Iranians claim over 100 US Marines killed in Dubai alone; Tehran rejects negotiations as Israel deploys 5,000 bombs in week-long campaign
As Iran threatens to strike the Dimona nuclear reactor, warning of a "nuclear Holocaust" for Israel if attempts at regime change continue, the war in the Middle East and the Gulf continues to spread uncontrollably. Just hours ago, following Cyprus, Turkey also became a target of Iranian missile strikes, prompting NATO involvement to intercept a ballistic missile. However, the Iranian armed forces later clarified that Turkey was not the intended target.
Alongside the relentless bombardment of Tehran, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv, the Israeli army continues operations in southern Lebanon and Beirut, striking Hezbollah positions. The IDF has announced that military operations will persist for another one to two weeks, revealing that over 5,000 bombs have been dropped on Iran thus far.
Iran continues to resist, launching attacks against Kurdish forces in Iraq following rumors that Kurdish groups are being recruited by the CIA for a ground invasion of northwestern Iran. Amidst this chaos, Gulf states remain under constant fire, with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE forced to intercept dozens of missiles daily. Meanwhile, President Trump survived a Senate vote aimed at limiting his war powers, though it is increasingly clear his strategic plan is not progressing as envisioned.
?????Azerbaijan targeted for the first time by Iran as a drone hits Nakhchivan, 450km west of Bakupic.twitter.com/k8tGcNs9w4 https://t.co/4ajoiCjTYh
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 5, 2026
Blurred objectives
Earlier this week, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt outlined the goals of Operation Epic Rage:
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Destruction of the Iranian missile program.
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Total elimination of the Iranian fleet.
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Depriving Iranian proxies of the ability to destabilize the region.
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Halting the production of IEDs and naval mines.
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Ensuring Iran never acquires nuclear weapons.
???? Footage from the ground in Tel Aviv.
— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) March 5, 2026
Total chaos unfolding. https://t.co/LdMZw3S4zG pic.twitter.com/hEcEWqlWdg
What Trump stated
These goals differ from Donald Trump’s personal rhetoric. From day one, he called on the Iranian people to overthrow the clerical regime, stating, "This is probably your only chance for many generations." Furthermore, the White House emphasized that strikes are deliberately targeting the Iranian leadership. Within days, 49 high-ranking officials have been killed, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh. Trump recently remarked that he no longer knows who is governing the country, as most successors have been neutralized.
Who the Americans want
While the US President intended to highlight the effectiveness of US and Israeli air strikes, the statement reveals that Washington lacks a viable alternative power structure to support. Tehran is currently governed by a transitional council including Masoud Pezeshkian and Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei.
According to CNN, the CIA is working to arm Kurdish forces to spark an internal uprising. Donald Trump reportedly spoke with Kurdish leader Mustafa Hijri on Tuesday. While the US has long-standing ties with these groups, the success of such a plan is not guaranteed, which may explain why Trump has not ruled out a ground operation.
? Ballistic missiles are hitting Tel Aviv right now.
— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) March 5, 2026
This moment has been 30 years in the making.
Netanyahu has spent three decades engineering a confrontation with Iran. Not defending Israel — fulfilling a personal obsession. He thinks he’s Moses leading his people to a… pic.twitter.com/80caJAP6ZQ
Objectives achieved…
The US and Israel have successfully secured air superiority over Iran. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the two most powerful air forces now have full control of Iranian skies. According to The Guardian, approximately 2,000 targets have been hit. Additionally, the goal of destroying the Iranian Navy appears close to completion; Admiral Brad Cooper reported that 16 Iranian ships and one submarine have been sunk, rendering their fleet non-functional.
…and objectives missed
However, Iranian missiles and drones are causing significant damage to US bases. According to The New York Times, at least six military facilities in Bahrain, Iraq, and the UAE were hit in the first two days. The headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet and Pentagon facilities in Jordan were also targeted. Israel's air defense has also struggled to intercept every incoming strike from Tehran.
The losses
The US has officially acknowledged the deaths of six soldiers, while Israel has not released casualty figures. Tehran claims enemy losses are much higher, exceeding 680 killed or wounded. Conversely, the Tasnim news agency reports that 1,045 people have died in Iran due to IDF and US strikes.
Furthermore, Hezbollah and Israel have escalated their conflict, with IDF units invading southern Lebanon. General Eyal Zamir has warned the military to prepare for a long-term conflict, casting doubt on Washington's ability to quickly eliminate the proxy network.
