Iran's oil depot fires triggered black acid rain on Sunday. A thick black smoke cloud shrouded Tehran as visibility dropped. People complained of throat irritation and itchy eyes, as agencies warned them to stay indoors. What is the science behind Iran's acid rain? 

Iran's oil depot fires triggered black acid rain on Sunday. A thick black smoke cloud shrouded Tehran as visibility dropped. People complained of throat irritation and itchy eyes, as agencies warned them to stay indoors. What is the science behind Iran's acid rain?&nbsp;

Science behind Iran's vicious 'black' acid rain triggered by massive fuel depot fires

Israeli strikes on 30 Iranian fuel depots on Saturday left the United States stunned, according to an Axios report. A US official, an Israeli official and a source with knowledge told the outlet that even though Washington was notified about the strikes before they happened, American officials were surprised to see how widely they spread. According to an Israeli official, the US told Israel, “WTF” after witnessing how much the flames spread. The US is not happy with the attack as it fears it could backfire in its bid to remove the regime. Hitting Israeli strikes on infrastructure serving ordinary Iranians could lead people to start backing the regime. They also fear that the horrifying visuals could create panic and drive up oil prices. Tehran was shrouded in thick smoke after Israel hit the fuel depots, igniting fires visible for miles.<h2>Not a good idea to attack oil depots, Trump official said</h2>To back the strikes, Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed that the depots are "used by the Iranian regime to supply fuel to different consumers, including its military organs." It added that the strikes were a warning to Israel and deter attacks on Israeli civilian infrastructure. Israel told the US about attacking the fuel depots in advance, but the latter did not anticipate their scale. "We don't think it was a good idea," a senior US official said. A Trump adviser told Axios that the president is not happy with the attack on the depots. They aren't oil production facilities, but US officials are concerned that visuals of depots on fire could trigger panic in the oil market and push prices further up. "The president doesn't like the attack. He wants to save the oil. He doesn't want to burn it. And it reminds people of higher gas prices," the official told the outlet.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-we-will-not-target-iran-s-energy-sector-infrastructure-us-energy-secretary-chris-wright-1772985334423">‘We will not target Iran's energy sector, infrastructure’: US Energy Secretary Chris Wright</a> &nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-iraqi-oil-production-collapses-with-the-strait-of-hormuz-blocked-1773042256834/embed&nbsp;Meanwhile, Iran has warned that if the enemy continues to hit the country's infrastructure, it would respond with similar strikes in the region. This could raise oil prices to $200 a barrel. The Iran war has continued unabated since starting over a week ago. Trump has warned of further strikes and said "something big" was coming up. While the president earlier said the conflict could last for 4-5 weeks, reports suggest that the Pentagon is preparing for a war that could last seven months. &nbsp;

Israeli strikes on Iranian fuel depots left the US in shock as they had not anticipated how terribly it could unfold. Israel had informed the US about the strikes in advance, but the officials are panicking now, fearing the incident could set fire to oil prices.

Israeli strikes on 30 Iranian fuel depots on Saturday left the United States stunned, according to an Axios report. A US official, an Israeli official and a source with knowledge told the outlet that even though Washington was notified about the strikes before they happened, American officials were surprised to see how widely they spread. According to an Israeli official, the US told Israel, “WTF” after witnessing how much the flames spread. The US is not happy with the attack as it fears it could backfire in its bid to remove the regime. Hitting Israeli strikes on infrastructure serving ordinary Iranians could lead people to start backing the regime. They also fear that the horrifying visuals could create panic and drive up oil prices. Tehran was shrouded in thick smoke after Israel hit the fuel depots, igniting fires visible for miles. Not a good idea to attack oil depots, Trump official said To back the strikes, Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed that the depots are "used by the Iranian regime to supply fuel to different consumers, including its military organs." It added that the strikes were a warning to Israel and deter attacks on Israeli civilian infrastructure. Israel told the US about attacking the fuel depots in advance, but the latter did not anticipate their scale. "We don't think it was a good idea," a senior US official said. A Trump adviser told Axios that the president is not happy with the attack on the depots. They aren't oil production facilities, but US officials are concerned that visuals of depots on fire could trigger panic in the oil market and push prices further up. "The president doesn't like the attack. He wants to save the oil. He doesn't want to burn it. And it reminds people of higher gas prices," the official told the outlet. Also Read: ‘We will not target Iran's energy sector, infrastructure’: US Energy Secretary Chris Wright https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-iraqi-oil-production-collapses-with-the-strait-of-hormuz-blocked-1773042256834/embed Meanwhile, Iran has warned that if the enemy continues to hit the country's infrastructure, it would respond with similar strikes in the region. This could raise oil prices to $200 a barrel. The Iran war has continued unabated since starting over a week ago. Trump has warned of further strikes and said "something big" was coming up. While the president earlier said the conflict could last for 4-5 weeks, reports suggest that the Pentagon is preparing for a war that could last seven months.

Israeli strikes on Iranian fuel depots left the US in shock as they had not anticipated how terribly it could unfold. Israel had informed the US about the strikes in advance, but the officials are panicking now, fearing the incident could set fire to oil prices.

'WTF': US left stunned by widespread fire following Israeli attack on Iranian oil depots

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on Monday (Mar 9) briefed the Rajya Sabha on the escalating tensions in West Asia amid war between Iran, the US and Israel and highlighted India's stance that dialogue and diplomacy are the ways forward for all sides to de-escalate. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “closely monitoring the situation” and has already spoken to leaders of relevant countries in West Asia. Jaishankar also told the House that attempts were made to reach out to the Iranian side but it is difficult right now, adding that he has spoken to his counterpart Abbas Araghchi. He also emphasized that India's priority is the safety of Indians and addressed the key questions about energy amid raging war. Jaishankar's address was interrupted by Opposition sloganeering, with the Rajya Sabha chairman asking them to listen to the EAM.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/trump-s-first-reaction-after-iran-appoints-mojtaba-khamenei-as-new-supreme-leader-iran-us-israel-war-1773028077192">'I am not...': Trump's first reaction after Iran appoints Mojtaba Khamenei as new Supreme Leader</a>&nbsp;He also touched upon the issue of Iranian warship docking at Kochi and said that request for the same was received on Feb 28. He added that Araghchi had thanked India for granting refuge to the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Lavan at Kochi port, though the Indian FM did not speak anything about the IRIS Dena that was attacked by US torpedo and sank off the coast of Sri Lanka, killing 87 people.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-iran-war-is-2022-the-right-playbook-for-how-iran-crisis-plays-out-1773035058406/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-iran-war-is-2022-the-right-playbook-for-how-iran-crisis-plays-out-1773035058406/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;On energy needs, Jaishankar said that the interest of the Indian consumer would remain the government’s “overriding priority”, even as he admitted that the escalating situation could trigger "serious supply chain disruption." "The region is key to our energy security and includes many important suppliers of oil and gas. Serious supply chain disruptions and a climate of instability are serious issues,” he told the House. "The Prime Minister continues to closely monitor the emerging developments, and relevant ministries are coordinating to ensure effective responses," Jaishankar stated. He further noted that the government maintains constant communication with Indians across the Gulf and confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Tehran remains "fully operational," providing active assistance to students caught in the conflict. Jaishankar warned that the region is "key to our energy security" as it houses critical suppliers of oil and gas. He cautioned that "serious supply chain disruptions and a climate of instability are serious issues," adding that the conflict has continued to intensify while the regional security environment has “deteriorated significantly.” According to the Minister, the hostilities have now "spread to other countries with mounting destruction," resulting in a situation where “normal life and activities are visibly affected.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/mojtaba-khamenei-iran-s-next-supreme-leader-pro-nuclear-hardliner-wealth-100-million-infertility-treatment-irgc-trump-sanction-1773012834582">Pro-nuclear hardliner to infertility treatment: What we know about Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's next Supreme Leader</a> &nbsp;The Minister told the House that the embassy has already facilitated the relocation of several students to "safer areas." Furthermore, he indicated that intensive efforts are underway to assist Indians currently stranded in nations such as Qatar and Jordan to ensure they are “brought back safely.” Providing a grim update on the human cost of the maritime disruptions, Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha, “We have lost two Indian mariners (merchant shipping), and one remains missing.” Detailing the broader geopolitical and economic implications, the Union Minister said, "This ongoing conflict is of particular concern to India. We are a neighbouring region, and have obvious stakes that West Asia remains stable."&nbsp;

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the Rajya Sabha that India favours dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate the US-Iran conflict in West Asia. He said PM Narendra Modi is closely monitoring developments, while the government is ensuring the safety of Indians 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on Monday (Mar 9) briefed the Rajya Sabha on the escalating tensions in West Asia amid war between Iran, the US and Israel and highlighted India's stance that dialogue and diplomacy are the ways forward for all sides to de-escalate. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “closely monitoring the situation” and has already spoken to leaders of relevant countries in West Asia. Jaishankar also told the House that attempts were made to reach out to the Iranian side but it is difficult right now, adding that he has spoken to his counterpart Abbas Araghchi. He also emphasized that India's priority is the safety of Indians and addressed the key questions about energy amid raging war. Jaishankar's address was interrupted by Opposition sloganeering, with the Rajya Sabha chairman asking them to listen to the EAM. Also Read: 'I am not...': Trump's first reaction after Iran appoints Mojtaba Khamenei as new Supreme Leader He also touched upon the issue of Iranian warship docking at Kochi and said that request for the same was received on Feb 28. He added that Araghchi had thanked India for granting refuge to the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Lavan at Kochi port, though the Indian FM did not speak anything about the IRIS Dena that was attacked by US torpedo and sank off the coast of Sri Lanka, killing 87 people. https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-iran-war-is-2022-the-right-playbook-for-how-iran-crisis-plays-out-1773035058406/embed On energy needs, Jaishankar said that the interest of the Indian consumer would remain the government’s “overriding priority”, even as he admitted that the escalating situation could trigger "serious supply chain disruption." "The region is key to our energy security and includes many important suppliers of oil and gas. Serious supply chain disruptions and a climate of instability are serious issues,” he told the House. "The Prime Minister continues to closely monitor the emerging developments, and relevant ministries are coordinating to ensure effective responses," Jaishankar stated. He further noted that the government maintains constant communication with Indians across the Gulf and confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Tehran remains "fully operational," providing active assistance to students caught in the conflict. Jaishankar warned that the region is "key to our energy security" as it houses critical suppliers of oil and gas. He cautioned that "serious supply chain disruptions and a climate of instability are serious issues," adding that the conflict has continued to intensify while the regional security environment has “deteriorated significantly.” According to the Minister, the hostilities have now "spread to other countries with mounting destruction," resulting in a situation where “normal life and activities are visibly affected.” Also Read: Pro-nuclear hardliner to infertility treatment: What we know about Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's next Supreme Leader The Minister told the House that the embassy has already facilitated the relocation of several students to "safer areas." Furthermore, he indicated that intensive efforts are underway to assist Indians currently stranded in nations such as Qatar and Jordan to ensure they are “brought back safely.” Providing a grim update on the human cost of the maritime disruptions, Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha, “We have lost two Indian mariners (merchant shipping), and one remains missing.” Detailing the broader geopolitical and economic implications, the Union Minister said, "This ongoing conflict is of particular concern to India. We are a neighbouring region, and have obvious stakes that West Asia remains stable."

