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Thursday Brief · Issue #319
Iran Targets Azerbaijan, Israel's Largest Oil Supplier As Conflict Widens
Back to homeBasedment Analysis
ISSUE #319Thursday, 5 March 20264 min read5 stories · 1 deep dive
01
The Briefing
◆Here’s what’s happening in geopolitics today. The Iran conflict continues to ripple across the globe: U.S. lawmakers reject an effort to halt the war, a U.S. submarine sinks an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka, and European forces quietly bolster their presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Meanwhile, tensions spread to the Caucasus as Azerbaijan accuses Iran of a drone strike, while in East Africa Somalia’s parliament votes to extend the president’s term, stirring political debate at home. In today’s deep dive, we cover Iran targeting Israel's central oil supply, as the U.S. looks to buy Ukrainian interceptors. Whilst Russia condemns suspected Ukrainian attacks on it's naval assets.
— The Basedment Editorial Team· 05 Mar 2026
02
The Last 24 Hours in Geopolitics
◆01
Senate Republicans vote down legislation to halt Iran war
U.S. Senate Republicans voted down a war powers resolution aimed at halting the ongoing U.S. military campaign against Iran, marking Congress’s first major vote on the conflict. The measure would have required President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval before continuing military operations against Tehran, but it failed in a 47–53 vote largely along party lines. The result leaves the administration’s authority to continue strikes against Iran intact for now.
02
US uses torpedo to sink Iranian warship off Sri Lankan coast
A U.S. Navy submarine sank an Iranian warship off the southern coast of Sri Lanka using a torpedo, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Washington, Israel, and Tehran. The vessel was struck in international waters while returning from naval exercises in India, with reports indicating at least 87 sailors were killed and dozens more missing. The strike was confirmed by U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and is notable as the first time since World War II that a U.S. submarine has sunk an enemy warship using a torpedo.
03
Greek frigates Kimon and Psara dock in Limassol port in Cyprus
Two Greek Navy frigates, HS Kimon and HS Psara, docked at the port of Limassol in Cyprus as part of heightened security measures in the Eastern Mediterranean. The deployment comes amid escalating regional tensions linked to the wider conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, with European allies increasing their military presence around Cyprus. Greek officials said the ships form part of a defensive posture aimed at strengthening the island’s security and protecting regional maritime routes.
04
Azerbaijan vows to respond after drone attack
Azerbaijan has vowed to respond after supposed Iranian drones struck its Nakhchivan exclave, injuring civilians and damaging infrastructure, including the terminal building of Nakhchivan International Airport. Azerbaijani officials condemned the incident as a violation of sovereignty, summoned Iran’s ambassador for an explanation, and said the attack would not go unanswered.
05
Somali parliament approves constitution change to extend President’s term
Somalia’s parliament has approved constitutional amendments extending the terms of both lawmakers and the president from four to five years, effectively delaying the country’s next elections by one year. The measure passed with 222 out of 329 lawmakers voting in favour, and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud described the move as a milestone in completing the country’s long-delayed constitutional process. However, opposition leaders criticised the decision and called for elections to proceed as originally scheduled, warning the amendment could deepen political tensions in a country still facing security threats from al‑Shabaab.
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Daily Deep Dive
◆Analysis · iran
Iran Targets Azerbaijan, Israel's Largest Oil Supplier As Conflict Widens
Today we cover Iran targeting Israel's central oil supply, as the U.S. looks to buy Ukrainian interceptors. Whilst Russia condemns suspected Ukrainian attacks on it's naval assets.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict Overnight on March 1–2, Ukrainian forces carried out strikes against the Russian naval base in Novorossiysk, reportedly damaging a Russian frigate and several other naval vessels. This continues Kyiv’s broader strategy of pushing the war deeper into Russia’s rear logistics and naval infrastructure. At the same time, Moscow is accusing Ukraine of escalating the conflict after a Russian LNG tanker in the Mediterranean Sea exploded and sank, claiming it was hit by Ukrainian sea drones. If confirmed, this would represent a significant expansion of Ukraine’s maritime drone campaign, targeting not only military assets but also vessels linked to Russia’s shadow energy fleet, which helps Moscow bypass sanctions and fund the war.
Horn Of Africa Conflict Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it has been monitoring unmanned aerial vehicles entering Sudan from Ethiopian territory throughout February and early March, striking targets inside the country. Khartoum condemned the incidents as a serious violation of sovereignty and an act of aggression, warning Ethiopian authorities of consequences and affirming its right to defend its territory by all necessary means.
This development adds another layer to Sudan’s already complex war. Increasingly, the conflict is showing signs of regional spillover, with rival blocs emerging. With broadly UAE-aligned networks backing one side, while Saudi and Turkish interests align with opposing factions, turning Sudan into a wider geopolitical battleground.
Sources
News/Journal sources available upon request, not shown to maintain visual integrity of page.
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Tweet of the Day
◆Tweet of the Day
قرصان ☭
@ahmadovichz · Twitter / X
No one: Reza Pahlavi:
05
Today in History
◆—
This Day in History
TODAY IN HISTORY (March 5, 1770): Boston Massacre
Harassed by a mob, British troops on this day in 1770 opened fire, killing Crispus Attucks and four others in the Boston Massacre, an event that galvanized anti-British feelings in the lead-up to the American Revolution.
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