A US tanker is on fire in the northern part of the gulf after being struck by Iranian forces, according to state media.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said that any vessel passing through the Strait of Hormuz would be under Tehran’s control while the war is ongoing.
The US has not commented on reports of an attack, which would represent a further escalation of the conflict as it enters its sixth day.
Earlier, the UK Maritime Trade Operations said said a tanker anchored off Kuwait was hit by a “large explosion”. The vessel was taking on water and oil was seen leaking from a cargo tank, and there were no fires reported, it said.
It is unclear whether these reports are of the same incident.
It came as Israel launched airstrikes on Iran for the sixth straight day on Thursday as the conflict in the Middle East continued to escalate, with loud explosions heard in Tehran.
Joint US-Israeli attacks have killed more than 1,000 people in Iran, while Iranian strikes on American military installations in the Gulf caused the deaths of at least six US soldiers.
Pentagon names final two soldiers among six dead so far in Iran conflict
Iran war enters sixth day as flights due to bring Britons home from Middle East
Stranded travelers in the Middle East share their accounts of being stuck during the war
Vigil held for Iran’s Khamenei as counter-protesters gather nearby
Trump-Iran latest: Key Points
- Iran says it struck US tanker - and claims it has control over Strait of Hormuz
- Mapped: The tankers and ships struck in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz
- First UK repatriation flight from Middle East delayed, report says
- Republicans shoot down vote to limit Trump's powers in Iran
- Pentagon names final two soldiers believed to be among six dead so far in Iran conflict
Spain to send frigate to Cyprus
11:05 , Alex CroftSpain will send its Christopher Columbus frigate warship to Cyprus, joining France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and other Greek navy ships, the defence ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
The Spanish frigate, which will reach Crete around March 10, is used for air defence.
Cyprus issues security alert near RAF Akrotiri base
10:58 , Alex CroftCyprus earlier issued an alert for new security threats near the RAF Akrotiri base.
Shortly afterwards, the local government said the security incident has concluded.
No further details have been provided, but it comes after a drone struck an RAF base on Monday.
The UK Ministry of Defense, which is boosting its presence in the region after the strike, said on Thursday that the Shahed-like drone on Sunday was not launched from Iran.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz so important? How Iranian attacks on ships could spark chaos in oil and gas markets
10:48 , Alex CroftIranian forces have set fire to a US oil tanker after striking it in the northern Gulf, according to state media.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned they would set fire to any vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz after claiming “complete control” of the major shipping route on Wednesday.
The Strait of Hormuz is a waterway in the Persian Gulf through which around a fifth of the world’s oil passes.
The US has not commented on reports of an attack, which represent a further escalation in the ongoing conflict as it enters its sixth day.
Our foreign affairs reporter Maira Butt reports:
Why is Strait of Hormuz so important? How Iran attacks can spark oil and gas chaos
Watch: 'Doing very well': Trump rates US 15 out of 10 on war with Iran
10:34 , Alex CroftAzerbaijan says two injured after Iran fired two drones at its territory
10:23 , Alex CroftWe earlier reported that missiles and drones had dropped on an airport in Azerbaijan, as a government official told Reuters.
The country has now publicly accused Iran of firing two drones at its territory, injuring two people.
The government has now summoned the Iranian ambassador to issue a strong protest after one drone fell on an airport in Nakhchivan, near the border with Iran, and another landed near a school.
In a statement, it condemned the attacks, demanded an explanation from Iran, and said Azerbaijan reserved the right to take "appropriate response measures".
Iran hasn’t yet responded to the allegations.
Qatar says it was subjected to missile attack
10:11 , Alex CroftQatari air defenses have sprung into action after being subjected to a missile attack, the defence ministry has said.
It is unclear whether the missiles made any contact - we’re working to bring you more.
Turkey monitoring Kurdish militant groups near Iran
10:00 , Alex CroftTurkey said it was closely following actions by the Iranian Kurdish PJAK militant group, adding that its actions threatened Iran's security and regional stability,
It comes amid reports of discussions between Iranian Kurdish militias and the United States about the U.S and Israeli war against Iran.
On Tuesday, sources told Reuters that the Iranian Kurdish militias had consulted with the United States about whether, and how, to attack Iran's security forces in the western part of the country.
Iran's intelligence ministry said earlier on Thursday that it targeted “separatist groups” who intend on entering through western borders.
Mapped: Where have tankers and ships been hit in the gulf and Strait of Hormuz?
09:40 , Alex CroftRussia accuses US and Israel of provoking Iran to spark Middle East conflict
09:27 , Alex CroftRussia has accused the US and Israel of seeking 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," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"In doing so, they [Washington and Tel Aviv] are trying to drag the Arabs into a war for someone else's interests".
The only way to prevent the Middle East from being further destabilised was to stop the "aggression" of the US and Israel, the ministry added, saying there were no signs for now that the two "aggressors" would halt their strikes.
Pictured: Man holds Iranian flag among debris in Tehran
09:01 , Alex Croft
French foreign minister speaks with Iranian counterpart
08:49 , Alex CroftFrench foreign mininster Jean-Noel Barrot has held talks with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, warning him that Paris opposes the retaliatory Iranian strikes across the region.
Mr Barrot also used the call to urge the release of the French citizens currently held in Iran, the French foreign ministry said on Thursday.
