What’s happening?
- Naval Strike: U.S. submarine sinks Iranian warship IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka; 80 confirmed dead, 150+ missing.
- NATO Intervention: NATO air defenses destroy Iranian ballistic missile heading toward Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean.
- Civilian Toll: Iran death toll surpasses 1,045; reports of casualties at Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites being monitored.
- Gulf Escalation: IRGC claims targeting of 10+ U.S./UK-linked vessels; UAE and Kuwait report hundreds of drone/missile interceptions.
- Travel Chaos: Emirates suspends all Dubai flights until March 7; sporting events including ATP and Paralympics travel disrupted.
- UK Base Alert: Drone attack reported at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus; UK denies launch originated from Iran, reinforces regional defenses.
- Political Tension: U.S. Senate to vote on bipartisan War Powers resolution to curb further military action against Iran.
- Diplomatic Stand: Iran President Pezeshkian claims “no choice but to defend” against “American-Zionist aggression.”
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli air strike that targeted an area in Beirut’s southern neighbourhood on Thursday. Fadel Itani/AFP
We’re wrapping up this live coverage — but we’ll be back soon
Stay tuned for continued reporting on the escalating regional crisis and its impact on global stability.
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior has clarified that the recent explosion on an oil tanker took place outside Kuwait’s territorial waters. Official reports indicate the blast occurred more than 60 kilometers (37 miles) away from the Mubarak al-Kabeer port, placing the incident in international shipping lanes.
Incident Recap:
- The Blast: The ship’s master reported a large explosion on the port side while at anchor.
- Suspicious Activity: A small craft was observed fleeing the scene immediately after the explosion.
- Damage Status: The vessel is taking on water and an oil spill has been confirmed from a damaged cargo tank.
- Human Safety: All crew members have been accounted for and are reported safe.
While the incident occurred in international waters, the potential environmental impact remains a concern for regional coastguards. This clarification from Kuwait suggests that while they are monitoring the situation, the legal jurisdiction of the attack falls under international maritime law.
Maritime Note: Distance of 60km+ from the coast confirms the explosion was well beyond the 12-nautical-mile territorial limit.
Tensions boiled over during a Congressional hearing as Brian McGinnis, a U.S. Marine veteran and Green Party Senate candidate, was forcibly removed for protesting President Trump’s military operations against Iran. McGinnis’s shouts of “No one wants to fight for Israel” echoed through the chamber before security intervened.
Senator Sheehy joined Capitol Police in lifting up and ejecting anti war protestor Brian McGinnis from a SASC subcommittee hearing. McGinnis is a Green Party candidate running for Senate in N.C. An antiwar activist filmed the video below: pic.twitter.com/0dVA0ORWXQ
— Alan He (@alanhe) March 4, 2026
In a rare move, Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana—also a veteran—physically assisted Capitol Police in lifting and removing McGinnis from the room. Sheehy later characterized his actions as an effort to “help out and de-escalate the situation” during the disruption of the SASC subcommittee hearing.
The incident highlights the growing domestic friction over the war. While the administration insists on the necessity of the strikes, anti-war activists and some veteran groups are increasingly vocal about their opposition to U.S. involvement in a regional conflict.
Context: Brian McGinnis is currently campaigning for a Senate seat in North Carolina under the Green Party ticket.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has signaled a potential shift in Canada’s military posture regarding the Iran conflict. Speaking from Canberra alongside Australian PM Anthony Albanese, Carney stated that while Canada values international norms, it will ultimately “stand by our allies.”
“One can never categorically rule out participation… Canada will work in lockstep with our Five Eyes and NATO partners as this crisis evolves.”
This statement marks a notable rhetorical pivot; previously, Carney had characterized the initial U.S. and Israeli strikes as “inconsistent with international law.” The new stance suggests that as Iranian retaliation spreads to the Gulf and beyond, Canada is preparing for the possibility of providing logistical or direct support to the coalition.
Diplomatic Context: The joint appearance with Australia’s Anthony Albanese highlights a unified front among Commonwealth nations as regional security threats escalate.
Iranian forces have launched a targeted military operation against “anti-Iran separatist forces” in the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq. Iranian state media (Press TV) released footage showing massive explosions lighting up the night sky, though specific coordinates were initially withheld for security reasons.
