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Mumbai: A tragic incident has claimed the life of a 33-year-old seafarer from Mumbai, after a missile reportedly struck the oil tanker he was working on while passing through the crucial maritime route of the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;The sailor, identified as Dixit Solanki, a resident of Kandivli, was part of the crew on a merchant vessel navigating through the region when the attack took place amid escalating tensions in West Asia.&nbsp;The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s busiest and most sensitive shipping corridors, through which a significant portion of global oil supply passes every day.&nbsp;According to initial information, the tanker was transiting the narrow sea route when it was reportedly hit by a missile, leading to the death of the Mumbai-based crew member.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-us-and-israel-of-trying-to-drag-arab-countries-into-wider-middle-east-conflict-1772705254973">Russia accuses US and Israel of trying to drag Arab countries into wider Middle East conflict</a>&nbsp;Authorities are currently verifying details of the incident, while maritime agencies continue to monitor the situation in the region.&nbsp;Back home in Kandivli, the news has left the seafarer’s family and neighbours devastated. Locals say he had only recently resumed work at sea after taking time off following the death of his mother.&nbsp;Neighbours described him as a hardworking young man who had taken up the demanding life of a merchant navy professional to support his family.&nbsp;Many in the locality said he was the primary earning member of the household.&nbsp;Following the incident, the National Union of Seafarers of India has expressed concern over the safety of Indian sailors working on international merchant ships.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-s-foreign-secretary-signs-condolence-book-at-iranian-embassy-offers-condolences-for-khamenei-1772708686949">India’s foreign secretary signs condolence book at Iranian embassy, offers condolences for Khamenei</a>&nbsp;The union has urged shipping companies and global maritime authorities to reconsider sailing routes that pass through conflict-prone waters and ensure stronger safety measures for crew members.&nbsp;They have also called on the Government of India to closely monitor the situation and extend support to the affected family.&nbsp;Authorities are now expected to coordinate with shipping companies and diplomatic channels to bring the seafarer’s mortal remains back home to Mumbai.

The tragic news left the seafarer’s family and neighbours devastated. Dixit Solanki had resumed work at sea recently after taking time off following the death of his mother. Neighbours described him as a hardworking young man.

Mumbai: A tragic incident has claimed the life of a 33-year-old seafarer from Mumbai, after a missile reportedly struck the oil tanker he was working on while passing through the crucial maritime route of the Strait of Hormuz. The sailor, identified as Dixit Solanki, a resident of Kandivli, was part of the crew on a merchant vessel navigating through the region when the attack took place amid escalating tensions in West Asia. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s busiest and most sensitive shipping corridors, through which a significant portion of global oil supply passes every day. According to initial information, the tanker was transiting the narrow sea route when it was reportedly hit by a missile, leading to the death of the Mumbai-based crew member. Also Read: Russia accuses US and Israel of trying to drag Arab countries into wider Middle East conflict Authorities are currently verifying details of the incident, while maritime agencies continue to monitor the situation in the region. Back home in Kandivli, the news has left the seafarer’s family and neighbours devastated. Locals say he had only recently resumed work at sea after taking time off following the death of his mother. Neighbours described him as a hardworking young man who had taken up the demanding life of a merchant navy professional to support his family. Many in the locality said he was the primary earning member of the household. Following the incident, the National Union of Seafarers of India has expressed concern over the safety of Indian sailors working on international merchant ships. Also Read: India’s foreign secretary signs condolence book at Iranian embassy, offers condolences for Khamenei The union has urged shipping companies and global maritime authorities to reconsider sailing routes that pass through conflict-prone waters and ensure stronger safety measures for crew members. They have also called on the Government of India to closely monitor the situation and extend support to the affected family. Authorities are now expected to coordinate with shipping companies and diplomatic channels to bring the seafarer’s mortal remains back home to Mumbai.

The tragic news left the seafarer’s family and neighbours devastated. Dixit Solanki had resumed work at sea recently after taking time off following the death of his mother. Neighbours described him as a hardworking young man.

Mumbai seafarer killed in missile strike on tanker in Strait of Hormuz

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signed the Condolence Book at the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi on Thursday on behalf of the Government of India, met Iranian Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Fathali, and offered condolences for the slain Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Misri’s visit to the Iranian Embassy and formal signing of the condolence book mark India’s first official response to the airstrike that claimed Khamenei’s life.&nbsp;&nbsp;The condolence book for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was opened on Thursday, and Russian ambassador Denis Alipov was among the first to sign the book.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signs the condolence book for Iran&#39;s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi <a href="https://t.co/KXGxFUOgCn">pic.twitter.com/KXGxFUOgCn</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2029510619700035836?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-us-and-israel-of-trying-to-drag-arab-countries-into-wider-middle-east-conflict-1772705254973">Russia accuses US and Israel of trying to drag Arab countries into wider Middle East conflict</a>&nbsp;The US-Israeli airstrike that killed Khamenei has escalated the conflict in the Middle East, drawing condolences from various countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri signs the condolence book at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi, offering condolences for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei . . . . Video: ANI <a href="https://t.co/aqiQ2L2p0V">pic.twitter.com/aqiQ2L2p0V</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2029511786492559638?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;&nbsp;Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a “swift end” to hostilities and emphasised that “no issue can be resolved through military confrontation.”PM Modi made the remarks following wide-ranging talks with Finnish President Alexander Stubb on Thursday, as the United States and Israel’s military operations in Iran entered their sixth day, with both sides launching fresh strikes.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-seafarer-killed-in-missile-strike-on-tanker-in-strait-of-hormuz-1772707708065">Mumbai seafarer killed in missile strike on tanker in Strait of Hormuz</a>&nbsp;The 86-year-old former Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran had been ruling the country since 1989 and was killed in a combined military operation launched by the United States and Israel in the early hours of Saturday.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/azerbaijan-to-enter-war-iranian-drones-target-airport-govt-warns-of-retaliation-1772700456899">Azerbaijan to enter war? Iranian drones hit airport, govt warns of retaliation | VIDEO</a>&nbsp;India had not issued a statement since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict but had urged all the involved parties to immediately de-escalate. It had also remained silent over the death of Ali Khamenei.&nbsp;

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Iranian Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Fathali, and offered condolences for the slain Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The condolence book for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was opened earlier on Thursday.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signed the Condolence Book at the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi on Thursday on behalf of the Government of India, met Iranian Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Fathali, and offered condolences for the slain Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Misri’s visit to the Iranian Embassy and formal signing of the condolence book mark India’s first official response to the airstrike that claimed Khamenei’s life. The condolence book for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was opened on Thursday, and Russian ambassador Denis Alipov was among the first to sign the book.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Iranian Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Fathali, and offered condolences for the slain Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The condolence book for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was opened earlier on Thursday.

