FP The publishers permit sharing of the e-paper's pdf on WhatsApp and other social media platforms FREE PRESS Vol. XLII No. 266 | INDORE | WEDNESDAY | MARCH 4, 2026 | Pages 14 ` 3 | Regd. No. Indore MP/ICD 216/2024-2026 | RNI No. 38281/83 www.freepressjournal.in Sports Gavaskar hails Samson’s redemption P.12 Day 4: Israel launches fresh attacks on Tehran, Beirut ESTD-1983 iii QUALITY @ VALUE EDITIONS: UJJAIN INDORE MONEY PUNE BHOPAL NASHIK MUMBAI E-paper Edit Aviation sector bears cost of war P.6 India curbs industrial gas as Qatar outage tightens supply Cinema Actor Awards honour top talent P.14 Iran’s new defence minister killed day after taking charge Tehran unleashes drones, hits US embassy in S Arabia Iran targets Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Kuwait City WE CAN FIGHT FOREVER: TRUMP Adequate fuel stock in MP: Dealer assn Their (Iran's) air defense, Air Force, Navy, and Leadership is gone. They want to talk. I said, “Too Late!” – Donald Trump WASHINGTON US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the US military has enough stockpiled weapons to fight wars "forever", as his administration continued its push to justify a broad, open-ended war on Iran with shifting aims and timeline. In a social media post, Trump said there was a "virtually unlimited supply" of US munitions and that "wars can be fought "forever," and very successfully, using just these supplies." "The United States is stocked, and ready to WIN, BIG!!!" he wrote. “We projected four to five weeks but we have capability to go far longer than that. We’ll do it… Somebody actually said, from the media, I 4Continued on | P8 ‘ENDLESS WAR? NO’ Agencies WASHINGTON Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has said the US and Israel's war against Iran may take "some time" but it will not take years. He rejected the idea of the conflict lasting years, like previous wars in the region. "I said it could be quick and decisive. It may take some time, but it's not going to take years. It's not an endless war," Netanyahu said on Fox News' "Hannity" program. Netanyahu said he saw HOLIDAY NOTICE The Free Press office will remain closed on Wednesday on account of Holi. There will be no edition on Thursday. Readers can keep abreast with happenings across the globe through www. freepressjournal.in ‘Shatak’ tax-free in MP Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL the war as an opportunity for lasting peace in West Asia, including between Israel and Saudi Arabia. "Yes I do," he said, when asked if he saw a lasting path to peace in the region. Netanyahu said the US and Israel's war against Iran was creating a scenario for the Iranian people to topple their government. "Now, of course, it's up to the people of Iran in the final count to change the government, but we are creating -America and Israel together are creating -- the conditions for them to do so," he said. PM speaks to Gulf leaders NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman, Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad AlMubarak Al-Sabah and Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, expressing concern over attacks on their countries during the West Asia conflict. Modi discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing in those countries, officials said. Modi has also spoken to the King of Bahrain, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL The US-Israel-Iran war has sparked concern among residents about fuel prices, but there is no need to panic as the state has adequate stock of petrol and diesel to meet demand, the Madhya Pradesh Petrol Pump Dealers Association said. Daily petrol consumption stands at 1232.88 MT and diesel at 1643.84 MT in Madhya Pradesh, the association added. According to Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the nodal agency in Madhya Pradesh, a buffer stock of 21 days is maintained regularly. Fuel reserves Iran, Israel strikes widen war Agencies DUBAI Israel on Sunday unleashed “simultaneous strikes" in Tehran and Beirut, targeting Iranian military sites and the Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon as the West Asia conflict entered the fourth day with Iranian drones hitting the US embassy in Riyadh. Loud explosions and blasts were heard across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha, Reuters said, with reports also coming in from Kuwait City and Manama as Iran struck back. Israel said it had carried out new attacks on Iran’s “leadership compound” in Tehran, including the presidential office, Stay indoors: India mission India on Tuesday advised its nationals in Iran to exercise utmost caution and remain indoors as far as possible. “In view of the developing situation, all Indian nationals in Iran are advised to exercise utmost caution, avoid unnecessary movements and remain indoors as far as possible,” the Indian embassy in Tehran said. “Indians may also continue to monitor the news...,” it added. expanding