Russia has provided Iran with information that could help Tehran strike American warships, aircraft and other assets in the region, according to two officials familiar with U.S. intelligence on the matter. It’s the first indication that Moscow has sought to get involved in the war.

Escalation of Hostilities and Casualties

The death toll continues to rise. At least 1,230 people in Iran, more than 200 in Lebanon and around a dozen in Israel have been killed, according to officials in those countries. Six U.S. troops have been killed. The U.S. military said early Friday that it struck an Iranian drone carrier, setting it ablaze. Its Central Command released black-and-white footage of the burning carrier. The Iranian military did not immediately acknowledge the attack.

Iranian Naval Movements and U.S. Response

India reportedly allowed an Iranian navy ship to dock in Kochi since March 4, after the ship developed urgent technical issues. The ship, IRIS Lavan, is a 2,500-ton Hengam-class landing ship. The U.S. sank the Iranian warship IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka’s coast Wednesday, and the IRIS Bushehr sought assistance from Sri Lanka, with its more than 200 sailors being brought to that island nation.

Azerbaijan’s security agency said it thwarted planned attacks prepared by Iran’s Major Guard. The agency said Iranian agents and their local accomplices were planning to blow up the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and launch attacks at the Israeli Embassy in Baku, a synagogue and a leader of the country’s Jewish community. Four Azerbaijani citizens were charged with involvement in the plot and given 6 ½-year prison sentences. Three others were arrested.

Regional Impact and Civilian Concerns

Iran’s UN Ambassador accused the U.S. and Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, stating they are deliberately targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure across the country, including densely populated residential areas. He said Iran does not seek war or escalation but reiterated that Tehran will take all necessary measures to defend itself, its territory and its independence.

Air Canada canceled Toronto-Tel Aviv flights until May 2 and Toronto-Dubai flights until at least March 28 due to the military conflict. Saudi Arabia said it destroyed four drones that were heading toward its Shaybah oil field in the Empty Quarter desert. The country’s Ministry of Defense said it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile targeting Prince Sultan Air Base in eastern Riyadh.

Reported clashes between gunmen and an Israeli force that landed on mountains in eastern Lebanon. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said local gunmen tried to repel the force on the edge of the town of Nabi Chit, a stronghold of the Hezbollah militant group. Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV reported that Israeli forces tried to land three times in Nabi Chit and the third attempt occurred after midnight Friday. It was said to have been met inside the town by Hezbollah and local fighters who clashed with it.

Azerbaijan’s security agency said the attacks were aimed at sowing panic and denting the Caspian Sea nation’s international image. The agency said the suspects brought explosives into the country and hid them in secret caches.

U.S. Military Response and Political Rhetoric

Pentagon chief Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” that the U.S. is “tracking everything” and factoring it into battle plans, when asked about reports that U.S. intelligence shows Russia is providing Iran with information that could help it strike American assets in the Middle East. He said the American people can rest assured their commander-in-chief is well aware of who’s talking to who. He added that anything that shouldn’t be happening, whether in public or back-channeled, is being confronted and confronted strongly.

U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to rule out negotiations with Iran in a social media post calling for its “unconditional surrender.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later added that “unconditional surrender” could come even if Iran isn’t in a position to say so for itself. Trump told media outlets on Thursday that he wants to be involved in picking Iran’s next leader.

Trump also said that the U.S. military is doing “phenomenally” in Iran, stating that on a scale of one to 10, he would rank U.S. military actions as “a 12 to 15.” He said that the U.S. had a choice and “we did something about it.”

Saudi Arabia intercepted drones heading for an oil field, and drones hit Basra oil sites, including U.S. contractor facilities in Iraq. Air raid sirens were reported in Bahrain, with residents urged to seek shelter.

The situation continues to unfold with no immediate end in sight, and the involvement of Russia adds a new layer of complexity to an already volatile region.