Iran Strikes 12 Countries. Tehran Offers to Scrap Its Nukes.

Wednesday · March 5, 2026

Iran Has Now Attacked 12 Countries Since Saturday

Iranian drones hit Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan today, crashing into an airport terminal and near a school building, injuring two civilians. Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry responded directly: Iran's attack "will not go unanswered." The ministry summoned Iran's ambassador and condemned the strikes as a violation of international law. Azerbaijan initiated a criminal case over the attack.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev placed the country's armed forces, border service, and all special-purpose forces on the "highest level of mobilization," saying they "must be ready to carry out any operation." Aliyev simultaneously stated Azerbaijan "is not participating and will not participate in operations against Iran." Full mobilization — with a public disclaimer.

Qatar's Ministry of Defense announced the country was under missile attack, with air defense systems actively intercepting. Saudi Arabia intercepted three cruise missiles outside Al-Kharj, home to the U.S. Prince Sultan Air Base. A separate projectile struck Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura facility. A U.S. Navy ship used an SM-3 interceptor to destroy an Iranian ballistic missile headed toward Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. Sirens sounded in Bahrain. Impacts were reported in Jordan.

Saudi Arabia's MFA issued its strongest condemnation yet, calling Iran's attacks "cowardly" and affirming Turkey and Azerbaijan's right to protect their sovereignty.

Iran's Missile Output Down 86%. Its Navy Is Gone.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine gave a joint briefing yesterday. Iran's ballistic missile fire is down 86% from day one. Drone launches are down 73%. The IDF has dropped over 5,000 munitions on Iranian targets since the operation began and launched its 11th wave of strikes on Tehran today.

The U.S. Navy destroyed more than 20 Iranian vessels. A U.S. submarine torpedoed and sank the IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka, killing at least 80 Iranian sailors — the first American submarine torpedo attack since World War II. Satellite imagery shows frigates and a Kilo-class submarine at Bandar Abbas now sitting underwater.

An Israeli F-35I Adir shot down an Iranian Yak-130 combat jet over Tehran — the first confirmed F-35 air-to-air kill of a manned aircraft in history. Western officials say Iran may have only a few days of ballistic missile capability remaining.

"They are toast, and they know it… and we have only just begun."

— Secretary of War Pete Hegseth

86%

Missile Output Reduction

5,000+

IDF Munitions Dropped

20+

Iranian Vessels Destroyed

Israel Reopens Work, Eases Wartime Rules on Day Four

Israel's Home Front Command eased wartime restrictions today, allowing work to resume and gatherings of up to 50 people where a protected space is nearby. The move signals Israel's assessment that Iran's offensive capability has significantly degraded four days into the campaign. The IDF Spokesperson confirmed: "We are identifying a decrease in the volume of launches, but the threat still exists."

Iran Offers to Abandon Its Nuclear Program

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister said today that Iran is ready to "abandon its nuclear program on condition that the United States presents a satisfactory alternative offer." Iran also sent a message to Washington signaling readiness to begin talks to end the war. Axios reported Iran had sent messages in recent days but received no response from Washington.

Russia Is Talking. Russia Is Not Acting.

Russia's Foreign Ministry called for an immediate ceasefire by all sides and said there are "no signs that the United States and Israel will show prudence and stop the bloodshed in Iran." Moscow said the only way to prevent further destabilization is to halt U.S. and Israeli aggression. Foreign Minister Lavrov spoke with Iran's Araghchi, expressing condolences over the deaths of Iran's Supreme Leader, senior commanders, and civilians, calling the strikes a violation of international law and the UN Charter.

Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and current Security Council deputy chairman, went further — calling NATO "nuts" and mocking the alliance for considering Article 5 over Iranian strikes while the U.S. started the war. He sarcastically suggested nominating President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize "for starting a major war."

Hezbollah Back in the War. Lebanon Bans the IRGC.

Hezbollah reentered the war Monday. The IDF has struck over 320 targets in Lebanon since, including 80 in the past 24 hours. Today the IDF carried out a targeted strike on Hezbollah's missile fire coordinator in Beirut.

Lebanon banned IRGC activities on its territory and canceled visa-free entry for Iranian citizens, following an IDF warning and 24-hour ultimatum. The Lebanese government is simultaneously moving to disarm Hezbollah — a step Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem publicly attacked in a televised address.

Qassem admitted Israel has killed 500 Hezbollah members since the ceasefire. Hezbollah fired cluster missiles at Israeli communities for the first time and claimed 23 attacks on Israel in a single day, including targeting Haifa and the Tel Hashomer base near Tel Aviv.

"We will fight to the death and will not surrender."

— Naim Qassem, Hezbollah Leader

Kurdish Forces Eye Iran's Border as U.S. Strikes Clear Routes

I24 and Fox News reported Kurdish fighters in Iraq launched a ground push into southwestern Iran. Reports remain conflicting. PJAK (Kurdistan Free Life Party) denied an active offensive but said forces are "preparing to seize the appropriate opportunity." Iran's Foreign Minister warned of "terrorist movements" near the Iraq border. U.S. and Israeli forces struck multiple positions along the Iraq-Iran border yesterday, potentially clearing routes into Iranian territory.

B-2s Head to Britain. Charles de Gaulle Sails for the Med.

Italy, Spain, France, and the Netherlands will deploy naval assets to protect Cyprus. American B-2 stealth bombers are heading to British bases. France is dispatching the aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle to the Mediterranean. Italy will send air defense assistance to Gulf states hit by Iranian fire. Britain and Bahrain have not ruled out joining strikes on Iran.

The U.S. Senate blocked an effort to force President Trump to end the Iran campaign without Congressional approval. Speaker Johnson said Congress will pass war funding when "appropriate."

Four days in, Iran has lost its navy, seen an 86% drop in ballistic missile output, and struck 12 countries — turning its own neighbors into adversaries. Azerbaijan is fully mobilized. Russia is issuing statements but doing nothing beyond phone calls and sarcasm.

The first capitulation signal arrived today, with Tehran offering to abandon its nuclear program. Axios reports Iran's messages to Washington went unanswered.