US President Donald Trump said Iran has “lost everything” and American forces launching a ground invasion of Tehran would be a “waste of time”, after he poured cold water on hopes of a diplomatic way out of the war.
In his latest comments to NBC News, Trump said the pace and intensity of US strikes will continue and his goal was to “go in and clean out everything” for a new leader of Iran.
Speaking at the White House, the president boasted that the US “continues to totally demolish the enemy far ahead of schedule and at levels that people have never seen before”.
Trump said Iran was still pursuing diplomatic avenues to end the war, but the US was not interested in making a deal.
It comes as Pete Hegseth said the “firepower over Iran” is about to expand dramatically and that the US has been striking Iranian drone and missile systems "every single hour”.
Meanwhile, the first flight evacuating British nationals stranded in the Middle East landed at London’s Stansted airport after departing Oman nearly a day late.
IDF said it has launched a “wave of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah” in Beirut's southern suburbs.
Read MoreIran war enters seventh day as first Government flight brings Britons home
Trump says he has ‘to be involved’ in picking next Iran leader and Khamenei’s son is ‘unacceptable’
Trump-Iran latest: Key Points
- Trump says 'Iran has lost everything' as he rules out ground invasion
- First UK government repatriation flight from Middle East lands in London’s Stansted airport
- Pete Hegseth says ‘we have only just begun’ in Iran
- 30 Iranian ships sunk since Saturday: Centcom
- Iran says it struck US tanker - and claims it has control over Strait of Hormuz
- Mapped: The tankers and ships struck in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz
- Republicans shoot down vote to limit Trump's powers in Iran
- Trump says US had 'no choice' but to hit Iran as 'they're crazy'
First UK government repatriation flight from Middle East lands in London’s Stansted airport
04:18 , Shweta SharmaThe first UK government-chartered flight evacuating British nationals stranded in the Middle East landed at London’s Stansted airport after departing Oman nearly a day late due to technical issues.
The flight finally departed late on Thursday night local time from Oman’s capital Muscat, almost 24 hours behind schedule, and landed at Stansted at 00.53GMT on Friday.
The evacuation effort comes amid escalating regional tensions after US-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered retaliatory attacks, grounding or restricting flights across several Middle Eastern countries.
First UK government repatriation flight from Middle East lands at Stansted airport
Trump says he wants Iran to have 'good leader'
04:00 , Rachel DobkinPresident Donald Trump has said he wants Iran to have a “good leader” after U.S.-Israeli strikes killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“We want them to have a good leader. We have some people who I think would do a good job”, Trump told NBC News.
Trump has criticized the reported frontrunner in the selection of a new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, the late Khamenei’s son.
"Khamenei's son is unacceptable to me. We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran”, Trump told Axios.
Japan confirms a second Japanese national has been detained in Iran
03:55 , Shweta SharmaJapan has confirmed that a second national has been detained in Iran and has requested the early release of its citizens.
Japanese foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi said two Japanese nationals had been detained but were currently safe.
“The government strongly calls for their early release and will provide as much support as possible while staying in touch with them, their families and related parties,” Motegi said.
One of the detainees is believed to be the Tehran bureau chief of public broadcaster NHK, who was detained on 20 January.
Details about the other detainee remain unknown.
House speaker insists US is 'not at war' with Iran
03:45 , Rachel DobkinHouse Speaker Mike Johnson has insisted that the United States is “not at war” with Iran.
"We're not at war, we have no intention at being at war. The president and the Department of Defense have made this very clear...this is a limited operation,” Johnson told reporters after the US House of Representatives blocked a War Powers Resolution to curb Donald Trump’s attacks on Iran.
Hezbollah asks Israeli residents nears boder to evacuate immediately
03:44 , Shweta SharmaHezbollah has warned Israeli residents to evacuate from villages and towns within 5km of the border with Lebanon.
The group sent the message on its Telegram channel in Hebrew early today.
"Your military's aggression against Lebanese sovereignty and safe citizens, the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the expulsion campaign it is carrying out will not go unchallenged," it wrote.
