US-Iran War News Live Updates: No Plans To Pursue A Ceasefire, Says Iran; Ukraine Agrees To Assist US

In the Axios interview, Trump derided the 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei, who has never been elected or appointed to a government position, as “a lightweight.”

"We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran," Trump said.

"I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy in Venezuela," said Trump, referring to the acting president in the South American country. Delcy Rodríguez took power in January after a US military operation captured Nicolás Maduro and whisked him to the US to face federal drug conspiracy charges.

US President Donald Trump he should be involved in choosing Iran's next supreme leader as the US and Israel hammered the country for a sixth day. Trump ruled out Mojtaba Khamenei, a front-runner to replace his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the opening strikes of the war.

Trump's comments to the American news website Axios were likely to renew questions about whether the US and Israel seek the overthrow of the Islamic Republic or just a change in its policies, as the conflict has appeared increasingly open-ended.

Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has stated that Tehran is fully prepared for the possibility of a U.S. ground offensive and has no plans to pursue a ceasefire or enter negotiations with Washington as the conflict with the United States and Israel escalates.

Speaking in a firm tone during an interview with NBC News, Araghchi said Iran’s armed forces are ready for any development and warned that any American ground operation would carry severe consequences for U.S. troops.

Canada’s defence chief has delivered a significant message, signalling that while Canada may contribute to efforts to help protect the Persian Gulf, the country will not take part in any U.S.-led military attacks on Iran. 

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that Ukraine will assist the United States and its allies in countering Iran’s Shahed drones, following a request from Washington. He explained that he had received a formal appeal from the US for support in defending against drone attacks in the Middle East, and had authorised the transfer of equipment along with Ukrainian specialists, though he did not disclose specific details, as per reports from Guardian.

Russia has deployed tens of thousands of Shahed drones against Ukraine over the course of the war, at one point unleashing more than 800 drones and decoys in a single large‑scale overnight assault. Iran, in turn, has used the same drone model in retaliation to joint US‑Israeli strikes, launching them at targets across the Middle East.

The United States has announced that its forces struck an Iranian drone carrier, leaving the vessel ablaze, as the US‑Israeli offensive against Iran continues into its seventh day. In a statement posted on X, US Central Command said that American forces “are not holding back” in their campaign to dismantle Iran’s naval capabilities.

The command described the targeted drone carrier as being comparable in size to a World War II–era aircraft carrier. The statement did not specify the location of the strike.

U.S. forces aren't holding back on the mission to sink the entire Iranian Navy. Today, an Iranian drone carrier, roughly the size of a WWII aircraft carrier, was struck and is now on fire. pic.twitter.com/WyA4fniZck

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 6, 2026

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed that three Australian nationals were aboard a US nuclear‑powered submarine that collided with — and ultimately sank — an Iranian military vessel in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka.

Speaking to Sky News, Albanese said Australia would not usually comment on such matters but did so due to National Security Committee deliberations and heightened public interest. He emphasized that while the Australians were on board, none of them took part in any offensive action against Iran.

US President Donald Trump says, "I'm once again calling on all members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the military, and the police to lay down their arms. They are only going to be killed. And now is the time to stand up for the Iranian people and help take back your country... Accept immunity; we will give you immunity... or you will face absolutely guaranteed death... "

#WATCH | US President Donald J. Trump says, "I'm once again calling on all members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the military, and the police to lay down their arms. They are only going to be killed. And now is the time to stand up for the Iranian people and help take back… pic.twitter.com/707VRheIDv

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence has confirmed that its air defence systems successfully intercepted a coordinated ballistic‑missile attack targeting Prince Sultan Air Base. According to an official statement released on X, Saudi Air Defence Forces detected, intercepted, and destroyed three ballistic missiles launched toward the strategic facility, preventing any reported damage or casualties.

المتحدث الرسمي لـ #وزارة_الدفاع: اعتراض وتدمير ثلاثةِ صواريخ باليستية أُطلقت باتجاه قاعدة الأمير سلطان الجوية. pic.twitter.com/RpQ767lLAR

— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) March 5, 2026

Donald Trump has said he had rejected what he claimed was an attempt by Tehran to restart negotiations on Tuesday.

#WATCH | On Iran, US President Donald J. Trump says, "... The United States military, together with the wonderful Israeli partners, continues to demolish the enemy far ahead of schedule and at levels that people have never seen before. We are destroying more of Iran's missiles… pic.twitter.com/8NLUiLT9nZ

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2026