Iran, Trump: defence companies will quadruple arms production. Media: 'Missile launched towards aircraft carrier Lincoln'

Iran's ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, said that at least 1,332 Iranian civilians have lost their lives so far in the war and thousands more have been injured. The Guardian reports. The US and Israel "have shown that they recognise no red lines in committing their crimes," the ambassador said the two countries are attacking "densely populated" civilian areas and infrastructure, including schools, medical, recreational and sports facilities. "These acts constitute clear war crimes and crimes against humanity," he said calling on the Security Council to "act now, without delay."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a rare telephone conversation this week with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. This was reported by 'The Times of Israel' quoting the Israeli TV channel 'Kan'. The phone call took place against the background of the war in Iran.

In the first seven days, the United States hit more than 3,000 targets, the US Central Command (Centcom) reports, taking stock of the first seven days of the 'Epic Fury' operation that began on Saturday 28 February. In particular, Centcom points out that 43 Iranian ships were damaged or destroyed. The targets, the Central Command explains in a post on 'X', include Pasdaran command and control centres, air defence systems, missile sites and Iranian navy ships and submarines

US defence companies have agreed to 'quadruple production' of weapons. This was stated by Donald Trump, who met with leading US arms manufacturers today. "We have a virtually unlimited supply of medium and medium-high grade munitions, which we are using, for example, in Iran and recently in Venezuela. In each case, we have also increased orders at these levels," the president wrote on Truth. Among the companies present at the White House meeting, the president reported, were the CEOs of 'BAE Systems, Boeing, Honeywell Aerospace, L3Harris Missile Solutions, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon'.

The war in the Middle East "is a cause for extreme concern. Iran is responsible for the root causes of this situation. But unilateralism can never be the right way'. So says European Council President Antonio Costa, in Hamburg, Germany, during the Matthiae-Mahl banquet-ceremony in the city's Rathaus. For Costa, "the retaliation of Iran and its allies throughout the region, with attacks against many of its neighbours, including Cyprus, an EU member state, undermines international peace and security. The quick response of Greece, France, Italia and Spain, sending military forces to protect Cyprus, is a shining example of European autonomy and unwavering solidarity". The European Union, he continued, "urges all parties to show maximum restraint. The European Union stands by the long-suffering Iranian people. We believe that its human rights and freedoms must be fully respected. We support its right to live in peace and to determine its own future. Protecting civilians, ensuring nuclear safety and respecting international law is crucial. We must avoid further escalation. Such a path threatens the Middle East, Europe and beyond. The consequences are serious, including in the economic sphere, as the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz demonstrates. The only lasting and sustainable solution is a diplomatic one,' he concludes.

For the UN's Head of Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, 'we are seeing a huge amount of money, reportedly a billion dollars a day, funding this war, money that is being spent on destruction, while politicians continue to brag about cutting aid budgets to those who need it most'. Among those who have cut resources the most is US President Donald Trump, who is not named. 'We are seeing an increasingly deadly alliance between technology and unpunished killing,' Fletcher added, speaking to reporters. In addition, there is also the growing concern about the other impacts of the war, which 'tears apart markets, supply chains, food prices, and when that happens, it is the most vulnerable people who are hit first and hardest'.

Noises of explosions were heard near the city of Natanz in central Iran. This was reported by Iranian state media, picked up by Al Jazeera. Natanz is home to one of Iran's largest nuclear enrichment plants and was bombed both during last year's 12-day war and before and during the current war.

Iran has clarified that it has not closed the Strait of Hormuz, but has made it clear that ships linked to Israel or the US will not be allowed to pass through. This was stated by a military spokesman on Iranian state television. After the conflict broke out last Saturday, the Revolutionary Guards had threatened to "set fire" to any Western oil tanker attempting to cross the strait, a sea route through which about one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas transits.

A loud explosion was heard in the evening in Erbil, capital of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan, from which a column of smoke rose from a hotel in the city. This was reported by an Afp reporter on the scene. According to the reporter, the smoke came from the upper floors of the Erbil Arjaan by Rotana hotel. Fire brigade teams responded to the scene of the explosion. It is unclear at the moment whether there are any casualties or injuries. A few hours earlier, the US had warned that Iranian-backed militias might target hotels in Iraqi Kurdistan frequented by foreign nationals.

Saudi Arabia has intensified direct contacts with Iran in an attempt to contain the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East that is creating great tension and turbulence in global markets. Several European officials tell Bloomberg that Riyadh has been more urgently activating its confidential diplomatic channels with Tehran in recent days to encourage de-escalation and prevent further escalation of the conflict. According to the same sources, the efforts are also supported by several European and Middle Eastern countries and involve both security agencies and diplomats. It is unclear, however, whether the contacts have involved higher-level officials and, so far, Iran has reportedly shown no real willingness to negotiate with the United States or Israel.

The Iranian military has launched a surface-to-sea missile towards the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, according to an Iranian military statement. "The missile system of the army and navy launched a surface-to-sea missile towards the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln," reports the Iranian Fars news agency relayed by Ria Novosti.

