Wednesday 4 March, the fifth day of war in the Middle East after the attack launched by the USA and Israel on Iran. The risk of escalation is growing as the conflict spreads to the Gulf countries. Meanwhile last night, the President of the French Republic announced the sending of the nuclear aircraft carrier De Gaulle to the Mediterranean.
IDF: “Objectives hit in Tehran, including Basij headquarters”
Israel has hit dozens of military targets in Tehran: this was announced by the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee. The attacks targeted “the headquarters of the Basij, the paramilitary force linked to the Iranian Pasdaran, as well as missile launch platforms and defense systems”. The IDF will continue to “intensify its attacks” against the regime’s infrastructure. International media reporters present in the Iranian capital confirm explosions and columns of smoke rising from some areas of the city.
Israel advances by land into Lebanon
The Israeli army has entered the southern Lebanese town of Khiam, about six kilometers from the border, while strengthening its military ground deployment. This was reported by the official National News Agency (NNA). A Lebanese military source confirmed that Israel launched a ground incursion into a border area in southern Lebanon since yesterday, coinciding with its air campaign against strongholds of the pro-Iranian group Hezbollah. The Lebanese newspaper L’Orient Le Jour also reported that an Israeli army battalion is taking up positions in the government hospital of Meis el-Jabal, in Marjayoun (south). The Israeli army has also started construction work in the area known as «Azraiel», south of the border town of Kfarchouba (Hasbaya), coming from the Bastara farm in Lebanese territory, where Israeli forces have been deployed since this morning. Ground movements began in the area, in parallel with the advance of Merkava tanks into the sector.
The Israeli army announced this morning that it has strengthened its deployment on the border with Lebanon, in the western sector, with the redeployment of its 146th Division.
The Pasdaran: “We have total control of the Strait of Hormuz”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has “total control” of the Strait of Hormuz, a key point for global oil trade at the entrance to the Persian Gulf. “Currently, the Strait of Hormuz is under the total control of the Islamic Republic Navy,” said Mohammad Akbarzadeh, a senior official of the IRGC naval forces, quoted by the Fars news agency. US President Donald Trump said yesterday that the US Navy could escort oil tankers “if necessary” through the strait.
Iranian TV, Khamenei’s state funeral scheduled for tonight postponed
The state funeral of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei scheduled for this evening in Tehran has been postponed as the country faces waves of attacks from Israel and the US. This was reported by Iranian state TV. “The farewell ceremony for the martyred imam has been postponed (…) in anticipation of an unprecedented turnout,” the TV reported, adding that the new date would be “announced later.” This morning, a tribute was announced for this evening in Tehran in front of the body of Ali Khamenei, who died at the age of 86 in an air attack and who will be buried in the holy city of Mashhad, his place of birth.