Iran says US and Israel targeting civilians in strikes Iran’s foreign ministry said that the United States and Israeli strikes are deliberately hitting civilian areas across the country. In a post on X, foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the attacks were also triggering economic shockwaves beyond Iran. "The strikes reverberate through global markets, driving up energy prices, destabilizing currencies, and eroding the purchasing power of ordinary people around the world.
Good afternoon Good afternoon, Middle East Eye readers. Iran’s armed forces have rejected claims that they launched drones towards Azerbaijan after two unmanned aircraft reportedly crashed near the airport in Nakhchivan. Officials in Azerbaijan said the drones had approached from the direction of Iran before falling near the airport in the autonomous exclave.
Iran says Israeli-US strikes hit schools, hospitals and medical facilities Iran says Israeli and US attacks have struck multiple civilian and medical facilities since the conflict began. In a statement, the Iranian government said several educational and health institutions had been targeted during the bombardment. "The Israeli-American enemy has so far targeted 20 educational centers, 11 hospitals, 13 ambulance centers and 14 pharmaceutical facilities.
Families of Iranian political prisoners fearful of bombs, illness and secret executions Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 16:14 With communications cut off and Israel-US air strikes ongoing, Iranians tell MEE that the fog of war is putting their jailed relatives at risk A demonstrator holds a placard reading "free the political prisoners in Iran" prior to a march denouncing Tehran's deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters, in Paris on 31 January 2026 (Sebastien Dupuy/AFP) Off As Israeli and US bombs continue to pummel Iran , the friends and families of political prisoners in the Islamic Republic have grown increasingly fearful for their safety. There have been reports of bombs falling around the many facilities housing political prisoners, including the notorious Evin prison in Tehran, which are often close to military installations and Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) bases. On top of the damage caused by the air strikes and the consequent depletion of food, water and healthcare for prisoners, some are also concerned about what the authorities might do to their jailed relatives under the fog of war.
UAE says it intercepted six missiles and 131 drones The United Arab Emirates says its air defence systems have intercepted ballistic missiles and drones targeting the country. In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said its forces had engaged multiple aerial threats.
Bahrain says air defences down 75 missiles and 123 drones Bahrain’s military says its air defence systems have intercepted dozens of incoming missiles and drones since the conflict began. The Bahrain Defence Force said on Thursday that its forces had destroyed 75 missiles and 123 drones targeting the country. Military commanders also urged residents to remain indoors and avoid leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary as tensions across the region continue to escalate.
UAE tycoon to Trump: ‘Who gave you the authority to start Iran war? ’ One of the UAE’s top businessmen, billionaire Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, has written an open letter to US President Donald Trump on X attacking his decision to go to war with Iran. “Who gave you the authority to drag our region into a war with Iran?
UK says drone attack on Cyprus base was not launched from Iran Submitted by Imran Mulla on Thu, 03/05/2026 - 10:29 Drone hit a hangar used by American U-2 spy planes on Sunday, causing tensions between the UK and Cyprus Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer at a cabinet meeting at Downing Street in London, on 24 February 2026 (AFP) Off A drone which hit Britain 's Royal Air Force Akrotiri base in Cyprus was not launched from Iran as many had initially assumed, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has revealed. Officials reportedly believe the "Shahed-type drone" evaded detection by flying low and slow on Sunday. It hit a hangar used by American U-2 spy planes and burst into flames.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard say they hit 20 US military sites in Gulf Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its forces have carried out attacks against multiple US military locations across the Gulf. In a statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had inflicted significant damage on 20 American military targets. The group said the strikes targeted US facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
Iranian warship hit by US torpedo did not carry ammunition, say Indian sources Submitted by Peter McNamara on Thu, 03/05/2026 - 09:53 The ship was reported to be taking part in naval exercises hosted by New Delhi and was 'defenceless' Iran's sunken frigate IRIS Dena taking part in a naval exercise in the Gulf of Oman in 2024 (Iranian Army office/AFP) Off An Iranian warship destroyed in a US torpedo strike on Wednesday was "defenceless" and participating in an international naval exercise as a guest of the Indian navy, according to reports. Former Indian Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal said “the Iranian ship will not be where it was if we had not invited it to talk [sic] part in our Milan exercise”. Sibal added that because it was taking part in an exercise “it was defenceless”.