The son of the far-right Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich was slightly injured near the border between Israel and Lebanon. "Thank God, his condition is mild and he is fine," said the minister's spokesman. Smotrich warned that the southern suburbs of Beirut would soon become similar to Gaza when Israel responded to rocket fire by Hezbollah.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated that the US military operation against Iran is fully in line with the principles of 'Make America Great Again' and denied divisions within the movement over Trump's decided attack on Iran.

"This president lives in the real world, and as far as the 'Magas' are concerned, President Trump is the leader of them.... And there is nothing more America First than eliminating the terrorists who have maimed and killed our own military men and women, who spell the death of America and pose a threat to the homeland," Leavitt told reporters. Yesterday, Trump had criticised journalist and author Tucker Carlson for his unflattering remarks on the operation against Iran, saying that Carlson "is not Maga" and "has lost his way". Carlson had called the military campaign in Iran 'absolutely disgusting and evil'.

At least nine people were killed and 17 others were injured today in Israeli attacks in the eastern Bekaa Valley, according to a preliminary assessment by the Lebanese Ministry of Health. "Israeli enemy raids on the town of Nabi Sheet, in the Baalbek district, left nine dead and seventeen injured," the ministry said in a note, adding that the search for survivors under the rubble continues.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation today with his Iranian counterpart, Massud Pezeshkian, during which he 'reiterated the principled position on the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities'. This was reported by the Ria Novosti news agency. Putin also stressed that he was 'in constant contact' with the leaders of the Persian Gulf Arab countries.

"Unconditional surrender could be announced by the Iranians. But it could also be when they can no longer fight because they have no one or nothing to fight with." This was stated by US President Donald Trump, pressed by Axios on his call for "unconditional surrender" addressed to Tehran.

The Italian Navy's missile frigate 'Federico Martinengo' left the port of Taranto this afternoon, bound for Cyprus for the defence of the island. The frigate, with over 160 Italian military personnel on board, could reach the area within a couple of days or so. The operation is taking place as part of an arrangement in coordination between Italia, Spain, France and the Netherlands.

The French president, Emmanuel Macron, ''spoke this evening with the presidents of Syria and Lebanon'' as part of the talks on the Middle East war, Elysée sources reported, pointing out that the two talks took place separately.

It happened again. The Ali al Salem base in Kuwait, where the Italian military are also based, was hit again on the night of 5 March. 'Again' because this base had already been hit by the Iranians last Saturday, the day on which the US and Israel had decided to launch the operation against Tehran, an operation that Tel Aviv had christened 'Lion's Roar'. It has been reported that fuel supplies were targeted and a large fire broke out as a result. There are no injuries among the Italian personnel, for whom a partial evacuation was ordered a few days ago, with a movement of 239 military personnel towards Saudi Arabia: 82 of the 321 will remain. No major damage was reported to the two Italian F2000 fighters present: 'Only shrapnel projections', assure well-informed sources.

As reported by the Italian Defence magazine in an article, from the analysis of satellite images it is possible to confirm that in the previous strikes the Italian part of the base was hit, with serious damage to the accommodation area, and also the hangars where the Air Force's 4 Eurofighter TYPHOONs are usually deployed (a marquee and two hangars were damaged). In previous strikes, the Kuwaiti part of the base was also targeted, where two buildings and two hangars (where the Kuwait Air Force's Eurofighter Typhoons are usually deployed) were damaged. Further impacts are also visible in other areas of the base, with several hangars damaged. All in all, Rid again explains, there should be around 20 confirmed strikes on Ali al Salem from 28 February to date.

"We hope that this war lasts as little as possible, I don't think Iran has enough weapons to continue a long-term war, in my opinion it will only have autonomy for a few weeks, so then it will be forced to change its attitude, to surrender or to find an agreement with Israel and the United States." Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said this in an interview with Sky News Arabia.

"Europe has strongly condemned the attacks" by Tehran on the Gulf countries, "there is a document of the 27 countries of the Union there is also a document that was signed yesterday by all the countries of the European Union and with all the Gulf countries in the area affected by the Iranian attacks, so there is a common position," Tajani recalled.

Iran today announced a new missile and drone launch against Israel. State TV, quoting the Guardians of the Revolution, announced that it had launched new attacks 'against targets in the occupied territories (Israel, ed.) and against American bases in the region'.

A post of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) was targeted today in the south of the country, injuring Ghanaian peacekeepers, according to the National News Agency (NNA). "Several members of the Ghanaian (Unifil) forces were injured after their post in the town of al-Qaouzah was targeted," Lebanese state media reported, without specifying the origin of the attack.

Since the beginning of the war, the Israeli Air Force has dropped over 6,500 bombs during attacks against Iran. This is reported by the IDF, according to which in total, Iaf fighters have carried out 2,500 and 150 separate waves of attacks. The Israeli military explains that it is intensifying attacks against Iranian regime sites in Tehran, as well as Iran's weapons production facilities across the country, including those used to manufacture missiles and launchers, as it enters a new phase of the war.

i have just spoken with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. I expressed to him France's full solidarity with Iraq in the face of the ongoing escalation in the Middle East. I renewed my support for his resolute action so that Iraq would not be dragged into the conflict,' French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in a message posted on X. ''The country's stability,'' Macron added, ''is essential for the entire region. France supports full respect for Iraq's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity''

Alarm sirens went off again this evening in Tel Aviv and central Israel for a missile launch from Iran.

