Bahrain’s military has claimed to have intercepted at least 550 missiles and drones launched from Iran over the past month. According to a statement posted on social media and reported by Al Jazeera, the Bahraini forces said they shot down 174 missiles and 385 drones aimed at the country. The attacks were described as part of Iran’s retaliatory strikes following joint U.S.-Israeli operations against it.

The Bahraini military stated that targeting civilian infrastructure and private property with drones and ballistic missiles constitutes a clear violation of international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, posing a direct threat to regional peace and security. Earlier on Friday, sirens were sounded twice in Bahrain as a precaution against possible attacks, and the Interior Ministry urged residents to seek shelter in safe locations.

The ministry also reported that a previous Iranian strike had caused a fire at an unidentified facility, which has since been brought under control.

The United States is sending its aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush, capable of carrying more than 80 aircraft, to the Middle East under the command of US Central Command, according to multiple sources cited by CBS News. US officials told CBS that the carrier and its strike group completed pre-deployment training earlier this month and may join ongoing US operations related to Iran.

Two guided missile destroyers, USS Donald Cook and USS Mason, have already departed the United States this week to join the same operations involving Iran. Another destroyer, USS Ross, also left the US this week, though its destination has not been disclosed.

The deployment comes amid heightened regional activity, including reports of an attack on a US ship off the coast of Oman and ongoing discussions between the United States and Iran expected later this week.

At least nine Israeli soldiers were injured in two separate attacks during clashes in southern Lebanon, according to a statement from the Israeli military on social media platform X. The military said one soldier was seriously injured and another moderately wounded on Friday when an anti-tank missile struck during fighting in the area. In a separate incident on Saturday night, a rocket attack left one soldier seriously injured and six others moderately hurt.

The incidents occurred as Israeli forces advanced deeper into Lebanese territory, reportedly moving up to seven kilometers inside in some areas. The Lebanese armed group Hezbollah has mounted counter-resistance against the Israeli advance. Reports suggest that the attack on Israeli troops took place near the town of Taybeh, about six kilometers from the border.

The clashes highlight escalating tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border as both sides engage in intensified military operations.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian praised Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his diplomatic efforts to promote peace amid ongoing Israeli attacks on Iran. During an hour-long phone conversation, Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of building mutual trust to halt conflict and facilitate dialogue. He thanked Pakistan for its cooperative role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

According to Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office, the Iranian leader commended Sharif’s sincere diplomatic initiatives following Israel’s strikes on Iranian territory. In response, Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continue its constructive role in restoring regional peace and stability.

Earlier in the call, Sharif strongly condemned Israeli attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of more than 1,900 lives, underscoring Pakistan’s solidarity with Iran during the crisis.

At least 15 American soldiers were wounded after Iran launched an attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on Friday, according to multiple news reports. The assault involved at least six ballistic missiles and 29 drones, with five of the injured troops in serious condition. The base, located about 96 kilometers from Riyadh, is operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force but also hosts US forces. Satellite images released by Iranian media showed several destroyed aircraft, and Iran’s military confirmed that one refuelling plane was completely destroyed while three others were damaged.

The attack comes as the conflict initiated by Israel and the United States against Iran enters its second month. Iran has continued retaliatory strikes on Gulf nations it accuses of supporting US operations. Earlier in the week, the same base was hit twice, wounding 14 US soldiers. Meanwhile, a separate US-Israeli strike reportedly targeted Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant but caused no damage or casualties.

Al Jazeera reported limited transparency around the Iranian strikes but noted the scale of injuries underscored the seriousness of the incident. The Pentagon and US Central Command have not yet commented.

After the Gaza war began in October 2023, Houthi missile attacks on Israel caused limited damage as most were intercepted. However, in July 2024, a Houthi drone evaded Israeli defenses and struck a residential building in Tel Aviv, killing one civilian. Renewed Houthi attacks on Israel are seen as a concern but not a major military challenge.

The greater risk lies in potential Houthi operations targeting Red Sea shipping routes. Saudi Arabia currently transports about four million barrels of oil daily through the Yanbu port pipeline to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, with tankers passing near Yemen en route to Asian markets. Between November 2023 and early 2025, the Houthis carried out around 200 attacks on Red Sea vessels, damaging more than 30 ships and hijacking at least one, reducing traffic through the Bab al-Mandab Strait and Suez Canal by nearly half.

Analysts warn that if Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz while the Houthis block the Red Sea, the simultaneous disruption of these two vital waterways could have catastrophic consequences for global trade.

A ballistic missile was intercepted by the air defense system over Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, according to the Abu Dhabi Media Office. The incident occurred on March 28, 2026, when debris from the destroyed missile fell in the Khalifa Economic Zone, injuring five Indian nationals.

Earlier, the Abu Dhabi Media Office had posted on social media platform X that emergency teams were responding to two fire incidents in the same area. The office later confirmed that the injuries resulted from missile debris rather than the fires.

The report did not specify the source of the missile or further details about the broader security situation in the region.

Iran’s military has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Ukrainian drone-defense equipment warehouse in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. According to a statement broadcast on Iranian state television, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters said the strike targeted secret U.S. military sites in Dubai and destroyed a Ukrainian depot allegedly supporting American forces.

Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry rejected the Iranian claim, calling it completely false. Ministry spokesperson Horhi Tykhi told reporters that the statement was a blatant lie and accused Iranian authorities of spreading misleading and propagandistic narratives. The denial came amid heightened diplomatic activity in the region.

The Iranian claim coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s unannounced visit to the UAE, during which he said both countries had agreed to strengthen defense cooperation. The timing of the claim has drawn attention to growing regional tensions involving Iran, Ukraine, and Western allies.

Qatar has signed a defense cooperation agreement with Ukraine as regional tensions rise due to ongoing Iranian attacks. The Qatari Ministry of Defense confirmed the deal, which includes collaboration on missile and drone defense and the exchange of related expertise. The signing took place during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Doha, following his earlier trip to the United Arab Emirates.

The agreement comes as Iran continues retaliatory drone and missile strikes targeting U.S. bases in neighboring Gulf states, entering the second month of conflict triggered by U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. Amid this volatile environment, Qatar’s move to strengthen defense ties with Ukraine underscores its intent to enhance military readiness and cooperation with European partners.

According to the report, the deal could play a significant role in boosting the military capabilities of both nations as they navigate heightened regional and global security challenges.

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, representing Donald Trump, said Washington is hopeful about holding a meeting with Iran later this week. He added that the United States is awaiting Tehran’s response to a proposed 15-point agreement submitted earlier in the week.

The statement comes amid a surge in regional violence. Several powerful explosions were reported in Tehran, while Iran claimed its Bushehr nuclear power plant was attacked for the third time this month. Israel announced it had successfully struck the Arak heavy water plant in central Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the United States and Israel of targeting civilian facilities and warned that they would pay a heavy price for such aggression.

Meanwhile, several Gulf states reported intercepting new aerial threats. The United Arab Emirates said its air defense systems successfully neutralized ballistic missiles and drones launched from Iran.

Iran has claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks on two locations in Dubai where US forces were reportedly stationed. According to Iranian sources cited by Al Jazeera, the attacks targeted sites hosting around 500 American soldiers. The strikes were carried out by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) under the command of its Khatam al-Anbia headquarters.

IRGC spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari stated that the attacks caused significant damage and forced US troops to abandon their bases and take cover. He warned that the region could become a graveyard for American forces unless they surrender. The semi-official Tasnim news agency also reported that the US soldiers were hiding outside their bases following the strikes.

The report did not include any confirmation or response from US or UAE authorities regarding the alleged attacks or their impact.

More than 400 Hezbollah fighters have been killed in the ongoing conflict with Israel that began after the group launched rockets on March 2 in retaliation for the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Two sources familiar with Hezbollah’s casualty figures confirmed the toll to Reuters, providing the first comprehensive estimate of losses in the latest round of fighting.

The deaths occurred amid Israel’s expanded airstrikes and ground operations in Lebanon. Previously, Hezbollah had only reported individual deaths without disclosing total figures. During the 2023–24 conflict, the group had lost around 5,000 fighters and used to release daily casualty updates. The Israeli military has claimed that at least 700 Hezbollah members, including several from the elite Radwan force, have been killed in the current four-week-long war.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that 1,142 people have been killed so far in Israeli attacks, including 122 children, 83 women, and 42 medical workers, though it did not specify how many were combatants. Israel said one soldier and one combat officer were seriously injured during overnight operations, adding to four earlier confirmed military deaths.

China has said that initiating peace talks to end the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States will be a complex task. The statement came after Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday about mediation efforts to halt the war.

Following the discussion, China’s Foreign Ministry released a summary noting that both sides agreed to work jointly toward a ceasefire, de-escalation, and the resumption of peace talks to ensure the safety of civilians and maritime routes. China emphasized that while starting such negotiations would not be easy, successful talks could help maintain normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

China also expressed support for Pakistan’s role as a mediator in the conflict. The talks reflect growing diplomatic coordination between Beijing and Islamabad amid regional tensions and concerns over the security of key trade routes.

The National Interest reported that Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for one-fifth of global oil supply, following drone and missile attacks on Israel and Gulf energy facilities. The closure has sharply increased insurance rates and halted most shipping through the strait, threatening to paralyze international trade for weeks or months.

According to the report, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) could turn the narrow waterway into a minefield, with an estimated five to six thousand naval mines capable of sealing the passage within hours. The United States faces limited options to remove the mines, as its mine-clearing fleet relies mainly on coastal ships and helicopters, insufficient for the scale of the threat. Western nations have pledged assistance to reopen the strait, but their commitments remain uncertain.

The report warns that prolonged mine-clearing operations could keep global oil markets unstable, drive up insurance premiums, and disrupt tanker movements, potentially shaking the world economy.

An Israeli airstrike in the Al-Haniya municipality of southern Lebanon killed five Syrian agricultural workers, according to civil defense officials cited by Al Jazeera. The attack also left at least nine others, including women and children, seriously injured. The victims were reportedly working in nearby farmland when the strike occurred without any provocation.

Rescue teams transported the injured to local hospitals, where several remain in critical condition. Civil defense sources said the sudden assault has intensified fear among local laborers and residents. The incident underscores the growing insecurity faced by civilians in southern Lebanon amid ongoing tensions in the region.

The repeated escalation in the area continues to endanger the lives of ordinary workers and heightens concerns about broader instability along the Lebanon-Israel border.