Drone debris injures six after interceptions over Abu Dhabi Six people have been injured after debris from intercepted drones fell in parts of Abu Dhabi, according to the emirate’s media office. In a statement posted on X, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said authorities responded to falling debris at two locations in the Industrial City area, known as ICAD II. Officials said air defence systems had intercepted the drones before the fragments landed in the district.
Iranian drones hit passenger terminal of Azerbaijan airport Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Thu, 03/05/2026 - 10:46 Strike in Nakhchivan marks first spillover from Iran into northern neighbour Off Iranian drones struck the passenger terminal of an airport in Azerbaijan, marking the first instance of the country's conflict spilling over into its northern neighbour. The airport is located Nakhchivan near the border with Iran. The Azerbaijani foreign ministry said "retaliatory measures" were being planned.
Iraqi Kurdish region says it is not part of regional war escalation The Kurdistan Regional Government in northern Iraq says it is not involved in any effort to widen the war or inflame tensions across the region, Retuers reported. A spokesperson for the Kurdistan Regional Government said the administration is not participating in any campaign that could expand the conflict.
France authorises US forces to use bases amid its war on Iran France has authorised United States forces to use French military bases during the conflict involving Iran, according to a report by BFMTV. The broadcaster said the decision would allow US armed forces access to facilities on French territory as the war continues to expand across the region. Officials at the French Ministry of Armed Forces did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report.
Russia says Iran has not requested military aid Russia says Iran has not asked Moscow for military assistance since the United States and Israel began striking the country last week. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow had received no such request from Tehran.
Explosions rock skies over Doha as air defences intercept missiles Multiple explosions are being heard across the skies above Qatar’s capital, Doha, as air defence systems respond to an apparent missile attack. Blasts have continued to echo over the city, with repeated detonations reported closer to central districts. The Qatar Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems are intercepting incoming missiles.
Turkey says PJAK militants threaten Iran and regional stability Turkey says it is closely monitoring the activities of the Kurdish militant group PJAK, warning that its operations risk undermining Iran’s security and wider regional stability. Officials in Ankara made the remarks on Thursday amid reports that Iranian Kurdish armed groups have held discussions with the United States about the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran. According to sources cited earlier this week, Iranian Kurdish militias have consulted with Washington on whether - and how - they might target Iranian security forces in the country’s western regions, Reuters reported.
Italy plans air defence aid to Gulf following expansion of Israeli-US war Italy plans to provide air defence support to Gulf countries as a result of the ongoing Israeli-US war on the Iran, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has said. Speaking to RTL 102. 5 on Thursday, Meloni said Rome would join other European powers in assisting regional partners.
Report: Iranian missiles, drones fall nearby Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Airport Missiles and drones flying from Iran fell nearby the Nakhchivan International Airport, according to Reuters based on a source close to the Azerbaijani government.
Pentagon prepares for Israeli-US war on Iran that could last until September: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 03/05/2026 - 07:47 A conflict expected to last 'weeks' is now stretching into months and threatening to dominate Donald Trump’s presidency A man holds an Iranian flag amid the debris of a destroyed building following airstrikes in central Tehran on March 4, 2026. (AFP) Off The Pentagon is rushing to expand intelligence operations as Washington prepares for a prolonged war on Iran launched alongside Israel , with military planning now stretching well into the autumn. A report by the US outlet Politico on Wednesday revealed that US Central Command has asked the Pentagon to deploy additional military intelligence officers to its headquarters in Tampa, Florida.
