Tehran fires at Turkey, Nato shield. US media: ground offensive of thousands of Kurds begun

The Israeli army announced that, based on the situation assessment of the Home Front Command, as of Thursday, 5 March at noon, the guidelines for the population will be updated and relaxed. "As part of the changes, all areas of the country will go from an essential activity level to a limited activity level." Schools remain closed. Gatherings of up to 50 people are permitted, and as with workplaces, will be allowed as long as a standard protected space can be reached. The update is valid until Saturday at 8pm.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said attacks on Turkey are "unacceptable" after an Iranian missile was intercepted by Nato. In a phone call with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Rubio said that "attacks on Turkey's sovereign territory are unacceptable and pledged the full support of the United States," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.

The Israeli army announced it had launched a new wave of attacks on Tehran, saying they would target military infrastructure belonging to the 'Iranian regime'. "The IDF has launched a further wave of attacks against military infrastructure belonging to the Iranian regime throughout Tehran," the army said in a note.

US President Donald Trump 'had a feeling, again based on facts', that Iran would attack US assets, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said during the daily press briefing in Washington.

"The president had a feeling, again, based on facts, that Iran was going to attack the United States, was going to hit our assets in the region. And he decided to launch Operation Epic Fury based on all these reasons," Leavitt explained.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he spoke today with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to discuss the situation in Lebanon, "which is very worrying". "I called on" Netanyahu "to preserve Lebanon's territorial integrity and to refrain from a land offensive. It is important that the parties return to the ceasefire agreement," Macron said on X.

Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu contacted the White House earlier this week to ask for clarification of information obtained from Israel that US administration officials are in contact with the Iranian regime. Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reports this, citing two sources familiar with the matter. "The White House told Bibi that the Trump administration is not talking to the Iranians behind his back," one of the sources said. A senior US official said that Steve Witkoff and Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner talk almost daily with Netanyahu, Mossad chief David Barnea and other Israeli officials and that coordination over the past month has been very close. "They know we don't talk to the Iranians," the US official said.

The IDF estimates that complete air superiority over all Iranian skies will be achieved within a few hours, and not just in the west of the country and the Tehran region, as has been the case so far. According to sources cited by Ynet, the expansion of air control would allow US Air Force aircraft to operate freely in additional areas, including eastern Iran, and would significantly increase the effectiveness of attacks.

Washington makes it known that ground troops 'are not part of the plan' for Iran but Donald Trump 'does not rule out the option'. This was reiterated by White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt. Moreover, Donald Trump would be "actively considering" the U.S. role in Iran after the war.

The White House also reported that Spain has agreed to "cooperate" with the US military on Iran. This was announced by White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt after the attack in Madrid by Donald Trump.

The US intelligence agencies are "closely monitoring" the reports on the possibility of Ayatollah Khamenei's son succeeding his father. This was reported by White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt, adding: "We have to wait and see".

During the pre-war negotiations, Iran 'rejected our generous and unprecedented offers'. This was said by White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt.

"The war in Iran and the effects on soaring energy prices were the topics of a phone call with my colleague US Secretary of State Rubio. I expressed to him the Italia government's concern that Iran is widening the conflict in the Middle East, going so far as to affect all the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf. The closure of Hormuz, if prolonged, could cause severe negative effects on international economies'. This was announced by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on X. "Italia," he adds, "confirms the objective that Iran should not go so far as to possess military nuclear devices, and hopes that an end to the conflict can be reached, to which shrewd political and diplomatic work should contribute. I wanted to confirm to the Secretary of State Italy's resolute support for the friendly countries of the Gulf, our country's political and economic partners".

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi had a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. This was reported by the Iranian Tasnim news agency, reporting that the Russian diplomatic chief called the Israeli-US attack a violation of international law. During the conversation, Lavrov said that the attacks violate the basic principles of international law and the UN Charter and could have very serious consequences for the stability and security of the region and the world. Araghchi, for his part, updated Lavrov on the latest developments and what he called the crimes committed by Israel and the US against the Iranian people.

