US bombings on Iran´s military targets on, Iran launches operation at US, Israeli targets

U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the U.S. military carried out bombing raids against military targets on Iran's Kharg Island, a key oil export hub that handles most of the country's crude shipments, reported ANI.

Via his Truth Social account, Trump also said he had decided not to strike the island's oil infrastructure, although he would change his mind "should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the free and safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz."

Citing experts, CNN reported that any attempt to capture Kharg Island would require a substantial number of ground troops, something the Trump administration has so far been reluctant to commit.

Kharg Island lies in the Persian Gulf about 25 km off Iran's coast and accounts for about 90 percent of the country's crude exports.

Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said Friday that more than 50,000 U.S. service members are supporting military operations against Iran.

Meanwhile, in a significant escalation of regional tensions, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, the Spokesperson of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, issued a televised address on Saturday, warning that "America and the Zionists will pay the price for every single drop of unjustly shed blood and the compensation for the damages inflicted," reported ANI.

Zolfaghari noted that, in line with the "operations of the defenders of the country's sky, two MQ-9 drones in Firuzabad and Bandar Abbas and another aircraft in the sky of Tabriz were intercepted and destroyed by the Sepah's air defense systems." According to the spokesperson, the "total number of drones destroyed up to this moment has reached 112 aircraft of various types of combat, reconnaissance, and suicide drones."

The military official linked these defensive measures to broader offensive actions, stating that the "brave warriors of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Aerospace and Naval Forces of Sepah and Hezbollah carried out the 45th wave of Operation True Promise 4" under the holy code "'Ya Saheb al-Zaman, may God hasten his relief'" following the "astonishing presence of the people in the International Quds Day march."

During the address, Zolfaghari confirmed that "'Kheibar-Shekan' solid-fuel precision missiles and offensive drones were sent in large and effective numbers towards enemy targets."

He emphasised that the "destruction of the northern command infrastructures of the occupying Zionists and the gathering place of American forces" served as primary strategic goals, specifically naming targeted centres in "Haifa, Caesarea, settlements of Zariit and Shlomi, as well as the 'Holon' military-industrial complex."

The scope of the operation also extended to regional US assets. The spokesperson claimed that American gathering places, including "'Al Dhafra' and 'Erbil' bases, were identified and hit" following a prior "warning to leave the region."

Maintaining the momentum of the campaign, a "46th wave of Operation True Promise 4 was also carried out" shortly thereafter, targeting the "centers and forces of the American and Zionist antagonists."

Zolfaghari asserted that this specific phase aimed at "hunting down Zionist and American criminal commanders," claiming that "10 hiding and residence points in the occupied territories and 3 gathering and hiding places of Americans in the region were identified and precisely targeted."

These precision strikes reportedly included "seven points in Tel Aviv, two points in Rishon LeZion, and one point in Shoham," as well as US commander locations at the "'King Sultan', 'Victoria', and 'Erbil' bases."

Reinforcing this message of military defiance, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has unveiled a significant display of its aerial capabilities within a vast subterranean arsenal. In a report shared on X by the Mehr News Agency, it was highlighted that "the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps displays a collection of its drones in a large tunnel."

This demonstration, titled "Display of a Portion of the IRGC Drone Power Under an Image of Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Khamenei," featured rows of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) staged within an extensive underground facility.

Vowing that the campaign would persist, Zolfaghari declared that "the doors of hell will not be closed until the destruction of the last child-killing criminal." He swore by the "oppression of our martyrs" to recover the "blood money of every single drop of blood shed unjustly," maintaining that "victory is not but from God, the Mighty, the Wise."

All 6 crew members aboard US refuelling aircraft killed

All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq on Thursday were confirmed dead, the U.S. Central Command said Friday, reported Xinhua.

The aircraft was lost while flying over friendly airspace on Thursday during Operation Epic Fury, the command said on X.

The command added that the circumstances of the incident are under investigation, claiming "the loss of the aircraft was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire."

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group for Iraq's pro-Iranian militias, said Friday that its fighters targeted two U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft over western Iraq.

In two statements, the group said its fighters shot down one KC-135 "with appropriate weapons," and a second aircraft of the same type was also struck before its crew made an emergency landing at "one of the enemy airports."