the scope of its strikes. Inside Iran, a reporter said “every part” of Tehran had been hit since Saturday. The escalation intensified as Iranian state media reported that newly appointed acting defence minister Seyed Majid Eb Al-Reza was killed in Israeli airstrikes on Tehran on Tuesday, just a day after assuming office. He had replaced Amir Aziz Nasirzadeh, who was eliminated on Saturday. The killings mark the second time in 48 hours that Iran’s top defence leadership has been targeted. In Tehran, authorities vowed continued resistance. State television broadcast images of damaged administrative complexes and emergency crews working through debris. Explosions were reported across northern districts, with emergency services confirming structural damage to residential and government buildings. Israeli officials said the latest operations targeted command-andcontrol centres and senior leadership facilities. The American Embassy in Saudi Arabia was hit by two drones, according to Saudi officials. Washington subsequently closed its embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and ordered the departure of non-essential staff from several other posts. 4Continued on | P8 Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar BJP on Tuesday announced the names of its nine candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, fielding party president Nitin Nabin from his home state of Bihar. The elections are scheduled for March 16 to fill 37 seats across 10 states. The counting for these elections will take place on March 20. In the first list released by BJP’s national general secretary Arun Singh, the party has picked two candidates each for Bihar, Assam and Odisha and one each for Chhattisgarh, Haryana and West Bengal. From Bihar, the BJP has named its national president Nitin Nabin and Shivesh Kumar as its candidates. Nabin is a legislator from the Bankipur Assembly constituency. Russia has indicated it can step up supplies to India if the crisis hits global flows Price of oil is above $80 a barrel now and will soon reach $200: IRGC general Jabbari can last 60 to 90 days in Madhya Pradesh, depending on usage, if flows through the Strait of Hormuz remain disrupted due to the Israel-Iran war. There are 3,700 petrol pumps across MP, including 192 in Bhopal, according to the association. 4Continued on | P8 Rs 1,88,70,00,00,00,000: Projected cost of Don’s war The first 24 hours of the strikes on Iran alone have seen the US spend $779 million, or nearly Rs 6,900 crore, according to reports. Data from the Center for New American Security states carrier strike groups (like the USS Gerald R Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier) cost around $6.5 million, or Rs 58 crore, a day to operate. Taken together, the estimated cost of the pre-strike military build-up - including repositioning aircraft, deploying naval vessels and mobilising regional assets would be in the vicinity of $630 million (Rs 5,556 crore). If the war drags on, like Trump has indicated it will, the US will end up spending a staggering $210 billion (Rs 18.87 lakh crore). Largest US radar destroyed: Iran Drone strikes hit data centres Iranian media claimed the AN/FPS-132, described as the largest US radar in the Gulf, was destroyed.The radar had a 5,000km range and was completely destroyed in a missile strike, a claim later corroborated by Qatari officials. Drone strikes hit three Amazon data centres, two in the United Arab Emirates and one in Bahrain, disrupting cloud services amid the US-Israel-Iran conflict. AWS plans US$5.3 billion investment in Saudi Arabia. Delhi calls for dialogue 37 Indian How Mossad hacked traffic ships stuck cameras to spy on Khamenei FP News Service NEW DELHI India on Tuesday strongly reiterated its call for dialogue and diplomacy as the conflict in Iran and the Gulf region intensified and spread to other nations, raising concerns over the safety of nearly one crore Indians living and working in the region. In a statement, the official spokesperson said India had expressed “deep concern” at the commencement of the conflict on February 28, and had urged all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritise the safety of civilians. “Unfortunately, in the holy month of Ramadan, the situation in the region has deteriorated significantly and continuously,” the statement said. The spokesperson noted that in recent days, there has not only been an intensification of the conflict but also its expansion to other countries. “The destruction and deaths have mounted, even as normal life and economic activities come to a halt. As a proximate neighbour with critical stakes in the security and stability of the region, these developments evoke great anxiety,” it said. 4Continued on | P8 PTI FP News Service DELHI MUMBAI As many as 37 Indian-flagged ships with over 1,000 sailors are stuck in the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the adjoining sea areas as