The Iranian Arena
Over the past 24 hours, additional extensive waves of strikes continued against regime infrastructure in Tehran, against the Basij organization, and against sites for the production and storage of weapons. Approximately 90 fighter jets completed the 12th wave of strikes in Tehran this morning, during which about 200 munitions were dropped on around 40 targets.
According to satellite imagery, the missile base in Kermanshah was destroyed in the strikes. In addition, missile launchers in Qom were destroyed, along with a defense system, control structures, and a radar system in Isfahan. The port of Bandar Abbas was also attacked overnight. In Alborz, the headquarters of the regime’s special unit responsible for all internal security forces was struck. Missile sites were attacked in Yazd. Strikes were also reported in Sanandaj in western Iran, in the city of Shiraz, in Karaj, and at Mount Damavand.
Strikes were also carried out in eastern Iran in the Zahedan area near Pakistan and Afghanistan against military positions. The area is home to a Sunni population that opposes the regime.
According to monitoring of satellite imagery by the Institute for Science and International Security, a nuclear weapons development complex in Minzadeh, northeast of Tehran, was struck on March 3. An explosion at the Natanz nuclear facility was also reported.
Iran Attacks Targets in the Middle East
Over the past 24 hours, Iran and organizations supported by it continued offensive activity in several regional arenas, using missiles, UAVs, and even attempting attacks with fighter jets. The attacks targeted military bases, energy infrastructure, and civilian targets in several countries in the Middle East and beyond.
For the first time, Iranian UAVs struck Azerbaijani territory in the Nakhchivan district, when two suicide UAVs landed in the area, one near a school and one near the local airport. Azerbaijan has thus officially joined the circle of states affected by Iranian fire.
Qatar: For the first time, a direct aerial attack attempt was reported when two Iranian Su-24 fighter jets attempted to strike Al-Udeid Air Base, where about 10,000 American troops are stationed. Qatari F-15 aircraft shot down the planes shortly before they reached their target. Explosions were also reported to have been heard in Doha.
Saudi Arabia: Air defense systems intercepted three Iranian cruise missiles. In addition, a UAV attack attempt against the Ras Tanura refinery facility was reported, with no damage according to an initial assessment.
Kuwait and the maritime arena: An oil tanker in the Gulf of Kuwait was reportedly attacked when an explosion occurred while the tanker was docked at the port, resulting in an oil leak.
Iraq: A drone belonging to the pro-Iranian militia Kataib Hezbollah struck a Catholic church in the city of Ankawa in the Erbil area.
Cyprus: Greek ships intercepted several UAVs launched from Lebanon toward the island.
Turkey: An Iranian missile was reportedly shot down in northern Syria after it had been intended to strike Turkey.
Bahrain: A state of emergency was declared and operations at Khalifa bin Salman Port were halted amid concerns about continued attacks in the area.
United Arab Emirates: Today, six ballistic missiles out of seven were intercepted, with one missile reported to have fallen within the country. In addition, 131 UAVs were detected today, of which 125 were intercepted and six fell within the country.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an Iranian proxy, has been conducting attacks since the beginning of the war against targets in Iraq and other countries, such as Jordan and Kuwait, using UAVs and missiles. Over the past 24 hours, the group claimed responsibility for 29 attacks against various targets. Since the beginning of the war, it has claimed responsibility for a total of 123 attacks. The group issued a warning to European countries that if they join the war, they will become legitimate targets for its attacks.
The Israeli Arena
Since yesterday (as of 15:00, March 5), 9 Iranian waves of attacks have been carried out against Israel, including launches of ballistic missiles and UAVs. Five attacks were directed at the Tel Aviv and central region, two at the Jerusalem area, and two at the southern region. An analysis of Iran’s main strike areas indicates a focus on population centers and targets related to national infrastructure.
Since the beginning of the war, 12 civilians in Israel have been killed and more than 1,400 have been injured to varying degrees. 2,800 residents have been forced to leave their homes due to missile strikes and interceptor debris. The main cities where impacts were recorded are: Tel Aviv, Bnei Brak, Ramat Gan, Petah Tikva, Beit Shemesh, and Be’er Sheva.
On the first day of the war (28.2) there were 25 waves of attacks. On the second day (1.3), which has so far been the most intense, there were 64 waves of attacks. On the third day there were 25 waves of attacks from Iran, on the fourth day 9 waves of attacks, on the fifth day 11 waves of attacks, and on the sixth day (as of 15:00) 9 waves of attacks.
Since the beginning of the war, a total of 143 waves of attacks have been carried out from Iran against Israel.
Since the beginning of its involvement on March 2, Hezbollah has carried out a total of 91 attack incidents against Israeli territory and IDF forces operating in Lebanon, including launches of rockets, missiles, and UAVs. All of Hezbollah’s attacks were directed toward northern Israel, targeting border communities, the Galilee, and the Golan.
Hezbollah combines several types of weaponry in its attacks. Over the past 24 hours, 13 attacks were carried out using rocket fire, 11 attacks using UAVs, and one attack using an explosive device against IDF forces operating in Lebanon to thwart Hezbollah’s capabilities. The main weapons used by Hezbollah are rockets and missiles.
As of the current day, most of the attacks against Israel have been carried out from Lebanon by Hezbollah rather than from Iran.
