Conflict – Page 18 – The Defense Post

Mar- 2026 -

6 March

People hold picture of Iran's former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, while crying at an event honoring Iran's former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on March 1, 2026 at Ashoura Square in southern Beirut, Lebanon.

US Says It Has Sunk More Than 30 Iranian Ships

The US has sunk more than 30 Iranian ships during the ongoing war, while ballistic missile and drone attacks by Tehran's forces are down substantially, a top US military officer said.

6 March

Middle East

A national flag is photographed on the ruins of a police station that is struck during US-Israeli attacks in Tehran, Iran, on March 3, 2026.

Staff Writer With AFP

NATO Raises ‘Missile Defense Posture’ Over Iran War

NATO said it has strengthened its "ballistic missile defense posture" as Iran steps up its strikes across the Middle East with a missile launched at alliance-member Turkey before being shot down.

6 March

Europe

US President Trump with Ukrainian leader Zelensky.

Staff Writer With AFP

Trump Says Zelensky ‘Has to Get a Deal Done,’ Insists Putin Ready

US President Donald Trump described Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky as the obstacle to a deal with Russia, whose leader Vladimir Putin he insisted was cooperative.

6 March

Americas

Staff Writer With AFP

Trump Demands Role in Choosing Next Iran Leader, Says Khamenei Son ‘Unacceptable’: Interview

US President Donald Trump insisted he should have a role in picking Iran’s next supreme leader after the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose son he said he found unacceptable.

5 March

Europe

A mural titled 'Divided by Oligarchy' by anonymous Norwegian street artist Toddel, depicting US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin seated at a table next to a map of a divided Ukraine, is seen on a wall in Krakow, Poland, on January 29, 2026.

Staff Writer With AFP

Ukraine, Russia Free 200 Prisoners of War Each

Ukraine and Russia each freed 200 prisoners of war on Thursday, the first part of an exchange that will see them swap 500 people each in total.

5 March

Air

Rojoef Manuel

US Soldiers Killed in Iran Drone Strike Were Inside Makeshift Hub, Officials Say

Six US service members killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait were working inside a lightly fortified operations center, described by military sources as a makeshift office space.

5 March

Americas

Rojoef Manuel

Belgium Rejects US-Israel Participation in Iran War

Belgium has declared it will not provide military support to the US or Israel in their ongoing attacks on Iran.

5 March

Americas

Soldiers from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) listen to a briefing in preparation for a search and extraction exchange during the 13th annual U.S.-China Disaster Management Exchange at Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center, November 17, 2017, in Warrenton, Ore. U.S. Army Pacific hosts the annual exchange with the PLA to foster mutual trust and understanding while sharing lessons learned to increase disaster response capabilities in the Pacific region. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

Rojoef Manuel

China Adviser Warns AI Gap With US After Khamenei Killing in Iran Strikes

A Chinese political scientist and adviser to Beijing said the operation in Iran showed how deeply AI is now embedded in US combat power and noted why China needs to move faster.

5 March

Americas