Selected War Updates March 4

16:21 – US general says Iranian missile fire has declined by 86%

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine said there has been a significant decline in Iranian missile and drone launches since the start of Operation Epic Fury.

In a press conference at the Pentagon, Caine said, “Iran’s theater ballistic missile shots fired are down 86% from the first day of fighting, with a 23% decrease just in the last 24 hours.”

He also claimed a reduction in drone attacks, saying, “Their one-way attack drone shots are down 73%.”

Caine said the intense bombing campaign by the U.S. and Israel “has allowed CENTCOM to establish localized air superiority across the Southern flank of the Iranian Coast.”

“We will now begin to expand inland, striking progressively deeper into Iranian territory,” he added.

16:21 – US general says Iranian missile fire has declined by 86%

US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine said there has been a significant decline in Iranian missile and drone launches since the start of Operation Epic Fury.

In a press conference at the Pentagon, Caine said, “Iran’s theater ballistic missile shots fired are down 86% from the first day of fighting, with a 23% decrease just in the last 24 hours.”

He also claimed a reduction in drone attacks, saying, “Their one-way attack drone shots are down 73%.”

Caine said the intense bombing campaign by the U.S. and Israel “has allowed CENTCOM to establish localized air superiority across the Southern flank of the Iranian Coast.”

“We will now begin to expand inland, striking progressively deeper into Iranian territory,” he added.

 

16:02 – Two IDF soldiers wounded by Hezbollah anti-tank fire in southern Lebanon

The IDF announced that two soldiers were wounded in southern Lebanon, the first such announcement since the IDF began a ground incursion into the country on Tuesday.

“Earlier today (Wednesday), two IDF soldiers were moderately injured as a result of an anti-tank fire toward IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon. The injured soldiers were evacuated to a hospital in order to receive medical treatment, and their families were notified,” the military said.

“In recent days, the IDF has assumed forward defensive positions in order to establish an additional defensive layer to remove the threats to the residents of northern Israel. The IDF will continue operating from a robust forward defensive posture and remains prepared for any developments in the area.”

15:19 – IDF strikes defense and detection systems at Tehran airport

“During the tenth wave of the Israeli Air Force strikes, guided by IDF intelligence across Tehran, fighter jets targeted infrastructure at the ‘Mehrabad’ Airport in Tehran,” the Israeli military announced.#

“As part of the strike, defense and detection systems that were used by the Iranian terror regime and posed a threat to Israeli Air Force aircraft were dismantled. The IDF continues to degrade all infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime throughout Iran.”

 

14:54 – U.S. Navy submarine sank Iran Navy vessel of coast of Sri Lanka

The United States military ?carried out the ?strike that sank an Iranian warship off ?Sri Lanka’s ?coast, Reuters reports.

A U.S. ?official, who was speaking on condition of ?anonymity, told the outlet the strike ?was carried out by ?a ?U.S. military submarine.

Sri Lankan authorities had reported the sinking of an Iranian warship off the country’s coast on ?Wednesday morning, saying they had rescued 32 people who were on board and recovered several bodies from the sea.

Sri Lankan Foreign minister Vijitha Herath identified the ship which was sunk as IRIS Dena. It was one of the newest destroyers in the Iranian navy, entering service in 2021.

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13:45 – Turkey intercepts Iranian ballistic missile over its territory

Turkey’s Ministry of Defense in Ankara stated that a ballistic munition identified en route to Turkish airspace — after being launched from Iran and passing through Iraqi and Syrian airspace — was successfully neutralized in time by NATO air and missile defense forces deployed in the eastern Mediterranean.

“All necessary measures to defend our territory and airspace will be taken with determination and without hesitation,” the statement said. “We remind that our right to respond to any hostile act against our country is reserved.”

“We call on all parties to refrain from actions that could further escalate the conflict in the region,” the ministry concluded. “In this context, we will continue consultations with NATO and our other allies.”

 

13:30 – Israel kills head of IRGC Special Operations Directorate

Israel assassinated Rahman Moqaddam, head of the Revolutionary Guards’ Special Operations Directorate, Ynet News reports.

12:12 – IDF calls for evacuation of entire southern Lebanon

IDF Arabic Spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee ordered residents of southern Lebanon to flee to the area north of the Litani River, amid a ground operation by Israeli troops in the region.

“Urgent warning to residents of southern Lebanon: Hezbollah’s terrorist activities are forcing the IDF to act against it with force,” Adraee said.

“The IDF does not intend to harm you. For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately. Anyone present near Hezbollah elements, facilities, or combat means is endangering their life. Any home used by Hezbollah for military purposes may be subject to targeting. To the residents of southern Lebanon, you must head immediately north of the Litani River. To ensure your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move north beyond the Litani River.”

