Israeli attack kills two, 15 wounded in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley At least two people have been killed and 15 wounded in an Israeli air strike on the town of Sahmar in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported, citing the country's health ministry.
Second US Air Force plane crashed in Persian Gulf region, report says A second US Air Force combat plane crashed in the Persian Gulf region on Friday and its only pilot was then rescued, the New York Times reported, citing two US officials.
Tehran rejected 48-hour ceasefire proposal from US, Iranian media, citing source, says An unnamed source told Iran's semi-official Fars news agency on Friday that Tehran had rejected a US proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire. The source said the proposal was made on Wednesday through another country, which was not named. There was no immediate comment or confirmation from the US.
Italian prime minister begins visit to Saudi Arabia during Gulf tour Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni began a surprise visit to Saudi Arabia on Friday as part of a Gulf tour to boost "national energy security", a government source said, as the war on Iran rages. Meloni began her unannounced trip in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, the source said, adding that she was the first leader of a European Union or Nato country to visit the region since the war began on 28 February. The source said the far-right premier would meet officials from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, though it was not immediately clear whether she would also visit those two countries.
In photos: Maronite Christian worshippers mark Good Friday in Lebanon A scout carries the icon of the Virgin Mary during a Good Friday procession near the Saint Maroun Church in the Shiyah neighbourhood of Beirut's southeastern suburbs, on 3 April 2026 (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP) Lebanese Maronite Christi
One dead after debris from intercepted attack hits Abu Dhabi gas site One Egyptian citizen was killed and four people suffered minor injuries after debris from an intercepted attack fell on Abu Dhabi's Habshan gas facilities on Friday, Abu Dhabi's media office said. The Egyptian was killed during the evacuation of the site, while four others - two Egyptians and two Pakistanis - sustained minor injuries, the media office said. "Significant damage has occurred at the facilities and an assessment is ongoing," it added.
US embassy says Iran, aligned groups may 'target' universities in Lebanon The US embassy in Lebanon said on Friday that Iran and allied groups could seek to target universities in the country. Among other universities, Lebanon is home to the American University of Beirut, one of the most prominent US institutions in the region, whose campus and hospital are in the heart of the capital.
Israeli attack injures six people in northern Gaza An Israeli strike injured six civilians in the Abu Sharkh area, north of Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, according to the Wafa news agency. The injured were taken to Al-Shifa Medical Complex, the report said.
Iran still maintains half its missile launchers and drones, US assessment finds: Report Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 04/03/2026 - 16:31 This comes as Iran's targeting has also grown more precise, leading to the downing of a US jet on Friday Israeli emergency personnel survey the damage after Iranian missiles struck Petah Tikva, Israel, on 2 April 2026 (Ammar Awad/Reuters) Off More than a month into the joint US-Israeli war on Iran , the Iranian military is still in possession of about half of its missile launchers and half of its suicide drones, a US intelligence assessment said, first reported by CNN on Thursday. The assessment flies in the face of the language of obliteration that US President Donald Trump and the Israeli government have often used to describe Iran's capabilities, from the opening days of the war until as recently as Wednesday. The scale at which Iran has launched retaliatory attacks against US assets and key resources in the Gulf has certainly decreased by at least half since early last month, based on figures provided by the Pentagon, as well as Middle East Eye's sources in the region.
Iran war: Why US allies are suffering more than its enemies Submitted by Marco Carnelos on Fri, 04/03/2026 - 17:03 Europe and Asia are bearing the brunt of the ongoing conflict, as global oil and gas supplies are plunged into turmoil An out-of-order note is displayed on a petrol pump at a gas station in Lutterbach, eastern France, on 1 April 2026 (Sebastien Bozon/AFP) Off In war, economic consequences often follow a logic distinct from military objectives. The unprovoked and illegal US - Israeli attack on Iran that began on 28 February is a striking case study. Among the several objectives raised by the two aggressors - goals, incidentally, that have constantly shifted - the desire to weaken Tehran has appeared among the more pressing.