The KC-135 aircraft, designed to refuel other military planes in flight, has served as the U.S. Air Force's key aerial refueling platform for over 60 years.

Saudi air defence intercepts, destroys drone over Al-Jawf region

Saudi Ministry of Defence announced on Saturday that its air defence forces have successfully neutralised an aerial threat in the northern part of the country, reported ANI.

In a formal statement, the ministry confirmed the "interception and destruction of a drone" after it was detected entering the airspace over the "Al-Jawf region in the north of the country."

This latest incident follows a massive wave of hostilities earlier in the week. Saudi Arabia reported that its air defence systems intercepted nearly 50 drones that entered its airspace within a span of a few hours early Friday, according to Euro News.

The Ministry of Defence of Saudi Arabia stated that these drones were detected during the early hours of Friday and were neutralised before reaching their intended targets. Officials noted that the sheer volume of drones represents an "unusually high level of aerial threats for Saudi Arabia."

2 killed after drones crash in N. Oman

Two expatriate workers were killed and several others injured after two drones crashed in the Wilayat of Sohar in northern Oman, the Oman News Agency (ONA) reported Friday, citing a security source, said Xinhua.

One of the drones struck the Al Awhi Industrial Zone, while the other crashed in an open area nearby, the ONA said.

On Thursday, the ONA reported that multiple drones were intercepted and brought down in Oman, while several drones struck fuel storage tanks at the Port of Salalah, with no casualties reported.

Authorities are deploying all available resources to monitor and counter the attacks, the ONA reported, adding that measures are being taken to safeguard national security and public safety.

The development comes amid heightened regional tensions after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran starting from Feb. 28, to which Iran and Iran-aligned groups responded with attacks on Israeli and U.S. interests across the Middle East.

Nepal halts on-arrival visa facility for Iranian nationals

The Nepali government has decided to halt the issuance of visa-on-arrival facilities to Iranian nationals visiting the country to prevent a possible influx of Iranians into Nepal amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Nepal's Department of Immigration said on Friday.

Iranian nationals, except those holding official and diplomatic passports, will now be required to obtain a visa from a Nepali embassy or diplomatic mission abroad before entering Nepal, the department said.

Iranians hold mass rallies to mark Quds Day amid US-Israeli attacks

People across Iran on Friday took to the streets to mark International Quds Day, an annual event expressing support for Palestinians and condemnation of Israeli actions.

The event, established by Iran in 1979, is observed on the final Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan. This year, it fell on March 13 and amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran.

In the capital, people marched from 10 different locations towards the iconic Enghelab Square in central Tehran, while waving Iran's flags and holding pictures of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei.

The marchers condemned the "crimes" committed by the United States and Israel, voiced their support for the Iranian armed forces, and pledged allegiance to the new supreme leader.

Several high-ranking Iranian officials also took part in the rallies in Tehran, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Larijani, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei as well as cabinet ministers, such as Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

According to the official news agency IRNA, Tehran's central areas near the rally path came under U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in the early minutes of the gathering, killing at least one person. Addressing reporters after the strikes, Larijani said the attacks are "out of fear and desperation."

Araghchi said despite the attacks today, millions of people have taken part in the rallies across Iran, which shows "the Iranians' firm determination and will in supporting" the country.

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East.

Iran's Assembly of Experts on Sunday announced the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran's new supreme leader.

Daily brief about U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran: Day 14

The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 14th day on Friday, with Washington signaling plans to intensify strikes in the coming week, Tehran pressing on with retaliatory attacks, and the political and economic fallout continuing to ripple across the region, reported Xinhua.

Here is a brief overview of the latest developments and the regional crisis that has affected nearly all neighboring countries and beyond.

The United States

U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News that the United States plans to strike Iran "very hard over the next week," and that it would escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary.

During a press conference, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Trump will be the one to decide "the pace, tempo and timing" of the Iran conflict.

The United States will not allow the Strait of Hormuz to "remain contested or with a lack of flow of commercial goods," he said. He also said there is no clear evidence that Iran has placed mines in the strait.