An Israeli attack on the Iranian diplomatic mission in Beirut "will force us to make all Israeli embassies around the world a legitimate target," Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesman for the country's armed forces, warned on Iranian television. The Israeli military warned "representatives of the Iranian regime still in Lebanon to leave the country immediately or risk being targeted", giving them 24 hours to leave.

Several loud explosions were heard in the city of Erbil, in Iraqi Kurdistan. This was reported by press sources quoted by the Iranian Tasnim news agency. According to the information, several loud bangs were heard in the city, but no further details on the cause of the explosions were given at the moment, but earlier the Iranian Pasdaran had announced attacks against Kurdish 'separatist groups' in Iraqi Kurdistan. According to the country's authorities, Iraq was hit by a total blackout.

An axis between the Populars and the right-wingers (Ecr-Patriots), in the Conference of Group Leaders in the Eurochamber, rebutted the proposal put forward by the Greens to add to next week's plenary programme in Strasbourg a debate, preceded by a statement by the EU Commission, dedicated to the "threats of sanctions by the US against Spain". This is learnt in Brussels.

"We are working to increase the departure of Italians from the entire area. I hope that by tomorrow we can exceed the10,000 people who have left the countries most at risk," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told reporters at the Farnesina today.

'We have increased the number of flights, organised charters with various companies' and with the Defence, as well as a dedicated flight 'with Ita (Ita Airways,ed) to Muscate'. The aim is to support as many Italians as possible, giving priority to those with health problems, the minister specified.

"I have a telephone call with Secretary of State Rubio". This is how Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced in a press point the upcoming phone conversation with the US diplomatic chief.

"Tehran's strategy is to sow chaos and set the region on fire. By indiscriminately attacking its neighbours, the regime is preparing the ground for its own downfall. Of course, the ideal scenario would be a democratic Iran that poses no threat to its neighbours. But of course this outcome is far from certain. At the moment, no one can predict which direction this war will take. For Europe, this is a dangerous moment: the security of hundreds and thousands of our citizens in the region is at stake'. This was said by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas in Warsaw.

Iran 'had no choice'. This is what can be read in a post on X by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressing the leaders of neighbouring countries, saying that Tehran had tried to "avoid war" with them by resorting to "diplomacy", but the operations announced last Saturday by Israel and the United States left the Islamic Republic "with no choice but to defend ourselves". "We respect your sovereignty," adds the message, which reiterates how Iran believes "security" in the area should be ensured through "collective work at the regional level."

China will send a special envoy to the Middle East to help mediate the conflict, the Xinhua news agency reported. The Chinese government has condemned the attacks conducted by the US and Israel against Iran, calling the killing of the leader of a sovereign country "unacceptable" and urging an immediate diplomatic solution to the crisis.

Tomorrow, 5 March, the EU foreign ministers will hold an informal discussion via videoconference to discuss the situation in Iran and the Middle East in light of the latest developments on the ground. The meeting will start at 11:00 am. The ministerial discussion will be chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas. The Secretary General and representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council will also participate in the discussion.

Donald Trump will receive the heads of major US defence companies at the White House on Friday to discuss ways to speed up arms production. This was reported by the Reuters news agency on its website citing informed sources. Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and other key suppliers have been invited to attend the emergency meeting, which fuels press rumours in recent days that Washington risks running out of ammunition for the Iran operation. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and Israel launched military operations in Gaza, the US has used billions of dollars of weapons stockpiles. In a social media post on Monday, Trump assured that the US has a "virtually unlimited supply" of ammunition at its disposal and can fight wars "forever" because of it.

"Let us continue our Lenten journey in a spirit of penance and conversion, imploring God's mercy and peace for us and for the whole world". The Pope said this morning at the general audience, greeting German-speaking pilgrims.