India’s foreign secretary signs condolence book at Iranian embassy, offers condolences for Khamenei

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

The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, on Wednesday (March 4), accused US President Donald Trump of dragging Americans into an unfair war with Iran at the behest of Israeli ambitions. He further claimed that 500 US troops were killed in the previous five days of the war, suggesting that Washington is downplaying its casualties in “Operation Epic Fury”. Larijani has stepped up to fill the power vacuum left following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes on March 1. Following Khamenei's death, Larijani refuted media reports in the United States claiming he had made a new push to resume nuclear talks with Washington.&nbsp;"Mr Trump, with Netanyahu's clownish antics, dragged the American people into an unfair war with Iran. Now let him do the math: with over 500 American troops killed (in these past few days), is it still "America First," or "Israel First"?"- wrote Ali Larjani in a social media post on X. “The saga continues. The martyrdom of Imam Khamenei will exact a heavy price from you. God willing,” he further added.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/marine-veteran-brian-mcginnis-injured-senate-hearing-iran-war-protest-1772688302380">US Senator accused of breaking Marine Brian McGinnis' arm during Iran war protest</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">آقای ترامپ با دلقک بازی‌های نتانیاهو ملت آمریکا را وارد جنگی ناجوانمردانه با ایران کرد. حالا حساب و کتاب کند که آیا با بیش از ۵۰۰ کشته نیروهای آمریکایی(در این چند روز) باز هم اول آمریکاست یا اول اسرائیل؟ ماجرا ادامه دارد. شهادت امام خامنه‌ای تاوان سنگینی برای‌تان دارد.ان شاءالله.&mdash; Ali Larijani | علی لاریجانی (@alilarijani_ir) <a href="https://twitter.com/alilarijani_ir/status/2029211268624658898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Who is Ali Larijani?</h2>Larijani, a Khamenei loyalist, belongs from Islamic clerical family that lived in the upper echelon of Iranian aristocrats. The Larijani family has been compared to the Kennedys of the US by the Times Magazine in 2009, due to their institutional and embodied capital in Iran. At the age of 20, he married Farideh Motahari, the daughter of Morteza Motahhari, a close confidant of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s founder, Ruhollah Khomeini. He had previously served as the Speaker of Parliament, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Force and had been involved in the nuclear negotiation between the US and Iran.&nbsp;Larijani has a deep understanding of Western Philosophy, often called a “mathematician philosopher”, and wrote books on 18th-century German Idealist and Enlightenment thinker Emmanuel Kant. Politically, Larijani is a conservative pragmatist. But following the US attacks on Iran, Larijani had delivered a message of fervour.“America and the Zionist regime [Israel] have set the heart of the Iranian nation ablaze,” he wrote on social media. “We will burn their hearts. We will make the Zionist criminals and the shameless Americans regret their actions.”

Ali Larijani accused Donald Trump of dragging the US into a war with Iran for Israel and claimed 500 American troops were killed. Here’s who the Iranian leader is.

The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, on Wednesday (March 4), accused US President Donald Trump of dragging Americans into an unfair war with Iran at the behest of Israeli ambitions. He further claimed that 500 US troops were killed in the previous five days of the war, suggesting that Washington is downplaying its casualties in “Operation Epic Fury”. Larijani has stepped up to fill the power vacuum left following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes on March 1. Following Khamenei's death, Larijani refuted media reports in the United States claiming he had made a new push to resume nuclear talks with Washington. "Mr Trump, with Netanyahu's clownish antics, dragged the American people into an unfair war with Iran. Now let him do the math: with over 500 American troops killed (in these past few days), is it still "America First," or "Israel First"?"- wrote Ali Larjani in a social media post on X. “The saga continues. The martyrdom of Imam Khamenei will exact a heavy price from you. God willing,” he further added. Also Read: US Senator accused of breaking Marine Brian McGinnis' arm during Iran war protest

Ali Larijani accused Donald Trump of dragging the US into a war with Iran for Israel and claimed 500 American troops were killed. Here’s who the Iranian leader is.

Who is Ali Larijani? The Iranian leader asks Trump 'America First' or 'Israel First'

A Pakistani national, Asif Merchant, accused of plotting to assassinate Donald Trump and Joe Biden, told a US court that an Iranian IRGC handler forced him into the plan by threatening his family. Prosecutors say he paid undercover FBI agents posing as hitmen.

Pakistan man names IRGC member as his handler in plot to kill Trump, recalls 'intimidating encounter, brandished weapon'

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

Russia on Thursday accused the United States and Israel of trying to drag Arab countries into a wider Middle East conflict by “provoking” Iran into striking at targets across the region. “They deliberately provoked Iran into retaliatory strikes against targets in some Arab countries, which led to human and material losses, which the Russian side deeply regrets,” said Russia’s Foreign Ministry.“In doing so, they are trying to drag the Arabs into a war for someone else’s interests,” the foreign ministry said in a statement issued on Thursday.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/azerbaijan-to-enter-war-iranian-drones-target-airport-govt-warns-of-retaliation-1772700456899">Azerbaijan to enter war? Iranian drones hit airport, govt warns of retaliation | VIDEO</a>&nbsp;The Russian foreign ministry further said that the only way to prevent the Middle East from being further destabilised is to stop the “aggression” of the US and Israel but added that there are no signs for now that the two “aggressors” will halt their strikes.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>NATO now being drawn into war against Iran: Lavrov</h2>&nbsp;Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday that NATO is now being drawn into the US-Israeli war with Iran and compared it to similar attempts made in Ukraine.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-operation-epic-fury-a-desperation-move-by-trump-to-win-the-us-midterms-ex-us-commander-says-1772698348173">Is Operation Epic Fury a 'desperation move' by Trump to win the US midterms? Ex US commander says...</a>&nbsp;“It happened in Ukraine, and it’s happening now in the Middle East. It’s telling that NATO, just as it’s been drawn into Ukrainian affairs for a long time, is now being drawn into the war unleashed by the US and Israel against Iran,” Lavrov said Thursday during an ambassadorial roundtable on resolving the situation around Ukraine, reported the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.&nbsp;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>&nbsp;The US and Israel launched an operation against Iran on Saturday, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the country’s top political and military leadership. Tel Aviv said that its goal is to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The United States called on the country’s citizens to overthrow the regime. Retaliating to the strikes, Iran has been striking US military facilities and consulates in Gulf countries besides targeting Israel.