Hegseth said although the United States is happy to partner with Israel, "our objectives are our objectives." He claimed that Iran's missile capabilities are down 90 percent.

-- During a press briefing, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine said the ongoing U.S. military operation against Iran remains "complex, dangerous, and difficult."

-- The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Central Command is asking for additional ships to be sent to the Middle East amid plans to escort vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

-- A U.S. defense official told Fox News Friday the Pentagon is sending the USS Tripoli, a Marine Amphibious Ready Group, and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Middle East with about 2,500 U.S. Marines.

Israel

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it struck a key bridge over the Litani River in southern Lebanon in the morning, alleging the bridge was used by Hezbollah militants to pass from northern to southern Lebanon "to build up its power and prepare for combat."

The IDF also said it completed a series of strikes against Hezbollah's economic and military targets in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, and other areas on Thursday.

Iran

Iran's army said it has launched drone attacks from across the country on the headquarters of the Israeli General Staff in southern Israel's city of Beersheba since morning. Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said it launched the 44th wave of missile and drone attacks on different Israeli targets and U.S. bases in the West Asia region.

-- Iran's official news agency IRNA reported that at least one person was killed in a mass rally in Tehran to mark International Quds Day, an annual event expressing support for Palestinians and condemnation of Israeli actions. It said the dead, a woman, was killed "in the bombing of Tehran" by Israel and the United States.

-- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told Xinhua in a recent interview that Iran is determined to defend itself against the U.S. and Israeli "aggression" as long as it takes.

-- Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi on Thursday denied reports saying that Iran had begun laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.

-- Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday that his administration does not propose and pursue any policy without coordination with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

Iraq

The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority announced a new 72-hour extension of the country's airspace closure amid ongoing regional tensions.

-- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group for Iraq's pro-Iranian militias, said its fighters targeted two U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft over western Iraq.

-- Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani and French President Emmanuel Macron held phone talks Friday to discuss regional developments following an attack that killed a French soldier in northern Iraq.

Oman

-- Two expatriate workers were killed and several others injured after two drones crashed in the Wilayat of Sohar in northern Oman, the Oman News Agency reported, citing a security source.

The United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates' Defense Ministry said its air defense systems intercepted seven more ballistic missiles and 27 more drones launched from Iran. Official figures showed that the country has intercepted altogether 285 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,567 drones since the start of the regional conflict.

-- The United Arab Emirates' General Civil Aviation Authority said the country's national carriers have restored 44.6 percent of their operating capacity compared to pre-conflict levels.

Lebanon

Israeli airstrikes continued to pound southern Lebanon on Friday night, killing at least 13 people and hitting the Nepalese battalion's compound of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.

-- The Lebanese Public Health Ministry said the death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 has risen to 773, with 1,933 injuries.

-- In a meeting with visiting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Beirut, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged an end to Israeli attacks and voiced hope for stronger international support during what he described as a critical phase. Aoun said over 800,000 people have been displaced by the conflict.

-- Mohammad Choucair, president of the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, said Lebanon's commercial production fell 50 percent, industrial production 50 percent, and agricultural production 40 percent, affected by the shutdown of production units across the country, along with disruptions to exports to Gulf countries.

-- Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said Friday that the group has prepared for a "long confrontation" with Israel and will not retreat, describing the current conflict as an existential battle.

Türkiye

The Turkish Defense Ministry said it intercepted a ballistic munition from Iran that entered Turkish airspace. In response, Iranian Ambassador in Ankara Mohammad Hassan Habibollahzadeh denied Iran's involvement, saying the incident could be carried out by "third elements."

-- The first Turkish-owned ship has passed through the Strait of Hormuz after receiving permission from Iranian authorities, Türkiye's Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said Friday, noting that 14 others are still waiting in the area. He said around 800 vessels of various types are present in the strait.

-- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday evening that his country will not get dragged into the war triggered by U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, following the interception of a third ballistic missile that entered Turkish airspace.

France

French President Emmanuel Macron said a French soldier was killed and six others were wounded in a drone attack in Erbil province in Iraq's northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. It was reportedly the first French military death in the latest Middle East conflict that began late February.

Macron later told a news conference that the attack was "unacceptable." He said France's position in the Middle East conflict remains "defensive."