Main PointsIsrael has launched fresh strikes on Iran as the crisis in the Middle East enters its sixth dayA US tanker is on fire after being hit by Iranian strikes, according to Iran’s state mediaA Hamas official has been killed in an Israeli drone strikeUS Senate Republicans have voted down a bid to require Donald Trump to receive Congress’s permission before continuing the war with IranFirst flight from Dubai repatriating Irish citizens arrives in Dublin Airport Key ReadsHow to fly from Ireland to Australia, New Zealand or Asia during the Middle East conflict In Maps: Five days of war across Middle East
Katie Mellett – 4 minutes ago
Human rights lawyer Caoilfhionn Gallagher has expressed concern about the number of social media influencers posting “completely tone deaf content” from the United Arab Emirates during the current conflict, reports Vivienne Clarke.
Gallagher told Newstalk’s Claire Byrne show that the posts were part of the “culture washing” that the UAE and Saudi Arabia did while “hiding away” their “very dubious, problematic human rights record, and they present themselves as being a modern, progressive place. And having influencers posting this kind of gushing positive content is part and parcel of that.”
The barrister was responding to posts from a number of influencers saying they felt “completely safe” because of the leadership in the UAE.
“There’s kind of a meme which is going about, a template, which is being used by a lot of them, which says, ‘you live in Dubai, aren’t you scared? ‘And then there’s this reassuring music and it cuts to these images of Emirati leaders saying, ‘no, because I know who’s protecting us’. Now, that’s being put out in large part because influencers are reliant on the Emirates authorities in order to continue their role.”
“They’ve got to get a license in order to operate. And there’s been a very clear warning by the UAE authorities that the country’s cybercrime law will be used against people if they spread what’s called false news, rumours or misleading information. So the message is clear, support the UAE, say that the UAE is safe and people are jumping to it.”
“This is culture washing. And the influencers are part and parcel of that apparatus, which tries to paint the UAE as a very, very different place to the place I see having practiced for 25 years as a human rights lawyer.
Gallagher added that there was now a “more subtle threat” since February 1st this year, where all influencers and content creators have to obtain a mandatory advertiser permit from the UAE Media Council to publish any promotional content, paid or unpaid. “And those permits can be revoked if the person fails to comply with stringent media regulations.
“One of the really problematic things with UAE, and also with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is that there’s a mismatch between how they’re perceived and the reality on the ground.
“The same is also true of Hong Kong, where one of my clients is detained. So they present themselves, the business model is that they present themselves as a haven in the region, a place where it’s safe to do business, a place that’s progressive and modern and there’s this seamy underbelly which is hidden unless you get caught out.”
Katie Mellett – 14 minutes ago
Middle Eastern countries concerned over risk of Iranian civil war
People run for safety as smoke rises after an airstrike in central Tehran, Iran, March 5th, 2026. Photograph: EPA
Countries in the Middle East have told European officials they are concerned about the risk of civil war in Iran as a result of the conflict between Tehran and the United States and Israel, European Union foreign chief Kaja Kallas said on Thursday.
“When we talk to the countries in the region, they are also worried about civil wars inside…the regime’s leadership and what is going on there,” she said ahead of a video conference with EU foreign ministers and representatives of the Gulf cooperation council on the situation in Iran and the broader Middle East.
She also said the EU is “extremely worried” about maritime security in the region and that it is trying to keep routes such as the strait of Hormuz open.
Katie Mellett – 22 minutes ago
A mourner poses next to a portrait of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed amid US-Israel strikes, during the signing of a petition committing to international justice values, held at the Iranian Ambassador’s residence in Jakarta on March 5th, 2026. Photograph: BAY ISMOYO / AFP via Getty Images 
A message reading “Trump and Netanyahu are the root of all wars, death to Trump and Netanyahu” is signed on a whiteboard. Photograph: BAY ISMOYO / AFP via Getty Images 
A mourner writes a message of condolences following the death of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Photograph: BAY ISMOYO / AFP via Getty Images
Mourners of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gathered at the Iranian Ambassador’s residence in Jakarta on Thursday for the signing of a petition committing to international justice values.
One mourner wrote, “Trump and Netanyahu are the root of all wars, death to Trump and Netanyahu” on a whiteboard.
