04/03/2026 12:22
Saudi Arabia intercepts drone attack targeting refinery
Saudi Arabia intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) attack aimed at the massive Ras Tanura refinery, the Ministry of Defense announced, following a previous attack on the complex along the Gulf coast earlier this week.
“Initial assessments indicate that the attack was carried out by a drone and caused no damage,” the ministry said in a statement.
04/03/2026 12:15
Missile hits Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura refinery
A missile struck Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura refinery, the country’s largest domestic oil refinery operated by Saudi Aramco, according to two sources cited by Reuters.
The report follows the temporary shutdown of the facility by Saudi authorities a few days ago after a fire, which officials said was caused by debris from the interception of two drones.
04/03/2026 12:08
Israeli army advances into Lebanese territory
The Israeli army has advanced further into Lebanese territory from positions along the border, according to Lebanese state media.
The Israeli army had entered the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon, about 6 kilometers from the border, with state media reporting that the town was facing continuous bombardment.
04/03/2026 12:07
Israel acknowledges Iran still has “significant missile capability”
The Israeli army acknowledged that Iran still possesses “significant capability” to launch missiles, even after the destruction of dozens of its launchers.
“We destroyed dozens of missile launchers that posed a significant threat to the Israeli front,” said Israeli army spokesperson Brigadier General Effi Deferin at a press conference.
“We will continue to strike missile launchers and reduce launches, but the regime still retains significant capability, and I would like to remind you that our defense is not impenetrable.”
04/03/2026 12:07
US fabricated supposed threat to justify attack on Iran, says Zakharova
Russia accused the United States of fabricating a supposed threat from Iran as a pretext to overthrow its government.
In a press briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the US used nuclear negotiations with Iran as cover to hide its plan for regime change. She also noted that Iran’s nuclear facilities were attacked again, posing a serious risk.
Zakharova added that Moscow is convinced the crisis cannot be resolved militarily and is ready to continue seeking solutions based on international law.
04/03/2026 12:03
Tehran says successor to Khamenei nearing selection
Ayatollah Ahmad Hatami, a senior Iranian cleric and member of the powerful Guardian Council and Assembly of Experts, stated that the country is close to selecting a successor to the late Khamenei.
“The Supreme Leader will be determined as soon as possible. We are close to a decision; however, the situation in the country is a state of war,” Hatami said on state television.
New explosions in various parts of Tehran
The semi-official news agency Tasnim reports that explosions are being heard in different parts of the Iranian capital.
04/03/2026 11:35
Missile attack in Kuwait
The Kuwaiti armed forces report that they are facing a wave of missiles and drones from Iran.
The Kuwaiti military states that it will confront and intercept them.
04/03/2026 11:34
Israeli airstrikes on Isfahan and Shiraz targeting ballistic missile facilities
The Israeli Air Force carried out a series of airstrikes against Iranian military targets in Isfahan and Shiraz overnight, according to the military.
IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Effi Deferin said at a press conference that this is the first time the military has struck this area in the current campaign against Iran.
He stated that the strikes hit more than 20 targets, including two facilities in Isfahan where Iran was storing advanced Ghadr ballistic missiles.
Other targets included ballistic and cruise missile depots, as well as air defense systems, according to the IDF.
“We assess that the strikes destroyed several dozen ballistic and cruise missiles,” Deferin said.
Cyprus’s airspace was not closed
The spokesperson for the Republic of Cyprus, Konstantinos Letympiotis, clarified that the country’s airspace was not closed.
Specifically, he stated: “It is clarified that the airspace of the Republic of Cyprus was not closed at any time. Within the framework of established procedures, two flights were asked to remain on short-term hold in order to provide the necessary operational space.”
The captain of one of the two flights chose to return to Athens, while the second flight landed normally shortly afterward. Airspace continues to operate normally.
04/03/2026 11:19
Live: Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s speech in Parliament on developments in the Middle East
The Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is currently briefing Parliament on developments both in the Middle East and in Cyprus, with a special reference to the defensive support provided by Greece.
Watch the Prime Minister’s speech live.
Nicosia: State Department advisory a standard precautionary measure
Diplomatic sources in Nicosia describe the updated travel advisory issued by the U.S. State Department as a standard precautionary procedure applied by the U.S. Department of State in various countries when regional developments are being assessed.