Israeli lauche strokes on Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah after telling people to leave the southern suburbs of Beirut, which remains a stronghold of Hezbollah.
It has come as just a short while ago, the IDF also said it had begun "a broad-scale wave of strikes against Iranian terror regime infrastructure in Tehran".
Trump says 'Iran has lost everything' as he rules out ground invasion
03:30 , Shweta SharmaDonald Trump has said that Iran has lost everything in US-Israel attacks and ruled out the need for ground invasion for now.
Speaking to NBC News, he said American forces leading a ground invasion of Iran would be a waste of time and suggested it is not something he is currently thinking about.
It was his response to the Iranian foreign minister's comments about Iran being ready for a ground invasion.
"It's a waste of time. They've lost everything. They've lost their navy. They've lost everything they can lose."
He added that the US forces have sustained resourses to continue their strikes.
"We have massive ammunition, which people didn't understand. We have the most we've ever had. We have a lot in other countries."
Speaking about new leadership in Iran after Ali Khamenei was killed by US-Israeli attacks, Trump said they want a “good leader”.
"We want to go in and clean out everything. We don't want someone who would rebuild over a ten year period, they've been hit harder than anyone has been hit, but we don't want someone who would rebuild it in ten years. That's what it would take."
"We want them to have a good leader. We have some people who I think would do a good job."
Recap: House narrowly rejects motion to curb Trump's powers in Iran
03:30 , James ReynoldsThe House narrowly rejected a war powers resolution Thursday to halt President Donald Trump's attacks on Iran.
It was the second vote in as many days, after the Senate defeated a similar measure along party lines on Wednesday.
While the tally in the House, 212-219, was expected to be tight, the outcome provided a clarifying snapshot of political support for, and opposition to, the U.S.-Israel military operation and Trump's rationale for bypassing Congress, which alone has the power to declare war.
ICYMI: Etihad Airways to resume flights to London, New York
03:15 , James ReynoldsEarlier today, Etihad Airways reported that it would resume some flights between 6 and 19 March.
These were to key popular destinations including Cairo, Delhi, London, Frankfurt, New York, Paris, Moscow, Toronto and Zurich.
Etihad to resume limited flight schedule from 6 March
— Etihad Airways (@etihad) March 5, 2026
Etihad will resume a limited commercial flight schedule from 6 March 2026, operating between Abu Dhabi and a number of key destinations.
Guests with previous bookings will be accommodated as soon as possible on these… pic.twitter.com/A5WFv6nAqx
US issues 30-day wavier to India to allow import of Russian oil
03:15 , Shweta SharmaThe US Treasury Department has issued a waiver for India to allow the purchase of some Russian oil as the conflict has upended the oil market.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the 30-day waiver will allow oil to keep flowing in the market and "alleviate pressure caused by Iran's attempt to take global energy hostage".
A license was issued late Thursday to allow transcation of Russian crude oil and petroleum products loaded onto vessels before 5 March. It will expire on 4 April at 12.01am Washington time.
“To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil,” Mr Bessent said in a post on X.
“This deliberately short-term measure will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government as it only authorizes transactions involving oil already stranded at sea.”
US president Donald Trump sanctioned Russian oil to pressure the Kremlin leadership into a peace deal to end its war in Ukraine.
Washington reached a trade deal with India after Mr Trump claimed that India agreed to stop buying Russian oil.
US congressman postpones 'Salute to the Troops' event following service members' deaths
03:00 , Rachel DobkinUS Representative Zach Nunn has postponed a “Salute to the Troops” event following the deaths of six American service members in the Iran conflict.
Nunn had promoted his Top Gun-themed event, which the congressman said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was planning on attending, Tuesday after the service members’ deaths were announced.
“My focus, as a combat veteran, dad, and Member of Congress is mission first: prioritizing Iowa service members forward deployed, supporting families on the homefront, and helping American citizens in harm's way get to safety”, Nunn wrote on X Thursday.
The six service members killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa.
“Operation TOP NUNN is postponed. We will have more to share about the event soon, and all ticket holders will be notified of the new date”, Nunn said.