Katie Mellett – 48 minutes ago
US and Israel ‘drag the Arabs’ into a war, according to Russia
Vehicles drive along an expressway against the backdrop of smoke rising after a strike on the Iranian capital of Tehran on March 5th, 2026. Photograph: ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images
Russia has accused the United States and Israel of trying to drag Arab countries into a wider Middle East conflict by provoking Iran into striking at targets across the region.
“They deliberately provoked Iran into retaliatory strikes against targets in some Arab countries, which led to human and material losses, which the Russian side deeply regrets,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“In doing so, they (Washington and Tel Aviv) are trying to drag the Arabs into a war for someone else’s interests”.
The only way to prevent the Middle East from being further destabilised was to stop the “aggression” of the US and Israel, the ministry added, saying there were no signs for now that the two “aggressors” would halt their strikes.
Katie Mellett – 53 minutes ago
Minister calling for investigation into fuel price increases
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke is calling for a “short investigation” by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) into price increases on fuel in the wake of the Middle East conflict, reports Vivienne Clarke.
“Hopefully within the next month I’m looking for a short investigation to look and see exactly the examples in relation to where prices have gone up very significantly that are not reflected in the international markets,” he told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland.
Burke said he would be meeting with representatives of the fuel industry later this week where he would be advising them that the CCPC is investigating the sector and asking them to set out the rationale for price increases.
“When we look at what’s happening in international markets it is telling a very different story and it’s my job to protect the consumer.”
The minister said Ireland had very strong and robust competition law which stated very clearly that if there was collusion or unfair practices, if competition law had been breached “we will take action through the courts and there is administrative fines which are very significant for those companies.“
“I think we really need to look at what’s happening in the marketplace right now because what’s very clear to me over the last number of days, what’s happening in the international markets in terms of the price of crude oil bears no reflection what’s happening in the Irish market where we’ve seen (increases) upwards of 50 percent by some consumers from their suppliers.”
Katie Mellett – 57 minutes ago
In a post on X, the Irish Embassy in the United Arab Emirates described the situation across the gulf region as “unpredicted and difficult.”
Katie Mellett – 1 hour ago
Turkey to closely follow actions by Kurdish militant group
Turkey said on Thursday that it was closely following actions by the Iranian Kurdish PJAK militant group, adding that its actions threatened Iran’s security and regional stability, amid reports of discussions between Iranian Kurdish militias and the United States about the U.S. and Israeli war against Iran.
On Tuesday, sources told Reuters that the Iranian Kurdish militias had consulted with the United States about whether, and how, to attack Iran’s security forces in the western part of the country.
“The activities of groups that fuel ethnic separatism, such as the terrorist organization PJAK, negatively affect not only Iran’s security but also the overall peace and stability of the region,” Turkey’s defence ministry told a weekly press briefing in Ankara. – Reuters
Katie Mellett – 1 hour ago
Two people injured in Iran drone attack
Two people have been injured after two drones were fired into Azerbaijan by Iran.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said one drone fell on an airport in Nakhchivan, near the border with Iran, and another landed near a school.
In a statement, it condemned the attacks, demanded an explanation from Iran, and said Azerbaijan reserved the right to take “appropriate response measures”.
Azerbaijan has summoned the Iranian ambassador in order to issue a strong protest.
There was no immediate comment from Iran. – Reuters
Katie Mellett – 1 hour ago
South Korea bans travel to Iran for citizens
TOPSHOT – Motorists drive along an expressway as plumes of smoke rise after a strike in Tehran on March 5th, 2026. Photograph: ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images
South Korea has banned travel to Iran for its citizens starting at 6 p.m. (9am Irish time) on Thursday due to heightened safety risk from the war, its foreign ministry said in a statement
Katie Mellett – 1 hour ago
Azerbaijan confirm drone attacks
Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry confirm that drone attacks were carried out from the territory of Iran on Nakhchivan and has summoned Iran’s ambassador.
Katie Mellett – 1 hour ago
Ireland ‘ahead of most European member countries being able to do evacuation flights’
Neale Richmond, Minister of State with responsibility for international development and the diaspora has expressed disappointment at the claim by Senator Patricia Stephenson that the fare of €800 per person for a chartered flight was “a shakedown,” reports Vivienne Clarke.
