US & ‘Israel’ at war with Iran | Day 35 coverage
The 2026 Iran War began on February 28 when the United States and ‘Israel’ launched an operation dubbed Epic Fury by the US and Lion's Roar by ‘Israel’, unleashing nearly 900 airstrikes in 12 hours on Iranian missile systems, air defenses, nuclear facilities, military bases, and leadership targets.
Yemen’s Houthi movement entered the war early, launching missile and drone attacks toward ‘Israel’ and expanding the war beyond the Gulf and Levant theaters.
This direct assault followed years of shadow war, including the first-ever Iran-‘Israel’ missile exchanges in April and October 2024 and a limited 12-day war in June 2025 that damaged Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of top officials were killed in the opening salvo, while a US Tomahawk strike on a school adjacent to a naval base near Bandar Abbas killed about 170 civilians, mostly children.
Iran responded within hours by firing hundreds of ballistic missiles and launching thousands of drones at ‘Israel’, US bases in the Gulf, and targets in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait.
Tehran restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz—through which 20% of global oil flows—disrupting shipping and spiking oil prices.
The retaliation reignited fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon, prompting ‘Israeli’ strikes there and spreading the conflict regionally while hitting civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, airports, and heritage sites.
Over the next three weeks, US-‘Israeli’ forces conducted sustained air campaigns that destroyed much of Iran’s air-defense network, missile production sites and navy assets.
Iran appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as the new supreme leader, but pragmatic senior official Ali Larijani was assassinated in an ‘Israeli’ strike on March 17.
More than 80,000 civilian sites were hit, including 260 medical facilities and UNESCO-listed buildings, causing widespread blackouts, fuel shortages, toxic pollution, and over 2,000 total deaths across Iran, ‘Israel’, Lebanon, and Gulf states.
The war remained active in its fifth week with ongoing US-‘Israeli’ airstrikes on remaining Iranian targets and Iranian retaliatory barrages, including recent cluster-munition attacks on ‘Israel’ and a failed long-range missile attempt at Diego Garcia.
Trump has threatened to destroy Iran’s power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz reopens fully but has signaled possible winding down or deals, which Tehran denies pursuing.
UAE slams embassy attack in Damascus, demands accountability
- UAE condemns storming of its embassy in Damascus
- Property damage reported at mission, ambassador’s residence
- Abu Dhabi urges Syria to ensure protection, launch probe
The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned acts of rioting and attempted vandalism targeting its diplomatic mission and the residence of its head of mission in the Syrian capital, Damascus.
In a sharply worded statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected what it described as “unacceptable acts” against diplomatic property and symbols of the state.
Violation of international norms
The Ministry said the attacks constitute a clear breach of international diplomatic conventions, stressing the obligation to protect diplomatic premises and personnel under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which guarantees the inviolability of embassies and staff.
It reaffirmed its full rejection of acts of vandalism and disorder targeting official missions.
Calls for immediate action
The UAE called on the Syrian government to take full responsibility for securing its embassy and ensuring the safety of its personnel.
It also demanded an urgent investigation into the incident, including identifying those responsible and holding them accountable through legal measures to prevent similar attacks in the future.
Syria rejects embassy targeting
In a statement issued in Damascus on April 4, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates reaffirmed its firm rejection of any attacks or attempts to approach foreign embassies and diplomatic missions.
The ministry stressed that such actions violate international law and diplomatic norms, noting that embassies represent sovereign states and their relations with other nations.
It also condemned any insults directed at foreign countries or their national symbols, emphasizing that such behavior contradicts principles of mutual respect and international cooperation.
VIDEO - Iranian Red Crescent footage of strike aftermath at relief warehouse in country's southwest
Video by Iran's Red Crescent Society shows what it says is the aftermath of an airstrike on a relief warehouse in the Choghadak district of Bushehr Province, in southwestern Iran.
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Second US Black Hawk hit by Iranian forces, reports say
Iranian state-affiliated Tasnim News reported that a second US Black Hawk helicopter was hit by Iranian forces, following earlier incidents in the region.
‘Israel’ intercepts rocket, two land in open area
‘Israel’ intercepted one rocket while two others landed in an open area following a launch from Lebanon, according to Channel 13, citing sources.
Rocket barrage launched from south Lebanon at ‘Israel’
A rocket barrage was launched from southern Lebanon toward ‘Israel’.
Abu Dhabi gas facility fire kills one, injures four
Abu Dhabi authorities confirmed that two fires at the Habshan gas facilities have been brought under control by emergency and civil defense teams.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office reported one fatality and four injuries, along with significant damage to parts of the critical infrastructure.
Iran refuses US demands via back channels: Report
US media report that Iran has formally informed international and regional intermediaries that recent demands from the American administration are “unacceptable,” according to diplomatic sources.
The rejection signals continued friction between Tehran and Washington, complicating ongoing negotiations and efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.
Power outage hits northern Jordan after missile shrapnel
Al-Mukhaybah in northern Jordan’s Jordan Valley experienced a major power outage after shrapnel from a missile struck the area, according to Jordan’s Energy Regulatory Commission.
Spokesperson Tahreer Al-Qaq told Roya News that around 5,000 homes lost electricity. Teams are currently repairing the damage to restore the power supply.
Alert period ends in Jordan
Alert period ends in Jordan.
Sirens blare in Jordan
Sirens blare in Jordan amid ongoing regional tensions.
What we know about US fighter jet downed over Iran
- US search-and-rescue operation underway in central Iran.
- Unnamed US officials confirm jet downed.
- US helicopter on search also hit.
- Conflicting reports: Iran says F-35, US says F-15.
- Governor: anyone capturing/killing crew “specially commended.”
- Iran offers reward for locating US crew.
- CBS reports one crew member rescued.
US forces rescue one downed pilot in Iran: CBS
US forces have successfully rescued one of the F-15E pilots whose aircraft went down over Iranian territory, CBS News reported. Details about the operation and the pilot’s condition have not been released.
Alert period ends in Jordan
Alert period ends in Jordan.
Sirens blare in Jordan
Sirens blare in Jordan.
Alert period ends in Jordan
Alert period ends in Jordan.
Sirens blare in Jordan
Sirens blare in Jordan amid ongoing regional tensions.
Emirates Global Aluminium says may need a year to resume production after attack
Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Global Aluminium has confirmed that its Al-Taweelah facility suffered significant damage after Iranian missile and drone strikes targeting Abu Dhabi.
The company warned that resuming operations at the site could take up to a year, citing extensive damage to critical infrastructure.
Iranian state TV offers reward for capturing US F-15E pilot Major Smith alive
Iranian state TV has reported that a reward will be offered to anyone who captures US F-15E fighter jet pilots alive, in a statement that underscores escalating rhetoric amid regional tensions.
Iran’s president calls Trump’s ‘Stone Age’ threat intent to commit ‘massive war crime’
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has accused US President Donald Trump of signaling intent to commit a 'massive war crime', after Trump threatened to send Iran 'back to the Stone Age'.
In remarks reported by Iranian media, Pezeshkian said the statement reflects more than rhetoric, framing it as an explicit acknowledgment of potential large-scale destruction.
Pezeshkian said he had raised the issue with Finland’s president, Alexander Stubb, noting his legal background.
“This was the question I asked my Finnish counterpart, who is a jurist,” Pezeshkian said, suggesting the threat should be evaluated under international law.
