US Iran War News Live Updates: Several US warplanes crash, says Kuwait

US-Israel-Iran War Highlights : The war between the US, Israel, and Iran has entered its 3rd day, with escalating tensions and retaliatory strikes. US President Donald Trump stated that the operation was the “last, best chance” to stop Iran’s regime, citing threats from their nuclear and missile programs. The US and Israel have struck over 1,250 targets in Iran, including ballistic missile facilities and naval forces, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has vowed to respond, with its allies, including Hezbollah, targeting Israel and US bases in the region.

US-Israel-Iran War LIVE News: Follow Latest updates here

Quick brief: Things to know right now

US Air Force jets mistakenly shot down by Kuwait, says American Central Command

Qatar hints retaliation: Attack like this cannot be left without retaliation, Qatar Foreign Ministry official told CNN and added that Iran has a price to pay.

Power, connectivity issues in Amazon date centers: Two Amazon cloud unit’s data centers in Bahrain and the UAE faced power and connectivity issues amid Iranian air strikes.

US combat fatalities: CENTCOM confirms 3 US service members killed and 5 seriously wounded during “Operation Epic Fury.”

Tehran targeted: Israeli forces are targeting the “heart” of the Iranian capital; multiple explosions have been reported near government districts. The Israel Defense Forces have also launched attacks against Lebanon capital and Hezbollah stronghold Beirut.

Provisional leadership: A 3-member Leadership Council (President Pezeshkian, Chief Justice Mohseni-Ejei, and Guardian Council member Ayatollah Arafi) is now governing Iran per Article 111 of the Constitution.

Gulf ultimatum: Tehran has officially warned Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain that they are “legitimate military targets” if they assist Western forces.

Civilian toll: Iranian news agency IRNA reported 165 deaths, following a strike on an all-girls elementary school in southern Iran (Minab).

Iran’s transitional power structure

Following the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian announced a Provisional Leadership Council. This body will exercise the Supreme Leader’s duties until the Assembly of Experts elects a permanent successor.

Regional escalation and economic impact

The “barrage” of retaliatory strikes from Iran has significantly disrupted the global landscape:

• Aviation: Airspace remains closed across much of the Middle East; major hubs in Dubai and Doha report significant delays and safety alerts.

• Markets: Gold prices have surged past $5,200/oz as investors flee to safe-haven assets.

• Energy: Global oil markets are monitoring the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of the world’s traded oil passes, following threats to maritime security.

This blog synthesises reports from CENTCOM, IRNA, and other news outlets. While we strive for 100% accuracy, the situation on the ground in Tehran and the Gulf is extremely fluid.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has weighed in on his American counterpart’s justification for attacking Tehran.

“Mr. Rubio admitted what we all knew: US has entered a war of choice on behalf of Israel. There was never any so-called Iranian ‘threat’,” Araghchi said in a post on X.

“Shedding of both American and Iranian blood is thus on Israel Firsters. American people deserve better and should take back their country,” he added.

Rubio told reporters that the US was aware Israel was going to attack Iran and joined in because Washington felt that Tehran would retaliate against American assets in the region.

join for all the latest developments here.

Mr. Rubio admitted what we all knew: U.S. has entered a war of choice on behalf of Israel. There was never any so-called Iranian "threat". Shedding of both American and Iranian blood is thus on Israel Firsters.American people deserve better and should take back their country.— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 3, 2026

Mr. Rubio admitted what we all knew: U.S. has entered a war of choice on behalf of Israel. There was never any so-called Iranian "threat". Shedding of both American and Iranian blood is thus on Israel Firsters.American people deserve better and should take back their country.

The tension between the United States, Israel and Iran entered its third day, with heavy exchanges of fire across the region and mounting casualties. US President Donald Trump defended the offensive as the “last, best chance” to stop Iran’s leadership, as large-scale combat operations continued across Iranian territory. More than 1,250 targets have been struck so far in coordinated US-Israeli attacks, including ballistic missile facilities and naval assets, as reported by the BBC. Iranian authorities have vowed retaliation, while regional tensions continue to spill across borders.

Read all the latest development here.

Al Jazeera Arabic are reporting an Israeli raid on the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital.

"President Trump won't drag the US into a never-ending conflict without a clear goal. Iran must never get a nuclear weapon - that's the mission, and Trump will see it through".

President Trump will not get the United States into a years-long conflict with no clear objective. Iran can never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. That is the goal of this operation and President Trump will see it through to completion.⁩ pic.twitter.com/Spi2Mcke6F— JD Vance (@JDVance) March 3, 2026

President Trump will not get the United States into a years-long conflict with no clear objective. Iran can never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. That is the goal of this operation and President Trump will see it through to completion.⁩ pic.twitter.com/Spi2Mcke6F

Trump told cable network NewsNation that the US would retaliate "soon" for the attack on the US embassy in Riyadh and the deaths of the US service members.

Six service members have been killed so far while 18 are injured, the US said on Monday night.

"Trump also told me he doesn’t think boots on the ground will be necessary," Kellie Meyer, a NewsNation political reporter, wrote on X.

The Saudi Defense Ministry reported that eight drones were intercepted near Riyadh and Al-Kharj, following an earlier attack on the US Embassy in Riyadh by two drones, which caused a limited fire and minor damage.

The US Embassy in Islamabad and Consulates General in Lahore and Karachi have cancelled all visa appointments through Friday, March 6, citing security concerns amid escalating tensions in the region.

Due to the current security situation, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulates General in Lahore and Karachi have cancelled all visa appointments through Friday, March 6.— U.S. Consulate General Lahore (@USCGLahore) March 3, 2026

Due to the current security situation, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulates General in Lahore and Karachi have cancelled all visa appointments through Friday, March 6.

Amazon said on Monday some of its data centers in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain were damaged by drone strikes in the Middle East conflict, disrupting cloud services and making a recovery "prolonged".

Iran fired a barrage of drones and missiles at Gulf States in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday.

A strike on the UAE facility marks the first time ⁠a major US tech company's data center has been disrupted by military action. It raises questions around Big Tech's pace of expansion in the region.

"In the UAE, two of our facilities were directly struck, while in Bahrain, a drone strike in close proximity to one of our facilities caused physical impact to our infrastructure," Amazon's cloud unit Amazon Web Services (AWS) said in an update on its status page.

Oil prices rose for a third day on Tuesday as the widening US-Israeli conflict with Iran and threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz heightened fears of supply disruptions from the key Middle East producing region.

Brent crude futures were at $78.83 a barrel, up $1.10, or 1.4%, by 0107 GMT. On Monday, the contract surged to as high as $82.37, its highest since January 2025, though it pared those gains to settle 6.7% higher.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude jumped 74 cents, or 1%, to $71.97 a barrel. In the previous ⁠session, the contract initially climbed to its highest since June 2025 before sliding back to still settle up 6.3%. (Reuters)

President Trump said on Monday the US retaliation for the attack on its Riyadh embassy and killed service members will be revealed soon, adding he does not think boots on the ground will be necessary.

“You’ll find soon what the retaliation will be for the attack on the US embassy in Riyadh and for the US service members killed,” News Nation correspondent Kellie Meyer posted on X. “He also told me he doesn’t think boots on the ground will be necessary.”

