All news: Thursday 5 March 2026

2026 Iranian strikes on Akrotiri and Dhekelia

Spain announces that the frigate Cristóbal Colón will join French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and Greek Navy ships to protect the British military bases in Cyprus.

2026 Iranian strikes on Akrotiri and Dhekelia

Italy announces that it will dispatch naval assets to Cyprus. The Dutch navy is also joining the European naval task force.

2025–2026 Iran–United States negotiations

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi says that Iran is not seeking a ceasefire or negotiations with the United States.

2026 Iranian strikes on Azerbaijan

Suspected Iranian drones strike Nakhchivan International Airport in Azerbaijan, targeting the passenger terminal. At least two people are injured.

2026 Iranian strikes on Bahrain

The Bahraini military reports that 74 Iranian missiles and 117 hostile drones have been intercepted and destroyed. A missile hit an oil refinery, causing a fire.

2026 Iranian strikes on Iraq

Iraqi forces shoot down a drone that attempted to attack the United States' airbase near Baghdad.

2026 Iranian strikes on Qatar

The Qatari military says that the country was targeted today by 14 ballistic missiles and four drones coming from Iran; all of them were intercepted and no casualties were reported.

2026 Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates's air defence systems intercept six ballistic missiles and 125 drones launched by Iran. Six people were injured by falling debris over Abu Dhabi.

2026 Kurdish rebellion in Iran

United States president Donald Trump says U.S. Air Force jets will provide "extensive air cover" for Kurdish forces in any ground offensive against the Iranian government.

2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis

China is reportedly in talks with Iran to allow crude oil and Qatari liquefied natural gas vessels safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

2026 Hezbollah–Israel war

The Israeli military issues an evacuation order for Dahieh, Beirut, Lebanon, a densely populated suburb which is also a stronghold of Hezbollah, telling residents to "save your lives and evacuate your homes immediately". Thousands of people flee following the warning.

Prisoners of war in the Russo-Ukrainian war

Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners of war, with 200 soldiers returned to each side.

Russo-Ukrainian war

The Ukrainian Navy shoots down a Russian Naval Aviation Kamov Ka-27 helicopter over the Black Sea.

At least six people are killed, eight others are rescued, and six are trapped when a nursing home collapses in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Four people are killed and two others are injured when a Beechcraft 1900 of the Algerian Air Force crashes at Boufarik Airport near Boufarik, Blida Province, Algeria.

An Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighter jet crashes shortly after taking off from Jorhat Airport in Karbi Anglong district, Assam, India, killing both pilots.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reports that an explosion struck a tanker anchored in waters about 60 kilometers off the coast of Kuwait, causing an oil spill from a damaged cargo tank.

Evacuations during the 2026 Iran war

Australia and New Zealand deploy military assets, including two RNZAF aircraft, and crisis response teams to the Middle East to assist and evacuate their respective nationals.

Iran–Lebanon relations

The Lebanese cabinet bans activities by members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps within Lebanon and instructs authorities to detain and deport individuals linked to the group. The cabinet also introduces a visa requirement for Iranian nationals entering the country.

France–Lebanon relations

French president Emmanuel Macron announces that France will strengthen its cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces and provide them with armored transport vehicles as well as operational and logistical support.

Foreign relations of Ecuador

Ecuador declares Cuba's ambassador to the country a persona non grata and orders him and all his diplomatic staff to leave the country within 48 hours. Shortly after the announcement, a man was filmed by the Associated Press on the roof of the Cuban embassy in Quito burning a bag of papers.

United States–Venezuela relations

The United States and Venezuela agree to re-establish diplomatic and consular relations.

2026 Kosovan presidential election

In Kosovo, the 120 members of the Kuvendi fail to elect the president. The Kuvendi is expected to dissolve, with parliamentary elections scheduled to be set within 45 days.

2026 Nepalese general election

Nepalis vote to elect 275 seats of the House of Representatives nearly six months after the Gen Z protests.

Second cabinet of Donald Trump

U.S. president Donald Trump dismisses Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security and nominates Oklahoma senator Markwayne Mullin to replace her.

2026 U.S. House of Representatives election in Texas district 23

Brandon Herrera, a gun manufacturer and youtuber presumptively becomes the GOP's nominee for the district, after incumbent representative Tony Gonzales drops from the race following a scandal involving a former aide.

Economic impact of the 2026 Iran war

South Korean president Lee Jae Myung orders the activation of a ₩100 trillion (about US$68 billion) stabilization fund to address volatility in the country's financial markets linked to the Iran war.

Tariffs in the second Trump administration

Around 24 U.S. states file a lawsuit against the Trump administration after president Trump imposed a 10% global tariff, the first lawsuit challenging those tariffs.

Human rights in Belarus

Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko pardons 18 political prisoners, including 15 for political charges and three who were convicted of unspecified crimes.