Ground Reports:
Multiple blasts were confirmed in Sulaimaniyah province. Local sources report that the primary target was the headquarters of the Kurdistan Toilers Association (Komala), an armed Iranian Kurdish group based in Iraq.
This escalation follows explosive reports from Reuters and other agencies suggesting that Kurdish armed groups have been in direct consultation with the United States. These talks reportedly focused on strategies to attack Iranian security forces in Western Iran to weaken Tehran’s military posture during the current war.
Military Intelligence: Coalition forces along the Iran-Iraq border have reportedly been training for a cross-border offensive. While Iran’s Tasnim news agency denied that any fighters had successfully crossed the border yet, the IRGC’s pre-emptive strikes indicate a high level of concern regarding a “second front” opening in the west.
Flashpoint: Reports indicate the U.S. may be considering providing tactical support to these groups to further destabilize the Iranian internal security apparatus.
South Korea’s powerhouse semiconductor industry is sounding the alarm over the escalating Iran crisis. Lawmaker Kim Young-bae, following a high-level meeting with executives from Samsung Electronics and other chip giants, warned that a prolonged conflict could derail massive AI infrastructure projects in the Middle East.
Key Economic Risks:
- AI Infrastructure: Setbacks in Big Tech plans to build regional data centres could weaken global demand for advanced chips.
- Material Shortages: Potential disruption in the supply of Helium, a critical material for chip manufacturing sourced from the Middle East.
- Market Volatility: Concerns that regional instability will weigh on long-term investment commitments by tech giants.
The Middle East has recently emerged as a primary hub for AI data centre expansion by firms like Microsoft and Google. However, with the regional security situation deteriorating, South Korean officials fear that the “strong demand” for high-end memory chips (HBM) could face a significant slowdown if these multi-billion dollar projects are put on hold.
Industry Impact: Samsung and SK Hynix are closely monitoring the Strait of Hormuz for any impact on the logistics of semiconductor-grade noble gases.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued an alert following a “large explosion” near a tanker anchored approximately 30 nautical miles southeast of Kuwait’s Mubarak al-Kabeer.
The ship’s master reported seeing a small craft fleeing the area immediately after the blast on the port side. While all crew members are reported safe, the vessel has sustained damage and is taking on water.
Environmental concerns are mounting as oil has been spotted in the water, leaking from a damaged cargo tank. Maritime security firm Vanguard Tech has reportedly identified the vessel as the Suezmax tanker Sonangol Namibe.
Technical Details:
- Location: 30NM SE of Mubarak Al-Kabeer (International Waters).
- Damage: Port-side hull breach; cargo tank leak.
- Status: No fire reported; vessel remains afloat; crew safe.
Kuwait’s Interior Ministry later clarified that the incident occurred outside its territorial waters, at a distance of at least 60km from the coast.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry has confirmed that three people were killed late Wednesday in two separate Israeli strikes targeting vehicles on the strategic Beirut airport highway.
The strikes occurred during a third consecutive day of intense Israeli aerial bombardments across Lebanon, which the IDF claims are in direct response to renewed Hezbollah rocket fire and border provocations.
Witnesses reported hearing loud explosions near the highway, a critical transit route for the capital, followed by plumes of smoke rising from the targeted vehicles. The escalation in Beirut marks a significant broadening of the conflict zone as the regional war intensifies.
Location: Beirut International Airport Highway (critical infrastructure). Target: Two civilian-plated vehicles.
President Donald Trump, known for his characteristic “glass-half-full” projection of positivity even under immense pressure, continues to champion the military campaign against Iran as an absolute necessity. Speaking from the White House alongside his press secretary, the administration has doubled down on the narrative that the joint air assault was a preemptive strike to neutralize an “imminent threat.” According to the President, Iran was on the precipice of developing nuclear weapons, with his latest assessment suggesting the risk was as close as two weeks away—a notable shift from his claim just 24 hours prior that the window was one month.
The White House’s current communication strategy focuses heavily on the idea that Tehran has completely abandoned the path of diplomacy, leaving the United States with no alternative but sustained military action. This messaging is a clear attempt to manufacture consent among an increasingly skeptical domestic audience. The administration argues that ignoring the threat now would lead to an inevitable and far more catastrophic conflict in the near future.