“I’m very, very disappointed to hear that from Senator Stephenson, someone I respect very much. This is standard practice. This was the same when we did evacuation flights throughout Covid,” he told Newstalk Breakfast.
“There is a contribution. It’s understandable. There’s no mention that children will fly for free. Of course, the six-and-a-half-hour bus ride from Dubai to Muscat will be covered. We have not had any pushback from anyone on the ground. If people are in financial difficulty, that’s a different story.”
Richmond said that officials in the region and in the crisis consular centre had worked very hard to get 300 Irish citizens on a plane tomorrow from Muscat to Dublin to complement another Emirates commercial flight tonight.
“We’re in constant engagement to increase the amount of flights to get primarily those first and foremost who are stranded in transit, but then those who are there on holiday with priority going to the most vulnerable
“We’re actually ahead of most European member countries being able to do evacuation flights. Only the Italians and Germans have gone ahead of us. It is our priority.
“There’s a huge Irish population in the region and transiting through the region and we want to make sure they’re safe.”
The Minister said there were 24,000 registered in the region, 16,000 of whom had registered since Saturday, the “vast majority” were not looking to leave.
“This is their home, about 14,000 Irish people call Dubai itself their home. And I must just say the UAE government in particular have been extremely helpful to the Irish on the ground in terms of providing information, security, covering accommodation costs for those stranded there.
There had been great interest in the first charter flight announced, said Richmond. “We will run as many charter flights as we need. We’re prepared to do more into the week, but that depends on demand.”
Katie Mellett – 1 hour ago
Kurdistan region ‘must not become part of any conflict’, says leader
Nechirvan Barzani, president of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, has issued a statement commemorating the 35th anniversary of the 1991 Kurdish uprising, but in it he has also seemingly hinted at the current conflict unfolding in the Middle East.
In a statement posted on social media, he said: In this commemoration, we reiterate that the Kurdistan region, as always, must remain a key factor in peace and stability and must not become part of any conflict or military escalation that harms the lives and security of our fellow citizens. Protecting the territorial integrity of the Kurdistan region and our constitutional achievements can only be achieved through the unity, cohesion, and shared national responsibility of all political forces and components in Kurdistan. May this commemoration inspire us to overcome challenges, deepen our culture of coexistence and tolerance. Loyalty to the blood of the martyrs means standing together, hand in hand; let us work to preserve stability and build a better future for the generations to come.
His statement follows reports that the Iranian military targeted the headquarters of Iranian Kurdish forces in northern Iraq, as Tehran stepped up attacks on Kurdish regions in both Iran and Iraq.
Kurdish officials told the AP news agency that Kurdish Iranian dissident groups based in northern Iraq were preparing for a potential cross-border military operation in Iran, and the US has asked Iraqi Kurds to support them. – Guardian
Katie Mellett – 1 hour ago
Italy to send air defences to Gulf countries
Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said her country is planning to send air defence aid to Gulf countries, following in the footsteps of the UK, France and Germany.
“This is not only because they are friendly nations, but above all because tens of thousands of Italians live in the region and around 2,000 Italian troops are deployed there, people we want and must protect,” she told the Italian radio station RTL 102.5.
Katie Mellett – 1 hour ago
Azerbaijani airport territory hit by missiles and drones
Missiles and drones flying from the direction of Iran fell on the territory of the airport in the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhchivan on Thursday, a source close to the Azerbaijani government told Reuters.
A fire has started as a result of the incident, the source said, adding that an official statement would soon follow. It was not immediately clear how many missiles and drones fell in the area.
Nakhchivan International Airport is located roughly 10 km from the border with Iran. – Reuters
Katie Mellett – 2 hours ago
Death Toll of Middle East conflict
In Iran, 1,045 people have been killed, including 175 school girls and staff.
In Israel, 10 civilians have been killed. The Israel Defense Forces has not reported any military casualties.
In Lebanon, 77 people have been killed.
One person was killed in Bahrain.
In Kuwait, three people have been killed, including two Kuwaiti soldiers.
One person was killed in Oman.
Three people have been killed in the United Arab Emirates.
Six US service members were killed in Kuwait.
In Syria, four people were killed.
