Vatican Secretary for Relations with States Cardinal Pietro Parolin has voiced deep concern over the growing acceptance of 'preventive war' amid ongoing global conflicts. In an interview published on March 4, 2026, he warned that if nations claim the right to launch preventive wars based solely on their own standards and without any supranational legal framework, the entire world could face catastrophic consequences.

Parolin described the erosion of international law as 'truly worrying' and criticized the current global tendency to replace the rule of law with the law of force. He argued that the belief in achieving peace only through the destruction of enemies undermines the foundations of international order.

His remarks have brought renewed attention to the debate over the use of force versus adherence to international law in global politics, highlighting the Vatican’s concern about the moral and legal implications of unilateral military actions.

Oman has rescued 24 crew members from a cargo ship that was struck by two Iranian missiles near the Strait of Hormuz, according to Al Jazeera. The Omani navy carried out the rescue operation after the Maltese-flagged vessel came under attack. The rescued crew received necessary medical treatment and were reported to be in good health.

The Oman News Agency, citing the Omani navy, confirmed the details of the incident and the successful rescue effort. The attack occurred in a highly sensitive maritime zone that serves as a key global shipping route. No further information was provided about the cause of the missile strikes or the condition of the vessel following the attack.

The report did not specify the nationality of the crew or the nature of the cargo, leaving some aspects of the incident unclear.

Spain’s Deputy Prime Minister María Jesús Montero stated that Madrid will not become subordinate to Washington amid growing tensions over the use of Spanish bases for a U.S. operation against Iran. Speaking to reporters, she emphasized that Spain would not tolerate any threats and would defend its values.

The dispute intensified after former U.S. President Donald Trump warned that Washington would cut trade ties with Spain for refusing to allow its bases to be used in the Iran offensive. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez had earlier cautioned that the conflict could lead to a major global catastrophe. In a televised address, he said Spain would not participate in any action harmful to the world or contrary to its values and interests, even to avoid retaliation.

The statements underscore Spain’s firm stance on maintaining sovereignty and independent foreign policy decisions despite U.S. pressure.

France is deploying several Rafale fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates to strengthen security at its only naval and air base there. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the move follows President Emmanuel Macron’s directive. The base, named Camp de la Paix, is located in the Al-Dhafra area of Abu Dhabi and has housed French land, naval, and air forces since its establishment in 2009.

Barrot told French television channel BFM TV that a drone attack struck the base on March 1, damaging one of its hangars. Following the incident, President Macron decided to send Rafale jets to ensure the safety of the airspace above the facility. The deployment aims to protect the base and its personnel from further threats.

The decision underscores France’s commitment to maintaining its strategic presence in the Gulf region and ensuring the security of its forces stationed abroad.

According to the latest reports, nearly 200 international oil tankers are stranded in the Persian Gulf following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The tankers’ owners are waiting to determine whether it is safe to resume passage through one of the world’s most critical oil transport routes. The information was reported by BBC Persian.

The Revolutionary Guard Corps has announced full control over the Strait of Hormuz, where several ships have recently been targeted by drone and missile attacks. Around 60 of the stranded vessels are supertankers, representing about eight percent of the global fleet. The disruption has pushed Brent crude oil prices above 80 dollars per barrel.

The situation underscores the vulnerability of global energy supply routes to regional instability, with potential implications for international oil markets if the closure continues.

Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah carried out a drone attack targeting the headquarters of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in central Israel, according to a report published on March 4, 2026. The group also claimed responsibility for a separate drone strike on an Israeli military base that controls drones. The attacks reportedly took place on Wednesday night, as cited by the French news agency AFP.

Israel Aerospace Industries is a state-owned company that manufactures a wide range of defense and civilian products, including fighter jets, missile defense systems, unmanned drones, and satellites. The company plays a central role in Israel’s defense and space programs.

The report did not specify the extent of the damage or any casualties resulting from the attacks, and no immediate response from Israeli authorities was mentioned.

Iran’s ambassador to Bangladesh, Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, said Tehran expects Bangladesh, as a member of the OIC and NAM, to directly condemn aggressors attacking Iran. Speaking at a press conference at the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday, he emphasized that Muslim nations should show solidarity when another Muslim country is under attack. He also confirmed that Bangladeshi students in Iran have been moved to safe locations and that the Bangladeshi Embassy in Tehran remains in regular contact with Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

The ambassador asserted that Iran possesses sufficient drones, missiles, and military strength to sustain a long-term conflict without external logistical support. He described the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei as a cowardly act planned by the United States and Israel, while denying any intelligence failure within Iran. He added that Iran would never initiate aggression against Israel but would resist any attack to the last drop of blood.

Jahanabadi further explained that a three-member committee currently oversees Iran’s leadership, with the Experts Council responsible for selecting a new leader soon.

