US & ‘Israel’ at war with Iran | Day 35 coverage

The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority has closed Iraqi airspace to all arriving, departing, and overflying aircraft from April 3 to April 10, citing security concerns and ongoing regional developments.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has been carrying out repeated missile and drone strikes against 'Israeli' and U.S. targets as part of its broader “Operation True Promise 4” since late February 2026, with recent waves hitting deep inside 'Israel' and causing civilian sheltering and reported damage.

A Kuwaiti power and desalination complex was damaged by an attack from Iran on Friday, the electricity and water ministry said.

"One of the power generation and water desalination stations was subjected to an attack this dawn by the sinful Iranian aggression, resulting in material damage," a ministry spokesperson said, according to the official Kuwait News Agency.

An AFP correspondent in Kuwait City said there had been no disruption to power or water services.

A fire caused by falling debris from an intercepted attack forced the suspension of operations at a gas complex in the emirate of Abu Dhabi on Friday, the government media office said.

"Abu Dhabi authorities are responding to an incident of falling debris at the Habshan gas facilities, following successful interception by air defence systems. Operations have been suspended while authorities respond to a fire. No injuries have been reported," the emirate's media office said on X.

Several 'Israelis' were reportedly injured after rocket fragments fell in a Haifa neighborhood.

Sirens sound to announce end of alert period

Air-raid sirens triggered in Haifa following detection of an Iranian missile.

Air raid sirens blare across Jordan

The 'Israeli' Health Ministry reports that 148 'Israelis' were taken to hospitals in the past 24 hours due to the ongoing war with Iran, bringing total hospitalizations to over 6,500.

Among those treated, 31 received treatment for anxiety.

Since the war began on February 28, a total of 6,594 people have been admitted, including both civilians and soldiers. Some injuries may have occurred while seeking shelter rather than from direct attacks.

Iran on Friday warned the UN Security Council against any "provocative action" ahead of a vote on a draft resolution mandating a force to protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

"Any provocative action by the aggressors and their supporters, including in the UN Security Council regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, will only complicate the situation," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.

Iranian media, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), released photos of what they claim is debris from an F-35 fighter jet shot down over central Iran.

“The advanced air defense system of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard destroyed the second unit of advanced US F-35 aircraft in Iranian airspace,” the IRGC said in a statement.

“The aircraft was completely destroyed, and no information is available regarding the pilot’s fate. Due to the fragmentation of the wreckage, details about the pilot’s condition remain scarce,” it added.

A drone attack on a refinery owned by Kuwait's national oil company on Friday sparked fires at several of its units, state media said.

"Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) told KUNA that the Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery was targeted in a drone attack early this morning, resulting in fires in several operational units," official news agency KUNA reported, adding that emergency teams were working to contain the blazes.

Iran said Friday morning it shot down an F-35 fighter jet in the province of Markazi, central Iran, according to Khatim al-Anbiya, the Iranian military's operational command.

“There is a slim chance of survival for the F-35 pilot due to severe impact,” the statement added.

The Kuwait News Agency quoted a spokesperson for the National Guard saying reports on social media suggesting a possible radiation leak in the country are false.

He said that readings in the air and Kuwait’s territorial waters are within normal levels. 

At least 15 US troops were wounded last Friday, March 27, in an Iranian attack on the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to a report by The Intercept citing two government officials.

A drone attack targeted early Friday the Trebil border crossing between Iraq and Jordan.

A border crossing official told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that an explosive-laden drone targeted the Trebil crossing on Iraq’s far western border with Jordan.

The drone crashed into a staff building, causing a fire inside the crossing, but no casualties were reported.

The Trebil border crossing serves as a land gateway between Iraq and Jordan. Located in the far west of Anbar Governorate, it is one of the main commercial entry points between the two countries.

US President Donald warned that Iran striking bridges and electric power plants is “next,” as he continued to threaten the Islamic Republic with escalation in week 5 of the ‘Israeli’-US war.

“Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants! New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!” Trump said on Truth Social.

US President Donald Trump said Friday morning that the US military “hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran”.

