Hegseth confirms US sinking of Iranian warship off Sri Lanka coast US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has confirmed that the US military sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka, calling it the first sinking of an enemy ship by torpedo since World War Two. "An American submarine sunk an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters. Instead, it was sunk by a torpedo.
Turkey says Iranian missile over its airspace destroyed by Nato defences Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 14:40 Ankara warns it reserves the 'right to respond to any hostile actions' The southern Turkish port city of Iskenderun, in Hatay province, on 6 August 2022 (Omar Haj Kadour/AFP) Off Nato air defence systems have shot down an Iranian ballistic missile heading into Turkish airspace, the Turkish defence ministry said on Wednesday. The ministry said the missile had crossed Iraqi and Syrian airspace and was "neutralised in a timely manner" by Nato's air and missile defences deployed in the eastern Mediterranean. "The fragment of the missile that fell in Dortyol district of Hatay province has been identified as belonging to the air defence missile that intercepted the threat in the air," the ministry said.
Armed Iranian Kurds weigh role in potential US-backed ground assault Submitted by Wladimir van Wilgenburg on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 13:19 Opposition groups neither confirm nor deny possible advance as Washington remains undecided A person carries a flag of Kurdistan as people demonstrate on International Mother Language Day in Qamishli, Syria, 21 February 2026 (Reuters/Orhan Qereman) Off Iranian Kurdish opposition groups have neither confirmed nor denied reports of a possible ground advance from Iraq into western Iran amid the ongoing US-Israeli war . Despite reports that Washington is considering backing an opposition-led assault, the White House has yet to take a final decision on its next move, sources have told Middle East Eye. A source within the Komala party, which has waged an insurgency against the Iranian state for decades, told MEE that it was the "right time now" to return to their hometowns after 47 years in exile.
UK: Piers Morgan says pro-Israel lawyer suing him for defamation Submitted by MEE staff on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 11:58 Natasha Hausdorff, legal director of the pro-Israel group UK Lawyers for Israel, appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored last June Piers Morgan grills pro-Israel lawyer Natasha Hausdorff on his YouTube programme Piers Morgan Uncensored on 3 June 2025 (X/screengrab) Off A pro- Israel lawyer is suing British presenter Piers Morgan for defamation over an interview on his YouTube show. Natasha Hausdorff, legal director of pro-Israel legal group UK Lawyers for Israel, sparred with Morgan on his programme Piers Morgan Uncensored in June 2025. During the interview, Morgan challenged Hausdorff after she said “every second house” Israeli forces encountered in Rafah was Hamas “terror infrastructure".
Hezbollah says it targeted military base near Tel Aviv with drone swarm Hezbollah said it has targeted an Israeli military base near Tel Aviv in central Israel and a naval base in Haifa in the north with swarms of attack drones. The announcements came shortly after Israel activated air raid sirens following what it said were launches from Iran and Lebanon. The Israeli military said "several launches...
Israel army says two soldiers injured by anti-tank fire in south Lebanon The Israeli military said anti-tank fire in south Lebanon injured two of its soldiers on Wednesday, after Hezbollah said it had struck two Israeli military vehicles. "Earlier today, two... soldiers were moderately injured as a result of an anti-tank fire toward [Israeli] troops operating in southern Lebanon," the military said in a statement, adding they had been taken to hospital for treatment.
Greens, Your Party and Labour backbenchers build anti-war alliance in parliament Submitted by Imran Mulla on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 11:15 Jeremy Corbyn has tabled parliamentary bill that would require parliament's approval for foreign use of British military bases A view of the House of Commons on 3 March 2026 (AFP) Off As fears grow of Britain becoming embroiled in the US-Israeli attack on Iran , an anti-war coalition is taking shape in parliament. The alliance is between the resurgent Green Party, the new left-wing Your Party, the parliamentary Independent Alliance of independent MPs and Labour backbenchers. Jeremy Corbyn, former Labour leader and parliamentary leader of the new Your Party, on Thursday tabled a parliamentary bill with cross-party backing that would require parliament's approval for the foreign use of British military bases.
Israel orders civilians in half of southern Lebanon to leave Submitted by Heba Nasser on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 13:17 The expulsion order covers the largest area since hostilities began on Monday Displaced people gather at a school-turned-shelter, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the U. S. -Israeli conflict with Iran, in Beirut, 3 March 2026 (Reuters/Mohamed Azakir) Off Israel ordered residents of half of southern Lebanon to leave their homes on Wednesday as its military expanded air strikes and pushed ground forces deeper into the country.
Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, possible successor to his father as Iran's supreme leader? Submitted by Alex MacDonald on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 09:30 As officials in Iran meet to decide on a new ruler, the son of Ali Khamenei has been touted as a frontrunner Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, attends a parade marking al-Quds (Jerusalem) International Day in Tehran in 2019 (Reuters) Off Following the death of Iran 's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the rumour mill has gone into overdrive about his potential successor. With the Assembly of Experts reportedly in session to decide on the new ruler - despite their buildings still coming under US - Israeli attack - one name that has circulated is that of Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late leader.
Afternoon recap Good afternoon, Middle East Eye readers. Events are still unfolding rapidly across the Middle East, so here's a quick recap: Iran At least 1,097 civilians have been killed across Iran since the Israeli-US war began, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. Iranian media say at least five people have been killed after overnight attacks struck Isfahan province in central Iran.
US troops were told Iran war 'anointed by Jesus' to bring on Armageddon, watchdog says US commanders from every arm of the military have told their units that the war on Iran is “anointed by Jesus” and would bring about his return to Earth as part of the "Armageddon", resulting in scores of complaints from serving members of the military. The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), an organisation dedicated to ensuring that all members of the US military are guaranteed religious freedom, told Middle East Eye on Tuesday that it had received more than 200 similar complaints from personnel serving in the army, navy, air force, marine corps, and space force. The complaints received by the MRFF, first reported by journalist Jonathan Larsen , have come from more than 40 units and span at least 30 military installations.
Turkey intercepts Iranian missile heading towards country Turkish armed forces have intercepted an Iranian missile over the country's southern province of Hatay, according to the Turkish defence ministry. The ministry said the missile entered Hatay’s airspace before defence systems shot it down. Officials did not immediately release further details about the launch or where the missile was headed.
Sri Lanka recovers bodies after Iranian frigate sinks Sri Lanka’s navy says it has recovered several bodies after an Iranian naval vessel sank off the country’s southern coast following a reported explosion. Navy spokesperson Buddhika Sampath said search teams located bodies near the area where the ship went down. "We have found a few bodies from the area where the ship had gone down," Sampath told reporters in Colombo, adding that rescue crews were continuing to search for additional victims.
UAE, Qatar intercept missiles and drones The United Arab Emirates and Qatar say their air defence systems have intercepted missiles and drones launched from Iran as the Israeli-US war drags neighbouring countries into the conflict. The UAE Ministry of Defence said its forces shot down three ballistic missiles and 121 drones targeting the country. Officials added that eight drones fell inside Emirati territory.
Why Yemen’s Houthis are hesitating to join Iran war, for now Submitted by Saeed Al-Batati on Wed, 03/04/2026 - 09:26 Analysts say the movement is likely to escalate if it deems Iran to be facing an existential threat A person walks with an Iranian flag during a protest against Israeli and the US strikes on Iran, following the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in Sanaa, 1 March 2026 (Reuters/Khaled Abdullah) Off Yemen ’s Houthi movement is likely to intervene sooner or later in support of Tehran, but the timing and scale of any involvement will depend on how the conflict between Iran , the US and Israel unfolds, analysts say. If the Houthis conclude that Iran, their main backer, is losing ground or facing an existential threat, they are likely to escalate militarily, according to observers. “The Houthis are still studying the situation and will make their decision based on the challenges facing Iran,” Fatehi bin Lazreq, editor of the Aden al-Ghad newspaper, told Middle East Eye.
At least 65,000 displaced after Israeli strikes on Lebanon: Report Lebanon’s social affairs minister says tens of thousands of people have fled their homes after recent Israeli strikes, with many now seeking shelter across the country. Haneen Sayed told Al Jazeera that about 65,000 people have already registered at shelters set up for those displaced by the attacks. She said thousands more remain unregistered as they move between locations or stay with relatives and friends.
Saudi Arabia intercepts drone targeting oil refinery Saudi Arabia says its air defences have intercepted a drone targeting the Ras Tanura oil refinery on the kingdom’s Gulf coast. The country’s defence ministry said the unmanned aircraft attempted to strike the major energy facility but was stopped before causing damage. “Initial estimates indicate that the attack was carried out by a drone and did not result in any damage,” the ministry said in a statement posted on X.
Nine explosions reported east of Tehran: Report Multiple explosions have been reported east of the Iranian capital, according to state-linked media. Mehr News Agency said nine successive blasts were heard in areas east of Tehran.
Eight hospitals hit since start of war: Report Iran has reported that eight hospitals have been struck since the war began, accusing Israel and the United States of violating international law. A spokesperson for the Iranian government told Al Jazeera that medical facilities had come under attack during the ongoing bombardment. “Eight hospitals have been attacked since the start of the war, in violation of international law.
Five killed in overnight strikes on Iran’s Isfahan Iranian media say at least five people have been killed after overnight attacks struck Isfahan province in central Iran. Reports said the strikes hit the region late at night, with casualties confirmed following the bombardment. Iranian outlets described the assault as part the ongoing Israeli-US war on the country.
