Iran War Live: New drone attack on Baghdad airport, says report

Saudi Arabia said Saturday it had intercepted a ballistic missile fired at an air base southeast of the capital Riyadh, as Iran pressed attacks across the Gulf.

"A ballistic missile launched towards Prince Sultan Air Base was intercepted and destroyed," the Saudi defence ministry posted on X.

A drone struck an oil facility housing foreign energy companies in southern Iraq for the second time on Friday, two security sources told AFP.

A security official in the Basra province said that "two drones were shot down over the Burjesia oil complex, but a third got through" and hit the site.

Another security source confirmed the drone strike.

A drone attack just after midnight Friday targeted the Baghdad airport complex, which houses a military base and a US diplomatic facility, security sources said.

A security official told AFP that "the airport came under a series of attacks" with drones and missiles, adding that ambulances were dispatched to the scene.

Another security source confirmed there was a drone attack followed by a fire at the airport.

The White House on Friday downplayed a report that Russia is providing Iran with targeting information about US forces in the Middle East.

"It clearly is not making a difference with respect to the military operations in Iran because we are completely decimating them," House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

Russia has provided Iran with information that can help Tehran strike US military, AP sources say.

Azerbaijan said on Friday it had prevented a series of Iranian "terrorist" attacks on its territory, a day after Baku accused Iran of firing drones at an airport and school in an Azerbaijani border region.

Azerbaijan's state security service said it had "prevented terrorist acts and intelligence operations in Azerbaijan organised by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)," adding that seven Azerbaijani nationals were arrested.

Israel's military chief said on Friday that its forces were "crushing the Iranian terrorist regime", a day after announcing that the joint US-Israeli campaign against the Islamic republic had entered a new phase.

"We are crushing the Iranian terrorist regime and will seize every opportunity to deepen our achievements," Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir told soldiers, according to a statement issued by the military.

The United States on Friday warned that Iranian-backed fighters may target hotels in Iraqi Kurdistan frequented by foreigners as Washington again urged Americans to leave.

"US citizens are strongly encouraged to depart as soon as they are safely able to do so, and reconsider lodging options if choosing not to depart," the US embassy in Baghdad said in a security notice.

Israel's military said it had hit more than 400 targets in Iran Friday as it pressed on with its bombing campaign against the Islamic Republic.

"Over 400 targets were struck in several areas in Iran, including ballistic missile launchers and Iranian UAVs (drone) storage facilities," the army said in a statement.

The rate is broadly consistent with the level of strikes Israel says it has carried out in recent days, indicating a sustained campaign in the areas it is targeting.

Only nine oil tankers, cargo and container ships, some of which at times concealed their position, have been recorded crossing the Strait of Hormuz since Monday, according to data by MarineTraffic analysed by AFP.

After three ships were attacked Sunday, at least three tankers and a vessel carrying gas have crossed this chokepoint.

Nearly 20 percent of the world's crude oil and about 20 percent of LNG transit through Strait of Hormuz.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned Friday "unlawful attacks" across the Middle East and warned that the situation could spiral out of control as the regional war raged across multiple countries.

"All the unlawful attacks in the Middle East and beyond are causing tremendous suffering and harm to civilians throughout the region -- and pose a grave a risk to the global economy, particularly to the most vulnerable people," he said.

"The situation could spiral beyond anyone's control. It is time to stop the fighting and get to serious diplomatic negotiations."

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed television rating agency Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) to immediately withhold reporting Television Rating Points (TRPs) for TV news channels for four weeks, or until further orders, citing concerns over “sensational” coverage of the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

The US said it could soon begin escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz as shipping traffic through the key energy route remains heavily restricted amid tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the US Navy could start the operation once conditions allow.

"As soon as it's reasonable to do it, we'll escort ships through the straits and get the energy moving again," Chris Wright told US broadcaster Fox News's "Fox and Friends" show.

"There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before. IRAN WILL HAVE A GREAT FUTURE. “MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!).” Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump wrote.

India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday shared an update on the country’s energy preparedness amid growing global uncertainty, reiterating that the government is closely monitoring developments in international oil markets.

In a post on social media platform X, Puri outlined the government’s position and ongoing efforts to ensure stable energy supplies.

"In my regular interaction with members of the fourth estate today, we discussed various aspects of India’s uninterrupted energy imports despite geopolitical challenges," Puri said in an X post.

Israel on Friday evening launched fresh attacks on Iran.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has signalled that Tehran is not willing to accept mediation efforts that focus on limiting its military response, saying any diplomatic pressure should instead be directed at those responsible for starting the conflict.

