Iran and beyond
(Könül Khalilova – BBC) Azerbaijan has said it is pulling its diplomatic staff out of Iran after it accused Iran of launching four drones across the border into the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan. The airport terminal was hit, a drone exploded near a school, injuring civilians, and another drone was shot down, as the war in the Middle East spilled over Iran’s northern border. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev condemned the “act of terror”, demanding an explanation and apology from Tehran. On Friday he went further, announcing the withdrawal of staff from Azerbaijan’s embassy in Tehran and consulate in Tabriz “for their own safety”, and state media said the military had been placed on maximum combat readiness. – Azerbaijan furious with Iran as war spills over its border
(Visual Journalism team and Bernd Debusmann Jr – BBC) Donald Trump said Iran’s missiles and missile industry would be “totally obliterated” when the US began launching air strikes on the country on Saturday – but he didn’t mention its drones. Six days on, Iran has launched more than 2,000 low-cost drones at targets across the Middle East in a bid to overwhelm defences and spark chaos in the region. These ‘kamikaze’ Shahed drones carry explosives that detonate on impact and can cause significant damage. The deadliest strike on US forces so far was from a drone hitting a base in Kuwait in which six US troops were killed. – How Iran is using cheap drones to cause chaos across the Middle East – BBC News
(BBC) Heavy bombing has been reported across the Iranian capital overnight, as the US-Israeli war with Iran has continued for a seventh day. People in Tehran described hearing “constant explosions” through the night as the Israeli military (IDF) said it had targeted what it called “regime infrastructure”. The IDF has also stepped up attacks on the Lebanese capital Beirut. The Israeli military carried out strikes on the Dahieh area overnight – a stronghold of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group – after issuing evacuation orders affecting tens of thousands of people. Explosions were also heard on Friday over the Israeli city of Tel Aviv while Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia all reported intercepting drones and missiles which officials said were launched by Iran. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) says 1,168 civilians have been reported killed in Iran since 28 February. Six American military personnel have been killed since the conflict began, according to the US Department of Defense. – In maps: Strikes across Iran and the Middle East
(Reuters/Al Arabiya) US President Donald Trump said on Friday there would be no deal struck with Iran except “unconditional surrender,” a week after launching war with Israel against Tehran. – Trump says ‘no deal with Iran except unconditional surrender’
(AFP/Al Arabiya) Fresh Israeli strikes on Friday battered Lebanon, where Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned “a humanitarian disaster is looming” due to mass displacement. An Israeli strike on an office building in the southern city of Sidon killed five people and wounded seven, the Lebanese health ministry said, as Israel presses attacks on Lebanon’s south, east, and in Beirut’s southern suburbs. – Fresh Israeli strikes on Lebanon as PM warns of ‘looming humanitarian disaster’
(Agencies/Al Arabiya) Tehran threatened on Friday to target “all the facilities” of the Kurdistan region in Iraq if militants were allowed to enter Iran. “So far only the bases of the United States and Israel and separatist groups in the region have been targeted,” the state-linked Mehr news agency reported, quoting a letter by Iran’s defense council. It warned that if “the continued presence, plotting and entry” of militants into Iran is allowed, “all facilities of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq … will be widely targeted.” – Tehran threatens to target Iraqi Kurdistan if militants enter Iran
(AFP/Al Arabiya) The Israeli military on Friday said its fighter jets had “dismantled” an underground bunker that was meant to be used as a command hub by slain leader Ali Khamenei. “The underground military bunker, which was located beneath the regime’s leadership compound in the center of Tehran, was intended to be used by the supreme leader of the Iranian regime as a secure emergency command center,” the army said. – Israel says its fighter jets have destroyed ‘bunker’ of slain Iran leader Khamenei
(Al Arabiya) Iran’s police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Friday that officers had been authorized to shoot at suspected looters amid the war with Israel and the United States. “Because we are in wartime conditions, I have issued orders to shoot at potential thieves,” Radan told state TV, adding that any thieves would be “swiftly neutralized.” – Iran police chief says officers have been ordered to shoot at looters during wartime