The president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, also urged prayer for peace "with insistence" during the homily of the Mass for the 100th anniversary of the Military Ordinariate held in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, while Cardinal Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, contacted the president of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, reiterating the Holy See's support for the Country of the Cedars "in these difficult days" and its willingness to help reduce the suffering of the population.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador to Turkey, Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh, to protest and express concern after a ballistic missile launched from Iran and heading towards Turkish airspace was intercepted by NATO's air defence system in the eastern Mediterranean and debris from the interceptor fell in the Dortyol district in Hatay province, southeastern Turkey. Daily Sabah reports.

Oil tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted by 90% since the start of the war on Iran. This was stated in X by the energy market intelligence company Kpler.

Further reading

Hormuz blocked, India trembles: energy rationing and the temptation of Russian oil

03 March 2026

Sources have denied to the media in Tehran the news that Iranian Intelligence Ministry officials have indirectly contacted the CIA with a proposal to end attacks against the Islamic Republic. According to the source, quoted by the Tasnim news agency, the news is "an absolute lie" and would be a "psychological operation" conducted in the context of the conflict.

China and Russia 'are not really a factor' in the US war against Iran. This was said by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. "Our problem is not them, but Iran's nuclear ambitions," he added.

"It doesn't look like it would trigger anything like NATO Article 5". This was said by Pete Hegseth in a Pentagon briefing about the Iranian missile heading towards Turkey's airspace and intercepted by Atlantic Alliance forces. "We will still have to study the situation better," he added to the defence secretary. (

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the leader of an Iranian unit that wanted to assassinate Donald Trump has been killed. "The leader of the unit that attempted to assassinate the president was hunted down and killed," he said without naming him but pointing out that the operation took place yesterday. In January last year, Tehran denied any plot to kill Trump. In November 2024, the Justice Department indicted an Iranian in connection with a plan by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards to assassinate the US president.

It was a US submarine that sank an Iranian warship 'that thought it was safe in international waters' off Sri Lanka. This was stated by Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth.

Qatar's state-owned energy company, QatarEnergy, invoked a case of 'force majeure' after attacks on two of its main infrastructures brought liquefied natural gas production to a halt as Iran continues its raids in the Gulf. The clause protects QatarEnergy from penalties and possible contractual defaults against customers due to the production shutdown. Following "the halt in the production of LNG and associated products, QatarEnergy has declared a case of force majeure against the affected buyers," the company said in a statement. Yesterday, the company had announced the suspension of production of some processed products in the aftermath of the halt in LNG production, which sent gas prices soaring.

"America is winning decisively, devastatingly and mercilessly". So said Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, speaking at a press conference on the ongoing military operation against Iran.

-Turkey "was not the target" of an Iranian-launched missile headed for Turkish airspace and destroyed by Nato air defence systems, a Turkish official told Afp on Wednesday. "We believe it was aiming at a base in Greek Cyprus, but deviated from its course," said the official, who preferred to remain anonymous.

According to the official Iranian news agency Irna, Israeli-American attacks have killed more than 1,000 people across the country since Saturday. "During the military aggression ... 1.045 of our military and civilian loved ones' have been killed, Irna said, citing a statement from the Iranian Martyrs and Veterans Affairs Foundation.

"I do not want to involve The Kingdom in the war" in Iran "without certain legal bases and objectives". This was reiterated by Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Wednesday's Question Time in the British House of Commons, responding to criticism from Conservative opposition leader Kemi Badenoch against the decision not to involve the Raf in direct attacks in response to Tehran's reaction to the US and Israeli raids that also targeted "British military personnel" in the region. Badenoch accused Starmer of not doing enough by merely granting, after the initial refusal, the use of British bases to the American allies.