He "reiterated France's commitment to the stability of the Middle East, to de-escalation and to the resumption of a demanding diplomatic dialogue, in compliance with international law which must govern the use of force," it said in a statement.
Missiles and drones from Iran fall on Azerbaijan airport
08:34 , Alex CroftWe’re hearing reports that missiles and drones flying from the direction of Iran have dropped on an airport in Azerbaijan
The missiles and drones dropped on the airport in the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan on Thursday, a source close to the Azerbaijani government told Reuters.
Nakhchivan International Airport is located roughly 10 km (6 miles) from the border with Iran.
Watch: Scots who were trapped in Dubai return home safe
08:26 , Alex CroftTehran reports clashes at western border with separatist groups
08:13 , Alex CroftIran's intelligence ministry has said that it targeted “separatist groups” who intend on entering through western borders.
Tehran added that the groups sustained heavy losses.
Iranian Kurdish militias have been consulting with the US this week about whether, and how, to attack Iran's security forces in the western part of the country, three sources told the Reuters news agency.
The Iranian ministry statement, which was carried by state media, said Iranian forces are cooperating with "noble Kurds" to thwart the "Israeli-American" plan to attack Iranian soil.
Tehran declares it will control passage through Strait of Hormuz
08:03 , Alex CroftIran’s Revolutionary Guards have declared that all passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be under the control of Tehran in time of war.
The statement came as the Guards claimed it had struck a US tanker in the northern part of the Gulf and that the vessel was on fire.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations said said a tanker anchored off Kuwait was hit by a “large explosion”, with the vessel later seen taking on water and oil seen leaking from a cargo tank.
It is unconfirmed whether these reports are of the same incident.
Sri Lanka trying to safeguard lives on another Iranian ship near coast
07:58 , Alex CroftSri Lanka is trying to "safeguard lives" on another Iranian ship off its coast, the country's cabinet spokesperson said on Thursday, adding that the vessel was in the economic zone beyond the South Asian island nation's territorial waters.
"We are doing our utmost to safeguard lives," spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa said.
It comes after a US military submarine launched a strike on an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka’s coast, killing more than 80 people and leaving dozens more injured on Wednesday.
You can read more about the incident here.
In pictures: Heavy damage in Beirut after Israeli strikes
07:47 , Alex Croft
Breaking: Iran says it has struck a US tanker in the Gulf
07:39 , Alex CroftIran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) have said they struck a US tanker in the northern part of the gulf, state media is reporting.
The ship is currently on fire, the IRGC says.
We’re working to bring you more on the incident.
Watch: Zelensky says US 'asking for help' in Middle East war
07:30 , Alex CroftHegseth tells Israel to 'keep going until the end', defence ministry says
07:21 , Alex CroftUS secretary of defense Pete Hegseth told Israel to "keep going until the end", Israel's defence ministry said on Thursday.
Hegseth said the US stands with Israel, during the overnight talks with defence minister Israel Katz.
Katz thanked Hegseth for extensive US assistance in defending Israeli citizens against the Iranian missile threat, it said.
UK's foreign office confirms flights did not leave Oman as planned
07:04 , Shweta SharmaThe Foreign Office has finally confirmed the charter flight to repatriate its citizens did not leave Oman as planned last night.
A spokesperson says: "The UK government charter flight was not able to depart from Oman yesterday as planned due to technical issues. The flight is now expected to depart later today."
Israel releases video of strike on Iran's 'ballistic missile launcher'
07:02 , Shweta SharmaThe IDF has struck targets in Qom and Isfahan in Iran.
The IDF said IAF aircraft struck and dismantled an armed ballistic missile launcher in the area of Qom “that was ready to fire at Israel”.
In an update on X, IDF said: “An Iranian aerial defense system was also struck in Isfahan. Prior to the strikes, the IDF took multiple measures to mitigate the risk of harm to civilians.”
⭕️Overnight Activity:
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) March 5, 2026
IAF aircraft struck and dismantled an armed ballistic missile launcher in the area of Qom that was ready to fire at Israel.
An Iranian aerial defense system was also struck in Isfahan.
❗️Prior to the strikes, the IDF took multiple measures to mitigate the… pic.twitter.com/Wdm5MbW95n
The mask slipped during Karoline Leavitt’s press conference on Iran
07:00 , Shweta SharmaFor anyone who’s trying to keep up with the endless twists and turns in our This Is Not A Forever War, there’s been another development. No, I’m not talking about the mass evacuations or the six dead American service members (there’ll be more probably, says Donald Trump, but hey, to quote the man himself, “that’s the way it is” when there’s a war. So get used to it!).
Nor am I referencing Israel invading Lebanon or Donald Trump having a big tantrum about Europeans not following him into a war the UN says is completely illegal (Keir Starmer is “no Winston Churchill,” Trump fumed yesterday, before threatening to cut off all trade with Spain if they wouldn’t allow America to use their bases in the region.)
No, this development is more homeland-facing: the appearance, finally, of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt after a five-day absence while Trump launched a war in the Middle East. Leavitt opened her presser today with strident energy — like Trump and Hegseth before her, she began with a hundred-mile-per-hour history lesson on every single bad thing Iran has ever done to America, going back five decades. The Iranian regime, she added, is now “paying for their crimes against America and they are paying in blood.”
Read our full analysis.