The Russian foreign ministry alleged on Thursday that the US and Israel are trying to drag Arab nations into a war for someone else’s interests. It added that the only way to prevent the Middle East from being further destabilised is to stop the “aggression” of the US and Israel.

Russia on Thursday accused the United States and Israel of trying to drag Arab countries into a wider Middle East conflict by “provoking” Iran into striking at targets across the region. “They deliberately provoked Iran into retaliatory strikes against targets in some Arab countries, which led to human and material losses, which the Russian side deeply regrets,” said Russia’s Foreign Ministry. “In doing so, they are trying to drag the Arabs into a war for someone else’s interests,” the foreign ministry said in a statement issued on Thursday. Also Read: Azerbaijan to enter war? Iranian drones hit airport, govt warns of retaliation | VIDEO The Russian foreign ministry further said that the only way to prevent the Middle East from being further destabilised is to stop the “aggression” of the US and Israel but added that there are no signs for now that the two “aggressors” will halt their strikes. NATO now being drawn into war against Iran: Lavrov Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday that NATO is now being drawn into the US-Israeli war with Iran and compared it to similar attempts made in Ukraine. Also Read: Is Operation Epic Fury a 'desperation move' by Trump to win the US midterms? Ex US commander says... “It happened in Ukraine, and it’s happening now in the Middle East. It’s telling that NATO, just as it’s been drawn into Ukrainian affairs for a long time, is now being drawn into the war unleashed by the US and Israel against Iran,” Lavrov said Thursday during an ambassadorial roundtable on resolving the situation around Ukraine, reported the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti. Also read | Can US' Patriot interceptors outlast Iran’ Shahed drones? Top Cmdr warns.. The US and Israel launched an operation against Iran on Saturday, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the country’s top political and military leadership. Tel Aviv said that its goal is to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The United States called on the country’s citizens to overthrow the regime. Retaliating to the strikes, Iran has been striking US military facilities and consulates in Gulf countries besides targeting Israel.

The Russian foreign ministry alleged on Thursday that the US and Israel are trying to drag Arab nations into a war for someone else’s interests. It added that the only way to prevent the Middle East from being further destabilised is to stop the “aggression” of the US and Israel.

Russia accuses US and Israel of trying to drag Arab countries into wider Middle East conflict

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

Israel had a firm backing of the US in its joint operation against Iran. US counterpart Pete Hegseth had strongly backed the joint campaign and urged Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz to continue the operation "to the end.” A statement released by the Israeli minister's office on Thursday after an overnight conversation between Hegseth and Katz said, &nbsp;"The Secretary of Defense said: 'Keep going to the end -- we are with you.'"&nbsp;Katz also took to X to warn Iran that its next supreme leader “will be a target for elimination” if he continues to threaten Israel, the US and others.&nbsp;While Iran on Wednesday (Mar 4) rubbished reports that Mojtaba Khamenei has been named as the nation's Supreme Leader after his father Ayatollah Khamenei's assassination in joint United States-Israel strikes. Issuing a statement via the Consulate General in Mumbai, the Iranian Government on X dismissed media reports on the supposed succession.&nbsp;Earlier, media reports suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei had been selected to succeed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, now the Iranian government, in an X post made via its Consulate General in Mumbai, rubbished the succession claims. It said that the "reports circulating on media regarding potential candidates for leadership selected by Iran's Assembly of Experts have no official source and are officially denied."&nbsp;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;

Iran on Wednesday (Mar 4) rubbished reports that Mojtaba Khamenei has been named as the nations Supreme Leader after his father Ayatollah Khameneis assassination in joint United States-Israel strikes.

Israel had a firm backing of the US in its joint operation against Iran. US counterpart Pete Hegseth had strongly backed the joint campaign and urged Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz to continue the operation "to the end.” A statement released by the Israeli minister's office on Thursday after an overnight conversation between Hegseth and Katz said, "The Secretary of Defense said: 'Keep going to the end -- we are with you.'" Katz also took to X to warn Iran that its next supreme leader “will be a target for elimination” if he continues to threaten Israel, the US and others. While Iran on Wednesday (Mar 4) rubbished reports that Mojtaba Khamenei has been named as the nation's Supreme Leader after his father Ayatollah Khamenei's assassination in joint United States-Israel strikes. Issuing a statement via the Consulate General in Mumbai, the Iranian Government on X dismissed media reports on the supposed succession. Earlier, media reports suggested that Mojtaba Khamenei had been selected to succeed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, now the Iranian government, in an X post made via its Consulate General in Mumbai, rubbished the succession claims. It said that the "reports circulating on media regarding potential candidates for leadership selected by Iran's Assembly of Experts have no official source and are officially denied." 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 on Wednesday (Mar 4) rubbished reports that Mojtaba Khamenei has been named as the nation's Supreme Leader after his father Ayatollah Khamenei's assassination in joint United States-Israel strikes.

'Keep going to the end': US backed Israel for the joint strike against Iran

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...