The US military carried out an attack that hit an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka. Reuters online writes this, citing three US officials. One of the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the attack was carried out by a US military submarine

A container ship was hit off the coast of Oman while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a British Maritime Safety Agency reported. The ship was two nautical miles north of Oman, 'in eastbound transit through the Strait of Hormuz', when it was 'struck by an unknown projectile just above the waterline, causing a fire in the engine room', according to the Ukmto. This was the fourth attack reported in regional waters within 24 hours, after projectiles hit three other ships off or near the coasts of the Emirates and Oman.

"We condemn Iran's attacks on Turkey. NATO stands firmly by all Allies, including Turkey, as Iran continues its indiscriminate attacks throughout the region. Our deterrence and defence posture remains strong in all areas, including air and missile defence'. This was stated by the Atlantic Alliance spokeswoman.

The Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, told his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, that "any action that could lead to the expansion of the conflict should be avoided" after the NATO air defence system intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile heading towards Turkish airspace and debris from the interceptor fell in the Dortyol district of Hatay, in the southeast of Turkey. This was reported by sources in the foreign ministry in Ankara.

"Our determination and ability to protect the security of our country are at the highest level. All necessary measures will be taken without hesitation to defend our territory and airspace." This was stated by Burhanettin Duran, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's communications director, after the Nato air defence system intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles heading towards Turkish airspace and the interceptor's debris fell in the Dortyol district of Hatay, southeast Turkey.

Ballistic munitions fired from Iran towards Turkey were neutralised by Nato air and missile defence units in the eastern Mediterranean. This was said by the Turkish Ministry of National Defence, and reported by Anadolu.

Cosco, a Chinese shipping giant that operates one of the world's largest tanker fleets, said it will suspend services to and from Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait, as of today. 'In view of the escalation in the Middle East region and the resulting restrictions on maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz', Cosco has decided to 'suspend all new bookings' for the affected routes 'with immediate effect until further notice'.

The state funeral of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei scheduled for this evening in Tehran has been postponed as the country faces waves of attacks from Israel and the US. This was reported by Iranian state TV. 'The farewell ceremony for the martyred imam has been postponed (...) in anticipation of an unprecedented turnout,' the TV reported, adding that the new date would be 'announced later'. This morning, a tribute had been announced for this evening in Tehran in front of the body of Ali Khamenei, who died at the age of 86 in an air raid and will be buried in the holy city of Mashhad, his birthplace.

For the EU oil coordination group at the moment 'there are no security concerns, but the prices and consequences' of the tensions in the Middle East 'remain a major concern. The duration of the conflict, damage to energy infrastructure in the region and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will determine the consequences for European markets'. This is what emerged during the meeting of the Oil Expert Group. To date, no coordinated EU measures have been requested or individual measures taken. It is not excluded that a new meeting will be convened as early as next week.

'The UK is not involved in attacks against Iran after learning the lessons of the Iraq war'. This was stated by Keir Starmer during an event with representatives of the Pakistani and Palestinian communities on the occasion of Ramadan, in what was an indirect response to Donald Trump's harsh accusations. Starmer defended London's position, without mentioning The Donald, but stressing the importance of peace, justice and security in the Middle East and the fact that 'we have already lost too many lives, including women and children in Gaza'. "I am determined that the lessons of the past will be learned and acted upon today," he added.

The US Senate will vote today on whether to consider a resolution that would limit President Donald Trump's ability to continue military action in Iran without congressional approval. The resolution, co-sponsored by Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, aims to limit the president's war powers and will be - CNN notes - a loyalty test for some right-wing members of the Republican Party, who have for years supported Trump's promise to keep America out of foreign wars. 'Everyone has to declare whether they are for or against this war,' stressed Kaine. No one can hide and give the president an easy pass or bypass the Constitution'.Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, said yesterday that he left a confidential meeting with administration officials 'more concerned than reassured'. "If the reasons for war were valid, they would be consistent," Schumer said, "but instead the reasons change by the hour."(

The commemoration ceremony of Iran's Supreme Guide, Ali Khamenei, who died in the Israeli bombing of Tehran on Monday, has been postponed until a later date, reports the Iranian news agency Tasnim.

