Israel has publicly warned that whoever is chosen to succeed the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be considered a “target for elimination,” escalating tensions in the ongoing war involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared that any successor who continues hostile policies toward Israel, the US, or their allies would be marked for assassination, intensifying hostilities after Khamenei’s death in recent US-Israeli strikes. The conflict has seen continued bombardment of Iranian targets and retaliatory missile launches by Tehran. As Iran prepares to select a new leader, international concern grows over potential expansion of the conflict and risks to regional security. (PC: X)

Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski warned that Iran is making a serious mistake by expanding the war to countries that did not attack it. His remarks followed Turkey’s claim that NATO air defence systems intercepted an Iranian missile heading toward Turkish airspace. Speaking after a Council of the Baltic Sea States meeting, Sikorski said Iran was broadening the conflict to a NATO and EU country, calling it “worse than a crime, it’s a mistake.” The comments signal growing European concern that the Middle East conflict could spill into NATO territory, potentially triggering wider geopolitical and security consequences across the alliance and raising fears of further escalation. (PC: Middle East Monitor)

Oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped by 90% since the escalation of Middle East tensions last week, according to energy intelligence firm Kpler. Despite the dramatic decline, some vessels continue eastbound and westbound voyages, with several reportedly operating under AIS blackouts, meaning their tracking systems are switched off. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints, linking Gulf producers to global markets. Any disruption there can significantly affect global crude prices and energy security. Analysts warn that prolonged instability in the region could intensify supply chain disruptions, heighten insurance premiums for shipping, and trigger volatility in international oil markets. (PC: X/@Shorts91)

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)