BREAKING: I just spoke to President Trump he said you’ll find soon what the retaliation will be for the attack on the U.S. embassy in Riyadh and for the U.S. service members killed. He also told me he doesn’t think boots on the ground will be necessary.— Kellie Meyer (@KellieMeyerNews) March 3, 2026

BREAKING: I just spoke to President Trump he said you’ll find soon what the retaliation will be for the attack on the U.S. embassy in Riyadh and for the U.S. service members killed. He also told me he doesn’t think boots on the ground will be necessary.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said on Monday Iran’s UN ambassador may soon seek asylum, characterizing Tehran’s decades‑long hostility and saying President Trump’s response represents a decisive break with what he described as an “endless” conflict.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s asking for asylum soon — representing a regime that has terrorized the region and massacred tens of thousands of their own people," Waltz told Fox.

🚨 “RED LINES MEAN SOMETHING AGAIN.”@michaelgwaltz lays it out:“It’s been a 47-year conflict… and President Trump is taking the bold action to end it.”“He’s not going to wait until they have a nuclear weapon.”“He’s not going to wait until they have an ICBM that can hit… pic.twitter.com/Auw1nUDtNx— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) March 3, 2026

🚨 “RED LINES MEAN SOMETHING AGAIN.”@michaelgwaltz lays it out:“It’s been a 47-year conflict… and President Trump is taking the bold action to end it.”“He’s not going to wait until they have a nuclear weapon.”“He’s not going to wait until they have an ICBM that can hit… pic.twitter.com/Auw1nUDtNx

The US is not going to get into a conflict that will drag on for years, Vice President JD Vance said in an interview with Fox News, adding that the president had one clear objective: to make sure Iran could "never have a nuclear weapon".

"What the president determined is he didn't want to just keep the country safe from an Iranian nuclear weapon for the first three, four years of his second term - he wanted to make sure that Iran could never have a nuclear weapon, and that would require fundamentally a change in mindset from the Iranian regime," Vance says.

He added that this would not go on long-term, adding: "There's no way that Donald Trump is going to allow this country to get into a multi-year conflict... we're not going to get into the problems that we've had with Iraq and Afghanistan."

Vance also added that Iran's nuclear facilities are not built just for civilian enrichment purposes, as the regime has claimed, but are built to develop nuclear weapons.

Tehran's historic Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been damaged in recent strikes on the capital, according to Iranian state media.

The palace, which served as the royal residence of Iranian monarchs during the Qajar dynasty and later became the official seat of the Pahlavi dynasty, reportedly suffered damage to its wooden doors, orsi (traditional Persian windows), and mirror work due to blast waves from the attack. UNESCO has expressed concern over the protection of heritage sites following the reports. (BBC)

United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on Monday said the conflict between US and Iran is “not an endless war” while addressing the Pentagon news conference. Hegseth said during the conference that US’ mission in the escalating conflict is to deny nuclear weapons to Tehran and destroy their missiles.

*Key highlights from Pete Hegseth’s briefing *

• Hegseth, during the briefing, said, “This is not Iraq. This is not endless.” His words came a day after US President Donald Trump told the Daily Mail that the ongoing conflict could end in about four weeks.

• Hegseth said the operation had a “clear, devastating, decisive mission” to “destroy the missile threat” from Iran, destroy its navy and “no nukes.” “This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change and the world is better off for it,” Hegseth said.

• Addressing the family members of US troops killed in action, the Pentagon chief said, “We grieve with you, and we will never forget you.” Meanwhile, Caine on Monday said the US expected to have additional losses.

• While speaking about the timeline for the US-Israeli conflict with ‌Iran, Hegseth said it was up to ⁠⁠Donald Trump to ⁠decide ‌the length ‌of the military ‌campaign against Tehran.

• “No stupid rules of engagement, no nation building quagmire, no democracy building exercise, no politically correct wars. We fight to win, and we don’t waste time or lives,” Hegseth said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox’s Sean Hannity on Monday that Iran’s “ballistic missile program and atomic bomb program” would soon have become “immune” to attack without Operation Epic Fury, and said “action had to be taken” by a “resolute President like Donald J. Trump.”

NEW: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells @seanhannity that Iran's "ballistic missile program and atomic bomb program" would have soon been "immune" to attack without Operation Epic Fury: "Action had to be taken, and you needed the resolute President like Donald J.… pic.twitter.com/YGJysdeFl1— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 3, 2026

NEW: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells @seanhannity that Iran's "ballistic missile program and atomic bomb program" would have soon been "immune" to attack without Operation Epic Fury: "Action had to be taken, and you needed the resolute President like Donald J.… pic.twitter.com/YGJysdeFl1

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it has eliminated Iran's naval presence in the Gulf of Oman, destroying 11 warships in the region. "Two days ago, the Iranian regime had 11 ships in the Gulf of Oman, today they have ZERO," CENTCOM stated.

This move aims to protect international shipping and maintain freedom of maritime navigation, which has supported global economic prosperity for over 80 years.

Two days ago, the Iranian regime had 11 ships in the Gulf of Oman, today they have ZERO. The Iranian regime has harassed and attacked international shipping in the Gulf of Oman for decades. Those days are over. Freedom of maritime navigation has underpinned American and global… pic.twitter.com/nzdkMVMqZC— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 2, 2026

Two days ago, the Iranian regime had 11 ships in the Gulf of Oman, today they have ZERO. The Iranian regime has harassed and attacked international shipping in the Gulf of Oman for decades. Those days are over. Freedom of maritime navigation has underpinned American and global… pic.twitter.com/nzdkMVMqZC

A devastating airstrike on a primary school in Minab, Iran, has resulted in the deaths of over 160 young girls, with their bodies severely injured. The attack, attributed to US-Israeli forces, has sparked outrage and condemnation. Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on X about the incident, highlighting the human cost of the conflict. The international community is calling for an investigation into the incident, with some accusing the US and Israel of war crimes

These are graves being dug for more than 160 innocent young girls who were killed in the US-Israeli bombing of a primary school. Their bodies were torn to shreds.This is how "rescue" promised by Mr. Trump looks in reality. From Gaza to Minab, innocents murdered in cold blood. pic.twitter.com/cRdJ3BELOn— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 2, 2026

These are graves being dug for more than 160 innocent young girls who were killed in the US-Israeli bombing of a primary school. Their bodies were torn to shreds.This is how "rescue" promised by Mr. Trump looks in reality. From Gaza to Minab, innocents murdered in cold blood. pic.twitter.com/cRdJ3BELOn

If you're an American citizen in the Middle East, your safety is the top priority. The US Department of State urges you to leave the region immediately due to escalating tensions.

To all American citizens in the Middle East: your safety and security is our number one priority.Sign up to receive STEP alerts at https://t.co/SpQfuj4gN2.Get information at @TravelGov and you can call the department 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444. pic.twitter.com/G8grZVgmCF— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 2, 2026

To all American citizens in the Middle East: your safety and security is our number one priority.Sign up to receive STEP alerts at https://t.co/SpQfuj4gN2.Get information at @TravelGov and you can call the department 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444. pic.twitter.com/G8grZVgmCF

Typical of an unconventional presidency, the Trump administration waited more than 48 hours to make any live, public communication to the American people about why it had decided to go to war with Iran.

President Donald Trump discussed why he launched the attack prior to a White House ceremony honouring military heroes on Monday but took no questions from reporters. Earlier in the day, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine briefed journalists at the Pentagon.

The two days previous, Trump delivered two pretaped statements that were released on Truth Social, the social media site owned by the president's media company, and granted telephone interviews to more than a dozen journalists - several of which produced fragmented responses that, to some, clouded as much as they cleared up.

US President Donald ⁠Trump spoke on Sunday by telephone ⁠to Kurdish ‌leaders in ⁠Iraq ⁠about ⁠the ‌Iran conflict, Axios reported ‌on ‌Monday, citing three sources.

