The conflict entered its sixth day as Iran launched more missiles at Israel and U.S. bases while Israel intensified strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. China will send a special envoy to press for de‑escalation, and dozens of countries are evacuating citizens as airspace and shipping lanes are disrupted. The Iranian Red Crescent reported widespread strikes across Iran, and regional diplomatic tensions and maritime incidents continue to escalate.
Latest: Iran Fires Missiles at Israel and U.S. Bases; Israel Strikes Hezbollah in Beirut as Conflict Enters Day Six
Tracer rounds light the sky as people fire live rounds into the air during a televised speech by Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Iran launched additional missiles toward Israel and U.S. bases as the Middle East conflict entered its sixth day, with Israeli authorities reporting multiple incoming strikes and intercepts early Thursday. Israel also said it had begun fresh strikes against Iranian‑backed Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, as casualties mounted and regional tensions spread.
Overview
The Israeli military reported interceptions of missiles launched from Iran and announced "intelligence‑based" airstrikes on Hezbollah command centers in Beirut. Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state media said at least eight people were killed late Wednesday into Thursday, while the Lebanese health authorities reported more than 70 dead and over 430 wounded in recent days of strikes across the country.
Diplomacy And International Response
China said it will dispatch special envoy Zhai Jun to the region to press for de‑escalation. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held calls with counterparts in Russia, Iran, Oman, France, Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, urging an immediate halt to military operations and a return to dialogue.
This satellite image provided by Vantor shows a view of capsized ship at Konarak Naval base in Iran on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Satellite image ©2026 Vantor via AP)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Ambassadors from Iran and Israel separately held press conferences in Seoul, trading sharp accusations. Iran’s ambassador called on South Korea to press for an end to what he described as illegal aggression, while Israel’s envoy said joint operations aim to degrade Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities.
Evacuations, Travel And Civilian Impacts
Countries are evacuating nationals and preparing contingency measures. Spain evacuated 171 citizens by military aircraft from Oman to a base near Madrid and is facilitating commercial repatriations. Australia deployed six crisis response teams and unspecified military assets to assist stranded Australians. Qatar Airways and Oman coordinated relief and repatriation flights, while Indonesian authorities in Bali issued emergency stay permits and waived overstay fines for travelers affected by route closures.
Israel partially reopened airspace to limited incoming flights under a phased plan, allowing roughly one passenger flight per hour in the first 24 hours; outbound commercial flights remained suspended.
Israeli tanks maneuver near the Israel-Lebanon border, in northern Israel, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Regional Security And Incidents
Cyprus said a Shahed drone that damaged a hangar at RAF Akrotiri was launched from Beirut. The British base intercepted additional drones that day. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for an attack on an American oil tanker in the northern Persian Gulf; U.K. maritime authorities reported a tanker was targeted off Kuwait earlier.
In the Gulf, Bahrain’s military ordered a ban on publishing photography, video or information related to its military installations and operations. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed a drone over al‑Jawf province near Jordan.
Incidents At Sea And Contested Claims
Iran’s foreign ministry publicly accused the United States of sinking the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka, saying the vessel was operating in international waters and was a guest of India’s navy. The claim has been posted by Iranian officials on social platforms; independent confirmation of the vessel’s sinking and the responsible party was not available at the time of reporting.
Healthcare workers unload from a vehicle the bodies of Iranian sailors who died when their IRIS Dena warship sank outside Sri Lanka's territorial waters, in Galle, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Humanitarian And Infrastructure Damage In Iran
The Iranian Red Crescent said the U.S.‑Israeli air campaign has affected 174 Iranian cities, recording 1,332 attacks in 636 locations, including strikes on residential areas and damage to health and relief facilities. Iranian residents reported explosions in western Tehran and near Karaj.
Developments In Lebanon
Israel said it struck additional Hezbollah command centers in Beirut, including an aerial command hub it said was intended to target Israeli forces and civilians. Airstrikes were reported across Beirut, and Lebanese officials confirmed strikes in Tripoli’s Beddawi Palestinian refugee camp and a coastal highway in southern Lebanon, with several fatalities.
What To Watch Next
Analysts will be watching further missile exchanges, claims at sea, the humanitarian impact inside Iran and Lebanon, and diplomatic mediation efforts led by China and regional partners. Markets remain sensitive to the conflict’s effect on oil supplies, and additional evacuations and airspace closures are likely as the situation evolves.
Note: Many battlefield and maritime claims were reported by state or military sources and remain unverified independently. Where possible, the article attributes claims to the reporting entity.
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