Artificial intelligence firm Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei has criticised his former colleague and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for being beholden to the Trump administration on issues related to the use of AI in defence and personal security. Amodei suggested that the firm behind popular AI models such as Claude is receiving little support because it did not donate as much money to Donald Trump as OpenAI did. The allegations were made in an internal memo to staff, according to the website The Information.<h2>Political donations and AI policy disputes: Leaked memo reveals rift between Anthropic and US government</h2>Amodei claimed that tensions between his company and the Trump administration stem partly from the firm’s refusal to financially support Trump and its approach to AI regulation and safety issues. His roughly 1,600-word message was sent on 27 February to around 2,000 employees, explaining what he described as the “real reasons” the Department of Defence and the Trump administration were hostile towards Anthropic. The memo came as the Pentagon suspended an earlier contract for using Anthropic’s Claude and other AI models in its systems. Trump himself posted about the issue on social media, with Anthropic declared a “supply chain risk”.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/anthropic-resumes-pentagon-talks-after-dispute-over-ai-use-by-the-us-military-reports-1772698977750">Anthropic resumes Pentagon talks after dispute over AI use by the US military: Reports</a><h2>‘Anthropic didn’t do dictator-style praise of Trump while OpenAI donated to him’</h2>In Amodei’s view, the reasons for the US government’s hostility towards Anthropic included its refusal to donate to Trump and the lack of what he called “dictator-style praise” for the US president. Other reasons included Anthropic’s support for AI regulation and its willingness to speak openly about the risks of AI, such as job displacement.&nbsp;Amodei said Anthropic maintained ethical “red lines”. He claimed that OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman, chose to cooperate with the government and accused it of appeasing employees and regulators.Amodei noted that OpenAI President Greg Brockman and his wife reportedly donated $25 million to the pro-Trump MAGA Inc super PAC, while OpenAI CEO Sam Altman contributed $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund and has publicly praised the president.Amodei accused OpenAI of compromising principles, calling the rival company’s recent Pentagon agreement “mendacious” and a form of “safety theatre”. He also criticised OpenAI employees as being easily swayed by leadership narratives.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-agencies-drop-anthropic-amid-ai-surveillance-and-defense-access-dispute-1772526570603/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-agencies-drop-anthropic-amid-ai-surveillance-and-defense-access-dispute-1772526570603/embed</a><h2>Pentagon dispute with Anthropic: Mass surveillance and autonomous weapons were key issues</h2>Anthropic and the US government came to loggerheads after the Pentagon sought to modify existing contracts with AI firms to remove restrictions on the use of AI for domestic mass surveillance and fully autonomous weapons.Anthropic refused these changes, saying the limits it placed on military use of AI reflected American values and the company’s ethical commitments. President Trump reportedly directed federal agencies to stop using Anthropic’s technology, cancelling more than $200 million in government contracts.Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth labelled Anthropic a “supply chain risk to national security”, which could restrict partners like Amazon Web Services from collaborating with the AI firm.Anthropic plans to challenge the decision in court, calling it retaliatory and punitive.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-us-use-anthropic-ai-in-iran-s-strikes-despite-trump-s-ban-what-we-know-1772356637161">Did US use Anthropic AI in Iran’s strikes despite Trump’s ban? What we know</a><h2>OpenAI’s Pentagon deal vs Anthropic's call for AI oversight</h2>Shortly after the government vs Athropic dispute escalated, OpenAI announced a deal with the Pentagon to provide AI tools in classified environments, accepting terms similar to those rejected by Anthropic.&nbsp;Anthropic has advocated stronger oversight of artificial intelligence. It donated $20 million to Public First Action, a political action committee supporting AI guardrails and opposing deregulation efforts favoured by the Trump administration.OpenAI, meanwhile, has taken a more flexible approach to regulation. OpenAI avoided a public conflict with the government.Amodei has repeatedly warned about the societal risks of AI, including large-scale job displacement, and has criticised hands-off policy approaches.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei hinted that the Trump administration targeted the company after it refused political donations and opposed changes to Pentagon AI contracts involving mass surveillance and autonomous weapons. Here are his allegations, according to reports

Artificial intelligence firm Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei has criticised his former colleague and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for being beholden to the Trump administration on issues related to the use of AI in defence and personal security. Amodei suggested that the firm behind popular AI models such as Claude is receiving little support because it did not donate as much money to Donald Trump as OpenAI did. The allegations were made in an internal memo to staff, according to the website The Information. Political donations and AI policy disputes: Leaked memo reveals rift between Anthropic and US government Amodei claimed that tensions between his company and the Trump administration stem partly from the firm’s refusal to financially support Trump and its approach to AI regulation and safety issues. His roughly 1,600-word message was sent on 27 February to around 2,000 employees, explaining what he described as the “real reasons” the Department of Defence and the Trump administration were hostile towards Anthropic. The memo came as the Pentagon suspended an earlier contract for using Anthropic’s Claude and other AI models in its systems. Trump himself posted about the issue on social media, with Anthropic declared a “supply chain risk”. Also read: Anthropic resumes Pentagon talks after dispute over AI use by the US military: Reports ‘Anthropic didn’t do dictator-style praise of Trump while OpenAI donated to him’ In Amodei’s view, the reasons for the US government’s hostility towards Anthropic included its refusal to donate to Trump and the lack of what he called “dictator-style praise” for the US president. Other reasons included Anthropic’s support for AI regulation and its willingness to speak openly about the risks of AI, such as job displacement. Amodei said Anthropic maintained ethical “red lines”. He claimed that OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman, chose to cooperate with the government and accused it of appeasing employees and regulators. Amodei noted that OpenAI President Greg Brockman and his wife reportedly donated $25 million to the pro-Trump MAGA Inc super PAC, while OpenAI CEO Sam Altman contributed $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund and has publicly praised the president. Amodei accused OpenAI of compromising principles, calling the rival company’s recent Pentagon agreement “mendacious” and a form of “safety theatre”. He also criticised OpenAI employees as being easily swayed by leadership narratives. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-agencies-drop-anthropic-amid-ai-surveillance-and-defense-access-dispute-1772526570603/embed Pentagon dispute with Anthropic: Mass surveillance and autonomous weapons were key issues Anthropic and the US government came to loggerheads after the Pentagon sought to modify existing contracts with AI firms to remove restrictions on the use of AI for domestic mass surveillance and fully autonomous weapons. Anthropic refused these changes, saying the limits it placed on military use of AI reflected American values and the company’s ethical commitments. President Trump reportedly directed federal agencies to stop using Anthropic’s technology, cancelling more than $200 million in government contracts. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth labelled Anthropic a “supply chain risk to national security”, which could restrict partners like Amazon Web Services from collaborating with the AI firm. Anthropic plans to challenge the decision in court, calling it retaliatory and punitive. Also read: Did US use Anthropic AI in Iran’s strikes despite Trump’s ban? What we know OpenAI’s Pentagon deal vs Anthropic's call for AI oversight Shortly after the government vs Athropic dispute escalated, OpenAI announced a deal with the Pentagon to provide AI tools in classified environments, accepting terms similar to those rejected by Anthropic. Anthropic has advocated stronger oversight of artificial intelligence. It donated $20 million to Public First Action, a political action committee supporting AI guardrails and opposing deregulation efforts favoured by the Trump administration. OpenAI, meanwhile, has taken a more flexible approach to regulation. OpenAI avoided a public conflict with the government. Amodei has repeatedly warned about the societal risks of AI, including large-scale job displacement, and has criticised hands-off policy approaches.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei hinted that the Trump administration targeted the company after it refused political donations and opposed changes to Pentagon AI contracts involving mass surveillance and autonomous weapons. Here are his allegations, according to reports

'No dictator-style praise': Anthropic CEO says US govt hostility linked to Trump donations; slams OpenAI's Altman in internal memo - Report

