Phone call between Erdogan and Macron about Iran
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron that Turkey is making intensive efforts to strengthen diplomacy and return to the negotiating table regarding Iran, according to a statement from Erdoğan’s office.
The Turkish president said that “a prolongation of the conflict in Iran would be a source of destabilization both for the region and for the entire world,” according to the statement, adding that increased defense cooperation among NATO allies is required.
Donald Trump: I must personally be involved in choosing Iran’s next leader; Khamenei’s son is insignificant
The U.S. president Donald Trump said in an interview on Thursday with Axios that he considers it necessary to be personally involved in the selection of Iran’s next leader, as he claims he did in Venezuela.
Trump insisted that Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the assassinated supreme leader Ali Khamenei and the most likely frontrunner to succeed him, is not an acceptable choice for Washington, D.C.. He stressed that his possible election “would lead the United States back to war within five years” if he continues the same policies as his father.
Trump also said he wants to be personally involved so that a leader emerges who, in his words, will bring “harmony and peace” to Iran, rejecting the prospect of succession through the current regime system.
“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is insignificant. I have to be involved in the selection, just like I did with Delcy Rodríguez in Venezuela.”
05/03/2026 – 18:27
Additional flight cancellations by Aegean Airlines
Aegean Airlines announced additional flight cancellations to and from airports in Israel, Lebanon, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia due to the ongoing developments in the Middle East.
Specifically:
- Flights to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut, Erbil and Baghdad are cancelled until the early hours of 13 March 2026.
- Flights to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi are cancelled until the evening of 12 March 2026.
- Flights to and from Riyadh are cancelled until the early hours of 9 March 2026.
05/03/2026 – 18:17
Trump: “Herzog should pardon Netanyahu today”
Donald Trump told Channel 12 that the Israeli president Isaac Herzog should grant a pardon to Benjamin Netanyahu today.
“I don’t want anything bothering Bibi except the war with Iran,” the U.S. president clarified.
Trump also claimed he has been discussing the issue of a pardon for Netanyahu with Herzog for a year.
“He promised me five times he would pardon Bibi. I told him I would not meet him if he didn’t pardon Netanyahu.”
📌 Facility in Bahrain’s Maameer area targeted, relevant authorities handling incident, says Interior Ministry
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) March 5, 2026
➡️ Locals report a large fire growing at the Bahrain Petroleum Company refinery
💥 Strike comes amid US-Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory strike pic.twitter.com/eqWJxm83is
05/03/2026 – 18:15
Bahrain reports strike in oil infrastructure area
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry reported that one of its facilities in an industrial zone housing an oil refinery was attacked, while a witness told Agence France-Presse that he saw smoke rising from the area.
“A facility in Ma’ameer was targeted, and the competent authorities are handling the incident,” the statement said.
UAE Reports One Missile and Six Drones Fell Inside the Country
The UAE Ministry of Defense says that one missile and six drones fell inside the country.
Earlier, Abu Dhabi’s press office reported that six people were injured by debris from drones that were intercepted by air defense systems over Abu Dhabi.
Communication between Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on developments in the Middle East
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke a short while ago by phone with the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
During the call, the two leaders reaffirmed the strategic relationship between their countries and exchanged views on the latest developments in Iran, Lebanon and the wider Middle East.
05/03/2026 – 17:43
Tehran accuses Israel of the drone attack in Azerbaijan
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, accused Israel of carrying out a drone attack in Azerbaijan, describing it as an attempt to damage relations between Tehran and its neighboring country.
In a phone call with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov, Araghchi “denied that Iran launched any projectiles” toward Azerbaijan. He also condemned “the role of the Israeli regime in such attacks aimed at distracting public opinion and destroying Iran’s good relations with its neighbors,” according to a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Four people were injured in the midday drone attack in the autonomous region of Nakhchivan in Azerbaijan, near the border with Iran.
05/03/2026 – 17:42
President of Azerbaijan: The army ordered to prepare retaliation for Iranian attacks
Ilham Aliyev said earlier that Azerbaijan’s armed forces “have been placed on maximum alert and are ready to carry out any required operation.”