Turkey has lodged a formal protest with Iran after a ballistic missile fired from Iranian territory was intercepted near Turkey’s Dortyol district, according to Turkish media reports on March 4, 2026. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan conveyed the protest to his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi during a phone call, warning against actions that could further spread the ongoing conflict. No casualties were reported from the incident.

The Turkish Defense Ministry confirmed that NATO’s defense system intercepted the missile before it could cause damage. NATO spokesperson Jalison Hart condemned Iran’s indiscriminate attacks across the region and reaffirmed the alliance’s strong commitment to Turkey and all member states. Hart emphasized that NATO’s deterrence and defense capabilities remain robust, including its air and missile defense systems.

The missile incident has heightened concerns over regional security, with observers noting renewed anxiety about potential escalation in the Middle East.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that an American submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean using a torpedo. The incident reportedly left at least 80 people dead, according to Sri Lanka’s deputy foreign minister, who said the vessel was returning to Iran from an eastern Indian port. Hegseth made the announcement during a Pentagon briefing on Wednesday, describing the strike as part of ongoing operations against Iran.

During the briefing, Hegseth said the attack marked only the beginning of joint US and Israeli military actions against Iran, warning of larger assaults ahead. He added that American and Israeli forces expect to gain full control of Iranian airspace within days, less than a week after the conflict began. Hegseth also confirmed that additional US troops are being deployed to the Middle East to ensure victory.

He emphasized that the campaign remains in its early stages and that the United States will take as much time as needed to secure success, echoing President Trump’s position. The information was reported by Al Jazeera and the BBC.

The United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran has strongly condemned recent US-Israeli attacks on Iranian territory. In a statement released on March 4, 2026, the mission said the assaults were contrary to the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against any state's territorial integrity or political independence.

The committee emphasized that such actions undermine international law and the principles of sovereignty enshrined in the UN framework. The condemnation comes amid heightened regional tensions, with reports of military deployments and disruptions in the Persian Gulf area.

The mission’s statement underscores growing international concern over escalating hostilities and calls attention to the need for adherence to international norms governing state conduct.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the United States has sunk an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. According to Hegseth, the vessel was operating in international waters and was destroyed by a torpedo. He did not specify which Iranian ship was targeted in the operation.

Earlier, Sri Lanka’s navy reported that a ship named IRIS Dena had sunk in the Indian Ocean, with around 140 people reported missing. The US statement did not confirm whether this was the same vessel mentioned by Sri Lanka.

The incident adds to rising maritime tensions in the region, though no further details about the engagement or its aftermath were provided in the report.

A container ship was struck by a missile in the Strait of Hormuz, north of Oman, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident occurred on Wednesday, causing a fire in the vessel’s engine room. Immediate reports of casualties or damage were not available at the time of the announcement.

UKMTO, which monitors commercial shipping activity, stated that there were no reports of environmental impact following the attack. The organization continues to assess the situation in coordination with relevant maritime authorities. The source of the missile strike and the identity of the vessel were not disclosed in the initial report.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route for global oil and goods transport, and any disruption in this area can affect international shipping operations. However, the report did not indicate whether broader shipping activity had been impacted by this specific incident.

European Council President Antonio Costa spoke by phone with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to reaffirm the European Union’s full support for Spain. The conversation came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with Spain for refusing to allow the use of its military bases in a mission related to Iran.

In a post on social media platform X, Costa said he had expressed the EU’s full solidarity with Spain. He added that the Union would always ensure the complete protection of its member states’ interests, while reiterating its commitment to international law and the global rules-based order.

The exchange has brought renewed attention to diplomatic tensions between the European Union and the United States following Trump’s warning, highlighting potential strains in transatlantic relations.

Black flags were seen flying at the Iran-Turkey border following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. According to the report, the flags replaced Iran’s national flag at the Razi border crossing on the Turkish entry point. The incident occurred after widespread attacks across Iran began on February 28, reportedly carried out by the United States and Israel.

The black flags are believed to have been raised as a symbol of mourning for Khamenei’s death. The report cited BBC as the source of this information. The attacks and the leader’s death have drawn attention to heightened tensions in the region, though no further details were provided about the ongoing situation or official responses.

The display of mourning at the border underscores the gravity of the event within Iran and its symbolic impact on neighboring areas, particularly along the shared frontier with Turkey.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that an American submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean using a torpedo. The incident reportedly occurred near Sri Lanka, resulting in at least 80 deaths, according to Sri Lankan authorities. The country’s deputy foreign minister told local television that the vessel was returning to Iran from an eastern Indian port when it was attacked.

The Iranian frigate, identified as IRIS Dena, had participated in India’s multinational naval exercise ‘Milan 2026’. It had also joined the same exercise in 2024. After completing this year’s drill, the warship began its journey back to Iran but never reached its destination. Questions have since arisen about why the Iranian vessel was positioned near Sri Lanka at the time of the attack.

The sinking has drawn attention to rising tensions in the Indian Ocean region, though the source does not specify any official responses from Iran or the United States beyond the initial claim.