Reference News, March 6 report (by Du Yuanjiang) On March 6, the military conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran entered its seventh day, with the scope of the war continuing to expand. Iran launched a new round of attacks on U.S. and Israeli bases, claiming to have hit an American oil tanker in the Persian Gulf and attacked the bases of Kurdish armed forces in Iraq. The United States said it had sunk more than 30 Iranian vessels and hit an Iranian drone carrier. The Israeli military said it had completed the "twelfth round of strikes" on Tehran and launched new strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon. In addition, due to the war, 20,000 seafarers and 15,000 cruise ship passengers are stranded in the Persian Gulf area. Several European countries have pledged to provide military assistance to Cyprus, an EU member state.
The following are the latest updates as of 9:00 a.m. Beijing Time on the 6th:
Iran launches missiles with 1-ton warheads to strike Israel
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran said on the 5th that it had launched the heavy "Khorramshahr-4" missile, which carries a 1-ton warhead, to strike the center of Tel Aviv, Ben-Gurion Airport, and the Israeli Air Force base located at the airport.
Iran attacks Kurdish armed forces' bases in Iraq
According to a statement by the Iranian military quoted by the Islamic Republic News Agency on the 5th, Iran launched three missiles to attack several bases of Kurdish armed forces in the Kurdish region of Iraq.
Iran claims to have hit an American oil tanker in the northern Persian Gulf
According to Reuters, the Iranian state television reported on the 5th that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps hit an American oil tanker located in the northern Persian Gulf, which caught fire.
Iran claims to have attacked the U.S. aircraft carrier "Lincoln"
On social media, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported on the 5th, citing a statement from the Iranian military, that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps carried out a drone attack on the U.S. aircraft carrier "Lincoln" located in the Oman Gulf. The carrier and its escort destroyers have left the attack site.
Iran says it has not closed the Strait of Hormuz
Several Iranian media outlets quoted an Iranian officer on the 5th saying that Iran has not closed the Strait of Hormuz. The officer said that Iran treats passing ships according to international agreements, "only intercepting warships disguised as merchant ships."
Iranese media: Iran has not sent any message to the United States
An Iranian official said on the 5th, according to Tasnim News Agency, that Iran has neither sent any messages to the United States nor will respond to any messages from the United States. The official also said that the Iranian armed forces are prepared for a prolonged war.
U.S. says it has sunk more than 30 Iranian vessels and hit an Iranian drone carrier
According to AFP, General Brad Cooper, commander of the U.S. Central Command, said on the 5th that in the ongoing war against Iran, the U.S. has sunk more than 30 Iranian vessels and hit an Iranian drone carrier of a size comparable to a World War II-era aircraft carrier.
Cooper also said that since the war began, the number of ballistic missile attacks by Iran has decreased by 90%, and the number of drone attacks has decreased by 83%.
U.S. media: Trump asks Kurds to assist U.S. operations against Iran
According to The Washington Post, U.S. President Trump asked the Kurds to assist the U.S. in actions against Iran and said he would provide support, including air cover.
Bill to limit Trump's war powers rejected in the U.S. House of Representatives
The U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass a bill on the 5th aimed at requiring President Trump to obtain congressional authorization before taking further military action against Iran. The previous day, the Senate had also rejected a similar bill.
Israel continues to intercept Iranian missiles and launches new strikes against Hezbollah
According to AP, Iran fired more missiles at U.S. and Israeli bases on the 5th, and Israel carried out interception.
At the same time, the Israeli military said that the Israeli army launched new strikes against the Lebanese Hezbollah, which is supported by Iran.
Israeli military says it has completed the "twelfth round of strikes" on Tehran
The Israeli Defense Forces said on the 5th that the Israeli army completed the "twelfth round of strikes" on Tehran on the morning of the same day. The headquarters of the Iranian special forces in the western Alborz province of Tehran and a militia base in Tehran were attacked by the Israeli military.
15,000 cruise ship passengers are stranded in the Persian Gulf area
According to AFP, the United Nations shipping regulatory body said on the 5th that there are currently 20,000 seafarers and 15,000 cruise ship passengers stranded in the Persian Gulf area.
Several European countries pledge to provide military assistance to Cyprus
According to AFP, a member of President Macron's team in France said on the 5th that France, Italy and Greece have agreed to coordinate the deployment of military assets to Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean, and have agreed to jointly ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The Royal Air Force base of the UK in Akrotiri, Cyprus was attacked by an Iranian drone on the 1st.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7613961865546220095/
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