The political cost
In the US, questions are mounting regarding the Iranian nuclear program. While Trump claimed success in June through Operation Midnight Hammer, The Washington Post reports that Washington lacked evidence of "sudden progress" in Tehran's nuclear capabilities. Reuters also challenged Trump’s claims that Iran planned a first strike on the US.
Polls show only a third of Americans support the offensive, and many critics view the war as illegal because it lacks Congressional approval. As the global economy falters due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, time appears to be working against the American President.
British Defense Secretary in Cyprus
UK Defense Secretary John Healey is traveling to Cyprus following an Iranian drone attack on the British base at Akrotiri last Monday.
Barrage of Iranian strikes on Israel
Early Thursday, Iran launched a massive wave of missiles, forcing millions of Israelis into shelters. The Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) announced the start of "Operation True Promise 4," targeting "US-Zionist" positions and US bases in the region. The IRGC claimed to have struck Ben Gurion Airport and the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv using hypersonic missiles.
"We fully control the Strait of Hormuz – US tanker hit"
The IRGC has declared full control over the Strait of Hormuz, stating that vessels from the US, Israel, and supporting European nations will be attacked without exception. They claim to have set fire to a US tanker in the northern Persian Gulf. "Under international law during wartime, the Islamic Republic has the right to control the passage," the IRGC maintained.
Iran: "We did not fire a missile at Turkey"
The Iranian armed forces denied targeting Turkey, emphasizing respect for its territorial integrity. Instead, they confirmed using three missiles to target Kurdish headquarters in Iraqi Kurdistan. Reports suggest these groups are preparing to cross the border into Iran, potentially with CIA backing.
Abbas Araghchi: "The Americans will bitterly regret it"
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that the US would regret the submarine attack on the frigate Dena, which was hosting 130 sailors in international waters during an Indian naval visit. He called the strike unprovoked.
Kazem Gharibabadi: "This is genocide"
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi accused the US and Israel of committing genocide by striking schools and residences. He dismissed claims of an imminent Iranian attack on the US as "ridiculous," stating Iranian missiles are not designed for strikes on US soil.
No negotiations with the US
A senior Iranian official told Tasnim that Iran has not sent letters to the US and will not respond to American messages. They emphasized that the Iranian military is prepared for a protracted war, contradicting reports from Axios regarding secret communications.
IDF: Over 5,000 bombs dropped on Iran
The Israeli Air Force continues its heavy bombardment of Tehran, dropping over 5,000 bombs since the start of the conflict. The IDF plans to continue for at least two weeks to destroy thousands of targets. They claim to have destroyed 300 missile launchers since Saturday, which has reportedly reduced the frequency of Iranian salvos.
Strike on Hezbollah in Beirut
Overnight, the IDF struck Hezbollah command centers in Beirut, including a drone operations hub. Approximately 300,000 Lebanese have reportedly fled their homes in the south due to the escalating military operations.
Trump unscathed
Republican senators voted 53-47 against a proposal to require Congressional approval for the air campaign, leaving President Trump’s war-making powers largely unchecked as the conflict expands.
Situation in the Strait of Hormuz
Shipping remains paralyzed. While Trump has promised naval escorts to curb rising oil prices, at least 200 ships are currently anchored off the coast. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the US Navy is currently too focused on "disarming the Iranian regime" to provide immediate commercial escorts.
Douglas McGregor: "It is a stalemate – The US cannot win"
Former Pentagon advisor Douglas McGregor warned that the US will eventually be forced to leave the Middle East. He described the war as an economic catastrophe that is weakening the US and Israel while making Iran look stronger. He noted that even the Iraqi government now wants the US to leave.
100 US Marines killed in Dubai
The Khatam al-Anbiya command center claims that over 100 US Marines were killed in a drone and missile attack on a base in Dubai. While witnesses reported explosions, US Secretary of State Rubio claimed only a drone attack on a consulate parking lot occurred.
Iran destroys 2 THAAD systems, chaos at US bases
Satellite imagery from Planet Labs confirmed that Iran hit two THAAD systems: one at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia and another at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan. The strikes targeted the high-value AN/TPY-2 long-range radars.
US air defenses weakening
The THAAD system, which costs up to $3 billion, is designed to intercept ballistic missiles. Images also show damage to THAAD units in the UAE and the AN/FPS-132 radar in Qatar, which costs $1.1 billion. The US is now reportedly rushing to move air defense assets from Asia to the Middle East.
Washington Post: US missile stockpiles depleting
The US military is rapidly exhausting its supply of precision munitions and interceptor missiles. Sources told the Washington Post that the Pentagon may soon have to prioritize which targets to defend as stocks dwindle at an unsustainable rate.
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