Iran and its proxies could target the US with attacks in response to the Saturday killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei by Israeli and US strikes, according to a US intelligence assessment reviewed by Reuters.

The February 28 threat assessment produced by the Office of Intelligence and Analysis at the Department of Homeland Security said Iran and its proxies "probably" pose a threat of targeted attacks on the United States, although ⁠a large-scale physical attack was unlikely.

US Central Command said on Monday it is carrying out “swift and decisive action” against Iran under Operation Epic Fury, following President Trump’s order to eliminate what Washington describes as imminent threats from the Iranian regime.

Operation Epic Fury involves the largest regional concentration of American military firepower in a generation. pic.twitter.com/YB8HRsBS3n— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 2, 2026

Operation Epic Fury involves the largest regional concentration of American military firepower in a generation. pic.twitter.com/YB8HRsBS3n

President Donald Trump took to social media to express his views on the Iran Nuclear Deal, stating, "If I didn’t terminate Obama’s horrendous Iran Nuclear Deal (JCPOA), Iran would have had a Nuclear Weapon three years ago.

That was the most dangerous transaction we have ever entered into, and had it been allowed to stand, the World would be an entirely different place right now."

Trump blamed former President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden for the deal, saying they should be held accountable. He thanked himself for taking action, saying "THANK YOU PRESIDENT TRUMP!"

The US Central Command (Centcom) has confirmed that six American service members have been killed and 18 seriously wounded in the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran.

The deceased were part of the same logistics unit, and their identities are being withheld until their families are notified.

President Donald Trump warned that more casualties are likely, saying "Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends.

A video sent to Iran International on Monday shows a massive column of thick smoke rising from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s state broadcasting complex in Tehran. The Israeli military had issued evacuation warnings for the area before the attack.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ایران اینترنشنال (@iranintltv)

A post shared by ایران اینترنشنال (@iranintltv)

US President Donald Trump, in his address during the Medal of Honour ceremony at the White House on Monday, said that Iran ignored Washington’s warning not to restart its nuclear program and added that America’s objectives in the conflict are “clear” which includes destroying Tehran’s nuclear capabilities, ending its nuclear ambitions and wrecking its navy.

Read the full story here.

As the war in the Middle East spirals further, US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the US has “the capability to go far longer ” than its projected four-to-five-week time frame for its military operations against Iran.

The US and Israel have continued to pound Iran since killing its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday, while Tehran and its allies have hit back against Israel, neighboring Gulf states, and targets critical to the world’s production of oil and natural gas.

The US State Department is looking into reports that a girls' school in Minab, Iran, was hit, killing at least 153 people, including children. Senator Rubio questioned the administration's knowledge of the incident, and a spokesperson stated that the US wouldn't deliberately target a school, shifting blame to Iran for targeting civilians. (BBC)

US first lady Melania Trump presided over a UN Security Council meeting on Monday focusing on children in conflict, one of her signature issues, and acknowledged she was doing so in “challenging times” as the United States has joined Israel in attacking Iran.

“The US stands with all of the children throughout the world," she said, speaking generally and not specifically about the new war in the Middle East. "I hope soon peace will be yours.”

Hanging over Monday's meeting was what Iranian state media says was an airstrike that hit a girls' school in southern Iran, killing at least 165 people and wounding dozens more. The Israeli military said it was not aware of strikes in the area. (Reuters)

Thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran's Enghelab Square to pay their respects to the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a US-Israeli air strike.

The crowd, dressed in black, chanted "death to America" and "death to Israel" as they mourned the loss of their leader.

The gathering highlights the impact of Khamenei's death on Iran's society and marks a significant moment in the country's history amid escalating regional tensions.

Cemetery Readies Graves for Iranian Students Martyred in US-Israeli Attack on Elementary School in Minab County in Hormozgan Province pic.twitter.com/pP3tjJ2JGE— Fars News Agency (@EnglishFars) March 2, 2026

Cemetery Readies Graves for Iranian Students Martyred in US-Israeli Attack on Elementary School in Minab County in Hormozgan Province pic.twitter.com/pP3tjJ2JGE

Israel has targeted the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) complex in Tehran, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The IDF stated that the IRIB complex is "the beating heart of the IRGC's machine of lies and repression".

IRIB head Peyman Jebeli confirmed that parts of the internal premises were hit. This isn't the first time IRIB has been targeted, as it was also attacked during the 12-day Iran-Israel war in June 2025.

The Israeli military has said it has detected incoming missiles launched from Iran and its defensive systems are working to intercept the threat.

State Department urges US citizens to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries due to safety risks. (AP)

Abu Dhabi-Delhi flight landed at IGI airport a while ago. A returnee named Shiv told PTI, “We could see missiles being constantly intercepted. The airspace is very busy. There was not a very visible impact in Abu Dhabi.”

Israel's ambassador to the UN said on Tuesday that Israel and the United States would ⁠not stop their operations against Iran until their objectives are met and would ⁠do everything necessary to ensure ‌Tehran does not have nuclear capabilities.

Speaking to reporters in New York, the ⁠envoy, ⁠Danny Danon accused Iran of "lashing out ⁠in ‌desperation" militarily in response to ‌what he called decisive ‌and surgical US and Israeli strikes. He said he believed freedom for ⁠the Iranian people "will come sooner than ‌later."

•Reuters

The Kuwaiti army said a ⁠navy soldier was killed on Monday during ⁠an "operation" by the ‌Gulf country's armed forces. The army ⁠did ⁠not ⁠provide ‌details on the ‌circumstances of ‌the soldier's death, Reuters reported.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday said "49 of the most senior Iranian regime leaders" have been killed in the Operation Epic Fury, which includes Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

"Preventing this radical regime and its terrorist leaders from threatening America and our core national security interests is a clear-eyed and necessary objective," Leavitt added in a post on X.

On Saturday, President Trump released a statement laying out clear objectives to the American people for Operation Epic Fury. Let me reiterate them:Destroy the Iranian regime’s missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground.Annihilate the Iranian regime’s Navy.… https://t.co/HPi9af6Q3i— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 2, 2026

On Saturday, President Trump released a statement laying out clear objectives to the American people for Operation Epic Fury. Let me reiterate them:Destroy the Iranian regime’s missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground.Annihilate the Iranian regime’s Navy.… https://t.co/HPi9af6Q3i

Iran's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) affiliated news agency Tasnim has published a list of seven commanders of the armed forces who lost their lives in Israeli-US joint attacks.

• Brigadier General Mohammad Shirazi

• Brigadier General Saleh Asadi

• Major General (Air Force) pilot Mohsen Darehbaghi

• Brigadier General Akbar Ebrahimzadeh

• Brigadier General Gholamreza Rezaeian

• Brigadier General Bahram Hosseini Motlagh

• Brigadier General Hassan-Ali Tajik

VIDEO | Iran-Israel conflict: Abu Dhabi-Delhi flight lands at IGI airport. A returnee named Shiv says, “We could see missiles being constantly intercepted. The airspace is very busy. There was not a very visible impact in Abu Dhabi.”(Full video available on PTI Videos-… pic.twitter.com/ZuK1wbzEnr— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 2, 2026

VIDEO | Iran-Israel conflict: Abu Dhabi-Delhi flight lands at IGI airport. A returnee named Shiv says, “We could see missiles being constantly intercepted. The airspace is very busy. There was not a very visible impact in Abu Dhabi.”(Full video available on PTI Videos-… pic.twitter.com/ZuK1wbzEnr

Emirates flight EK500 just took off from Dubai International Airport.