The mask slipped during Karoline Leavitt’s press conference on Iran
Heathrow arrivals empty as delayed rescue flight leaves stranded Britons waiting
06:46 , Harriette BoucherThe arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport was deserted in the early hours of Thursday morning, as many stranded Britons thought to be landing at around 4am never left Muscat.
The Independent expected to arrive to a mob of people waiting for their family and friends to return on the government’s first repatriation flight from the Middle East.
Instead, we arrived at an almost-empty airport to find only a small number of airline staff who were just beginning their day.
It’s likely a stark contrast to Muscat International Airport, where Britons are scrambling to get a flight back home.
One unnamed passenger due to board the repatriation flight described the situation as shambolic.
There has been no information from the Foreign Office on why the flight did not depart, and staff at both Heathrow and Muscat International Airport were unable to provide any update.
Passengers set to board the government’s chartered flight may now be wishing they had flown commercial, with a British Airways flight from Muscat set to touch down at Heathrow at around 8.15am on Thursday.
The passenger told Sky News that the plane would be taking off later on Wednesday after the pilot had rested
Thousands stranded in Middle East as war enters sixth day
06:42 , Shweta SharmaTens of thousands of travellers remain stranded across the Middle East as the US-Israeli war with Iran enters its sixth day, grounding most commercial flights across the region.
The first UK government rescue flight and a British Airways service from Muscat were expected to land in Britain early on Thursday, bringing home some of the Britons caught in the crisis. However, reports said the government-chartered flight was delayed due to a technical issue and may depart later in the day instead.
Muscat in Oman has become a key evacuation hub, as airspace restrictions linked to the conflict have forced the cancellation of most commercial flights from major regional airports, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Around 138,000 British nationals have registered their presence in the Middle East with UK authorities.
The British government has announced additional charter flights from Oman in the coming days. British Airways is also planning further services from Muscat to London Heathrow on Friday and Saturday.
Other airlines have begun limited evacuation efforts.
Qatar Airways said it would run a small number of relief flights on Thursday from Muscat to cities including London Heathrow, Madrid, Rome, Amsterdam and Copenhagen, as well as a service from Riyadh to Frankfurt. Most of its normal services remain suspended because Qatari airspace is closed.
Alongside the travel chaos, shipping has also been affected. The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre said a tanker anchored near Kuwait reported a large explosion nearby, with oil leaking from a cargo tank, though the crew were reported safe.
The situation remains highly volatile, with governments racing to organise evacuations while airlines struggle to operate flights amid the expanding conflict.
Israel launches 'large-scale wave of attacks' on Iran
06:30 , Shweta SharmaThe Israeli military said it has begun a “large-scale wave of attacks” against Tehran, targeting what it described as infrastructure linked to the Iranian regime.
Explosions were reported in the capital as well as in the north-central city of Karaj shortly after the announcement.
In an earlier overnight update, the Israeli military said its air force had also carried out intelligence-based strikes on Hezbollah command centres in the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
It said one of the sites targeted belonged to Hezbollah’s aerial unit.
“The command centres that were struck were intended to be used by Hezbollah to plan and carry out various attacks against Israeli troops and civilians,” the Israeli military said.
Iran says US will bitterly regret strike on Dena warship in Indian Ocean
06:21 , Shweta SharmaThe United States struck the Iranian frigate Dena in international waters without warning, Iran’s foreign minister said on X on Thursday.
The vessel, carrying nearly 130 sailors, had been a guest of India’s navy, Abbas Araqchi said.
He said the vessel was a "guest of India's Navy".
"The US has perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran's shores," he said, striking "in international waters without warning".
"Mark my words: The US will come to bitterly regret the precedent it has set."
The Iranian frigate was hit by a US submarine strike off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, thousands of miles from the Gulf.
First UK government chartered flight from Middle East did not take off, reports say
06:12 , Dan HaygarthThe first flight chartered by the UK government to bring Britons back from the Middle East amid the US-Israeli war on Iran did not take off from Oman on Wednesday, according to reports.
Sky News reported that the flight, due to depart Muscat at 7pm on Wednesday, remained on the ground on Thursday morning.
Some 130,000 Britons have registered their presence in the Middle East and the Foreign Office has said it is working with airlines to bring people home.
But there was no sign of the flight arriving at Heathrow on Thursday morning and it did not appear on flight tracking services or the arrival boards at the London airport.
Early morning arrivals included those from South Africa and Nigeria as planned, but the arrivals area remained quiet.
Commercial flights from the Middle East are due to arrive at Heathrow’s terminal 5 this morning, with one from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, landing just after 6am.
A commercial British Airways flight from Muscat, due to arrive at 6.25 this morning is delayed until 8.13am, according to arrival boards in the terminal.
The Independent has approached the Foreign Office and the British Embassy in Oman for comment.
Iran denies firing missile towards Turkey, says it respects sovereignty
05:57 , Shweta SharmaIran’s armed forces said they respect Turkey’s sovereignty and denied launching any missiles towards Turkish territory, according to a statement.
It comes after Turkey’s defence ministry said on Wednesday that a ballistic missile fired from Iran towards Turkish airspace, after passing through Syria and Iraq, was destroyed by Nato air and missile defence systems over the eastern Mediterranean.
