Washington/Tehran/Tel Aviv,, 04 March (H.S.): The US-Israel-Iran conflict shows no signs of abating on day five, with relentless drone and missile barrages from both sides amid closed US embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Iran struck Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura refinery—world's largest, processing over 550,000 barrels daily—for the second time in days, per Iranian media. Israel targeted Iranian missile sites, IRGC Basij bases, and security hubs; IDF claimed F-35s downed a Russian-made Yak-130 over Tehran.
Beirut shuddered under Israeli strikes on southern suburbs, razing buildings and damaging a hotel; Hezbollah fired long-range missiles at Tel Aviv, triggering shelters. US CENTCOM's Admiral Brad Cooper reported 24/7 strikes on 2,000 Iranian targets, sinking 17 warships including a submarine, crippling operations in Gulf waters.
Iran claimed 40 missiles launched Wednesday; Qatar intercepted one near Doha airbase unharmed, Kuwait downed hostiles but debris injured civilians, Saudi downed a drone. Evacuations of Americans via charters from UAE, Jordan, Saudi face hurdles from closures.
Iran's FM Abbas Araghchi accused President Trump of diplomatic deceit; Tehran named Mojtaba Khamenei as new Supreme Leader post-Ali Khamenei's death, with funeral viewing starting 10 p.m. local time. Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed to eliminate successors regardless. Experts warn of regional escalation without diplomacy.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