Emirates flight EK500 just took off from Dubai International Airport, tracked by more than 138,000 people. pic.twitter.com/H9RURuhsE9— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 2, 2026

Emirates flight EK500 just took off from Dubai International Airport, tracked by more than 138,000 people. pic.twitter.com/H9RURuhsE9

Three teenagers were among those killed in Iranian air strikes in city of Beit Shemesh near Jerusalem, CNN reported.

“The Beit Shemesh municipality shares the family’s deep sorrow and embraces them at this difficult time,” the city said in a statement.

As many as nine people were killed when the missile struck a residential area, hitting a synagogue that collapsed on a shelter in the city.

Alerts activated in north Israel, after aircraft infiltration from Lebanon, Israeli military says

Hezbollah has condemned Lebanese government after Prime Minister announced that the militant group's activities are banned. Salam's announcement came after Israel launched air strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut.

“We understand the Lebanese government’s impotence in the face of the brutal Zionist enemy, which violates national sovereignty, occupies land, and poses a continuous threat to the country’s security and stability,” Hezbollah said, adding that it is the government ‘s right “to decide on war and peace”.

It added: “However, given this clear weakness and deficiency, we see no justification for Prime Minister Salam and his government to take such aggressive measures against the Lebanese who reject the occupation.”

The group’s statement also said Hezbollah’s reaction to Israel is “the way to achieve the illusory Lebanese security and peace”.

Al Jazeera inputs

Western military alliance NATO chief Mark Rutte has said that "there are no plans for NATO to be involved in the Iran conflict."

US President Donald Trump on Monday said that the joint operation launched by American and Israeli military against Iran was the "last best chance" to "eliminate threat."

"This was our last best chance to strike what we’re doing right now and eliminate the intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime-regime. And they are indeed sick and sinister," the US president said during his remarks in White House.

US President Donald Trump, during the Medal of Honour ceremony at the White House on Monday, said that he ordered the American military to attack Iran to ⁠destroy ⁠Tehran's ⁠nuclear ‌program and a ‌ballistic missile program.

US President Donald Trump on Monday said that America has the capability to continue Iran operations beyond four weeks.

US President Donald Trump on Monday said that "Iran would have soon had missiles capable of reaching America."

US President Donald Trump has said that an "Iranian regime with nuclear capabilities is an intolerable threat," during Medal of Honour ceremony at the White House on Monday.

US President Donald Trump on Monday indicated that he isn't ruling out the possibility of sending US troops on ground to Iran.

During an interview with New York Post, the US president said, "I don’t have the yips with respect to boots on the ground — like every president says, ‘There will be no boots on the ground.’ I don’t say it."

"I say ‘probably don’t need them,’ [or] ‘if they were necessary," he further added.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday said that his government "doesn't believe in regime change from skies" amid US-Israeli strikes against Iran.

US President Donald Trump, during an interview with CNN on Monday, said that he doesn't know what the succession plan in Iran is and that he isn't aware about who the new leader will be after the US-Israeli strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayotollah Khamenei in Tehran.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday said that British bases will be used for "defensive purposes" and that the country won't join "US-Israeli offensive".

Starmer added that the UK government is taking all possible measures to bring back British citizens from the disturbed areas.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during his address to the Commons on Monday, said that Britain was not involved in the initial strikes on Iran.

Starmer added that the best way forward is a "negotiated settlement".

US President Donald Trump on Monday told CNN that the "big wave" in the war against Iran is yet to come as Tehran launched barrage of missiles at American bases in the Guld countries.

"We’re knocking the crap out of them. I think it’s going very well. It’s very powerful. We’ve got the greatest military in the world and we’re using it," Trump said.

Amazon's cloud-computing facilities in the Middle East faced power and connectivity issues on Monday after unidentified "objects" struck its data center in the United Arab Emirates.

The objects had triggered a fire on Sunday that forced authorities to eventually cut power to two clusters of Amazon data centers in the UAE, with restoration expected to ⁠take at least a day, according to Amazon Web Services' (AWS) status page. (Reuters)

US President Donald Trump is set to address the war against Iran at 9:30pm IST on Monday, the White House has said.

An Indian national was killed on Monday when an explosive-laden unmanned boat struck an oil tanker off the coast of Muscat Governorate, according to reports.

"The Maritime Security Centre reported that the oil tanker MKD VYOM was attacked by an unmanned boat 52 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat Governorate," Oman's Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that the country is set to increase the size of its nuclear arsenal and will strengthen its deterrent as global risks of conflicts rise, crossing the nuclear threshold.

In a speech delivered from a submarine base in Brittany on Monday, Macron said, "We are currently experiencing a ⁠period ⁠of geopolitical upheaval fraught ⁠with ‌risk, adding that a "hardening" of the ⁠French deterrence model was ‌needed, Reuters reported.

Long-haul carriers Etihad and Emirates began limited flights on Monday after halting them for the ongoing war between US-Israel and Iran. The carriers, based in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, launched flights on Monday afternoon.

UAE Civil Aviation has said that it will begin operating "special flights" across the airports in the country to allow the departure of stranded passengers, state news agency reported.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has called on the Iranian people to "take advantage" of the opportunity for a regime change after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.

"We hope the Iranian people take advantage of this incredible opportunity. President Trump has been clear, now is your time," said Hegseth during a press briefing on Monday.

US Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on Monday declined to give a timeline on the US-Israeli war on Iran and said that it is up to President Donald Trump to ⁠decide ‌the length ‌of the military ‌campaign against Tehran.

Mansoureh Khojasteh, wife of deceased Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, has died of her injuries sustained during the attack, Reuters reported quoting Tehran's state media.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth paid tribute to four US service members who lost their lives in the Iran operation till now.

Mourning the loss of four members of armed forces, Hegseth said, "May we prosecute the remainder of this operation in a manner that honours them, no apologies, no hesitation, epic fury."

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday said that the war against Iran is not comparable to Iraq as it is not an "endless war."

"This is not Iraq. This is not endless. I was there for both. Our generation knows better, and so does this president. He called the last 20 years of nation building wars dumb, and he’s right," Hegseth added.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has said that Iran was stalling the negotiations and using the talks to "restart its nuclear ambitions."

"They were stalling, buying time to reload their missile stockpiles and restart their nuclear ambitions," Hegseth said.

During a press briefing in Pentagon on Monday, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the operation in Iran is "not a so-called regime change war but the regime did change."

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, during a Pentagon press briefing on Monday, said that America's mission is "to destroy Iran's missiles, navy and deny Tehran nuclear weapons."

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, during Pentagon's press briefing, said that America "didn't start the war" but under US President Donald Trump's leadership, "US will end it."

"Didn't start this war, but will end war under President Trump," said Secretary Hegseth.

Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, which is considered as the international gateway near Tel Aviv, is set to reopen its airspace on Monday evening for civilian flights in an "extremely limited ‌format".

The airport said starting Tuesday, "flight operations will gradually expand depending on the security ⁠situation."

The UK maritime authorities have said that a commercial vessel, which was docked at the Port of Bahrain, was struck by two projectiles which forced the crew to evacuate.

The United States military's death toll in its operation against Iran has risen to 4 as the Central Command announced the passing away of fourth member.

In a post on X, the US Central Command wrote, "As of 7:30 am ET, March 2, four U.S. service members have been killed in action. The fourth service member, who was seriously wounded during Iran’s initial attacks, eventually succumbed to their injuries. Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing. The identities of the fallen are being withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification."