The United States accuses Iran of deliberately targeting civilian targets in the Middle East. They do so through the commander of the US Central Command (Centcom), the one responsible for defending and promoting its interests in 20 nations across the Middle East and South Central Asia. In a post on X, Admiral Brad Cooper wrote that 'Iran's terrorist regime has attacked 12 different countries and continues to deliberately target civilians in the Middle East'. The post also says that 'last night, Iranian forces launched seven drones at civilians and residential neighbourhoods in Bahrain. This is unacceptable and will not go unanswered'. Cooper promised to continue working with regional partners to respond to 'this threat to innocent people in the region'.

In recent days, the US military abruptly cancelled a major training exercise for the elite paratrooper unit, fuelling speculation that the soldiers, who specialise in ground combat and a range of other missions, might be sent to the Middle East. Two informed sources told the Washington Post.

Iran has launched an attack on US forces in Bahrain, says an Iranian military spokesman quoted by state media.

The Iranian Pasdaran claimed today to have struck an American base in the United Arab Emirates from which they claim the attack on the girls' school in Minab last Saturday cost the lives of dozens of people. In a note picked up by state TV, the Guardians of the Revolution said: 'The Al-Dhafra airbase, belonging to American terrorists in the region, was hit using drones and precision missiles. The criminal attack on the Shajare Tayebe school, which led to the death of 165 schoolgirls, was conducted from this base'.

China may be prepared to provide Iran with financial assistance, spare parts and missile components. This was reported to CNN by three informed sources, while emphasising that Beijing has so far formally kept out of the conflict. China is significantly dependent on Iranian oil and, according to the same sources, has put pressure on Tehran to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. "China is more cautious in its support. It wants the war to end because it endangers its energy supply,' one of the sources explained. According to several sources familiar with US intelligence reports, Russia is also providing Iran with information on the movements and location of US troops, ships and aircraft. This would be the first sign of a possible more direct involvement of Moscow in the conflict. Much of the information shared would come from images collected by Russia's sophisticated satellite constellation, one of the sources added. However, it is not clear what quid pro quo Moscow could get in return for this kind of assistance.

An Italian Navy ship is preparing to set sail for Cyprus, a Navy spokesman said Friday, as part of a joint European mission to protect the island after it came under Iranian fire this week. The frigate Federico Martinengo will be deployed to the Cyprus area as part of a coordinated mission also involving France, Spain and the Netherlands. A British Royal Air Force base in Cyprus was targeted on Monday by an Iranian-made drone following the US and Israeli attack on Tehran. The Italian Navy said about 160 crew members will be on board the ship, which is scheduled to depart Italy on Saturday.

Germany has decided to reduce the presence of its soldiers in the region near Iran. According to the Zdf, a Bundeswehr spokesman explained that troops deployed within the Unifil mission in Lebanon will be withdrawn due to the security situation. In Erbil, Iraq, the number of German soldiers had already been significantly reduced. According to information, Berlin has also decided to evacuate military and diplomatic personnel from the Iraqi capital Baghdad. According to an enquiry by the broadcaster Rnd, German soldiers have already been repatriated from Bahrain and withdrawal operations are in progress in Kuwait. In addition, some military and diplomatic personnel have been transferred from Baghdad to Jordan, although the Bundeswehr did not provide official comment on this. Currently, there were about 500 German soldiers in the region, mainly in Iraq and Jordan.

Danish shipping giant Maersk today announced the temporary suspension of maritime services on the FM1 (Far East-Middle East) and ME11 (Middle East-Europe) routes. The decision, described as a 'precautionary measure', was triggered by a new risk assessment linked to the escalation of the ongoing conflict, which compromises the safety of shipping in the Gulf region.

According to the company's official note, the changes also affect the regional network. In fact, all 'shuttle' (feeder) services within the Persian Gulf have been suspended until further notice. With regard to the ME1 (Middle East-North Europe) line, Maersk has changed the ship rotation by temporarily excluding the Jebel Ali (United Arab Emirates) port of call.

Kuwait has started to reduce production at some oil fields, signalling a wider storage crisis that poses new risks for the global market. The WSJ writes.

The founding Opec member 'is considering further restricting its production and refining capacity, limiting it to what is domestically necessary'. With the restriction of the Persian Gulf export route, oil is also piling up in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates even though Trum tried to reassure on the Strait of Hormuz today, pointing out that Iran's naval capacity is now compromised.

Israel struck the ancient Lebanese city of Tyre, killing at least one person, in an area adjacent to a UNESCO World Heritage site, according to Lebanese state media reports and France Presse.

"Enemy warplanes attacked the ruins district of the city of Tyre" near the Palestinian refugee camp of Bass, says the Lebanese National News Agency. Bass is one of twelve Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed the foreign ministers of some Arab countries in a series of phone calls yesterday that the war with Iran is expected to last several weeks. Sources with direct knowledge of the talks told Axios. Rubio listed Iran's missile launchers, stockpiles, and factories as priorities in terms of military targets. He then added that the US goal is not regime change, while at the same time making it clear - again according to the sources - that Washington wants different people at the helm of the Islamic Republic.

