Saudi Arabia downs 10 drones over eastern region, ministry says Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry said its air defences intercepted and shot down 10 drones over the country’s eastern region within the past hour. The announcement was made by the ministry’s spokesperson as authorities continued monitoring aerial threats. Officials did not immediately provide details on where the drones originated or whether any damage was reported.
Israeli media says 33 wounded in Iranian strike in Galilee At least 33 people were wounded in an attack on a building in the Galilee region of northern Israel, according to Israel’s Channel 12. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene as rescue teams treated the wounded. Authorities said the number of injured rose as more victims were found during response operations.
Iran-backed group says it shot down US refuelling aircraft in western Iraq The Islamic Resistance in Iraq (IRI) claimed responsibility for downing a US KC-135 refuelling aircraft in western Iraq. In a statement on its Telegram channel, the IRI, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions, said it targeted the aircraft with air defence systems, causing it to crash. The claim contradicts US Central Command (CENTCOM), which reported on Thursday that two aircraft were involved in an incident in “friendly airspace”.
Macron says French officer killed, several wounded in Iraq's Erbil French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said a chief warrant officer was killed and several other French soldiers were wounded in an attack in Iraq’s Erbil region. “Several of our soldiers have been wounded. France stands by their side and with their loved ones,” he said in a post on X.
UN experts say US-Israel attack on Iran, Lebanon violates international law Twelve independent United Nations human rights experts have condemned the ongoing US and Israeli military assaults on Iran and Lebanon, calling them “flagrant violations of international law. ” In a joint statement, the experts warned that the conflict risks expanding into a wider regional war, "engulfing the wider region in catastrophic armed violence and threatens to set yet another precedent of total impunity for some of the world’s strongest military powers. " “[The US] and Israel should stop waging and expanding wars, and considering themselves as above international legality,” said the experts, who included Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Envoy for the occupied Palestinian territory.
IRGC says 44th missile wave launched against Israel, US bases Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched the 44th wave of missile attacks as part of Operation True Promise 4. The group said the strikes targeted Israel and US military positions across the region. According to the IRGC, the barrage included Khorramshahr, Kheibar Shekan, Fatah and Emad missiles and was aimed at locations including Kiryat Shmona, Haifa and US bases, including those linked to the US Fifth Fleet.
Israeli strikes kill six in south Lebanon, health ministry says Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least six people, Lebanon’s Public Health Ministry reported on Thursday. Three people were killed in the town of Ain Ebel during an Israeli bombardment, the country’s National News Agency said. Three more people were killed in the town of Barish in the Tyre district as Israeli forces intensified strikes across southern Lebanon.
Coordinated Iran-Lebanon missile attack targets Israel, local media reports Missiles were launched simultaneously toward Israel from Iran and Lebanon in a coordinated attack, Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported. The report said the barrage targeted northern Israel, triggering air-raid sirens across several communities. Israeli air-defence systems intercepted projectiles fired from Lebanon, the report said, while authorities assessed the impact of missiles launched from Iran.
Over 250 US groups urge Congress to halt Iran war funding More than 250 organisations have signed a letter urging the US Congress to halt funding for the US-Israel war on Iran, arguing that the conflict is diverting billions of dollars from urgent domestic needs. Co-president of Public Citizen, Robert Weissman, said, “More money for the Pentagon will serve to extend and escalate an illegal, unpopular, and devastating war – as well as pave the way for still more Pentagon funding requests. " “The $11.
Evening recap Good evening, Middle East Eye readers. Events are still unfolding rapidly across the Middle East, so here's a quick recap: Iran says commercial vessels can still transit the Strait of Hormuz provided they coordinate their passage with Iranian naval forces. US President Donald Trump has suggested Iran’s national football team should not take part in the upcoming 2026 Fifa World Cup in North America, suggesting that their safety could not be guaranteed.
Iran team condemns Trump over World Cup threats Iran national football team has pushed back against remarks by US President Donald Trump suggesting it would not be “appropriate” for Iran to take part in this year’s 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a statement, the team stressed that the global tournament is governed by FIFA rather than any individual country. “The World Cup is a historic and international event and its governing body is FIFA — not any individual country.