CENTCOM Update TAMPA, Fla. – As of 7:30 am ET, March 2, four U.S. service members have been killed in action. The fourth service member, who was seriously wounded during Iran’s initial attacks, eventually succumbed to their injuries. Major combat operations continue and our…— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 2, 2026

CENTCOM Update TAMPA, Fla. – As of 7:30 am ET, March 2, four U.S. service members have been killed in action. The fourth service member, who was seriously wounded during Iran’s initial attacks, eventually succumbed to their injuries. Major combat operations continue and our…

At least 15 US aircrafts have left the Rota and Moron military bases in southern Spain, according to FlightRadar24 website, Reuters reported.

Earlier, Spain's Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that country would not allow the military bases which are jointly operated by the US and Spain but under Spanish sovereignty, to be used for attacks on Iran.

QatarEnergy on Monday announced that it will halt LNG production as Middle East war rages.

Greece on Monday said that it will send two frigates and two fighter jets to protect Cyprus amid Iranian strikes, Reuters reported.

This comes after Cyprus reported that two unmanned drones hit UK’s Royal Air Force base of Akrotiri overnight.

An Iranian drone strike hit UK's Royal Air Force base of Akrotiri overnight which has caused limited damage with no casualties.

The overnight strike, which hit a runway ⁠at the base, shook the east Mediterranean island, a holiday hotspot and home to thousands of foreign companies, Reuters reported.

The US and Israeli strikes have targeted Iranian diplomatic police centre in Tehran, the Islamic nation's Tasnim news agency stated.

A Cyprus government spokesperson on Monday said that two unmanned drones heading towards Royal Air Force ⁠Akrotiri ‌in ⁠the country ⁠were "successfully ⁠intercepted."

Saudi Arabia has intercepted and destroyed five drones near the Prince Sultan airbase east of the kingdom, a military spokesman at the ministry of defense told The New York Times.

Oman's Maritime Security Centre reported its MKD VYOM oil tanker was attacked by an explosive-laden boat while sailing 52 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat.

Al Jazeera reports

US Air Force jets mistakenly shot down by Kuwait in friendly fire incident, says American Central Command

Israel says it has begun additional strikes on Tehran

Several explosions heard in Tehran, state media reports

Reuters inputs

Qatar’s Defence Ministry said two drones struck energy facilities in the industrial city of Ras Laffan. No casualties were reported.

“One drone targeted a water tank belonging to a power plant in Mesaieed, and the other targeted an energy facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City, belonging to Qatar Energy, without reporting any human casualties,” the Ministry was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera.

“All damages and losses resulting from the attack will be assessed by the relevant authorities, and an official statement will be issued later,” the ministry added.

Qatar says it intercepted two Iranian drones targeting energy facilities, no casualties

After a drone hit Britain's RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus, sirens went off there. CyBC tv reported sirens going off at the base, and aircraft taking off from the facility close to the southern city of Limassol.

Al Jazeera reports

The Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard Corps, announced that five members of the Islamic Republic's army, Behzad Dalvand, Javad Khosravi, Abolfazl Habibi, Mehrdad Nazari, and Hossein Asadipour, were killed in the US and Israeli attacks on the city of Khorramabad.

Amid Israel strikes, the death toll in an elementary school in southern Iran climbed to at least 175, Iranian state media report said. The death toll at Shajarah Tayyebeh school in the town of Minab seems to be one of the worst mass casualty events in the US-Israel attack.

The New York Times inputs

Israel army was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera that it identified missiles from Iran. "Defense systems are working to intercept the threat,” read the statement, adding that it has distributed instructions directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas.

Israel army claimed two senior Iranian intelligence were killed in Iran in the first wave of attacks two days ago. The victims were identified as Sayed Yahya Hamidi and Jalal Pour Hussein.

The military statement cited by Al Jazeera said Hamidi was deputy minister of intelligence for Israel affairs, claiming he “led terrorist activities targeting Jews, Western actors, and regime opponents in Iran and abroad”.

The statement also claimed Hossein was head of espionage division at Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence.

“Together with them, additional senior terrorists were eliminated,” it said.

Jordan announces partial and temporary closure of its airspace, says state news agency.

Following Iranian strikes, Qatar foreign ministry spokesperson said attack like this cannot be left without retaliation. Iran has a price to pay on our people, the spokesperson said and added the crisis will be solved at the end in the dailogue table.

Qatar is not engaging with Iranian government now, the spokesperson added. The official also said

CNN inputs

Two Amazon cloud unit’s data centers in Bahrain and the UAE faced power and connectivity issues amid Iranian air strikes. AWS said on Sunday said that one zone in the UAE was affected after "objects" struck the data center and created sparks and fire, following which power was shut off.

"We can confirm that a localized power issue has affected another availability zone" in the UAE region, AWS said.

The cloud firm had reported some recovery in the region earlier on Monday, but is now asking customers to rely on its services in other regions, adding that recovery was expected to be "multiple hours away."

The company did not confirm or deny, when asked earlier, whether the UAE incident was connected to the Iranian strikes. AWS said that it also faced localized power issues at one of its zones in Bahrain.

Reuters inputs

US Iran War Live News Updates: The Iranian Red Crescent Society said on Monday that the US-Israeli airstrike campaign targeting Iran has killed at least 555 people so far in the Islamic Republic.

US Iran War Live News Updates: Israeli military spokesperson said, "We've expanded our presence on our side of the border, not inside Lebanon," further adding that there were "no immediate plans for a ground invasion in Lebanon".

US Iran War Live News Updates: The International Atomic Energy Agency has no indication that Israeli and U.S. attacks on Iran ⁠have hit any nuclear facilities, but it has not been able to ⁠reach Iran's nuclear authorities, its ‌chief Rafael Grossi told the agency's Board of Governors on Monday. "We have ⁠no ⁠indication that any of the ⁠nuclear ‌installations ... have been damaged ‌or hit," he said ‌in a statement to the 35-nation board, adding: "Efforts to contact the Iranian ⁠nuclear regulatory authorities ... continue, with no ‌response ⁠so far."

- Reuters

US Iran War Live News Updates: As the Middle East remains mired in conflict after Israel and US jointly attacked Iran, air travel across the globe is severely hit. The war has shuttered airports in the region, leaving hundreds of thousands of travellers starnded at the airports and hotels, with no word on when they would reopen.

With air spaces closed in West Asia, several airlines have suspended their flight operations for indefinte periods. According to flight tracking website FlightAware, Middle Eastern carriers Emirates, Etihad Airways, Fly Dubai and Qatar Airways are among the hardest-affected airlines that have thrown the global aviation industry into chaos, Out of a total of over 6,000 flights cancelled today, Emirates recorded most number of cancellations at 485 while Etihad Airways, FlyDubai and Qatar have respectively 190, 181 and 106 of their flights cancelled today as of 1.40 pm IST.

Read full story here

US Iran War Live News Updates: US and Israeli strikes killed 35 people in Iran's southern Fars province, according to Tasnim news agency. "Thirty-five people have been killed in Fars province in American and Zionist attacks," Tasnim news agency reported quoting Ebrahim Bayani, head of the province's state-run martyrs foundation.

"Given the continuation of the enemy air strikes this morning, this number may rise," he added.

