Thursday

March 5, 2026

Armed conflicts and attacks

Middle Eastern crisis

2026 Iran war

2026 Iranian strikes on Akrotiri and Dhekelia

Italy announces that it will dispatch naval assets to Cyprus. The Dutch navy is also joining the European naval task force. (Euronews)

2026 Iranian strikes on Azerbaijan

Suspected Iranian drones strike Nakhchivan International Airport in Azerbaijan, targeting the passenger terminal. At least two people are injured. (Euronews) (Reuters) (BBC News)

2026 Iranian strikes on Bahrain

The Bahraini military reports that 74 Iranian missiles and 117 hostile drones have been intercepted and destroyed. A missile hit an oil refinery, causing a fire. (WAM via Gulf News) (Al Jazeera)

2026 Iranian strikes on Iraq

Iraqi forces shoot down a drone that attempted to attack the United States' airbase near Baghdad. (Al Jazeera)

2026 Iranian strikes on Qatar

The Qatari military says that the country was targeted today by 14 ballistic missiles and four drones coming from Iran; all of them were intercepted and no casualties were reported. (Al Jazeera)

2026 Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates's air defence systems intercept six ballistic missiles and 125 drones launched by Iran. Six people were injured by falling debris over Abu Dhabi. (Al Jazeera) (The National News)

2026 Kurdish rebellion in Iran

United States president Donald Trump says U.S. Air Force jets will provide "extensive air cover" for Kurdish forces in any ground offensive against the Iranian government. (The Telegraph)

2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis

China is reportedly in talks with Iran to allow crude oil and Qatari liquefied natural gas vessels safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. (Reuters)

Hezbollah–Israel conflict

2026 Hezbollah–Israel war

The Israeli military issues an evacuation order for Dahieh, Beirut, Lebanon, a densely populated suburb which is also a stronghold of Hezbollah, telling residents to "save your lives and evacuate your homes immediately". Thousands of people flee following the warning. (The Times of Israel) (The Los Angeles Times)

Russo-Ukrainian war

Prisoners of war in the Russo-Ukrainian war

Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners of war, with 200 soldiers returned to each side. (Meduza)

Business and economy

Economic impact of the 2026 Iran war

South Korean president Lee Jae Myung orders the activation of a 100 trillion (about US$68 billion) stabilization fund to address volatility in the country's financial markets linked to the Iran war. (AFP via The Economic Times)

Tariffs in the second Trump administration

Around 24 U.S. states file a lawsuit against the Trump administration after president Trump imposed a 10% global tariff, the first lawsuit challenging those tariffs. (Reuters)