Israeli airstrikes pounded the capitals of Iran and Lebanon as the US apparently struck an Iranian drone carrier at sea, intensifying its campaign targeting the Islamic Republic's fleet of warships. Iran continued with retaliation attacks on Friday against its neighbouring countries that host US forces.
As per the Israeli military, the conflict destroyed most of Iran's air defences and missile launchers. Meanwhile, the US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a warning saying the strikes against Tehran were “about to surge dramatically.”
Tehran has warned of the destruction of the Middle East's military and economic infrastructure, and the war has rattled financial markets.
Etihad Airways to restart limited flights from Abu Dhabi —
Etihad Airways will be restarting a “limited flight schedule” from its hub in the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi starting Friday. The government-backed carrier has operated some flights in recent days, but its latest announcement suggests it is moving toward more regular operations.
The airlines said that previously booked passengers as well as new customers will be able to travel on the flights, assuming “all safety criteria are met.” It listed more than 70 destinations it planned to fly to between Friday and March 19.
Saudi Arabia says it destroyed another drone near Riyadh —
Saudi Arabia's Defence Ministry reported the destruction of another drone near Riyadh, this one to its northeast. The ministry further claimed to have destroyed three drones in the eastern areas of Riyadh, adding that earlier Friday, it intercepted a cruise missile over the city of Kharj.
Iranian leadership council meets —
As reported by Iranian state TV media, a leadership council met and discussed how to hold a meeting of the country's Assembly of Experts, which will select the nation's new supreme leader. The leadership council includes President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi, and cleric Ayatollah Ali Reza Arafi.
Meanwhile, there’s no clue on the timeline for the selection of the supreme leader, nor was any information provided in the official statement on whether the Assembly of Experts would meet in person or remotely for the vote.
Warnings on social media use sent to Dubai residents —
Residents of Dubai on Friday received mass text messages warning them about their social media activity.
A message attributed to Dubai police said that “photographing or sharing security or critical sites, or reposting unreliable information, may result in legal action and compromise national security and stability.”
It comes as Bahrain issued a similar, but sterner warning, as the Iran war rages on across the Mideast.
South Korea's foreign minister declines to comment —
South Korea's foreign minister told a legislative hearing that the United States has not requested military or non-military assistance from Seoul over the war in the Middle East, but declined to comment on reports that Washington could relocate some of its assets in South Korea to support the fighting. On being asked by a lawmaker about a media report that US forces were moving some of their Patriot anti-missile defence systems to a major airbase near Seoul, Cho Hyun said he couldn't confirm details related to US military operations.
US Forces Korea said in a statement it does not “comment on the movement, relocation, or potential repositioning of specific military capabilities or assets” for operational security reasons.
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