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the Rajya Sabha that India favours dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate the US-Iran conflict in West Asia. He said PM Narendra Modi is closely monitoring developments, while the government is ensuring the safety of Indians&nbsp;

'Contacts with Iranian leadership difficult at this moment, spoke to FM Araghchi': Jaishankar's statement on US-Iran-Israel war

Iran's Assembly of Experts on Sunday (Mar 8) announced Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country's new supreme leader. In a lengthy statement, the assembly said that "after careful and extensive studies... in today's extraordinary session, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei (may Allah protect him) is appointed and introduced as the third leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, based on the decisive vote of the respected representatives of the Assembly of Experts." This comes even as US President Donald Trump, ahead of the announcement insisted that he should have a say in the new leader's appointment.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-we-re-very-friendly-with-trump-s-kurdish-u-turn-amid-raging-war-with-iran-1772955580863/amp">'We're very friendly with...': Trump's Kurdish U-turn amid raging war with Iran</a>&nbsp;Slamming him for his demand, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the decision was Iran's alone, adding it would "allow nobody to interfere in our domestic affairs". Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press", Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi went on to demand Trump "apologise to people of the region" for starting the war. Trump had dismissed the younger Khamenei as a "lightweight", and said, “If he doesn’t get approval from us he’s not going to last long…We want to make sure that we don’t have to go back every 10 years, when you don’t have a president like me that’s not going to do it,” he told ABC News before the announcement was made. Israel's military had previously warned any successor that “we will not hesitate to target you.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-not-doing-a-very-good-job-trump-breaks-silence-on-reports-of-russian-help-to-iran-amid-escalating-war-1772929846681">'Not doing a very good job': Trump breaks silence on reports of Russian help to Iran amid escalating war</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, the IRGC pledged allegiance to the country's new supreme leader and issued a statement saying: "The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps... is ready for complete obedience and self-sacrifice in carrying out the divine commands of the Guardian Jurist of the time, His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei." The younger Khamenei is regarded as a conservative figure, notably because of his ties with the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of the Islamic republic's military. Hailing Mojtaba, Iran's Security chief Ali Larijani said he has been nurtured in the Leadership Seminary and his presence will be a source of goodness and blessings. “With the teachings he has learned from his esteemed father, he can guide the country. Our wish is that during the leadership of Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran will be placed on the path of development,” Larijani's statement also rules out reports of rift within the top brass in Iran.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-iran-warns-war-enters-a-dangerous-new-phase-tehran-faces-toxic-rains-1773011712408/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-iran-warns-war-enters-a-dangerous-new-phase-tehran-faces-toxic-rains-1773011712408/embed</a>&nbsp;<h2>Iran-Israel-US war</h2>The war with Iran has reached day tenth with both sides relentlessly targeting each other. It all started when on Feb 28 Israel and the United States launched “pre-emptive” attack on Iran, and killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in subsequent airstrikes. Iran retaliated with drone attacks on Israel and on Gulf nations that host US bases. While US President Donald Trump has said that the operations in Iran will go on for “four weeks or so”, he has also boasted about US munitions that are enough for “forever” war, Israel has expanded its operations and has launched attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon, while also continuing its strikes on Tehran. Iran has ruled out any negotiations with the US after criticising the attacks that came amid nuclear talks between two sides. The bombings in West Asia is continuing, with US issuing unprecedented advise to all its citizens to leave the region, including Israel. Iranian regime has vowed to avenge the death of Khamenei.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts has named Mojtaba Khamenei, son of slain leader Ali Khamenei, as the country’s new supreme leader. The Revolutionary Guards pledged loyalty, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned against foreign interference as the US-Israel war with Iran intensifies.

Iran's Assembly of Experts on Sunday (Mar 8) announced Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the country's new supreme leader. In a lengthy statement, the assembly said that "after careful and extensive studies... in today's extraordinary session, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei (may Allah protect him) is appointed and introduced as the third leader of the sacred system of the Islamic Republic of Iran, based on the decisive vote of the respected representatives of the Assembly of Experts." This comes even as US President Donald Trump, ahead of the announcement insisted that he should have a say in the new leader's appointment. Also Read: 'We're very friendly with...': Trump's Kurdish U-turn amid raging war with Iran Slamming him for his demand, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the decision was Iran's alone, adding it would "allow nobody to interfere in our domestic affairs". Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press", Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi went on to demand Trump "apologise to people of the region" for starting the war. Trump had dismissed the younger Khamenei as a "lightweight", and said, “If he doesn’t get approval from us he’s not going to last long…We want to make sure that we don’t have to go back every 10 years, when you don’t have a president like me that’s not going to do it,” he told ABC News before the announcement was made. Israel's military had previously warned any successor that “we will not hesitate to target you.” Also Read: 'Not doing a very good job': Trump breaks silence on reports of Russian help to Iran amid escalating war Meanwhile, the IRGC pledged allegiance to the country's new supreme leader and issued a statement saying: "The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps... is ready for complete obedience and self-sacrifice in carrying out the divine commands of the Guardian Jurist of the time, His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei." The younger Khamenei is regarded as a conservative figure, notably because of his ties with the Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of the Islamic republic's military. Hailing Mojtaba, Iran's Security chief Ali Larijani said he has been nurtured in the Leadership Seminary and his presence will be a source of goodness and blessings. “With the teachings he has learned from his esteemed father, he can guide the country. Our wish is that during the leadership of Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran will be placed on the path of development,” Larijani's statement also rules out reports of rift within the top brass in Iran. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-iran-warns-war-enters-a-dangerous-new-phase-tehran-faces-toxic-rains-1773011712408/embed Iran-Israel-US war The war with Iran has reached day tenth with both sides relentlessly targeting each other. It all started when on Feb 28 Israel and the United States launched “pre-emptive” attack on Iran, and killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in subsequent airstrikes. Iran retaliated with drone attacks on Israel and on Gulf nations that host US bases. While US President Donald Trump has said that the operations in Iran will go on for “four weeks or so”, he has also boasted about US munitions that are enough for “forever” war, Israel has expanded its operations and has launched attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon, while also continuing its strikes on Tehran. Iran has ruled out any negotiations with the US after criticising the attacks that came amid nuclear talks between two sides. The bombings in West Asia is continuing, with US issuing unprecedented advise to all its citizens to leave the region, including Israel. Iranian regime has vowed to avenge the death of Khamenei. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts has named Mojtaba Khamenei, son of slain leader Ali Khamenei, as the country’s new supreme leader. The Revolutionary Guards pledged loyalty, while Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned against foreign interference as the US-Israel war with Iran intensifies.

Mojtaba Khamenei, son of slain Ali Khamenei, named Iran’s next Supreme Leader

Iranian leadership has quashed reports of fracture between its leaders after comments by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Security chief Ali Larijani asserted that "our leaders are united... and have no disagreements with one another". He also said that there cannot be any divisions among the leaders on how they view America and Israel and that the Iranians had “no divisions among ourselves in fighting Israel and the United States.” Earlier, a report indicated that there was a difference in opinion between "hardliners and more pragmatic factions" over President promise not to strike Gulf states. The report also claimed that fissures within Iran's ruling elite were ​long suppressed under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but is now coming out in open after his death.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-american-soldiers-captured-iran-makes-big-claim-amid-raging-war-with-us-israel-centcom-says-1772931878235">'American soldiers captured': Iran makes BIG claim amid raging war with US, Israel; CENTCOM says...</a>&nbsp;Reuters report quoting sources inside the Iranian regime said that clerics are accelerating the appointment of a new supreme leader with a decision possible on Sunday and that differences arose after Pezeshkian's apology to Gulf states for a week-long offensive against them. Hardline cleric and lawmaker Hamid Rasai addressed the president on social media, saying: “your stance was unprofessional, weak and unacceptable.” When the president later repeated his earlier statement on social media, he ​left out the apology that had so angered the Guards and other hardliners. A hardliner close to Khamenei's office, which remains a central node in the hierarchy, told Reuters that Pezeshkian's comments had angered many senior commanders in the IRGC.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-israel-warns-lebanon-of-heavy-price-as-strikes-pound-beirut-suburbs-wion-1772936059322/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-israel-warns-lebanon-of-heavy-price-as-strikes-pound-beirut-suburbs-wion-1772936059322/embed</a>&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explosion-rocks-us-embassy-in-norway-fear-due-to-war-with-iran-us-war-1772928963323">Explosion near US embassy in Norway's Oslo, no clarity on links with Iran war</a>&nbsp;In a speech broadcast by Iranian state TV, Pezeshkian said, “I must apologise on my own behalf and on behalf of Iran to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran. The interim leadership council agreed yesterday that no more attacks will be made on neighbouring countries and no missiles will be fired unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries.” Pezeshkian asserted that Tehran would "not surrender"."The enemies must take their wish for the surrender of the Iranian people to their graves," he said.

Divisions are emerging within Iran’s leadership after the killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei, with hardliners and moderates clashing over war strategy. President Masoud Pezeshkian faced backlash from the IRGC after apologising to Gulf states, even as officials publicly deny internal rifts.

Iranian leadership has quashed reports of fracture between its leaders after comments by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Security chief Ali Larijani asserted that "our leaders are united... and have no disagreements with one another". He also said that there cannot be any divisions among the leaders on how they view America and Israel and that the Iranians had “no divisions among ourselves in fighting Israel and the United States.” Earlier, a report indicated that there was a difference in opinion between "hardliners and more pragmatic factions" over President promise not to strike Gulf states. The report also claimed that fissures within Iran's ruling elite were long suppressed under Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but is now coming out in open after his death. Also Read: 'American soldiers captured': Iran makes BIG claim amid raging war with US, Israel; CENTCOM says... Reuters report quoting sources inside the Iranian regime said that clerics are accelerating the appointment of a new supreme leader with a decision possible on Sunday and that differences arose after Pezeshkian's apology to Gulf states for a week-long offensive against them. Hardline cleric and lawmaker Hamid Rasai addressed the president on social media, saying: “your stance was unprofessional, weak and unacceptable.” When the president later repeated his earlier statement on social media, he left out the apology that had so angered the Guards and other hardliners. A hardliner close to Khamenei's office, which remains a central node in the hierarchy, told Reuters that Pezeshkian's comments had angered many senior commanders in the IRGC. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-israel-warns-lebanon-of-heavy-price-as-strikes-pound-beirut-suburbs-wion-1772936059322/embed Also Read: Explosion near US embassy in Norway's Oslo, no clarity on links with Iran war In a speech broadcast by Iranian state TV, Pezeshkian said, “I must apologise on my own behalf and on behalf of Iran to the neighbouring countries that were attacked by Iran. The interim leadership council agreed yesterday that no more attacks will be made on neighbouring countries and no missiles will be fired unless an attack on Iran originates from those countries.” Pezeshkian asserted that Tehran would "not surrender". "The enemies must take their wish for the surrender of the Iranian people to their graves," he said.

Divisions are emerging within Iran’s leadership after the killing of Supreme Leader Khamenei, with hardliners and moderates clashing over war strategy. President Masoud Pezeshkian faced backlash from the IRGC after apologising to Gulf states, even as officials publicly deny internal rifts.

Iran's top leadership denies reports of rift after Pezeshkian's 'sorry' to Gulf nations

Massive aviation disruptions caused by the conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel have led to more than 23,000 global flight cancellations and costs exceeding $1 billion, including fuel, rerouting and revenue impacts. Indian airlines that are heavily reliant on Gulf routes for passenger traffic have also been significantly affected. In the initial days of the conflict, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had directed airlines to avoid airspace over Tehran, Tel Aviv, Beirut, Jeddah, Bahrain, Muscat, Baghdad, Amman, Kuwait, the UAE and Doha until early March, leading to widespread suspensions. Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation figures cite 1,221 Indian flights cancelled as of early March. Hundreds of flights are being impacted daily on major routes, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in the UAE; Doha in Qatar; Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia; Muscat in Oman; and Tel Aviv in Israel.<h2>How Indian airlines are coping with Gulf aviation disruptions</h2>Air India suspended all flights to and from the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam), Qatar (Doha) and Israel (Tel Aviv) initially until March 2–3, with extensions in phases to March 5. The flag carrier cancelled up to 125 flights on peak days. It is also operating limited repatriation or special flights from cities such as Dubai and Jeddah to bring stranded passengers home. The airline is offering free rescheduling or full refunds for bookings made on or before 28 February for travel up to 5 March. Some Europe routes, such as London and Amsterdam, are also affected or rerouted.The largest Indian carrier, IndiGo, has been the hardest hit, as it normally operates around 65 daily round trips on Gulf routes. The airline cancelled over 500 Middle East and select international flights from February 28 to March 3, reportedly up to 162 on March 3 alone. Services to the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia were suspended, and flexibility and waivers have been extended to March 7 for affected bookings.&nbsp;It is also operating some relief flights, including from Jeddah to Ahmedabad, for stranded Indians and on other routes. Routes from Indian cities to Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are heavily impacted.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-strikes-israel-wion-speaks-to-indian-stuck-in-tel-aviv-major-airlines-halt-services-wion-1772283569270/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-strikes-israel-wion-speaks-to-indian-stuck-in-tel-aviv-major-airlines-halt-services-wion-1772283569270/embed</a>Air India Express suspended its entire Gulf schedule until around March 1, including services to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Around 55 flights were cancelled, which is nearly half of its approximately 110 daily Gulf flights. It is also offering free rescheduling or full refunds for bookings made up to February 28 for travel up to March 5. At the time of writing, it has resumed some limited operations, for example to Muscat.SpiceJet has cancelled flights to the UAE and other Gulf hubs.Tens of thousands of passengers, many of them Indian workers in the Gulf, have been affected. Airport congestion was seen in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai, with over 250 international flights cancelled.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-shuts-its-air-space-several-airlines-cancel-flights-to-the-middle-east-1772271923845">Iran shuts its air space, several airlines cancel flights to the Middle East</a><h2>Global aviation chaos due to the Iran–Israel–US conflict</h2>When it comes to international operators, more than half of the 36,000 scheduled flights in the region have been affected, according to Cirium analytics. Revenue losses in the initial days could reach up to $2.6 billion.Airspace closures or restrictions have primarily affected Iran, Iraq, Israel and Jordan.Flight cancellations in Bahrain reached 97 per cent on some initial days of the conflict, while in Qatar they were as high as 86 per cent and in Kuwait 81 per cent. The United Arab Emirates saw cancellation rates of up to 81 per cent on some days, with major global aviation hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi among the hardest hit.Partial restrictions were imposed on Saudi Arabia, Oman, Syria and Lebanon.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-dubai-tel-aviv-all-closed-apocalyptic-flight-radar-shows-10-countries-bracing-for-armageddon-after-assassination-of-ali-khamenei-1772367667109">'Dubai, Tel Aviv all closed': Apocalyptic flight radar shows 10 countries bracing for armageddon after assassination of Ali Khamenei</a><h2>Major global airlines affected by disruptions</h2>The UAE’s Emirates has extended the full suspension of scheduled flights to and from Dubai through at least 7 March. It is mostly operating limited repatriation and cargo flights. Emirates is among the most affected airlines, with hundreds of daily cancellations, including at least 338 on one recent day.Qatar Airways has suspended services to and from Doha, extending the halt into early March, with high cancellation rates in Qatari airspace. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has suspended all scheduled commercial flights until at least 6 March, with only some repatriation flights operating.The UAE low-cost carrier flydubai has also been affected by suspensions, while smaller carriers such as Flynas have cancelled routes to affected hubs, including Dubai and Riyadh.United Airlines has cancelled US–Tel Aviv–Dubai routes, while Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong halted services to Dubai and Riyadh until 14 March.Air France has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut, Dubai and Riyadh through early March.British Airways has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain, and affected Gulf routes such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi for several days.Japan Airlines has suspended Tokyo–Doha routes through mid-March, and various European and Asian carriers have issued similar suspensions or waivers.