The French General Staff announced the deployment of the amphibious helicopter carrier Tonnerre in the Mediterranean Sea as part of Israel and the US war against Iran and after Tehran's reaction. The Tonnerre joins the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, already deployed in recent days.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer 'spoke this morning with the leaders of France, Germany and Italia about the situation in the Middle East'. This was announced in a Downing Street statement, which explained that the four leaders 'first condemned Iran's blatant attacks', while Starmer 'provided an update on the defensive measures taken by the UK in recent days to protect and strengthen partners in the region'. Starmer himself, Meloni, Merz and Macron 'agreed that intensive diplomatic activity and close military coordination will be crucial in the coming hours and days. They also agreed on the need to coordinate closely on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and reiterated their concern about the situation in Lebanon'.

About 70 rockets were fired by Hezbollah towards Israel today. This was announced by the Israeli army, which said that more than 70 of its militiamen have been killed since the beginning of the offensive against the Iranian-backed Lebanese group. "Over the past few days hundreds of rockets and drones have been fired towards Israel and since midnight today about 70 rockets have been fired towards Israeli territory," one of the IDF spokesmen, Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, told reporters. The same spokesman stressed to reporters that the IDF detected "simultaneous and coordinated" launches by Iran and Hezbollah in order to overload the Israeli air defence forces.

Spanish Vice-Premier and Finance Minister Maria Jesus Montero defended that Spain is "not alone" in its stance on the Iran war and said that several countries have joined Madrid's line, citing Italia among others. "They said we were alone, but as we have always shown, it's not that we were alone, it's that we were the first to arrive," Montero said speaking to reporters in Huelva, as reported by local media. Since yesterday 'other countries have joined Spain's position', he continued, citing Italia, which, he said, 'has declared that it will not allow the use of military bases for purposes related to an illegal war'.

'There is a lot of oil on the market'. This is assured by the International Energy Agency on the impact of the war in the Middle East on the energy situation in Europe and the world. The executive director of the IEA, Fatih Birol, acknowledges the existence of a 'serious logistical problem' in the transport of oil due to the war, but 'there is no shortage', he insists to the press in Brussels. There is 'no collective action' regarding oil, although 'all options' are being considered. Birol met with the European Commission to discuss the impact of the war in the Middle East on energy supply and prices. Speaking to the press, he ruled out the possibility of turning to Russia for gas again. "One of Europe's historical mistakes' was to be too dependent on Russia,'' he notes. 'To consider Russia as an alternative option for gas supply' because of the war in the Middle East would be 'economically and, in my opinion, politically wrong', according to Birol. He therefore calls on European countries to make greater use of renewable energy and accelerate the development of nuclear energy.

Oil prices were on the rise, with futures for May on Brent crushing the $90 per barrel mark at $91.49 (+7.07%), while futures for April on West Texas Intermediate were up 9.88% at $89 per barrel. Oil markets, up sharply since the outbreak of the conflict in Iran on Saturday, are today discounting the announcement by Qatar's Ministry of Energy that the war could force the Gulf countries to halt energy exports within weeks.

"We are transferring thousands of people from various countries in the Middle East. The operation is being conducted discreetly, but smoothly." This was stated by US President Donald Trump in a post on Truth Social. "The State Department, under the leadership of Secretary Marco Rubio, is doing a great job!" he added.

"With the same determination that leads us to say 'no to the war' in Iran, we are determined to stand in solidarity and lend a hand to a member state of the European Union that is a victim of this very conflict". At the press conference for the Hispanic-Portuguese summit in Huelva, Andalusia, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez insisted that the dispatch of the frigate 'Cristobal Colon', which will reach the coast of Cyprus on 10 March, is sent by Madrid as part of a 'defensive and not offensive mission' of the EU, to contribute to 'collective defence and security'. Sanchez asserted his government's line in defence of international law, in Ukraine as in Gaza. "For the same reason we consider this war that started on Saturday a huge mistake," he insisted, referring to the Israeli-US operation in Iran.

The Socialist leader reiterated that Madrid's choice was in line with 'national and international legality and solidarity with a European country', referring to the law passed by Parliament in 2005. "Twenty-three years ago a president put us in an illegal war, the conflict in Iraq, and delayed ten months in appearing before the Congress of Deputies," he also said without quoting the then premier José Maria Aznar. "I have announced today that I will be in front of the Cortes of Spain to inform them of the government's position, which is precisely the opposite: no to war." Sanchez went on to call the role of the oppositions, the Popular Party and Vox, "surprising", calling it "an authentic viloquy". "They will have to clarify exactly why they support the conflict in Iran and why they are demonstrating against Spain coming to the aid of a European country such as Cyprus, which has suffered a consequence of this absolutely illegal war".

Iran's deputy foreign minister, Nasser Kanaani, reacted ironically to US President Donald Trump, who said in an interview with Axios that he wants to be involved in choosing Iran's next Supreme Leader. "Someone who can't even choose the mayor of New York wants to have a say in the leadership in Iran," Khatibzadeh retorted, referring to the election of the leftist mayor, Zohran Mamdani.