“We will not tolerate this unprovoked terrorist act and aggression against Azerbaijan,” Aliyev added after a meeting of the country’s national security council.
05/03/2026 – 17:39
New reports of explosions in Abu Dhabi
Residents of the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, reported hearing a series of loud explosions, with the UAE’s air defense responding to a missile threat.
“Air defense systems are currently responding to a missile threat,” the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said in a statement on X.
05/03/2026 – 17:38
Escalation in southern Lebanon: Hezbollah deploys elite Radwan force fighters
Hezbollah has deployed elite fighters to confront Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, sending them back to the border area they had withdrawn from after the 2024 war, according to three Lebanese sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters.
Members of Hezbollah’s Radwan force were ordered to enter the fighting and block the advance of Israeli tanks, the sources said, citing the town of Khiam as an example—one of several areas where Israeli forces reportedly advanced on Wednesday.
It is recalled that Hezbollah entered the war on Monday, opening fire to avenge the death of Iran’s supreme leader, who was killed in a surprise attack by the United States and Israel in Tehran.
05/03/2026 – 17:36
Keir Starmer: Two British helicopters expected in Cyprus tomorrow
During a press conference, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, revealed that the two AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat helicopters he had announced would be sent to the island will arrive tomorrow in Cyprus.
He added that “the Defense Secretary is currently in Cyprus to coordinate operations and meet the men and women of the armed forces serving there.”
05/03/2026 14:08
Sweden’s Central Bank Urges Citizens to Keep $110 in Cash for One Week of Basic Needs
According to Bloomberg, Sweden’s central bank, Sveriges Riksbank, urged adults to keep about 1,000 kronor (around $110) in cash at home—enough to cover a week of basic necessities such as food and medicine in the event of war, cyberattacks, or other crises.
The recommendation comes as Sweden prepares for potential disruptions amid growing security threats in Europe.
05/03/2026 14:03
No U.S. F-15 Crashed in Iran, Say the United States
The United States has denied reports claiming that an F-15E fighter jet crashed in Iran earlier.
05/03/2026 14:01
Tehran Threatens the EU It Will “Pay the Price” if It Does Not Take Iran’s Side in the U.S.–Israel Attack
European Union countries “will pay the price, sooner or later,” if they remain silent about the U.S.–Israeli attack on Iran, a spokesperson for Tehran’s Foreign Ministry told the Spanish television channel TVE.
Esmail Baghaei also repeated Tehran’s denial that the missile intercepted in Turkish airspace was launched by Iran.
05/03/2026 13:59
Football Stadium in Tehran Destroyed by Attacks
Tehran’s Azadi Stadium, which has hosted international football matches, was “destroyed” by the attacks on the country, according to Iran’s state television.
The IRIB news agency released video showing extensive damage to the stadium, with clouds of smoke rising from the stands.
Iran Denies Targeting Azerbaijan After Drone Attack
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, denied that the country targeted Azerbaijan, which earlier reported that two Iranian drones had struck its territory in Nakhchivan, including a building at the airport.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has not targeted the Republic of Azerbaijan,” Gharibabadi said in comments carried by the Iranian news agency Tasnim. “We do not target our neighboring countries.”
He added that “Iran’s policy is only to strike the military bases of its enemies” operating in the region and used for attacks against Iran, including those of the U.S. and Israel.
05/03/2026 13:43 – Death Toll in Iran Rises from U.S. and Israeli Attacks
The number of people killed in Iran from U.S. and Israeli attacks since Saturday has risen to 1,230, reported the semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim.
05/03/2026 13:28 – Tehran Says It Has Identified Those Responsible for Girls’ School Bombing, Promises Revenge
Iran has identified those responsible for the attack on a girls’ school in Minab, according to the Fars news agency citing sources.
“Informed sources report that the perpetrators involved in the killing of children in Minab have been fully identified,” the agency said.
Fars noted that “the identities of the pilots, the airbases from which they flew, and their nationalities have been accurately identified” and mentioned Iran’s readiness “for a harsh and decisive response to the crime.”
05/03/2026 13:28 – Iran Targets Israel with Large Missiles, According to Revolutionary Guards
Iran launched Khorramshahr-4 long-range missiles in an attack on Thursday targeting Israel, announced the paramilitary Revolutionary Guards.