Iran and Israel envoys trade accusations in Seoul
05:47 , Shweta SharmaThe ambassadors of Iran and Israel held separate press conferences in South Korea’s capital on Thursday, trading sharp accusations as the war between their countries continued to escalate in the Middle East.
Speaking through an interpreter, Iran’s ambassador to South Korea, Saeed Koozechi, urged Seoul – a key US ally – to speak out more strongly against what he described as illegal aggression by US and Israeli forces, which he said launched attacks despite ongoing negotiations.
He warned that “many coffins would return to the United States” if Washington decided to deploy ground troops, and defended Iranian strikes on Gulf states hosting US military bases as unavoidable.
Israel’s ambassador to South Korea, Raphael Harpaz, said the joint US–Israeli military operations were aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear facilities and ballistic missile sites, as well as helping free the Iranian people from oppression.
South Korea has supported US-led diplomatic efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions but has stopped short of endorsing the US–Israeli strikes, instead calling for dialogue to resume quickly.
Qatar Airways to operate limited relief flights to European cities
05:30 , Shweta SharmaQatar Airways said it will operate a limited number of relief flights from Thursday for stranded passengers departing from Muscat and Riyadh.
The airline said on X that flights are planned from Muscat to Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, London Heathrow, Madrid and Rome, as well as from Riyadh to Frankfurt.
However, the airline's main operations out of Doha remain temporarily suspended "due to the closure of Qatari airspace", it said in a statement on X.
"Passengers are kindly requested not to proceed to the airport unless they have received an official notification from Qatar Airways for these flights."
Carney doesn't rule out Canada participating with US
05:24 , Shweta SharmaCanadian prime minister Mark Carney who is in Australia has not ruled out Ottawa’s participation in military actions with US but clarified a distinction between offence and defence.
Carney responded to a question whether he would rule out participating in the US military action in Iran, the leader said it couldn’t be ruled out and that Canada would stand by its allies, and always defend Canadians.
“One can never categorically rule out participation. We will stand by our allies, but it makes sense there’s a distinction between the offensive actions that were taken and are being taken by the United States and Israel, that were taken by them without consultation with Canada, with other allies, and we’re not party to those actions, but we will always defend Canadians. We will always stand by and defend our allies when called,” he said standing alongside his Australian counterpart.
Khamenei funeral postponed amid uncertainty over Iran’s next leader
05:15 , Shweta SharmaPlans for the funeral of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, have been thrown into doubt after authorities indefinitely postponed three days of planned farewell ceremonies.
Khamenei was killed on Saturday in an Israeli air strike – the first known assassination of a sitting national leader by such an attack.
His body was expected to lie in state at a major mosque in Tehran from Wednesday evening. However, Iranian officials later announced that the ceremonies had been postponed indefinitely and no funeral date has been set.
Two Iranian sources told Reuters that Mojtaba Khamenei, the slain leader’s son, was not in Tehran when the strike took place.
Iran said the Assembly of Experts – the clerical body responsible for appointing the country’s supreme leader – would soon announce a successor. This will be only the second time the body has chosen a leader since the Islamic Republic was founded in 1979.
Assembly member Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami told state television that potential candidates had already been identified but did not name them.
Israel has said it would pursue whoever is selected as the next leader. Possible contenders reportedly include Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the Islamic Republic’s founder and a figure associated with Iran’s reformist camp.
What Israel’s Netanyahu said to Trump during secret phone call that led to Iran strikes
05:00 , Shweta SharmaUK says Shahed-like drone that hit Cyprus base not launched from Iran
04:54 , Shweta SharmaThe British defence ministry has said that the Shahed-like drone that targeted RAF Cyprus at midnight on 2 March was not Iranian.
A drone crashed inside the British Royal Air Force base late Sunday, sparking suspicion that it was a Iranian drone.
They would not specify where the drone which struck Akrotiri had come from, but said assessments showed it was a Shahed type and had not been launched from Iran.
In the early hours of Monday, sirens rang after an unmanned one-way attack drone crashed into RAF Akrotiri’s runway.
Update on UK operations in the Middle East: 04 March 2026 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/LkE1D4Fuek
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) March 4, 2026
Iran launches wave of missiles at Israel
04:35 , Shweta SharmaIran has fired a wave of missiles at Israel early on Thursday, sending millions of residents into bomb shelters.
The Israeli military said Iran launched several missiles towards Israel in the early hours of Thursday, though there were no immediate reports of casualties, AFP reported, citing the country’s emergency services.
Three separate alerts were issued over a two-hour period, and AFP reporters said they heard explosions in Jerusalem. The military later said it was safe for residents to leave bomb shelters.
First UK repatriation flight from Middle East delayed, report says
04:23 , Shweta SharmaA British flight scheduled to repatriate UK nationals following the outbreak of war in the Middle East did not depart Oman as planned on Wednesday night and has been rescheduled for later on Thursday, Sky News reported.
Britain’s Foreign Office did not respond to a request for comment outside regular business hours.
The flight was due to leave Muscat at 1900 GMT on Wednesday. It was open to British nationals and their spouses or partners and children, with priority given to the most vulnerable, the Foreign Office said earlier.
“We have been told the plane will take off later today once the pilot has rested,” Sky News quoted an unnamed passenger due to travel on the flight as saying.
The passenger said travellers were informed that delays during check-in meant the pilot had exceeded permitted flying hours and was required to rest.
