MIDDLE EAST

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Iran has rejected a U.S.-backed peace proposal as too demanding and instead outlined five conditions it says must be met before any war-ending agreement can move forward, according to Iranian state media.

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Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun has called for direct negotiations with Israel to de-escalate the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. Aoun also sharply criticized Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group, for drawing Lebanon into a wider regional war. According to a spokesperson, Lebanon is prepared to negotiate but only once Israeli attacks cease.

Speaking during a virtual meeting with senior European Union officials on Monday, Aoun outlined what he described as a path towards "permanent security and stability arrangements on our borders".

Israeli officials have shown little sign of backing negotiations.

Under the Lebanese president's four-point plan, a "complete truce" would coincide with the disarmament of Hezbollah, and international assistance for the Lebanese Armed Forces to help them regain control of "areas of tension".

"And simultaneously, Lebanon and Israel begin direct negotiations under international sponsorship, in order to execute the aforementioned plan," a statement said.

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Israel has intensified its military actions in southern Lebanon, signaling plans to expand ground operations following targeted strikes on key infrastructure, including bridges.

The Israeli military stated that its campaign against Hezbollah is entering a broader phase, with preparations underway for coordinated ground advances and continued airstrikes. Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir described the operation as ongoing and potentially prolonged, emphasizing that it is being carried out according to a structured plan.

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Cloud services across the United Arab Emirates briefly went dark this week after drone strikes linked to Iran damaged several regional data centers, disrupting banking apps, payment platforms and a range of online services relied upon daily by businesses and consumers.

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Drone strikes have disrupted major UAE energy facilities, including the Shah gas field and Fujairah export hub. A tanker sustained damage near the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting growing risks to

shipping routes. Oil prices climbed as markets reacted to tightening supply and escalating regional conflict.

A renewed wave of aerial attacks has struck critical energy infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, intensifying concerns about prolonged supply disruptions as regional tensions continue to escalate.

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Israeli Defense minister, Israel Katz has warned that any Iranian figure chosen to replace Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would be considered a target for assassination.

Katz made the statement on Wednesday, March 4, following reports that Khamenei was killed during coordinated US-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran — a dramatic escalation in a long-running shadow conflict between the two nations.

“Any leader selected by the Iranian terror regime to continue leading the plan for Israel’s destruction, threatening the United States, the free world and countries in the region, and suppressing the Iranian people, will be a certain target for assassination, no matter his name or where he hides,” Katz wrote in a post on X.

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Iran has issued a warning urging residents and workers in parts of the United Arab Emirates to immediately leave areas surrounding key port facilities in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Fujairah.

According to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, people living or working near several major ports, including Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi and Port of Fujairah — should evacuate the surrounding areas immediately.

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Members of Iran's women's national soccer team remained silent during their country's national anthem before their opening match at the AFC Women's Asian Cup, in what appeared to be a protest amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Ahead of their game against South Korea on Monday, March 2, at Gold Coast Stadium in Queensland, Australia, the players stood together on the pitch as the anthem played but did not sing along. Video footage from the moment shows the team maintaining silence in a gesture that many interpreted as a response to the ongoing conflict affecting their home country.

Iran went on to lose the match 3-0. Despite the result, their actions drew admiration from fellow athletes and commentators who praised their composure and courage during a difficult period.