US Iran War Live News Updates: IndiGo issued travel advisory stating, "We have continued to meticulously evaluate the evolving regional developments and their potential impact on flight operations. After reviewing the latest operational inputs, we are taking the course that we believe is most responsible at this time, purely in the interest of safety. As part of our continued precautionary approach, the temporary suspension of select international flights operating through parts of the Middle Eastern airspace has been extended. Additionally, certain other international services may be impacted as we align operations with evolving conditions. Please check your flight status for the latest updates http://bit.ly/31paVKQ. We understand that these are uncertain times, and we want to assure you that our focus extends beyond operational preparedness to standing alongside our customers."

Travel Advisory We have continued to meticulously evaluate the evolving regional developments and their potential impact on flight operations. After reviewing the latest operational inputs, we are taking the course that we believe is most responsible at this time, purely in the…— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) March 2, 2026

Travel Advisory We have continued to meticulously evaluate the evolving regional developments and their potential impact on flight operations. After reviewing the latest operational inputs, we are taking the course that we believe is most responsible at this time, purely in the…

US Iran War Live News Updates: Saudi Defense Ministry spokesperson says two drones targeting Ras Tanura refinery were intercepted, according to Al Arabiya TV.

An Iranian drone struck Saudi Aramco’s oil facility in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, causing a fire.I don’t know how the Saudis can take that and not respond. pic.twitter.com/ylbZVmEuKS— 🇺🇸 Angel Martinez 🇵🇷 (@AngelMartmma24) March 2, 2026

An Iranian drone struck Saudi Aramco’s oil facility in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, causing a fire.I don’t know how the Saudis can take that and not respond. pic.twitter.com/ylbZVmEuKS

US Iran War Live News Updates: Several U.S. warplanes crashed Monday in Kuwait, the country’s Defense Ministry said, with all the pilots safely bailing out. The ministry did not elaborate on what caused the crashes but it came during an intense period of Iranian fire targeting the country. The Kuwaiti Defense Ministry said the pilots had been taken to a hospital for checkups and their condition was stable. The U.S. military’s Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

US Iran War Live News Updates: Saudi Arabia's state oil giant Aramco shut its Ras Tanura refinery following a drone strike, an industry source said on Monday, after Tehran launched strikes across the region in ⁠response to the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran. The Ras Tanura complex, on the kingdom's Gulf coast, houses one of the Middle East's largest refineries with a capacity of 550,000 ⁠barrels per day (bpd) and serves as a critical export terminal for Saudi ‌crude. It was shut as a precautionary measure and the situation is under control, the source said. Aramco did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. The drone strike added to a ⁠wave of ⁠attacks on the Gulf, including on Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Manama and ⁠Oman's commercial ‌part of Duqm. The strikes have paralysed major shipping hubs ‌in the United Arab Emirates and Oman and sent Brent crude futures ‌surging roughly 10% on Monday. Saudi Arabia's heavily fortified energy facilities have been targeted previously, most notably in September 2019 when unprecedented drone ⁠and missile attacks on the Abqaiq and Khurais plants temporarily knocked out more than ‌half ⁠of the kingdom's crude production and roiled global markets.

- Reuters

US Iran War Live News Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "India's position on the many ongoing tensions in the world is clear. We have always called for maintaining peace and stability, and when two democracies stand together, the voice for peace becomes even stronger. The current situation in West Asia is a matter of deep concern for us. India supports the resolution of all disputes through dialogue and diplomacy. We will continue to work closely with all countries to ensure the safety of all Indian citizens in the region."

#watch | Delhi: PM Narendra Modi says, "India's position on the many ongoing tensions in the world is clear. We have always called for maintaining peace and stability, and when two democracies stand together, the voice for peace becomes even stronger. The current situation in… pic.twitter.com/lG7FDgPYWe— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2026

#watch | Delhi: PM Narendra Modi says, "India's position on the many ongoing tensions in the world is clear. We have always called for maintaining peace and stability, and when two democracies stand together, the voice for peace becomes even stronger. The current situation in… pic.twitter.com/lG7FDgPYWe

US Iran War Live News Updates: Iran and Iranian-backed militias fired missiles at Israel and Arab states, apparently hitting the US Embassy compound in Kuwait on March 2. Meanwhile, Israel and US pounded targets in Iran as the war expanded with statements of defiance and increasing casualties. US had issued an urgent warning to Americans in Kuwait to take cover and remain indoors. It said: “Do not come to the Embassy,” without elaborating.

Iran attacks US embassy compound in Kuwait⁰⁰Iran and Iranian-backed militias fired missiles at Israel and Arab states, apparently hitting the US Embassy compound in Kuwait on March 2.Meanwhile, Israel and US pounded targets in Iran as the war expanded with statements of… pic.twitter.com/C6mrCurFtH— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) March 2, 2026

Iran attacks US embassy compound in Kuwait⁰⁰Iran and Iranian-backed militias fired missiles at Israel and Arab states, apparently hitting the US Embassy compound in Kuwait on March 2.Meanwhile, Israel and US pounded targets in Iran as the war expanded with statements of… pic.twitter.com/C6mrCurFtH

US Iran War Live News Updates:

بالفيديو | مشاهد اخرى لسقوط صواريخ إيرانية على مواقع أميركية في البحرين pic.twitter.com/pnYWEortwH— إيران بالعربية (@iraninarabic_ir) March 2, 2026

بالفيديو | مشاهد اخرى لسقوط صواريخ إيرانية على مواقع أميركية في البحرين pic.twitter.com/pnYWEortwH

Three armed drones were shot down over Erbil airport in northern Iraq, where US forces are stationed, according to security sources. (AP)

A picture of the late Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Khomeini is seen near an apartment building after it was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburb, Lebanon, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Debris covers a street beside an apartment building hit by an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburb, Lebanon, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

*Watch: A US fighter jet has crashed in Kuwait, the pilot safely being transported to a medical facility by local residents, who placed him in the trunk of a car. *

The pilot was transported to safety by local residents, who placed him in the trunk of a car. https://t.co/feAM4VlrS5 pic.twitter.com/5JVcdGx44z— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 2, 2026

The pilot was transported to safety by local residents, who placed him in the trunk of a car. https://t.co/feAM4VlrS5 pic.twitter.com/5JVcdGx44z

*Video: A US fighter jet has crashed in Kuwait.*

BREAKING: A U.S. fighter jet has crashed in Kuwait. pic.twitter.com/W6Mgim47iO— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 2, 2026

BREAKING: A U.S. fighter jet has crashed in Kuwait. pic.twitter.com/W6Mgim47iO

Israel has launched an offensive campaign against Hezbollah, following rocket attacks on Israel, with the Israeli army's chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, announcing the move in a meeting. The strikes come after Lebanese authorities reported that Israeli air attacks have killed at least 31 people and wounded 149 others.

Thousands of people attended funeral prayers for protesters killed in clashes outside the US consulate in Karachi, as the death toll from violent demonstrations across Pakistan over the death of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rose to at least 23.

Thousands of people attended funeral prayers for protesters killed in clashes outside the US consulate in Karachi, as the death toll from violent demonstrations across Pakistan over the death of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rose to at least 23 https://t.co/plbsVINtiZ pic.twitter.com/YosDIqVMJL— Reuters (@Reuters) March 2, 2026

The Iranian Fars news agency says at least two people have been killed in an “enemy attack” on the central city of Sanandaj.

It said the city was targeted by enemy missiles and that several residential buildings next to the city’s police station were destroyed.

The Tasnim news agency said US and Israeli forces dropped six missiles on different parts of the city, including densely populated neighbourhoods.

Footage posted online and verified by Al Jazeera shows the moment of one attack, with fire and huge clouds of smoke in the sky.