This stage represents the mildest level of measures that can be taken. In practice, it does not involve the removal of personnel nor does it indicate the existence of any immediate threat. It simply provides the option, if they so wish, for family members of diplomats or a limited number of non-essential staff to depart temporarily, should they deem it appropriate, the diplomatic sources explained to the Cyprus News Agency.
They noted that “authorized departure” differs substantially from the “mandatory departure” stage, which entails compulsory withdrawal of personnel. “The latter has been implemented in a number of Middle Eastern and Gulf countries due to developments in the region, which is not the case for Cyprus,” the same diplomatic sources pointed out.
“The Republic of Cyprus remains in continuous communication and coordination with its partners and the competent authorities, while the situation is being constantly assessed. There is no indication whatsoever that would justify concern regarding security in the country,” they stressed.
04/03/2026 09:59
Tasnim: Loud explosions in eastern Tehran
04/03/2026 09:54
Italian media: Dispatch of an Italian frigate to Cyprus under consideration
The security of Cyprus and developments in the southeastern Mediterranean were at the center of an emergency meeting of the Italian government in Rome, as the escalation of the conflict with Iran is causing serious concern for the wider region.
According to Italian media such as UPDAY and The Socialist, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni convened a meeting at Palazzo Chigi with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, examining measures to support allies in the Middle East as well as to strengthen Cyprus’ security, which is considered exposed to the consequences of regional tension.
On the table is the possibility of sending an Italian frigate to the area around the island, tasked with reinforcing air defense and protecting commercial shipping.
04/03/2026 09:47
President of the Cypriot Parliament, Annita Demetriou: “We are not in a state of war; we are addressing risks calmly.”
04/03/2026 09:44
“Window” left open by Papastavrou for support measures if the energy crisis continues
The government is leaving open the possibility of support measures should the energy crisis persist, according to statements made Wednesday morning on Mega by Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou. However, he said that for now the energy market is being closely monitored and no need for interventions has arisen.
04/03/2026 09:38
President of the Association of Iranians in Greece: At last, the rescue operation the Iranian people were calling for is succeeding
“From all the contacts I’ve had with Iran, there is fear of war, but for Iranians it is also a relief and a rescue operation,” Aria Meriki told ERT.
04/03/2026 09:31
Argentina’s President, Javier Milei, posted on Instagram an AI video showing Trump… making Maduro and Khomeini disappear.
New balance of power in the Mediterranean: France, Germany and Britain line up behind Greece after the attack on Akrotiri
New dynamics in terms of power projection in the Southeastern Mediterranean are being created by the swift support offered by the Greek government to the Republic of Cyprus following the double attack on the British RAF base in Akrotiri, Cyprus.
04/03/2026 09:05
The US raises Cyprus to Level 3 alert and authorizes departure of non-essential embassy staff
Another indication that the Middle East crisis is affecting daily life for thousands of people in Cyprus is the updated travel advisory from the US State Department, which raises the country to Level 3 and calls on US citizens to “reconsider” travel to the island.
04/03/2026 08:57
Israel announces new round of bombings on Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut
04/03/2026 08:54
Three-day state funeral for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei begins today in Iran
The three-day state funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will begin tonight at 10 p.m. Iran time.
The ceremony will take place at the Imam Khomeini prayer hall in Tehran.
04/03/2026 08:53
Emotional moment for 21-year-old Iranian women’s national football player
Twenty-one-year-old Sara Didar struggled to hold back her tears at the press conference before the match against Australia for the Asian Cup while speaking about what is happening in her country.
“We are worried and saddened by what is happening in Iran and for our families and loved ones, but I hope it will be for the good of the country,” the 21-year-old said, according to Reuters.
04/03/2026 08:50
War drags down Asian markets: South Korea’s Kospi in free fall with double-digit losses
Asian stocks recorded their biggest drop in nearly a year, led by the South Korean market, which suffered its steepest collapse since the 2008 global financial crisis, as growing concerns over the war in Iran triggered a mass investor sell-off from some of the world’s best-performing markets.
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index fell by as much as 4.5%, while Korean stocks plunged more than 12%, putting the South Korean market on course for its worst session in decades amid rising panic on trading floors.
