Israeli military officials claim Iran has fired ballistic missiles equipped with cluster munitions toward Israeli territory, marking the first reported use of such weapons in the current war. One missile allegedly split mid-air near Tel Aviv, dispersing submunitions across an eight-kilometre radius and injuring at least 12 people. Since late February, Iranian missile strikes have reportedly killed 11 people and injured over 1,000 in Israel. Cluster warheads release multiple bomblets, increasing civilian risk and leaving unexploded ordnance that can remain dangerous for years. Israel says Iran has used at least five such missiles recently. Analysts are now questioning whether Iran’s advanced cluster capability may have involved external technological assistance, possibly from Russia or China, though no official evidence has been presented. (PC: X & AFP)

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that an American submarine sank the Iranian frigate Iris Dena off Sri Lanka’s southern coast in a torpedo strike late Tuesday, killing at least 80 people. The vessel was 44 nautical miles off Galle, within Sri Lanka’s economic zone but outside territorial waters. Sri Lankan authorities rescued 32 crew members after receiving a distress call describing an explosion. The strike marks the first US attack on Iranian forces outside the Middle East during the conflict and the first sinking of an enemy ship by US torpedo since World War II, according to Hegseth, escalating tensions further in the region.

Around 80 people were killed after a US submarine struck and sank an Iranian naval ship in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, according to a Reuters report. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that an American submarine carried out the attack. He said the strike showed the reach of the United States military during its war with Iran. “An Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters was sunk by a torpedo,” Hegseth said earlier. US officials have not confirmed the reported death toll. The Iranian vessel sank off Sri Lanka’s coast after the strike. The incident comes as fighting between the United States, Israel and Iran continues to grow across the region. (PC: X)

Israel’s military said one of its F-35I “Adir” fighter jets shot down an Iranian Yak-130 aircraft over Tehran on March 4. If confirmed, it would be the first time an F-35 has destroyed a manned fighter jet in combat. The Israel Defense Forces said the mission took place deep inside Iranian airspace. The military said the operation showed the stealth and combat ability of the F-35I aircraft. The claim came as Israel reported a wider wave of airstrikes across Tehran and other parts of Iran. The IDF said it targeted command centres, missile launch systems and other military facilities. Israeli forces said operations against Iranian military infrastructure are continuing. (PC: Zee News)

The United States confirmed that its submarine sank an Iranian naval ship off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strike was carried out by an American submarine. “A US submarine sank an Iranian warship off the southern coast of Sri Lanka,” he said.   Sri Lanka earlier said the vessel was the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena. Officials said the ship went down about 40 nautical miles off Galle after sending a distress call. Around 180 crew members were on board.   The vessel had recently taken part in the International Fleet Review 2026 in India before beginning its return journey. Sri Lankan authorities rescued 32 sailors and recovered several bodies as search operations continued. (PC: India Today)

A US submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean with a torpedo, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Wednesday. Speaking about the incident, Hegseth said the Iranian vessel believed it was safe in international waters. “An Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters was sunk by a torpedo,” he said. He did not name the ship. Earlier, Sri Lankan authorities reported that an Iranian naval ship had sunk off the coast of Galle. Around 140 crew members were reported missing after the vessel went down. The announcement came as US and Israeli forces continued strikes on Iranian targets. Military tensions across the Middle East remain high. (PC: BBC)

The United States said it is gaining the upper hand in the war with Iran and expects to control Iranian airspace within a week. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said American and allied forces have strong military capacity and can sustain operations for as long as needed. “Our air defenses and that of our allies have plenty of runway. We can sustain this fight easily for as long as we need to,” he said. Hegseth added that Iran’s position is weakening as US and Israeli strikes continue on Iranian targets. He said further waves of attacks are planned as the campaign expands. The conflict has intensified across the region with rising casualties in Iran, Lebanon, Israel and among US forces. (PC: India Today)

A ballistic missile fired from Iran toward Turkey was intercepted by NATO air defence systems over the eastern Mediterranean Sea, Turkey’s Defence Ministry said on Wednesday. The ministry said the missile was tracked after passing through Iraqi and Syrian airspace. It was destroyed before entering Turkish territory. Officials said there were no casualties. “Turkey reserves the right to respond to any hostile actions against it,” the ministry said, while urging all sides to avoid steps that could worsen the conflict. The incident comes as the Iran war expands across the region. Turkey, a NATO member that shares a long border with Iran, had earlier called for restraint and warned against further escalation. (PC: X)

An Iranian Navy frigate, the IRIS Dena, sank off Sri Lanka’s southern coast after what local sources described as a submarine attack, leaving at least 101 sailors missing and 78 wounded as search-and-rescue operations continue. Sri Lankan authorities said a few bodies of crew were recovered from the sea and 32 critically wounded personnel were taken to hospital in Galle for treatment. The ship had issued a distress call before going down about 25–40 miles south of the island. The cause of the incident remains under investigation amid wider regional conflict. (PC: X & AP)

Pakistan has indicated it could be drawn into the Iran war because of its defence pact with Saudi Arabia. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said he warned Iran against attacking Saudi territory. “I made them understand that we have a defence agreement,” Dar said. It is the first time a Pakistani official has said the pact could apply to the current conflict. The agreement, signed last year, states that an attack on one country will be treated as an attack on both. Pakistan’s involvement could be risky. The country shares a border with Iran and has a large Shia population. It is also facing security tensions along its border with Afghanistan. (PC: India Today)