Live Updates: Iran-Israel Conflict & Global Reactions – March 6, 2026

Lebanon experienced a new round of shelling Friday in the southern outskirts of the capital, Beirut, and in areas of southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese National News Agency (ANN).

The agency reported shelling near Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, as well as in southern Lebanese cities like Touline and Srifa, and in Beirut suburbs such as Haret Kreik, areas that have been targeted since Monday.

On Thursday night, Israel issued mass evacuation orders for these Beirut suburbs and launched preliminary shelling ahead of what was anticipated to be an intensified offensive. (efe, ap)

The U.S. Government on Thursday temporarily eased economic sanctions against Moscow to allow Russian oil currently stranded at sea to be sold to India.

The Treasury Department issued a license “authorizing the delivery and sale of crude oil and petroleum products of Russian origin laden on vessels as of March 5, 2026, to India,” according to a statement from the department.

The Treasury stated that the transactions are authorized until April 3, 2026. (afp, dpa)

Oil prices retreated in Asia on Friday, pausing after a significant climb fueled by the conflict in the Middle East, even as stock markets continued to falter at the end of a volatile week.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, was down 1.51% at $84.10 per barrel mid-morning, after rising 4.93% on Thursday.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was down 1.89% at $79.50, after increasing 8.51% the previous day. (afp, reuters)

Japanese authorities confirmed Friday that at least two Japanese citizens are being held in Iran and are safe, as the conflict sparked by joint U.S. And Israeli attacks on the country continues.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi confirmed the situation during a parliamentary session, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK.

“The government strongly urges their early release and will provide all possible support,” Motegi said, detailing that he has requested cooperation from the Iranian ambassador in Tokyo to ensure their protection. (efe, ap)

The Israeli military stated Friday morning that It’s carrying out attacks on a large scale against “the infrastructure of the Iranian regime” in Tehran, while Iranian state television reported several explosions shortly after.

“The Israel Defense Forces have launched a wave of large-scale attacks against the infrastructure of the Iranian terrorist regime in Tehran,” according to a military statement published on Telegram.

The Iranian Fars news agency reported explosions in several parts of the capital, on the seventh day of cross-border attacks between Israel, the United States, and Tehran, after Washington and the Jewish state launched an offensive against Iran last Saturday that has left 1,230 people dead, according to the state-run Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs.

Iran has responded with shelling of Israel, causing 10 deaths, and against countries allied with the United States in the Persian Gulf and their U.S. Legations, such as consulates, embassies, and military bases. (afp, efe)

Iranian shelling hit two hotels, as well as a residential building in Bahrain, the country’s Interior Ministry announced early Friday.

“The Iranian aggressor targeted two hotels and a residential building in Manama, causing material damage but no loss of life,” the ministry said in a statement on X. (afp, ap)

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that he should participate in the selection of the next supreme leader of Iran, as the United States and Israel continued to bombard the country for a sixth consecutive day.

Trump dismissed Mojtaba Jamenei, one of the leading candidates to succeed his father, the Ayatollah Ali Jamenei, who died in the initial attacks of the war last Saturday.

Trump’s remarks to the U.S. News website Axios are likely to reignite questions about whether the United States and Israel are seeking the overthrow of the Islamic Republic or simply a change in its policies, as the conflict continues to spread in the Middle East. (ap, reuters)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Friday that three Australian military personnel were aboard a U.S. Submarine that participated in the sinking of an Iranian frigate near Sri Lanka, while denying Australian involvement in the offensive.

Albanese noted that the three Royal Australian Navy personnel were deployed on the U.S. Submarine as part of cooperation agreements with allied countries, a common practice.

He specified that the military personnel are participating in rotations with the U.S. Navy to gain operational experience in preparation for the future incorporation of nuclear submarines under the AUKUS security pact, a strategic military alliance between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. (efe, afp)

The United States has sunk more than 30 Iranian ships, while attacks with ballistic missiles and drones from Iranian forces have decreased considerably since the start of the offensive against the Islamic Republic on Saturday, a senior U.S. Official said Thursday.

“We have already sunk more than 30 ships and, in the last few hours, we hit an Iranian drone carrier ship approximately the size of a World War II aircraft carrier. And as we speak, it is on fire,” said Admiral Brad Cooper in a press conference.

Cooper, head of Central Command, responsible for U.S. Forces in the Middle East, said that “ballistic missile attacks have decreased by 90% since the first day. Drone attacks have decreased by 83%.” (afp, ap)

Representatives of the Nicaraguan government, led by Foreign Minister Valdrack Jaentschke, visited the Iranian embassy in Managua on Friday, where they signed the book of condolences for the death of Ayatollah Ali Jamenei “and the martyrs of the recent acts of aggression” against the country.

During the visit to the Iranian diplomatic headquarters, the Nicaraguan representatives expressed their condolences and solidarity with the “noble and brave” people and government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to a statement from the Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry.

The delegation similarly highlighted the figure of Ayatollah Ali Jamenei, “recognized for his role in defending sovereignty, the fight for justice and the self-determination of peoples.” (efe, La Prensa)