Hundreds of thousands of Europeans have been stranded across Gulf states since Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, prompting retaliatory attacks by Tehran. Those affected include holidaymakers, transit passengers and residents based in the region.
British Airways, which has suspended flights from Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Amman and Tel Aviv, said it would operate a separate flight from Oman in the early hours of Thursday local time.
Senate votes down resolution to stop Trump from continuing war with Iran
04:20 , Shweta SharmaSenate Republicans rejected a measure on Wednesday aimed at curbing military action against Iran, effectively endorsing a burgeoning conflict that has rapidly spread across the Middle East without a clear U.S. exit strategy.
The War Powers Resolution, which sought to mandate congressional approval before any further attacks, failed by a vote of 47-53.
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Senate votes down resolution to stop Trump from continuing war with Iran
Qatar evacuating residents living near the US embassy
04:02 , Shweta SharmaThe US embassy in Qatar has said that the government is evacuating residents who live near the embassy in Doha as a “temporary precautionary measure”.
“Out of an abundance of caution, please avoid the immediate area of the US Embassy,” it said.
WATCH: US military shares promo-style video of Operation Epic Fury
04:00 , Rachel Dobkin"100 Hours" of Operation Epic Fury. pic.twitter.com/XW5ZnRAJJL
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 4, 2026
Khamenei's son is frontrunner to take over as Iran's next leader, according to Polymarket
03:30 , Rachel DobkinThe late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, is the frontrunner to take over as Iran's next leader, according to Polymarket.
The prediction market had Khamenei’s odds of succeeding his father at about 55 per cent early Thursday morning. The closest competing answer was Alireza Arafi, a cleric and jurist, with 9 per cent odds.
US military releases video of attacks on Iran
03:20 , Shweta SharmaUS central command has released a video purportedly showing “100 hours” of Operation Epic Fury.
The video shows US military action against Iran, including strikes on missile sites, air defences and other military infrastructure.
"100 Hours" of Operation Epic Fury. pic.twitter.com/XW5ZnRAJJL
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 4, 2026
Asian shares rally as oil climbs amid Middle East tensions
03:07 , Shweta SharmaAsian shares rallied on Thursday, while US Treasury prices fell, signalling a tentative return of risk appetite after days of heavy losses triggered by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
South Korea’s KOSPI rebounded sharply after steep losses in the previous session, tracking an overnight rally on Wall Street amid hopes that Washington and Tehran may seek an off-ramp from hostilities. Oil and gold prices moved higher.
China set its 2026 growth target at 4.5%–5%, slightly below last year’s 5% pace, as part of a wide-ranging economic blueprint that also included the unveiling of its 15th five-year plan.
“Geopolitical risk can flare up again very quickly, so any early gains we see this morning across Asia-Pacific share markets may not last,” said Paco Chow, dealing manager at Moomoo Australia and New Zealand. “The outlook will remain cautious until we see oil flows return to normal.”
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 2.9%. South Korea’s KOSPI led regional gains with a 10.4% surge, while Japan’s Nikkei advanced 2.9%.
US Treasury yields edged higher, with the benchmark 10-year yield rising 2.7 basis points to 4.109% and the 30-year yield up 3.1 basis points at 4.7479%.
Energy supply concerns continued to support oil prices. US crude rose 3.01% to $76.91 a barrel, while Brent climbed 2.49% to $83.43. Spot gold gained 0.84% to $5,178.42 an ounce.
In China, the blue-chip CSI300 index rose nearly 1% in early trade and the Shanghai Composite added 0.4%.
The dollar index, which tracks the US currency against a basket of peers, was little changed at 98.81 after recent safe-haven gains. The Japanese yen strengthened 0.2% to 156.75 per dollar.
In cryptocurrencies, bitcoin fell 0.78% to $72,774.53 and ether slipped 0.94% to $2,130.43.
WATCH: Trump claims Iran would have had a nuclear weapon 'in two weeks', despite previous claims of destroying nuke program
03:00 , Rachel DobkinDublin celebrates return of nearly 370 passengers from Dubai
02:30 , Rachel DobkinDublin Airport celebrated the return of nearly 370 passengers from Dubai Wednesday night.
They’re home!
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) March 4, 2026
The first flight from Dubai in almost 5 days - @emirates EK163 - arrived into Dublin Airport just before 11pm, bringing more than 368 passengers back to Ireland. pic.twitter.com/lMIKtwMtSx
US State Department announces first charter flight of Americans out of Middle East
02:15 , Rachel DobkinThe US Department of State has announced that a charter flight of Americans departed the Middle East Wednesday “as part of our ongoing efforts to assist Americans return home”.
It’s the first confirmed US government evacuation flight since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran, according to CNN.
Today, a Department of State charter flight of American citizens departed the Middle East in route to the United States, as part of our ongoing efforts to assist Americans return home.
— Department of State (@StateDept) March 5, 2026
Additional flights will be surged across the region and American citizens in UAE, Qatar, Saudi… pic.twitter.com/4egntuuWy3
LIVE: Missiles streak across Beirut night sky in latest attack
01:54 , Rachel DobkinFull story: Pentagon names final two soldiers among six dead so far in Iran conflict
01:47 , Josh MarcusThe Pentagon on Wednesday took steps to identify the remaining two service members among the six American troops killed so far in the war with Iran.
