Seventh day of war in the Middle East. The US-Israeli coalition continues to bombard Iran, while the IRGC responds by targeting all Gulf countries. In the region, defense forces from Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the Emirates have continued to intercept salvos of Iranian drones and missiles, primarily launched at US bases, with residents alerted by several explosions.

Tehran said that some countries "have opened channels for mediation," but explained that "we must consult those who attacked us, namely the US and Israel." For its part, US President Donald Trump wrote on social media: "We don't want to reach an agreement with Iran, we want unconditional surrender."

Live news from March 6, 2026

9:30 PM – Explosion in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, smoke billowing from a hotel

A powerful explosion rocked Erbil, the capital of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan, followed by a plume of smoke rising from a hotel in the city, an AFP journalist reported. The United States had previously warned that Iranian-backed militants could target hotels in Iraqi Kurdistan frequented by foreigners.

9:00 PM – Oil soars in New York, with WTI up 12.31%.

Oil prices soared on the back of turbulence in the Middle East and warnings of a Qatari production blockade: WTI crude jumped 12.31% to $90.98 a barrel in New York, while Brent crude gained 8.50% to $92.67 a barrel.

8:30 PM – The Italian missile frigate departed Taranto for Cyprus

The Italian Navy's missile frigate "Federico Martinengo" departed the port of Taranto this afternoon, bound for Cyprus to defend the island. The frigate, carrying over 160 Italian soldiers, is expected to reach the area within a couple of days. The operation is being carried out as part of a coordinated effort between Italy, Spain, France, and the Netherlands.

7:50 PM – Israel, alerts across the country following a wave of missiles launched by Iran

New alarms are ringing across Israel as Iran launches a new wave of missiles, minutes after the previous one.

7:40 PM – Drone attack in Baghdad

A drone strike targeted a military base at Baghdad airport that housed a U.S. diplomatic mission this evening, security sources told AFP.

"Four drones targeted" the military base located at the airport of the Iraqi capital, a security official said. Another official specified that at least two drones crashed inside the base.

7:00 PM - UNIFIL post hit in Lebanon: there are injuries

A United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) post was targeted today in the south of the country, injuring Ghanaian peacekeepers, according to the National News Agency (NNA). "Several members of the Ghanaian UNIFIL forces were injured after their post in the town of al-Qaouzah was targeted," Lebanese state media reported, without specifying the source of the attack.

6:32 PM – Guterres (UN): "There's a risk of an uncontrollable spiral."

"All unlawful attacks in the Middle East and beyond are causing enormous suffering and harm to civilians across the region and pose a grave risk to the global economy, particularly to the most vulnerable. The situation could spiral out of control," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said as the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran continues. "It is time to end the fighting and begin serious diplomatic negotiations," he added. "The stakes could not be higher."

5:54 PM - Iran: "We're hitting the Gulf because of the US bases."

"We regret having to target our neighbors because of the presence of US bases on their territory. It is clear to all of them that Iran has no hostility toward them," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on state television, according to Iran International.

5.25pm – France also deploys a helicopter carrier

France has decided to deploy a Mistral-class amphibious helicopter carrier in the Mediterranean, where the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle has already arrived today, the French Army General Staff announced.

5:00 PM – Meloni, Starmer, Merz, and Macron: "Working for diplomacy."

Working together "for diplomacy and military coordination" in response to the escalation of war in the Middle East triggered by the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Tehran's response. This is what the leaders of Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France—Giorgia Meloni, Keir Starmer, Friedrich Merz, and Emmanuel Macron—agreed in a four-way phone call, as reported by Downing Street.

4:40 PM – Italy will send the frigate Martinengo to Cyprus

The Italian Navy's missile frigate "Federico Martinengo" is designated to defend the Cyprus area, for the operation as part of a coordinated effort between Italy, Spain, France, and the Netherlands.

4:20 PM – EU and Middle East leaders meet on Monday

On Monday, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will hold a videoconference meeting with Middle East leaders to discuss the security situation in the region. Costa's spokesperson noted that it will be an "opportunity to hear the leaders' assessments of the situation and to discuss further support from the EU and its member states to the countries in the region, as well as ways to end the current conflict."

4:00 PM - Beirut: "The number of victims of the raids since Monday has risen to 217."

The death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since Monday stands at 217 and 798 wounded, the Ministry of Health announced. A previous ministry report, released Thursday evening, reported 123 deaths and 683 injuries. On Monday, Lebanon was dragged into the regional war with Iran when pro-Iranian Hezbollah launched an attack on Israel, which responded with a campaign of massive attacks.

3:20 PM – IDF: "The Lebanese government must get rid of Hezbollah, or we will."

"The Lebanese government must get rid of Hezbollah and the Revolutionary Guards operating from Lebanon, or we will persecute and attack them," IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin said in a statement.

3:02 PM - Trump: "We want unconditional surrender."

"There will be no deal with Iran short of unconditional surrender!" Donald Trump wrote on Truth.

2.35pm – French aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean

The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, sent by Paris to the Middle East to protect its citizens and allies targeted by Iran, has entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar.

2:45 PM – Drones in Iraq targeting Basra oil fields

Drones have hit Basra's airport and oil fields, an Iraqi security source reported.