In a message posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, Pezeshkian said several countries had reached out with attempts to mediate but made clear that Iran’s stance on the matter remained firm.

“We are committed to lasting peace in the region, but we have no hesitation in defending the dignity and authority of our country," he wrote, adding, “The target of mediation should be those who started the fire by underestimating the Iranian people."

Masoud Pezeshkian pushed back against international mediation efforts, saying any countries seeking to broker a ceasefire should direct their pressure at those who began the conflict — not Iran.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Pezeshkian acknowledged that several countries had begun mediation attempts but said Tehran’s position was clear.

“Some countries have begun mediation efforts. Let’s be clear: we are committed to lasting peace in the region yet we have no hesitation in defending our nation’s dignity and sovereignty. Mediation should address those who underestimated the Iranian people and ignited this conflict.”

The UK has told Bahrain that fighter jets being deployed to Qatar could provide additional defensive support to the kingdom if needed.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer informed Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa that four British jets headed to Qatar could help protect Bahrain against potential Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting Gulf states.

“The Prime Minister also offered further defensive air cover from these jets for Bahrain to ⁠bolster their security,” ⁠Starmer told Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in a call ⁠late on Thursday, according to a ⁠readout from ⁠Starmer’s office on Friday.

An explosion sounded Friday near Erbil airport, which hosts US-led coalition troops in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, AFP journalists said.

An AFP journalist reported seeing grey smoke rising from near the airport area.

Since the start of the war in the Middle East, drones have repeatedly been intercepted over the city of Erbil, which is also home to a major US consulate complex.

Azerbaijan says evacuating diplomats from Iran after drone attack

“Azerbaijan is evacuating its diplomatic personnel from Iran. The process applies to both the embassy in Tehran and the consulate in Tabriz,” foreign minister Jeyhun Bayramov said, adding: “Work in this direction is currently underway,” Alarabiya reported.

In addition to its strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, the Israeli military has continued attacks across southern Lebanon. One of the latest raids took place in the southern coastal city of Sidon, according to reporters on the ground. Lebanon's National News Agency also reported Israeli warplanes flying over the southern towns of Tyre and Bint Jbeil.

Israeli media reports claim that Iranian missiles struck Ben Gurion Airport. However, there has been no official confirmation or comment from the Israeli army so far.

The war in the Middle East could trigger a global economic shock if it continues for weeks, with Gulf energy exporters potentially forced to halt production and oil prices surging to $150 a barrel, Qatar’s energy minister Saad al-Kaabi told the Financial Times. Kaabi said the conflict could force energy producers across the Gulf region to declare force majeure and suspend deliveries if hostilities continue. (Read More)

The Israeli military said it had launched a new wave of strikes in the Beirut area, targeting infrastructure linked to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The operation focused on facilities the military said were used by the group in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital.

Residents in Dubai received multiple missile alerts on Friday as Iran’s retaliatory strikes on US bases escalated regional tensions. Air travel across the Middle East was disrupted, leaving many international travelers, including Indians, stranded. The UAE clarified it has not altered its defensive posture despite reports suggesting possible involvement in military strikes against Iran. Authorities continue to manage the situation amid fears of further escalation.

Maersk, one of the world's biggest container shipping groups, said on Friday it has temporarily suspended two services linking the Middle East to Asia and Europe as the Iran conflict continues to disrupt global supply chains. The Danish group said in a statement it would halt its FM1 service connecting the Far East to the Middle East and its ME11 service linking the Middle East to Europe "This decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of our personnel and vessels while minimizing operational disruption across our wider network," Maersk said in an advisory to customers.  (Reuters)

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has released footage showing airstrikes on six armed Iranian ballistic missile launchers that it said were preparing to attack Israel. According to the military, the Israeli Air Force carried out the strikes over several hours overnight between Wednesday and Thursday, destroying the launchers just minutes before the missiles were set to be fired toward Israel. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said on Wednesday night that Israeli forces have so far destroyed around 60 percent of Iran's missile launchers during the ongoing campaign.

The United States and South Korea are in talks about relocating some US Patriot missile defence systems currently stationed in South Korea to the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun confirmed the discussions while responding to a question during a parliamentary hearing. He said the US and South Korean militaries were examining the possibility of redeploying the systems as the war intensifies. Recent reports have suggested that the US military may soon have to conserve its air defence resources because of persistent Iranian attacks on American assets in the Middle East. However, top US military officials have pushed back against those claims. Earlier this week, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the US stockpile of Patriot missiles remains "extremely strong."

A military academy belonging to Iran's army was reportedly among the sites hit in attacks in central Tehran on Friday morning. The strike occurred while a reporter from the state broadcaster was delivering a live report near the location.

