Here's what you need to know about the ongoing conflict as of early Friday, now in its seventh day.
Let's start with the human cost. According to the Iran Red Crescent Society, at least 1,230 people in Iran have been killed since the war began last Saturday. The society's chief, Pir Hossein Kolivand, provided a detailed and grim accounting of the damage, stating that attacks have hit 3,643 civilian sites. That includes 3,090 homes, 528 commercial and service centers, 14 medical or pharmaceutical facilities, and nine Red Crescent sites. Most of these targets, he noted, were in densely populated residential areas.
On the military front, a new development emerged this morning. A military academy belonging to Iran's army was reportedly among the sites struck in attacks in central Tehran. This comes as Israel's military chief, Eyal Zamir, made a significant statement. He said the joint U.S.–Israel campaign against Iran is entering a "next phase" aimed at further weakening the Iranian regime and its military. He also warned of additional undisclosed "surprises" as new attacks were reported in Tehran early Friday.
The regional picture remains tense. Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence announced on social media that it intercepted three drones east of the capital, Riyadh. Meanwhile, in Lebanon, state media reported that Israeli warplanes carried out overnight airstrikes on several towns. The strikes hit Srifa, Aita al-Shaab, Touline, as-Sawana, and Majdal Selem in the south, as well as the eastern town of Douris. Details on casualties or damage from these strikes were not immediately available.
Amid the turmoil, there's a small sign of normalcy trying to reassert itself. Etihad Airways announced it will resume a limited commercial flight schedule between Abu Dhabi and key destinations starting today, March 6. The airline is being cautious, advising passengers to head to the airport only if they have confirmed bookings on the resumed flights or have been directly contacted by Etihad.