Global aviation has been hit hard by the Middle East conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel. Over 23,000 flights were cancelled worldwide. Indian airlines and Gulf routes face major suspensions and passenger chaos

Massive aviation disruptions caused by the conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel have led to more than 23,000 global flight cancellations and costs exceeding $1 billion, including fuel, rerouting and revenue impacts. Indian airlines that are heavily reliant on Gulf routes for passenger traffic have also been significantly affected. In the initial days of the conflict, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had directed airlines to avoid airspace over Tehran, Tel Aviv, Beirut, Jeddah, Bahrain, Muscat, Baghdad, Amman, Kuwait, the UAE and Doha until early March, leading to widespread suspensions. Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation figures cite 1,221 Indian flights cancelled as of early March. Hundreds of flights are being impacted daily on major routes, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in the UAE; Doha in Qatar; Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia; Muscat in Oman; and Tel Aviv in Israel. How Indian airlines are coping with Gulf aviation disruptions Air India suspended all flights to and from the UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi), Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam), Qatar (Doha) and Israel (Tel Aviv) initially until March 2–3, with extensions in phases to March 5. The flag carrier cancelled up to 125 flights on peak days. It is also operating limited repatriation or special flights from cities such as Dubai and Jeddah to bring stranded passengers home. The airline is offering free rescheduling or full refunds for bookings made on or before 28 February for travel up to 5 March. Some Europe routes, such as London and Amsterdam, are also affected or rerouted. The largest Indian carrier, IndiGo, has been the hardest hit, as it normally operates around 65 daily round trips on Gulf routes. The airline cancelled over 500 Middle East and select international flights from February 28 to March 3, reportedly up to 162 on March 3 alone. Services to the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia were suspended, and flexibility and waivers have been extended to March 7 for affected bookings. It is also operating some relief flights, including from Jeddah to Ahmedabad, for stranded Indians and on other routes. Routes from Indian cities to Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are heavily impacted. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-strikes-israel-wion-speaks-to-indian-stuck-in-tel-aviv-major-airlines-halt-services-wion-1772283569270/embed Air India Express suspended its entire Gulf schedule until around March 1, including services to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Around 55 flights were cancelled, which is nearly half of its approximately 110 daily Gulf flights. It is also offering free rescheduling or full refunds for bookings made up to February 28 for travel up to March 5. At the time of writing, it has resumed some limited operations, for example to Muscat. SpiceJet has cancelled flights to the UAE and other Gulf hubs. Tens of thousands of passengers, many of them Indian workers in the Gulf, have been affected. Airport congestion was seen in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai, with over 250 international flights cancelled. Also read: Iran shuts its air space, several airlines cancel flights to the Middle East Global aviation chaos due to the Iran–Israel–US conflict When it comes to international operators, more than half of the 36,000 scheduled flights in the region have been affected, according to Cirium analytics. Revenue losses in the initial days could reach up to $2.6 billion. Airspace closures or restrictions have primarily affected Iran, Iraq, Israel and Jordan. Flight cancellations in Bahrain reached 97 per cent on some initial days of the conflict, while in Qatar they were as high as 86 per cent and in Kuwait 81 per cent. The United Arab Emirates saw cancellation rates of up to 81 per cent on some days, with major global aviation hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi among the hardest hit. Partial restrictions were imposed on Saudi Arabia, Oman, Syria and Lebanon. Also read: 'Dubai, Tel Aviv all closed': Apocalyptic flight radar shows 10 countries bracing for armageddon after assassination of Ali Khamenei Major global airlines affected by disruptions The UAE’s Emirates has extended the full suspension of scheduled flights to and from Dubai through at least 7 March. It is mostly operating limited repatriation and cargo flights. Emirates is among the most affected airlines, with hundreds of daily cancellations, including at least 338 on one recent day. Qatar Airways has suspended services to and from Doha, extending the halt into early March, with high cancellation rates in Qatari airspace. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has suspended all scheduled commercial flights until at least 6 March, with only some repatriation flights operating. The UAE low-cost carrier flydubai has also been affected by suspensions, while smaller carriers such as Flynas have cancelled routes to affected hubs, including Dubai and Riyadh. United Airlines has cancelled US–Tel Aviv–Dubai routes, while Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong halted services to Dubai and Riyadh until 14 March. Air France has suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut, Dubai and Riyadh through early March. British Airways has cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain, and affected Gulf routes such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi for several days. Japan Airlines has suspended Tokyo–Doha routes through mid-March, and various European and Asian carriers have issued similar suspensions or waivers.

Global aviation has been hit hard by the Middle East conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel. Over 23,000 flights were cancelled worldwide. Indian airlines and Gulf routes face major suspensions and passenger chaos

23,000 flights cancelled, losses cross $1 billion: Indian airlines hit hard as Middle East conflict grounds global aviation

An Irish businessman, who was staying at Fairmont The Palm Hotel in Dubai when it was struck by Iran, recounted his nerve-wracking” experience. This comes after the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran on Saturday (Feb 28), killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.Stuart Carson described hearing loud bangs on Saturday morning, which he initially assumed to be coming from construction nearby. However, later he saw Iranian missiles and drones being intercepted in the sky. Following the attack, the iconic hotel was set on fire, as visuals shared on social media revealed.Carson, from Holywood in County Down, detailed that he was inside the hotel building at the time of the drone attack, which caused his “whole room to completely shake”.“It was very nerve-wracking,” he told BBC News NI's Evening Extra programme. “The drone struck close to one of my friends’ rooms.”He added, “He was there with his son. He called me and said, we’ve been attacked in some way, shape, or form.”He described the chaotic scenes in the lobby of the hotel, “The front doors were damaged, and one of the bell boys was being pulled away. At that point, we just didn’t know what to do.” Carson, a father of two, said that they immediately took shelter at a nearby beach and later spent the evening in the basement of the hotel.“Once dawn broke, we started to feel a bit more comfortable with the situation and just gathered our thoughts and had breakfast in the hotel,” he said. “We decided just to get out of there. So we headed north and booked into a hotel where it was a lot quieter.”As many flights in the region were cancelled due to the war, Carson resorted to booking a number of flights after his original flight with British Airways was cancelled. He managed to arrive at Belfast City Airport in Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening.“We were looking at all options but we wanted to just focus on trying to get as close to home as possible,” he said. “When we were watching the map on the flight, we knew we were kind of out of the danger zone.”“So after the first hour, we started to feel relief.”

An Irish businessman described a “nerve-wracking” ordeal after an Iranian drone struck a Dubai hotel where he was staying, shaking his room and sparking panic as Middle East airspace closures stranded travelers.

An Irish businessman, who was staying at Fairmont The Palm Hotel in Dubai when it was struck by Iran, recounted his nerve-wracking” experience. This comes after the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran on Saturday (Feb 28), killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Stuart Carson described hearing loud bangs on Saturday morning, which he initially assumed to be coming from construction nearby. However, later he saw Iranian missiles and drones being intercepted in the sky. Following the attack, the iconic hotel was set on fire, as visuals shared on social media revealed. Carson, from Holywood in County Down, detailed that he was inside the hotel building at the time of the drone attack, which caused his “whole room to completely shake”. “It was very nerve-wracking,” he told BBC News NI's Evening Extra programme. “The drone struck close to one of my friends’ rooms.” He added, “He was there with his son. He called me and said, we’ve been attacked in some way, shape, or form.” He described the chaotic scenes in the lobby of the hotel, “The front doors were damaged, and one of the bell boys was being pulled away. At that point, we just didn’t know what to do.” Carson, a father of two, said that they immediately took shelter at a nearby beach and later spent the evening in the basement of the hotel. “Once dawn broke, we started to feel a bit more comfortable with the situation and just gathered our thoughts and had breakfast in the hotel,” he said. “We decided just to get out of there. So we headed north and booked into a hotel where it was a lot quieter.” As many flights in the region were cancelled due to the war, Carson resorted to booking a number of flights after his original flight with British Airways was cancelled. He managed to arrive at Belfast City Airport in Northern Ireland on Tuesday evening. “We were looking at all options but we wanted to just focus on trying to get as close to home as possible,” he said. “When we were watching the map on the flight, we knew we were kind of out of the danger zone.” “So after the first hour, we started to feel relief.”

An Irish businessman described a “nerve-wracking” ordeal after an Iranian drone struck a Dubai hotel where he was staying, shaking his room and sparking panic as Middle East airspace closures stranded travelers.

‘Nerve-wracking’: Irish businessman recalls horror at Dubai hotel after Iranian drone strike

Authorities in Kashmir have continued precautionary restrictions for the fourth consecutive day following protests and incidents of violence that erupted after the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Officials said partial curbs remain in place across several parts of the Kashmir Valley, particularly in Shia-dominated and other sensitive areas, to prevent any escalation of unrest.All government and private educational institutions including schools, colleges, and universities will remain closed until at least Saturday, March 7. Major higher education institutions such as University of Kashmir and Central University of Kashmir have suspended classes and postponed scheduled examinations.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-iran-war-israeli-f-35-downs-iranian-jet-over-tehran-1772705671538/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-iran-war-israeli-f-35-downs-iranian-jet-over-tehran-1772705671538/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;To prevent the spread of rumours and misinformation, authorities have curtailed high-speed mobile data services across the Valley. While postpaid mobile connections are restricted to 2G internet speeds, several prepaid services have experienced intermittent disruptions in data, voice, and SMS facilities.&nbsp;Prohibitory orders on public assembly and movement continue to be enforced in multiple districts, especially in Shia-populated localities and parts of Srinagar’s Old City. Security has been significantly tightened around Lal Chowk, with the iconic Ghanta Ghar sealed off using concertina wire and barricades, making the area inaccessible to both pedestrians and vehicles.Following the news of Khamenei’s death, large protests were witnessed in several areas of the Valley. In response to the developments, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened a high-level meeting in Srinagar with religious leaders and members of civil society to discuss the situation arising after the incident. Participants at the meeting collectively condemned the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Chief Minister urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain communal harmony and appealed to them to express their grief and concerns through “lawful and peaceful means.” Authorities said the restrictions will remain under review depending on the law-and-order situation in the Valley. &nbsp;

To prevent the spread of rumours and misinformation, authorities have curtailed high-speed mobile data services across the Valley. The move comes  following protests and incidents of violence that erupted after the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Authorities in Kashmir have continued precautionary restrictions for the fourth consecutive day following protests and incidents of violence that erupted after the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Officials said partial curbs remain in place across several parts of the Kashmir Valley, particularly in Shia-dominated and other sensitive areas, to prevent any escalation of unrest. All government and private educational institutions including schools, colleges, and universities will remain closed until at least Saturday, March 7. Major higher education institutions such as University of Kashmir and Central University of Kashmir have suspended classes and postponed scheduled examinations. https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-iran-war-israeli-f-35-downs-iranian-jet-over-tehran-1772705671538/embed To prevent the spread of rumours and misinformation, authorities have curtailed high-speed mobile data services across the Valley. While postpaid mobile connections are restricted to 2G internet speeds, several prepaid services have experienced intermittent disruptions in data, voice, and SMS facilities. Prohibitory orders on public assembly and movement continue to be enforced in multiple districts, especially in Shia-populated localities and parts of Srinagar’s Old City. Security has been significantly tightened around Lal Chowk, with the iconic Ghanta Ghar sealed off using concertina wire and barricades, making the area inaccessible to both pedestrians and vehicles. Following the news of Khamenei’s death, large protests were witnessed in several areas of the Valley. In response to the developments, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened a high-level meeting in Srinagar with religious leaders and members of civil society to discuss the situation arising after the incident. Participants at the meeting collectively condemned the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei. The Chief Minister urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir to maintain communal harmony and appealed to them to express their grief and concerns through “lawful and peaceful means.” Authorities said the restrictions will remain under review depending on the law-and-order situation in the Valley.