Etihad Airways has announced it will resume a limited commercial flight schedule from Abu Dhabi to several key destinations starting today. In a post on X, the airline advised passengers to travel to the airport only if they have a confirmed booking on a newly resumed flight or if they have been contacted directly by the airline.

Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry said its forces intercepted and destroyed another drone to the northeast of Riyadh. The incident comes after the ministry earlier announced that three drones had been shot down to the east of the capital.

Almost 200 children have reportedly been killed across the Middle East since the weekend's US and Israeli military escalation against Iran, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The agency said at least 181 children were killed in Iran, seven in Lebanon, three in Israel and one in Kuwait. "Children do not start wars, but they pay an unacceptably high price. The military escalation across the Middle East has already had a devastating impact on children," UNICEF said. During the first day of the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, a girls' school in Minab in southern Iran was hit, killing at least 175 schoolchildren, according to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The Government of India has directed all oil refining companies operating in the country to maximise the use of propane and butane streams for the production of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a Reuters report says. Under the directive, refiners have been asked to ensure that these streams are utilised efficiently to boost LPG output and make the supply available to public sector oil marketing companies, including Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL). (Read More)

Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto has reassured local Islamic groups that he will withdraw from US President Donald Trump's 'Board of Peace' if the platform does not benefit Palestinians, a government statement said on Friday. The participation of Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, on the board, and its decision to contribute troops for a Gaza stabilisation force, has drawn criticism from experts and Muslim groups at home, who say it compromises its long-standing support for the Palestinian cause. Prabowo gathered the groups' leaders for a meeting on Thursday evening where he reiterated his reasoning behind joining the board, according to a statement put out by the government communication office. - Reuters

Iranian strikes on Gulf cloud infrastructure have raised alarm over the vulnerability of critical digital assets in the region. Drone attacks damaged major US cloud data centres in the UAE and Bahrain, infrastructure that underpins government systems, financial networks, and emerging artificial-intelligence projects across the Gulf. The incidents highlight how modern conflicts are beginning to target not only military facilities but also the digital backbone supporting Western defence networks, technology companies, and regional AI ambitions. Analysts say the strikes challenge long-held assumptions about the Gulf as a stable hub for global data infrastructure and could prompt investors and governments to reassess the geopolitical risks tied to large-scale digital and cloud investments in the region.

Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency has reported that overnight attacks in Bahrain's capital, Manama, targeted the Financial Harbour Towers commercial complex. The outlet said the complex was struck because it houses the Israeli embassy in the city. Meanwhile, Reuters reported that an Iranian drone was intercepted and destroyed near the complex.

Qatar's Ministry of Defence said its air force successfully intercepted a drone attack targeting the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military base in the Middle East. The announcement came after the Qatari government issued emergency alerts to mobile phones across the country, urging residents to stay away from windows and open areas as a precaution.

Hezbollah has warned Israeli residents living within 5 km (3 miles) of the border with Lebanon to evacuate their towns. The warning was posted early on Friday on the group's Telegram channel in Hebrew, according to Reuters. "Your military's aggression against Lebanese sovereignty and safe citizens, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the expulsion campaign it is carrying out will not go unchallenged," Hezbollah said in its message. The warning came after the Israel Defense Forces launched a wave of strikes on Lebanon late Thursday evening, following an earlier advisory urging residents to leave the southern suburbs of Beirut, a known stronghold of Hezbollah. Shortly afterward, the Israeli military said it had also begun "a broad-scale wave of strikes against Iranian terror regime infrastructure" in Tehran.

In an interview with US broadcaster NBC, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran is prepared for the possibility of a ground invasion by American forces. He added that if the US decides to send troops, Iran is ready to face them. "We are waiting for your ground troops," Araghchi said during the interview. Meanwhile, analysts say Washington could intensify its military operations against Iran in the coming days. However, it remains unclear whether this escalation would include deploying ground troops as part of a broader attempt to overthrow the leadership in Tehran.

Sri Lankan opposition MP Mujibur Rahman questioned why the Iranian warship IRIS Dena had to wait 11 hours for permission to dock at Galle Port before it was attacked. A US submarine later sank the vessel off Sri Lanka, killing at least 87 sailors, while 32 were rescued and around 60 remain missing, authorities said. (Read more)

The White House said the United States does not target civilians after reports of a strike on a school, adding that the Department of War is investigating the incident. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran targets civilians, not the US, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would never deliberately strike a school.