The three-day ceremony was to begin this evening at the mosque named after Ayatollah Khomeini in the capital Tehran.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, denounced "brutal Israeli-American attacks on the Iranian diplomatic police headquarters in Tehran", which he described as "another serious step in the worrying record of the United States in actively undermining diplomacy". An attitude that had already emerged, according to Baqaei, "when the United States violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a UN member state - not once, but twice - during diplomatic negotiations with Iran". "These actions represent a deliberate rejection of the most basic principles of international law and civilisation," he concluded on X, publishing images of the attack.

Israel is experiencing a drop in attack launches from Iran as the campaign enters its fifth day. This was stated by an Israeli army spokesman, Brigadier General Effie Defrin, adding that Israel is not surprised by any new weapons Iran might use and that it has prepared extensively for the confrontation. He said Israel will continue to "hunt down and destroy" Iran's military capabilities.

- The situation in Iran raises 'fears of an escalation that could also have an impact on the terrorist threat'. This is what is stated in the Annual Intelligence Report 2026, prepared by the Dis. With the widening of the Middle East conflict towards Iran "an increase - also in Europe and in Italia - of the terrorist risk cannot be excluded, especially with respect to Israeli or US targets. In perspective, the jihadist propaganda could, in an opportunistic way, exploit a possible conflict involving Teheran, invoking a 'global jihad' against the Western 'common enemy'".

The Qatari Defence Ministry said it had intercepted 10 drones and two cruise missiles launched from Iran. This was reported by al Jazeera.

The situation in Iran is fuelling international tensions and raising 'fears of an escalation that may also have an impact on the terrorist threat'. This is stated in the annual intelligence report presented today. "The risks deriving from the activities of Hamas on European soil have also increased - the report highlights - especially due to its involvement in the circulation of weapons and in possible hostile planning against Israeli and Jewish targets". In Italia, as in other European Countries, various anti-terrorism operations have been conducted against persons connected in various ways with the Middle East conflict.

In the future, the Intelligence reflects, "it is probable that the principal acronyms of international terrorism will increasingly refine their capacity to 'capitalize' on the crises in progress, further fuelling a trend which, to date, sees them decline their own inciting messages in an instrumental way with respect to their agendas. The interconnection between the different crisis quadrants also risks amplifying the external projection of the threat, including towards Europe and Italia". "With regard to the external projections of the tensions between Israel and Hamas", it is noted, "recent police operations conducted in Italia and other European countries confirm the need to keep a high level of attention both on the possible channels of financing terrorism and on the networks that Hamas could constitute abroad. In this scenario, anti-Semitism takes on an increasingly international significance, as well as transversal to various extremist ideologies'. "At the same time - is the analysis of the Report, written before the attack by the US and Israel - a widening of the Middle East conflict, especially towards Iran, could accentuate, in the near future, the risks of propagation of the terrorist risk also in Europe". In fact, it cannot be excluded, he adds, "an increase also in Europe and in Italia of the terrorist risk, especially with respect to Israeli or US targets. In perspective, jihadist propaganda could, in an opportunistic manner, exploit a possible conflict involving Tehran, invoking a 'global jihad' against the Western 'common enemy'".

A member of the Assembly of Experts, Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, said today that the 'main candidates' for the position of Iran's Supreme Leader, who will succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who was killed in an Israeli-American attack in Tehran on 28 February, have been 'identified'. Speaking on state TV, Kharami added: "We hope that the new leader will be elected as soon as possible. We are getting closer, but we are also in a war situation'.

Iraq's highest Shia authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, has condemned the 'unjust war' against Iran, urging the international community, 'in particular the Islamic countries', to work for a ceasefire. This is what is stated in the communiqué issued by the office of Ayatollah Sistani, one of the highest spiritual authorities in the Shia world, who was born in the Iranian city of Mashaad like the Iranian Supreme Guide, Ali Khamenei, who was killed last 28 February in an Israeli-American attack.