The Department of Defense confirmed the death of Maj. Jeffrey R. O'Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa, an Army reservist.
It also announced Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, Calif., was “believed to be” among those killed in fighting on March 1 in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait.
Marzan has not yet been positively identified by a medical examiner.
Read more...
Pentagon names final two soldiers among six dead so far in Iran conflict
US identifies last two service members killed in Kuwait
01:26 , Rachel DobkinThe US Department of Defense has identified two other service members killed in an Iranian drone strike in Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait, Sunday.
Maj. Jeffrey R. O'Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California, died while “supporting Operation Epic Fury”, according to the Defense Department.
Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida, Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska, Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa, also died in the strike.
Tanker off coast of Kuwait leaks oil after nearby explosion, UK Maritime Trade Operations says
01:15 , Rachel DobkinA tanker off the coast of Kuwait has leaked oil after a nearby explosion, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre has said.
“The Master of a tanker at anchor, reports witnessing and hearing a large explosion on the port side then seeing a small craft leave the vicinity”, UK officials said early Thursday morning. “There is oil in the water coming from a cargo tank which could have some environmental impact”.
All crew members are safe, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre.
UKMTO WARNING INCIDENT 014-026
— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) March 5, 2026
Click here to view the full warning ⤵️ https://t.co/ygKSBOCLZi#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/RPZXtz6RU7
Qatar evacuating residents near US Embassy as 'precautionary measure'
01:09 , Rachel DobkinQatar’s Ministry of Interior announced early Thursday morning that authorities are evacuating residents near the US Embassy as a “temporary precautionary measure.”
In the framework of maintaining public safety, the Ministry of Interior announces that the relevant authorities are evacuating residents living in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy as a temporary precautionary measure.
— Ministry of Interior - Qatar (@MOI_QatarEn) March 5, 2026
Suitable accommodation has been provided for them as part of…
Israel says it's acting to intercept missiles from Iran
00:48 , Rachel DobkinThe Israeli Air Force announced early Thursday morning that Iran launched missiles toward Israel.
“Defense systems are operating to intercept the threat,” the Israeli Air Force said.
צה״ל זיהה כי לפני זמן קצר שוגרו טילים מאיראן לעבר שטח מדינת ישראל.
— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) March 5, 2026
מערכות ההגנה פועלות ליירט את האיום. בדקות האחרונות פיקוד העורף הפיץ הנחייה מקדימה ישירות לטלפונים הניידים באזורים הרלוונטיים.
הציבור מתבקש לגלות אחריות ולפעול על פי ההנחיות - הן מצילות חיים.
יש להיכנס למרחבים…
Saudi Arabia intercepts three cruise missiles
00:24 , Rachel DobkinSaudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence announced Wednesday the country intercepted and destroyed three cruise missiles outside of Al-Kharj.
المتحدث الرسمي لـ #وزارة_الدفاع: اعتراض وتدمير ثلاثةِ صواريخ من نوع كروز خارج مدينة الخرج. pic.twitter.com/kIGJ8nQPgK
— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) March 4, 2026
Recap: Iran war spreads across the world as US warns: ‘We have only just begun’
Wednesday 4 March 2026 23:48 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump and Israel’s war with Iran widened well beyond the Middle East on Wednesday as Nato shot down a ballistic missile headed for Turkey and the US sank an Iranian frigate off Sri Lanka, killing dozens of sailors.
Catch up on the day’s events:
Iran war spreads across the world as US warns: ‘We have only just begun’
Watch: White House posts bizarre video mixing real war footage from Iran strikes with Call of Duty animation
Wednesday 4 March 2026 23:36 , James ReynoldsAnalysis: When is a war in Iran not a ‘war’? When it’s ‘our’ war
Wednesday 4 March 2026 23:17 , James ReynoldsRepublicans know ‘forever wars’ are unpopular, Eric Garcia writes. So they are coming up with tortured definitions of what a war is.
Sound familiar?
Israeli air force 'destroyed launchers across Iran' in wide-reaching campaign
Wednesday 4 March 2026 23:02 , James ReynoldsThe Israeli Air Force carried out wide-scale strikes against targets in western and central Iran, the military said on Wednesday.
”Dozens of assets belonging to the regime’s ballistic missile array were dismantled in the strikes, including missile launchers and defense systems deployed in the area that constituted a threat to the Israeli Air Force’s aircraft,” it said.
“Some of the launchers were struck while Iranian operatives were preparing to use them, with the launchers ready to launch toward Israeli territory.”
Over 2,000 Canadians trying to leave Middle East: official
Wednesday 4 March 2026 22:56 , James ReynoldsMore than 2,000 Canadians have requested help from the Canadian government to leave the Middle East, a Canadian official told Reuters.
Republicans privately comparing Iran to Vietnam: report
Wednesday 4 March 2026 22:47 , James ReynoldsWhile many GOP lawmakers have expressed public support for President Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran, some have privately raised concerns about the military operation — with one drawing parallels to the U.S. invasion of Vietnam, according to a new report.
“Most Republicans want clear objectives, clearer than they are now,” one told Politico, noting that members have urged the White House to plainly articulate their goals to the American people.
Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:
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Republicans secretly comparing Iran strikes to ‘LBJ going into Vietnam’: report
Republicans shoot down vote to limit Trump's powers in Iran
Wednesday 4 March 2026 22:36 , James ReynoldsA vote in the US senate to limit Trump’s powers in Iran was shot down by Republicans in a 47-53 split on Wednesday night.
