Iranian military leader General Kiomars Heydari stated that Iran is not concerned about how long the ongoing war with the United States and Israel will last. Speaking in an interview with the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, the deputy commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said the country's defense forces are focused on achieving their objectives and delivering a strong response to the United States.

Heydari emphasized that Iran’s experience from the eight-year Iran-Iraq war has prepared it for prolonged conflict if necessary. He added that the current war would continue until Iran meets its goals and gives what he described as a tough reply to the United States.

The statement reflects Iran’s stance of resilience amid ongoing hostilities involving the US and Israel, highlighting a focus on strategic outcomes rather than the duration of the conflict.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified 13 attacks on hospitals and health facilities in Iran amid ongoing hostilities involving the United States and Israel. According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the organization also confirmed one attack on a healthcare center in Lebanon. The incidents resulted in the deaths of four healthcare workers and injuries to 25 others.

WHO official Hanan Balkhy stated that four ambulances in Iran were also targeted, while nearby bombings caused minor damage to several hospitals and other health centers. The organization earlier reported that one hospital in Tehran had to be evacuated following the attacks. WHO did not assign direct responsibility for the assaults.

The confirmation highlights growing concerns about the safety of medical infrastructure in conflict zones, as repeated strikes continue to disrupt essential health services in the region.

A tanker ship flying the Maltese flag was struck by two missiles fired by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical trade routes. The attack occurred on Wednesday, leaving the vessel heavily damaged. Oman’s navy responded swiftly, rescuing all 24 crew members from the stricken tanker. No fatalities were reported, though several crew members sustained injuries.

According to a report by the British outlet Middle East Monitor, the injured crew received necessary medical treatment following their rescue. Oman’s navy confirmed the operation in an official statement, noting that all crew members were accounted for and safe. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions in the region’s maritime routes, which are vital for global oil transport.

The report did not specify the tanker’s cargo or the broader response from regional or international authorities following the strike.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the ongoing joint war involving the United States and Israel against Iran could last up to eight weeks. He made the remarks during a press conference held at the Pentagon on Wednesday, responding to questions about the possible duration of the conflict.

Hegseth explained that the war might continue for three to eight weeks, depending on developments, and emphasized that the US military had already set its operational pace. He added that the enemy was currently in a state of imbalance, and the US intended to maintain that situation.

The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions, with reports of Iranian drone activity prompting Azerbaijan to close its southern airspace and Iran asserting that it is not concerned about the war’s duration.

Hezbollah announced that it carried out a missile attack on Israeli forces advancing near the town of Markaba in southern Lebanon. According to the group’s statement, its fighters targeted the Israeli troops around 12:30 p.m. after spotting their movement from the Manara site. Hezbollah claimed that two missiles directly hit the Israeli forces.

The group described the strike as a response to Israeli attacks on Beirut’s southern suburbs and other cities across Lebanon. The report did not include any confirmation or comment from the Israeli side regarding the incident.

The exchange marks another episode in the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, with both sides citing retaliatory motives for their actions.

Iran has the capability to disrupt the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz for several months through drone attacks, according to military analysts and intelligence sources. In response to recent U.S. and Israeli strikes, Iran launched over a thousand drones and hundreds of missiles targeting American bases in Gulf countries, causing significant damage despite most being intercepted. Attacks on six ships have nearly halted maritime traffic through the strait, which handles about 20 percent of global oil and gas shipments.

The UK-funded Center for Information Resilience reported that Iran can produce around 10,000 drones monthly, placing it among the world’s top drone manufacturers. Estimates of Iran’s missile stockpile vary between 2,500 and 6,000, with analysts noting that supply shortages and destroyed launchers could limit sustained attacks. Despite these constraints, Iran’s Shahed-136 drones can strike targets up to 1,000 kilometers away, and recent strikes have hit infrastructure in the UAE and Bahrain.

If missiles and drones are depleted, Iran could deploy its 5,000–6,000 naval mines, which experts warn could take months to clear, potentially triggering a prolonged global energy crisis as oil and gas prices continue to rise.

Iran has carried out another attack on US forces stationed in Kuwait, this time using drones. According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency, the strike targeted the US military base at Arifjan. No further details about the scale of the attack or potential casualties have been released.

The report follows a previous Iranian strike in Kuwait that killed six US soldiers. Tehran began retaliatory operations last Saturday in response to earlier attacks by the United States and Israel on Iranian territory. The US has confirmed the deaths of six of its service members from those earlier incidents.

The renewed drone assault underscores escalating hostilities between Iran and the United States in the region, though the immediate consequences of the latest strike remain unclear.

Qatar announced that its air defense systems intercepted 14 ballistic missiles and four drones launched from Iran on Saturday morning, according to a statement cited by Al Jazeera. The country’s defense ministry confirmed that all incoming threats were successfully neutralized and that security forces remain on high alert to monitor the situation.

Authorities in Qatar urged citizens, residents, and visitors to remain calm and to follow official guidance. They also advised the public to avoid spreading rumors and to rely solely on verified information from government sources.

The report comes as regional tensions remain high, with neighboring countries taking precautionary measures in response to aerial threats. Qatar’s swift response underscores its readiness to defend its airspace and maintain internal stability.

Australia has deployed military assets to the Middle East as a precautionary measure amid escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the move in parliament, citing the rapidly deteriorating situation in the region. As part of an emergency plan, six crisis response teams have already been sent, and at least two military aircraft have been deployed to designated locations, according to national broadcaster SBS News.

The deployment aims to ensure the safety of Australian citizens in the region and to enable swift evacuation if necessary. The government has not disclosed detailed military information, but the action reflects growing concern over the widening conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the active participation of the United States.

Australia’s decision underscores its role as a Western ally closely monitoring regional stability while prioritizing the protection of its nationals in a volatile Middle East environment.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has demanded that Iran issue an apology following a drone attack in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic that left two people injured, according to Al Jazeera. In a statement published on the presidential website, Aliyev said the attack targeted Nakhchivan International Airport, its terminal building, a school, and other civilian sites. He described the incident as a cowardly assault carried out by Iranian state drones and called it a heinous act of terrorism.

Following the attack, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Iran’s ambassador in Baku to demand accountability. Tehran, however, has denied any involvement in the incident. Aliyev emphasized that those responsible must be brought to justice and held accountable for their actions.

The incident has heightened tensions between the two neighboring countries, with Azerbaijan closing its southern airspace due to concerns over Iranian drone activity.

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.