Asghar Hijazi, acting head of the Supreme Leader's office after the killing of Ali Khamenei, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran. An Israeli source told Sky News Arabia. The Israeli army had claimed to have 'targeted a senior commander of the Iranian terrorist regime' in Tehran, promising to provide further details.

The 'high-ranking Iranian commander' targeted in the recent Israeli airstrike on Tehran is Asghar Hijazi. This was reported by defence sources, quoted by Israeli media. Hijazi is believed to be the acting head of the Supreme Leader's office after the killing of Ali Khamenei.

Persone in piedi accanto a un missile iraniano caduto nel villaggio di Qazaljo, nella campagna di Qamishli, in Siria, il 4 marzo 2026. L'Iran ha lanciato attacchi di ritorsione in tutta la regione a seguito di un'operazione militare congiunta israelo-statunitense iniziata nelle prime ore del 28 febbraio 2026, che ha preso di mira diverse località in Iran. EPA/AHMED MARDNLI

European Council President Antonio Costa, together with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, invited Middle East leaders to participate in a video conference on Monday in light of the "rapidly evolving" security situation in the region. This was announced by Costa's spokeswoman. High Representative Kaja Kallas will also participate. The conference will provide an opportunity to hear the leaders' assessments of the situation and to discuss further support from the EU and its member states to the countries in the region, as well as ways to 'end the current conflict'.

One drone crashed into the cargo terminal at Basra airport in southern Iraq, two others hit an American company in the Burjesia oil complex, and a fourth crashed into the Rumaila oil field, where British energy giant Bp operates, a security official told Afp.

US President Donald Trump wrote in Truth that there will be no deal with Iran except on the basis of 'unconditional surrender' and that only after 'the selection of a good and acceptable leader or leaders' will the US and its allies work to rebuild the country. According to the president, Washington and partners will 'work tirelessly' to make Iran 'better off economically and stronger than ever'. Trump concluded his message by stating that 'Iran will have a great future', concluding with the slogan 'Make Iran Great Again (MIGA)'.

Iran is set to elect a successor to Supreme Guide Ali Khamenei, who was killed on 28 February, the first day of the conflict: Mojtaba Khamenei, the leader's second son, is among the favourites. Trump called him a 'lightweight' who would not change the regime's policies and insisted that he was personally involved in choosing the country's next leader. In an interview with Nbc News yesterday, Trump said he wanted to completely remove Iran's leadership structure. "We want to go in and clean it up," Trump said. "We don't want someone to rebuild in 10 years."

Il presidente Donald Trump arriva con Jorge Mas Santos, proprietario dell'Inter Miami CF (a sinistra), e Lionel Messi per un evento in onore dei campioni della Major League Soccer 2025 dell'Inter Miami CF nella East Room della Casa Bianca, giovedì 5 marzo 2026, a Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Evidence compiled by the New York Times on the attack on the school in Minab, southern Iran, shows that the building was very probably hit by the US as part of a raid against a Revolutionary Guard base nearby. According to The Nyt, an analysis of satellite photos and videos of passers-by an hour after the 28 February attack would confirm that the school was hit at the same time as the Pasdaran base. In one of the videos, several columns of smoke can be seen rising from the area of the base and the school at the same time.

FOTO D'ARCHIVIO: Persone e squadre di soccorso al lavoro dopo un presunto attacco a una scuola a Minab, in Iran, il 28 febbraio 2026. Abbas Zakeri/Mehr News/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

Shahed means 'witness' in Persian. And in Shia religious language it is a word that is associated with martyrdom. A shahed is a martyr. A suicide bomber. That is why Iranian drones are called that. Because they are kamikaze drones: they are launched towards a target and detonate on impact. In recent years, they have become one of the most effective military tools developed by Iran.

And today, in this new war, they are the absolute protagonists of Tehran's counteroffensive.

The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, sent by Paris to the Middle East to protect its citizens and allies targeted by Iran, entered the Mediterranean Sea passing the Strait of Gibraltar. This was noted by Afp on the spot. The vessel, which still has several days to sail before reaching the operational area, was in northern Europe as part of a NATO mission when French President Emmanuel Macron announced it was being sent to the Middle East

Donald Trump's administration has raised security measures for fear that Iran, or its supporters, might launch attacks in the United States. Federal and local government officials announced increased police patrols in several cities including New York, Miami and Los Angeles. FBI Director Kash Patel instructed "counterterrorism and intelligence teams to be on maximum alert and to mobilise all necessary security resources". Even the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, torpedoed yesterday by Trump but for the moment still in her post assured that she was in 'direct coordination with our federal intelligence and law enforcement partners as we continue to closely monitor and counter any potential threats at home'.

In Iran, due to the war, universities will remain closed until further notice. This was reported this morning by the Iranian media. All academic activities are suspended, the Eslahat News portal reported, citing the Ministry of Science and pointing out that both face-to-face and distance learning classes are suspended.