Despite the administration’s forceful rhetoric, the war remains intensely unpopular across the United States. Current polling data indicates a significant disconnect between the Oval Office and the citizenry, with less than a third of Americans expressing support for the President’s military actions thus far.
As the conflict widens, the pressure on the White House to provide irrefutable intelligence regarding Iran’s nuclear timeline is mounting. For now, the President remains defiant, portraying the war not as a choice of aggression, but as a mandatory defensive measure to ensure global and national security. However, with public disapproval at record highs, the political stakes of this “necessary” war are becoming as volatile as the military situation in West Asia.
Analysis: Public opinion continues to sour as the economic impact and potential for a long-term ground war become more apparent to the American electorate.
The Israeli military has confirmed that Iran has initiated a new round of missile strikes targeting various locations across Israel. This follows a brief lull in aerial activity and marks a significant escalation in the ongoing retaliatory cycle.
Iron Dome Activated
In an official update on X, the IDF stated: “The Iron Dome aerial defense system is currently operating to intercept the incoming threats. Sirens are sounding in multiple districts.”
Residents in Central and Southern Israel have been advised to remain close to fortified spaces and bomb shelters. This new wave comes amid heightened regional tensions following the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader.
Live Alert: Military sources indicate the launches include medium-range ballistic missiles. Further details on interceptions are expected shortly.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has held high-level discussions with Nechirvan Barzani, the president of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq, regarding the joint U.S.-Israel strikes.
The Iranian MFA reported that Barzani offered condolences for the “martyrdom” of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several citizens, describing the U.S. and Israeli actions as “criminal attacks.”
During the call, Araghchi also raised alarms about “terrorist movements” emerging on Iran’s border with Iraq. This warning follows reports that Iran is monitoring its borders closely to prevent any exploitation of the current military crisis by insurgent groups.
Border Alert: Iran has warned Iraqi-Kurdish political leaders that it will not tolerate security breaches along its western frontiers amidst the ongoing war.
The British Defence Ministry has clarified that the drone targeting the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus was not launched from Iran. While the attack’s origin remains unconfirmed, the base—which houses military facilities and families—remains on high alert.
Update on UK operations in the Middle East: 04 March 2026 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/LkE1D4Fuek
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) March 4, 2026
Defence & Resupply Update:
- Air Defence: Resupplied British and allied bases with UK-made air defence missiles.
- Reinforcements: Royal Navy helicopters, armed with missiles, are set to arrive in Cyprus in the coming days.
- Strategy: Bolstering posture across the region following the UK’s commitment to assist the US.
Akrotiri is a critical strategic hub for the United Kingdom. This latest drone incident follows the UK’s announcement to provide military support in the ongoing conflict against Iran, prompting a rapid reinforcement of missile shields across its overseas territories.
Note: Royal Air Force base Akrotiri is one of two Sovereign Base Areas maintained by the UK in Cyprus since 1960.
Iranian state media, citing a Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) navy commander, has reported that Iran is now actively targeting U.S. and UK vessels in the Gulf. The directive applies to all ships, regardless of their flag, if they are suspected of carrying cargo for Israel.
Report: Iran has already targeted more than 10 ships and tankers since the start of the conflict.
This escalation significantly increases the risk to global shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC commander’s statement clarifies that the “flag of convenience” will not protect vessels linked to Israeli interests from Iranian naval operations.
MARITIME ALERT: Commercial vessels in the Gulf are advised to exercise extreme caution.
In a significant diplomatic message, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the leaders of neighboring Middle Eastern states via X (formerly Twitter). He emphasized that while Iran respects regional sovereignty, military action has become unavoidable.
أصحاب الجلالة، رؤساء الدول الصديقة والجارة، سعينا معكم وعبر الدبلوماسية لتجنّب الحرب، لكن العدوان العسكري الأمريكي-الصهيوني لم يترك لنا خياراً سوى الدفاع عن أنفسنا. نحترم سيادتكم، ونؤمن بأن أمن المنطقة واستقرارها يجب أن يتحقق بجهود دولها مجتمعة.