Sen. John Fetterman was the only Democrat to join Republicans in voting no, while Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was the only Republican to join Democrats in voting yes.
The result was short of a simple 60-vote majority that would have moved the measure to the floor for another vote.
The GOP-controlled House is expected to reject a similar proposal in that chamber.
Iran threatens Israeli nuclear site if adversaries push for regime change
Wednesday 4 March 2026 22:25 , James ReynoldsIran will target the Israeli nuclear site of Dimona if Israel and the US push for regime change, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported, citing an Iranian military official.
Donald Trump avoided mention of regime change as he spelled out objectives for his campaign on Tuesday.
He said his preferred candidates to replace the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have already been killed.
Pete Hegseth has also publicly walked back suggestions the US will push for regime change in Iran in recent days.
Iran promptly says it has not tried to contact the US in response to Axios report
Wednesday 4 March 2026 22:16 , James ReynoldsAn Iranian official cited by Iran’s Tasnim news agency says no message has been sent to the US.
The comment was in response to an Axios report, citing a US official, saying the US was not responding to Iran’s notes (see: 21:44 post).
Watch: White House says Trump had a ‘feeling based on fact’ about Iran threat
Wednesday 4 March 2026 22:12 , James ReynoldsUniversity pays tribute to US soldier killed in Kuwait
Wednesday 4 March 2026 22:07 , James ReynoldsDrake University in Iowa on Wednesday paid tribute to alumnus Declan Coady, who was among the reservists killed in an Iranian attack in Kuwait.
Mr Coady, 20, was remembered as a “well-loved and highly dedicated Drake University student studying information systems, cybersecurity, and computer science”.
Earlier, his family told the WSJ how he was enjoying a busy deployment doing IT work in the Middle East. His father, Andrew, recalled his son saying it was the happiest he had ever been.
His 22-year-old sister, Keira, told the outlet she regretted not telling him once more than she loved him.
We are heartbroken to learn that Declan Coady—a well-loved and highly dedicated Drake University student studying information systems, cybersecurity, and computer science—was confirmed to be among the six U.S. service members killed in Kuwait on Sunday. He has bravely served in… pic.twitter.com/UyBoP4jNMB
— Drake University (@DrakeUniversity) March 4, 2026
Senate votes on resolution to limit Trump's power over Iran
Wednesday 4 March 2026 21:55 , James ReynoldsDebate is underway in Congress over war powers resolutions to curb Trump’s autonomy over Iran.
The Senate is preparing for an afternoon vote on the measure that would prevent Trump's ability to continue engaging the U.S. military in hostilities against Iran without approval from Congress.
And in the House, which is set to vote Thursday, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries delivered a lengthy speech calling out the Trump administration's shifting rationale for the attack.
"Why is the president unwilling or unable to make his case directly to the American people?" he asked. "The president has a responsibility to justify plunging America into another war.”
Both resolutions are expected to fail in Congress, where Trump's Republican Party holds a slim majority and largely backs the military operation in Iran.
Iran's notes to Washington are going unanswered: US source
Wednesday 4 March 2026 21:44 , James ReynoldsThe Iranians have sent messages to the United States over the last few days but the U.S. did not respond, Axios reported on Wednesday.
Axios correspondent Barak Ravid cited an American official and a second well-placed source in saying the Iranians sent messages through countries in the region, but the US didn’t respond.
"We treated these messages as bull****," the unnamed US official said.
Three killed in Beirut as fighting rages
Wednesday 4 March 2026 21:39 , James ReynoldsThree people were killed and six more were wounded in Israeli strikes on Beirut on Wednesday evening, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
‘Listen to me, especially you!’ Leavitt scolds CNN star for asking about US deaths in Iran war
Wednesday 4 March 2026 20:52 , Shaheena UddinWhite House press secretary Karoline Leavitt unloaded on CNN’s Kaitlan Collins for asking about the administration’s position on media coverage of U.S. soldiers killed in the conflict raging in Iran and across the Middle East.
At a briefing Wednesday, CNN’s chief White House correspondent asked Leavitt about a comment Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made at an earlier Pentagon press conference, where he complained that the “fake news” was reporting on the deaths of the fallen service members to make President Donald Trump “look bad.”
The Independent’s Senior US news reporter, Rhian Lubin, writes:
Leavitt scolds CNN’s Kaitlan Collins for asking about US deaths in Iran war
Putin says Russia may halt gas supplies to Europe amid Iran energy spike
Wednesday 4 March 2026 20:49 , Shaheena UddinRussia could halt gas supplies to Europe right now as energy prices surge due to the crisis in Iran, President Vladimir Putin warned on Wednesday.
Mr Putin blamed the rise in oil prices to be a result of the "aggression against Iran" and due to Western restrictions on Russian oil. He suggested European gas prices were increasing because customers were willing to buy gas volumes at higher prices due to events in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
When questioned on European Union plans impose a total ban on Russian pipeline gas imports by late 2027 and to ban new short-term Russian LNG contracts from late April 2026, Putin said it might be more beneficial for Russia to stop selling the gas right now.
"Now other markets are opening up. And perhaps it would be more profitable for us to stop supplying the European market right now. To move into those markets that are opening up and establish ourselves there," Putin said, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin.