Seven days after the start of the attacks by Israel and the United States, several Iranian believers, many of them holding portraits of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, gathered in several cities across the country for the first Islamic Friday prayers since the attacks began.

"Last night all the Italian citizens who wanted to leave Iran left the country, and with them the diplomats.

This was stated at a press point at the Farnesina by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. "The embassy," Tajani added, "will remain open in Baku. There is no intention to break off diplomatic relations with Tehran. Dialogue must remain open in order to reach an end to hostilities as quickly as possible'.

Iranian media reported that explosions rocked the port city of Bandar Abbas on the Gulf coast following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran. 'Several explosions were heard in the city of Bandar Abbas,' the Etemad website reported. Other media, including the daily Shargh, reported similar accounts.

The barrel of oil continues to gallop and approaches the psychological threshold of $90.
With a new jump during the session, again buoyed by tensions over the US-Israel-Iran clashes, the barrel of Brent marked asession peak at $89.50, the highest value since April 2024.

Subsequently, amid marked volatility, it was up more than 4 percent at $88.88.
In the meantime, West Texas Intermediate was up 5.91 percent at $85.80, having reached $86.60 during afterhours trading.

"It was a drama but the Italians were informed, guaranteed and protected and, security conditions permitting, helped to return home. The other Europeans were desperate'. This is how Giovanni Leonetti, a young surgeon from Calabria based in Rome, tells Adnkronos in an interview about how his holiday in Dubai turned into a nightmare, emphasising the excellent assistance he received on the spot from Italians in the midst of the conflict with Iran after the US and Israeli attack. I was on holiday in Dubai and on the 28th I had a flight back from Abu Dhabi,' he recounts, 'but at 1pm we heard a very loud explosion nearby and from that moment all flights were blocked.

From that moment 'it is panic and passengers are offered vouchers to stay in hotels. I preferred to return to Dubai where I stayed for three days. That stay was dramatic: continuous drone shooting down, you could see them flying in the sky, the trajectory was very clear, then the roar and the cloud of the explosion thanks to the interception of the Emirates' anti-drone system'.

No Iran - ANSA learns from international sports circles - at the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Winter Games in Milan Cortina this evening. Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei, the only Iranian athlete announced and in doubt since the start of the war, has in fact not arrived in Italia and has not completed the registration procedure. The Iranian flag will therefore not be among those parading at the Arena in Verona. The number of countries registered drops from 57 to 56. This evening at a ceremony attended by Russians and Belarusians, between boycotts and defections, more than twenty national representatives will not parade.

At least 160 men of the Italian Navy will reach the area of Cyprus on board an Italian ship for the defence of the island. The operation will take place as part of an arrangement in coordination between Italia, Spain, France and the Netherlands. The numbers of military personnel deployed may vary depending on the type of ship - frigate or destroyer - that will be sent.

Iran accused the US and Israel of targeting a primary school in Tehran in attacks directed at the country. "This is another primary schools, the Shahid Hamedani School, in Niloufar Square in Tehran, targeted by the American/Israeli attackers," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said in a message on X, posting a video showing children sitting on the floor in a school and images of the building with smashed windows and doors and debris on the floor.

Baghaei did not mention any victims in his message.

Russia is providing Iran with intelligence information to help it target US forces in the Middle East, including the location of US warships and aircraft, writes the Washington Post, citing three officials with knowledge of the matter. The target information, writes the Wp, is the first indication that another major adversary of the US is participating, even indirectly, in the war.

Ukraine will "soon" send troops to the Middle East to help the US and its allies in the Middle East region counter Iranian drone attacks. A senior Kiev official told France Presse.

"The arrival of Ukrainian troops in the Persian Gulf is expected shortly," he said. Negotiations are underway to "determine how to send them," he added.

"Some countries have started mediation initiatives. Let it be clear: we are committed to lasting peace in the region but we do not hesitate to defend the dignity and sovereignty of our nation. Mediation should address those who have underestimated the Iranian people and triggered this conflict'. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian writes this on X.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that some countries have initiated mediation attempts to reduce tensions in the region, in the midst of military escalation with Israel and the US.

"We are committed to lasting peace in the region," Pezeshkian said, adding, however, that Iran "will not hesitate to defend the dignity and sovereignty of its nation".

"This US-led operation should in its intentions provide the conditions for the Iranian people to free themselves from this oppressive and brutal regime. This is not an operation for regime change. But an operation to remove Iran's ballistic, nuclear, and terrorist threats and create favourable conditions for the people so that, once the regime is weakened, they can forge a better future for themselves'. Thus Israel's Ambassador to Rome, Jonathan Peled, in an online press briefing on the ongoing military operation between the United States and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

"They used cluster bombs against the population, a clear violation of every international norm. Two million Israelis today are in anti-aircraft shelters. We are ready to pay this price to eliminate once and for all this existential threat that has haunted us Israelis, the US and Europe for 47 years. This is not a war without end, this should be a short-lived operation for peace, to give a chance to return to negotiations, and for the Iranians to change their government,' stressed the senior Israeli diplomat.