— Masoud Pezeshkian (@drpezeshkian) March 4, 2026
English Translation:
“Your Majesties, heads of friendly and neighboring states, we have strived alongside you and through diplomacy to avoid war, but the American-Zionist military aggression has left us no choice but to defend ourselves. We respect your sovereignty, and we believe that the security and stability of the region must be achieved through the collective efforts of its states.”
Diplomatic Analysis: The President’s message specifically targets Arab monarchs and neighbors, framing the conflict as self-defense against external forces.
Iran’s intensifying conflict with the U.S. and Israel has sent shockwaves through the global sporting world, leading to event cancellations, travel disruptions, and safety concerns for international athletes.
MILANO CORTINA 2026
The IPC is assisting athletes struggling to reach the Winter Paralympic Games due to major Middle Eastern airport closures. “We are working diligently to find solutions for those affected,” the IPC stated.
TENNIS: UAE ATP CHALLENGER
The event in Fujairah was abruptly cancelled following a security alert. The ATP has fully funded charter flights to evacuate all players from the region at no cost.
HOCKEY WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
The U.S. Men’s Team has withdrawn from the qualifiers in Ismailia, Egypt, following a State Department “leave now” advisory. The team successfully departed Egypt earlier on Wednesday.
A vessel sails off the Galle coast after the attack, Sri Lanka, March 4, 2026. REUTERS/Thilina Kaluthotage
The U.S. military has dramatically widened its pursuit of the Iranian navy with the sinking of the frigate IRIS Dena off the coast of Sri Lanka.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike during a Pentagon press conference: “An American submarine sank an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo.”
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed that 180 people were on board the vessel. So far, at least 80 people are confirmed killed, while 32 survivors were rescued by the Sri Lankan navy and are being treated in the southern port city of Galle.
Mission Context:
The IRIS Dena had recently participated in a major naval exercise in the Bay of Bengal (held Feb 18–25) and was in transit back to Iran from an eastern Indian port when it was intercepted and destroyed in international waters.
The IRIS Dena, a Moudge-class Iranian frigate, has been sunk in the Indian Ocean by a U.S. submarine torpedo strike. Sri Lanka’s Deputy Foreign Minister confirmed to local TV that at least 80 people were killed in the attack.
“An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo—a quiet death.”
— Pete Hegseth, US Defense Secretary
The vessel was heading back to Iran from the Indian port of Visakhapatnam after participating in the MILAN 2026 naval exercise. Sri Lankan Navy officials report that 32 sailors have been rescued and are being treated in Galle, while nearly 150 remains missing or feared dead.
- Location: 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle, Sri Lanka.
- Weapon Used: Single torpedo from a US fast-attack submarine.
- Context: First time a US submarine has sunk an enemy vessel since World War II.
NATO has officially responded to the ballistic missile fired from Iran towards Turkish airspace, which was intercepted earlier on Wednesday.
“We condemn Iran’s targeting of Turkiye. NATO stands firmly with all Allies, including Turkiye, as Iran continues its indiscriminate attacks across the region.”
— Allison Hart, NATO Spokesperson
The spokesperson further emphasized that NATO’s deterrence and defence posture remains strong across all domains, specifically highlighting the effectiveness of their air and missile defence systems.
Defense Note: This statement follows the successful interception of an Iranian missile by NATO systems in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Lawmakers in the U.S. Senate are set to begin voting on Wednesday on a bipartisan war powers resolution. The measure aims to stop the military campaign against Iran and mandate that any future hostilities be authorized by Congress.
Sponsors of the bill describe it as a bid to reclaim Congress’ constitutional responsibility to declare war. However, Trump’s fellow Republicans, who hold slim majorities, have previously blocked efforts to curb his executive war powers.
Legislative Timeline:
- Senate Vote: Expected later today (Wednesday).
- House Vote: Scheduled for Thursday.
- Opposition: Republicans accuse Democrats of “playing politics” with national security.
“The Constitution is clear—Congress, not the President, has the power to declare war.” — Statement from Bill Sponsors.