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

Amid the ongoing US and Israeli joint military operation against Iran, the Iraqi group Kataeb Hezbollah confirms the death of their commander. The Tehran-backed group said one of their commanders died in a strike near Jurf al-Nasr, in southern Iraq, on Wednesday (March 4). In a statement issued by Ahmad al-Hamidawi, the secretary-general of the armed faction, mourned the loss of a "great commander", Ali Hussein al-Freiji.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-gaza-war-israel-shuts-all-gaza-crossings-food-supplies-in-gaza-running-out-1772699397902/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-gaza-war-israel-shuts-all-gaza-crossings-food-supplies-in-gaza-running-out-1772699397902/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;According to the statement, he has been a member of the group for over 20 years. The information was shared by two sources from the Iraqi faction to the news agency AFP. The strike reportedly hit the vehicle near the group's main base in southern Iraq, killing two fighters. One of the sources described the attack as a "Zionist-US strike" and included the killing of the commander; the death toll rose to three.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-new-window-of-opportunity-iran-and-the-us-agree-on-guiding-principles-for-a-nuclear-deal-1771345192089">'New window of opportunity': Iran and US agree on 'guiding principles' for a nuclear deal</a>&nbsp;After a second round of nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran in Geneva, not a breakthrough but an understanding had been reached. While US President Donald Trump demanded zero enrichment of uranium, the slain Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei said, “nuclear energy was their undeniable right.” As Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, “a new window of opportunity has opened, under which we had the second round of the negotiations with the United States earlier today here in Geneva.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-woke-up-to-explosion-sounds-indian-expat-in-dubai-notes-people-are-calm-away-from-fear-mongering-1772442572603">'Woke up to explosion sounds': Indian expat in Dubai notes people are calm, away from fearmongering</a>&nbsp;And days after the talks, the US and Israel began airstrikes on Iran, which killed Ali Khamenei, after which Tehran attacked US bases across the Middle East. And just four days into the conflict, Washington lost military equipment worth over $2 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Iraq’s Kataeb Hezbollah confirms the death of senior commander Ali Hussein al-Freiji in a drone strike near Jurf al-Nasr. The group attributes the attack to "Zionist-US" forces amid rising regional tensions.

Amid the ongoing US and Israeli joint military operation against Iran, the Iraqi group Kataeb Hezbollah confirms the death of their commander. The Tehran-backed group said one of their commanders died in a strike near Jurf al-Nasr, in southern Iraq, on Wednesday (March 4). In a statement issued by Ahmad al-Hamidawi, the secretary-general of the armed faction, mourned the loss of a "great commander", Ali Hussein al-Freiji. https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-gaza-war-israel-shuts-all-gaza-crossings-food-supplies-in-gaza-running-out-1772699397902/embed According to the statement, he has been a member of the group for over 20 years. The information was shared by two sources from the Iraqi faction to the news agency AFP. The strike reportedly hit the vehicle near the group's main base in southern Iraq, killing two fighters. One of the sources described the attack as a "Zionist-US strike" and included the killing of the commander; the death toll rose to three. Also read: 'New window of opportunity': Iran and US agree on 'guiding principles' for a nuclear deal After a second round of nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran in Geneva, not a breakthrough but an understanding had been reached. While US President Donald Trump demanded zero enrichment of uranium, the slain Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei said, “nuclear energy was their undeniable right.” As Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, “a new window of opportunity has opened, under which we had the second round of the negotiations with the United States earlier today here in Geneva.” Also read: 'Woke up to explosion sounds': Indian expat in Dubai notes people are calm, away from fearmongering And days after the talks, the US and Israel began airstrikes on Iran, which killed Ali Khamenei, after which Tehran attacked US bases across the Middle East. And just four days into the conflict, Washington lost military equipment worth over $2 billion.

Iraq’s Kataeb Hezbollah confirms the death of senior commander Ali Hussein al-Freiji in a drone strike near Jurf al-Nasr. The group attributes the attack to "Zionist-US" forces amid rising regional tensions.

Commander killed in 'Zionist-US strike', says Iraqi Hezbollah faction

The US test-fired the nuclear-capable LGM 30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), also known as the Doomsday missile, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The test comes as the war with Iran entered its sixth day. The Minuteman III is considered to be one of the most powerful missiles in the US arsenal. According to officials, the test was to assess the operational readiness of the land-based nuclear deterrent. It carried out tests for two test reentry vehicles.&nbsp;"GT 255 allowed us to assess the performance of individual components of the missile system…By continually assessing varying mission profiles, we are able to enhance the performance of the entire ICBM fleet, ensuring the maximum level of readiness for the land-based leg of the nation’s nuclear triad,” said Karrie Wray, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/marine-veteran-brian-mcginnis-injured-senate-hearing-iran-war-protest-1772688302380">US Senator accused of breaking Marine Brian McGinnis' arm during Iran war protest</a><h2>What is the LGM 30G Minuteman III? Why is it called the Doomsday Missile?</h2>LGM 30G Minuteman III is a strategic weapon system that uses an intercontinental-range ballistic missile. These are usually stationed at silos and monitored by a control centre across Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming. These missiles are usually developed by Boeing, and each costs around $34.6 million. They have been in service since 1970 with the US Army. The Minuteman III weighs around 37 kilos, has a diameter of 5.5 feet, a range of up to 6000 miles and reaches around Mach 23 during burnout. The US have 400 such missiles located at various silos. The W-87 variant is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead which is at least 20 times more powerful than the one dropped in Nagasaki. The sheer scale of its destruction is magnanimous, thus the name Doomsday. Minuteman III, along with Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) armed with Trident II D5 missiles, B-52H Stratofortress and B-2 Spirit bombers with missile systems like AGM-86B Air Launched Cruise Missile, form the strategic US nuclear triad.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The US test-fired the nuclear-capable Minuteman III ICBM from California as the Iran war entered day six. Here’s why the missile is called the “Doomsday weapon”.