To prevent the spread of rumours and misinformation, authorities have curtailed high-speed mobile data services across the Valley. The move comes following protests and incidents of violence that erupted after the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Kashmir Internet Curbed to 2G; Educational Institutions Shut Till March 7 as Restrictions Continue for Fourth Consecutive Day

A first in four decades, the Israeli Air Force (IAF)engaged in air-to-air combat with a manned aircraft. Israel’s F-35I fighter jet shot down Iran’s Russian-made Yak-130 jet over capital Tehran on Wednesday (March 4). The Israeli Forces also confirmed that this was first time ever that a manned aircraft was downed by an F-35. A video released by the Israeli military shows infrared cockpit footage of an F-35I "Adir" jet locking onto and firing a missile at an Iranian Yak-130 trainer jet over Tehran. The audio in Hebrew confirms the hit and intent to continue strikes. In a report by news outlet Times of Israel, the radio recording has IAF chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar telling the F-35I pilot that his actions were “historic.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-report-suggests-head-of-us-military-warned-trump-about-possible-shortages-1772705692838/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-report-suggests-head-of-us-military-warned-trump-about-possible-shortages-1772705692838/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;“The historic interception over the skies of Tehran is an expression of the air force’s power and your personal determination. The next mission is already waiting for you,” Bar said.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">&quot;ביצעתי, המטרה נפלה, נמשיך לתקיפה&quot;: תיעוד ראשון ממטוס ה״אדיר״ (F-35I) מפיל מטוס קרב איראני (YAK-130) מעל שמי טהרן. חיל-האוויר ממשיך לתקוף עשרות תשתיות של משטר הטרור האיראני וסולל את הדרך ליצירת עליונות אווירית בשמי טהרן. <a href="https://t.co/RGUX4x1bFK">pic.twitter.com/RGUX4x1bFK</a>&mdash; Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) <a href="https://twitter.com/IAFsite/status/2029472985191432569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;The Israeli Air Force mentioned that the last time a manned aircraft was shot down was in 1985 over Lebanon. In the said incident, an F-15 downed two Syrian MiG-23 fighters.&nbsp;Also reaad: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/commander-killed-in-strike-says-iraqi-hezbollah-faction-1772696417093">Commander killed in 'Zionist-US strike', says Iraqi Hezbollah faction</a>&nbsp;Commander of the Nevatim Airbase was quoted by Times of Israel, “We identified the plane, locked on it and launched (a missile). The Iranian plane endangered (our) aircraft. It could have hit our plane, so we shot it down."&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/80-dead-150-missing-as-iranian-warship-sinks-off-sri-lanka-coast-amid-conflict-1772628276785">80 dead, 150 missing as Iranian warship sinks off Sri Lanka coast amid conflict</a>&nbsp;Nevatim Airbase is also where IAF’s F-35 jets are housed. The commander added that the F-35 fired the missile while it was in the midst of targeting Iranian regime sites in Tehran. He said the F-35 “knows how to do this very quickly and accurately.”

The Israeli Air Force mentioned that the last time a manned aircraft was shot down was in 1985 over Lebanon. In the said incident, an F-15 downed two Syrian MiG-23 fighters.

A first in four decades, the Israeli Air Force (IAF)engaged in air-to-air combat with a manned aircraft. Israel’s F-35I fighter jet shot down Iran’s Russian-made Yak-130 jet over capital Tehran on Wednesday (March 4). The Israeli Forces also confirmed that this was first time ever that a manned aircraft was downed by an F-35. A video released by the Israeli military shows infrared cockpit footage of an F-35I "Adir" jet locking onto and firing a missile at an Iranian Yak-130 trainer jet over Tehran. The audio in Hebrew confirms the hit and intent to continue strikes. In a report by news outlet Times of Israel, the radio recording has IAF chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar telling the F-35I pilot that his actions were “historic.” https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-report-suggests-head-of-us-military-warned-trump-about-possible-shortages-1772705692838/embed “The historic interception over the skies of Tehran is an expression of the air force’s power and your personal determination. The next mission is already waiting for you,” Bar said.

The Israeli Air Force mentioned that the last time a manned aircraft was shot down was in 1985 over Lebanon. In the said incident, an F-15 downed two Syrian MiG-23 fighters.

'Target down': IDF releases historic footage of F-35 downing Iranian Yak-130 over Tehran - VIDEO

US President Donald Trump could lose a pivotal "race against time" with Iran if America runs out of interceptors first, warned a former top US military commander, even as he postulated that the US-Israel joint strikes on Iran may be because of the POTUS's hubris. Talking to The Times, James Alexander "Sandy" Winnefeld Jr. the former vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the high-risk attacks on Tehran could be a "desperation move" ahead of the US midterm elections. Here's what he said.<h2>Trump saving himself from impeachment?</h2>Winnefeld told The Times that Operation Epic Fury could be Trump's attempt to boost his plummeting public approval ratings ahead of the crucial midterm elections. The former US military commander, who happens to be the most senior figure yet to speak out critically about the war, noted that if Trump loses control of Congress in the midterms, it could potentially lead to the POTUS's early ejection from the White House via impeachment.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-race-against-time-can-us-s-patriot-thaad-missiles-outlast-iran-s-shahed-drone-swarms-top-military-commander-warns-1772691101439">Can US' Patriot interceptors outlast Iran’ Shahed drones? Top Cmdr warns...</a>"This could be a bit of a desperation move in order to try to galvanise the American public behind him," he said. "It is entirely possible that if he loses the midterms, he will be a lame duck president, and he won’t be able to accomplish as much as he wants to on his agenda."Winnefeld stated that it was "also a real threat to him personally". He noted that there was "no question" that "there will be new investigations opened up, potentially a long, drawn-out path towards a third impeachment." This, he said, was the "last thing that Donald Trump wants".Calling the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran a "risk," the former US commander said, Trump was "taking risks with inflation if oil prices maintain a high level. He’s taking a chance with his own political base, who actually elected him on a platform of no foreign wars."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/fact-check-is-united-states-using-indian-naval-bases-to-attack-iran-under-operation-epic-fury-1772684291682">Fact-check: Is United States using Indian naval bases to attack Iran?</a><h2>Trump could end the war, but only if...</h2>The former top US military commander said that the US-Israel-Iran war was bound to end sooner rather than later, with a "some kind of a nuclear deal to save face".According to him, one way that might happen is with mediators coming up with a way for Trump to "declare victory before he runs out of ammunition"."One way you could envision this ending is that Oman and Qatar, both of whom are close to the Iranians, step in and negotiate something where Trump is allowed to declare victory before he runs out of ammunition. Iran agrees to not enrich or export anything that it’s already enriched".

Is Donald Trump risking a wider war with Iran to save his political future?

Former US commander Sandy Winnefeld suggests the Iran strikes could be a “desperation move” before midterm elections, warning the US may face a race against time. Scroll down to read more.

US President Donald Trump could lose a pivotal "race against time" with Iran if America runs out of interceptors first, warned a former top US military commander, even as he postulated that the US-Israel joint strikes on Iran may be because of the POTUS's hubris. Talking to The Times, James Alexander "Sandy" Winnefeld Jr. the former vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the high-risk attacks on Tehran could be a "desperation move" ahead of the US midterm elections. Here's what he said. Trump saving himself from impeachment? Winnefeld told The Times that Operation Epic Fury could be Trump's attempt to boost his plummeting public approval ratings ahead of the crucial midterm elections. The former US military commander, who happens to be the most senior figure yet to speak out critically about the war, noted that if Trump loses control of Congress in the midterms, it could potentially lead to the POTUS's early ejection from the White House via impeachment. Also read | Can US' Patriot interceptors outlast Iran’ Shahed drones? Top Cmdr warns... "This could be a bit of a desperation move in order to try to galvanise the American public behind him," he said. "It is entirely possible that if he loses the midterms, he will be a lame duck president, and he won’t be able to accomplish as much as he wants to on his agenda." Winnefeld stated that it was "also a real threat to him personally". He noted that there was "no question" that "there will be new investigations opened up, potentially a long, drawn-out path towards a third impeachment." This, he said, was the "last thing that Donald Trump wants". Calling the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran a "risk," the former US commander said, Trump was "taking risks with inflation if oil prices maintain a high level. He’s taking a chance with his own political base, who actually elected him on a platform of no foreign wars." Also read | Fact-check: Is United States using Indian naval bases to attack Iran? Trump could end the war, but only if... The former top US military commander said that the US-Israel-Iran war was bound to end sooner rather than later, with a "some kind of a nuclear deal to save face". According to him, one way that might happen is with mediators coming up with a way for Trump to "declare victory before he runs out of ammunition". "One way you could envision this ending is that Oman and Qatar, both of whom are close to the Iranians, step in and negotiate something where Trump is allowed to declare victory before he runs out of ammunition. Iran agrees to not enrich or export anything that it’s already enriched".

Is Donald Trump risking a wider war with Iran to save his political future?Former US commander Sandy Winnefeld suggests the Iran strikes could be a “desperation move” before midterm elections, warning the US may face a race against time. Scroll down to read more.

Is Operation Epic Fury a 'desperation move' by Trump to win the US midterms? Ex US commander says...

Azerbaijan warned Tehran of retaliation after Iranian drones hit the airport amid rising tensions in the region. According to media reports, a drone launched from Iranian territory struck an airport building in Nakhichevan, injuring two people, while another fell near a school in the village of Shakarabad. Videos shared on social media showed smoke rising from the airport.&nbsp;“We strongly condemn these drone attacks launched from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which resulted in damage to the airport building and injuries of two civilians,” the statement said.“One drone fell on the terminal building of Nakhichevan Airport, while another drone fell near a school building in the village of Shekerabad,” the ministry said.Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">BREAKING: Iranian drone have reportedly struck near Nakhchivan Airport in Azerbaijan. <a href="https://t.co/ykhH48jikN">pic.twitter.com/ykhH48jikN</a>&mdash; Hananya Naftali (@HananyaNaftali) <a href="https://twitter.com/HananyaNaftali/status/2029479171349508434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BREAKING: Iran have attacked Azerbaijan, explosion seen near Nakhchivan Airport. <a href="https://t.co/BKBL3becYo">pic.twitter.com/BKBL3becYo</a>&mdash; Open Source Intel (@Osint613) <a href="https://twitter.com/Osint613/status/2029473983351906428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>‘Attack will not go unanswered’</h2>“Azerbaijan is preparing the necessary retaliatory measures to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country and to ensure the safety of civilians and civilian infrastructure,” the defence ministry said."These acts of attack will not go unanswered," it added.<h2>Azerbaijan summons Iranian envoy</h2>In response to the drone incident at the airport and near a school, Azerbaijan summoned Iranian envoy in Baku to express “strong protest” over the attack, which “contradicts the norms and principles of international law and contributes to rising tensions in the region.”The ministry warned, “Azerbaijan reserves the right to take appropriate retaliatory measures.”<h2>Tensions flare in West Asia</h2>This comes after the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran on Saturday (Feb 28), killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.Khamenei’s death was confirmed on March 1, with Iran vowing strong revenge over the killing of its supreme leader and warning that US bases in the region would be treated as American territory. Gulf states have cautioned against further escalation, even as Washington and Tel Aviv signal that operations could continue for weeks.As the conflict escalates, Iran-aligned groups have joined the fight. International leaders have called for de-escalation as some condemned the US-led action, while most NATO allies voiced support for Washington.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Azerbaijan accused Iran of launching drones that struck Nakhichevan airport and near a school, injuring two people. Baku condemned the attack, summoned Iran’s envoy, and warned the strikes would not go unanswered.

Azerbaijan warned Tehran of retaliation after Iranian drones hit the airport amid rising tensions in the region. According to media reports, a drone launched from Iranian territory struck an airport building in Nakhichevan, injuring two people, while another fell near a school in the village of Shakarabad. Videos shared on social media showed smoke rising from the airport. “We strongly condemn these drone attacks launched from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which resulted in damage to the airport building and injuries of two civilians,” the statement said. “One drone fell on the terminal building of Nakhichevan Airport, while another drone fell near a school building in the village of Shekerabad,” the ministry said. Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media.

Azerbaijan accused Iran of launching drones that struck Nakhichevan airport and near a school, injuring two people. Baku condemned the attack, summoned Iran’s envoy, and warned the strikes would not go unanswered.

