U.S. military bases and the Israeli embassy in Bahrain attacked; U.S. military operations may cost $891 million daily! Iranian Foreign Minister refuses to negotiate with the United States

According to CCTV News, on the morning of March 6 local time, the Qatar Ministry of Defense announced that a drone attack targeted the U.S. Udeid Air Base near Doha, Qatar, which was subsequently shot down by Qatar’s air defense system.

The U.S. Udeid Air Base in Qatar is located about 35 kilometers southwest of Doha, approximately 200 kilometers from the Iranian border, and hosts about 10,000 U.S. military personnel. It is one of the largest U.S. military bases in the Gulf region.

A reporter from the main station learned from Iran on March 6 that the Israeli embassy in Manama, Bahrain, was attacked.

Israel and Bahrain have not responded to this.

Notably, Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian stated on March 5 in Tehran that Iran has been attacked twice during negotiations, has no reason to negotiate with the U.S., and has not requested a ceasefire from the U.S.

Bahrain and Kuwait Sound Air Defense Alarms Again

In the early hours of March 6 local time, air defense alarms sounded again in Bahrain and Kuwait. Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior later issued a statement saying that two hotels and a residential building in the country were targeted by missiles and drones, causing damage to the facilities but no reports of casualties so far.

Reports indicate that U.S. personnel temporarily stayed in these three buildings after evacuating from the U.S. Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain, but no official statements from Bahrain or the U.S. have confirmed this. Kuwaiti military sources said they are actively responding to the incoming missiles and drones.

Additionally, in the early hours of today (March 6), flames and thick smoke rose from the Kuwaiti Ali Al Salem Air Base. Witness footage shows an explosion with large flames and billowing black smoke.

Since February 28, the U.S. and Israel have launched airstrikes against Iran, with Iran continuously firing drones and missiles at Israeli and U.S. military bases in the region. The Ali Al Salem Air Base has also been previously attacked.

According to a statement from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on March 1, this base has ceased operations due to the attacks. The U.S. State Department announced on March 5 that the U.S. has suspended operations at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait.

U.S. Think Tank: About $3.7 Billion Spent on Iran Military Actions in First Four Days

A CCTV reporter learned on March 5 that, according to the U.S. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies, the initial four days of U.S. military actions against Iran cost approximately $3.7 billion, averaging about $891 million per day.

Analysis suggests that the high costs mainly stem from intensive initial strikes. U.S. forces used about 2,000 precision-guided munitions within days of the attack, including Tomahawk cruise missiles costing over $2 million each.

Additional costs include military deployment and equipment losses. For example, the U.S. deployed about 50,000 soldiers, 200 fighter jets, and over a dozen naval vessels, including two aircraft carriers, to the Middle East in a short period. Losses may also include three F-15 fighters lost in Kuwait due to “friendly fire,” each costing about $31 million.

Deputy Secretary of Defense for Policy, Elbridge Colby, told Congress on May 5 that he cannot provide a specific figure for the costs. Some Democrats estimate the actual expenditure could be as high as $1 billion per day.

Trump Says No Time Limit on Iran Military Action

On March 4, local time, U.S. President Donald Trump said in an interview that he has “no time limit” on how long the military actions against Iran will last.

Trump stated that the U.S. primary goal is to ensure Iran “cannot possess nuclear weapons,” and he also hopes Iran will no longer have ballistic missiles.

When asked whether the U.S. mainland might face retaliatory attacks, Trump said the risk always exists and that “people will die” in war.

In an interview on March 1, Trump said the military actions against Iran might continue for about four more weeks. On March 5, U.S. reports indicated that the U.S. is not fully prepared for an expanded military campaign against Iran but is adding personnel and resources to support the war for at least 100 days or even until September.

U.S. Military Possibly Responsible for Attacking Iranian School

According to CCTV News, Reuters, citing two U.S. officials, reports that U.S. military investigators believe the U.S. is likely responsible for the February 28 airstrike on an Iranian girls’ school. Iran reported that 165 people were killed in the incident. The U.S. has not yet issued a final official conclusion, and the investigation is ongoing.

Reuters states that further details about the investigation, including evidence, munitions used, and reasons for attacking the school, have not been disclosed. The officials said that new evidence might emerge that could exonerate the U.S. and point to another responsible party.

The Pentagon responded to this report by saying, “It is not appropriate to comment while the investigation is ongoing.” The White House did not respond.

According to a senior Israeli official and a source involved in U.S.-Israel joint operations planning, so far, attacks inside Iran by Israel and the U.S. have been divided by geographic scope and target type. Israel mainly targets missile launch sites in western Iran, while the U.S. attacks targets in the south and naval facilities.

Under international humanitarian law, deliberately attacking schools, hospitals, or other civilian facilities constitutes a war crime. If confirmed that the U.S. participated in this attack, it would be one of the deadliest incidents involving civilian casualties in decades of Middle East conflicts.

Sri Lanka Rescues Iranian Naval Crew

On March 6, a CCTV reporter learned that the Sri Lankan Navy spokesperson said that over 200 crew members of the Iranian Navy’s “Bushehr” supply ship have been safely evacuated near Sri Lankan waters and taken to Colombo port.

The “Bushehr” is an Iranian logistics support vessel. It requested entry into Sri Lankan waters due to engine failure.

Image source: CCTV News

On March 4, the Iranian frigate “Dena,” returning from India, was sunk by a U.S. submarine near Sri Lankan waters, resulting in at least 87 deaths. Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa stated on the evening of March 5 that, after detailed discussions, Sri Lanka has decided to assist another Iranian warship near Sri Lankan waters.

(Article source: Daily Economic News)