"This is not a decision, it is, in this case, what is called thinking out loud. I will definitely instruct the government to work on this issue together with our companies," Putin said, linking the possible decision directly to Europe's "misguided policies".
Analysis: The mask slipped during Karoline Leavitt’s press conference on Iran
Wednesday 4 March 2026 20:40 , Shaheena UddinLeavitt is one of the smoothest operators in the Trump administration. But today, she was flustered from the start — and it only got worse when she opened for questions.
For anyone who’s trying to keep up with the endless twists and turns in our This Is Not A Forever War, there’s been another development. No, I’m not talking about the mass evacuations or the six dead American service members (there’ll be more probably, says Donald Trump, but hey, to quote the man himself, “that’s the way it is” when there’s a war. So get used to it!).
Nor am I referencing Israel invading Lebanon or Donald Trump having a big tantrum about Europeans not following him into a war the UN says is completely illegal (Keir Starmer is “no Winston Churchill,” Trump fumed yesterday, before threatening to cut off all trade with Spain if they wouldn’t allow America to use their bases in the region.)
The Independent’s Holly Baxter reports:
The mask slipped during Karoline Leavitt’s press conference on Iran
Sister of one of the six US personnel killed in an airstrike shares a tribute
Wednesday 4 March 2026 20:37 , Shaheena UddinThe sister of one of the six US military personnel killed by an airstrike has shared a touching tribute for her brother.
On Saturday, 28 February, Declan Coady, 20 years old, sustained injuries after he was struck by an airstrike in Kuwait and died on his way to the hospital.
Keira Coady said: “As his older sister, I can’t quite comprehend it even now, but the only thing I can think is that I wish I had called him one more time and told him I loved him...He was just a baby, and will forever be mine and Aidan’s baby brother, Rowan’s older brother, and our parents’ son.”
She added: “It’s hard to say anything because those that don’t know him will just know him as another person that died in combat and their lives will go on. However, for my family, my parents lost a son, and me and my siblings lost a brother.”
She described the moments she received the news and said: “I tried calling him on his Iowa phone number which had been disconnected and on his WhatsApp number in hopes of it all being an awful dream and maybe I would hear his voice telling us he was safe like he had been saying all weekend, but there was nothing, not even a voicemail.
“I wish I could think of words beyond that he was smart and kind and amazing, but even if I were to throw in other words it still wouldn’t quite capture his spirit. He was truly a rock in all of our lives and was just the most amazing brother and son my family could have asked for."
Watch: Leavitt attacks CNN over Hegseth comments about reporting on dead US troops
Wednesday 4 March 2026 20:25 , James ReynoldsTrump rates his progress on the warfront as '15 out of 10'
Wednesday 4 March 2026 20:23 , Shaheena UddinUS president Donald Trump has said “We’re doing very well on the war front" and when asked to rate his progress on a scale from one to 10 gave it a solid "15".
Mr Trump said: "I would say somebody said on a scale of 10, where would you rate it? I said about a 15.
“And we're going to continue to do well. We have the greatest military in the world by far, and that was a tremendous threat for many years. 47 years, they've been killing our people and killing people from all over the world, and I think we have great support. And I think if we didn't do it first, they would have done it to Israel and give us a shot if that was possible."
Spain denies making a deal with US and says their position 'has not changed at all'
Wednesday 4 March 2026 20:19 , Shaheena UddinThe Spainish foreign ministry has denied claims made by the the White House on Wednesday that Spain has agreed to cooperate with the US military.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump threatened to cut off trade with Madrid over its stance against the US-Israeli strike on Iran. Speaking on the issue, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said she had been told that Spain had given in.
"I think they heard the president's message yesterday loud and clear. It is my understanding over the past several hours they've agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military," Ms Leavitt said.
However, Spanish foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares denied Spain had made such an agreement.
"I categorically deny it. I heard about these statements on my way here, and I've had time to look into them and listen to them a little," Albares told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser.
"The Spanish government's position on the war in the Middle East and the bombing of Iran regarding the use of our bases has not changed at all. Therefore, I categorically and sincerely deny it. I have no idea what this could refer to or where it could have come from."
BREAKING Israel begins 'additional wave of strikes' across Tehran
Wednesday 4 March 2026 20:15 , Shaheena UddinThe Israeli military has said it has launched further strikes across Iran’s capital Tehran.
"The IDF has begun an additional wave of strikes targeting military infrastructure belonging to the Iranian regime across Tehran," the Israel Defence Forces says in a statement.
This follows an earlier announcement that Israeli military had completed a “wide scale strike” on eastern Tehran compound including command centres and internal security personnel.
British destroyer headed to Cyprus needed to be 'completely re-rolled' before setting sail, says minister
Wednesday 4 March 2026 20:01 , James ReynoldsThe British destroyer headed to Cyprus next week after a drone stuck the airbase at Akrotiri needed to be completely refitted before setting sail, a defence minister said.
Col. Al Carns told Sky News: “That vessel [HMS Dragon] was being fitted out for a different task. We’ve now completely re-rolled it.
“We’re going through varieties, different bits of maintenance, to make sure that as fast as possible we can get that system up and running,” he said.
“We’ve had to change weapon systems on it, finish welding, get it up and running, and get it sailing as fast as possible.”
