Latest Developments in the Middle East: China Sends a Mediator
Latest Developments in the Middle East, China ‘Juru Damai’ Kirim Mediator
Jakarta: An escalation after US and Israel attacks on Iran since Saturday has raised tensions in the region. Here are the latest updates as of Thursday afternoon (5 March 2026), as reported by CNBC Indonesia:
Attacks in Tehran: Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported several explosions heard in Tehran on Thursday morning. The country has activated its defenses in response.
Iran Launches Missiles at Israel: Iran fired a new series of missiles at Israel on Thursday morning, triggering alerts in several areas including Tel Aviv, according to the Israeli military and Tehran’s state media. Explosions were heard in Jerusalem after the missile alert sirens sounded. But emergency services in Israel said there were no fatalities known.
Air Strikes Hit Hizbullah Fort in southern Beirut: Air strikes hit Hizbullah fort in southern Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday morning, after Israel warned residents. Elsewhere, three people were killed in two Israeli strikes against vehicles along the Beirut airport road. Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed this.
Oil Spill Near Kuwait: A tanker was hit by a “large explosion” off Kuwait’s coast, causing an oil spill, according to UKMTO, Britain’s maritime security agency. “The captain of a berthed tanker reported witnessing and hearing a large explosion on the left side of the vessel, then saw a small boat leaving the area off Mubarak al-Kabeer in the Gulf,” UKMTO said.
Qatar Evacuates Near US Embassy: Qatar has begun evacuating residents of its capital who live near the US embassy as a precaution after the Iranian attack. The interior ministry announced.
Turkey Says Missile from Iran Was Destroyed: A ballistic missile launched from Iran toward Turkish airspace via Iraq and Syria was destroyed by NATO air defences, Turkish officials said late Wednesday. The defence ministry did not name a target. However, Turkey’s foreign ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador. A Turkish official told AFP on condition of anonymity that the missile was targeted at bases in Greek Cyprus, but it went off course.
Trump and Netanyahu Praise War Efforts: President Donald Trump praised the US performance in the war, saying Iranian leaders quickly died and vowing to press on. “On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate it? I’d say about 15,” Trump told tech industry executives. The same was said by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Office, saying Israel and Washington had achieved “historic progress” in the war.
US Senate Rejects Move to Halt Iran War: The US Senate rejected a bipartisan resolution aimed at curbing Trump’s authority to continue military strikes on Iran, with Republicans holding a 53-47 majority in the upper chamber; the resolution failed by a narrow margin.
Canada Backs Allies in War: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he could not “rule out participating” in the escalating war and would stand by its allies.
Spain Denies US Claims of Cooperation: Spain reaffirmed its opposition to Washington using its bases against Iran. It followed threats of retaliation against trade by Trump. The White House said Madrid had now agreed to cooperate. But Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said Madrid’s stance on “military bases, the war in the Middle East, and bombing Iran” had not changed.
China to Send Envoy to Mediate: China will send a special envoy to mediate in the Middle East, said Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Beijing is a close ally of Iran and has said it supports Tehran in defending its sovereignty while urging the United States and Israel to halt their attacks.
Qatar’s Anger: Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani criticised Iran’s foreign minister during a phone call, accusing Tehran of trying to drag its neighbours into the war.
Freight Crisis Deepens: Danish shipping giant Maersk and Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd said they would suspend bookings in the Gulf until further notice after risk assessments, following Cosco’s announcement of a similar suspension. Oil prices have risen in recent days. Iran warned vessels not to use the narrow Strait of Hormuz, a major critical route for tanker shipping in the Gulf.
Ship Crews in Hormuz Rescued: Omani naval forces rescued 24 crew of container ships hit by missiles in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces claimed ‘full control’ of the strait a day after Trump said the US Navy would guard ships through the strait.
Sri Lanka Discovers 87 Dead: An American submarine fired a torpedo and sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka, with Sri Lanka’s navy confirming at least 87 bodies found.
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