Bahrain announced that its Defense Force destroyed 75 missiles and 123 drones allegedly launched by Iran. The statement was released through the official Instagram account of the Bahrain Defense Force, which said the interceptions occurred after Iran began what it described as acts of aggression. The report was cited by Al Jazeera and comes amid heightened military exchanges in the region.

The incident follows a series of retaliatory actions after joint U.S. and Israeli strikes, to which Iran has responded with counterattacks. The situation has raised concerns among Gulf countries and international observers about escalating instability in the Middle East. The report also noted that Iran faces internal unrest and that regional markets, including South Korea’s, have reacted negatively to the ongoing tensions.

The developments suggest a continuing cycle of military confrontation and regional anxiety, with potential implications for security and economic stability across the Gulf region.

France has granted permission for the temporary presence of US warplanes at certain French military bases, according to a report by Al Jazeera. A French joint defense staff official confirmed that the authorization applies to specific bases and is being implemented amid ongoing tensions surrounding Iran. The decision comes in the context of a joint US-Israeli military operation against Iran.

The French official clarified that France will not directly participate in any US-led operations against Iran using its bases. The move is described as a measure to ensure defense support for France’s partner countries in the region. The announcement reflects France’s attempt to balance its alliance commitments with its stated policy of non-involvement in offensive actions against Iran.

The decision underscores the growing regional strain linked to Iran and highlights France’s cautious approach to maintaining both strategic cooperation with the United States and diplomatic distance from direct conflict.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for attacks on 20 US military installations located in three Middle Eastern countries—Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. The strikes were described as retaliation following a joint military operation by the United States and Israel against Iran, according to a report by Al Jazeera.

The IRGC stated that the targeted US facilities suffered significant damage. Earlier, explosions were reportedly heard in Doha, Qatar, following Iran’s earlier attacks. An AFP correspondent in Doha confirmed the sounds of multiple blasts. In response, Qatari authorities began relocating residents near the US embassy as a precautionary measure.

The report also mentioned that Azerbaijan closed its southern airspace due to Iranian drone activity, while Iranian officials said they were not concerned about the duration of the conflict. Iraq reiterated that it would not tolerate any threats against Iran.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson warned that European Union member states would eventually face consequences if they remain silent about attacks by Israel and the United States. The statement was made by spokesperson Ismail during an interview with Spain’s broadcaster TVE on Thursday.

The spokesperson also rejected Turkey’s claim that a missile intercepted in its airspace had been launched from Iran. Earlier, Turkey stated that a NATO defense system had destroyed a missile allegedly fired from Iran into its airspace.

The remarks come amid heightened regional tensions, with Iran also facing reports of drone activity affecting neighboring countries and recent attacks on hospitals within its borders, according to the World Health Organization.

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka has cancelled 210 flights between February 28 and March 5, 2026, following temporary airspace closures by several Middle Eastern countries. The cancellations were triggered by escalating tensions after attacks involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. On Thursday alone, 34 flights were cancelled, affecting multiple airlines including Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Air Arabia, Emirates, US-Bangla, Gulf Air, and Flydubai.

According to airport sources, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan closed their airspace due to security concerns. This led to widespread disruption of flights from Dhaka to Middle Eastern destinations. The cancellations occurred progressively, with 23 flights cancelled on February 28, 40 on March 1, 46 on March 2, 39 on March 3, and 28 on March 4.

The situation highlights the vulnerability of international air travel to regional conflicts, with airlines and passengers facing significant operational and logistical challenges.

An explosion has been reported in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, according to a correspondent from the AFP news agency based in the city. The incident occurred as regional tensions continue to rise, with similar reports of a powerful explosion earlier in the day in Doha, Qatar.

The developments come after Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran last Saturday, prompting retaliatory strikes by Iran across several Gulf countries. The situation has heightened concerns among regional and international observers about the potential for wider instability in the Middle East.

The report did not provide details about casualties or the extent of the damage in Manama, leaving the immediate impact of the explosion unclear.

Several explosions were heard in Doha, the capital of Qatar, following Iranian attacks in the region, according to an AFP reporter based in the city. Al Jazeera reported that Qatar’s defense systems were intercepting missiles entering its airspace. The AFP correspondent described hearing four initial explosions, followed by six more, and later around twenty in total, with visible smoke where interceptors struck Iranian missiles or drones.

Earlier, Qatar had begun relocating residents living near the U.S. Embassy in Doha as a precautionary measure. The developments come after the United States and Israel jointly launched attacks on Iran last Saturday, prompting Iranian retaliatory strikes targeting U.S. installations across several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, where American embassies were hit, and the U.S. consulate in Dubai.

The situation underscores rising regional tensions as Qatar now faces direct security threats linked to the broader Iran-U.S.-Israel confrontation.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry has accused Iran of carrying out drone attacks that injured two civilians within Azerbaijani territory. According to the ministry, one drone directly struck the terminal building of an airport in the autonomous Nakhchivan region, while another drone landed near a school building in the village of Shakarabad. The attack caused damage to the airport structure and left two civilians wounded.

Following the incident, Azerbaijan summoned the Iranian ambassador in Baku to formally protest the alleged assault. The ministry stated that a strong protest would be conveyed to the Iranian side, along with an official note of objection. The event marks a new point of tension between the two neighboring countries, both of which have had sensitive relations in recent years.

