As tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran entered the seventh day on Friday (March 6), US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that US “firepower” on Iran could “increase dramatically” in the coming days and threatened Tehran not to miscalculate Washington’s resolve.
During a news conference at U.S. Central Command, Hegseth said Iran’s leaders are wrong if they believe the United States cannot sustain the ongoing military campaign.
“Iran hopes that we can’t sustain this, which is a really serious miscalculation on the part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran,” he said.
“Our commitment to our mission objectives only increases as our advantages continue to increase… We have only just begun to fight and fight decisively,” Hegseth added, noting that the United States is ready for a prolonged confrontation if necessary.
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Trump says US should participate in choosing next Iranian leader
US President Donald Trump said he needs to be involved in naming Iran’s new leader after an Israeli strike killed the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. “They’re wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight,” the president told Axios in a phone interview. “Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me. We want someone who will bring harmony and peace to Iran, I have to be involved in the appointment, as he did with Delcy (Rodríguez) in Venezuela,” he said.
In a separate interview, he told Politico: “I’m going to have a big impact (on Iran’s future leadership), or there will be no deal, because we’re not going to have to do this again.”
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“We will work with the people and the regime to make sure that someone gets there who can build Iran well but without nuclear weapons,” he said.
“We are prepared for a long war,” says Iran
The Iranian military said the country was prepared for a “long war” amid escalating tensions. “We are prepared for a long war. Our new inventions are on the way. We have not used anything on a large scale. Let the enemy expect painful blows in each attack wave.”
Previously, US President Donald Trump had said the US military virtually had an “unlimited” supply of better weapons and could wage war “forever.”
US attacks Iranian aircraft carrier
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it attacked an Iranian aircraft carrier, which was “about the size of a World War II aircraft carrier.”
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“US forces are not slowing down the mission to sink the entire Iranian Navy. Today, an Iranian aircraft carrier, approximately the size of a World War II aircraft carrier, was attacked and is now on fire,” CENTCOM said in a post on X.
More than 500 targets hit in Lebanon, according to IDF
The Israel Defense Forces said more than 500 targets in Lebanon were hit after Hezbollah joined the conflict. Targets include senior Hezbollah commanders, members of its elite Radwan Force, rocket launchers, command centers, weapons depots, as well as members of other terrorist groups and their infrastructure, according to The Times of Israel.
Etihad to resume limited flight schedule from March 6
Etihad announced that it will resume a limited commercial flight schedule from March 6, 2026, operating between Abu Dhabi and several key destinations. The airline is prioritizing existing reservations and will accommodate guests on these flights as soon as possible. “Etihad will resume a limited commercial flight schedule from March 6, 2026, operating between Abu Dhabi and several key destinations. Guests with previous bookings will be accommodated on these flights as soon as possible. Tickets are also available for sale at https://etihad.com. Guests and the public should not travel to the airport unless they have been contacted directly by Etihad or have a confirmed reservation on one of these new flights,” the airline said in a post on X.
Qatar intercepts a drone that was targeting a US air base
Qatar’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted an Iranian drone targeting the US air base at Al Udeid. This was Qatar’s first air defense operation.
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The United States suspends operations at its embassy in Kuwait
The United States has suspended operations at its embassy in Kuwait, the State Department said. “While no injuries have been reported among U.S. personnel, the safety of Americans abroad remains the top priority of the U.S. Department of State,” he said in a statement.
United Arab Emirates shoots down 6 missiles and 125 drones
The UAE Ministry of Defense said the country’s air defense systems detected seven ballistic missiles, intercepted and destroyed six of them, while one missile landed inside the UAE on Thursday (March 5). The ministry said that 131 drones were also detected, of which 125 were intercepted and six fell within the country’s territory.
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