5 March 2026
Iran
Iran’s Assembly of Experts is expected to announce Mojtaba Khamenei, a son of the late Supreme Leader, as the next Supreme Leader. There is opposition to this, as experts warn against hereditary leadership. It is being reported that at least eight members of the council will not take part out of protest of the decision.
Lebanon
The Israeli Defence Force issued a complete evacuation order for all civilians to leave a swathe of south Lebanon, ordering them to move north of the Litani River. Israel has been in full-blown hostilities with Hezbollah for three days now after the death of Khamenei.
Canada
South Korea issued a warning to the Canadian government. If the Canadian government chooses a split Hanwha Ocean/TKMS deal, then South Korean investments will be much smaller than pledged during the procurement process. This option was already ruled out by the Prime Minister Carney earlier, so it seems to be a warning – choose Hanwha or South Korean investment goes with it.
North Korea
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a visit to a modernised 5,000-ton Choe Hyon destroyer to oversee a missile test. The vessel is the lead ship of her class. At the Nampho shipyard, Kim said “Every year during the new five-year plan period, we must build two surface warships of this class or of a higher class,” signalling North Korea’s naval ambitions.
Afghanistan-Pakistan
Fighting between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistan entered its seventh day and is now taking place in seven border provinces – Kandahar, Kunar, Nangarhar, Khost, Nuristan, Paktia and Paktika provinces. Pakistan continues air strikes on the Afghan Taliban and on Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. Pakistan claims that it has killed 481 Afghan Taliban personnel and over 696 have been injured since the start of the operation.
Red Sea
France has reached out to Italy and Greece to help ensure the flow of traffic through the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea. The three leaders agreed to coordinate any military shipments to Cyprus. This comes after a British base in Cyprus came under Iranian attack. The UK has sent HMS Dragon and other assets to protect Cyprus.
Social media wires
Ukrainian President Zelensky claims that the US has asked for drone interceptor assistance
North Korean cruise missile tests
Featured Photo: “Mojtaba Khamenei and son” – Fars Media, Wikimedia Commons, 2026
The Wires Brief is a daily breaking news report incorporating wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates. Feature photos are altered with grayscale.