My focus, as a combat veteran, dad, and Member of Congress is mission first: prioritizing Iowa service members forward deployed, supporting families on the homefront, and helping American citizens in harm's way get to safety.
— Zach Nunn (@NunnForCongress) March 5, 2026
Over the past several days, we've worked relentlessly…
Three Australians were aboard US submarine that sank Iranian ship, Alabese says
02:58 , Shweta SharmaPrime minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday that three Australian defence personnel were on board a United States submarine that sank an Iranian warship with a torpedo in the Indian Ocean, but stressed they did not take part in the attack.
The strike, which occurred off the southern coast of Sri Lanka this week, marked the first time since World War Two that the United States has sunk an enemy vessel with a torpedo. Sri Lankan authorities recovered the bodies of 87 sailors.
Albanese told Sky News the Australians were on board as part of training linked to the AUKUS defence pact between Australia, the US and Britain, designed to help Australia acquire and build nuclear-powered submarines.
But no Australian personnel participated in any offensive action against Iran, Albanese said.
“These are long-standing third-country arrangements that have been in place for a long period of time,” Albanese said.
WATCH: US military shares video of strike on Iranian Navy ship
02:45 , Rachel DobkinU.S. forces aren't holding back on the mission to sink the entire Iranian Navy. Today, an Iranian drone carrier, roughly the size of a WWII aircraft carrier, was struck and is now on fire. pic.twitter.com/WyA4fniZck
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 6, 2026
WHO chief announces 13 attacks on health infrastructure in Iran
02:30 , Rachel DobkinTedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, has announced 13 attacks on health infrastructure in Iran.
“WHO has verified 13 attacks on health care in Iran and one in Lebanon,” the chief said during a news conference Thursday. “Under international humanitarian law, healthcare must be protected and not attacked.”
02:15 , James ReynoldsAzerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev vowed to “crush” Iran with an “Iron Fist” after four Iranian drones were launched into its territory,
Four people were injured when drones struck a school and an airport in the Nakhchivan area, which lies near the Iranian border, marking the latest escalation to the widening six-day conflict.
“Those who once tried to test our strength were crushed by the Iron Fist; today’s incident will have the same result,” Aliyev said on Thursday at a meeting of the Security Council, according to Azerbaijani news agency Trend.
Footage published on social media showed a drone colliding with an airport terminal building, causing a large explosion and plume of black smoke. Tehran denied targeting Azerbaijan with the drones.
Bahrain says a hotel and two residential buildings were targeted in an Iranian attack
02:00 , Rachel DobkinBahrain’s Ministry of Interior has said a hotel and two residential buildings were targeted in an Iranian attack in Manama.
No one was killed in the attack, and a fire that broke out in one of the residential buildings has been controlled, the Interior Ministry said.
The announcement, shared on X early Friday morning, was a correction to a previous statement from Bahrain officials, saying the attack targeted two hotels and a residential building.
Watch: Zelensky says US asking for Ukraine specialists to help combat Iran drones
01:45 , James ReynoldsSaudi Arabia announces destruction of drone
01:30 , Rachel DobkinSaudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence announced early Friday morning that the country had intercepted and destroyed a drone in the eastern region.
المتحدث الرسمي لـ #وزارة_الدفاع: اعتراض وتدمير طائرة مسيَّرة بالمنطقة الشرقية. pic.twitter.com/HUzORBQZis
— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) March 6, 2026
Pete Hegseth says ‘we have only just begun’ in Iran
01:15 , James ReynoldsDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth has said the United States has “only just begun” in the Iran conflict, where President Donald Trump will have a “heck of a say” in its next supreme leader.
The U.S. and Israel began striking Iran over the weekend, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials.
Read the full story:
Pentagon boss Pete Hegseth says ‘we have only just begun’ in Iran
US allows Indian refiners to buy oil from Russia
01:00 , Rachel DobkinThe United States has allowed Indian refiners to buy oil from Russia amid the Iran conflict.
“To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil”, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wrote on X.
“This deliberately short-term measure will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government as it only authorizes transactions involving oil already stranded at sea”.
President Trump’s energy agenda has resulted in oil and gas production reaching the highest levels ever recorded.
