Today marks the 26th day of the conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran. On Tuesday night, Iran launched a drone attack on Kuwait's international airport, igniting fuel tanks located on the premises.

The Kuwaiti military has launched a retaliatory response. They stated that if sounds of explosions are heard in the area, they are the result of the military intercepting and shooting down enemy drones and missiles in mid-air.

The military has appealed to the public to adhere to the government's security directives. Earlier, the Kuwaiti National Guard reported that it had successfully shot down five drones within its territory.

Meanwhile, an Iraqi militant group—the Islamic Resistance in Iraq—has claimed responsibility for attacks on 23 U.S.-linked targets over the past 24 hours.

According to the group, drones and missiles were utilized in these attacks. However, full details regarding the extent of the damage caused by these strikes have not yet emerged.

**Impact of the Attacks in Iran...**

To date, approximately 1,500 people have died, and 18,551 have been injured.
The fatalities range from an 8-month-old infant to an 88-year-old elderly person.
Approximately 200 women have lost their lives in the conflict so far.
On February 28, an attack on a school resulted in the deaths of 168 children.
55 health workers have been injured in the conflict, 11 of whom have died.

**Israeli Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon: 9 Dead**
Nine people have been killed in Israeli attacks across the southern region of Lebanon. According to media reports, strikes were carried out at multiple locations near the Sidon area. An attack in the Adloun area claimed the lives of four people.

Additionally, a building within the Mieh Mieh refugee camp was struck, resulting in two deaths and four injuries. Furthermore, another attack in the Haboush area left three people dead and 18 injured. Pakistani PM Speaks with Saudi Crown Prince Regarding Iran Conflict
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

During the call, Shehbaz Sharif condemned the recent attacks and stated that, given the prevailing situation, the conflict must be brought to an end as soon as possible. He also commended Saudi Arabia's stance on the matter.

Sharif further conveyed that Pakistan is currently making efforts to restore peace in the region, and he apprised the Saudi Prince of these initiatives.

During the conversation, Mohammed bin Salman expressed his appreciation for Pakistan's efforts. Both leaders affirmed that they would continue to work together and remain in contact.

Hezbollah Fires 30 Rockets at Israel
The Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah fired approximately 30 rockets at Israel today. Following the attacks, sirens blared across several areas of northern Israel. It remains unclear, at this time, the extent of the damage caused by these attacks.

TEHRAN :

In a bizarre escalation of wartime rhetoric, a senior Iranian official has publicly alleged that remnants of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein’s network are orchestrating a "9/11-style" terror attack on American soil with the explicit goal of framing Iran.

Ali Larijani, a prominent political figure, former parliamentary speaker, and key advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made the unsubstantiated claim on the social media platform X. The statement arrives against a backdrop of rapidly deteriorating security conditions in the Middle East, representing a highly unusual convergence of international military geopolitics and Western internet conspiracy theories.

"I've heard that the remaining members of Epstein's network have devised a conspiracy to create an incident similar to 9/11 and blame Iran for it," Larijani wrote in his post. He further emphasized that Tehran "fundamentally opposes any such terrorist plots," adding pointedly that Iran's "war is not with the American citizens."

A Deepening Crisis and Information Warfare :

Larijani’s comments come at a moment of unprecedented tension. The Middle East is currently witnessing severe military escalations, with Israeli and U.S. forces engaged in active and ongoing hostilities against Iranian military assets and their regional proxy networks. In the fog of this wider conflict, information warfare has become a critical, parallel front.

By pre-emptively denying involvement in a hypothetical future attack, Iranian officials appear to be aggressively attempting to control the global narrative. Security analysts suggest that Larijani's statement is designed to accomplish two strategic goals. First, it attempts to insulate Tehran from potential international backlash should any independent militant group strike U.S. interests. Second, by directly addressing the American public and insisting that Iran holds no animosity toward them, Tehran is attempting to drive a psychological wedge between American citizens and the political establishment directing the current war efforts.

The 'Epstein' Element :

The most striking and unorthodox element of Larijani’s declaration is his specific invocation of the "Epstein network." Jeffrey Epstein, an American financier and convicted sex offender, died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting federal sex trafficking charges. Because Epstein associated with high-profile global elites—including politicians, business leaders, and celebrities—his life and death have spawned countless unverified conspiracy theories.