Figures according to Reuters
Katie Mellett – 2 hours ago
A UK overnight, chartered flight did not leave Oman due to ‘operational reasons’
Asked why the flight did not leave as planned, UK Home Office minister Alex Norris told BBC Breakfast, “well, there are operational reasons that can happen in circumstances where these things are being stood up quickly. I know that’s stressful for those people – that’s why there’s support on the ground.
“We made sure we got them hotel rooms for the night as well and we are facilitating and rebooking today’s flight.
“We hope that they do, and there’s multiple flights after it as well.”
The UK government is taking the war between Iran and the US “exceptionally seriously”, Norris insisted.
He added: “This is a very significant situation, one that has profound implications for our nation.
“Here, we’ve moved quickly. We will continue to work with our partners in the region in our collective self-defence.”
Katie Mellett – 2 hours ago
French government opposes Iranian strikes
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot spoke with his Iranian counterpart and told him his government opposes the Iranian strikes and urged the release of the French citizens currently held in Iran, the French foreign ministry said on Thursday.
Barrot “reiterated France’s commitment to the stability of the Middle East, to de-escalation and to the resumption of a demanding diplomatic dialogue, in compliance with international law which must govern the use of force,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Katie Mellett – 2 hours ago
Who has control of the Strait of Hormuz?
Strait of Hormuz – Paul Scott
Iran’s revolutionary guards said, in time of war, passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be under the control of the Islamic Republic.
Previously the US navy said it will escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz “as soon as it can” but is focused on the conflict for now, US energy secretary Chris Wright said on Fox News on Wednesday.
“No, not yet … We’ll do that as soon as we can. Right now, our navy, and of course, our military, is focused on other things, which is disarming this Iranian regime,” Wright said, when asked if any commercial vessels had requested US navy assistance in the Gulf.
President Donald Trump has pledged to provide insurance and naval escorts for ships to contain soaring costs, with oil prices rising on Thursday. At least 200 vessels remain anchored off the coast, according to Reuters estimates.
Katie Mellett – 2 hours ago
First group of Irish citizens returned to Dublin yesterday evening
They’re home!
The first flight from Dubai in almost 5 days – @emirates EK163 – arrived into Dublin Airport just before 11pm, bringing more than 368 passengers back to Ireland. pic.twitter.com/lMIKtwMtSx
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) March 4, 2026
Elaine Gleeson welcomes home her sister Nora Geary from Limerick to Dublin Airport, on the first Emirates flight to have left Dubai International Airport since the no fly zone due to the Iran/US War. Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins Photos
An emotional arrivals hall last night as the first flight from Dubai arrived into Dublin after almost five days. ❤️✈️
Families, friends and loved ones finally reunited. pic.twitter.com/RBUOcuS6zI
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) March 5, 2026
Emirates flight EK163 touched down just before 11pm, with 368 passengers on board, many of them transiting through Ireland before travelling on to other European destinations.
Many of those on the flight had been in the UAE city since last Saturday amid the conflict between Iran and the US and Israel, which caused widespread airspace closures in the Middle East, sparking major disruption to travel
Further direct flights from the Middle East are due to land in Dublin on Thursday, and a Government-chartered plane is expected to fly from Oman to Ireland later this week.
Some were too overcome to speak as they arrived late on Thursday night, while others described alarms in the middle of the night and seeing missile trails in Dubai where the Fairmont The Palm Hotel and the airport were hit.
For more, read here.
Katie Mellett – 2 hours ago
US ship on fire following Iranian hits
According to state media, Iran’s revolutionary guards say they have hit a US tanker in the northern part of the gulf, which is now on fire. – Reuters
However, the US has not confirmed.
Katie Mellett – 2 hours ago
US tells Israel ‘continue to the end, we are with you’
US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, told Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz to “continue to the end, we are with you”, according to a statement by his office.
Katz expressed his condolences over the deaths of US soldiers in the Iran conflict, and thanked Hegseth and US president Donald Trump for their “great support for Israel”.
“The cooperation between president Trump and prime minister [Binyamin] Netanyahu against Iran is changing regional and global history,” the statement from the Israeli defence minister’s office said, according to the Times of Israel. – Guardian
Katie Mellett – 2 hours ago
US Senate blocks measure to halt American air assault
Republican senators in Washington voted against a motion aimed at stopping the air campaign and requiring that military action be authorised by Congress, leaving Donald Trump’s power to direct the war largely unbound. – Guardian
The US Senate voted 53 to 47 not to advance the resolution, largely along party lines, with all but one Republican voting against the procedural motion and all but one Democrat supporting it. – Reuters
For more, read here.