The Revolutionary Guards said the missiles had a one-ton warhead. The missiles may also carry multiple warheads. Israel has claimed that Iran used cluster munitions in its attacks.
Rutte: NATO Article 5 Not on the Negotiation Table
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated that Article 5 is not on the negotiation table, following the interception of a ballistic missile by the alliance’s air defenses yesterday over Turkish airspace.
Rutte added that NATO supports the United States in targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, as the country is “close to becoming a threat to Europe.”
Tehran denied that it launched the missile toward Turkey.
05/03/2026 13:13
Iran Accuses U.S. and Israel of Deliberately Targeting Civilian Areas
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Bakaei, accused the United States and Israel of intentionally striking civilian areas during the ongoing conflict.
“Our people are being brutally slaughtered as the attackers deliberately target civilian areas and any location they believe will cause the maximum possible suffering and loss of life,” Bakaei said.
05/03/2026 13:12
Mitsotakis – Macron Discuss Middle East
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis held a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron. During the call, they discussed the latest developments in Iran, Cyprus, and Lebanon.
Mitsotakis briefed Macron on the defensive support Greece is providing to Cyprus. The two leaders agreed to stay in contact and coordinate on developments in the wider region.
05/03/2026 13:05
Rutte: Iran “Close” to Becoming a Threat to Europe
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated that Iran was “close” to becoming a threat to Europe and expressed his support for U.S. efforts to eliminate Tehran’s nuclear and missile capabilities. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that Iran no longer poses a threat.
05/03/2026 13:01
British Defense Minister Arrives in Cyprus
This morning, Greek Cypriot Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letympiotis reported that Defense Minister Vasilis Palmas met with his British counterpart.
They exchanged assessments of the regional situation and discussed political-level cooperation. The British Defense Minister provided information on UK government decisions and the deployment of the HMS Dagon and anti-drone helicopters.
05/03/2026 13:00
Bombings Continue in Lebanon
05/03/2026 13:00
Alert at Akrotiri, Cyprus, for Suspicious Object
“There was information indicating a suspicious object near the Bases. However, nothing was found, and the alert was lifted. No incident occurred. Ultimately, the direction was not toward the British Bases,” said a Cypriot government spokesperson.
05/03/2026 12:59
Death Toll in Lebanon Rises to 77
The number of people killed in Lebanon following renewed hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah on Monday has risen to 77, with 527 injured, the Lebanese Ministry of Health announced on Thursday.
Death toll in Lebanon rises to 77
The number of people killed in Lebanon from the renewed clashes between Israel and Hezbollah on Monday has risen to 77, with 527 injured, the Lebanese Ministry of Health announced on Thursday.
Russia says Iran has not asked it to supply weapons
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia has not received a request from Iran to send weapons during the ongoing war.
Asked by a journalist whether Moscow plans to provide material support to Iran, including arms, Peskov replied: “In this case, there have been no requests from the Iranian side. Our longstanding position is known to all, and there have been no changes on this matter.”
Last year, Iran signed a 20-year strategic cooperation agreement with Russia.
Russia is building two new nuclear units at Bushehr, home to Iran’s only nuclear power plant, while Iran has supplied Russia with Shahed drones for use against Ukraine.
Six injured in Abu Dhabi from debris after drone interception
A drone interception in the capital of the United Arab Emirates caused debris to fall to the ground, injuring six people.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the injuries occurred in the ICAD II industrial area, near the Al Dhafra Air Base, where U.S. forces are stationed.
The injured are reportedly from Nepal and Pakistan.
Another repatriation flight likely tomorrow, Friday, again from Oman, where capacity is less restricted
03/05/2026 12:40
Alert over in Akrotiri
The alert that was sounded shortly after 12:00 in Akrotiri, Cyprus, when sirens went off, has ended.
03/05/2026 12:40
France grants US aircraft permission to use its bases in the Middle East
American aircraft have received permission from the French military to use the country’s bases in the Middle East.
03/05/2026 12:40
Nikos Christodoulides thanks Giorgia Meloni in Italian for her support of Cyprus
Israel Strikes Two Indoor Sports Centers in Tehran
Israeli airstrikes hit two indoor gyms in Iran’s capital, Tehran, on Thursday.