انفجار از فاصله نزدیکویدیوی دریافتی، دوشنبه ۱۱ اسفند#iran #sanandaj pic.twitter.com/jQbAvb74g6— Vahid Online (@Vahid) March 2, 2026

انفجار از فاصله نزدیکویدیوی دریافتی، دوشنبه ۱۱ اسفند#iran #sanandaj pic.twitter.com/jQbAvb74g6

A Reuters witness says smoke was seen rising from near the US embassy in Kuwait.

Kuwait intercepted hostile drones on Monday, the third consecutive day of Iranian retaliatory strikes on neighbouring Gulf states in response to ⁠US and Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic.

A series of loud blasts was heard on Monday morning in Dubai and the Qatari capital ⁠of Doha, according to Reuters witnesses. Loud bangs and ‌sirens were heard earlier in Kuwait, according to Reuters witnesses.

No injuries were reported after Kuwait air defenses intercepted the majority of the drones near ⁠Rumaithiya and ⁠Salwa neighbourhoods, the state news agency cited the director-general of ⁠the ‌civil defense as saying.

Iran fired missiles at Israel and Arab states Monday and the war expanded to include militias Tehran backs in the Middle East with an attack by Hezbollah on Israel, which struck back against the group in Lebanon and with the United States pounded targets in Iran.

As the American and Israeli airstrikes kept hitting the country, top Iranian security official Ali Larijani said on X: “We will not negotiate with the United States.” Trump, who a day earlier had encouraged Iranians to “take over” their government, signaled Sunday that he was open to dialogue with Iran’s new leadership.

Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior says it has activated air raid alerts and urged residents to head to the nearest safest place.

It said the Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Bridge linking Manama to nearby towns was closed and urged “residents to use main roads only when necessary”.(Aljazeera)

The Ministry of Interior is asking citizens and residents to only use main roads when necessary to ensure public safety and allow emergency services and authorities to operate freely. This advisory aims to prevent road closures and enable swift response times during emergencies, amid regional security concerns .

نهيب بالمواطنين والمقيمين أن يكون إشغال الطرق الرئيسية عند الضرورة، حفاظا على السلامة العامة، وذلك من أجل إفساح المجال لاستخدام الطرق من قبل الأجهزة المعنية.— Ministry of Interior (@moi_bahrain) March 2, 2026

نهيب بالمواطنين والمقيمين أن يكون إشغال الطرق الرئيسية عند الضرورة، حفاظا على السلامة العامة، وذلك من أجل إفساح المجال لاستخدام الطرق من قبل الأجهزة المعنية.

The Israeli military says Iran has launched more missiles at Israel and that air defences are operating to intercept the projectiles.

It called on residents who receive alerts to take shelter and remain in protected spaces until informed.

(With inputs from agencies)

Kuwaiti authorities have reported another round of air raid sirens, marking at least the third time the alarms have blared in the country in recent hours. The country's air defenses successfully intercepted a "majority" of drones approaching the capital, with no immediate reports of injuries or damage. (Aljazeera)

Iran and Iranian-backed militias fired missiles at Israel and Arab states and Israel and the United States pounded targets in Iran as the war expanded Monday with statements of defiance and warnings of more US casualties.

As the American and Israeli airstrikes continued, top Iranian security official Ali Larijani vowed defiantly on X that “we will not negotiate with the United States.”

About half a dozen loud bangs have been heard in Qatar’s capital, indicating that the Iranian attacks continue, as reported by Aljazeera.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported dropping 2,000 bombs on Iran since Saturday morning, achieving air superiority over Tehran at an unprecedented pace. The Israel Air Force (IAF) stated that the bombing rate matches the intensity of Operation Rising Lion in June 2025, despite being a shorter operation. This urgency is partly driven by concerns that US President Donald Trump might withdraw support sooner than expected.

(With inputs from Jerusalem Post)

*Video: Consecutive blasts at suspected military site east of Tehran *

A video sent to Iran International shows several consecutive explosions Sunday night at a site in eastern Tehran that the person who filmed it says is linked to the Islamic Republic’s military activities. pic.twitter.com/NExpUx7u4b— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) March 2, 2026

A video sent to Iran International shows several consecutive explosions Sunday night at a site in eastern Tehran that the person who filmed it says is linked to the Islamic Republic’s military activities. pic.twitter.com/NExpUx7u4b

Trump administration officials acknowledged in closed-door briefings with congressional staff on Sunday that there was no intelligence suggesting Iran planned to attack US forces first, two people familiar with the matter said.

The United States and Israel launched their most ambitious attacks on Iran in decades on Saturday, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sinking Iranian warships and hitting more than 1,000 targets so far, officials say.

But Sunday's ⁠remarks to Congress appeared to undercut one of the key arguments for the war made by senior administration officials.

They told reporters the day before that President Donald Trump decided to launch the attacks in part because of indicators that Iranians might strike US forces in the Middle East "perhaps preemptively."

Trump, one of the officials said, was not going to "sit back and allow American forces in the region to ⁠absorb attacks."

Iran’s top national security official Ali Larijani said Iran “will not negotiate with the United States,” in a post on X.

Larijani criticized US President Donald Trump, saying he has "plunged the region into chaos with his 'false hopes' and is now worried about further casualties of American troops".

He added that Trump's actions have transformed his slogan of 'America First' into 'Israel First', sacrificing American soldiers for Israel's quest for power.

لن نتفاوض مع الولايات المتحدة https://t.co/cvEweU8ODj— Ali Larijani | علی لاریجانی (@alilarijani_ir) March 2, 2026

لن نتفاوض مع الولايات المتحدة https://t.co/cvEweU8ODj

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has grown into a powerful force within the country's theocracy, answering only to its supreme leader.

*Here's a step-by-step breakdown:*

• Born out of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Guard was meant to protect the Shiite cleric-overseen government.

• It operated parallel to Iran's regular armed forces, growing in prominence during the Iran-Iraq war and later becoming enshrined in the constitution.

• The Guard expanded into private enterprise, running a massive construction company and firms in various industries.

• The Guard's Quds Force created Iran's "Axis of Resistance" against Israel and the US, backing groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.

• The Guard is now a key player in Iran's military, controlling ballistic missiles and overseeing attacks overseas

Trita Parsi, co-founder of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, Iran's theocratic government fears surrender far more than war because it believes it can survive a war, but not a surrender.

"Trump thought that by bringing aircraft carriers into the Persian Gulf, this would scare the Iranians enough in order to get them to surrender, not understanding that this particular theocracy fears surrender far more than it fears war," Parsi told Al Jazeera.

Iran's strategy is to inflict as much damage as possible on the US, its troops, and the global economy, making it too costly for Trump to attempt a surrender.

Loud bangs rang out over Kuwait early Monday local time as air defenses intercepted “hostile drones” approaching the country via “maritime routes,” state media reported.

Kuwaiti Air Defense forces shot down “the majority” of drones, the Director General of Civil Defense told state-run Kuwait News Agency.

However, there were no casualties reported from the interceptions, the news agency said.

•Explosion rocks Ahvaz in Iran's southwest. *

Videos sent by citizens from Ahvaz in southwestern Iran show a large explosion in the city early Monday, as US and Israeli strikes continued. One resident is heard saying an ammunition depot was likely targeted. pic.twitter.com/wGxyc4HX5J— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) March 2, 2026

Videos sent by citizens from Ahvaz in southwestern Iran show a large explosion in the city early Monday, as US and Israeli strikes continued. One resident is heard saying an ammunition depot was likely targeted. pic.twitter.com/wGxyc4HX5J

Patients were evacuated from Tehran's Gandhi Hospital after it was badly damaged in strikes, with footage showing debris and glass strewn in the street.