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) March 6, 2026
To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil.…
Trump boasts US will ‘totally demolish’ Iran’s forces as Lionel Messi and Inter Miami teammates awkwardly stand behind him
00:45 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump boasted of “totally demolishing” Iranian forces as world-famous soccer star Lionel Messi and his Miami teammates stood awkwardly behind him at the White House on Thursday.
“The United States military, together with the wonderful Israeli partners, continues to totally demolish the enemy far ahead of schedule and at levels that people have never seen before,” the president said.
Trump made the comments at the top of the White House event to honor Inter Miami’s 2025 victory in the MLS Cup. The winning squad, including Luis Suárez and coach Javier Mascherano, were present, while Messi entered the room with the president.
Read the full story:
Trump boasts of ‘total demolition’ of Iran as Messi stands awkwardly stand behind him
IRGC warns protesters to avoid streets as they have 'shoot to kill' order
00:16 , Rachel DobkinAn official from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has warned protesters to avoid the streets during an appearance on Iran’s state TV Thursday, The New York Times reported.
Protesters would be viewed as agents of Israel, and “the shoot to kill order has been issued”, the official said.
Hegseth insists US not expanding objectives after Trump says he wants to choose leader
00:01 , James ReynoldsPete Hegseth said on Thursday that the United States was not expanding its military objectives in Iran.
"There's no expansion in our objectives. We know exactly what we're trying to achieve," Hegseth said.
Earlier, Donald Trump told Reuters that the United States must be involved in choosing the next leader of Iran.
The administration faces criticism at home over vague objectives in the war, with the projected timeline steadily expanding.
Recap: Trump says US had 'no choice' but to hit Iran as 'they're crazy'
Thursday 5 March 2026 23:45 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump said on Thursday that the US had “no choice” but to strike Iran as “they’re crazy”.
"We had really no choice,” he said, hosting the MLS Cup champions at the White House. “They were gonna hit us if we didn't hit them, because they're crazy."
“In the long term, the actions we’re taking will dramatically increase the stability of the region and oil prices and stock markets and everything else.”
Trump went on to say that Iran was trying to reach Trump to discuss peace terms, but were too late.
“They’re calling. They’re saying, ‘How do we make a deal?’ I said, ‘You’re being a little bit late, and we want to fight now more than they do’.”
Iranian attack targeted civilian infrastructure, Bahrain claims
Thursday 5 March 2026 23:42 , James ReynoldsBahrain now says that an Iranian attack targeted two hotels, and a residential building in Manama causing material damage but no casualties.
Sirens heard in Bahrain
Thursday 5 March 2026 23:40 , James ReynoldsAs Kuwait repelled a missile attack with minimal damage and Saudi Arabia intercepted three heading for an airbase, sirens could be heard across Bahrain.
Citizens have been told to head to the nearest safe place.
Kuwait repels missile attack
Thursday 5 March 2026 23:38 , James ReynoldsKuwait says its air defences have repelled a missile attack.
The ministry of defence says the missile had breached the country’s airspace.
Exclusive: Zelensky warns US war with Iran risks leaving Ukraine short
Thursday 5 March 2026 23:30 , James ReynoldsAt a crucial time for diplomacy in the war in Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky told The Independent that he fears the Iran crisis could leave Kyiv short of the air defences it needs to repel the Russian invasion.
Read the full story:
Zelensky: Trump using up all his missiles on Iran risks leaving Ukraine short
Saudi Arabia intercepts three missiles headed for airbase
Thursday 5 March 2026 23:18 , James ReynoldsSaudi Arabia’s defence ministry says it has intercepted three ballistic missiles launched towards the Prince Sultan airbase.
Etihad Airways to resume flights to London, New York
Thursday 5 March 2026 22:54 , James ReynoldsEtihad Airways will resume limited flights between March 6-19 to and from Abu Dhabi and key destinations including: Cairo, Delhi, London, Frankfurt, New York, Paris, Moscow, Toronto and Zurich.