Who threatens the Arab world: Iran or the US and Israel? or the past month, US President Donald Trump and his secretaries of state and of war have emphasised a vision of the United States as a white Christian European nation at war with the non-Christian, non-white world. It was therefore unsurprising that, before they attacked Iran on 28 February, American commanders reportedly told their troops that this was a war for " Armageddon " and would bring about the "return of Jesus".
Qatar condemns Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon Qatar has condemned Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon and called on the international community to intervene. In a statement, the Qatari foreign ministry said the attacks must stop and urged global actors to pressure Israel to halt its repeated operations in Lebanon. “We strongly condemn the Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon.
Israeli strike in Sidon kills nine, including five children An Israeli air strike on the town of Arki in southern Lebanon has killed at least nine people, including five children, according to the country’s health authorities. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health said the attack targeted the area near Sidon and also left seven others wounded.
Exclusive: Sole Muslim woman on Trump religious committee resigning in protest Submitted by Yasmine El-Sabawi on Thu, 03/12/2026 - 19:31 Sameerah Munshi's decision follows White House's firing of Carrie Prejean-Boller, who insisted Catholicism and Zionism are not compatible Sameerah Munshi speaks at the Baccalaureate Ceremony at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island on 31 May 2023 (supplied) Off The only Muslim woman on US President Donald Trump's religious freedom committee is resigning, Middle East Eye can reveal. Sameerah Munshi served on the Advisory Board of Lay Leaders on the Religious Liberties Commission , and is leaving the role "in protest" of the White House's decision to remove anti-Zionist Catholic commissioner Carrie Prejean-Boller from the panel, her resignation letter, seen by MEE on Thursday, said. Prejean-Boller revealed on X on Thursday that the president, who appoints all the commissioners, has now fired her for what she believes is her stand against genocide committed by Israel in Gaza, and her pushback against those who call her antisemitic for her anti-Zionist views.
Iran urges citizens across Middle East to report locations of US troops The intelligence arm of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has urged people across the region to report the locations of US troops, according to remarks carried by Tasnim News Agency. The statement said that thousands of US personnel are staying in hotels and private accommodation and said that Washington was attempting to “use our Arab brothers as human shields”. “We are forced to identify and target the Americans.
US launches rescue operation after military aircraft downed in Iraq The United States Central Command says it has launched rescue operations after losing a military aircraft in “friendly airspace” over Iraq during the ongoing war with Iran. In a statement, the command said two aircraft were involved in the incident. “Two aircraft were involved in the incident.
Trump administration under attack from all sides for flip-flopping on Iran war The Trump administration is under fire on the left and right for flip-flopping on the cost of high energy prices to American consumers and Iran’s threat to national security, as it attempts to downplay the costs of the war on Iran. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denied that Iran posed a threat to the US "homeland" when she criticised an ABC News article that said the FBI warned Iran might strike the coast of California with drones. “No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did,” Leavitt wrote on X.
Six French soldiers wounded in drone attack near Erbil Six troops from France have been wounded in a drone strike in the Erbil region of Iraq, according to the French army. The soldiers were taking part in training exercises with Iraqi partners when the attack occurred. In a statement, the military said the injured personnel were taken immediately to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
Trump administration under attack from all sides for flip-flopping on Iran war Submitted by Sean Mathews on Thu, 03/12/2026 - 21:00 Administration slammed on the left and the right for downplaying Iran's alleged threat to US and benefits of high energy prices US President Donald Trump speaks during a Women's History Month event in the East Room of the White House on 12 March 2026, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/AFP) Off The Trump administration is under fire on the left and right for flip-flopping on the cost of high energy prices to American consumers and Iran’s threat to national security, as it attempts to downplay the costs of the war on Iran. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denied that Iran posed a threat to the US "homeland" when she criticised an ABC News article that said the FBI warned Iran might strike the coast of California with drones. “No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did,” Leavitt wrote on X.
