Intense Israeli strikes target Iran and Lebanon

Intense Israeli airstrikes pounded the capitals of Iran and Lebanon early Friday as the U.S. apparently struck an Iranian drone carrier at sea, intensifying its campaign targeting the Islamic Republic’s fleet of warships.

“Intense Israeli strikes target Iran and Lebanon By Associated Press — 03/05/2026 10:34 PM EST DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Intense Israeli airstrikes pounded the capitals of Iran and Lebanon early Friday as the U”

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Israel’s military said Friday morning it had begun "a broad-scale wave of strikes" on Tehran.

Witnesses described the Israeli airstrikes as particularly intense, shaking homes in the area.

Others reported explosions around the Iranian city of Kermanshah in an area that is home to multiple missile bases.

The Israeli military said strikes have already destroyed most of Iran’s air defenses and missile launchers.

The U.S. military said early Friday that it struck an Iranian drone carrier, setting it ablaze.

U.S. Central Command released black-and-white footage of the burning carrier.

“Intense Israeli strikes target Iran and Lebanon By Associated Press — 03/05/2026 10:34 PM EST DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Intense Israeli airstrikes pounded the capitals of Iran and Lebanon early Friday as the U”

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The Iranian military did not immediately acknowledge the attack.

The drone carrier, the IRIS Shahid Bagheri, is a converted container ship with a 180-meter-long runway for drones.

According to reports at the time of its 2005 inauguration, it can travel up to 22,000 nautical miles without needing to refuel in ports.

Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, described the carrier as roughly the size of a World War II aircraft carrier.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned the campaign 'was about to surge dramatically,' saying it would include 'more fighter squadrons, it's more capabilities, it's more defensive capabilities,' and 'more bomber pulses more frequently.'

The war has escalated across the Middle East and beyond.

“Intense Israeli strikes target Iran and Lebanon By Associated Press — 03/05/2026 10:34 PM EST DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Intense Israeli airstrikes pounded the capitals of Iran and Lebanon early Friday as the U”

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Early Friday, Iran fired missile and drone attacks into Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, all countries that host U.S. forces; there were no immediate reports of casualties.

Qatar’s Defense Ministry reported it intercepted a drone attack targeting Al Udeid Air Base.

Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles fired toward Prince Sultan Air Base.

Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain after the Interior Ministry said Iranian strikes targeted two hotels and a residential building, and the ministry said there were no casualties.

In Kuwait, where six U.S. soldiers were killed Sunday, the Kuwaiti army said its air defenses were activated when missile and drone attacks breached Kuwait’s airspace.

The U.S. and Israel have carried out nationwide strikes on Iran targeting military capabilities, leadership and the nuclear program, while Iran’s attacks have targeted Arab neighbors, disrupted oil supplies and snarled global air travel.

The article reports that the war has killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, more than 120 in Lebanon and around a dozen in Israel, according to officials in those countries, and that six U.S. troops have been killed.

“Intense Israeli strikes target Iran and Lebanon By Associated Press — 03/05/2026 10:34 PM EST DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Intense Israeli airstrikes pounded the capitals of Iran and Lebanon early Friday as the U”

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the U.S. Navy of committing "an atrocity at sea" for sinking the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, an attack he said killed at least 87 crew members.

Sri Lankan authorities said 32 crew members were rescued and Araghchi said the vessel had been carrying "almost 130" crew, reflecting uncertainty about the full toll.

In Lebanon, Israel carried out at least 11 airstrikes late Thursday and early Friday targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut.

The Lebanese health ministry said the death toll has risen to 123 since the resurgence of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

U.N. peacekeeping spokesperson Tilak Pokharel said peacekeepers had seen and heard clashes, including ground combat, as more Israeli forces moved across the border.

The article also reports U.S. President Donald Trump urging the Iranian people to "help take back your country," promising them "immunity" and warning "Or you’ll face absolutely guaranteed death."

The article quotes Trump saying he should be involved in choosing Iran’s new supreme leader to replace Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the opening strikes of the war.

Iran’s ambassador to Egypt, Mojtaba Ferdousi Pour, denied that Iran has requested talks with the U.S., saying "There will be no trust in Trump."