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.
Bahrain says air defences shot down 74 missiles and 95 drones Bahrain’s military says its air defence systems have intercepted dozens of missiles and drones since the start of the latest Israeli-US war on Iran. The Bahrain Defence Force said its forces have destroyed 74 missiles and 95 drones targeting the country since the beginning of what it described as the aggression. Officials said air defence units have continued to track and intercept incoming aerial threats as regional tensions intensify.
Labour Together: How McSweeney's shadowy think tank went to 'war' against journalists Submitted by Fleur Hargreaves on Fri, 02/27/2026 - 13:49 MPs, civil liberties groups and journalists warn of implications for press freedom after think tank's alleged smear campaign against journalists Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at the 2025 Global Progress Action Summit in central London on 26 September 2025 (Niklas Halle'n/AFP) Off Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons resigned last weekend following a scandal in which he reportedly paid a PR firm £36,000 ($48,000) to investigate journalists from The Sunday Times and other outlets looking into undeclared donations funding the think tank he headed, Labour Together. His actions have sparked concerns amongst politicians, journalists and civil liberties campaigners about the use of intimidation tactics by those close to government to stifle press freedom. Julie Posetti, chair of Centre for Journalism and Democracy at City St George’s, told Middle East Eye that the actions of Labour Together and the PR firm it worked with, "in effect represent a threat to media freedom in the UK ”.
Spain’s Sanchez says world cannot solve crises with bombs We have more comments from the Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez, who said the international community cannot resolve major crises through warfare or bombing campaigns, in reference to the US-Israeli war on Iran. "The position of the Spanish government can be summarised in four words: 'No to the war,'" he said, insisting the stance reflects a consistent policy rather than political opportunism. Sanchez also appeared to address recent trade threats from US President Donald Trump, stressing that Madrid would not shift its position under pressure.
Spain warns Trump’s Middle East war risks ‘Russian roulette with millions’ Spain’s prime minister has warned that the expanding war in the Middle East could trigger catastrophic consequences, as tensions rise between Madrid and Washington over the conflict. Pedro Sanchez criticised the escalation on Wednesday, speaking after Donald Trump threatened to cut trade ties with Spain over its stance. In a televised address to the nation, Sanchez warned of the dangers posed by the widening confrontation.
Israel declares tenth wave of attacks in Tehran The Israeli army announced a new series of attacks on Iran, with the air force now beginning a "broad wave of strikes" targeting Tehran.
France plans repatriation flights from Middle East France will organise several evacuation flights on Wednesday to bring home its citizens from the Middle East, Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barrot has said. Speaking to France 2, Barrot said the government had arranged multiple departures from key regional locations. "One will depart from the United Arab Emirates, another from Egypt...
Sri Lanka rescues 30 onboard sinking Iranian vessel The Sri Lankan military has rescued at least 30 people on board a sinking Iranian ship nearby the countries waters, according to foreign minister Vijitha Herath. Herath indicated that Colombo would take appropriate action regarding the Iris Dena ship, which had 180 crew members on board when a distress call was issued on Wednesday morning. The foreign minister added that two Sri Lankan Navy ships and an aircraft were deployed to rescue the 30 injured sailors.
Rights group says over 1,000 civilians killed in Iran since Israeli-US attacks began 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. The organisation said the toll includes 181 children under the age of 10. Human Rights Activists News Agency added that investigators are still examining hundreds of additional deaths and injuries reported from across the country.
Israel deploys troops west of Lebanon border The Israeli army said it has deployed the 146th Division to a mission west of the Lebanese border for the first time since May last year.
Israel Katz vows to 'eliminate' Iran's upper echelon Israel's defense minister has indicated that every Iranian leader will be "an unequivocal target" for assassination. "The Prime Minister and I have instructed the IDF to prepare and act by all means to carry out the mission as an integral part of the objectives of Operation 'Lion's Roar'," Israel Katz said in a post on X. He vowed to act with full force, adding that together with the US, Israel aims to "crush the regime's capabilities and create the conditions for the Iranian people to overthrow it and replace it".
Israeli strike hits Beirut’s southern suburbs An Israeli air strike has targeted the Hadath area in Beirut’s southern suburbs, according to Al Jazeera’s correspondent on the ground. There were no immediate details on casualties or the extent of the damage following the strike.
Iran to hold farewell ceremony for assassinated leader Khamenei in Tehran Iran will hold a public farewell ceremony for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran on Wednesday evening, according to state media. Authorities said the gathering will begin at 10pm local time (18:30 GMT) at the Imam Khomeini Mosalla, a major prayer complex in the Iranian capital often used for large national events. State media reported that the memorial ceremonies will continue for three days, allowing mourners to pay their respects.
Ongoing Israeli assault on Lebanon, death toll rises to at least five Israeli war planes have launched attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs, as the army continues to issue threats in various parts of Lebanon. The National News Agency warned that the city has received various expulsion orders from the Israeli military, including in the Hadath and Haret Hreik neighbourhood. Elsewhere in the country, a number of people were wounded in Israeli strikes on the towns of Shaqra and Jmeijmeh in the southern city of Tyre.
Iran confirms fresh wave of attacks against Israeli, US targets Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the launch of over 40 missiles in its 17th torrent of attacks on American and Israeli targets.
Drone shot down near Baghdad airport Iraqi security forces shot down a drone near Baghdad’s international airport on Wednesday, a day after a similar attempted attack targeted the same facility, security sources told AFP. “A drone was downed near Baghdad airport, with no casualties or material damage reported,” an Iraqi security source said. Another security official in the capital confirmed the incident.
Morning recap Good morning, Middle East Eye readers. Events are still unfolding rapidly across the Middle East, so here's a quick recap: Iran's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva on Tuesday cast doubt on the "usefulness" of talks with the US. "For the time being we are very doubtful about the usefulness of negotiation," Ali Bahreini, ambassador of the Iranian mission to the UN in Geneva, told reporters.
Iran says it controls Strait of Hormuz: Report Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says it has taken control of the Strait of Hormuz, warning that ships moving through the strategic waterway could face missile or drone attacks. The strait - one of the world’s most critical routes for oil and gas shipments - has become a focal point of the conflict following the US-Israeli war on Iran. “Currently, the Strait of Hormuz is under the complete control of the Islamic Republic's Navy,” said Mohammad Akbarzadeh, an official in the naval arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in a statement carried by Fars News Agency.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards announce 'complete control' of Hormuz Strait Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps indicated that they have full control over the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for oil and gas, warning that any vessel seeking to pass through it risk attacks. "Currently, the Strait of Hormuz is under the complete control of the Islamic Republic's Navy," said Mohammad Akbarzadeh, the guards navy official, said in a statement issued on the Fars news agency.