Three killed in strike on residential area in Tehran At least three people have been killed in an attack targeting a residential area north of Tehran, Iran’s Mehr news agency reported. More than 1,900 people have been killed since the US-Israeli air strikes on Iran began on 28 February, and more than 21,000 injured, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Turkey continuing talks to stop Iran war spiralling, Erdogan tells Putin Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin by phone on Friday that Turkey was maintaining contacts with all parties to stop the Iran war spiralling more out of control, Erdogan's office said. It cited Erdogan as telling Putin that Turkey does not approve of the attacks against Iran, nor does it endorse Iran's retaliation against regional countries. Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan speaks after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Turkey, 9 March, 2026.
One of the American crew members shot down in Iran has been rescued, report says One of the American crew members on the plane that was shot down in Iran was rescued alive, Israel's Channel 12 reported, citing an Israeli official. The report said the search continues for another crew member who was on the plane.
Can the Christian Palestinian population survive Israel’s occupation? Submitted by Aaya Al-Shamahi on Fri, 04/03/2026 - 16:32 As the world prepares for Easter, many Palestinian Christians are being blocked from reaching their holy sites as Israeli restrictions tighten further amid the war with Iran. Israel has long restricted access for Palestinian worshippers in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Qatar says multiple Iranian drone attacks ‘intercepted’ The defence ministry says Qatar has been targeted “by a number of drones launched from Iran”, adding that all of the drones have been “successfully intercepted and neutralised”. تعلن وزارة الدفاع القطرية عن تعرض دولة قطر لهجوم بعدد من الطائرات المسيّرة من إيران، اليوم الجمعة، ونجحت قواتنا المسلحة "بفضل من الله" بالتصدي لجميع الطائرات المسيّرة. حفظ الله قطر وأميرها وشعبها والمقيمين على أرضها.
Three tankers, including one Japanese-owned, cross Strait of Hormuz near Oman Three tankers, including one co-owned by a Japanese company, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday by hugging close to Oman's shore, a rare transit route as Iran maintains a chokehold on the key war-torn passageway. Before the war which started more than a month ago, about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas passed through the Strait, but that has dwindled to a trickle as Iran selectively attacks ships and energy facilities throughout the Gulf in retaliation against US and Israeli attacks. The near closing of the international artery has led to fuel shortages and soaring energy prices across the globe.
Seven rockets fired from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel, report says Seven rockets have been fired from southern Lebanon toward northern Israel, Al Jazeera reported. The Israeli Home Front Command said sirens sounded in Nahariya and parts of the Western Galilee following the launches.
US confirms downed aircraft is F-15E After previous reports suggested a fighter jet that was downed in Iran on Friday was an F-35, US authorities have now confirmed the plane was an F-15E. Both jets are considered fighter aircraft and both were developed for the US by defense contractor firms McDonnell Douglas and Lockheed Martin. The F-15E is understood to be considerably faster and handles larger payloads designed to strike and withdraw as quickly as possible, while the F-35 is slower and generally considered to be used for more stealthy missions.
Over 100 legal experts declare strikes on Iran possible war crimes Over 100 US -based legal experts and practitioners have signed a letter declaring the war launched by President Donald Trump, jointly with Israel, on Iran a violation of international law, with the strikes potentially constituting war crimes. The letter emphasised that the war was illegal from its very beginning on 28 February. “The initiation of the campaign was a clear violation of the United Nations Charter, and the conduct of United States forces since, as well as statements made by senior government officials, raise serious concerns about violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including potential war crimes,” said the letter.
Blindfolded Palestinian used to advertise Israeli business in photo Submitted by Fleur Hargreaves on Fri, 04/03/2026 - 13:41 Image of man detained in occupied West Bank holding business sign fuels anger online Israeli soldiers detain a different Palestinian man during a military operation in the town of Qalqiya, in the occupied West Bank, on 4 December 2025 (Zain Jaafer/AFP) Off An Israeli soldier has shared a photo online in which he appears to use a blindfolded Palestinian man to advertise a private business. The image, which has circulated widely on social media, shows a Palestinian father who was reportedly detained by Israeli forces during a raid on his home in the occupied West Bank. He is seen blindfolded and holding a sign bearing the Instagram handle @shilo_jewlry, alongside the words “Happy Passover” in Hebrew.
