**Summary:** Two civilians were injured following a drone attack attributed to Iran on the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) strongly condemned the drone attacks, which damaged the airport terminal and a school building, and summoned the Iranian Ambassador to present a note of protest.

**Key points:**
- One drone struck the terminal building of Nakhchivan Airport, and another landed near a school in Shekerabad village.
- Azerbaijan's MFA demanded that the Islamic Republic of Iran provide clarification and take urgent measures to prevent recurrence.
- Azerbaijan reserved the right to take corresponding retaliatory measures.
- The Iranian Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Mojtaba Dermichilou, was summoned to the MFA.

**Why it matters:** The drone attack on Azerbaijani territory, allegedly launched from Iranian territory, is viewed by Baku as a violation of international law that contributes to regional tension.

Два человека пострадали в результате атаки иранских дронов по Нахчывану

İran tərəfindən Naxçıvana edilən dron hücumları nəticəsində iki nəfər mülki şəxs xəsarət alıb - RƏSMİ

İran tərəfindən qısa müddət dron hücumuna aydınlıq gətirilməsini tələb edirik - Rəsmi Bakı

Появилось видео из аэропорта Азербайджана после взрыва иранского дрона

Азербайджан вызвал посла Ирана из-за взрыва дрона в аэропорту Нахичевани

Iran Drone Attack in Nakhchivan Injures Two Civilians; Azerbaijan Summons Iranian Ambassador

**Summary:** Iran's Armed Forces officially denied launching any missile toward Turkish territory, stating they respect Turkey's sovereignty. This followed Turkey's report of intercepting an Iranian ballistic missile that had flown over Iraq and Syria.

**Key points:**
- The intercepted missile was reportedly an Iranian ballistic missile.
- Debris from the interceptor missile fell in the Dörtyol district of Turkey's Hatay province, with no reported casualties or damage.
- A Turkish official stated that Turkey was "not the target of the missile."
- The incident prompted a review of risks and threats related to the Middle East conflict in Bulgaria.
- The US destroyer USS Oscar Austin, part of a NATO contingent, was reported to have shot down the missile.

**Why it matters:** The alleged missile launch toward a NATO member state raises regional tensions amid ongoing US and Israeli operations against Iran, prompting security reassessments.

В Иране отрицают запуск ракеты в направлении Турции - Day.az

Иран ответил на сообщения о запуске ракеты в сторону Турции - Tengrinews.kz

Техеран: хората се питат - да избягам или да остана? - Actualno.com

Иранската армия официално отрече да е изстрелвала ракета към Турция - DarikNews.bg

"Има риск за България": Тодор Тагарев обясни какви ракети има Иран и имаме ли система за защита - Actualno.com

Iran denies launching missile toward Turkey after interception

**Summary:** Iran launched a wave of missiles at Israel, causing residents to take shelter as the U.S.-Israel war entered its sixth day. Concurrently, US Republican senators blocked a resolution that aimed to stop the US air campaign against Iran and require Congressional authorization for military action.

**Key points:**
- Strikes in Iran reportedly hit Sanandaj near a media center and areas across Tehran.
- The US Senate voted 53 to 47 against advancing the resolution to halt the air campaign.
- A US submarine sank an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka on Wednesday, killing at least 80 people.
- NATO air defenses destroyed an Iranian ballistic missile fired toward Turkey.
- Farewell ceremonies for the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, were indefinitely postponed.
- Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the slain supreme leader, was reportedly not in Tehran when his father was killed.

**Why it matters:** The conflict is widening, drawing in Turkey and paralyzing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while domestic political moves in Washington regarding presidential war powers were defeated.

Jagonews24 - ইসরায়েলে কয়েক দফা ক্ষেপণাস্ত্র ছুড়েছে ইরান

Deccan Chronicle - Israeli Airstrike Reportedly Kills Hamas Official, Says Lebanese Media

Al Jazeera - Video: Intense US-Israeli bombardment across Iran

Cyprus Mail - Iran launches wave of missiles at Israel; US Republicans block measure to halt US air campaign

Iran Missiles Hit Israel; US Senate Blocks War Powers Halt

**Summary:** SOCAR Balkan, the regional office of Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR, has made significant progress on gasification projects in Bulgaria and Albania, according to Murad Heydarov, head of the regional office. The company is focusing on gas supply, cross-border transportation, and developing gas distribution networks in Southeastern Europe and the Balkans.

**Key points:**
- SOCAR completed Front End Engineering Design (FEED) for a gas distribution network project in Panagyurishte, Bulgaria, with further analysis planned for 2026.
- In 2025, SOCAR achieved success with a hybrid gasification project in Bulgaria, supplying nearly 80 million cubic meters of compressed natural gas (CNG) to 46 industrial and 5 social consumers.
- In Albania, the company presented the 'NUR' gasification pilot project in Korça, aiming for the start of commercial CNG supplies by the end of 2026.
- Total gas supplies by Azerbaijan Gas Supply Company (AGSC) and SOCAR to Bulgaria in 2025 were just under 2 billion cubic meters, comparable to 2024 levels.