Azerbaijan to enter war? Iranian drones hit airport, govt warns of retaliation | VIDEO

Iran condemned the US sinking of naval frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean, calling the vessel a “guest of India’s Navy” after it participated in Milan 2026 and the International Fleet Review. Tehran warned Washington would regret the strike, which reportedly killed dozens of sailors

Iran condemned the US sinking of naval frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean, calling the vessel a “guest of India’s Navy” after it participated in Milan 2026 and the International Fleet Review. Tehran warned Washington would regret the strike, which reportedly killed dozens of sailors

'Guest of Indian Navy': Iran issues first response after US torpedo sinks Iranian warship 'IRIS Dena', mentions India

Iranian forces on Thursday (Mar 5) denied firing any missile towards Turkey, saying that it respects the sovereignty of its neighbouring and friendly country, according to a statement carried by state media. This comes after Turkish officials said on Wednesday that a ballistic missile launched from Iran towards its airspace via Iraq and Syria was destroyed by NATO air defence systems.In a call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Iran was only targeting US and Israeli bases and facilities in the region “used to plan and execute aggressive operations against Iran,” according to IRIB, Iran’s state broadcaster.This comes after the Turkish defence ministry said on Wednesday that a missile fired by Iran towards the country had been “engaged and neutralised by NATO air-and-missile defence assets deployed in the eastern Mediterranean.”The fragments of the interceptor used to neutralise “the threat in the air” fell in the Dortyol district in southern Turkey, near the Syrian border, the officials said. No casualties were reported in the incident.A Turkish official told AFP that the missile had been “aimed at a base in Greek Cyprus but veered off course”.‘Unacceptable’Reacting to the incident, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a call with Fidan “that attacks on Turkey’s sovereign territory were unacceptable and pledged full support from the United States,” according to State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott.NATO also condemned the incident, saying, “NATO stands firmly with all allies, including Turkiye, as Iran continues its indiscriminate attacks across the region.”“Our deterrence and defence posture remains strong across all domains, including when it comes to air and missile defence,” NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart said.This comes after the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran on Saturday (Feb 28), killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.Khamenei’s death was confirmed on March 1, with Iran vowing strong revenge over the killing of its supreme leader and warning that US bases in the region would be treated as American territory. Gulf states have cautioned against further escalation, even as Washington and Tel Aviv signal that operations could continue for weeks.As the conflict escalates, Iran-aligned groups have joined the fight. International leaders have called for de-escalation as some condemned the US-led action, while most NATO allies voiced support for Washington.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran denied firing any missile towards Turkey after Ankara’s claim that a ballistic missile from Iran was intercepted by NATO air defences after crossing Iraq and Syria.

Iranian forces on Thursday (Mar 5) denied firing any missile towards Turkey, saying that it respects the sovereignty of its neighbouring and friendly country, according to a statement carried by state media. This comes after Turkish officials said on Wednesday that a ballistic missile launched from Iran towards its airspace via Iraq and Syria was destroyed by NATO air defence systems. In a call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that Iran was only targeting US and Israeli bases and facilities in the region “used to plan and execute aggressive operations against Iran,” according to IRIB, Iran’s state broadcaster. This comes after the Turkish defence ministry said on Wednesday that a missile fired by Iran towards the country had been “engaged and neutralised by NATO air-and-missile defence assets deployed in the eastern Mediterranean.” The fragments of the interceptor used to neutralise “the threat in the air” fell in the Dortyol district in southern Turkey, near the Syrian border, the officials said. No casualties were reported in the incident. A Turkish official told AFP that the missile had been “aimed at a base in Greek Cyprus but veered off course”. ‘Unacceptable’ Reacting to the incident, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a call with Fidan “that attacks on Turkey’s sovereign territory were unacceptable and pledged full support from the United States,” according to State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott. NATO also condemned the incident, saying, “NATO stands firmly with all allies, including Turkiye, as Iran continues its indiscriminate attacks across the region.” “Our deterrence and defence posture remains strong across all domains, including when it comes to air and missile defence,” NATO spokeswoman Allison Hart said. This comes after the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran on Saturday (Feb 28), killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Khamenei’s death was confirmed on March 1, with Iran vowing strong revenge over the killing of its supreme leader and warning that US bases in the region would be treated as American territory. Gulf states have cautioned against further escalation, even as Washington and Tel Aviv signal that operations could continue for weeks. As the conflict escalates, Iran-aligned groups have joined the fight. International leaders have called for de-escalation as some condemned the US-led action, while most NATO allies voiced support for Washington. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Iran denied firing any missile towards Turkey after Ankara’s claim that a ballistic missile from Iran was intercepted by NATO air defences after crossing Iraq and Syria.

Did Iran fire missile at Turkey? Tehran responds after NATO shoots down ‘air threat’

The United States forces marked the 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury against Iran on Thursday (Mar 5), sharing dramatic visuals from the military strikes. Since the operation began on Saturday (Feb 28), the military conflict has spread across the Middle East region. As the fighting continued on the 5th day, Iran launched a fresh wave of missiles at Israel on Thursday, triggering alerts in several areas, including Tel Aviv. Following this, explosions were heard in Tehran as the US and Israeli forces continue their operation against the Islamic regime.Sharing the video, the US Central Command wrote in caption, “‘100 Hours’ of Operation Epic Fury.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;100 Hours&quot; of Operation Epic Fury. <a href="https://t.co/XW5ZnRAJJL">pic.twitter.com/XW5ZnRAJJL</a>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2029345177819574525?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The effort to eliminate the Iranian regime&#39;s mobile missile launch capabilities continues. We are finding and destroying these threats with lethal precision. <a href="https://t.co/AkGRYOjnOz">pic.twitter.com/AkGRYOjnOz</a>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2029412335916376164?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In another post, CENTCOM said that US forces have sunk more than 20 vessels of the Iranian regime vessels with overwhelming firepower from air, land, and sea. It added that US forces have reduced Iranian drone launches by 73 per cent and ballistic missile launches by 86 per cent.CENTCOM also claimed, “While the Iranian regime indiscriminately targets civilians with missiles and drones, US forces continue to aggressively hunt and destroy Iranian missile launchers with precision.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">While the Iranian regime indiscriminately targets civilians with missiles and drones, U.S. forces continue to aggressively hunt and destroy Iranian missile launchers with precision. <a href="https://t.co/1RIhMcg0Jm">pic.twitter.com/1RIhMcg0Jm</a>&mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) <a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2029240947666551179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This comes after the US and Israeli military launched strikes on Iran on Saturday (Feb 28), killing Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and several other top Iranian officials. The operation was named ‘Epic Fury’ by the US and ‘Lion’s Roar’ by Israel. The attacks came amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran and ongoing talks over Iran’s nuclear program. In retaliation, Iran launched attacks on Israel and US military bases in the region, including in Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.Khamenei’s death was confirmed on March 1, with Iran vowing strong revenge over the killing of its supreme leader and warning that US bases in the region would be treated as American territory. Gulf states have cautioned against further escalation, even as Washington and Tel Aviv signal that operations could continue for weeks.As the conflict escalates, Iran-aligned groups have joined the fight. International leaders have called for de-escalation as some condemned the US-led action, while most NATO allies voiced support for Washington.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

The US marked 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury against Iran, releasing strike visuals as fighting spread across the Middle East. Iran launched missiles at Israel while US-Israeli forces continued attacks on Iranian targets.

The United States forces marked the 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury against Iran on Thursday (Mar 5), sharing dramatic visuals from the military strikes. Since the operation began on Saturday (Feb 28), the military conflict has spread across the Middle East region. As the fighting continued on the 5th day, Iran launched a fresh wave of missiles at Israel on Thursday, triggering alerts in several areas, including Tel Aviv. Following this, explosions were heard in Tehran as the US and Israeli forces continue their operation against the Islamic regime. Sharing the video, the US Central Command wrote in caption, “‘100 Hours’ of Operation Epic Fury.”

The US marked 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury against Iran, releasing strike visuals as fighting spread across the Middle East. Iran launched missiles at Israel while US-Israeli forces continued attacks on Iranian targets.

100 hours of Operation Epic Fury: CENTCOM shares dramatic footage of strikes against Iran – WATCH

The Middle East crisis has once again brought to the fore prophecies made by several mystics about the jarring world situation. Nostradamus, the French psychic who is said to have predicted major world events like 9/11 and Princess Diana's death, talked about a "swarm of bees" in his book "Les Propheties", written in 1555. Those who believe in his prophecies say that this prediction is linked to the Iran war, where the "swarm of bees" refers to the drones playing an active role in the Middle East conflict. The passage named Quatrain I:26 reads, "The great swarm of bees will arise… by night the ambush…". It remained vague till before the war between the US, Israel and Iran started. Earlier, his followers linked the prophecy to the growth of world leaders, like Putin and Trump. But seeing how deadly drones are being used in the conflict, the bees seem to be a reference to the unmanned vehicles. Further, these are one-way drones, which detonate after they striking, similar to honeybees who die after stinging.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/flying-at-only-80-feet-altitude-iranian-planes-almost-hit-largest-american-air-base-in-middle-east-1772680709567">Flying at only 80 feet altitude, Iranian planes almost hit largest American air base in Middle East: Report</a><h2>Drone attacks in the Iran-US war</h2>The US is using drones that are part of Task Force Scorpion, America's first Kamikaze drone unit. Each drone costs $35,000 and is a rip-off of the Iranian Shahed drones. United States Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper said in a statement that they have been using "countless one-way attack drones". The US had been watching the Shahed drones for years, and over the years, worked on the technology and "made it better" to develop their own loitering drones. The Shahed and Task Force Scorpion drones are suicide drones equipped with a warhead. They linger over the site, set their target and then crash into them. Their cost makes them an effective tool for wreaking destruction before fighter jets can go in for the kill.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kurdish-fighters-launch-ground-offensive-in-iran-call-between-iranian-fm-and-iraqi-kurds-leader-trump-backs-kurds-israel-helps-kurdish-forces-1772677428233">FACT CHECK: Did Kurdish fighters really launch ground offensive in Iran?</a><h2>How long could the Iran war last?</h2>Nostradamus also talked about a long war, which his followers think is about the current conflict. "Seven months great war, people dead through evil / Rouen, Evreux the King will not fail," the psychic wrote in his book. Iran has been hitting US bases in several Gulf countries, such as the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Canada hinted on Thursday that the country could join the war against Iran. Prime Minister Mark Carney said that he couldn’t rule out military participation in the Middle East crisis. "One can never categorically rule out participation. We will stand by our allies,” he said at a conference with his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, in Canberra. &nbsp;

Two Nostradamus prophecies have resurfaced amid the ongoing Iran war. One of them is being linked to the extensive use of drones in the conflict, while the other talks about how long the war could last. The French psychic wrote the predictions in his book “Les Propheties”. 

The Middle East crisis has once again brought to the fore prophecies made by several mystics about the jarring world situation. Nostradamus, the French psychic who is said to have predicted major world events like 9/11 and Princess Diana's death, talked about a "swarm of bees" in his book "Les Propheties", written in 1555. Those who believe in his prophecies say that this prediction is linked to the Iran war, where the "swarm of bees" refers to the drones playing an active role in the Middle East conflict. The passage named Quatrain I:26 reads, "The great swarm of bees will arise… by night the ambush…". It remained vague till before the war between the US, Israel and Iran started. Earlier, his followers linked the prophecy to the growth of world leaders, like Putin and Trump. But seeing how deadly drones are being used in the conflict, the bees seem to be a reference to the unmanned vehicles. Further, these are one-way drones, which detonate after they striking, similar to honeybees who die after stinging. Also Read: Flying at only 80 feet altitude, Iranian planes almost hit largest American air base in Middle East: Report Drone attacks in the Iran-US war The US is using drones that are part of Task Force Scorpion, America's first Kamikaze drone unit. Each drone costs $35,000 and is a rip-off of the Iranian Shahed drones. United States Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper said in a statement that they have been using "countless one-way attack drones". The US had been watching the Shahed drones for years, and over the years, worked on the technology and "made it better" to develop their own loitering drones. The Shahed and Task Force Scorpion drones are suicide drones equipped with a warhead. They linger over the site, set their target and then crash into them. Their cost makes them an effective tool for wreaking destruction before fighter jets can go in for the kill. Also Read: FACT CHECK: Did Kurdish fighters really launch ground offensive in Iran? How long could the Iran war last? Nostradamus also talked about a long war, which his followers think is about the current conflict. "Seven months great war, people dead through evil / Rouen, Evreux the King will not fail," the psychic wrote in his book. Iran has been hitting US bases in several Gulf countries, such as the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Canada hinted on Thursday that the country could join the war against Iran. Prime Minister Mark Carney said that he couldn’t rule out military participation in the Middle East crisis. "One can never categorically rule out participation. We will stand by our allies,” he said at a conference with his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, in Canberra.