Katie Mellett – 2 hours ago
Hamas official killed in Israeli strikes
Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs. Photograph: Hassan Ammar/AP
Israel said it carried out strikes on Beirut targeting Hizbullah on Thursday while Lebanese state media reported an Israeli drone strike killed a Hamas official.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported several strikes early in the day, including two in the Hizbullah stronghold of south Beirut, where smoke was seen rising.
Israel’s military, which earlier told residents to leave the suburbs where the strikes were reported, said its forces hit several “command centres” of the Iran-backed militant group in the city.
The NNA said a pre-dawn Israeli drone strike hit an apartment in Beddawi, a Palestinian refugee camp near Tripoli, killing senior Hamas official Wassim Atallah al-Ali and his wife.
This is the first reported targeted killing of a Hamas official since the regional war began on Saturday. – Guardian
Katie Mellett – 2 hours ago
US will ‘bitterly regret’ sinking Iranian warship
The U.S. has perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran’s shores.
Frigate Dena, a guest of India’s Navy carrying almost 130 sailors, was struck in international waters without warning.
Mark my words: The U.S. will come to bitterly regret precedent it has set. pic.twitter.com/cxYiI9BLUk
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 5, 2026
Iran’s foreign minister said the US will “bitterly regret” sinking an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka.
Abas Araghchi posted on X: The US has perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran’s shores. Frigate Dena, a guest of India’s navy carrying almost 130 sailors, was struck in international waters without warning. Mark my words: The US will come to bitterly regret precedent it has set.
US defence secretary Pete Hegseth earlier confirmed that a US submarine sunk the Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, saying the ship “thought it was safe in international waters”.
He said, “instead it was sunk by a torpedo, a quiet death – the first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since world war II. Like in that war, back when we were still the war department, we are fighting to win.” – Guardian
Katie Mellett – 3 hours ago
Member of exiled Iranian Kurdish group killed by Iranian hit
People inspect damage at a building whose windows were shattered following air defences’ interception of a projectile or drone over a residential neighbourhood in Arbil, the capital of Iraq’s northern autonomous Kurdish region, on March 4th, 2026. Photograph: Safin HAMID / AFP via Getty Images
Iran says it has targeted Kurdish groups in Iraq and warned “separatist groups” against action in the widening war.
Tehran said on Thursday it had hit Iraq-based Kurdish groups “opposed to the revolution”, as reports said the US was looking to arm Kurdish militias to infiltrate Iran.
The strikes, which killed a member from an exiled Iranian Kurdish group, according to a representative, came after a warning from Iranian officials. – Guardian
Katie Mellett – 3 hours ago
Iran to respect Turkey’s sovereignty
People stand next to an Iranian missile after it fell near Qamishli International Airport, near the Turkish border in the Qamishli district of Hasakah, Syria, on March 4th, 2026. Photograph: Amjad Kurdo / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images
Following the missile Iran fired toward Turkey yesterday and was destroyed by Nato air and missile defence systems, Iran’s armed forces, said in a statement, that they will respect Turkey’s sovereignty and deny firing any missile towards its territory. – Guardian
Katie Mellett – 3 hours ago
As many as 24,000 Australians stuck in UAE
Australia’s government has deployed military assets as part of contingency planning to assist Australians stranded in the Middle East.
The government is planning contingencies to help tens of thousands of Australian citizens and permanent residents.
While the government is urging Australians to take up commercial options to get home, the defence department has launched Operation Beech, part of the consular effort to provide assistance.
As many as 24,000 Australians are stuck in the United Arab Emirates alone. – Guardian
Katie Mellett – 3 hours ago
Fresh attacks on Iran
Smoke rises after an airstrike in central Tehran, Iran, March 5th 2026. Photograph: EPA
The Israeli military has reportedly said it is beginning a new widespread wave of attacks in Tehran, as the conflict enters its sixth day. – Guardian
Iran also launched a wave of missiles at Israel early on Thursday, sending millions of residents into bomb shelters, with attacks on Israeli and American bases.