**Why it matters:** These developments underscore Southeastern Europe and the Balkans as key strategic growth areas for SOCAR's energy expansion, including gas distribution and petroleum product market assessment.

day.az - SOCAR Balkan достигла значительного прогресса в проектах газификации Болгарии и Албании

trend.az - SOCAR finalizes FEED for gas distribution network in Bulgaria (Exclusive)

trend.az - SOCAR Balkan updates on hybrid gasification project in Bulgaria (Exclusive)

SOCAR Balkan Reports Progress on Gasification Projects in Bulgaria and Albania

**Summary:** Ecuador declared the Cuban ambassador to Quito, Basilio Antonio Gutiérrez García, persona non grata and ordered the departure of all accredited personnel from the Cuban diplomatic mission. This action was communicated via a notification from Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, granting a 48-hour deadline for departure.

**Key points:**
- The measure was adopted under Article 9 of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which permits states to declare foreign diplomats persona non grata without justification.
- The decision coincides with Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa terminating the functions of Ecuador's ambassador to Cuba, José María Borja López, via Executive Decree 317 on March 3, 2026.
- The expulsion of the Cuban mission follows closely after President Daniel Noboa met with US President Donald Trump in Miami.
- The Ecuadorian Ministry of Defense stated that details of the 'OFENSIVA TOTAL' operations are reserved to avoid hindering future actions.

**Why it matters:** The simultaneous expulsion of the Cuban diplomatic mission and the recall of Ecuador's ambassador signals a significant deterioration in bilateral relations, potentially leading to a formal rupture.

Ecuador declara “persona non grata” al embajador de Cuba y ordena la salida de diplomáticos

Ecuador abre la puerta a Estados Unidos en una “nueva fase” de la guerra contra el narco | EL PAÍS América

Ecuador expulsa al embajador de Cuba de Quito y retira a su propio representante en La Habana

Ecuador declares Cuban ambassador persona non grata, orders diplomatic staff exit

**Summary:** The USA confirmed that an American submarine sank an Iranian warship, the IRIS Dena, using a torpedo off the coast of Sri Lanka on Monday in the Indian Ocean. Sri Lankan officials confirmed the incident and initiated rescue operations following a distress call from the vessel.

**Key points:**
- US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the sinking at a Pentagon press conference, calling it the first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since WWII.
- The Iranian vessel, identified as the frigate 'IRIS Dena,' was reportedly built by Iran and armed with heavy guns and missiles.
- Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed the strike occurred around 5 am local time.
- Casualty reports vary: Reuters cited the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister stating at least 80 people were killed, while dpa reported 101 missing.
- Sri Lankan naval vessels were dispatched for rescue efforts by 6 am local time.

**Why it matters:** This event marks the first time a US submarine has sunk an enemy ship with a torpedo since World War II, significantly escalating tensions in the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

USA bestätigen Angriff: Iranisches Kriegsschiff vor Sri Lanka versenkt

US submarine uses torpedo to SINK Iranian warship in international waters for first time since WWII

US Submarine Sinks Iranian Warship IRIS Dena Off Sri Lanka

**Summary:** Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stated "No to war" after US President Donald Trump threatened to cut all trade with Spain for refusing US planes access to its bases for potential attacks on Iran. French President Emmanuel Macron called Sanchez to express solidarity against the economic coercion.

**Key points:**
- Trump called Spain a "terrible" ally after the refusal, which also involved criticism over Spain's defense spending pledge.
- Sanchez affirmed Spain would not be complicit in actions harmful to the world or contrary to its values.
- US forces utilize the Rota naval base and Moron air base in Spain.
- Macron's office confirmed France's European solidarity in response to the threats of economic coercion targeting Spain.

**Why it matters:** The dispute highlights significant transatlantic tension regarding the US military operation against Iran, with a key European ally refusing support and receiving backing from another major European power.

MyJoyOnline - Trump’s support risks dragging Europe into a new crisis

Daily Post Nigeria - No to war – Spain insists after Trump's threats over denying US access to Iran

News18 - 'No To War': Spanish PM Defies Trump's Trade Threat Over Iran, Gets Macron's Backing

Daily Mail Online - Iran strikes pummel Trump approval to all-time low as Americans turn on war: 'He said he'd be the peace president'

Daily Mail Online - Starmer swipes that Trump doesn't have a 'viable thought-through plan' for Iran war as Special Relationship goes into meltdown

Spain Defies Trump's Trade Threat Over Iran, Gains Macron's Backing

**Summary:** The Israel Defense Forces (IDF/Tsahal) announced a new wave of large-scale missile strikes targeting sites in Tehran, Iran. This follows reports that Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, was chosen as his successor by the Assembly of Experts, though this remains unconfirmed by Iran.

**Key points:**
- The strikes targeted objects belonging to the "Iranian terrorist regime" in Tehran.
- The head of US CENTCOM, Bradley Cooper, previously stated the US had struck 2000 targets in Iran since the operation began.
- British political scientist Daniel Levy suggested Israel's strategy aims for Iran's state collapse and regional hegemony, potentially leading to a NATO-like alliance.
- Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that any leader appointed by the Iranian regime to replace Ali Khamenei would be an "unambiguous target for elimination."
- The US and Israel had considered striking a week earlier but postponed due to intelligence and operational reasons, including adverse weather.

**Why it matters:** The escalation of military action by Israel against Iran, coupled with the reported selection of a successor to the recently killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, signals a significant and potentially destabilizing development in regional security.

Lenta.ru - Израиль начал новую волну масштабных ударов по Ирану

Lenta.ru - Названы следующие «грандиозные планы» Израиля после Ирана

Actualno.com - Израел заплаши: Ще убиваме всеки нов ирански лидер

15min.lt - Izraelis pradėjo plataus masto smūgius Teherane

Israel Launches New Wave of Strikes Against Iran Amid Succession Uncertainty