US forces attacking HQ of regime militia attacking protesters, says Cooper
Thursday 5 March 2026 22:52 , James ReynoldsCooper claims that US forces are now attacking the headquarters of the regime militia that is “targeting the protesters”.
He urges the Iranian public to stay inside, out of harm’s way.
30 Iranian ships sunk since Saturday: Centcom
Thursday 5 March 2026 22:41 , James ReynoldsAdmiral Brad Cooper also says that the US navy has now destroyed 30 Iranian ships - up from the 20 struck or sunk reported yesterday.
He says that the US had struck nearly 200 targets inside Iran over the last 72 hours alone.
Iranian ballistic missile attacks have fallen by 90% and drone attacks have decreased by 83% since Saturday, he says.
Hegseth says US prepared to sustain a longer war
Thursday 5 March 2026 22:35 , James ReynoldsPete Hegseth says the “timeline for war in Iran is ours and ours alone”, adding that munitions stockpiles are full.
Hegseth has extended his initial estimation of how long the war might take in recent days, up to eight weeks yesterday.
“Iran is hoping that we cannot sustain this, which is a really bad miscalculation for the IRGC in Iran,” he says.
Hegseth also addresses the row with Britain over access to airbases earlier this week.
He says: “Well, as the President stated, it was unfortunate that the Brits didn't from day one say, ‘hey, go ahead and have access’. But we got there.”
US moving into new phase of operation in step with Israel
Thursday 5 March 2026 22:34 , James ReynoldsHead of US Centcom Admiral Brad Cooper is now addressing the media alongside Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defence.
Cooper echoes a message from the IDF earlier today, saying the war was entering a new phase.
“As we transition to the next phase of this operation, we will dismantle Iran's missile production capability,” he says.
He adds: “If I just look back over the last 24 hours of the operation, compared to the where we were at its start, ballistic missile attacks have decreased by 90%. Since day one the drone attacks have decreased by 83%, since day one.”
We paid £1,500 to escape the Middle East on a disco bus
Thursday 5 March 2026 22:25 , James ReynoldsA British couple have told how they escaped the Iran crisis on a party bus after becoming stranded in the Middle East.
Sarah, 54, and Ed Short, 58, from Kent, were due to come home from a holiday in Dubai on Saturday before the Iranian bombardment grounded their flight.
Desperate, they paid out £1,500 for a taxi to Oman to catch a flight back to London on Thursday morning.
Ms Short said their ride - a party bus with “twinkly lights on the ceiling” - was “the craziest taxi you’ve ever seen”.
“I don’t know where they got it from, but he put drinks in for us. It was comfortable,” she said.
“I’m sure there are people in much worse situations, but we’ve got a hell of a story to tell at dinner parties.”
Read the full story:
We paid £1.5k for a disco bus to escape Dubai for Heathrow flight out of Middle East
Trump on Iran: "we want to fight more than they do"
Thursday 5 March 2026 21:57 , James ReynoldsUS Centcom denies claims a US jet was shot down over Iraq
Thursday 5 March 2026 21:57 , James ReynoldsUS Centcom has denied claims on social media that a US fighter jet was shot down over Basra, southern Iraq.
🚫 Rumors are circulating on social media of a U.S. fighter jet shot down over Basra. These are baseless and NOT TRUE. pic.twitter.com/2j37oULTcs
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 5, 2026
Trump claims Iran wants make a deal - but they're too late
Thursday 5 March 2026 21:54 , James ReynoldsDonald Trump again claims that Iran is trying to make a deal to end the war, after Iran rubbished the claims yesterday.
“They’re tough, and they want to fight,” he says of Iran, flanked by Inter Miami stars at an event with the winners of the 2025 MLS Cup.
“And they’re calling. They’re saying, ‘How do we make a deal?’ I said, ‘You’re being a little bit late, and we want to fight now more than they do’.
“We’ve had 47 years, depending on the way you count it, but 47 years of horror with this group,” he says.
Trump says US had 'no choice' but to hit Iran as 'they're crazy'
Thursday 5 March 2026 21:45 , James ReynoldsCommenting on the decision to attack Iran, Trump says: "We had really no choice.
“They were gonna hit us if we didn't hit them, because they're crazy."