On the first day of Hezbollah’s entry into the fighting (March 2), 10 attack incidents were documented. On the second day, 20 attack incidents were documented. On the third day, which has so far been the most intense, there were 36 attack incidents, and on the fourth day 25 (as of 17:00).
Lebanon and Hezbollah
On March 5, escalation continued in the Lebanese arena alongside the expansion of the humanitarian and political crisis in the country. Alongside the fighting in the south and a large wave of displacement, internal political developments and messages from the Hezbollah leadership were also recorded.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, ordered the prevention of the activity of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Lebanon. Salam said in a cabinet meeting that anyone with ties to the Revolutionary Guards should be arrested and returned to Iran. Paul Morcos, Lebanon’s Minister of Information, said that the government had decided to reinstate the visa requirement for Iranian citizens entering Lebanon.
According to official data published today (March 5), there are 83,847 displaced persons registered in reception centers (18,033 families). It is important to emphasize that this number reflects only those registered in the reception centers. According to various estimates, the total number of displaced persons is much higher and may exceed 300,000 people, as many are evacuating to private homes, staying with relatives, or moving between areas without official registration.
Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, expressed deep concern about the situation. Berri described the Israeli threat to evacuate the population from south of the Litani as a “catastrophe” and warned of severe humanitarian and security consequences. Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, addressed the situation of the displaced in a speech. He emphasized that the displaced are not alone and that all of Lebanon is their home, and called on all citizens to treat them with respect and assist them.
It was reported that the Lebanese army is operating in several villages in southern Lebanon to locate and dismantle rocket launchers. In addition, it was reported that the Lebanese army located and seized several rocket launchers in villages in southern Lebanon and worked to dismantle them as part of its efforts to prevent further rocket fire from the area.
Twenty-six Lebanese and one Palestinian were arrested at Lebanese army checkpoints after they were caught with weapons and ammunition without permits. At the same time, a change in the deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani was reported, including a withdrawal from several forward positions to rear lines.
Naim Qassem, Secretary-General of Hezbollah, delivered a speech addressing the war and recent developments.
Qassem claimed that Hezbollah’s latest rocket barrage was a response to 15 months of Israeli strikes and violations. According to him, Hezbollah had shown restraint for a long period in order not to harm diplomatic efforts, but Israel did not respect the ceasefire agreement of November 27, 2024. Qassem attacked the government, claiming that instead of condemning the strikes it is yielding to Israeli pressure.
According to him, previous government decisions weakened Lebanon and granted legitimacy to Israeli actions. He emphasized that the weapons of the “resistance” are a legitimate right and are not subject to internal debate. According to him, the problem is not the weapons but the “occupation and violations of sovereignty.” Qassem described the confrontation as an existential struggle against Israel and claimed that Israel is operating within the framework of a regional expansion plan. He argued that the displacement was caused by Israeli strikes and that Israel’s goal is to create a rift between Hezbollah and the Shiite population and the public that supports it.
Qassem called on the organization’s opponents not to undermine the “resistance” during wartime and called for internal unity in Lebanon in the face of Israel. Finally, he declared that Hezbollah would continue the fighting until the strikes stop and Israel withdraws. He also stated that the organization will not surrender and will continue to act within the framework of the “defense of Lebanon.”
French President Emmanuel Macron held talks with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The purpose of the talks was to discuss the implications of the situation in Lebanon and to attempt to curb the escalation.
The IDF continues extensive strikes in southern Lebanon and in Dahiya. The IDF has struck more than 320 Hezbollah terrorist targets, about 80 of them during the past 24 hours alone. During the night, headquarters used by Hezbollah were struck in Beirut, including a headquarters used by Hezbollah’s aerial unit.
The navy eliminated in the Beddawi refugee camp in Tripoli Wasim Attallah Ali, a commander in the Hamas terrorist organization and responsible for training and exercises in the military wing of Hamas in Lebanon.
In the afternoon hours, the IDF spokesperson issued a broad evacuation notice that included most of the Dahiya area, about 140 villages and towns, including the neighborhoods of Burj al-Barajneh, al-Hadatha, Haret Hreik, and al-Shiyah.
The Flight from Dahiya, Beirut
Iraq
Three operatives of Kataib Hezbollah Iraq were eliminated in a strike, including Abu Hassan al-Fariji, a senior figure in the organization who was referred to as the “great jihadist commander.”
The International Arena
China ordered an immediate halt to fuel exports due to instability in oil imports following the war.
Following the strike in Nakhchivan in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan announced that it “reserves the right to respond” and defined the attack as an act of terrorism. This came after yesterday (March 4) the President of Azerbaijan visited the Iranian embassy and expressed his condolences over the death of Khamenei. At the same time, the Turkish and Azerbaijani population in southern Azerbaijan (Iranian territory) appealed to Turkey for assistance due to concerns for their security and the instability in the region.
Australia’s Prime Minister announced the deployment of military units to the Middle East. The British Navy has been deployed to protect shipping routes and interests in the region. At the same time, the leaders of both countries called for de-escalation and international involvement to curb the escalation. However, they emphasized that Iran cannot obtain nuclear weapons.
France and Portugal also announced that they would allow the use of military infrastructure.
Spain, after announcing yesterday that it would not allow the United States to use its bases, announced that it would send a frigate to Cyprus and will likely also allow American activity from its territory.
Canada’s Prime Minister noted that the American-Israeli actions may not fully comply with international law.