"The Supreme Religious Authority condemns this unjust war in the strongest terms and calls on all Muslims and free people of the world to denounce it and stand in solidarity with the oppressed Iranian people," reads the note reported by the Iraqi news agency Ina. "It reiterates its appeal to all international actors and countries of the world, particularly Islamic countries, to do everything possible to stop it immediately and to find a just and peaceful solution to the Iranian nuclear issue, in accordance with the norms of international law.

At least 101 people are missing and 78 injured after a submarine attack on an Iranian ship off the coast of Sri Lanka, according to Sri Lankan Navy and Defence Ministry sources. Reuters online reports.

"We have evidence of damage at the Natanz and Isfahan sites. Right now there does not seem to be anything particularly serious. But further attacks cannot be excluded in the coming hours. From a general overview of the bombing, however, I can confirm that this military campaign is not focusing on nuclear facilities'. This was said by the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, in an interview with the newspaper La Repubblica. "We constantly have satellite images coming to us from governments and commercial operators. We have enough complete coverage to allow us to understand what is happening, without being conditioned by the parties involved,' he explains.

"Iran's nuclear safety authority is not responding. We have contacts of course with the permanent mission in Tehran here in Vienna, at the Agency's headquarters,' he adds. Asked whether there is any danger of radioactive leakage, Grossi replies: 'No, there is nothing at the moment. We have a network of monitoring stations, not only those in Iran but also in neighbouring countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman. And there is no sign that the radioactivity is above normal. Which confirms that no nuclear facilities or laboratories were hit in the raids'.

A drone hit the headquarters of an Iranian Kurdish opposition group in Iraqi Kurdistan. This was reported to Reuters by security sources. There are currently no reports of casualties or damage.

"We will not be complicit in something that is harmful to the world and that is also contrary to our values and interests, simply out of fear of someone's retaliation, because we have absolute confidence in the economic, institutional and, I would also say, moral strength of our country". This was said by Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez in an institutional statement from the Moncloa Palace, speaking about the war in Iran, after US President Donald Trump yesterday called Spain a "terrible" ally and threatened to cut trade relations.

"When nuclear negotiations of extraordinary complexity are reduced to mere real estate transactions and big lies end up obscuring reality, expectations inevitably become unrealistic and doomed to disappointment. The result? Blowing up the negotiating table out of spite. Trump has betrayed diplomacy and the Americans who elected him'. Thus on X the Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi.

There is no direct mention of either the United States or Israel in the telegram of condolences sent by Vladimir Putin to the Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, after "the assassination of the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic, a cynical violation of every norm of human morality and international law". Through its spokesman Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin made it known that it remains in close contact with the authorities in Tehran.

At the same time, however, the Russian president was engaged on Monday in a series of telephone contacts with the region's leaders: the president of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nayan; the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani; the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman; the king of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa al-Qalifa. Almost blurring Russia's isolation in the face of the fall of the most important of its recently departed allies: Syria's Bashar Assad, Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, now Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that given the speed of expansion, the conflict in the Middle East is unprecedented. "A terrible tragedy," the spokeswoman said in an interview with Radio Sputnik, "has been unfolding in Gaza over the course of almost two years, but despite all the epithets that have been given, we are now again talking about an unprecedented tragedy, given the scope, the speed of the expansion of the conflict and, of course, the casualties.

The Israeli Defence Forces announced the start of a wave of attacks against Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut. Before the start, the military issued evacuation orders for two buildings in the Lebanese capital. This was reported by the Times of Israel.