The US test-fired the nuclear-capable LGM 30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), also known as the Doomsday missile, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The test comes as the war with Iran entered its sixth day. The Minuteman III is considered to be one of the most powerful missiles in the US arsenal. According to officials, the test was to assess the operational readiness of the land-based nuclear deterrent. It carried out tests for two test reentry vehicles. "GT 255 allowed us to assess the performance of individual components of the missile system…By continually assessing varying mission profiles, we are able to enhance the performance of the entire ICBM fleet, ensuring the maximum level of readiness for the land-based leg of the nation’s nuclear triad,” said Karrie Wray, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron. Also Read: US Senator accused of breaking Marine Brian McGinnis' arm during Iran war protest What is the LGM 30G Minuteman III? Why is it called the Doomsday Missile? LGM 30G Minuteman III is a strategic weapon system that uses an intercontinental-range ballistic missile. These are usually stationed at silos and monitored by a control centre across Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming. These missiles are usually developed by Boeing, and each costs around $34.6 million. They have been in service since 1970 with the US Army. The Minuteman III weighs around 37 kilos, has a diameter of 5.5 feet, a range of up to 6000 miles and reaches around Mach 23 during burnout. The US have 400 such missiles located at various silos. The W-87 variant is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead which is at least 20 times more powerful than the one dropped in Nagasaki. The sheer scale of its destruction is magnanimous, thus the name Doomsday. Minuteman III, along with Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) armed with Trident II D5 missiles, B-52H Stratofortress and B-2 Spirit bombers with missile systems like AGM-86B Air Launched Cruise Missile, form the strategic US nuclear triad.

The US test-fired the nuclear-capable Minuteman III ICBM from California as the Iran war entered day six. Here’s why the missile is called the “Doomsday weapon”.

US test-fires Minuteman III ‘Doomsday’ nuclear missile from California, amid Iran war : What is the Minuteman III?

Issuing first public response after conflict began in West Asia, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (Mar 5) said that military conflicts cannot resolve issues and expressed hope for resolutions of Ukraine and West Asia war. Addressing a press conference alongside President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, PM Modi added that the world is currently witnessing “period of instability and uncertainty.” It must be noted that Prime Minister Modi has spoken to eight West Asian leaders within a 48-hour window to discuss the escalating regional conflict after Israel and the US jointly launches strikes on Iran.&nbsp;&nbsp;PM Modi said, “Today, the world is going through a period of instability and uncertainty. Conflict persists in many parts of the world, from Ukraine to West Asia.” He quickly focussed on the relationship between India and Finland and said, “In such a global environment, India and Europe, two of the world's major diplomatic powers, are entering a golden era of their relationship. Our growing cooperation is giving new strength to global stability, development, and shared prosperity. At the beginning of 2026, the historic India-European Union Free Trade Agreement was signed. This agreement will further strengthen trade, investment, and technology cooperation between India and Finland. India and Finland are important partners in areas such as digital technology, infrastructure, and sustainability...” He also said that both India and Finland believe in “rule of law, dialogue and diplomacy.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">&quot;Military conflicts cannot resolve issues. We hope for resolutions of Ukraine and West Asia conflicts,&quot; says Indian PM Narendra Modi, during joint presser with Finland President Alexander Stubb, in New Delhi <a href="https://t.co/o8ezCWBRqw">pic.twitter.com/o8ezCWBRqw</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/2029470793357509045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Indian PM's phone call with West Asian leaders</h2>The Indian PM had telephonic conversation with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Jordan King Abdullah II, Qatar Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Oman Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Kuwait Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He emphasized on the well-being of the nearly 9 million Indians residing in the region and condemned violations of sovereignty and recent strikes against Gulf nations. He called for an “early cessation of hostilities” and highlighted the importance of dialogue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said military conflicts cannot resolve global crises as he addressed rising tensions from Ukraine to West Asia during a joint press conference with Alexander Stubb. Modi stressed diplomacy 

Issuing first public response after conflict began in West Asia, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (Mar 5) said that military conflicts cannot resolve issues and expressed hope for resolutions of Ukraine and West Asia war. Addressing a press conference alongside President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, PM Modi added that the world is currently witnessing “period of instability and uncertainty.” It must be noted that Prime Minister Modi has spoken to eight West Asian leaders within a 48-hour window to discuss the escalating regional conflict after Israel and the US jointly launches strikes on Iran. PM Modi said, “Today, the world is going through a period of instability and uncertainty. Conflict persists in many parts of the world, from Ukraine to West Asia.” He quickly focussed on the relationship between India and Finland and said, “In such a global environment, India and Europe, two of the world's major diplomatic powers, are entering a golden era of their relationship. Our growing cooperation is giving new strength to global stability, development, and shared prosperity. At the beginning of 2026, the historic India-European Union Free Trade Agreement was signed. This agreement will further strengthen trade, investment, and technology cooperation between India and Finland. India and Finland are important partners in areas such as digital technology, infrastructure, and sustainability...” He also said that both India and Finland believe in “rule of law, dialogue and diplomacy.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said military conflicts cannot resolve global crises as he addressed rising tensions from Ukraine to West Asia during a joint press conference with Alexander Stubb. Modi stressed diplomacy&nbsp;

'Military conflicts cannot...': India PM Modi issues first public response after US-Israel strike on Iran, tensions in West Asia

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

US President Donald Trump is apparently asking a war-ravaged nation for help in his and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's surprise attack on Iran. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (Mar 4) revealed that the US has asked for Kyiv's "help in defending against Shahed drones". Notably, Ukraine for the last four years has been engaged in a war with its neighbour, Russia. What is Trump asking of Ukraine? Here's what we know.<h2>US turns to Ukraine for help</h2>Zelensky, in his nightly address on Wednesday, revealed that America and its allies are asking Ukraine for help in defending themselves against the Iranian threat."Partners are turning to us, to Ukraine, asking for help in defending against Shahed drones, with expertise and real operational experience," he said. Singling out the US, he noted, "There have also been requests from the American side".On X, Zelensky confirmed that US has asked Ukraine for help. “They are seeking our expertise. We are open. If their representatives come, we will provide the expertise. Especially since there is also a request from Europeans and from the United States,” he wrote.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We received signals from partners in the Middle East. There have been strikes by Iranian “shaheds” on civilians in those countries. They are seeking our expertise. We are open. If their representatives come, we will provide the expertise. Especially since there is also a request…&mdash; Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/2029470937695781108?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This comes as multiple military experts flagged the many risks America faces in this war in the Middle East. On one hand, James Alexander "Sandy" Winnefeld Jr., the former vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned that the US could run out of interceptor stocks in "a matter of days". On the other hand, during a closed-door briefing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, top military officials led by the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Dan Caine, told lawmakers that while US defences can destroy most of Iran's drones, stopping every single drone may not be possible for the US military.<h2>Trump-Zelensky: Enemies to friends</h2>The POTUS, since his comeback to the White House, has sparred with the Ukrainian president multiple times. In February 2025, Trump made the headlines for poking fun at Zelensky's clothes and complaining about him not wearing a suit to the Oval Office. "Ooh, you're all dressed up. He's all dressed up today!" Trump said at the time.In later months, he even labelled Zelensky a "dictator" and blamed Kyiv for "millions" of deaths during the Russia-Ukraine war. 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.