2:15 PM – Alert raised in the US

Donald Trump's administration has increased security measures over concerns that Iran or its supporters could launch attacks in the United States. Federal and local officials have announced increased police patrols in several cities, including New York, Miami, and Los Angeles.

1:40 PM – Iran: "The US and IDF have hit another school."

Iran has accused the United States and Israel of striking a Tehran elementary school in attacks targeting the country. "This is another elementary school, the Shahid Hamedani School, in Tehran's Niloufar Square, targeted by American/Israeli attackers," a spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.

1:30 PM – At least 160 Italian soldiers defend Cyprus

At least 160 Italian Navy personnel will be deployed aboard an Italian ship to the Cyprus area to defend the island. The operation will be carried out as part of a coordinated effort between Italy, Spain, France, and the Netherlands. The number of personnel deployed may vary depending on the type of vessel—frigate or destroyer—deployed.

1:20 PM – WP: "Moscow is providing intelligence to Iran"

Russia is providing Iran with real-time intelligence on the location of American military assets, including warships and aircraft, to help Tehran target U.S. forces across the Middle East, the Washington Post reports, citing three officials familiar with the matter. The escalation in the geopolitical dimensions of the conflict is significant, it emphasizes, if a nuclear-armed rival with advanced intelligence capabilities is implicated on Iran's side less than a week after fighting began on February 28.

1:00 PM – Marsk: "Stop shipping routes in the Middle East."

Danish shipping giant Maersk is suspending some routes due to the war. "Following our latest risk assessment and considering the escalation of the conflict that is compromising the safety of shipping in the Gulf region, we have decided to temporarily suspend the FM1 service (connecting the Far East to the Middle East) and the ME11 service (connecting the Middle East to Europe)," the company said.

12:35 PM – Iran, Pezeshkian: "Mediation efforts underway"

"Some countries have launched mediation efforts, but these should be directed toward the United States and Israel, not Iran," Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told X. "Let us be clear: we are committed to lasting peace in the region, but we do not hesitate to defend the dignity and sovereignty of our nation. Mediation should target those who underestimated the Iranian people and triggered this conflict," Pezeshkian added.

12:23 PM – Tajani: "The crisis will last for weeks."

The situation in the Middle East "is not easy; it will be a matter that will last for weeks," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said to Rai News, speaking about the tensions following the joint US-Israeli attack on Iran and Tehran's response.

12:00 PM – Israel continues airstrikes in Lebanon, killing five in Sidon.

An Israeli air strike in the city of Sidon, 40 km south of Beirut, has left at least five dead and several injured, according to the government news agency.

Lebanon Nna, citing the Ministry of Health.

11:30 a.m. – Meloni: "Efforts to return to dialogue"

"We continue to monitor developments in the Middle East crisis with the utmost attention. The Italian government is working tirelessly, in contact with our allies and partners in the region, to monitor the situation and protect the safety of Italian citizens." Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated this on social media, explaining that "the priority is to protect our fellow citizens and work, together with our key partners and allies, to support every initiative that could lead to a return to diplomacy and dialogue between the parties."

11:01 a.m. – Meloni and Erdogan hold telephone conversations

"As part of ongoing contacts with key partners on the Middle East crisis, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had a telephone conversation today with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Prime Minister Meloni first expressed her solidarity and closeness to Turkey, Italy's strategic partner and a NATO ally, in the face of the unjustifiable missile attack it was subjected to." This was stated in a statement from Palazzo Chigi.

10:50 a.m. – Qatar: "If the war continues, the Gulf could halt energy exports."

Qatari Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi warned that the war in the Middle East could force Persian Gulf countries to halt energy shipments within weeks and dramatically increase oil prices, the minister told the Financial Times. "This will cause global economies to collapse," Saad al-Kaabi told the newspaper, predicting that if the war continues, global growth will suffer and energy prices will skyrocket.

9:20 a.m. – Dubai residents warned of a potential missile threat.

Dubai residents just received an alert on their phones from the UAE Ministry of the Interior urging them to take shelter from potential missile threats. "Due to the current situation and potential missile threats, immediately seek shelter in the nearest secure building and stay away from windows, doors, and open areas," the alert reads. Al Jazeera reports.

8:00 a.m. – Israel: "Intense bombing of southern Beirut, Hezbollah sites hit."

"The Israeli Air Force conducted a large wave of 26 strikes in the Dahieh area of Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah's terrorist infrastructure." The IDF wrote this in X. Dahieh is a neighborhood in southern Beirut. "Among the targets," the post adds, " were the command center of an executive council and a facility housing drones used in attacks against Israel. Prior to the strikes, measures were taken to reduce the risk of harm to civilians."

7 a.m. - Trump: "Ground troops in Iran? A waste of time."

Sending ground troops to Iran would be a "waste of time," US President Donald Trump told NBC News, deeming such an option unnecessary. "It's a waste of time. They've lost everything. They've lost their navy. They've lost everything they could lose," Trump told the US broadcaster. Asked to comment on a statement by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said a US ground operation would be a "disaster," the US president dismissed it as "idle chatter." Araghchi also told NBC that Iranian officials were "prepared for any eventuality, even a landing." "We're waiting for them: we're confident we can deal with them, and it would be a disaster for them," the Iranian Foreign Minister added.

THE WAR: ALL THE NEWS

(Unioneonline)

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