Bahrain and Iraq have kept their airspace closed, leading to a temporary suspension of flights through Bahrain International Airport. The closure has caused major disruptions to international flight schedules, particularly on routes between Asia and Europe, as airlines are forced to take longer alternative paths.

The closures follow escalating tensions in the Middle East after recent retaliatory attacks involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which have made the region’s skies highly unsafe. Earlier, Kuwait, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates had also announced partial or full airspace closures due to the same security concerns.

Hundreds of flights to and through the Middle East have already been canceled. Aviation experts warn that if the conflict continues, global airfares and cargo transport costs could rise sharply. Authorities in the affected countries are closely monitoring the situation, and flights are unlikely to resume until full safety is ensured.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reported that an oil tanker named ‘Prima’ was struck by a drone while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The announcement was made through a statement shared on Telegram, where the IRGC reiterated that it had repeatedly warned against vessel movement through the strait, declaring the area off-limits.

According to the IRGC, ships belonging to countries maintaining friendly relations with what it called ‘enemy nations’ are also being barred from crossing the strait. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical energy transport routes, carrying nearly one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies. Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has already brought maritime traffic in the area to a near standstill.

Earlier in the week, Iran had warned that any ship attempting to pass through the region could be set on fire. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. Navy could escort vessels through the strait if necessary.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) headquarters, Khatam al-Anbiya, stated that the country respects the national interests and sovereignty of its neighboring states. However, it warned that if attacks on Iran continue, U.S. and Israeli military bases and interests across the region would become targets. The statement was reported by Al Jazeera.

The IRGC’s declaration followed remarks by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who said the country’s interim leadership council had decided that no attacks would be launched on neighboring states unless they initiated aggression against Iran. The IRGC reiterated through state media that Iran’s armed forces have not taken any aggressive action against neighboring countries so far.

The statement added a clear warning that continued hostile acts would prompt Iran’s armed forces to deliver powerful and destructive strikes against U.S. and Israeli military assets on land, sea, and air throughout the region.

Bloomberg, citing a US official, reported that Iran has destroyed a $300 million radar system in Jordan that was crucial for operating the United States’ missile defense network in the Gulf region. The radar, part of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, was located at Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base. Satellite imagery analyzed by CNN showed that the RTX Corporation’s AN/TPY-2 radar, along with its batteries and support equipment, was destroyed early in the conflict. A US official later confirmed the destruction of the equipment.

According to Bloomberg, the United States operates eight THAAD missile defense systems worldwide, including in South Korea and Guam. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that each THAAD battery costs about one billion dollars, with roughly $300 million allocated for the radar component. The loss of the radar could weaken the region’s ability to counter future attacks, as it played a key role in the US missile defense network.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for a drone attack on the Al Dhafra air base in the United Arab Emirates, according to a report by Al Jazeera citing Iran’s state-run Tasnim news agency. The report stated that the strike targeted a US satellite communication center, an early warning radar, and a fire control radar at the base.

As of the time of reporting, the United Arab Emirates has not issued any official comment regarding the alleged attack. The incident comes amid ongoing regional tensions and follows previous Iranian claims of drone and missile strikes on US military installations across the Gulf region, with Al Dhafra base repeatedly identified as one of the targets.

The latest claim underscores heightened friction between Iran and US-aligned Gulf states, though independent verification of the reported strike or its impact was not available from the source.

The head of Iran’s Red Crescent Society, Pirhossein Kolivand, has claimed that 65 schools and 13 centers affiliated with the organization were targeted in attacks allegedly carried out by Israel and the United States. According to a report by BBC News Farsi cited in the statement, the strikes affected multiple regions across Iran.

Kolivand stated that a total of 6,668 civilian units were hit, including 5,535 residential and 1,041 commercial buildings. He added that several Red Crescent rescue vehicles were also damaged during the incidents. The report did not specify the exact timing or locations of the attacks.

As of the report’s release, there had been no immediate response from either Israel or the United States regarding the allegations.

A US B-1 Lancer bomber landed at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom, on Friday evening. The 146-foot-long aircraft arrived following British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to allow the United States to take defensive action against Iranian missile installations from UK military bases.

The move came after criticism from US President Donald Trump and several British political figures, including Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who accused Starmer of delaying permission for base use. Starmer defended his decision, arguing that the conflict could have been legally questionable and lacked a clear, well-planned strategy.

The deployment marks a significant moment in UK-US defense cooperation amid heightened tensions involving Iran, though further operational details were not disclosed in the report.

Thirty-one sailors of the Bangladesh Shipping Corporation vessel MV Banglar Joyjatra have been stranded for seven days at Jebel Ali port in the United Arab Emirates, caught in the middle of intensifying regional hostilities. Captain Md Shafiqul Islam Khan reported through a video message on March 5 that the crew faces daily missile and drone activity near the port, with explosions occasionally shaking the area. The ship arrived from Qatar on February 26 carrying 38,800 tons of steel coil, but unloading was halted as tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel escalated from February 28.

The captain described the situation as the most perilous in his three-decade career, with a missile recently striking an oil storage facility just 200 meters from the vessel. Although the ship has sufficient food and water, the crew remains deeply anxious about their safety. Families in Bangladesh are distraught as communication continues under fear and uncertainty.