An Iraq-based militia group claimed to have launched drones into Jordan in support of Iran. This was reported by broadcaster Rudaw. "Fulfilling our religious duty and in response to the martyrdom of Imam Sayyid Ali al-Husseini Khamenei, and to deter the aggression that led to the martyrdom of a group of Iraqi resistance youth, our brave fighters today, Wednesday, 4 March 2026, conducted an attack with a swarm of drones against a vital target in Jordan", reads the statement from the group Saraya Awliya al-Dam (Guardians of the Blood Brigades), which in recent days has also claimed attacks in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The food crisis was touched upon in the Covid emergency. It was felt but absorbed (at great cost) with the Russian-Ukrainian war. It risks leaving its mark heavily with the outbreak of the new crisis in the Middle East.

This was discussed during the two days in Brussels at the 11th Global Food Forum of Farm Europe, the association founded 11 years ago as an agricultural think tank and today made up of more than 35 farmers' organisations (including the Italian Coldiretti), companies in the agri-food chain and scientists from 17 different countries.

Anyone appointed by the Iranian regime to replace Ali Khamenei in the leadership role 'will unequivocally be a target for elimination'. Announcing this was Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz: "Any leader appointed by the Iranian terrorist regime to continue to lead the plan to destroy Israel, threaten the United States, the free world and the countries of the region, and oppress the Iranian people, will be an unequivocal target to be eliminated," Katz said in a statement. "No matter what his name is or where he hides," he states. "We will continue to act with full force, together with our American partners, to dismantle the regime's capabilities and create the conditions for the Iranian people to overthrow and replace it," Katz adds, quoted by the Times of Israel.

The Pasdaran claim to have launched a missile attack against a US strategic asset in the Indian Ocean, targeting a US destroyer. The vessel, which was refuelling from a US tanker in the Indian Ocean, about 650 kilometres from Iran's southern coast, 'was hit by Qadr-360 and Talaeiyeh missiles'. According to the Tasnim news agency, a vast fire broke out on the decks of the two ships, with columns of smoke rising into the sky.

- "Today, under pressure from German Chancellor" Friedrich Merz, "some EU members risk ending up on the wrong side of history, appearing complicit in the acts of aggression and war crimes committed by the United States and Israel against the nation of Iran, one of the world's oldest and longest-lived nation-states. The Union must oppose any move reminiscent of the historical Nazi mentality and instead uphold its commitment to international law and justice'. This was stated by Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei. "The EU/E3 played a key role in international diplomacy, contributing to the conclusion of the 2015 JCPOA, a historic achievement of European foreign policy that was scuttled by the current US administration," the spokesman adds.

An 11-year-old girl died in Kuwait after shrapnel fell in a residential area of Kuwait City. This was reported by the country's Ministry of Health, explaining that the girl died in hospital from her injuries, while the girl's mother and three other relatives were injured and hospitalised. According to Kuwait's army, the shrapnel fell on a house while the armed forces were intercepting 'several hostile aerial targets' over the country.

The Israeli army (IDF) has issued an evacuation warning for residents of 13 villages in southern Lebanon. This kind of warning generally precedes attacks in the areas indicated.

The Guardians of the Revolution corps in Iran claimed that it fully controls the Strait of Hormuz. Al-Arabiya reports. "The Strait of Hormuz is currently under the complete control of the Revolutionary Guard's naval force," Mohammad Akbarzadeh, a senior Pasdaran officer, was quoted as saying by the Fars news agency.

New bombings by the US and Israel on Iran, with attacks reported all over the country. Iranian state TV showed the ruins of buildings in central Tehran, with interviewees complaining that the attacks had damaged their homes overnight. Witnesses also claimed that shelling intensely hit the western part of Tehran, as well as the city of Karaj. Attacks were also reported in the Shia holy city of Qom as well as in Behbahan, Kermanshah, Khorramabad, Shiraz and Tabriz.

Iranian state television has started to refer to the ongoing conflict as the 'Ramadan war'. This reflects the fact that it is taking place during the Muslim holy month of fasting, but at the same time is probably trying to prepare the public for the fact that the war will continue for some time yet.

Air raid sirens sounded in Jordan this morning. This was reported by the kingdom's state TV.