“Our Military, the greatest and most powerful (by far!) anywhere in the World, hasn’t even started destroying what’s left in Iran. Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants! New Regime leadership knows what has to be done, and has to be done, FAST!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Recent United States intelligence assessments indicate that Iran retains substantial missile launching capabilities, with roughly half of its missile launchers remaining intact following five weeks of daily United States and ‘Israeli’ strikes on military targets.

Thousands of one-way attack drones also persist in Iran’s arsenal, according to three sources familiar with the intelligence shared with CNN.

One source familiar with the assessment stated, “They are still very much poised to wreak absolute havoc throughout the entire region.”

The evaluation accounts for launchers that may be inaccessible, including those buried underground by strikes but not fully destroyed.

In addition to the launchers, Iran maintains a large number of missiles, while approximately 50 percent of its drone capabilities remain operational.

A significant portion of the country’s coastal defense cruise missiles is also intact, posing potential risks to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

This nuanced intelligence picture contrasts with more optimistic public statements from the Trump administration.

In remarks to the nation on April 1, President Donald Trump asserted that Iran’s “ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed, and their weapons factories and rocket launchers are being blown to pieces, very few of them left.”

As of April 1, the United States Central Command reported strikes on more than 12,300 targets inside Iran, which have degraded military capabilities and resulted in the deaths of key senior leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s National Security Council.

Pentagon officials have emphasized reductions in Iranian attacks rather than the destruction of assets.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth noted that ballistic missile attacks against United States forces had declined significantly, with similar decreases observed for one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicles.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the administration’s position, stating that “Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks are down 90 percent, their navy is wiped out, two-thirds of their production facilities are damaged or destroyed, and the United States and Israel have overwhelming air dominance over Iran.”

‘Israeli’ military officials provide a somewhat lower estimate, assessing operational Iranian launchers at approximately 20 to 25 percent.

This discrepancy arises because ‘Israeli’ counts exclude launchers buried or rendered inaccessible in caves and tunnels, unlike the United States assessment.

President Trump indicated on April 1 that United States operations could conclude within two to three weeks.

However, a source who reviewed the assessment described to CNN this timeline as unrealistic, remarking, “We can keep f**king them up, I don’t doubt it, but you’re out of your mind if you think this will be done in two weeks.”

The assessment also notes that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval forces retain roughly half their capabilities, including hundreds to thousands of small boats and unmanned surface vessels, which continue to threaten regional shipping.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has directed Army Chief of Staff General Randy George to step down from his position and retire immediately, according to multiple defense officials.

The move represents a significant leadership change at the Pentagon and marks the latest in a series of high-level personnel adjustments under the current administration.

The Pentagon confirmed the decision in an official statement, noting that General George, the 41st Chief of Staff of the Army, would retire effective immediately.

A senior US Defense Department official described the action as necessary for a leadership transition within the Army.

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that Pentagon chief Hegseth seeks an officer who will fully align with President Donald Trump and his own strategic vision for the Army.

General George, a West Point graduate and career infantry officer, assumed the role in 2023 following confirmation by the Senate. He previously served as vice chief of staff of the Army and as senior military assistant to then-Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

This development forms part of a broader restructuring of senior military leadership at the Pentagon. Secretary Hegseth has overseen the removal or sidelining of more than a dozen high-ranking officers since taking office, including previous members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

On the same day, two additional Army generals—David Hodne, commanding general of the Army’s Transformation and Training Command, and Major General William Green, head of the Army Chaplain Corps—were also relieved of their duties.

The timing coincides with ongoing US military operations against Iran, now in their fifth week. While Navy and Air Force assets have conducted the majority of strikes, the Army has deployed personnel for air defense support and elements of the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East in preparation for potential ground operations.

Observers note that dismissing a service chief during active conflict is highly unusual and nearly without precedent.

General Christopher LaNeve, the current Army vice chief of staff and a former military aide to Secretary Hegseth, has been designated to serve in an acting capacity as chief of staff.

Kuwait's military said on Friday its air defences were working to intercept missiles and drones fired towards the Gulf nation's territory.

"Kuwaiti Air Defenses are currently responding to hostile missile and drone threats," the Kuwaiti army posted on X, saying any explosions heard were air defence interceptions.