The Azerbaijani government’s response indicates a diplomatic escalation, though no further details were provided on potential next steps or Iran’s reaction to the allegations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the United States of launching an unprovoked attack on an Iranian warship in international waters. He stated that the strike targeted the IRIS Dena, which was a guest of the Indian Navy, and warned that the United States would have to face the consequences of its actions.

According to the report, the attack occurred on Wednesday near Sri Lanka’s southern coast, when US forces allegedly fired from a submarine, causing the Iranian vessel to sink. Sri Lankan authorities confirmed that 87 bodies had been recovered and 32 survivors rescued and treated. The ship reportedly carried around 180 people.

Araghchi wrote on X that the United States would deeply regret the precedent it had set. The incident has heightened regional tensions, with Iran signaling that it will respond to what it calls an unjustified act of aggression.

Hundreds of Afghans held protests across border provinces against Pakistan, accusing it of killing civilians and expressing support for Afghan soldiers fighting along the frontier. Demonstrations took place in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province, and in Khost’s Gurbuz district, where participants placed flower garlands on soldiers and waved Taliban flags. The protests followed a week of intense border clashes that, according to the United Nations, left dozens of Afghan civilians dead and displaced thousands.

The UN mission in Afghanistan reported at least 42 civilian deaths and 104 injuries since February 26. Pakistan has not commented on civilian casualties but claimed to have killed over 430 Afghan soldiers, while Afghanistan said about 150 Pakistani troops were killed. The conflict reportedly began after Afghan forces launched operations in response to earlier Pakistani airstrikes. The International Organization for Migration said around 66,000 Afghans have been displaced, and humanitarian aid operations have been suspended.

The World Food Programme warned that the suspension of emergency food assistance has affected about 160,000 people, worsening Afghanistan’s existing food crisis.

Multiple explosions were reported in Doha, the capital of Qatar, according to an AFP correspondent based in the city. The Qatari government had earlier announced that residents living near the US Embassy in Doha would be relocated as a precautionary measure. The evacuation process was underway when the explosions were heard across the city.

The incident follows a series of escalating attacks in the Middle East after a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran last Saturday. In retaliation, Iran reportedly targeted American facilities across the region. US embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were attacked earlier in the week, and the US consulate in Dubai also came under assault.

The explosions in Doha add to growing regional instability, prompting heightened security measures around diplomatic missions and raising concerns among Gulf states about further escalation.

A United States submarine has sunk an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, resulting in at least 87 recovered bodies. The vessel, identified by Sri Lanka’s foreign minister as IRIS Dena, had recently participated in a joint naval exercise hosted by India and was returning home from an eastern Indian port when it was destroyed. The attack occurred thousands of kilometers from the Gulf, marking the first time since 1945 that a US attack submarine used torpedoes to sink a warship.

Yale University lecturer Sushant Singh said the incident has created uncomfortable questions for New Delhi, a key US partner, as the strike took place shortly after India had hosted the Iranian crew. He described the sinking of IRIS Dena just hours after leaving Indian waters as a major blow to India’s regional credibility. The ship was reportedly traveling through an area under Indian naval observation but outside any active conflict zone.

Analysts noted that India faces the challenge of protecting trade and energy routes, avoiding US-Iran tensions, and preventing normalization of third-party military actions near its maritime sphere. India has not publicly commented on the incident.

The Iranian Red Crescent Society has reported that at least 105 civilian facilities were damaged in joint attacks by the United States and Israel across Iran. According to the organization, the assaults began on Saturday and have so far resulted in a total of 1,332 recorded strikes at 636 different locations nationwide.

Among the affected sites are at least 14 medical centers and seven buildings belonging to the Red Crescent itself. The organization stated that the attacks have impacted at least 174 cities across the country.

The Red Crescent warned that continued strikes on civilian infrastructure could further complicate the humanitarian situation in Iran. The information was reported by Al Jazeera and cited by the outlet Amar Desh.

Iranian General Kioumars Heydari has declared that Iran will not withdraw from the ongoing war until its objectives are fully achieved. Speaking to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, Heydari stated that the country will continue fighting until it delivers a decisive blow to the United States. He emphasized that the duration of the conflict is not a concern for Iran.

Heydari, who serves as deputy commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said Iran’s military has gained extensive experience from its previous eight-year war and will only end the current conflict once its goals are met. He added that Iran aims to make its enemy regret and despair over its actions.

The statement, reported by Al Jazeera and Iranian media, underscores Tehran’s determination to sustain military operations despite regional tensions and growing international concern over the conflict’s escalation.

Former US President Donald Trump expressed gratitude to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte after Rutte commented that the United States had received broad support from allied nations for its military strikes in Iran. Trump conveyed his thanks through a social media post, calling Rutte a great NATO leader.

Earlier, Rutte stated that although NATO was not directly involved in the US attacks on Iran, many allied countries strongly supported Washington’s actions. He noted that allies were cooperating with the United States in efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities.

Rutte also suggested that several Western nations viewed the initiative to weaken Iran’s military strength as an important security measure within the alliance.