An Israeli airstrike hit a hotel on the outskirts of Beirut. This was reported by the Lebanese state news agency, pointing out that the attack took place in Hazmieh, about 5 kilometres south-east of the centre of Beirut, and that ambulances were sent to the scene. No other details have been provided at the moment.

The US State Department announced that it has authorised non-emergency US personnel and their families to leave Saudi Arabia, Oman and Cyprus should they wish to do so due to the ongoing war. Oman, which has long been an intermediary between the West and Tehran, has been repeatedly attacked by Iran. The US embassy in Saudi Arabia was attacked by Iran with drones. And in Cyprus a British base was attacked in recent days.

The Trump administration plans to meet with executives of major US defence contractors at the White House on Friday to discuss ways to speed up weapons production as the Pentagon works to replenish stockpiles following the attacks on Iran and several other recent military actions. Five people with knowledge of the plan told Reuters. Companies such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon's parent company, along with other key suppliers, were invited to attend the meeting, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The meeting underscores the urgency felt in Washington to consolidate arms stocks after the operation in Iran made extensive use of munitions. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 and Israel launched military operations in Gaza, the US has used billions of dollars in weapons stockpiles, including artillery systems, ammunition, and anti-tank missiles. The conflict in Iran has consumed longer-range missiles than those supplied to Kiev. At least one of those present said the meeting should have focused on pressuring arms manufacturers to act more quickly to increase production. The meeting at the White House comes as Deputy Secretary of Defence Steve Feinberg has been leading the Pentagon's work in recent days on a supplementary budget request of about $50 billion that could be allocated as early as Friday, one of the sources said. The new funds will be used to replace weapons used in recent conflicts, including those in the Middle East. The figure is preliminary and could vary.

The IDF detected missiles launched from Iran towards the territory of the State of Israel. Defence systems are operational to intercept the threat. This was announced by the Israeli army on Telegram. The Home Front Command sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the affected areas. The population is asked to act responsibly and follow the instructions. The population is asked to enter a protected space and remain there until further notice.

Several explosions were heard in Tehran. This was reported on Telegram by the Iranian news agency Tasnim.

About 50,000 US troops in the Middle East have been assigned to the war against Iran and more troops and fighter planes are coming to the region. This was announced on X by the US Central Command (Centcom).

The US Central Command announced that 2,000 targets have been hit since the start of the military operation in Iran. The targets hit include missile sites, Navy ships, submarines and control centres. Centcom added that the US used aircraft, including several fighter jets, as well as missile systems and ships to carry out the attacks.

The Israel Defence Forces announce that they have launched a 'vast wave of attacks' across Iran, with attacks targeting launch sites, defence systems 'and other infrastructure of the Iranian terrorist regime'. The Times of Israel reports.

The Pentagon released the names of four of the six soldiers who died in the war against Iran, saying they died in a drone strike in Kuwait. All four Army Reserve soldiers were killed on Sunday when a drone struck a command centre in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait. The victims are Captain Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Sergeant First Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; Sergeant First Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; and Private Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa.

Donald Trump and his aides do not yet seem to have decided who will lead Iran after the war. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said this at a press conference after his meeting at the White House with the US president. "As far as I know and understand, the US government does not have a clear strategy for the future civilian leadership of this country," Merz told reporters.

The UAE appears to reject a report that it is considering joining the US and Israel in attacking Iran. On Tuesday morning, Axios reported that Abu Dhabi is considering an unprecedented measure in response to Iranian missile and drone attacks against its country. Shortly after the news broke, the UAE issued a statement through its state-run news agency WAM, saying that it "has not taken any decision to change its defensive posture in response to repeated Iranian attacks".

According to a statement by the UAE Foreign Ministry, the UAE said it has been exposed to more than 1,000 attacks since Iran launched strikes in the region in response to attacks by the US and Israel. The ministry says it has not taken any decision to change its defensive stance against Iran's attacks, but reserves the right to defend itself.