, which shares a border with Jordan. The sirens were heard in several communities in the region.

Global Village will remain closed until Friday, March 6, while Ain Dubai will be closed on March 5 and 6 as a precautionary measure following official guidance.

Visitors with existing bookings have been advised to check the attractions’ websites for updates before planning their visit.

Iran’s armed forces said they respect Turkey’s sovereignty and denied reports that a missile was launched toward Turkish territory.

The statement comes after Turkey said a ballistic missile fired from Iran was intercepted by NATO air defences before entering Turkish airspace, with no casualties reported.

Qatar’s Ministry of Interior has advised residents to remain indoors and only go out if absolutely necessary, according to the Qatar News Agency.

Authorities also warned against gathering at incident sites or sharing photos and videos of ongoing developments, saying such actions could hinder emergency operations and may lead to legal action.

The Israeli military said it carried out airstrikes in Beirut, completing a wave of attacks targeting several Hezbollah command centres, according to reports.

The army said one of the sites hit was a facility used by Hezbollah’s aerial units, though it did not provide evidence for the claim.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia is deploying military assets to the Middle East as a contingency measure.

According to SBS News, the deployment includes two military aircraft, though further details about the assets have not been disclosed.

The head of Iran’s ambulance service said 29 provinces and 172 cities have been subjected to US and Israeli attacks since the start of the war.

The statement highlights the widespread geographic impact of the strikes across Iran, with emergency services responding in multiple regions.

A deputy commander of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters said the country is prepared for the war to continue for as long as necessary to achieve its goals.

He added that Iran has not closed the Strait of Hormuz, saying vessels in the waterway are being dealt with according to international protocols, while warning that military ships posing as commercial vessels would be confronted.

An Israeli military spokesperson said the air force destroyed a ballistic missile launch platform in the Iranian city of Qom that was preparing to fire at Israel.

The military also said it struck an air defence system in Isfahan, in what it described as efforts to weaken Iran’s defences and expaŕþr.nd Israel’s air control in the region.

Authorities in Bahrain said four men were arrested after publishing videos online showing the impact of Iranian attacks on the kingdom.

The Interior Ministry said the content included sympathy for the strikes and footage of military sites, adding that such actions constitute treason and violate national laws.

Qatar Airways said its flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace, with the next update expected on March 6 at 09:00 Doha time.

The airline said it will operate a limited number of relief flights from March 5 for stranded passengers, including services from Muscat to several European cities and a Riyadh–Frankfurt flight. Passengers have been advised not to travel to the airport unless officially notified by the airline.

China’s foreign minister said Beijing will send a special envoy to mediate in the Middle East, calling for an immediate halt to military operations.

He also urged all sides to ensure the safety of shipping lanes and global oil supplies.

Massive explosions were reported on Thursday in Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas, according to reports by Iran International.

The blasts were said to have occurred near Bandar-e Bahonar in the First Naval Zone of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The cause of the explosions and extent of damage were not immediately clear.

A fuel storage tank belonging to Oman Oil Marketing Company was damaged in an incident, according to Reuters citing the company.

Initial assessments said the impact caused minor physical damage, and operations at the site have been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure.

Air India has introduced complimentary rescheduling or full refunds for passengers affected by flight disruptions linked to the escalating Middle East conflict.

The offer applies to tickets booked on or before February 28 for travel up to March 10 to and from the Middle East, the UK and Europe, if flights are cancelled. Passengers have been advised to check the latest flight status on airindia.com or contact the airline’s helpline.

The Indian Embassy in Doha has urged Indian citizens in Qatar to follow safety guidance issued by local authorities amid the ongoing regional tensions.

The embassy said flights from Hamad International Airport remain suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace, advising passengers to stay in contact with airlines for travel updates.

It also issued new emergency helpline numbers for Indian nationals.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense said its air defences intercepted another drone approaching from the east on Thursday morning.

The drone was destroyed near the northern Al-Jawf region close to the Jordanian border, following earlier interceptions of three drones.

The Israeli military said Iran launched several missiles toward Israel early Thursday, triggering alerts across multiple areas and explosions heard in Jerusalem.

Emergency service Magen David Adom said there were no immediate reports of casualties, and residents were later allowed to leave shelters.

Dubai Airports said most flights remain suspended, urging passengers not to travel to the airport unless their airline has confirmed their departure.

Authorities said entry to airport terminals will be restricted to passengers with confirmed flights, advising travellers to check directly with airlines for the latest updates to avoid congestion.

Kuwait’s General Administration of Customs has ordered a suspension of food exports through all land, sea and air crossings, according to a statement issued on Wednesday.

The move follows a decision by the Minister of Commerce and Industry aimed at protecting food security and stabilising the domestic market. Authorities also said radiation monitoring systems at border points remain within safe limits.

Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that a drone strike targeted the Tyre–Naqoura road near the town of Qalila in southern Lebanon.

At least three people were killed in the attack.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported that several explosions were heard in Tehran over the past hour, with the country’s air defence systems activated.

Local reports also said blasts were heard in Sanandaj, the capital of Iran’s Kurdistan province.

