|
This article documents a current military conflict and may change rapidly. (March 2026)
|
| 2026 Iran war | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Middle Eastern crisis (2023–present) | |||||||
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
Attacked by Iran:
Defensive actions:
|
|
||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
|
||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
|
See order of battle
|
|||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
|
|
|
||||||
| See the casualties section for civilian casualties in other countries |
|||||||
|
|
|||||||
| United States involvement in regime change |
|---|
On 28 February 2026, Israel and the United States began joint air attacks on Iran, starting a war aimed at regime change.[29][30] Iran has responded with missile and drone strikes against Israel and against many US bases and US allies in the region.
After the Middle Eastern crisis began in 2023, Israel and Iran exchanged missile strikes in 2024, and again during their Twelve-Day War in June 2025, which also saw a US airstrike on Iran's nuclear facilities.[31] In January 2026, Iranian security forces killed thousands of protesters[32] during the largest protests since the Islamic Revolution.[33] Iran and the US held indirect nuclear negotiations in February.[34] Meanwhile, the US undertook its largest military buildup in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.[35]
The 2026 war began with joint airstrikes by Israel and the US against military and government sites in the cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. They assassinated Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, whose compound was destroyed; several other Iranian officials have been killed.[36][37] Israeli and US attacks also resulted in civilian casualties and damage to several schools, hospitals, the Grand Bazaar in Tehran, and the Golestan Palace.[38] In retaliation, Iran launched hundreds of its drones and ballistic missiles at targets in Israel[39] and US military bases[39] in Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia[40][41] Iran also struck civilian infrastructure in Israel, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman,[42][43][44] and allegedly Azerbaijan.[45] Britain's Akrotiri and Dhekelia military base on Cyprus was struck by a drone.[46] Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil and gas shipments.[47] Hezbollah also retaliated against Israel, sparking renewed conflict in southern Lebanon.[48][49][50]
President Donald Trump and other US officials offered various and shifting reasons for launching the war on Iran, including that it was to ward off an imminent Iranian threat, destroy Iran's missile and military capabilities, prevent Iran from ever having a nuclear weapon,[51] and ultimately to achieve regime change by bringing the Iranian opposition to power.[52][53][54][55] Iran rejected US claims that it was preparing an attack.[56] Trump has also informally stated his idea for a post-war Iran in which a new Iranian regime works together on oil production in the same way that the US and Venezuela do.[57] The United Nations and several uninvolved countries condemned the US-Israeli strikes or said that they undermined regional stability; others condemned Iran's retaliatory strikes on US allies in the region.[58] Critics of the operation described it as illegal under US law[59] and a violation of Iran's sovereignty[60][61] under international law.[62] On the seventh day of the war, Trump demanded Iran's "unconditional surrender".[63]
Background
A US and UK-backed coup d'état in 1953 deposed Iranian prime minister Mohammad Mosaddegh and strengthened the rule of the shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, due to the former's nationalization of the oil industry.[64][65][66] Resentment of the shah's deference to Western interests and his autocratic monarchical rule led to the 1979 revolution in which he was overthrown,[64][67][68] after which Iran became an Islamic republic and severed diplomatic ties with the United States and Israel.[64][69][70]
During the Iran–Iraq War in the 1980s, the US provided economic, intelligence, and indirect military support to Iraq. In this period, Iran began to engage in proxy conflicts in the region, backing Hezbollah against Israel in Lebanon. In the 2000s, Iran began supporting militias fighting the US in Iraq. These proxies became part of an informal Axis of Resistance committed primarily to countering the influence of the US and Israel in the Middle East. The conflict between the US and Iran became direct in January 2020 when President Donald Trump, during his first term, ordered the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander who expanded the Axis of Resistance.[64][71][72] After the assassination, Iran plotted to kill President Trump and other Trump administration officials.[73]
Tensions between Iran and the US and Israel further escalated following the October 7 attacks on Israel and start of the Gaza war, during which Israel weakened Iranian-backed militias across the Middle East, including Hamas in Gaza,[h] Hezbollah, and others. Israel and Iran exchanged strikes in April and October 2024, and were engaged in a 12-day war in June 2025 that included an American airstrike aimed at destroying Iran's nuclear facilities.[31]
Iran nuclear issue