Iran strikes US-linked Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait again

Iran has struck Ali Al-Salem Air Base in Kuwait again, a key facility that hosts the US Air Force’s 386th Air Expeditionary Wing. The strike is part of Iran’s wider retaliation targeting US military facilities across the Gulf during the ongoing regional conflict.

Canada said it has no plans to join the US-led military campaign against Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, but could help defend partners in the Persian Gulf if they come under attack.

Chief of the Defence Staff Jennie Carignan said any Canadian involvement would be limited to self-defence under international law.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington is not expanding its military goals in Iran, even as US forces intensify strikes under Operation Epic Fury. Hegseth said the campaign targets Iran’s missile systems, production facilities and naval assets, adding that the US has already struck more than 2,000 targets while remaining focused on dismantling Tehran’s offensive capabilities.

Iranian state TV claimed drones from the Revolutionary Guards struck the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, though it provided no evidence and the Pentagon previously dismissed similar claims. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he would support Iranian Kurdish fighters launching an offensive against Tehran as the US-Israel war with Iran continues.

At least 102 people have been killed and 638 wounded in Lebanon since the latest conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began, the country’s health ministry said on Thursday. The fighting erupted after Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel on Sunday, prompting Israel to launch retaliatory strikes across parts of Lebanon.

The US House voted 212–219 to reject a war powers resolution seeking to halt President Donald Trump’s military action against Iran, a day after the Senate voted down a similar measure.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Kuwait shut down following retaliatory Iranian strikes, becoming the second American diplomatic mission to halt operations as tensions escalate. Kuwait is also where six US soldiers were killed by an Iranian drone on March 1.

Human displacement is accelerating as the conflict intensifies, with the UN refugee agency reporting that roughly 100,000 people left Tehran in the first two days after the war began. The mass movement marks one of the largest internal exoduses in Iran since the strikes started, though there has so far been no significant increase in people crossing international borders.

Gulf countries appear to be reviewing their financial exposure as the ongoing war creates economic uncertainty. According to a report by the Financial Times, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar are considering reassessing or potentially reducing some of their overseas investments. The review could include investments in the United States, as governments in the region weigh rising financial pressures linked to the conflict and broader market volatility.

Authorities in Qatar have issued an alert warning that the country's security threat level has been elevated. Residents were urged to remain indoors and take precautionary measures amid the heightened tensions. "Everyone is required to remain indoors, refrain from going out, and stay away from windows and exposed areas," the alert stated. Meanwhile, residents in the Qatari capital, Doha, reported hearing the sound of explosions.

The United States has granted India a temporary 30-day waiver allowing its refiners to continue purchasing Russian oil as the Iran war threatens to disrupt global energy supplies. Announcing the decision, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move aims to ensure oil continues flowing into global markets during the ongoing crisis. "To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil… India is an essential partner of the United States," Bessent said in a post on X.

Iran's government condemned a US and Israeli strike on the Azadi Sports Complex on the outskirts of Tehran. Officials said the attack on the 12,000-seat stadium violated international law and the Olympic Charter.

Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said the country is in a "state of near-emergency" economically as the widening Middle East conflict threatens to push up prices and disrupt regional markets.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom will deploy four fighter jets to Qatar as a precautionary measure. He also confirmed that the first UK-chartered flight carrying British citizens out of the region has already departed.

Huge queues of traffic have formed in southern Lebanon after Israel warned residents to evacuate certain areas. The advisory has triggered a rush of civilians attempting to leave amid fears of expanding military operations.

Azerbaijan has accused Iran of carrying out two drone strikes on its territory and said it is preparing "retaliatory measures." Tehran has denied involvement in the attacks, adding another layer of tension to the widening regional crisis.

The UAE's interior ministry issued an emergency alert urging residents to seek shelter after the country intercepted six Iranian missiles and 131 drones. Authorities said the defensive response was activated to prevent potential damage and casualties.

Residents in Iran told the BBC that daily life has become exhausting and tense amid the continued bombardment. One resident said the situation is "frightening," describing how his house shakes during the strikes and leaving many feeling trapped.

Israel's military chief said the country is "moving to the next phase" of the war as US-Israeli strikes on Iran continued into the sixth day. The statement suggests a shift in operational strategy as the campaign against Iranian targets expands.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said American firepower over Iran is "about to surge dramatically" as Washington intensifies its military campaign. President Donald Trump said US forces are striking Iranian drone and missile systems "every single hour," signalling a major escalation in the conflict.

As the Iran war nears the one-week mark, concerns over the use of powerful munitions have intensified after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired the "Kheibar Shekan" missile toward Tel Aviv and central Israel. Neither Israel nor Iran has signed the international convention banning cluster munitions, raising alarm among observers about the potential humanitarian impact of such weapons.