Who is the US turning to for help in the war with Iran? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Washington has asked Kyiv for expertise in countering Iran’s Shahed drones, a threat Ukraine has faced for years.

What exactly is the US seeking and why now? Scroll down to read more.

US President Donald Trump is apparently asking a war-ravaged nation for help in his and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's surprise attack on Iran. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (Mar 4) revealed that the US has asked for Kyiv's "help in defending against Shahed drones". Notably, Ukraine for the last four years has been engaged in a war with its neighbour, Russia. What is Trump asking of Ukraine? Here's what we know. US turns to Ukraine for help Zelensky, in his nightly address on Wednesday, revealed that America and its allies are asking Ukraine for help in defending themselves against the Iranian threat. "Partners are turning to us, to Ukraine, asking for help in defending against Shahed drones, with expertise and real operational experience," he said. Singling out the US, he noted, "There have also been requests from the American side". On X, Zelensky confirmed that US has asked Ukraine for help. “They are seeking our expertise. We are open. If their representatives come, we will provide the expertise. Especially since there is also a request from Europeans and from the United States,” he wrote.

Who is the US turning to for help in the war with Iran? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Washington has asked Kyiv for expertise in countering Iran’s Shahed drones, a threat Ukraine has faced for years.What exactly is the US seeking and why now? Scroll down to read more.

Trump turns to THIS war-torn ally to solve the 'Shahed' drone crisis as Iran ramps up attacks

US-Israel-Iran War LIVE: The US and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran on February 28, with Israel calling the campaign Operation Lion’s Roar and Washington naming it Operation Epic Fury. Both described the assault as preemptive, carried out amid rising tensions and ongoing nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington. The strikes came eight months after a brief but intense 12-day confrontation between Israel and Iran.Iran responded with missile attacks on Israel and targeted US military bases in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. On March 1, it was confirmed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the joint strikes, along with several senior Iranian figures. Tehran has since escalated its retaliation, 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.The conflict is widening, with Iran-aligned groups joining the fight. International leaders have condemned the US-led action, while several European allies voiced support for Washington.<h2>Stay tuned to WION for all the LIVE updates and analysis on the US-Israel-Iran War</h2>

The Indian Embassy in Oman has warned people about a fake message circulating on WhatsApp as an advisory. The Embassy of India in Muscat clarified that no such advisory has been issued by it.“Kindly refrain from forwarding or circulating such unverified messages and rely only on the official handles of the Embassy of India, Muscat for authentic updates,” it said.

Indian Embassy in Oman warns about fake advisory

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday accused Israel of launching a drone attack in Azerbaijan that was blamed on Iran, and termed it as an attempt to harm Tehran's relations with its neighbour.In a phone call with his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov, Araghchi denied that Iran fired any projectiles at Azerbaijan. He also condemned the role of the Israeli regime in such attacks in order to divert public opinion and destroy Iran’s good relations with its neighbours, said a statement issued by Iran’s foreign ministry.

Iran foreign minister accuses Israel of drone attack in Azerbaijan, says plot to harm ties 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday to discuss the escalating situation in West Asia. Both leaders shared concern over the ongoing conflict and called for a return to dialogue and diplomacy.&nbsp;“Spoke with my friend President Emmanuel Macron today. We discussed our shared concerns over the evolving situation in West Asia and the need for a return to dialogue and diplomacy. We will continue to engage closely and coordinate efforts towards the early restoration of peace and stability in the region,” PM Modi wrote on X.

PM Modi speaks with French President Macron, discusses evolving situation in West Asia

India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday. It was the second call between the two leaders. jaishankar had earlier called Aragchi on February 28, the day the United States and Israel launched their opening strikes on Iran.

Jaishankar speaks with Iranian FM Aragchi again, as West Asia war escalates

India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday that he spoke with his Omanian counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi regarding the ongoing conflict in West Asia.&nbsp;Jaishankar wrote in a post on X, “Spoke with FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi of Oman on the ongoing conflict in West Asia.”

Jaishankar calls Oman’s Foreign Minister, discusses West Asia situation 

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said on Thursday that he held a telephone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on March 4 to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East. Herath said Sri Lanka expressed grave concern over the escalating hostilities in the region and stressed the importance of diplomatic dialogue to restore peace and stability.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister calls Araghchi, expresses concern over escalating hostilities

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signed the Condolence Book at the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi on Thursday on behalf of the Government of India, met Iranian Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Fathali, and offered condolences for the slain Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Misri’s visit to the Iranian Embassy and formal signing of the condolence book mark India’s first official response to the airstrike that claimed Khamenei’s life.

Sri Lanka Deputy Minister said Iran has sought its help to repatriate bodies of sailors in warship attack.

Iran seeks help of Sri Lanka

3,000 Iranian soldiers and personnel killed in current conflict according to Israeli estimates

'3,000 Iranian soldiers killed'

The Kremlin speaking on the joint strike by Israel and the United States on Iran said, "In this case, there have been no requests from the Iranian side,"&nbsp;

Russia denies Iran asked for any help

The Air Force, guided by Military Intelligence, completed overnight a wave of strikes targeting missile storage sites above and below ground.

IDF again strikes in the heart of Tehran

Israeli military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said, "We are operating according to a structured plan and are focused on achieving the objectives of the operation: severely damaging the Iranian terror regime and removing existential threats to the State of Israel over time. Our air superiority and freedom of action in Iranian skies allow us to reach any location and strike any target."

Israel says it can strike any target' in Iran

Missiles and drones flying ‌from the direction of Iran fell on the territory of ​the airport in ​the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan ⁠on Thursday, a source ​close to the Azerbaijani ​government told Reuters. A fire has started as a result of the incident, ​the source said, ​adding that an official statement would ‌soon ⁠follow. It was not immediately clear how many missiles and drones fell in ​the ​area.

Iranian drone reportedly hits airport in Azerbaijan

The Israeli military said it identified a fresh round of missiles launched from Iran on Thursday, the sixth day of a war engulfing the Middle East."A short while ago, the IDF (military) identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," the military said in a statement.

Israel army says detected new missiles launched from Iran

Iran's internet is "around 1 percent of ordinary levels" with a communication blackout sparked by the war with Israel and the United States entering a fifth day, monitor Netblocks said on Thursday."Iran's internet blackout has now exceeded 120 hours with connectivity still flatlining around 1 percent of ordinary levels," Netblocks said in a message posted on social media platform X."Meanwhile, an increasingly Orwellian environment is emerging as telcos threaten users who try to connect to the global internet with legal action."

