🔥 Iran / Middle East — Major Developments

▸ US says nearly 2,000 targets hit in Iran war; Iran claims ‘complete control’ of Strait of Hormuz https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/mar/04/iran-war-live-updates-us-israel-latest-news-strait-of-hormuz-middle-east-crisis

▸ Iran struggling to function as war turns into fight for survival https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/03/chaos-signals-iran-struggling-to-function-as-war-turns-into-fight-for-survival

▸ War could be decided by who runs out of missiles or interceptors first https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/03/middle-east-war-decided-interceptors-missiles

▸ Trump administration still hasn’t settled on reasons for going to war with Iran https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/03/trump-administration-reasons-for-going-to-war-with-iran

▸ Deadliest attack on Israel since war began — 9 killed, synagogue destroyed https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/03/israelis-mourn-after-deadly-iranian-attack

▸ US troops told Iran war was ‘all part of God’s divine plan,’ watchdog alleges https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/03/us-israel-iran-war-christian-rhetoric

▸ Global markets tumble as Trump bid to avert oil crisis at Strait of Hormuz fails https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/mar/04/stock-market-fall-trump-hormuz-oil-prices

🇪🇺 Europe

▸ Trump rebukes Starmer again over UK refusal to allow Iran strikes from UK bases https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/03/trump-rebukes-starmer-again-for-not-letting-us-attack-iran-from-uk-bases

▸ UK considers sending Royal Navy destroyer to Cyprus https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/03/uk-considers-sending-royal-navy-destroyer-to-cyprus

▸ Middle East conflict offers economic lifeline to Russia’s flagging war machine https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/04/middle-east-conflict-offers-economic-lifeline-to-russias-flagging-war-machine

🛡️ Defense / GovCon

▸ CesiumAstro acquires Vidrovr to embed AI in space comms & ISR platforms

▸ US military launches operation in Ecuador to combat drug trafficking https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/04/us-military-operation-ecuador-drug-trafficking