The hospital, located in northern Tehran, was hit by Israeli strikes, prompting the evacuation of patients, including babies, according to Iranian state media and witnesses who spoke to Reuters.

The United States used an array of weapons in the strikes conducted against Iran as a part of Operation Epic Fury on Saturday--which included artificial intelligence services from Anthropic, according to a report by Reuters.

The Pentagon used artificial intelligence services from Anthropic, including its Claude tools, during its attack on Iran, Reuters reported on Sunday citing a source familiar with the situation.

The use of Anthropic comes shortly after the US had declared it as a supply chain risk and threat to national security. As per Reuters in it could not determine how the tools were used in the war effort, and Pentagon and Anthropic did not immediately return a request for comment.

*Watch: "US forces are taking bold action to eliminate imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime. Strikes continue," US CENTCOM said Sunday night, releasing a video of the Iranian targets hit by the US military. *

U.S. forces are taking bold action to eliminate imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime. Strikes continue. pic.twitter.com/z1x07D7APl— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 2, 2026

U.S. forces are taking bold action to eliminate imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime. Strikes continue. pic.twitter.com/z1x07D7APl

The UK's Akrotiri Base in Cyprus was hit by an unmanned drone, causing limited damage, according to the Cypriot government. There's no report of any casualties, and authorities are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the UK government.

Σε σχέση με περιστατικό που σημειώθηκε λίγο μετά τα μεσάνυχτα στη Βάση Ακρωτηρίου,σύμφωνα με ενημέρωση που λήφθηκε σε διάφορα επίπεδα, πρόκειται για μη επανδρωμένο drone το οποίο προκάλεσε περιορισμένες ζημιές. Οι αρμόδιες αρχές ενεργοποίησαν άμεσα τα προβλεπόμενα πρωτόκολλα…— Λετυμπιώτης Κων/νος (@letymbiotis) March 2, 2026

Σε σχέση με περιστατικό που σημειώθηκε λίγο μετά τα μεσάνυχτα στη Βάση Ακρωτηρίου,σύμφωνα με ενημέρωση που λήφθηκε σε διάφορα επίπεδα, πρόκειται για μη επανδρωμένο drone το οποίο προκάλεσε περιορισμένες ζημιές. Οι αρμόδιες αρχές ενεργοποίησαν άμεσα τα προβλεπόμενα πρωτόκολλα…

The US and Israel pounded targets across Iran, bombing the country’s ballistic missile sites and wiping out warships as part of an intensifying military campaign following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Blasts rattled windows across the country and sent plumes of smoke high into the sky above Tehran.

Hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing their homes in southern Lebanon and Beirut's Dahiyeh suburbs after Israel issued forced displacement orders. The area is a stronghold for Hezbollah, which has been repeatedly attacked by Israel since the 2024 war.

Despite a ceasefire agreement in November 2024, Israel continues to carry out attacks, claiming Hezbollah is rearming. The situation is chaotic, especially during Ramadan, with people scrambling for shelter instead of preparing for the fast.

A Filipina woman was live streaming from her Dubai apartment when it was struck by an Iranian missile, causing massive destruction.

A Filipina woman was live streaming from her apartment in Dubai when it was hit by an Iranian missile, causing massive destruction. pic.twitter.com/jmA9kNu8H9— GPX (@GPX_Press) March 2, 2026

A Filipina woman was live streaming from her apartment in Dubai when it was hit by an Iranian missile, causing massive destruction. pic.twitter.com/jmA9kNu8H9

Cyprus confirms a drone attack targeted a British base on the island and caused damage.

Donald Trump told ABC News's Jonathan Karl that the US had identified possible candidates to take over Iran, but they were killed in the initial attack. "The attack was so successful it knocked out most of the candidates... It's not going to be anybody that we were thinking of because they are all dead. Second or third place is dead," Trump said, highlighting the unexpected challenge of finding a new leader for Iran.

Pres Trump told me tonight the US had identified possible candidates to take over Iran, but they were killed in the initial attack."The attack was so successful it knocked out most of the candidates," Trump told me. "It's not going to be anybody that we were thinking of because…— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) March 2, 2026

Pres Trump told me tonight the US had identified possible candidates to take over Iran, but they were killed in the initial attack."The attack was so successful it knocked out most of the candidates," Trump told me. "It's not going to be anybody that we were thinking of because…

Yassamin Ansari, a Democrat representing Arizona's 3rd congressional district, expressed concerns about President Trump's plans for Iran, posted on X, "I do not believe that Trump has 'good intentions or a plan' for the future of the country.

This belief is rooted in the fact that Donald Trump has demonstrated a lack of good intentions or a plan as it pertains to the future of the United States. I genuinely hope I'm wrong." She added, "90 million Iranians deserve a better future, and American lives are at stake".

I do not believe Donald Trump has good intentions or a plan as it pertains to the future of Iran. This belief is rooted in the fact that Donald Trump has demonstrated a lack of good intentions or a plan as it pertains to the future of the United States.I genuinely hope I’m…— Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (@RepYassAnsari) March 1, 2026

I do not believe Donald Trump has good intentions or a plan as it pertains to the future of Iran. This belief is rooted in the fact that Donald Trump has demonstrated a lack of good intentions or a plan as it pertains to the future of the United States.I genuinely hope I’m…

An Iraqi Shiite militia claimed a drone attack Monday targeting U.S. troops at the airport in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, further widening the retaliation over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.The group, Saraya Awliya al-Dam, is one of a group of Shiite militias operating in Iraq following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of the country that toppled Saddam Hussein.

With inputs from AP

Iraqi security sources have told Al Jazeera that there’s been an air attack on the Jurf al-Sakhr area south of the capital, Baghdad.

The UK’s Ministry of Defense has confirmed a suspected drone strike on its military base at Akrotiri in Cyprus, with no casualties reported. The incident occurred around midnight, causing minor damage to the facility.

This comes after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed to a US request to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missile threats .

(with inputs from agencies)

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been responsible for the deaths of over 1,000 Americans in the past 47 years, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM).

A large-scale US strike has dismantled the IRGC’s headquarters, with CENTCOM stating, “Yesterday, a large-scale US strike cut off the head of the snake. America has the most powerful military on earth, and the IRGC no longer has a headquarters.

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) killed more than 1,000 Americans over the past 47 years. Yesterday, a large-scale U.S. strike cut off the head of the snake. America has the most powerful military on earth, and the IRGC no longer has a headquarters. pic.twitter.com/WdpN7JBECr— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 1, 2026

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) killed more than 1,000 Americans over the past 47 years. Yesterday, a large-scale U.S. strike cut off the head of the snake. America has the most powerful military on earth, and the IRGC no longer has a headquarters. pic.twitter.com/WdpN7JBECr

Israel has told residents of more than 50 towns and villages in Lebanon to evacuate, as it warned of attacks.

People in the identified areas must move at least 1,000 metres away to open areas.

"For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move at least 1,000 metres away from the villages to open areas," the warning says.

"Anyone who is near Hezbollah members, its facilities or its military assets is putting their life at risk."

The Lebanese National News Agency is reporting “massive displacement” in the south of the country following the exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

It said there is a “heavy exodus” from the Tyre region towards Beirut and northern Lebanon.

It said civil defense teams are currently directing traffic.

As we’ve been reporting, the Israeli military has ordered the residents of at least 53 villages and towns in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes.

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