He continues: “In the long term the actions we’re taking will dramatically increase the stability of the region and oil prices and stock markets and everything else.”
Trump: US military 'demolishing Iran at levels never seen before'
Thursday 5 March 2026 21:39 , James ReynoldsTrump, speaking now in the Visit of the 2025 Major League Soccer Champions, addresses the Iran crisis.
He says: "The United States military, together with the wonderful Israeli partners, continues to totally demolish the enemy far ahead of schedule and at levels that people have never seen before.
“Actually, we're destroying more of Iran's missiles and drone capability every single hour, knocking them out like nobody thought was possible.”
ICYMI: Britain refuses to tule out jets joining offensive actions
Thursday 5 March 2026 21:21 , James ReynoldsBritain’s defence minister refused to rule out British jets joining strikes on Iran amid a buildup of forces in the Middle East threatening escalation.
John Healey, speaking at the RAF Akrotiri, was asked whether he could rule out Britain getting involved in an offensive capacity - after the prime minister said the government had learned from the “mistakes of Iraq”.
Mr Healey told Sky News: “As circumstances in any conflict change, you've got to be willing to adapt the action you take.”
Asked later whether he would rule out British aircraft taking part in offensive strikes against Iran, Mr Healey replied: "Everything that we have done is defensive, is legal, and is coordinated with other allies.”
Keir Starmer today stood by the decision not to get involved in the US-Israeli strikes, saying the government had "the strength to stand by our values and our principles no matter the pressure to do otherwise".
He said the UK’s position was that a “negotiated settlement” was the best way forward, and called for de-escalation.
The prime minister also announced the UK was sending an additional four Eurofighter Typhoons to Qatar, and that Wildcat helicopters with anti-drone capabilities would arrive in Cyprus tomorrow.
French president Emmanuel Macron also said on Thursday that France would send armoured vehicles and offer logistical support to Lebanon as the country was pulled deeper into the war in the Middle East.
US ramping up charter flights from Middle East
Thursday 5 March 2026 20:53 , Shaheena UddinThe US State Department said on Thursday it was increasing charter flights from the Middle East, following criticism over the Trump administration's planning and initial assistance to US citizens trying to leave the region.
Since the US-Israeli war on Iran began on Saturday, and Iran has issued retaliatory attacks on its neighbors, there have been widespread airspace closures, busy aviation routes throughout the region, leaving thousands stranded.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, announced on Wednesday the first US government charter flight departed the region.
Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson said in a post on X on Thursday: "At the direction of @SecRubio, Department of State charter flight and ground transportation operations are underway and will continue to ramp up with additional flights and ground transports taking place today".
The Department has established a ‘crisis intake form’ for American citizens in Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel.
Fire erupts as two drone attacks target Iranian opposition camp in Iraqi Kurdistan
Thursday 5 March 2026 20:46 , Shaheena UddinA drone attack struck an oilfield operated by a US firm in Dohuk in Iraq’s Kurdistan region on Thursday, causing a fire, security sources said.
EXCLUSIVE: Mom of Iraq War vet whose arm was broken during Senate Iran briefing says ‘wonderful’ son can get ‘kind of riled up’
Thursday 5 March 2026 20:23 , Shaheena UddinAs of 9 a.m. Thursday, Brian McGinnis’s mom hadn’t yet been able to bring herself to watch the video of her son’s arm being audibly broken the previous afternoon by a sitting U.S. senator, but said she was fully aware of the details.
“I don't know where he got the idea to do it,” Mary Lou McGinnis told The Independent. “He’s married to a Palestinian woman, he talks a lot about her family and Israel. I think that probably played into his thinking… Certain subjects, I guess he’s gotten kind of riled up about. Gaza, his wife’s family and all, he has strong feelings.”
The Independent’s senior reporter Justin Rohrlich shares an exclusive:
Vet whose arm was broken during Senate briefing can get ‘kind of riled up,’ mom says
Trump not concerned by rising gas prices and says 'If they rise, they rise'
Thursday 5 March 2026 20:21 , Shaheena UddinPresident Donald Trump said on Thursday he was not bother about spike in US gas prices driven by his ongoing war with Iran, he told Reuters in an exclusive interview that the US military operation was his top priority.
