Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has declared that Iran is fully prepared to repel any potential United States ground assault. His remarks came as the conflict involving Israel and the United States deepens. Speaking to NBC, Araghchi said Iran is not fearful of a US ground invasion and is waiting for such a move, expressing confidence that Iranian forces could resist effectively. He warned that any US ground attack would be disastrous for Washington.

Araghchi also stated that Iran is not seeking a ceasefire in the ongoing war. Referring to a previous 12-day conflict with Israel in June of the previous year, he claimed that Israel had been the first to request a ceasefire. He emphasized that in the current war, there are no victors, asserting that Iran’s success lies in its ability to resist its adversaries.

The comments come as reports indicate widespread damage to civilian infrastructure in Iran and continued missile exchanges between Iran and Israel, underscoring the intensifying regional conflict.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi directly addressed U.S. President Donald Trump, declaring that his Plan A had failed and that Plan B would face an even greater failure. Posting on the social media platform X, Araghchi wrote that the attempt for a quick military victory under Plan A did not succeed and warned that any follow-up strategy would meet a worse outcome. He added that the opportunity for a unique agreement had ended with the last round of negotiations.

Araghchi further stated that the approach of prioritizing Israel, which he described as “Israel First,” always results in “America Last.” His remarks came amid heightened tensions between Iran, the United States, and Israel, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The statement underscores Iran’s firm stance against U.S. policy directions and signals that diplomatic openings for compromise have closed, according to the Iranian minister’s comments.

U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that he believes he must personally be involved in the selection of Iran’s next supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In an interview with Axios, Trump said Iran would be “wasting time” if it attempted to appoint a successor without U.S. participation.

Trump acknowledged that Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, is being viewed as a possible successor but declared that he would not accept him. He described Mojtaba as weak and said he was unacceptable to him, emphasizing that the United States wants someone who can bring harmony and peace to Iran.

The president further warned that he would reject any new Iranian leader who continues the policies of the previous leadership, cautioning that such continuity could lead to renewed conflict with the United States within five years.

Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB has reported that the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, one of the country’s main international football venues, has been destroyed in a recent attack. According to the report, the stadium suffered severe damage during the assault, with footage shared on social media showing thick smoke rising from the stands and widespread destruction.

The Azadi Stadium is among Iran’s largest sports facilities and has hosted numerous international football matches. With a seating capacity of around 78,000, it serves as the regular home ground for Iran’s national football team. The report did not specify who carried out the attack or provide further details about casualties or the broader context of the incident.

The destruction of such a major sporting venue could disrupt upcoming national and international football events in Iran, though no official statement on future matches has been issued yet.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has accused the United States and Israel of intentionally targeting civilian areas during ongoing hostilities. In a post on X, Baghaei claimed that Iranian civilians were being killed because aggressors were deliberately striking locations where they believed the highest casualties and suffering could occur.

The accusation follows a deadly attack on an Iranian girls’ school last Saturday that killed more than 160 people. When asked about the incident, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States was investigating the matter but maintained that the US never targets civilian sites. Baghaei further stated that the aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran was not confined to the battlefield.

He added that the conflict’s impact had spread to global markets, raising fuel prices, destabilizing currencies, and eroding purchasing power worldwide, while the cost for Iranians remained far greater.

Iran has denied allegations that it carried out a drone attack targeting Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan region. According to Al Jazeera, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that Iran has never launched any attack against Azerbaijan. His remarks were published by Iran’s Tasnim news agency.

Earlier, Azerbaijan claimed that two Iranian drones struck its Nakhchivan region, damaging an airport building. In response, Gharibabadi emphasized that the Islamic Republic of Iran does not target neighboring countries. He added that Iran’s policy is to strike only military bases belonging to its enemies, particularly the United States and Israel, and only when those bases are used to launch attacks against Iran.

The exchange of claims highlights ongoing regional sensitivities between Iran and Azerbaijan, though no further official reactions were reported in the source.

The European Union has reported that Middle Eastern countries are expressing concern over a potential civil war in Iran. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Thursday, March 5, that tensions involving the United States and Israel have raised fears of internal conflict in Iran. Regional nations are reportedly worried about Iran’s current situation and its leadership amid the escalating crisis.

Kallas emphasized that the European Union supports diplomatic solutions, stating that wars ultimately end through diplomacy. She stressed the need to create space for diplomatic engagement to break the ongoing cycle of tension. The EU also voiced deep concern over maritime security in the Middle East, particularly efforts to keep the strategic Strait of Hormuz open.

The report added that the regional conflict has sparked a dispute between the United States and Spain. Washington accused Madrid of denying access to a joint naval and air base, while Spain criticized U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in Iran as reckless and illegal. The EU expressed hope that the United States would honor last year’s trade agreement applicable to all EU member states.

Following recent attacks by the United States and Israel, pro-government rallies have emerged across several Iranian cities. According to analysts, many Iranian citizens are gathering around the national flag as a symbol of patriotism and expressing support for the country’s political system in response to the external assaults.

Abbas Aslani, a senior research fellow at the Tehran-based Center for Middle East Strategic Studies, told Al Jazeera that instead of protesting against Iran’s leaders, many people are now taking to the streets to denounce the US and Israeli attacks and to show solidarity with the government. He noted that some Iranians who were previously dissatisfied with the economic and political situation had once hoped for US assistance, but now realize that such support is not forthcoming.

Analysts suggest that external military pressure often temporarily suppresses internal political divisions, prompting segments of the population to rally around the government as a symbol of national unity.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency, citing the Revolutionary Guard, reported that any U.S., European, or Israeli ships appearing in the Strait of Hormuz would be targeted. The Guard asserted that during wartime, navigation through the strategic waterway would remain under Iran’s control.

A deputy chief of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters, responsible for major military operations and strategic coordination, stated that Iran has not closed the strait and continues to act in accordance with international protocols. He emphasized that Iran is prepared to continue the conflict for as long as necessary to achieve its declared objectives.

The Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters also warned that what it described as ongoing “U.S. deception” could lead to the collapse of the region’s military and economic infrastructure if it persists.

Following recent attacks by the United States and Israel, a large segment of Iran’s population is showing solidarity with the government, according to a Tehran-based analyst cited by Al Jazeera. The report notes that despite US President Donald Trump’s call for Iranians to ‘take back their country,’ many citizens have instead rallied in support of the state.

Abbas Aslani, a senior researcher at the Middle East Strategic Studies Center, stated that instead of protesting against national leaders, people in Tehran and other cities are holding gatherings condemning the attacks and expressing loyalty to Iran’s political system. He added that some Iranians who once hoped for US assistance due to dissatisfaction with economic or political conditions now realize that Washington is not coming to their aid.

The report also mentions that Iran has accused the attackers of targeting civilian areas to cause maximum casualties and claimed that an international football stadium was destroyed in the strikes.

Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff has denied reports that a missile was fired toward Turkey. The denial came after Turkey announced that a missile approaching its airspace had been intercepted by NATO’s defense system on Wednesday. According to Iran’s Mehr News Agency, the military stated that the Islamic Republic respects Turkey’s sovereignty and rejected claims of launching any missile toward its territory.

Turkey’s defense ministry said the projectile had flown over Iraq and Syria before nearing Turkish airspace, but no casualties occurred after it was intercepted. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Turkey is consulting with NATO allies and taking all necessary precautionary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The exchange occurred as regional hostilities intensified, with Iran launching missiles toward Israel the previous night amid ongoing airstrikes across the Middle East. Israeli and U.S. forces had recently increased bombardments on Iranian targets, while explosions were also reported in Tehran and casualties rose in Lebanon due to Israeli air raids.

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.

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.