"Everything in recent years has been moving outside international law and those who should guarantee respect for international law, namely the United Nations, have at the top, in the Security Council, a country, Russia, which invaded Ukraine in violation of international law, so it is difficult to enforce international law". This was stated by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaking on the Middle East conflict to 'Start', on Sky Tg24. "Let us bear in mind that no one, except for the very positive work of the head of the IAA, Rafael Grossi, had stopped Iran, which was building the atomic bomb and was creating armament to strike Israel in a lethal manner," he continued, noting that "several times from Tehran messages had gone out" such as "you have to wipe Israel off the map". "It is not that the United Nations has done much, just as it did not do much to avert the war between Russia and Ukraine: we had proposed two special envoys to the UN, I had proposed the names of Angela Merkel and Berlusconi at the time. I am a supporter of the UN, so we must strengthen the UN, not cancel the UN so that it can play a more meaningful, decisive role to avert wars, to better enforce international law'.

The Israeli army said it is conducting new attacks on Beirut, Lebanon. "The IDF began attacking the Hezbollah terrorist organisation's infrastructure in Dahiyya, Beirut, more details will follow," the army reported on X. Massive Israeli raids had already hit Lebanon in the night.

Qatar's Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi warned that the war in the Middle East could force Persian Gulf countries to stop energy shipments in a matter of weeks and cause oil prices to rise dramatically. The minister told the Financial Times. "This will cause world economies to collapse," Saad al-Kaabi told the newspaper, predicting that if the war continued, global growth would suffer and energy prices would skyrocket.

''No one has asked us'' for the use of our bases, ''not even for logistical use''. This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani speaking to Start on Sky TG24. to grant 'use of our bases there must be a parliamentary passage,'' Tajani added, adding that ''we will not do as D'Alema did when he ordered the bombing of the Balkans without the support of Parliament.

Tajani recalled that ''even yesterday we informed Parliament, out of respect, it was the government's choice''.

"At least 2000 Patriot missiles are needed for the needs of Ukraine alone. And now it is very clear that after the Iranian crisis, if we can call it that, it has become even more urgent for us in Europe to increase the production of ballistic missile defence missiles. Because the Americans will not really be able to supply sufficient numbers of these missiles for the Gulf countries, for the US military itself, and for the needs of Ukraine'. This was said by European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius in Warsaw, the first stop of his 'missile tour' in Europe.

US military investigators believe it is likely that US forces were responsible for the attack on the Iranian girls' school in which 150 girls died last Saturday but have not yet reached a definitive conclusion or completed their investigation, Reuters reveals in an exclusive. The girls' school in Minab, southern Iran, was hit on the first day of US and Israeli attacks on the country. Iran's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Ali Bahreini, said the attack killed 150 female students.

British counter-terrorism police have arrested four men on charges of assisting Iranian intelligence services as part of an investigation into alleged espionage activities against the Jewish community in the capital. This was reported by the Guardian

According to reports from the Metropolitan police, the arrests took place in the middle of the night between Barnet and Watford. Those arrested include an Iranian citizen and three people with dual British and Iranian citizenship. The investigation concerns 'a suspected surveillance activity of places and people associated with the Jewish community in the London area'. During the same operation, six other men were also arrested in the London borough of Harrow on charges of aiding and abetting. Those arrested are between 20 and 49 years old.

Mourning demonstrations were held overnight in several cities in Iran for the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed last Saturday in the first day of Israeli-US attacks. Pictures of follies with Iranian flags and photos of the cleric were circulated by the Iranian media.

Un uomo porge le sue condoglianze mentre partecipa a una preghiera per il defunto leader supremo iraniano Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ucciso sabato in un attacco israeliano e statunitense, nel contesto del conflitto tra Stati Uniti, Israele e Iran, presso la residenza dell'ambasciatore iraniano a Giacarta, Indonesia, il 5 marzo 2026. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan

The Israeli army claimed to have detected a missile launch from Iran towards the territory of the State of Israel. According to the Israel Defence Forces, air defence systems went into operation to intercept the threat. The authorities also sent a security alert directly to mobile phones in the affected areas in the last few hours. The Home Front Command called on the population to scrupulously follow the instructions of the authorities. In the event of an alarm, civilians must immediately enter a protected space and remain there until further official instructions. The authorities specified that it is only permitted to leave the shelters after explicit instructions from the Home Front Command.

'Digital darkness' in Iran. NetBlocks, an Internet observatory, notes how data "show that Iran remains in digital darkness after six days of Internet blackout, with connectivity at 1%". In a post on X NetBlocks adds that 'the regime continues to promote its agenda through authorised networks'.

The United Arab Emirates is considering freezing billions of dollars of Iranian assets held in the Gulf state, a move that could sever one of the most important economic routes to Tehran. The Wall Street Journal writes this, citing informed sources. If the UAE goes ahead, it would significantly limit Tehran's access to foreign currency and global trade networks, as its domestic economy, already struggling with inflation, is now overwhelmed by a military conflict. Emirati officials privately warned Iran, which has launched more than 1,000 drones and missiles against targets in the UAE, of the possible action, the sources said. It is unclear when, or if, the Emirati government will decide to act. According to analysts, the UAE has for years played the role of a financial hub for Iranian companies and citizens seeking refuge from Western sanctions. Iran's infrastructure to evade sanctions has allowed Tehran to continue to sell oil abroad and use the proceeds to finance weapons programmes and regional proxies, they claim. A prime target would be accounts affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. Tehran has allocated an increasing share of its oil to the Irgc, as well as other parts of the defence and security complex, for sale on the international market. In addition to financial manoeuvres, policymakers are also considering direct maritime actions, such as the seizure of Iranian ships, said two of the officials familiar with the discussions. Such actions would aim to cripple Iran's shadow fleet of oil tankers and middlemen operating in the ports and sea routes of the Emirates.