Two Nostradamus prophecies have resurfaced amid the ongoing Iran war. One of them is being linked to the extensive use of drones in the conflict, while the other talks about how long the war could last. The French psychic wrote the predictions in his book “Les Propheties”.&nbsp;

People think THIS Nostradamus prophecy is linked to suicide drones being used in US-Iran war

US CENTCOM shared dramatic visuals of fighter jets launching from the USS Gerald R. Ford in the Mediterranean, as the carrier strike group supports Operation Epic Fury and intensifies US military pressure on Iran from the sea.

US CENTCOM shared dramatic visuals of fighter jets launching from the USS Gerald R. Ford in the Mediterranean, as the carrier strike group supports Operation Epic Fury and intensifies US military pressure on Iran from the sea.

CENTCOM shares dramatic USS Gerald R. Ford strike visuals amid Iran war – PICS

As the military tensions between Israel, the US and Iran spread across West Asia, the US government asked Americans to leave Iraq as soon as possible. In a statement released on Wednesday (March 4), the US embassy said, “The US government cares about your safety and will continue to provide you with the information necessary to make informed decisions. US citizens in Iraq are strongly advised to depart as soon as circumstances permit and to remain at their places of residence until conditions are safe for departure. Please ensure you have an adequate stockpile of food, water, medications, and other essential supplies.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">تنبيه أمني - سفارة الولايات المتحدة في بغداد، العراق - 4 مارس/آذار 2026 الموقع: العراق، على مستوى البلاد الموضوع: التحديث رقم 5 تهتم حكومة الولايات المتحدة بسلامتكم، وستواصل تزويدكم بالمعلومات اللازمة لاتخاذ قرارات مدروسة. يُنصح المواطنين الأمريكيين في العراق بشدة بالمغادرة حالما… <a href="https://t.co/Sll8dNnJqq">pic.twitter.com/Sll8dNnJqq</a>&mdash; U.S. Embassy Baghdad (@USEmbBaghdad) <a href="https://twitter.com/USEmbBaghdad/status/2029241246972084710?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranian-warship-sunk-in-indian-ocean-after-us-attack-confirms-pete-hegseth-says-us-and-israel-will-have-control-of-iran-skies-1772631336114">Iranian warship sunk in Indian Ocean after US attack, confirms Pete Hegseth, says US and Israel ‘will have control of Iran skies’</a>&nbsp;"The US Mission in Iraq continues to implement shelter-in-place measures for all its personnel. We recommend that all US citizens in Iraq who are unable to depart safely follow the same procedure until further notice. To the extent possible, remain in your homes, hotels or other buildings, and stay away from windows," the post added.&nbsp;This came after the US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth announced on Wednesday (March 4) that an Iranian warship had sunk in the Indian Ocean following an American strike. He stated that the US had “torpedoed” the vessel in international waters. The confirmation followed an earlier statement by a Sri Lankan navy spokesperson, who reported that several bodies had been recovered after the Iranian frigate Iris Dena went down just beyond the island’s territorial waters.&nbsp;During a briefing, Hegseth also asserted that the US and Israel would gain “complete control of Iran’s skies in under a week.” He said the US was prepared to deploy precision gravity bombs, which he described as being in “unlimited stockpile.” According to him, the enemy is no longer capable of launching missiles at the previous scale. “We can sustain this fight easily,” he said, adding that the US would determine when and how the conflict ends, on its own terms.

Iran warned that Israeli embassies would become legitimate targets if Israel attacks Iran’s embassy in Beirut. Meanwhile, the IDF announced a large-scale strike on a major Iranian military compound.

As the military tensions between Israel, the US and Iran spread across West Asia, the US government asked Americans to leave Iraq as soon as possible. In a statement released on Wednesday (March 4), the US embassy said, “The US government cares about your safety and will continue to provide you with the information necessary to make informed decisions. US citizens in Iraq are strongly advised to depart as soon as circumstances permit and to remain at their places of residence until conditions are safe for departure. Please ensure you have an adequate stockpile of food, water, medications, and other essential supplies.”

Iran warned that Israeli embassies would become legitimate targets if Israel attacks Iran’s embassy in Beirut. Meanwhile, the IDF announced a large-scale strike on a major Iranian military compound.

Leave Iraq now, US Embassy asks Americans as tensions soar with Iran

If the conflict involving Iran and the Gulf states, resulting from the Israel-US joint operation and retaliatory strikes by Tehran, does not stop by Friday, there could be a supply cut of 3.3 million barrels per day of crude oil. The warning from JP Morgan came amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, which is the world’s key oil transit chokepoint. The strait carries nearly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows.<h2>Iran Revolutionary Guards claim to have taken total control of Strait of Hormuz</h2>The situation escalated amid Iranian media reports that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards have closed the Strait of Hormuz and that Iran would fire on any ship attempting to pass. If the waterway is closed for long, &nbsp;the losses could escalate to 3.8 million bpd around day 15 since the start of the conflict on February 27. By day 18, it could reach 4.7 million bpd, JP Morgan said in a note.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-can-israel-us-replenish-interceptors-faster-than-iran-makes-drones-1772607562517/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-can-israel-us-replenish-interceptors-faster-than-iran-makes-drones-1772607562517/embed</a><h2>Iraq, Kuwait would be forced to shut oil production</h2>If oil tankers cannot move freely through the strait, production will have to be cut by countries with low storage capacity. Iraq will be forced to reduce oil production by more than 3 million bpd within a few days in such a scenario, Reuters news agency reported, citing Iraqi oil officials.Iraq can hold roughly three days of storage before it is forced to halt exports through the strait, making it most vulnerable due to its limited onshore storage capacity.&nbsp;Iraq has reportedly already begun partial shut-ins, with around 1.5 million bpd affected so far.Kuwait, meanwhile, could continue for roughly 14 days before it is also forced to halt production.Saudi Arabia has more storage facilities, possibly sufficient for 30 days.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-blog-us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-donald-trump-benjamin-netanyahu-ali-khamenei-mojtaba-khamenei-new-supreme-leader-assembly-of-experts-march-2026-1772584866186">US-Israel-Iran war LIVE updates: 'We can sustain this fight easily', says Hegseth</a><h2>Storage capacity could be exhausted in 25 days if crude does not move across the Strait&nbsp;</h2>The combined onshore crude storage capacity across seven major Gulf producers – Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Iran – is estimated at about 343 million barrels.This equates to nearly 22 days of stranded production buffer, though additional offshore and empty tanker capacity could add a few more days, extending it to around 25 days.After this, widespread mandatory production shut-ins would have to begin, simply because there would be no place to store the crude oil.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-struck-covert-underground-nuclear-site-in-iran-used-for-secret-weapons-development-says-israel-1772573229766">'Struck ‘covert underground’ nuclear site in Iran used for secret weapons-development', says Israel</a><h2>A chain reaction that could increase crude oil prices</h2>Production shut-ins could raise oil prices, with Brent potentially reaching 100–120 dollars per barrel in severe, prolonged cases, according to reports.The Strait of Hormuz normally handles 16–20 million bpd of crude equivalent under typical conditions. The JP Morgan note emphasised that “speed and decisiveness” in response are critical, as delays quickly translate into forced shut-ins, particularly for lower-storage countries such as Iraq.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

If the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted by Iran, countries like Iraq and Kuwait could cut 3.3 million bpd of crude oil production. This risks Gulf crude supply losses and a sharp spike in global oil prices

If the conflict involving Iran and the Gulf states, resulting from the Israel-US joint operation and retaliatory strikes by Tehran, does not stop by Friday, there could be a supply cut of 3.3 million barrels per day of crude oil. The warning from JP Morgan came amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, which is the world’s key oil transit chokepoint. The strait carries nearly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows. Iran Revolutionary Guards claim to have taken total control of Strait of Hormuz The situation escalated amid Iranian media reports that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards have closed the Strait of Hormuz and that Iran would fire on any ship attempting to pass. If the waterway is closed for long, the losses could escalate to 3.8 million bpd around day 15 since the start of the conflict on February 27. By day 18, it could reach 4.7 million bpd, JP Morgan said in a note. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-can-israel-us-replenish-interceptors-faster-than-iran-makes-drones-1772607562517/embed Iraq, Kuwait would be forced to shut oil production If oil tankers cannot move freely through the strait, production will have to be cut by countries with low storage capacity. Iraq will be forced to reduce oil production by more than 3 million bpd within a few days in such a scenario, Reuters news agency reported, citing Iraqi oil officials. Iraq can hold roughly three days of storage before it is forced to halt exports through the strait, making it most vulnerable due to its limited onshore storage capacity. Iraq has reportedly already begun partial shut-ins, with around 1.5 million bpd affected so far. Kuwait, meanwhile, could continue for roughly 14 days before it is also forced to halt production. Saudi Arabia has more storage facilities, possibly sufficient for 30 days. Also read: US-Israel-Iran war LIVE updates: 'We can sustain this fight easily', says Hegseth Storage capacity could be exhausted in 25 days if crude does not move across the Strait The combined onshore crude storage capacity across seven major Gulf producers – Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Iran – is estimated at about 343 million barrels. This equates to nearly 22 days of stranded production buffer, though additional offshore and empty tanker capacity could add a few more days, extending it to around 25 days. After this, widespread mandatory production shut-ins would have to begin, simply because there would be no place to store the crude oil. Also read: 'Struck ‘covert underground’ nuclear site in Iran used for secret weapons-development', says Israel A chain reaction that could increase crude oil prices Production shut-ins could raise oil prices, with Brent potentially reaching 100–120 dollars per barrel in severe, prolonged cases, according to reports. The Strait of Hormuz normally handles 16–20 million bpd of crude equivalent under typical conditions. The JP Morgan note emphasised that “speed and decisiveness” in response are critical, as delays quickly translate into forced shut-ins, particularly for lower-storage countries such as Iraq. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

If the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted by Iran, countries like Iraq and Kuwait could cut 3.3 million bpd of crude oil production. This risks Gulf crude supply losses and a sharp spike in global oil prices

Iraq, Kuwait could stop oil exports in days; 3.3 million barrels per day of crude supply to be hit if Iran vs Israel-US conflict drags on