(Reuters/Al Arabiya) German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Friday called on Iran to stop launching “irresponsible” attacks on third countries but added that he saw no imminent threat to the NATO alliance. Wadephul also announced additional humanitarian aid of nearly 100 million euros ($115.64 million) and said countries must ensure that displacements of people in the Middle East do not turn into a “a new wave of refugees.” – German FM tells Iran to stop attacking third countries, sees no imminent threat to NATO
(AFP/Al Arabiya) Explosions were heard on Friday in the Kuwaiti capital, an AFP journalist said, as authorities said they were confronting missile and drone strikes on the country. – New blasts heard in Kuwait City
(Reuters/Al Arabiya) Israeli attacks against Lebanon’s Iranian-backed Hezbollah group will likely continue after its joint air war with the US against Iran ends, a source briefed on Israel’s military strategy told Reuters, describing the two fronts as unconnected. Israel warned Lebanon before the war that it would strike the country hard if Hezbollah, the most powerful of Iran’s regional proxies, gets involved. On Monday, Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel, sparking Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and Lebanon’s east and south. – Israeli attacks on Lebanon’s Hezbollah likely to continue after war with Iran ends: Source
(AFP/Al Arabiya) Iraqi Kurdish authorities said on Friday that oil production at an oil field operated by US firm HKN Energy has been halted following an attack. A security source told AFP the attack was carried out with two drones the previous day. – Iraq’s Kurdish authorities say ‘attack’ shuts US-run oil field
(Reuters/Al Arabiya) Large-scale forced evacuation orders issued by the Israeli army for southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs raise serious concerns under international law, the UN human rights chief said on Friday. “These blanket, massive displacement orders we are talking here about hundreds and thousands of people,” said United Nations human rights chief, Volker Turk. – Israel’s blanket evacuation orders in Lebanon raise serious rights concerns: UN
(AFP/Al Arabiya) Greece’s defense minister on Friday said a Patriot missile battery and two F-16 jets will be deployed in the country’s north to help defend Bulgaria against attacks from Iran as the Middle East war flares. “A Patriot missile battery will be transferred in the coming hours .. to the north of Greece to ensure anti-ballistic coverage for a large part of Bulgarian territory,” Nikos Dendias said on television. – Greece to deploy patriots to protect Bulgaria as Mideast war spirals
(AFP/Al Arabiya) The United Nations rights chief stressed Friday the need for “impartial investigations” into a strike on a school in Iran, urging the US to move “very quickly” with its announced probe. Iran has blamed Israel and the United States for the strike on the school in the Iranian city of Minab on the first day of the war last Saturday, giving a toll of more than 150 dead. – UN rights chief says US must probe Iran school strike ‘very quickly’
(AFP/Al Arabiya) Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned on Friday what she called an “unjustifiable missile attack” against NATO ally Turkey, after the interception of a ballistic missile launched from Iran. Meloni “expressed her solidarity and support… in the face of the unjustifiable missile attack” in a phone call with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the Middle East war, her office said. – Italy slams ‘unjustifiable missile attack’ on Turkey
Europe – Montenegro
(Sebastian Starcevic – Politico) When it comes to letting new members into the EU, the European Commission has one main priority: making sure no hopeful turns into the next Hungary. To achieve that, the plan is to use Montenegro, which is close to completing its membership negotiations, as a guinea pig. Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović told POLITICO he was discussing what this would look like with the EU and member countries, including during a recent visit to Ireland, which will hold the presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of this year. – The EU’s plan to stop new members from becoming Hungary 2.0 – POLITICO
Europe – Ukraine – Hungary
(Gerardo Fortuna – Politico) The European Commission on Friday rebuked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over remarks that Hungary interpreted as a threat against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Zelenskyy alluded Thursday to giving the address of a “certain person” — widely understood to mean Orbán — to Ukrainian troops for a direct talk “in their own language.”. Hungary took offense to the remarks, as an intensifying spat between Kyiv and Budapest threatens to run out of control. – EU blasts Zelenskyy over veiled threat against Orbán – POLITICO
Germany