The Israeli military said it has begun another wave of attacks targeting Iranian military infrastructure across Tehran.

In a statement, the army said its forces were striking sites linked to the Iranian regime’s military facilities in the capital. Earlier, the Israeli air force said it had carried out a large-scale strike on a compound in eastern Tehran housing command centres and internal security forces.

The Pentagon said the sixth US soldier killed in the drone attack on Shuaiba port in Kuwait is believed to be Staff Sergeant Major Robert M Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California.

It said final identification will be confirmed by a forensic examiner.

The attack on March 1 targeted a command centre at the port after a drone breached air defences. The strike killed six US soldiers, including Major Jeffrey O’Brien of Iowa, according to US officials.

The US Energy Secretary said the US Navy will begin escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as it is able to do so, amid rising tensions and threats to maritime traffic in the vital shipping route.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said his country’s military involvement in the Middle East conflict cannot be categorically ruled out.

Speaking alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra, Carney said Canada would stand by its allies, despite earlier saying US-Israeli strikes on Iran violated international law.

A third missile salvo from Iran was launched toward central Israel, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

The Israeli military confirmed missile launches from Iran, saying its air defence systems were working to intercept the incoming threats.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group continues operating from the Mediterranean Sea as part of ongoing military operations.

Officials said the US is now deploying two aircraft carriers in the region, increasing pressure on Iran as the conflict escalates. The carriers include the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln, forming one of the largest US naval deployments in the Middle East in recent years.

The Indian Embassy in Doha issued an advisory confirming that flight operations at Hamad International Airport are temporarily suspended after Qatar closed its airspace amid escalating regional tensions.

Passengers have been advised to stay in contact with their airlines for updates, while authorities urged residents to remain indoors except in cases of extreme necessity.

The embassy said it is coordinating with Qatari authorities to ensure the safety of around 740,000 Indian nationals in the country and has activated a 24/7 helpline for emergency assistance.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani said Tehran will not tolerate any actions by separatist groups, adding that the country’s armed forces are in full control of the situation.

The UK Foreign Office has advised British nationals not to travel to Lebanon except in cases of extreme necessity, citing the escalating regional conflict

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said escalating violence across the Middle East has triggered significant displacement. Around 100,000 people fled Tehran in the first two days of the attacks.

In Lebanon, about 58,000 people are staying in collective shelters, while in Syria roughly 10,000 Syrians and 1,000 Lebanese crossed the border from Lebanon on March 2, nearly three times the usual daily average.

Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom reported that the Northern Command has instructed residents of border towns near Lebanon and the northern Golan Heights to move to fortified areas.

Meanwhile, the Home Front Command said sirens sounded in Metula and Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel after rockets were detected.

US President Donald Trump said the United States was in a “very strong position” in the conflict with Iran, claiming Tehran’s ballistic missile arsenal was being rapidly destroyed.

Speaking at a White House meeting with tech executives, Trump said the US was performing “about a 15 out of 10” on the war front.

Qatar has begun evacuating residents living near the US embassy in Doha as a precautionary measure, the Interior Ministry said.

Authorities said temporary accommodation has been arranged for those affected. The move comes after drone attacks targeted US diplomatic facilities in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai earlier this week.

US President Donald Trump said the recent strikes were carried out to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, claiming Tehran could have developed one within weeks.

Speaking during a White House roundtable, Trump said “dangerous things happen when reckless people possess nuclear weapons”.

The head of the UN’s International Maritime Organization, Arsenio Dominguez, said around 20,000 sailors are stranded due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking to the BBC, he said threats against ships have caused a near halt in maritime traffic. About 15,000 cruise ship passengers have also been affected.

A tanker reported a large explosion about 30 nautical miles southeast of Kuwait’s Mubarak al-Kabeer port, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

Oil was seen leaking into the water, but all crew members were reported safe.

At least four explosions were reported in Sulaymaniyah province in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, near Arabat, Zarkuiz and Surdash.

The blasts reportedly targeted the headquarters of Komala, an Iranian Kurdish armed group. It was not immediately clear who carried out the attacks.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said three people were killed in two Israeli strikes targeting vehicles on the airport highway in Beirut late on Wednesday.

The attacks came after a third day of Israeli bombardments, launched in response to renewed Hezbollah attacks.

The US Senate voted 53–47 to block a resolution seeking to restrict President Donald Trump’s military powers in Iran.

The vote largely followed party lines, though Republican Rand Paul backed the measure while Democrat John Fetterman opposed it.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv is preparing to send experts to the Gulf region to help allies counter Iranian drones and missiles.

He said he held talks with leaders of the UAE, Qatar, Jordan and Bahrain and asked officials to develop support plans without affecting Ukraine’s defence capabilities.

Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to help protect lives and stabilise the situation.

Saudi officials said on Thursday that three cruise missiles were intercepted and destroyed outside the city of Al-Kharj.

In a post on X, the Saudi Ministry of Defence said its air defences successfully intercepted the missiles before they reached the city. Authorities did not immediately provide details on casualties or damage.