Although no explanation has been provided for the choice of these targets, the Associated Press notes that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and the Basij organization use such facilities as gathering points, following previous airstrikes that destroyed their other bases.
03/05/2026 12:23
Netherlands Sends Naval Forces to Cyprus
As announced to the Italian Parliament by Italy’s Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, Italy, Spain, France, and the Netherlands are sending naval forces to Cyprus to help protect the island.
03/05/2026 12:10
Greek Foreign Ministry Responds to Turkey on Patriots in Karpathos: Greece’s Defense Posture Is Non-Negotiable
“Unilateral claims regarding the demilitarization of the Aegean islands are unfounded and have been repeatedly rejected in their entirety. The status of the Greek islands in the Eastern Aegean is governed by the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, the 1936 Montreux Convention, and the 1947 Paris Peace Treaty, to which Turkey is not even a party,” said Lana Zochiou, spokesperson for the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commenting on the Turkish MFA’s statement today.
“These treaties leave no doubt about the status of the islands. Greece’s defensive arrangements are non-negotiable. The state of conflict in our wider neighborhood necessitates the country’s necessary defensive preparedness. The prevailing uncertainty and the risk of further escalation of the war call for prudence and calm, not weak statements,” Zochiou concluded.
How Many People Have Died in the U.S.-Israel War Against Iran
Hundreds of people have been killed across the Middle East since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, with Gulf states hosting American military bases and personnel, as well as Lebanon, quickly drawn into the conflict.
Below are the death tolls reported so far by the countries involved, as of March 5, the sixth day of the war. Reuters has not independently verified these deaths.
IRAN
1,045 dead, including 175 schoolgirls and staff killed in a strike on a school in Minab in southern Iran on the first day of the war, according to the nonprofit humanitarian organization Iranian Red Crescent. It is unclear whether the total includes casualties among the Revolutionary Guards.
ISRAEL
10 civilians have been killed, including nine in an Iranian missile strike on Beit Shemesh near Jerusalem on March 1, according to Israel’s emergency service Magen David Adom. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not reported any military casualties.
LEBANON
77 people have been killed in Israeli strikes, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
BAHRAIN
One person died after a fire in Bahrain’s Salman Industrial City, which broke out following a missile interception, according to the Ministry of Interior.
KUWAIT
Three people, including two Kuwaiti soldiers, were killed in Iranian attacks in the country, according to Kuwait’s Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs.
OMAN
One person was killed when a missile struck the Marshall Islands–flagged tanker MKD VYOM off the coast of Muscat.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Three people were killed, according to the UAE Ministry of Defense.
U.S. MILITARY
Six U.S. service members were killed in a strike on a facility in Kuwait, according to U.S. Central Command.
SYRIA
Four people were killed when an Iranian missile struck a building in the city of Sweida in southern Syria on Saturday, according to state news agency SANA.
05/03/2026 11:22 – Azerbaijan: We Have the Right to Respond After Iranian Drone Strike
Azerbaijan is demanding a clear explanation and investigation from Iran regarding the drone attack, calling for measures to prevent similar attacks in the future, while warning that it reserves the right to take appropriate retaliatory measures.
05/03/2026 11:20 – Explosions Over Qatar
Multiple explosions are heard in the sky over Qatar’s capital, Doha.
Al Jazeera journalists report that Qatar’s defense systems are intercepting missiles entering the country’s airspace.
BBC: British Defense Secretary in Cyprus Today
The British Defense Secretary, John Healy, is expected to arrive in Cyprus today, following a drone strike on the British base at Akrotiri.
05/03/2026 10:44
New alert in Israel over missile launches from Iran
05/03/2026 10:33
Cypriot official to Associated Press: The drone that hit the Akrotiri base took off from Beirut
A Cypriot official who spoke to the Associated Press on Thursday stated that the drone which caused damage to the British military base at Akrotiri on Monday night took off from Beirut.
