Attacks spread on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, marking the fifth day of the United States-Israeli war on Iran.
Here are the latest developments:
Iran close to choosing new leader
Iran is “close” to choosing new leader as sources disclosed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son is alive and likely to be elected as the new supreme leader.
Iran has continued to launch missiles and drones at targets across the Middle East in retaliation of US-Israeli strikes on Tehran.
Russia ready to divert oil to India
Russia is prepared to divert oil to India to offset Middle East supply disruptions, with about 9.5 million barrels of Russian crude in vessels near Indian waters and able to arrive within weeks, an industry source with direct knowledge told Reuters.
The source declined to say where the non‑Russian fleet cargoes were originally headed but said they could deliver to India within weeks, giving refiners rapid relief.
India is vulnerable to supply shocks, with crude stocks covering only about 25 days of demand, while refiners hold similarly limited inventories of gasoil, gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas.
The disruption has immediate market consequences, with about 40% of India’s crude imports moving through the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most vital oil export route, the source said, and the near-closure of the route has compelled the No.3 oil consumer to seek alternatives.
India’s imports of Russian crude fell to about 1.1 million barrels per day in January, the lowest since November 2022, as New Delhi sought relief from U.S. tariffs, industry data showed. The source said the share climbed back to around 30% in February.
Death toll rises
Death toll from US-Israeli attacks on Iran rises to 1,045, Iranian state media reports
Turkey says ballistic missile fired from Iran towards Turkey has been destroyed
A ballistic missile fired from Iran and heading into Turkish airspace after passing Syria and Iraq was destroyed by NATO air and missile defence systems in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Turkish Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.
The ministry said in a statement that there were no casualties or injuries in incident, adding that Turkey reserves the right to respond to any hostile actions against it, while warning parties to refrain from steps that could escalate the conflict.
FG suspends pilgrimages to Israel over Middle East war
IAEA says it detects no radiological release risk at this time in Iran
The International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, said in a post on X it had detected no damage to facilities containing nuclear material in Iran since the U.S. and Israel launched their joint assault on the country on Saturday.
The IAEA added that it saw no radiological release risk at this time.
It gave the following details:
US lawmakers set to vote on war powers
Lawmakers in the U.S. Senate were set to begin voting on Wednesday on a bipartisan war powers resolution aiming to stop the military campaign against Iran and require that any hostilities against it be authorised by Congress.
Sponsors describe it as a bid to take back Congress’ responsibility to declare war, as spelled out in the U.S. Constitution.
Trump’s fellow Republicans hold slim majorities in both the Senate and House of Representatives, and have blocked previous efforts for resolutions seeking to curb his war powers.
Republicans accused Democrats of playing politics with national security and said Trump had ordered only limited operations, not full-scale wars.
The House vote on the measure is expected on Thursday.
Farewell ceremony for Iran’s Khamenei postponed
A ceremony for the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been announced for later on Wednesday.
A new schedule will be announced later, state media said.
UAE says eight drones fell inside the country
The defence ministry says it intercepted three ballistic missiles and 121 drones.
Oil shock fear hits global markets
A sell-off of European shares paused on Wednesday as the focus shifted to Asia – including a record-breaking crash in Seoul, where investors dumped chipmakers on fears the widening Middle East war will create an oil price shock, raising inflation and delaying interest rate cuts.
Traders’ rush to unload different asset classes around the world has at times threatened to become chaotic as they process the consequences of energy prices remaining elevated for an extended period of time.
Plunges in one part of the market have spilled over into others as investors try to cover for losses elsewhere and cut down on risks. Even safe-haven gold, for example, fell more than 4% on Tuesday, but recovered some losses on Wednesday.
Syria closes its border crossing with Lebanon
Syrian Land and Sea Ports Authority said it was closing its border crossing with Lebanon after receiving a warning that Israel may target the crossing.
Arrivals remain open as long as Syrians are fleeing from Lebanon, according to the media official at the Jdeidet Yabous border crossing.
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