It is very clear that Iran of 2026 is not Iraq of 2003. No large groups of protesters against the regime have gathered in Tehran's Azadi Square with claims to form the next government, five days after US-Israeli bombing. There is no sign of a new government, other than the Islamic Republic. At best, people are confused, afraid and keeping a low profile. &nbsp;As Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, the US and Israel have bombed out the entire negotiating table, leaving nobody to take charge of the nation. The US is appealing to ethnic groups such as the Kurds to take the fight forward in their respective regions against the still-entrenched Iranian forces to help complete the transition into a new regime. But how good is that idea?&nbsp;<h2>Best alternatives to current Iranian leadership are already gone in Israeli strikes</h2>US President Donald Trump himself said that the second and third options for leadership transition are gone. This is because, the first day of the current conflict saw Israel “take out” much of the leadership of Iran, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. This could frustrate any future efforts to bring in a semblance of security, safety and stability. Added to this is the Israeli threat that any new Supreme Leader would also be a target for assassination.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-cia-reportedly-plans-to-use-kurds-for-regime-change-in-iran-1772625570340/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-cia-reportedly-plans-to-use-kurds-for-regime-change-in-iran-1772625570340/embed</a><h2>Iran is not a simple puzzle to crack, it's a vast nation&nbsp;</h2>Iran is a vast nation with huge resources, including oil. With its control over much of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has long played a key role in global commerce. Surprisingly, Iran is still standing in spite of the decapitation strikes by the US and Israel. Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah, repeatedly said he is ready to take Iran into a new phase of transition, but neither Trump nor Israel appears interested in backing him. Even the last Shah’s widow urged caution and warned against plunging the country into chaos, saying Iran must not be allowed to descend into bloodshed and fragmentation.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-weighs-arming-militias-to-overthrow-iran-regime-wants-somebody-from-within-report-1772599622355">Trump’s 'Operation Epic Fury' targets Tehran: Is a US-backed militia the key to ending the Iran war?</a><h2>Iran today is not like Iraq in 2003: Not many cheering for the US or Israel or the fall of a regime</h2>When the US invaded Saddam Hussein’s Iraq in 2003, many people there rejoiced. But in Iran today, there is no comparable atmosphere. The large, sustained protest movements of late 2025 did draw millions into the streets initially. However, before the February 27 bombardment, the Iranian system had already brutally suppressed the protests, with killings, mass arrests and an internet blackout. This may be why, after the US–Israel strike, there is no unified rival government claiming authority or occupying major Iranian cities. Perhaps the discontent, though serious, was not nationwide as projected in some sections of the media earlier; it was concentrated in pockets of Iranian society.Thousands of protesters were reportedly killed amid curfews, arrests and show trials. Tehran residents might be too fearful now to suddenly come out and attempt a physical overthrow of the government or its officials.In short, there is no revolution.Iran’s permanent UN envoy has said that Tehran has not contacted Washington about peace talks and is sceptical about resuming official negotiations after the hostilities. With possible intermediaries such as Qatar, Oman and the UAE also drawn into the conflict by Iranian retaliatory strikes, even indirect talks have been disrupted.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-blog-us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-donald-trump-benjamin-netanyahu-ali-khamenei-mojtaba-khamenei-new-supreme-leader-assembly-of-experts-march-2026-1772584866186">US-Israel-Iran war LIVE updates: Iran postpones state funeral for Khamenei: state TV</a><h2>From Kurds to Baluchs to Arabs and others: What are the US options for a proxy takeover?</h2>Reports say that the US has been in discussions with Iranian Kurdish militia leaders about potential military operations in western Iran. The idea is for Kurdish forces to weaken Iranian security forces in border regions. The US appears ready to arm the Kurds and provide intelligence cooperation.Long fighting the Islamic Republic, the Kurds are battle-hardened and familiar with the territory in western Iran that have seen opposition to Tehran. Kurdish groups have formed alliances and articulated political aims beyond simply supporting protests too.But there are downsides. If they are entertained too much, the Kurds may push for secession. Many Kurdish groups have long sought autonomy or self-determination rather than reintegration into a centralised Iranian state.US engagement with Kurdish forces could inflame ethnic tensions, trigger wider regional conflict and draw in neighbours such as Turkey, which hosts a volatile Kurdish community that has only recently scaled down armed attacks on Turkish state targets.&nbsp;US arming of Kurdish groups could lead to a never-ending civil war situation, similar to what Syria experienced for over a decade after the so-called Arab Spring revolutions.This could, in essence, lead to the Balkanisation of Iran into ethnic strongholds and pockets.&nbsp;<h2>Other than the Kurds, what options does the US have in Iran?</h2>The Baluch minority in south-eastern Iran is another group the US is believed to be in contact with, according to intelligence reports. These are largely Sunni groups that have long sought greater autonomy or independence and have a history of armed resistance against the Iranian state.The Arab minority in Khuzestan province is another group in Iran’s south-west that has engaged in protests and clashes with security forces in past years and remains politically significant.&nbsp;Feelers have also been sent to moderate regime officials and dissidents inside Iran. The US may be talking to ‘friendly figures’ within Iran’s military and government, offering conditional support to those willing to break with hardliners.US strategists are also said to be engaging civil society actors, local leaders and influencers inside Iran who might provide political legitimacy or leadership in a transition period, not necessarily as armed groups.<h2>Can exile groups run Iran?</h2>There is a multitude of Iranian opposition groups in exile, such as the Iran National Council, which bring together secular and pro-democracy factions, including supporters of Reza Pahlavi. However, there has been no direct high-level US coordination with them in the context of the current crisis.Iran-focused opposition organisations based in the West or the US are part of the broader opposition ecosystem and often influence Washington policy debates. The Organisation of Iranian American Communities (OIAC), an advocacy group that supports ending the Islamic Republic’s rule and a democratic transition, is one such, with historical links to the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK).However, none of these groups appears capable of handling a wholesale political or governmental transition inside Iran at present.In short, there is no consolidated internal interim government or group capable of providing broad national leadership to Iranians.In essence, if continuity is not ensured, the US and Isreael run the risk of leaving behind a major power vacuum in Iran.&nbsp;Continuity of governance, at present, can only come from remnants of the Islamic Republic.US leveraging of any other group, without a cohesive and broadly supported governance plan, risks internal fragmentation, ethnic conflict, Balkanisation and possible civil war, rather than a smooth transition.Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

After US–Israel decapitatation of Iran’s leadership, there's no sign of an alternative form of government emerging. Former anti-regime protesters are not cheering on the streets for a revolution. The US is talking with Kurds, Baluch, Arab groups and dissidents. Has Iran's fragmentation begun?

It is very clear that Iran of 2026 is not Iraq of 2003. No large groups of protesters against the regime have gathered in Tehran's Azadi Square with claims to form the next government, five days after US-Israeli bombing. There is no sign of a new government, other than the Islamic Republic. At best, people are confused, afraid and keeping a low profile. As Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, the US and Israel have bombed out the entire negotiating table, leaving nobody to take charge of the nation. The US is appealing to ethnic groups such as the Kurds to take the fight forward in their respective regions against the still-entrenched Iranian forces to help complete the transition into a new regime. But how good is that idea? Best alternatives to current Iranian leadership are already gone in Israeli strikes US President Donald Trump himself said that the second and third options for leadership transition are gone. This is because, the first day of the current conflict saw Israel “take out” much of the leadership of Iran, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. This could frustrate any future efforts to bring in a semblance of security, safety and stability. Added to this is the Israeli threat that any new Supreme Leader would also be a target for assassination. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-cia-reportedly-plans-to-use-kurds-for-regime-change-in-iran-1772625570340/embed Iran is not a simple puzzle to crack, it's a vast nation Iran is a vast nation with huge resources, including oil. With its control over much of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has long played a key role in global commerce. Surprisingly, Iran is still standing in spite of the decapitation strikes by the US and Israel. Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah, repeatedly said he is ready to take Iran into a new phase of transition, but neither Trump nor Israel appears interested in backing him. Even the last Shah’s widow urged caution and warned against plunging the country into chaos, saying Iran must not be allowed to descend into bloodshed and fragmentation. Also read: Trump’s 'Operation Epic Fury' targets Tehran: Is a US-backed militia the key to ending the Iran war? Iran today is not like Iraq in 2003: Not many cheering for the US or Israel or the fall of a regime When the US invaded Saddam Hussein’s Iraq in 2003, many people there rejoiced. But in Iran today, there is no comparable atmosphere. The large, sustained protest movements of late 2025 did draw millions into the streets initially. However, before the February 27 bombardment, the Iranian system had already brutally suppressed the protests, with killings, mass arrests and an internet blackout. This may be why, after the US–Israel strike, there is no unified rival government claiming authority or occupying major Iranian cities. Perhaps the discontent, though serious, was not nationwide as projected in some sections of the media earlier; it was concentrated in pockets of Iranian society. Thousands of protesters were reportedly killed amid curfews, arrests and show trials. Tehran residents might be too fearful now to suddenly come out and attempt a physical overthrow of the government or its officials. In short, there is no revolution. Iran’s permanent UN envoy has said that Tehran has not contacted Washington about peace talks and is sceptical about resuming official negotiations after the hostilities. With possible intermediaries such as Qatar, Oman and the UAE also drawn into the conflict by Iranian retaliatory strikes, even indirect talks have been disrupted. Also read: US-Israel-Iran war LIVE updates: Iran postpones state funeral for Khamenei: state TV From Kurds to Baluchs to Arabs and others: What are the US options for a proxy takeover? Reports say that the US has been in discussions with Iranian Kurdish militia leaders about potential military operations in western Iran. The idea is for Kurdish forces to weaken Iranian security forces in border regions. The US appears ready to arm the Kurds and provide intelligence cooperation. Long fighting the Islamic Republic, the Kurds are battle-hardened and familiar with the territory in western Iran that have seen opposition to Tehran. Kurdish groups have formed alliances and articulated political aims beyond simply supporting protests too. But there are downsides. If they are entertained too much, the Kurds may push for secession. Many Kurdish groups have long sought autonomy or self-determination rather than reintegration into a centralised Iranian state. US engagement with Kurdish forces could inflame ethnic tensions, trigger wider regional conflict and draw in neighbours such as Turkey, which hosts a volatile Kurdish community that has only recently scaled down armed attacks on Turkish state targets. US arming of Kurdish groups could lead to a never-ending civil war situation, similar to what Syria experienced for over a decade after the so-called Arab Spring revolutions. This could, in essence, lead to the Balkanisation of Iran into ethnic strongholds and pockets. Other than the Kurds, what options does the US have in Iran? The Baluch minority in south-eastern Iran is another group the US is believed to be in contact with, according to intelligence reports. These are largely Sunni groups that have long sought greater autonomy or independence and have a history of armed resistance against the Iranian state. The Arab minority in Khuzestan province is another group in Iran’s south-west that has engaged in protests and clashes with security forces in past years and remains politically significant. Feelers have also been sent to moderate regime officials and dissidents inside Iran. The US may be talking to ‘friendly figures’ within Iran’s military and government, offering conditional support to those willing to break with hardliners. US strategists are also said to be engaging civil society actors, local leaders and influencers inside Iran who might provide political legitimacy or leadership in a transition period, not necessarily as armed groups. Can exile groups run Iran? There is a multitude of Iranian opposition groups in exile, such as the Iran National Council, which bring together secular and pro-democracy factions, including supporters of Reza Pahlavi. However, there has been no direct high-level US coordination with them in the context of the current crisis. Iran-focused opposition organisations based in the West or the US are part of the broader opposition ecosystem and often influence Washington policy debates. The Organisation of Iranian American Communities (OIAC), an advocacy group that supports ending the Islamic Republic’s rule and a democratic transition, is one such, with historical links to the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (MEK). However, none of these groups appears capable of handling a wholesale political or governmental transition inside Iran at present. In short, there is no consolidated internal interim government or group capable of providing broad national leadership to Iranians. In essence, if continuity is not ensured, the US and Isreael run the risk of leaving behind a major power vacuum in Iran. Continuity of governance, at present, can only come from remnants of the Islamic Republic. US leveraging of any other group, without a cohesive and broadly supported governance plan, risks internal fragmentation, ethnic conflict, Balkanisation and possible civil war, rather than a smooth transition. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

After US–Israel decapitatation of Iran’s leadership, there's no sign of an alternative form of government emerging. Former anti-regime protesters are not cheering on the streets for a revolution. The US is talking with Kurds, Baluch, Arab groups and dissidents. Has Iran's fragmentation begun?

Iran 2026 is not Iraq 2003: With top leaders gone, US talks to Kurds and other ethnic groups, but who will run Tehran?

The Israel-Iran-US conflict that started on February 28 has escalated and spread across the West Asia. The situation became dire enough to penetrate into the UAE's cities, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which were once considered the safest regions amid global conflicts. The US and Israel targeted multiple regions inside Iran in a joint military operation. In retaliation, Iran launched missiles and drones across multiple US bases in the Gulf states and Israel.&nbsp;Amid this, concerns have risen over the regions which are safer to stay in and are unaffected by war. As per a list prepared by Numbeo, these are the top 10 places that are safe to stay in amid the US-Israel-Iran conflict.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-offers-assistance-to-save-civilians-in-gulf-nations-amid-iran-s-offensive-but-has-a-condition-1772535170097">Zelensky offers assistance to save civilians in Gulf nations amid Iran's offensive, but has a condition</a>&nbsp;1. Qingdao, Shandong, China 2. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 3. Doha, Qatar 4. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates 5. Dubai, United Arab Emirates 6. Taipei, Taiwan 7. Manama, Bahrain 8. Muscat, Oman 9. The Hague (Den Haag), Netherlands 10. Eindhoven, Netherlands&nbsp;The data by Numbeo was prepared using surveys answered by website visitors. According to a list by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the UAE is not among the safest places. Here is the list of IEP.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranian-warship-sunk-in-indian-ocean-after-us-attack-confirms-pete-hegseth-says-us-and-israel-will-have-control-of-iran-skies-1772631336114">Iranian warship sunk in Indian Ocean after US attack, confirms Pete Hegseth, says US and Israel ‘will have control of Iran skies’</a>&nbsp;1. Iceland 2. Ireland 3. New Zealand 4. Austria 5. Switzerland 6. Singapore 7. Portugal 8. Denmark 9. Slovenia 10. Finland&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Amid escalating US–Iran–Israel tensions, global safety rankings gained attention. The Institute for Economics and Peace lists Iceland, Ireland and New Zealand among the safest countries, while Numbeo ranks cities like Qingdao, Abu Dhabi and Dubai highly, though regional risks remain fluid.

The Israel-Iran-US conflict that started on February 28 has escalated and spread across the West Asia. The situation became dire enough to penetrate into the UAE's cities, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which were once considered the safest regions amid global conflicts. The US and Israel targeted multiple regions inside Iran in a joint military operation. In retaliation, Iran launched missiles and drones across multiple US bases in the Gulf states and Israel. Amid this, concerns have risen over the regions which are safer to stay in and are unaffected by war. As per a list prepared by Numbeo, these are the top 10 places that are safe to stay in amid the US-Israel-Iran conflict. Also read: Zelensky offers assistance to save civilians in Gulf nations amid Iran's offensive, but has a condition 1. Qingdao, Shandong, China 2. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 3. Doha, Qatar 4. Sharjah, United Arab Emirates 5. Dubai, United Arab Emirates 6. Taipei, Taiwan 7. Manama, Bahrain 8. Muscat, Oman 9. The Hague (Den Haag), Netherlands 10. Eindhoven, Netherlands The data by Numbeo was prepared using surveys answered by website visitors. According to a list by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), the UAE is not among the safest places. Here is the list of IEP. Also read: Iranian warship sunk in Indian Ocean after US attack, confirms Pete Hegseth, says US and Israel ‘will have control of Iran skies’ 1. Iceland 2. Ireland 3. New Zealand 4. Austria 5. Switzerland 6. Singapore 7. Portugal 8. Denmark 9. Slovenia 10. Finland Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Amid escalating US–Iran–Israel tensions, global safety rankings gained attention. The Institute for Economics and Peace lists Iceland, Ireland and New Zealand among the safest countries, while Numbeo ranks cities like Qingdao, Abu Dhabi and Dubai highly, though regional risks remain fluid.