05/03/2026 10:30
Azerbaijani government sources to Reuters: Iranian drone hit the airport of the city of Nakhchivan
Revolutionary Guards: The Strait of Hormuz is closed only to ships from the U.S., Israel, and Europe
The Revolutionary Guards stated on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz is closed only to ships from the U.S., Israel, Europe, and other Western allies.
“We had previously stated that, according to international laws and resolutions, during times of war, the Islamic Republic of Iran will have the right to control passage through the Strait of Hormuz. If ships belonging to the U.S., Israel, Europe, and their supporters are observed… they will certainly be attacked,” said a spokesperson for the Revolutionary Guards.
05/03/2026 10:10
Meloni: We are sending air defense aid to Gulf countries
Italy plans to send air defense assistance to Gulf countries, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Thursday.
“Like the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, Italy intends to provide assistance to Gulf countries, specifically in defense and particularly in air defense,” Ms. Meloni said on the radio station RTL 102.5.
“This is not only because they are friendly countries, but mainly because tens of thousands of Italians live in the region, and around 2,000 Italian soldiers have been deployed there – people we want and need to protect,” she added.
05/03/2026 10:01
Al Jazeera: Explosions heard in Bahrain and Qatar
05/03/2026 09:59
Photo from preparations for the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
U.S. Reaffirms Support for Israel Amid Rising Middle East Tensions
The United States has reaffirmed its strong support for Israel as tensions escalate across the Middle East. During a phone call on Wednesday evening, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told his Israeli counterpart Israel Katz to “continue until the end — we are with you,” according to a statement from the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The conversation highlighted the close coordination between the two countries as the regional security situation remains volatile.
In the same statement, Katz expressed gratitude to the United States and especially to President Donald Trump for what he described as strong and consistent support for Israel. He also emphasized the strategic cooperation between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming their joint stance against Iran is reshaping the geopolitical balance in the region and beyond.
Meanwhile, Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that 162 Greek citizens and their family members have already been repatriated from the broader Middle East due to the ongoing conflict. The evacuations took place through a series of coordinated operations. Ninety-three Greek nationals were flown from Oman via a special flight by Aegean Airlines, organized by Greek embassies in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.
Additional evacuations included 42 Greek citizens transported overland from Bethlehem to Egypt under the supervision of the Greek Consulate in Jerusalem. Another 27 members of a youth team from Aris Thessaloniki traveled by air from the United Arab Emirates to Istanbul before continuing by road to Thessaloniki.
Reports from regional media have also added to the sense of instability. The Iranian news agency Mehr News Agency reported that a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet crashed early Wednesday in southwestern Iran. According to the report, the pilot and weapons systems officer safely ejected before being rescued in a joint U.S.–Israeli operation and transferred to a military base in Saudi Arabia.
At the same time, Israeli media outlet N12News claimed that satellite imagery shows an Iranian missile base in Kermanshah has been destroyed. The reports have not been independently verified, but they further underline the escalating confrontation and the growing risk of broader regional conflict.
Tensions in the Middle East have sharply escalated as the war between Iran, Israel, and the United States enters its sixth day. Iranian officials warned that the United States will “bitterly regret” the sinking of the Iranian frigate Dena near Sri Lanka, which was reportedly struck by an American submarine. According to Iranian sources, at least 87 sailors were killed and dozens remain missing, marking one of the deadliest incidents of the conflict so far.
Meanwhile, Israel has continued its military campaign against Iranian targets. The Israeli military announced new waves of airstrikes on the capital, Tehran, claiming it has destroyed around 300 Iranian missile launch systems since the beginning of the war. Iranian media reported explosions in several areas of the city, while air defense systems were activated in response to the attacks.
Iranian officials also issued a stark warning, saying that if the United States and Israel attempt to overthrow the government in Tehran, Iran could target Israel’s nuclear reactor in Dimona. At the same time, regional tensions have continued to rise, with Saudi Arabia intercepting cruise missiles and Iranian aircraft reportedly shot down before they could strike the major U.S. military installation at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
The conflict is increasingly drawing in other countries. Australia has deployed military aircraft to the region, while the prime minister of Canada said participation in the conflict cannot be ruled out. With attacks spreading across multiple fronts and threats targeting key infrastructure and embassies, the crisis risks expanding into a wider regional confrontation.
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