Iran's AMAD project was suspended in 2003 by Khamenei.[76] The nuclear program of Iran has been an issue of diplomatic contention since 2006.[77] Iran said it is not seeking nuclear weapons, and that its enrichment efforts are to generate nuclear power for civilian use.[78] The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that there is no proof Iran is building an atomic bomb.[79][80][81][82] Some UK and US analysts have said that Iran is pursuing a strategy of nuclear hedging.[83][84][85][86]
The United States withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in 2018[87][88] led to the re-imposition of sanctions on Iran and a turn towards the use of force rather than diplomacy in relations between the US and its allies and Iran. The first Trump administration adopted a "maximum pressure" strategy.[89] The Biden administration did not relax the economic sanctions against Iran, and instead implemented more measures.[90] The second Trump administration reimposed the "maximum pressure" approach on Iran.[91][88]
The Defense Intelligence Agency concluded in 2025 it would be a decade before Iran would be able to gain the technical skill to produce an arsenal of missiles that could reach the United States;[92] the United States Department of Defense estimated Iran's nuclear program had been set back by two years following earlier strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025.[93] In January 2026 US and European officials said Washington had presented Iran with three core demands, one of which was a permanent end to all uranium enrichment.[94]
At the State of the Union Address in late February 2026, President Trump stated that Iran had restarted its nuclear program and was developing missiles capable of striking the US.[95] Days later, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) discovered that Iran had hidden highly enriched uranium in an underground facility that was undamaged in the previous round of fighting,[96][97] and IAEA said that they had no evidence of an organized nuclear weapons program, but could not be sure that Iran's broader nuclear program was "exclusively peaceful" at the time of reportage as the agency was denied access.[98]
Prelude
Anti-government protests in Iran and initial US deployments
Beginning in late December 2025, massive nationwide anti-government protests erupted in Iran, driven largely by economic crisis, the collapse of the rial, and rising prices. The protests, which included calls for regime change, became the largest in scale since the 1979 revolution.[33] The Iranian government responded with massacres of protesters, with the deadliest incidents occurring on 8 and 10 January 2026.[32] In February 2026, US treasury secretary Scott Bessent claimed that Washington engineered a dollar shortage in Iran to send the Iranian rial into freefall and cause protests in Iran.[99][100][101] The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency estimated the death toll at 7,000, the Iranian government said it was 3,117, while Donald Trump and various Iranian health officials said it was 32,000 people.[102][103]
On 2 January 2026, Trump threatened a "lock and loaded" military intervention in Iran if the government decided to kill peaceful protesters.[104] On 13 January, he expressed support for Iranian anti-government protesters and pledged that "help is on the way" for them,[105] and later, on 23 January, Trump announced that a US "armada" was heading to the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and several guided-missile destroyers.[106][107] On 13 February, Trump ordered the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its supporting warships to sail to the Middle East.[108]
2026 nuclear negotiations
On 6 February 2026, Iran and the US held indirect nuclear negotiations in Oman's capital, Muscat. Iran emphasized that progress depends on consultations back in capitals.[109] A second round of nuclear talks was scheduled in Geneva.[109] Between 15 and 20 February, Iran increased its oil exports to 3 times normal rate, and reduced oil storage.[110]
Just before the strikes began, on 27 February 2026, Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi said a "breakthrough" had been reached and Iran had agreed both to never stockpile enriched uranium and to full verification by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA);[111] furthermore, Iran had agreed to irreversibly downgrade its current enriched uranium to "the lowest level possible". Al-Busaidi said peace was "within reach".[112][111] However, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said Iran began recent nuclear talks by insisting on its "inalienable right" to enrich uranium, rejecting a US proposal for zero enrichment, and even boasting that its 460 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium could produce 11 nuclear bombs.[113][114]
US military buildup
A day later, on 14 February, US officials told Reuters that the US military was preparing for a broad campaign involving weeks-long, sustained operations against Iran that could target its state and security infrastructure.[115] By 19 February the US buildup was described as the largest in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.[35] According to Axios, Netanyahu called Trump on 23 February to inform him about Khamenei's upcoming meeting with his top advisors and its location.[116][117] On 24 February 2026, during a State of the Union speech, Trump accused Iran of reviving efforts to build nuclear weapons, condemning these alleged ambitions as "sinister" and claiming that Iran had also developed increasingly advanced missile capabilities that could threaten the US, Europe, and US bases overseas. He warned that the US was prepared to act if necessary.[118] Such claims by American officials have suggested that Iran is pursuing weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) or similar weapons and that the United States needed to intervene militarily against it, echoing false allegations of WMDs in Iraq prior to the Iraq War in 2003.[119] American intelligence reports suggested that alleged threats of long-range Iranian ballistic missiles were unfounded, with such capabilities requiring up until 2035 should Iran have decided to pursue the project.[120]
