Seventh day of war in the Persian Gulf, and another country is being affected by the Middle East's escalating vortex: Azerbaijan has reported a drone attack by Tehran, announcing "retaliation." Signs of further escalation are emerging, as coalition bombings continue on the Iranian capital, and the IRGC is responding by targeting all Gulf countries. And while the IDF intensifies pressure on Lebanon against Hezbollah, NATO convened its Council following the missile attack on Turkey. 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's state television announced a new attack on the US aircraft carrier Lincoln, and the IRGC claimed responsibility for sinking a US oil tanker in Kuwait. The Iraqi front has also begun to heat up, where the Iranians have targeted an American base in Erbil and the headquarters of the Kurdish forces.  

Live news from March 6, 2026

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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