Iran internet still 'around 1 percent of ordinary levels': monitor

A second Iranian warship was heading towards Sri Lanka's territorial waters Thursday, a day after a US submarine destroyed an Iranian frigate, killing at least 87 sailors, a minister told parliament.Media minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the second Iranian warship was just outside Sri Lankan waters, but gave no further details.Official sources said the vessel was carrying more than 100 crew and feared they too could be targeted the same way a sister vessel was sunk by a US submarine just off Sri Lanka's southern coast on Wednesday.The sinking came as the war sparked by a joint US-Israel attack on Iran continued to spread across the Middle East and beyond.

Second Iranian ship heading to Sri Lanka after submarine attack

Italy will send air defence assistance to Gulf countries hit by Iranian strikes in retaliation for US-Israeli attacks, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Thursday."Italy, like the UK, France and Germany, intends to send aid to the Gulf countries. We are clearly talking about defence, air defence, not just because they are friendly nations but because there are tens of thousands of Italians in that area and around 2,000 soldiers that we must protect," she told RTL 102.5 radio.."And the Gulf is vital for supplies."

Italy to send air-defence aid to Gulf countries: PM

Israeli strikes killed six people in two southern Lebanese villages on Thursday, state media reported.The mayor of a village in the Nabatieh region and his wife were killed in one strike, the National News Agency reported, adding that in a nearby village a strike killed two children and their parents.

Israeli strikes killed six people in south Lebanon: state media

Explosions echoed over the Qatari capital Doha and Bahrain's Manama on Thursday, AFP journalists reported.The Gulf countries have been targeted by repeated waves of Iranian drone and missile attacks following in retaliation for the massive US-Israeli air campaign against Iran.

Explosions heard in Doha, Manama

The first two repatriation flights bringing home Israelis stranded abroad by the Middle East war landed in Tel Aviv on Thursday, the transport ministry said.The flights landed at Ben Gurion Airport on Thursday morning. Transport Minister Miri Regev said: "We are doing everything possible to bring every Israeli home safely."

First Israeli repatriation flights land in Tel Aviv: transport ministry

Iran Revolutionary Guards say they hit a US tanker in northern part of the Gulf, ship currently in fire. “If they are observed, they will certainly be hit,” IRGC said.

IRGC says they hit a US tanker in northern part of the Gulf, ship currently in fire

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said his US counterpart Pete Hegseth assured him of Washington's firm backing for their joint military campaign against Iran and urged him to continue the operation "to the end".

Israel minister says US Defense Secretary told him 'keep going to the end'

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi has issued another appeal to end the war<figure class="image"><img></figure>

‘Let’s stop the war now,’ says Omani FM

The IDF said that it has begun a broad wave of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian regime throughout Tehran

IDF begins another wave of strikes in Tehran

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that "military assets" had been deployed to the West Asia as a contingency plan.

Australia PM says 'military assets' deployed in West Asia 

Lebanese state media says Israeli strike kills Hamas official

Lebanese state media says Israeli strike kills Hamas official

Qatar Airways says it will run some relief flights for stranded passengers from Muscat and Riyadh starting today.

Qatar Airways to operate some relief flights today from Muscat, Riyadh

China has urged restraint and diplomatic engagement amid rising tensions in West Asia, with Chinese Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi holding phone conversations with political leaders from the Gulf region, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.

China communicates with Gulf region leaders amid raging conflict

&lt;blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"&gt;&lt;p lang="en" dir="ltr"&gt;&amp;quot;100 Hours&amp;quot; of Operation Epic Fury. &lt;a href="https://t.co/XW5ZnRAJJL"&gt;pic.twitter.com/XW5ZnRAJJL&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&amp;mdash; U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) &lt;a href="https://twitter.com/CENTCOM/status/2029345177819574525?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"&gt;March 4, 2026&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/blockquote&gt; &lt;script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

CENTCOM shares video of "100 Hours" of Operation Epic Fury

IRNA&nbsp;news agency reported that Iran has targeted headquarters of Kurdish groups in Iraqi Kurdistan

Iran says targeted headquarters of Kurdish groups in Iraqi Kurdistan

European Union members are sending military aid to bolster defences in Cyprus, fearing the conflict escalation

EU sends military aid to Cyprus

A tanker was hit by a "large explosion" in waters off Kuwait, causing an oil spill, British maritime security agency UKMTO said

UK maritime agency reports explosion, oil spill off Kuwait

Iran launched several rounds of missiles at Israel early Thursday, the Israeli military said

Iran lauches missiles at Israel, no casualties reported

The Lebanese National News Agency reported that a drone targeted an attack on the Tyre-Naqoura road, near the town of Qalila, killing at least three people

Three killed in drone attack in southern Lebanon

&nbsp;The All India Muslim Personal Law Board has condemned the "open aggression" of the United States and Israel against Iran and urged the United Nations and the international community to take immediate, effective, and concrete steps&nbsp;

All India Muslim Personal Law Board condemns US and Israel's attack on Iran

The IRGC has begun a “combined missile and drone operation” against Israel and US bases in West Asia, according to the Tasnim news agency.

Iran announces 19th wave of attacks against Israel

The Iranian Tasnim news agency says several explosions have been heard in Tehran in the past hour

Blasts heard in Tehran: reports

With the Israel-Iran war entering the sixth day, US lawmakers have voted down a resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s military authority in Iran. All LIVE updates on the US-Israel's war on Iran HERE.

US-Israel-Iran War LIVE: The US and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran on February 28, with Israel calling the campaign Operation Lion’s Roar and Washington naming it Operation Epic Fury. Both described the assault as preemptive, carried out amid rising tensions and ongoing nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington. The strikes came eight months after a brief but intense 12-day confrontation between Israel and Iran. Iran responded with missile attacks on Israel and targeted US military bases in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. On March 1, it was confirmed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the joint strikes, along with several senior Iranian figures. Tehran has since escalated its retaliation, 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. The conflict is widening, with Iran-aligned groups joining the fight. International leaders have condemned the US-led action, while several European allies voiced support for Washington. Stay tuned to WION for all the LIVE updates and analysis on the US-Israel-Iran War

With the Israel-Iran war entering the sixth day, US lawmakers have voted down a resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s military authority in Iran. All LIVE updates on the US-Israel's war on Iran HERE.

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