3 March 2026
Iran
President Trump claims that Iran approached the US to resume talks, but he said that it was too late. Most of Iran’s surface fleet has been destroyed by the US. The latest was the IRINS Markan, a converted oil tanker turned into a support ship with a large landing pad and hangars – maybe for drones or helicopters. The exact purpose of the IRINS Markan was never fully clarified.
Russia evacuated nearly a hundred Russian staff from the Bushehr nuclear power plant, where they work alongside Iranian civilians. The IAEA confirms that the entrance to the Natanz nuclear facility was bombed by the US-Israeli bombing campaign. Iran previously sealed entrances to its nuclear facilities to prevent US special forces.
Iranian strikes on its neighbouring countries will not go unanswered. The UAE and Qatar vow that they will respond to Iran’s attacks, and Israel claims that Iran used cluster munitions in some of its attacks on Israel.
Yemen
The Houthis announced that they will resume missile and drone strikes on shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis paused their attacks on maritime traffic in mid-November, following the Gaza deal.
China
China is expected to field submarines armed with ballistic missiles that can target more of the US mainland. They will be able to do so in waters closer to the Chinese mainland, suggesting the range of Chinese ballistic missiles will be greatly enhanced. The American military assessment is that China has rapidly built up its nuclear submarine fleet, going from building “less than one nuclear submarine a year to significantly higher rates.” The Pentagon expects a Chinese submarine force numbering 80 vessels by 2035, with half of them nuclear. China currently has more than 60 subs. US sub production is at least one per year, with the aim of building two or three per year by 2028.
China removed three retired generals from its national advisory body. The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) voted to remove Han Weiguo, Gao Jin, and Liu Lei, but there were no indications of why they were removed. This comes amid purges of the Chinese military brass.
US-Rwanda
The US on Monday sanctioned the Rwandan military for its support of the M23 rebel group in the eastern DRC. The US accused the Rwandan military of violating the peace agreement in the mineral-rich DRC and called for its withdrawal from the region. It’s worth noting that the DRC has launched an offensive to recapture parts of the eastern DRC, which hold tin, tungsten and tantalum reserves that have been offered to the US.
Pakistan
US Marines opened fire to stop protesters from storming the US consulate in Karachi. It is unclear whether any protesters were killed or injured. On Sunday, 11 protesters were killed when protesters breached the compound’s outer wall after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated in strikes on Iran. Pakistan has imposed a curfew and deployed the military to quell protests in the northern cities of Gilgit and Skardu.
Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have exchanged fire for the fifth day. The Taliban indicated that they are prepared for an extended conflict with Pakistan.
Social media wires
Iranian strikes in Israel
Iraqis find an intact US LUCAS drone
Featured Photo: “M23 rebels with multiple rocket launcher” – 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.