the key shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz is closed due to the ongoing conflict. While some ships are carrying crude oil and LNG to Indian ports, others are on the way to bring petroleum products from the Gulf nations, an official privy to the development told PTI. When the loyal bodyguards and drivers of senior Iranian officials reported for duty near Pasteur Street in Tehran, Israeli intelligence was already watching. Nearly all of Tehran’s traffic cameras had been hacked for years, their feeds encrypted and transmitted to servers in Tel Aviv and southern Israel, according to two people familiar with the matter. According to the Financial Times, one camera angle proved especially valuable, re- Nitin Nabin among BJP’s 9 RS picks NEW DELHI Shatak has been made taxfree in Madhya Pradesh. The film showcases the 100year journey of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Chief Minister Mohan Yadav watched the film on Tuesday evening. The film depicts how the Sangh came into existence and how its senior functionaries faced various obstacles while spreading its ideology. It presents the ideology and traditions of the RSS in an effective manner. It tries to convey how the Sangh is attempting to help the nation become self-reliant. The film also throws light on various senior leaders of the country. BJP leaders are also set to visit theatres to watch the film. 1232.88 MT petrol, 1643.84 MT diesel consumption per day in MP think you’ll get bored after about a week or two. No, we don’t get bored. I never get bored, if I got bored, I wouldn’t be standing here right now. I guarantee you that. To go through what I had to go through,” he said. Trump said Iran’s military leadership and key defence capabilities had been dismantled and declared it was "too late" for talks, as he pushed back against commentary in an opinion piece published by the Wall Street Journal. "Their air defense, Air Force, Navy, and Leadership is gone. They want to talk. I said 'Too Late!'" Trump wrote, adding that the US possesses "unlimited mid to upper tier Weaponry - Brutal 'stuff.' AP Agencies Upon his elevation to the post of party president, it was expected that he would be moved to Parliament, just as his predecessor J.P. Nadda was. While Nabin belongs to the Kayastha community and has risen the ranks due to his organisational skills, which he had demonstrated during the Chhattisgarh Assembly polls, for which he was the state in-charge and where the BJP managed to dislodge the Congress, the other candidate, Shivesh Kumar, is also a legislator who comes from the Scheduled Caste community and is a former IAS officer. From Assam, the party has picked Terash Gowalla and Jogen Mohan as its candidates, while from Odisha, it has reposed its trust in Manmohan Samal and Sujeet Kumar. Nearly all of Tehran’s traffic cameras had been hacked for years. ‘We knew Tehran like we know Jerusalem,’ said an Israeli intelligence official vealing where security personnel parked their personal vehicles and offering insight into the routines inside the tightly guarded compound. Complex algorithms enriched detailed dossiers on the guards, mapping their addresses, work hours, routes and whom they were assigned to protect. The result was what intelligence of- ficers call a “pattern of life”. This real-time stream was one of hundreds feeding a years-long intelligence campaign that culminated in killing of Iran’s supreme leader. Israeli and CIA officials were able to determine precisely when the 86-year-old 4Continued on | P8 EXCISE CONSTABLE RECRUITMENT TEST SCAM 11 of 12 suspects from Gwalior-Chambal region Our Staff Reporter BHOPAL Lunar Spectacle The Moon glows in a deep reddish hue during the lunar eclipse on Tuesday, as Earth’s shadow casts a dramatic tint across its surface. Pic: Anand Shivre An FIR has been registered against 12 aspirants of the excise constable recruitment examination for cheating and dishonesty in an exam held at one of the examination centres in Ratlam. Eleven suspects are from the GwaliorChambal region and one is from Sonipat, Haryana, officials said here on Tuesday. Once again, the GwaliorChambal region has come into the limelight in the Employee Selection Board (ESB) examinations. Earlier, in the police constable recruitment examination, the ESB had not instituted examination centres in the GwaliorChambal region. 4Continued on | P8 Red Flag The exam papers were red-flagged during an analysis of online examination data of successful candidates. A total of 1,10,032 candidates appeared for the examination conducted between September 9 and September 21, 2025, to fill 243 posts. In the results declared on February 5, the board withheld the results of the 12 candidates. According to the FIR, the 12 candidates did almost nothing but scroll through their online exam papers for the first 30 minutes before answering 100 questions in the last 15 minutes, averaging one answer every nine seconds.