04/03/2026 08:36
Revolutionary Guards: We launched 40 missiles at American and Israeli targets
04/03/2026 08:35
Israeli Defense Minister: Khamenei’s successor will be a “clear target for elimination”
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, stated that any leader appointed by the Iranian regime to replace Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be a “clear target for elimination.”
“Any leader appointed by the Iranian terrorist regime to continue leading the plan to destroy Israel, threaten the US and the free world and the countries of the region, as well as oppress the Iranian people, will be a clear target for elimination. It does not matter what his name is or where he hides. We will continue to act with all our strength, together with our American partners, to neutralize the regime’s capabilities and create the conditions for the Iranian people to overthrow and replace it.”
04/03/2026 08:34
11 dead from latest Israeli bombings in Lebanon
New Israeli strikes overnight in Lebanon killed at least 11 people in communities south of Beirut and in Baalbek, according to a statement from the Health Ministry and the official news agency, on the fifth day of the war in the Middle East.
South of the capital, “attacks by the Israeli enemy in the areas of Aramoun and Saadiyat” resulted in six deaths and eight injuries, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry.
In Baalbek (east), a city with a predominantly Shiite population, at least five people were killed when a four-story residential building was bombed, the Lebanese National News Agency ANI reported.
04/03/2026 08:24
Missile interception broadcast live on ITV News
04/03/2026 08:15
Frigates Kimon and Psara arrive in Cyprus
The two Hellenic Navy frigates have been sailing for some time within the territorial waters of the Republic of Cyprus.
04/03/2026 08:10
Thick smoke again in central Beirut – Watch live footage
LIVE: Beirut skyline as Israeli military ramps up operations in Lebanon
04/03/2026 08:07
New IDF video of airstrikes in Iran
04/03/2026 08:02
Guardian analysis outlines four scenarios for the day after in Iran: From a smooth transition to civil war and widespread chaos
04/03/2026 08:00
The US issued a directive for the removal of non-essential personnel from the American embassy in Cyprus
Massive Israeli bombings have struck Iran, Saudi Arabia says it intercepted cruise missiles, and Tehran has targeted the U.S. consulate in Dubai, a base in Qatar, and a CIA station. The page is updating automatically as major developments unfold across the Middle East. The Israeli military launched a new large-scale wave of airstrikes on Iran. Saudi Arabia announced it intercepted two cruise missiles. On Tuesday, Tehran hit the U.S. consulate in Dubai, a U.S. base in Qatar, and a CIA station. An 11-year-old girl in Kuwait was killed by falling debris following the interception of “hostile aerial targets.” The United States has released the names of the first four American soldiers who have died since Saturday.
In live updates, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it has “full control” of the Strait of Hormuz, the vital shipping lane for global oil and gas supplies. An IRGC officer said that any vessel attempting to pass through the waterway risks being struck by missiles or “stray” drones. The claim came hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. Navy stands ready to escort oil tankers through the crucial Gulf shipping route. Meanwhile, video footage emerged of Israel’s overnight strikes on Tehran.
The war has rattled global markets, sending Asian stocks sharply lower. South Korea’s Kospi index posted its biggest drop since the 2008 global financial crisis, while the MSCI Asia Pacific index fell more than 4%. Oil prices climbed above $80 per barrel, and gold rebounded as investors sought safe-haven assets. The U.S. Pentagon released the names of four American soldiers killed in the conflict with Iran, stating they died when a drone struck their work site at Port Shuabia in Kuwait. All four were Army reservists assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, Iowa.
According to U.S. Central Command, American forces have “severely degraded” Iran’s air defenses and destroyed hundreds of ballistic missiles, launchers, and drones as part of the operation dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.” Officials said nearly 2,000 targets have been hit and 17 Iranian vessels destroyed, claiming there are no longer any Iranian ships operating in the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, or the Gulf of Oman. Elsewhere, Qatar reported that one of two Iranian missiles fired at the country struck the Al Udeid U.S. air base without causing casualties. Lebanese authorities reported deaths from Israeli airstrikes south of Beirut, while Israel ordered evacuations in parts of southern Lebanon. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted additional cruise missiles and drones, and Kuwait confirmed the death of an 11-year-old girl after debris fell in a residential area.
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