The Indian Navy launched a search and rescue mission after receiving a distress call from Iranian warship IRIS Dena, struck by a US torpedo on March 4 within Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone, about 19 nautical miles off Galle. The vessel, returning from the Milan 2026 naval exercise in Visakhapatnam, had at least 130 personnel aboard; over 80 were killed and 32 rescued by Sri Lanka. India deployed a long-range maritime patrol aircraft, kept another aircraft with air-droppable life rafts on standby, and sent INS Tarangini and INS Ikshak to augment efforts. The Navy said the ship had left Indian waters on February 25 and sought no assistance before the conflict began. (PC: AP)

India formally conveyed condolences on the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, marking a subtle shift from its earlier silence on the US-Israel airstrikes in Tehran. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Iran’s ambassador in New Delhi and signed the condolence book. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s call for dialogue and diplomacy in resolving disputes. The move follows domestic opposition criticism and comes amid escalating regional tensions, including Iran’s announcement restricting Strait of Hormuz access to US, Israeli and European vessels, raising implications for India’s energy and strategic interests.

The Embassy of India in Doha has issued a fresh advisory urging Indian nationals in Qatar to strictly follow safety instructions amid escalating Gulf tensions. Citizens have been advised to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary movement, stay away from windows and balconies, and rely only on official updates. The mission has added an additional 24x7 helpline and confirmed temporary suspension of flight operations at Hamad International Airport following Qatari airspace closure. Qatar Airways will issue its next update at 0900 hrs (Doha time) on March 6. Meanwhile, Kuwait announced automatic one-month visit visa extensions and three-month absence permits for residents abroad under exceptional circumstances, with full fee exemptions.

India piled up a huge 253/7 against England in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday. Sanju Samson led the attack with a blistering 89 off 42 balls. He brought up his fifty in just 26 balls and dominated the England bowlers. Samson was dropped by England captain Harry Brook before reaching the milestone. Ishan Kishan added a quick 39 from 18 balls, while Shivam Dube struck 43 off 25. India crossed 200 in the 17th over as the run rate stayed high. Hardik Pandya smashed two sixes in the final over before being run out. England now need 254 to reach the final. (PC:BCCI)

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that a “Shahed-type” drone that struck the Royal Air Force base at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on March 2 was not launched from Iran, despite its Iranian-made design, officials said. The strike reportedly the first on the British military facility in Cyprus since 1986 caused only minimal damage and no injuries. While it is widely believed the drone may have been launched from Lebanon and possibly tied to Iranian-linked groups, UK authorities emphasised Iran was not the direct launch point. London has since bolstered allied air-defence systems in the region and plans counter-drone deployments to better protect forces amid the wider US-Israel–Iran conflict. (PC: X)

India are facing England in the second semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. England captain Harry Brook won the toss and elected to field, replacing Rehan Ahmed with Jamie Overton, while India retained an unchanged XI. After Abhishek Sharma’s dismissal, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan launched a counterattack, stitching a record-breaking partnership. Shivam Dube later joined skipper Suryakumar Yadav as India accelerated. At 17 overs, India reached 205/4, having been 190/4 after 15.6 overs, with 13 runs coming in Adil Rashid’s final over. Rashid ended with figures of 4-0-41-2 as the high-scoring semi-final remains in progress. (PC: X)

The conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States intensified as Iran reportedly targeted a US military headquarters in Erbil, Iraq, with missile attacks. The strike came amid escalating retaliation following ongoing US-Israel airstrikes on Iranian military and security targets. At the same time, heavy bombardment continued in Tehran, with Israeli forces striking facilities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other security units. The war, which began after coordinated US-Israel strikes on Iran in late February 2026, has expanded across the region, with missile exchanges, drone attacks, and rising casualties. The widening conflict is increasing fears of a broader regional war and further instability in West Asia. (PC: X)

Iran has claimed it carried out a strike on a U.S. oil tanker in the Persian Gulf, according to reports from Iranian state media. The country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the tanker was hit during ongoing regional tensions and caught fire after the attack. However, there has been no immediate confirmation from the United States, international shipping authorities, or independent sources about the incident or the tanker’s condition. The claim comes as tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East, raising concerns about the security of global energy supplies and commercial shipping routes in the strategically important Gulf region. (PC: Reuters)

The United States has rejected reports claiming that a US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet crashed inside Iran, calling the allegations “baseless and not true.” US officials clarified that no American aircraft had been shot down or crashed in Iranian territory. The claims had circulated widely on social media amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The Pentagon stated that the reports were misinformation and urged people not to rely on unverified sources during the ongoing conflict. The denial comes as the US remains involved in regional military operations, while speculation and unconfirmed reports continue to spread online about alleged air combat incidents. (PC: X)

India on Thursday offered condolences over the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visited the Iranian embassy and signed the book of condolence. Khamenei, 86, was killed in joint US and Israeli strikes in Iran earlier this week. His death was first announced by US President Donald Trump. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi. He shared the update in a post on X. India had earlier not issued a statement on Khamenei’s death. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called for an early end to hostilities. (PC: India Today)