Safest countries to stay in amid US-Iran-Israel war. Check full list as ‘World War III’ nears

The commander of United States Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper, in a briefing about Operation Epic Fury, revealed that America is using drones designed on the Iranian model to hit back at the Islamic State. He also said that Iranian regime's ability to hit back is declining rapidly. Explaining about an important task force, he revealed that the US has formed a special drone task force named ‘Task Force Scorpion strike’ which has been deployed for the first time to launch “countless one-way attack drones.” He also said that these one-way drones are showing “massive effects.” The CENTCOM chief was referring to US LUCAS (Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System) - American one-way "kamikaze" drone - that are designed on the model of Iran’s Shahed-136.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/khamenei-s-top-aide-larijani-rules-out-negotiations-with-us-after-trump-says-i-have-agreed-to-talk-what-s-next-for-iran-1772424924420/amp">Khamenei's top aide Larijani rules out negotiations with US after Trump says 'I have agreed to talk' — What's next for Iran</a>&nbsp;In the briefing, he also said that the Iranian drones are ‘killer’ and have always spread terror in the region. Providing details on American ops in Iran, he said that US forces have struck nearly 2,000 targets with more than 2,000 munitions, using B-2 bombers and B-1 bombers that executed “uncontested surgical strikes against multiple missile facilities” and B-52 bomber force &nbsp;that “struck ballistic missile and command and control posts.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-signals-tougher-stance-while-israel-steps-up-airstrikes-on-iran-1772598580494/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-signals-tougher-stance-while-israel-steps-up-airstrikes-on-iran-1772598580494/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<blockquote>"For the first time, US Central Command's drone Task Force, called Task Force Scorpion strike launched countless one way attack drones achieving massive effects. I'd like to point out these drones were originally an Iranian design. We took them back to America, made them better, and fired them right back at Iran," CENTCOM Commander said. "Our military objectives are crystal clear, and our people are executing an immensely complex and historic mission with relentless lethality, conviction, and professionalism. And we've just begun. But I have the utmost confidence that we, alongside our partners, will absolutely achieve our military objectives," he added.</blockquote>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/trump-to-pick-iran-s-new-leader-after-khamenei-death-us-president-says-he-has-3-good-choices-reza-pahlavi-mojtaba-ali-larijani-abbas-aragchi-1772430896517">'Let's get the job done': Trump to pick Iran's new leader? US president says he has 3 'good choices'</a><h2>What is Task Force Scorpion, a kamikaze drone unit?</h2>Pentagon’s first drone unit, built for one-way strikes that can explode after hovering over a target were used against Iran after Donald Trump gave the go-ahead for military strikes. Earlier, reports stated that Task Force Scorpion, kamikaze drones, had been activated. These drones evolved from an experimental US Army drone unit.&nbsp;<h2>Drones reverse-engineered from Iran’s Shahed-136 drones</h2>These drones have been developed through reverse engineering based on Iran’s Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicle. One drone from the unit was successfully test-launched from the USS Santa Barbara in the Persian Gulf in mid-December. The warship is part of the armada currently deployed near Iran. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/task-force-scorpion-flying-bombs-a-page-from-iran-s-shahed-drones-that-could-be-soon-used-against-them-1772166457540/1772166457543">READ MORE ABOUT IT HERE&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.&nbsp;

CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper said the US is using LUCAS kamikaze drones, reverse-engineered from Iran’s Shahed-136, under Task Force Scorpion Strike in Operation Epic Fury. He claimed Iran’s strike capability is weakening as US forces hit nearly 2,000 targets with bombers and one-way drones.

The commander of United States Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper, in a briefing about Operation Epic Fury, revealed that America is using drones designed on the Iranian model to hit back at the Islamic State. He also said that Iranian regime's ability to hit back is declining rapidly. Explaining about an important task force, he revealed that the US has formed a special drone task force named ‘Task Force Scorpion strike’ which has been deployed for the first time to launch “countless one-way attack drones.” He also said that these one-way drones are showing “massive effects.” The CENTCOM chief was referring to US LUCAS (Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System) - American one-way "kamikaze" drone - that are designed on the model of Iran’s Shahed-136. Also Read: Khamenei's top aide Larijani rules out negotiations with US after Trump says 'I have agreed to talk' — What's next for Iran In the briefing, he also said that the Iranian drones are ‘killer’ and have always spread terror in the region. Providing details on American ops in Iran, he said that US forces have struck nearly 2,000 targets with more than 2,000 munitions, using B-2 bombers and B-1 bombers that executed “uncontested surgical strikes against multiple missile facilities” and B-52 bomber force that “struck ballistic missile and command and control posts.” https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-signals-tougher-stance-while-israel-steps-up-airstrikes-on-iran-1772598580494/embed "For the first time, US Central Command's drone Task Force, called Task Force Scorpion strike launched countless one way attack drones achieving massive effects. I'd like to point out these drones were originally an Iranian design. We took them back to America, made them better, and fired them right back at Iran," CENTCOM Commander said. "Our military objectives are crystal clear, and our people are executing an immensely complex and historic mission with relentless lethality, conviction, and professionalism. And we've just begun. But I have the utmost confidence that we, alongside our partners, will absolutely achieve our military objectives," he added. Also Read: 'Let's get the job done': Trump to pick Iran's new leader? US president says he has 3 'good choices' What is Task Force Scorpion, a kamikaze drone unit? Pentagon’s first drone unit, built for one-way strikes that can explode after hovering over a target were used against Iran after Donald Trump gave the go-ahead for military strikes. Earlier, reports stated that Task Force Scorpion, kamikaze drones, had been activated. These drones evolved from an experimental US Army drone unit. Drones reverse-engineered from Iran’s Shahed-136 drones These drones have been developed through reverse engineering based on Iran’s Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicle. One drone from the unit was successfully test-launched from the USS Santa Barbara in the Persian Gulf in mid-December. The warship is part of the armada currently deployed near Iran. READ MORE ABOUT IT HERE Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper said the US is using LUCAS kamikaze drones, reverse-engineered from Iran’s Shahed-136, under Task Force Scorpion Strike in Operation Epic Fury. He claimed Iran’s strike capability is weakening as US forces hit nearly 2,000 targets with bombers and one-way drones.

US using Iranian drones to strike Iran, CENTCOM chief says 'we took them, made them better...' — What he means

Amid Iran's criticism that the US might be dragged into the war on Israel's insistence, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Mar 3) denied all such claims and suggested that if anything, the opposite could be true and that he felt Iran was going to attack first. Speaking at a press conference in the Oval Office alongside visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump said that the US was negotiating with “lunatics” and he might have “forced” Israel into this war. Israel and the US ‘pre-emptively’ launched strikes on Iran on Feb 28, and killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-signals-tougher-stance-while-israel-steps-up-airstrikes-on-iran-1772598580494/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-signals-tougher-stance-while-israel-steps-up-airstrikes-on-iran-1772598580494/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;“No, I might have forced their hands. You see, we were having negotiations with these lunatics, and it was my opinion that they [the Iranians] were going to attack first,” Trump claimed. It must be noted that Trump's remark is not in line with what his Secretary of State said just a day ago, thus adding to the twist of why the US administration is confused about the reason why they attacked Iran. Moreover, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu defended pre-emptive strikes on Iran, saying Tehran was months away from securing its nuclear program but Trump administration has not yet issued any statements regarding his claims. When asked to Netanyahu if he dragged US into the war, he laughed off saying, “That’s ridiculous. Donald Trump is the strongest leader in the world. He does what he thinks is right for America. He does also what he thinks is right for future generations.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-struck-covert-underground-nuclear-site-in-iran-used-for-secret-weapons-development-says-israel-1772573229766">'Struck ‘covert underground’ nuclear site in Iran used for secret weapons-development', says Israel</a><h2>What Rubio said?</h2>US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday (Mar 3) that America attacked Iran “preemptively” after knowing about Israel's plans. “Obviously, we were aware of Israeli intentions and understood what that would mean for us, and we had to be prepared to act as a result of it. But this had to happen no matter what," he said. "We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action. We knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces, and we knew that if we didn't preemptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties," Rubio added. Rubio said that Iran had told field commanders to respond automatically against US forces if there was an attack. "If we stood and waited for that attack to come first before we hit them, we would suffer much higher casualties. And so the president made the very wise decision" to hit alongside Israel, Rubio said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-everything-has-been-knocked-out-in-iran-donald-trump-1772557096000">'EVERYTHING HAS BEEN KNOCKED OUT IN IRAN': Donald Trump</a><h2>Iran slams US for starting Israel's war</h2>After Rubio's statement, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that it is now proven that America is fighting Israel's war. Slamming his American counterpart Marco Rubio’s justification for attacking Tehran, Araghchi said that there was never anything called the “Iranian threat.” In a post on X, Araghchi said, “Mr. Rubio admitted what we all knew: US has entered a war of choice on behalf of Israel. There was never any so-called Iranian ‘threat'. Shedding of both American and Iranian blood is thus on Israel Firsters. American people deserve better and should take back their country.”&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Donald Trump suggested he may have “forced” Israel’s hand, claiming Iran was about to strike first, while Marco Rubio said the US acted preemptively knowing Israel’s plans. Iran accused Washington of entering a war on Israel’s behalf, deepening confusion over who initiated the conflict.

Amid Iran's criticism that the US might be dragged into the war on Israel's insistence, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Mar 3) denied all such claims and suggested that if anything, the opposite could be true and that he felt Iran was going to attack first. Speaking at a press conference in the Oval Office alongside visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump said that the US was negotiating with “lunatics” and he might have “forced” Israel into this war. Israel and the US ‘pre-emptively’ launched strikes on Iran on Feb 28, and killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-war-us-signals-tougher-stance-while-israel-steps-up-airstrikes-on-iran-1772598580494/embed “No, I might have forced their hands. You see, we were having negotiations with these lunatics, and it was my opinion that they [the Iranians] were going to attack first,” Trump claimed. It must be noted that Trump's remark is not in line with what his Secretary of State said just a day ago, thus adding to the twist of why the US administration is confused about the reason why they attacked Iran. Moreover, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu defended pre-emptive strikes on Iran, saying Tehran was months away from securing its nuclear program but Trump administration has not yet issued any statements regarding his claims. When asked to Netanyahu if he dragged US into the war, he laughed off saying, “That’s ridiculous. Donald Trump is the strongest leader in the world. He does what he thinks is right for America. He does also what he thinks is right for future generations.” Also Read: 'Struck ‘covert underground’ nuclear site in Iran used for secret weapons-development', says Israel What Rubio said? US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Monday (Mar 3) that America attacked Iran “preemptively” after knowing about Israel's plans. “Obviously, we were aware of Israeli intentions and understood what that would mean for us, and we had to be prepared to act as a result of it. But this had to happen no matter what," he said. "We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action. We knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces, and we knew that if we didn't preemptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties," Rubio added. Rubio said that Iran had told field commanders to respond automatically against US forces if there was an attack. "If we stood and waited for that attack to come first before we hit them, we would suffer much higher casualties. And so the president made the very wise decision" to hit alongside Israel, Rubio said. Also Read: 'EVERYTHING HAS BEEN KNOCKED OUT IN IRAN': Donald Trump Iran slams US for starting Israel's war After Rubio's statement, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that it is now proven that America is fighting Israel's war. Slamming his American counterpart Marco Rubio’s justification for attacking Tehran, Araghchi said that there was never anything called the “Iranian threat.” In a post on X, Araghchi said, “Mr. Rubio admitted what we all knew: US has entered a war of choice on behalf of Israel. There was never any so-called Iranian ‘threat'. Shedding of both American and Iranian blood is thus on Israel Firsters. American people deserve better and should take back their country.” Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

Donald Trump suggested he may have “forced” Israel’s hand, claiming Iran was about to strike first, while Marco Rubio said the US acted preemptively knowing Israel’s plans. Iran accused Washington of entering a war on Israel’s behalf, deepening confusion over who initiated the conflict.

'Forced Israel into war with Iranian lunatics': Trump contradicts Rubio's 'we knew Israeli plans' remark: Why is US confused?