"I don't have any concern about it," he said, when asked about the surging prices. "They'll drop very rapidly when this is over, and if they rise, they rise, but this is far more important than having gasoline prices go up a little bit."
This contrast the president’s previous comments last month when he boasted about a fall in gas prices during his State of the Union address at a Texas rally, which focused on energy and took place just a mere few hours before the US launched its air strikes against Iran on Saturday.
Political analysts predict a continuous rise in gas prices could damage the Republicans in the November midterm elections when control of the US Congress will be at stake. Voters have already voiced their grievances about the high cost of living and Trump's control of the economy.
China in discussions with Iran to allow oil and gas to pass through Hormuz
Thursday 5 March 2026 20:13 , Shaheena UddinChina is in discussions with Iran to allow crude oil and Qatari liquefied natural gas vessels to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz, as the US-Israeli war on Tehran intensifies, according to three diplomatic sources.
The Strait of Hormuz is essential as it carries a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
The war, which entered its sixth day on Thursday, has left the critical shipping passageway all-but shut, as Iran has threatened to burn any vessels that would try to pass through. This move has left several countries around the world cut off from oil and gas.
China, which has friendly ties with Iran, gets about 45 per cent of its oil from the Strait and is unhappy about the Islamic Republic's decision to paralyse shipping. The country which has the world’s second largest economy is now pressing Tehran to allow safe passage for the vessels, according to sources which told Reuters.
Germany says it has no plans to send additional forces to Middle East
Thursday 5 March 2026 20:04 , Shaheena UddinGermany has confirmed on Thursday that it had no plans to send further military support to the Middle East.
The ministry announced: "Germany is currently not planning any additional military capabilities beyond its existing contributions to international missions in the Middle East".
Earlier Germany’s defence minister Boris Pistorius, declared in parliament: "Germany is not a party in this war. The Bundeswehr is not taking part in this war."
This decision was made despite European allies moving their forces to the eastern Mediterranean following a drone strike at a British air base in Cyprus.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto announced that Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands would send naval assets to protect Cyprus in the coming days.
Britain is also deploying a destroyer and additional helicopters with anti-drone capabilities to the region and will join France and Greece in boosting air defences in Cyprus.
Instead, the German defence ministry said it’s focus will remain on NATO defence operations in eastern Europe. The statement said the anti-aircraft frigate "Sachsen" was currently taking part in NATO's Cold Response exercise in the Arctic.
Iran vows to crush Kurdish 'separatism'
Thursday 5 March 2026 19:55 , James ReynoldsIranian president Masoud Pezeshkian writes on X to thank the Kurds who have “stood by Iran during these historic days”.
But he also references talk of separatist activities, after his foreign minister warned of ‘terrorist movements’ on the border with Iraq.
“The governor and the armed forces, as guardians of security, are duty-bound to decisively confront any separatist activities.”
Earlier today, in conversation with Reuters, Donald Trump encouraged Iranian Kurdish forces to go on the offensive.
"I think it's wonderful that they want to do that, I'd be all for it," Trump said.
Iranian Kurdish militias have consulted with the United States in recent days about whether, and how, to attack Iran's security forces in the western part of the country, according to three sources with knowledge of the matter.
Israeli chief of staff says 'achieved near complete air superiority' over Iran
Thursday 5 March 2026 19:42 , James ReynoldsIsrael’s chief of staff says the military has “achieved near-complete air superiority” over Iranian skies, after six days of conflict.
“Our forces paved the way to Tehran within 24 hours and destroyed 80 per cent of its air defence systems,” Eyal Zamir said in a press conference.
He said the war was “proceeding according to plan” and that the military was now “moving to another phase in the battle”.
The next phase will “focus on undermining the Iranian regime, and we will intensify our strikes against the regime’s facilities and military capabilities”, he said.
US closes embassy in Kuwait
Thursday 5 March 2026 19:07 , James ReynoldsThe US has suspended its operations at the embassy in Kuwait City, per the State Department.