Iran has launched hundreds of attacks on Gulf nations since the U.S. and Israel launched their joint air assault on Saturday. Data from four Gulf nations reveals the dramatic scale of Iranian retaliation across the region.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Ballistic Missiles: 189 detected (175 intercepted, 13 fell into sea, 1 landed on territory)
Drones: 941 detected (876 intercepted, 65 fell within territory)
Cruise Missiles: 8 detected and destroyed
QATAR
Ballistic Missiles: 101 detected (98 intercepted)
Drones: 39 detected (24 intercepted)
Cruise Missiles: 3 detected and destroyed
Aircraft: 2 Sukhoi SU-24 aircraft intercepted
BAHRAIN
Missiles: 73 destroyed
Drones: 91 destroyed
KUWAIT
Ballistic: 178 intercepted
Drones: 384 intercepted
Status: No data currently available for Saudi Arabia and Oman. The focus remains on life-saving operations and air defense readiness.
A ballistic missile fired from Iran, heading into Turkish airspace after passing Syria and Iraq, was destroyed by NATO air and missile defence systems in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Turkish Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.
The ministry confirmed there were no casualties or injuries in the incident. Turkey has stated it reserves the right to respond to hostile actions and warned all parties to refrain from further escalation.
Defence Alert: The interception occurred over the Eastern Mediterranean after the missile traversed regional airspace, highlighting the activation of NATO’s integrated air defence umbrella.
Confusing reports continue to emerge from Sri Lanka regarding the incident involving an Iranian ship. While earlier reports suggested a submarine attack, the Navy is now providing a more cautious update.
Latest Official Details:
- The ship is confirmed to be an Iranian military vessel.
- The incident occurred beyond Sri Lankan waters, but rescue support is being provided.
- Several bodies have been recovered; identities are being confirmed.
- The Navy cannot confirm the cause of distress or casualty figures at this time.
- No other aircraft or vessels were observed in the vicinity during the incident.
Earlier, defense ministry sources had pointed to a submarine strike, but a navy spokesperson now says there is no official explanation yet for what caused the vessel’s distress. The current priority remains saving lives.
Note: Information is evolving rapidly. We will provide clarifications as more data becomes available.
The International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, said in a post on X it had detected no damage to facilities containing nuclear material in Iran since the U.S. and Israel launched their joint assault on Saturday.
The IAEA added that it saw no radiological release risk at this time. It also maintains contact with national nuclear-safety regulators in Middle Eastern countries — no elevated radiation levels have been detected there at present.
Specific Site Details:
- Isfahan: Damage to two buildings is visible near the nuclear site.
- Natanz: No additional impact reported after previously noted damage at entrances.
- Bushehr: No impact reported at the site or other nuclear facilities.
Monitoring: The IAEA continues to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety of nuclear assets in the region.
Earlier we reported that the Sri Lankan navy had said at least 101 people were missing and 78 were injured after a submarine attack on an Iranian ship off the coast of Sri Lanka.
A navy spokesperson is now saying that the figures given earlier were not correct. The spokesperson says 32 people injured in the incident were rescued by the navy and are now receiving treatment in hospital.
A search and rescue operation is still underway. This is an evolving story and we will bring you any further updates or clarifications as we get them.
Correction: The number of rescued and injured has been revised to 32. Search operations continue for any remaining individuals.
Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura, which houses its largest domestic refinery, was targeted again on Wednesday by a drone attack, according to an official statement.
The complex had already been shut down on Monday following a previous drone strike. A Saudi defense ministry spokesperson confirmed that while the Wednesday attack was carried out by a drone, an initial evaluation indicates no damage was reported from this latest incident.
Energy Alert: Ras Tanura is a critical hub for Saudi Arabia’s oil processing, and repeated strikes continue to raise concerns over global energy supply stability.
At least 101 people are missing and 78 are injured following a submarine attack on an Iranian vessel off the coast of Sri Lanka.
According to the Sri Lanka Navy and defence ministry sources, the incident has caused significant casualties, and search and rescue operations are currently underway in the region.
Casualty Update: 78 people have been confirmed injured in the attack as of 04:21 AM EST.
Iranian sources tell Reuters that Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Iranian supreme leader, has survived the U.S.-Israeli assault on Iran. Mojtaba is seen by the establishment as a prospective next supreme leader.