“Attention: Any movement southward may put your lives at risk.”

 

11:53 – Another Iranian strike hits Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura oil refinery

A projectile fired from Iran has hit Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura refinery, the largest domestic oil refinery operated by Saudi Aramco, according to two sources cited by Reuters.

Saudi Arabia shut down operations at the facility several days ago, after debris from the interception of two Iranian drones attacking the facility ignited a fire.

The attack comes as Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering joining the U.S.-Israeli operation against the regime after attacks on American bases and civilian targets across all Gulf countries.

11:15 – Khamenei aide says Iran has no intention of negotiating with U.S.

Iran has no intention of negotiating with the United States and can continue the Middle East war for as long as needed, Mohammad Mokhber, a senior aide to the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Iranian state TV.
He said that Iran has “no trust in the Americans and we have no basis for any negotiations with them”, adding, “We can continue the war as long as we want.”

 

11:08 – Kuwait targeted by another round of Iranian drones and missiles

Kuwait’s military said a new wave of Iranian missiles and drones had targeted the Gulf state, and its air defense forces are working to neutralize the threat.

Iran has targeted Kuwait several times due to the presence of U.S. forces in the country. A drone attack on the first day of the war led to the deaths of 4 U.S. service members in the country.

 

11:05 – Bahrain encourages its people to remain indoors

The Bahrain Defence Force General Command announced that its air defense systems have successfully intercepted and destroyed 74 missiles and 92 unmanned aerial vehicles launched by Iran on the country since the start of the war on Saturday.

In a statement Wednesday morning, the General Command urged people to stay indoors and avoid approaching or filming damaged sites.

 

10:50 – IDF says 10th wave of strikes launched in Tehran

The Israel Air Force launched another wave of attacks in Tehran this morning. According to the IDF Spokesperson, this is the tenth wave of attacks in the Iranian capital since the war began.

 

10:42 – IDF announces: F-35 achieved first shootdown in history of hostile, manned fighter aircraft over Tehran

“An Israeli Air Force F-35I fighter jet (“Adir”) shot down an Iranian Air Force YAK-130 fighter jet a short while ago over the skies of Tehran,” the IDF stated.

“This is the first shootdown in history of a manned fighter aircraft by an F-35 (“Adir”) fighter jet.”

The YAK-130 is a Russian-made, advanced subsonic jet trainer and light combat aircraft, developed in the 1990s.

According to the Times of Israel, this marks the first time in around 40 years the Israeli Air Force has shot down a manned enemy aircraft. The last time was on November 24, 1985, over Lebanon, when an Israeli F-15 downed two Syrian MiG-23 fighters.

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09:17 – Likud MK calls for assassination of Hezbollah’s civilian leadership

“Israel must eliminate all governing figures in Lebanon who are identified with Hezbollah — leaders and institutions in the central and local government as well as in civil society — ministers and members of parliament, the Shura Council, the executive, parliamentary and judicial councils, and many other institutions,” said Amit Halevi, Knesset Member for the Likud Party.

“And it must make clear to the Lebanese government that it will not allow any governing authority to those identified with the aspiration to destroy it and with the ideas of radical Islam. This is the path to fundamental change in the Middle East — this is true in Lebanon, in Gaza, in Syria, and of course in Iran,” Halevi added.

 

09:05 – IDF announces return of 146th Division to Lebanese border 

The IDF announced this morning that as part of strengthening the defense and readiness in the northern sector, the “Thunderbolt” Division (146) has been activated for the defense mission on the western Lebanon border.

The division last operated in Lebanon during the 2024 Operation Northern Arrows against Hezbollah, and remained on the border in Israel until May 2025.

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07:45 – IDF issues evacuation warnings in Dahiyeh

IDF Arabic Spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee issued an evacuation warning for residents in the Haret Harik area of Beirut’s Dahiya district, telling residents living near a particular building that they were located near “facilities affiliated with Hezbollah” and should evacuate for their safety.

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02:00 – CENTCOM head Admiral Cooper says operations ‘ahead of schedule’

CENTCOM head Admiral Brad Cooper says U.S. strikes have “already struck nearly 2,000 targets with 2,000 munitions.”

Admiral Cooper says Iran is weakening and operations are ahead of schedule.

“Having said this, we are seeing Iran’s ability to hit us and our partners is declining, while our combat power, on the other hand, is building,” Admirial Cooper stated. “And my overall operational assessment is that we are ahead of our game plan. Along the way, every single branch of our military is achieving unprecedented success.”