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation’s managing director Commodore Mahmudul Malek said the government and embassy are closely monitoring the situation and have prepared evacuation plans if conditions worsen.

The small resort town of Taba, located on Egypt’s border with Israel, has turned into a major transit hub for Israelis and foreign nationals fleeing the ongoing conflict. Following Iran’s retaliatory strikes against the joint Israel–United States offensive, Israel closed its airspace, prompting travelers to use the Taba crossing to leave or return to the country. Since the first attacks on February 28, thousands of passengers have crossed through Taba in both directions, with many entering Egypt to catch flights to Europe and other destinations. The Taba International Airport has been reopened to handle the surge in travelers.

The Red Sea coastal town, usually known for tourism, is now crowded with evacuees and transit passengers. Several countries are arranging evacuations for their citizens, while airlines are rerouting regional flights. On March 1, Israel’s Arkia Airlines announced new flights between Taba and Athens and later expanded routes to six European destinations. A Cypriot and a Greek airline have also begun operating flights to Taba. Israel’s main carrier, El Al, considered moving flights there but withdrew due to security concerns.

Flights from Dhaka to parts of the Middle East have resumed on a limited scale as regional airspace restrictions begin to ease. Despite the situation not being fully normalized, routes to Oman and Saudi Arabia are now operating regularly, while some flights to the United Arab Emirates are gradually being reinstated. The partial resumption follows widespread cancellations caused by airspace closures across several Middle Eastern countries.

On February 28, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan closed their airspace due to security concerns, severely disrupting international air travel. Between February 28 and March 7, a total of 268 flights from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport were canceled, including services by Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Air Arabia, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, and Emirates.

According to airport authorities, 214 flights to Muscat, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE operated between February 28 and March 7. Passengers have been advised to confirm flight status with their airlines before traveling.

Kuwait’s Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah held a telephone conversation with Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Friday evening. During the call, both sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation and coordination in military and defense sectors between the two countries.

According to a statement from Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense, the discussion focused on boosting regional security and defense capabilities. The ministers also exchanged views on various joint initiatives and potential areas for future collaboration aimed at strengthening bilateral defense ties.

Both parties emphasized the importance of further consolidating the existing strategic relationship between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, reflecting their shared interest in maintaining stability and security in the region.

The United States Embassy in Dhaka has issued a new advisory regarding travel to the US, warning that misuse of taxpayer-funded benefits could affect future eligibility for travel, study, or work in the country. The message was shared on the embassy’s verified Facebook page on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

According to the embassy’s statement, individuals planning to travel to the United States should ensure they have sufficient financial capacity to cover their own expenses, including potential disruptions or medical emergencies during the trip. The advisory emphasized that misuse of facilities funded by US taxpayers could lead to permanent consequences, potentially making individuals ineligible for future visas or entry into the United States.

The embassy’s message serves as a reminder for travelers to act responsibly and maintain compliance with US travel and financial requirements to avoid long-term restrictions on entry or participation in US programs.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned what he described as ongoing illegal attacks across the Middle East, warning on Friday that the situation could soon spiral out of control as the conflict spreads to multiple countries. His remarks followed a series of airstrikes launched by the United States and Israeli forces against Iran on February 28, to which Iran responded with retaliatory attacks on Israel and Gulf states. Washington said the operation aimed to counter Tehran’s nuclear and missile threats.

Guterres said the continuing attacks were causing immense suffering for ordinary people and posing serious risks to the global economy, particularly for vulnerable populations. He urged all sides to halt fighting immediately and begin meaningful diplomatic negotiations.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher added that the war was consuming about one billion dollars daily, while political leaders were cutting aid budgets for those most in need. He warned that the conflict was disrupting markets and supply chains, driving up food prices, and hitting the poorest communities hardest.

The Iranian Red Crescent has reported that at least 6,668 civilian sites across Iran were targeted in joint airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel. According to figures cited from Fars News Agency and reported by Al Jazeera, the targeted locations included 5,535 residential buildings, 1,041 commercial facilities, 14 medical centers, 65 schools, and 13 centers belonging to the Iranian Red Crescent Society.

The report also stated that several rescue and relief vehicles were damaged during the attacks, and some Red Crescent workers were injured while conducting emergency operations. The strikes have caused widespread disruption to civilian infrastructure and humanitarian activities.

No further details were provided about the timing or specific areas affected by the attacks, and there was no mention of official responses from the governments involved.

Partial flight operations have resumed at Dubai Airport, according to a BBC report released on Saturday afternoon. Passengers have been advised not to travel without confirmed bookings, as schedules remain subject to change. Airlines are continuing to provide updates through their official communication channels.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s aviation authority announced that the country will partially reopen its airspace for the first time since the war began a week ago. The reopening will allow only evacuation flights for stranded individuals and emergency cargo operations. This marks a cautious step toward restoring limited air connectivity in the region amid ongoing instability.

The developments indicate a gradual attempt to normalize essential air travel in parts of the Middle East, though full operations remain uncertain due to the continuing conflict.