The ‘Israeli’ Broadcasting Authority said there are reports of damage to a train station in Tel Aviv following an Iranian missile attack.

Earlier, Hebrew media said that one injury was reported, with Haaretz saying that fragments fell in 9 places in Tel Aviv.

Hebrew media said that several impacts were reported in central ‘Israel’ after Iran launched a missile with a cluster warhead.

No injuries are immediately reported.

The ‘Israeli’ military said Friday morning it detected ballistic missiles launched from Iran.

Sirens were activated in central ‘Israel’.

Hod Hasharon settlement in ‘Israel’ witnessed anger and confusion among settlers on Thursday evening after the education minister in the ‘Israeli’ government, Yoav Kisch, refused to allow them into the shelter in his home.

The incident coincided with air raid sirens and loud explosions caused by an Iranian missile wave amid the ongoing war.

• The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) formally requested UN authorization to use "all defensive means necessary" to break Iran’s month-long stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, which has blocked one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies.
• While a US-backed resolution drafted by Bahrain faces a high-stakes vote today, it remains under threat of a veto from Russia, China, and France, who warn that authorizing force will "legitimize indiscriminate warfare" and trigger an irreversible regional escalation.

The head of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) called Thursday for UN approval of force to protect the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian attacks, a day before a Security Council vote.

Iran has placed a stranglehold on the key shipping lane -- threatening fuel supplies and roiling the global economy -- in retaliation for US-‘Israeli’ strikes that triggered the month-old Middle East war.

"Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, prevented commercial vessels and oil tankers from transiting, and imposed conditions on some to pass through the strait," said the GCC secretary-general, Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi.

He was speaking in New York at the first Security Council meeting on cooperation with the GCC, which comprises Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman.

"We call upon the Security Council to assume its full responsibility and take all necessary measures to protect maritime routes and ensure the safe continuation of international navigation," AlBudaiwi said.

Bahrain has proposed a draft resolution that would greenlight states to use force to assure free transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

However, the measure supported by the United States has divided the 15-member Security Council.

Objections from Russia, China and France -- who each hold veto privileges -- have resulted in several modifications to the text.

"The use of force cannot bring peace. Political settlement is the fundamental way forward," Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong told the Security Council.

"Authorizing member states to use force would amount to legitimizing the unlawful and indiscriminate use of force, which would inevitably lead to further escalation of the situation and lead to serious consequences," he added.

Russia, a long-time ally of Tehran, says it will not support what it calls one-sided measures that fail to address the root causes of the conflict.

French President Emmanuel Macron earlier said a military operation to free the strait is "unrealistic."

A sixth version of the draft text, seen by AFP on Thursday, authorizes states to use "all defensive means necessary" in the Strait -- adding a "defensive" stipulation initially absent.

The vote is set for Friday morning, several diplomatic sources said.

Adoption of the resolution "will reflect the unity of the international community in addressing threats to one of the most vital waterways for global trade and energy security," said Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.

US Ambassador Mike Walz told the Security Council that GCC members have the backing of Washington.

"No country should be able to hold the world's economies hostage to try to gain leverage in a dispute," he said.

Normally, around a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Its near-total closure is impacting global supplies of important commodities including oil, liquefied natural gas and fertilizer. That has led to a sharp rise in energy prices.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Friday morning that a drone was shot down over Qazvin in northern Iran, without providing further details.

Yemen’s Houthis announced a fourth missile attack targeting ‘Israel’, following their entry into the Middle East conflict in support of Iran.

Spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group fired a “barrage of ballistic missiles targeting vital 'Israeli' enemy targets” in the Tel Aviv area.

The Dubai government has dismissed reports claiming that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard targeted an Oracle data center in the city, calling the news “fake.”

Authorities emphasized that there was no attack and all facilities continue to operate normally, urging the public to rely on verified information.

US Central Command has denied claims by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that it shot down a US fighter jet over Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, saying the allegation is false and all US aircraft are accounted for.

CENTCOM also claimed that Iran’s armed forces have made similar claims "at least half a dozen times" during the war, but no American fighter jets have been lost to Iranian fire, according to its statement.

 

 

 

 

 

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