(Ferdinand Knapp and Nette Nöstlinger – Politico) In this cradle of Germany’s automotive sector, anxiety is growing over the industry’s fading heyday — and the far right stands ready to capitalize. Germans in Baden-Württemberg — a southwestern state of some 11 million people that is home to Mercedes-Benz and Porsche — will go to the polls on Sunday in the first in a series of five important state elections and numerous local votes this year. The elections, in what Germans are dubbing a Superwahljahr (“super election year”), are widely seen as key tests of the national mood as the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) competes for first place in national polls with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservatives. – Germany’s far right set to gain ground beyond its eastern strongholds – POLITICO
Hungary – Ukraine
(Dmytro Basmat, Martin Fornusek – The Kyiv Independent) Hungary has taken seven employees of a state-owned Ukrainian bank “hostage” while they were transiting the country on March 5 as part of their duties, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said, demanding their immediate release. The Oschadbank employees were detained while passing through Hungary between Austria and Ukraine and operating two bank cars, reportedly carrying $40 million, 35 million euros, and 9 kilograms of gold. Hungary’s tax service authority said they were detained as part of criminal proceedings into possible money laundering, Hungarian news outlet Index reported. – Hungary detains Ukrainian bank staff in claimed money laundering probe; Kyiv slams ‘state terrorism’
India – Russia
(Lucy Pakhnyuk – The Kyiv Independent) After months of pressuring India to stop buying Russian oil, the United States has granted New Delhi a temporary waiver allowing it to purchase fuel from Moscow, as the war in the Middle East limits global oil supplies. “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,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a social media post on March 5. – Reversing its position, US allows India to buy Russian oil
Kosovo
(Jakob Weizman – Politico) Kosovo will head back to the polls for the second time in just a few months after the country’s parliament failed to elect a president. President Vjosa Osmani dissolved parliament Friday morning after lawmakers failed to reach the quorum required to vote for a new head of state before the constitutional deadline, paving the way for triggering new parliamentary elections. The opposition boycotted the vote as Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti and his ruling Vetëvendosje party put forward their own presidential candidate, Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca, instead of agreeing on a consensus name for the post with the opposition. – Kosovo heads to elections again after failed presidential vote – POLITICO
Russia – Hungary
(Martin Fornusek – The Kyiv Independent) Russia is sending social media specialists to Hungary to meddle in the April elections in favor of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, VSquare reported on March 5, citing three undisclosed European national security sources. The three-member team would be working from the Russian Embassy in Budapest on behalf of the military intelligence agency (GRU), shielded by diplomatic immunity, according to the outlet. The news comes as Orban adopts increasingly hostile rhetoric toward Ukraine, part of a strategy to boost his Fidesz Party, which is currently trailing the opposition Tisza Party in polls ahead of parliamentary elections. – Russia sending election operatives to Hungary to prop up Orban, media reports
US – Europe
(Laura Kayali – Politico) The war in Iran will lead to delays in U.S. weapons deliveries to Europe, Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Friday. “The U.S. industry will focus on replenishing the stockpiles used in the Middle East,” he told reporters in Warsaw. “We expect some delays in deliveries,” especially if the conflict drags on, he said, adding that makes it even more urgent for Europeans to increase their own production capabilities. He was echoed by European Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius: “Americans will not be able to provide enough for Gulf countries, Ukraine needs, and the U.S. army itself.” – Poland expects Iran war to delay US weapons deliveries – POLITICO
US – Hungary
(Jamie Dettmer – Politico) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is facing the toughest election of his 16-year rule, and U.S. President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement are mobilizing to help him. Polls suggest the Hungarian leader is currently trailing his former ally-turned-challenger Péter Magyar, who has capitalized on voter frustration over record inflation, economic malaise and a string of political scandals. With Orbán’s dominance suddenly in question, Trump’s administration and leading MAGA figures have moved to bolster the man they regard as their most dependable ideological ally in Europe. For MAGA luminaries, Orbán isn’t merely a partner — he’s an inspiration. His hardline stance on migration, his battles against universities and “woke” cultural institutions, his hostility toward Brussels and skepticism toward Ukraine have long been held up as a governance model by American conservatives. – Can Donald Trump save Viktor Orbán? – POLITICO