Iranian state television reported that a council of the country's leaders met to discuss holding a meeting of the Assembly of Experts, which will select the nation's new supreme leader. The council of leaders includes President Masoud Pezeshkian, head of the judiciary Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi and cleric Ayatollah Ali Reza Arafi. The communiqué did not provide a timeline for the selection of the supreme leader, nor information on whether the Assembly of Experts will meet in person or remotely for the vote. Buildings associated with the Assembly of Experts, an 88-member clerical body, were attacked during the Israeli-US airstrike campaign.

The Israeli army reported that since Hezbollah joined the conflict last Monday, the IDF has struck over500 targets in Lebanon. The targets include Hezbollah's top commanders, members of its elite Radwan force, rocket launchers, command centres, weapons depots, as well as members of other terrorist groups and their infrastructure. In South Lebanon, the army estimates that some 420,000 Lebanese civilians have evacuated their homes after the IDF ordered all inhabitants of the area to leave and head north of the Litani River.

Meanwhile, on the Iranian front, the Israeli Air Force destroyed six missile launchers and three air defence systems in Iran. "The Israeli Air Force, led by the Intelligence Directorate, dismantled six missile launchers, just minutes before they were to be launched towards the territory of the state of Israel. In addition, three advanced Iranian defence systems were dismantled," the IDF wrote on Telegram.

According to an analysis by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies published on Thursday and reported by CNN, the first 100 hours of the US military campaign against Iran is estimated to have cost $3.7 billion, or more than $890 million per day. Less than $200 million of this total estimate are operational costs already included in the Pentagon's budget. In turn, the remaining $3.54 billion of the estimated cost "will likely require additional funding from the Department of through a supplemental appropriation or other bill," analysts said. Besides operational and support costs, they explained, the main expenses are expected to be replacement of munitions and loss of equipment such as the three F-15s shot down in a friendly-fire incident in Kuwait. In the future, the authors of the study write, costs could vary depending on a 'shift in US forces towards less expensive munitions' as well as 'the intensity of operations and the effectiveness of Iranian retaliation'.

Ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has almost completely stopped due to the war in the Middle East. Examination of shipping signals in the water "indicates that traffic has dropped to single-digit levels, with only two confirmed commercial transits observed in the past 24 hours," says the Joint Marine Information Center, according to which the crossings involved only cargo ships and not oil tankers. The organisation, Bloomberg reports, speaks of a "nearly complete temporary halt to routine commercial traffic".

Unicef says that nearly 200 children have been killed in attacks since the US and Israeli military escalation against Iran began over the weekend. At least 181 people have been killed in Iran, seven in Lebanon, three in Israel and one in Kuwait. "It is not children who start wars, but they pay an unacceptably high price. Military escalation in the Middle East has already had a devastating impact on children," said Unicef.

Persone e squadre di soccorso al lavoro dopo un presunto attacco a una scuola a Minab, in Iran, il 28 febbraio 2026. Abbas Zakeri/Mehr News/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

The US Treasury is easing sanctions on Russia, allowing Indian refiners to purchase millions of barrels of crude already loaded onto tankers by 5 March 2026. The move includes 'a temporary waiver of 30 days' and until early April, Secretary Scott Bessent reported in an evening post on X. "This deliberately short-term measure will not provide significant financial benefits to the Russian government, as it only authorises transactions involving oil already locked in the sea", but will "relieve pressure caused by Iran's attempt to take global energy hostage".

"We want to come in and clean it up". Thus US President Donald Trump to NBC News, speaking about Iran. "We don't want someone to rebuild in 10 years. We want them to have a good leader. We have some people that I think would do a good job," he added, declining to name names. Trump also said he is taking steps to make sure the people on his list survive the war. 'We're watching them, yes,' he said.

Sending ground troops to Iran? "That would be a waste of time. They have lost everything. They have lost their navy. They have lost everything they can lose." So says US President Donald Trump who, when interviewed by Nbc News, adds that the pace and intensity of the attacks will continue.

Israel announced a 'new phase' of the conflict with Iran. "Having successfully completed the surprise attack phase, during which we established air superiority and neutralised the ballistic missile network, we are now moving on to the next phase of the operation," Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said last night, asserting that Israel will continue the "dismantling of the Iranian regime" and its military capabilities. "We still have other surprises in store, which I do not intend to reveal," he added.

Intense Israeli air raids are striking the capitals of Iran and Lebanon, while the United States attacked an Iranian drone transport ship at sea in its relentless campaign against the Islamic Republic's fleet of warships.