Typically, these theories center on a shadowy "deep state" or a global blackmail ring. However, it is highly anomalous for a senior Iranian diplomat to leverage this specific, America-centric true-crime narrative. Experts in international relations and disinformation note that authoritarian states often co-opt Western conspiracy theories to legitimize their own geopolitical claims. By invoking a universally recognized "villainous" network like Epstein's, Larijani is attempting to tap into existing anti-establishment sentiment within the United States, utilizing familiar, emotionally charged buzzwords to sow doubt and confusion.

There is no intelligence or credible evidence provided by Larijani—nor recognized by any international security agency—to support the claim that associates of a deceased sex trafficker are capable of, or interested in, executing a mass-casualty terrorist event akin to the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Evolution of Propaganda :

Historically, when attempting to deflect blame or explain regional hostilities, Iranian officials have routinely pointed the finger at traditional state adversaries, namely the CIA, Israel’s Mossad, or Britain’s MI6. The shift toward naming a decentralized, culturally specific Western bogeyman signifies a potential evolution in Tehran's propaganda apparatus. It suggests a keen awareness of American domestic discourse and a willingness to weaponize hyper-partisan internet lore.

U.S. State Department officials and Western intelligence agencies routinely dismiss such claims from Tehran as state-sponsored psychological operations. Washington has long maintained that Iran acts as the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, heavily funding and directing proxy militias across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.

As kinetic military strikes intensify, the battle for public perception remains equally fierce. Larijani's post stands as a textbook example of asymmetric information warfare: floating a sensational, untestable conspiracy theory that forces adversaries to expend energy debunking it. While the threat of a "9/11-style" attack manufactured by a shadow cabal remains firmly in the realm of fiction, the very real dangers of the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict continue to ripple outward, bringing unpredictable challenges to the global stage.

The complex and highly emotional saga surrounding the Iranian women's national football team has taken another dramatic turn. Three more members of the squad, who had initially accepted humanitarian refugee visas to remain in Australia, have abruptly reversed their decision. They have opted to board flights back to their homeland, leaving just four team members behind in Sydney under the protection of the Australian government.

This unexpected reversal highlights the immense psychological and political pressure placed on the athletes, who find themselves caught between fears for their own safety and profound concerns for the families they left behind in Iran.

The Catalyst: A Silent Protest

The sequence of events began last month when the 26-member Iranian squad arrived in Australia to compete in the Women's Asian Cup. Against the backdrop of escalating military conflict in the Middle East, the team drew global attention before their opening match against South Korea. In a powerful, silent protest, several players refused to sing the Iranian national anthem.

This act of defiance was met with immediate and fierce backlash back home. Iranian state media commentators and hardliners branded the silent players as "wartime traitors," publicly demanding that they face severe punishment upon their return. Under Iranian law, charges of treason or corruption carry harsh penalties, sparking widespread international fear for the women's safety.

International Intervention and Asylum Granted :

As the team's elimination from the tournament loomed, advocacy groups and the international community mobilized. High-profile political figures, including U.S. President Donald Trump, publicly urged Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to grant the women asylum, warning that they would likely face imprisonment or worse if forced to return to Tehran.

Acting swiftly, the Australian government, coordinated by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke and the Australian Federal Police, extracted several players from their Gold Coast hotel in the dead of night. They were taken to a secure location where they were offered, and initially accepted, humanitarian visas. At the time, officials noted the visible joy and relief among the players who chose to stay.

The U-Turn: Choosing to Return Home

Despite the guarantee of a safe haven, the emotional toll of defection proved overwhelming. Overnight, three members of the group—reportedly two players and one support staff member—made the agonizing decision to revoke their refugee status and join the rest of the departed squad on their journey back to Iran via Malaysia.

Australian officials handled the departure with caution. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that the three individuals were given "repeated chances to talk about their options" and were fully briefed on the potential risks before they finalized their decision to leave.

"While the Australian government can ensure that opportunities are provided and communicated, we cannot remove the context in which the players are making these incredibly difficult decisions," Burke stated, acknowledging the likelihood that threats to their families back in Iran played a massive role in their choice.

The Reaction from Tehran :

The Iranian government has actively capitalized on the players' return. State-run news agencies described the departure of the three women from Australia as a "disgraceful failure of the American-Australian project." Iranian officials, including the First Vice President, have publicly guaranteed the players' security, insisting that Iran "welcomes its children with open arms." However, human rights advocates remain deeply skeptical of these assurances, given the regime's history of penalizing dissidents and athletes who protest on the world stage.

