★UNITED STATES
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US Fighter Jets Downed Over Iran and Gulf, Prompting Rescue Operations
Two U.S. aircraft crashed Friday as the war entered its sixth week, with an F-15 fighter downed inside Iran, triggering a search-and-rescue mission, and an A-10 Warthog crashing near the Strait of Hormuz, its pilot rescued. The incidents mark the first known U.S. combat losses over Iran, intensifying risks for American crews and escalating military operations.
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Trump: Downed US Jet Won’t Affect Iran Talks
Donald Trump said Iran’s downing of a US fighter jet will not impact negotiations to end the ongoing war, now over a month old. He declined to specify US action if the missing crew member is harmed. Reports confirm one crew member was rescued after the F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down, marking a major escalation.
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US Secretly Expels Iranian Deputy UN Ambassador
The US State Department quietly expelled Saadat Aghajani in December over national security concerns, part of a broader move to remove at least three Iranian diplomats from New York. The decision, under “Article 13” procedures, involved no public accusations and targeted suspected espionage or activities against US interests.
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★IRAN
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Tehran Rejects 48-Hour Ceasefire Proposal from U.S.
Tehran rejected a U.S. proposal for a 48-hour ceasefire, conveyed Wednesday via an unnamed third country, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency. There was no immediate comment or confirmation from Washington, as the war continues to escalate, following recent U.S. combat losses and ongoing strikes inside Iran.
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Israel Launches Wide-Scale Strikes on Tehran and Iranian Sites
The Israel Defense Forces, alongside US forces, struck entity[“location”, “Tehran, Mehrabad, and Kanarak”, “Iranian cities and airports”] targets, hitting infrastructure and steel production, reportedly destroying 70% of Iran’s steel output. The IRGC retaliated with missile attacks on the entity[“place”, “Haifa, Kafr Kanna, Kiryot”, “Israel”] as multiple Iranian provinces, including Fars and Khuzestan, experienced explosions and fires.
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Iran Rapidly Restores Underground Missile Sites After US Strikes
US intelligence reports indicate Iran is rehabilitating underground missile launchers within hours of being hit, limiting the impact of US airstrikes. Despite attacks on over 11,000 sites, Iran retains mobile launchers and substantial missile capacity, launching 15–30 ballistic missiles and 50–100 drones daily toward Israel, while keeping platforms in fortified tunnels to maintain long-term deterrence.
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★ISRAEL
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IDF Hits Iranian Air Defenses and Weapons Sites in Tehran
The Israel Defense Forces struck Iranian air defenses and weapons development facilities in Tehran, including IRGC missile storage and R&D sites. Guided by intelligence, the strikes follow over 70 recent attacks on ballistic missile and UAV sites across Iran, aiming to damage the regime’s core military capabilities.
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Iranian Missile Heavily Damages AeroSentinel Drone Facility
An Iranian ballistic missile struck the AeroSentinel production facility in Petach Tikva, causing severe damage. Specializing in short- and medium-range ISR drones used by elite IDF units, Israel Police, and international clients, the company preserved critical assets and plans a rapid recovery. Its drones have supported covert missions in Operation Roaring Lion.
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Israeli Air Defenses Intercept Iranian Missiles Over Syria
Israeli air defenses shot down Iranian missiles over Damascus and its countryside, Syrian media reported. Earlier, an Israeli tank strike in Quneitra killed a civilian, prompting Syrian condemnation as a violation of international law. Israel also conducted ground operations near Mount Hermon to target militant infrastructure and gather intelligence along the Lebanon-Syria border.
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★LEBANON
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Israeli Strikes Hit Southern Beirut, Explosions Reported
The Israel Defense Forces struck Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Beirut, producing multiple explosions and heavy smoke. The attacks followed warnings to evacuate seven neighborhoods. Israel also targeted bridges in the Bekaa Valley used by Hezbollah for troop movements, amid ongoing exchanges since the March 2 outbreak of the war.
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IDF Destroys Hezbollah Launcher After Rocket Attack on North
The Israel Defense Forces destroyed a Hezbollah rocket launcher used in a salvo toward Haifa and the Galilee, with no reported casualties. The military also launched strikes in Beirut and said its elite unit killed over 40 militants and hit dozens of targets in southern Lebanon.
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★GULF STATES
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Iranian Drone Strikes Hit Gulf Energy and Industrial Sites
Iran launched drone and missile attacks on energy and industrial facilities across Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar, killing one Egyptian resident and injuring several others, while sparking fires and major damage at Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, power and water plants, and Al Taweelah aluminum complex. Gulf air defenses intercepted dozens of drones and missiles, ensuring ongoing protection and monitoring.
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Iranian Attack Halts Emirates Global Aluminium Abu Dhabi Operations
An Iranian strike damaged facilities of Emirates Global Aluminium in Abu Dhabi, forcing a shutdown at its Al Taweelah site, with recovery expected to take up to 12 months. The firm, a major global producer, warned of significant industry impact amid ongoing regional attacks targeting infrastructure.
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Bahrain Cracks Down on Dissent During Iran War Escalation
Amid Iranian missile attacks, Bahrain has intensified a crackdown on Shiite citizens, arresting dozens for filming strikes, supporting Iran, or alleged spying. The death of Mohamed al-Mousawi, whose body showed signs of torture, has sparked outrage. Authorities deny sectarian motives, framing arrests as national security measures against Iranian aggression.
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★ Disclaimer: This publication is a digest of various news sources compiled by the Early Phoenix team and edited by Rania Kisar. The items are curated, concise summaries of news items hyperlinked within each story. The items and summaries presented do not necessarily represent the views of the American Center for Levant Studies.