The Remaining Four: What Lies Ahead

With these latest departures, only four members of the original deflecting group remain in Sydney. These athletes are currently living in undisclosed, secure locations as they begin to navigate their new lives as refugees in Australia. The Australian government has reiterated its commitment to supporting them, providing pathways to live, study, and work in the country safely.

For the four women who stayed, the courage to seek a new life comes at the devastating cost of exile. Meanwhile, the international sporting community holds its breath, watching closely to see what fate awaits the players who have chosen to walk back into the storm.

Today is the sixth day of the US-Israel-Iran war. Flight services to India from Middle Eastern countries have been disrupted due to the conflict, which began on February 28th. However, the situation has partially improved in the past two days.

SpiceJet will operate 13 special flights from the UAE on Thursday to bring back passengers stranded in the Middle East. Of these, 12 will depart from Fujairah and one from Dubai. Seven special flights will depart from Fujairah for Mumbai and five for Delhi, while one flight will return from Dubai to Mumbai.

Meanwhile, protests erupted in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, over the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei. For the fifth consecutive day since March 1st, Lal Chowk in Srinagar remains barricaded and security forces are deployed. Wire fencing has been erected outside the streets.

Meanwhile, Kolkata-Dubai flights, which were suspended for four days, have resumed today. Officials said a FlyDubai flight landed at the airport on Thursday morning, carrying 130 passengers. This Boeing 737 Max plane departed from here for Dubai with 55 passengers.

Extra flights from Fujairah to Mumbai on March 6th

According to SpiceJet, flights SG 9014 from Dubai to Mumbai and SG 9036 from Fujairah to Mumbai will operate on Thursday. Flights SG 9006, SG 9082, and SG 9085 from Fujairah to Delhi, and SG 9087 and SG 9089 from Fujairah to Mumbai are also being operated.

SpiceJet has also scheduled several additional flights from Fujairah to Mumbai and Delhi on March 6th. A special flight will operate from Fujairah to Mumbai on March 7th.

Air India said efforts are underway to bring back Indians.

Air India said passengers with tickets booked on or before February 28th can reschedule their flights free of charge or cancel their tickets and receive a full refund.

The company said it is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East. Flights are operating from Dubai and Jeddah. Efforts are underway to bring back Indians stranded there.

Today is the fourth day of the Israel-Iran war. For the fourth consecutive day, more than 80 international flights have been cancelled at Delhi airport. However, this morning, Air India flight AI916D landed in Delhi with 149 passengers and 8 cabin crew. Indian shuttler PV Sindhu, who was stranded in Dubai, also returned.

In addition, three Emirates flights landed from Dubai late Monday night: EK500 from Dubai to Mumbai, EK526 from Dubai to Hyderabad, EK568 from Dubai to Bengaluru, and EK542 from Dubai to Chennai, carrying 217 passengers and crew. A flight from Abu Dhabi also landed in Delhi.

IndiGo is also operating 10 special flights today from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad.

Air India Express is resuming flights to Muscat. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad, Dubai-based Emirates, and flydubai have resumed select flights. Fifteen Etihad flights departed from Abu Dhabi Airport for Islamabad, Paris, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Cairo, and London.

Protests continue in India over the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei. The Shia community is staging protests. Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir remained shut for the second consecutive day today. The Indian government has instructed all states to remain alert for inflammatory speeches.

A Dutch tourist stranded in Tel Aviv, Israel, said, "We have a tent with some blankets and cushions. I came here for a vacation with my husband and two children. We were supposed to leave on March 1st. But now flights are not operating. We will have to stay here until flights resume."

A passenger arriving at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport from Dubai said, "The situation there is quite normal, there is not much tension. But flight cancellations and other reasons are having an economic impact on people. Staying there is very expensive. Air India provided us with complete guidance." The government there is also providing full support.

All flights from Coimbatore International Airport in Tamil Nadu to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah have also been cancelled.

Airport Director Mohammed Arif stated that IndiGo operates four flights a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday) from Coimbatore to Abu Dhabi, while Air Arabia operates five flights a week (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) to Sharjah. Flights have been affected since the airspace was closed on Saturday afternoon.

He said that the morning flight to Sharjah operated on Saturday, but the flight to Abu Dhabi was cancelled. Both flights were cancelled on Sunday.

On Monday, only the Sharjah flight was scheduled, which was cancelled. Both Abu Dhabi (IndiGo) and Sharjah (Air Arabia) flights were cancelled on Tuesday.