On 25 February 2026, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that a "historic" agreement with the United States to avert military conflict was "within reach" ahead of renewed talks in Geneva. Araghchi emphasized that diplomacy must be prioritized to avoid further escalation. Despite high tensions and a significant US military buildup in the region, Araghchi reiterated on social media that Iran holds a "crystal clear" position against developing nuclear weapons, while defending its right to peaceful nuclear technology.[121]
Before the attack, JD Vance, the vice president of the United States, defended striking Iran. When asked about whether he would support a regime change in Iran despite previously criticizing the Iraq war, he said that life "has all kinds of crazy twists and turns".[122] Vance has also supported the war after it began, contradicting his long-standing anti-war campaign.[123] According to The Washington Post, crown prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman conducted multiple phone calls with Trump urging him to attack Iran, stating that "Iran would become stronger and more dangerous if Washington did not strike immediately".[124] The Washington Post reported that Trump's decision to attack Iran came after the Saudi Arabian and Israeli governments lobbied him repeatedly to make the move.[125]
The Guardian reported a few days before the attack that the decision would be determined by the outcome of a meeting in Geneva, in which the US would be led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Charles Wald, a retired Air Force general and deputy commander of US European Command who now serves at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, stated that bringing the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier to the Middle East would help defend Israel from Iran. He also stated that if US-Iran negotiations do not end well, that "it's going to be twice as bad as when Obama didn't do anything in Syria for the chemical weapons."[126] However, according to Royal United Services Institute, there was no evidence of an imminent attack by Iran.[127]
On the morning of the attack, some of Iran's top military and intelligence leaders, including Khamenei, were gathered together in the national security council offices for meetings. According to the Wall Street Journal, Israeli and US military intelligence officers identified that the senior Iranian leaders would gather at three meetings that could be simultaneously struck. A New York Times analysis stated that Khamenei and his officials made the mistake of being above ground and in broad daylight. It is still unknown how US and Israeli leadership were aware of their exact location.[128][129][130]
A few days before the attack, senior advisors for the Trump administration said it would be better if Israel strikes Iran first, so that the United States would have a better justification for going to war after Iran retaliates.[131] US secretary of state Marco Rubio later disclosed that the initial US attack on Iran was due to an Israeli intention to attack Iranian leadership, which would have jeopardized US forces in the region.[132] He also stated that Israel dragged the United States into the war;[133] however, Trump disagreed.[134]
Hostilities
28 February
Initial American and Israeli strikes
On 27 February, at 3:38 p.m. EST (11:08 p.m. IRST), Donald Trump, traveling on Air Force One to Corpus Christi, Texas, gave the order to proceed with Operation Epic Fury.[135][128] Airstrikes on Iran began on 28 February, Saturday, at around 9:45 a.m. IRST (1:15 a.m. EST); Saturday is the first day of the week in Iran and a regular work day.[136] US missiles, drones, and Israeli fighter jets were used in the strikes.[137] Low-cost one-way attack drones (reverse-engineered Iranian Shahed 136 drone) of Task Force Scorpion Strike were employed for the first time in combat.[138] The operation was codenamed Operation Roaring Lion[j] by Israel.[139]
Among the targets was the Pasteur Street district in Tehran where Ali Khamenei normally resided, also home to the presidential palace and National Security Council.[140] Early reports suggested that at least seven missiles had struck the area.[141] American officials confirmed that the strikes were coordinated with the US.[142] The Israeli Air Force (IAF) said that it had struck 500 military targets in western and central Iran, including air defenses and missile launchers, using approximately 200 fighter jets, in the largest combat sortie in its history.[143]
Together with the physical airstrikes, Israel also conducted coordinated cyberattacks on Iranian infrastructure, media, and phone apps with messages calling on Iranians to rise up against their government.[130] The popular BadeSaba Calendar prayer app, with over 5 million downloads, was compromised in the attack, being hacked early that morning to broadcast push notifications in Persian urging military personnel and citizens to defect, lay down weapons, and join opposition forces with messages such as "Help has arrived" and "It's time for reckoning."[144][145][146] The cyberattacks resulted in a near-total internet blackout in Iran, lasting over 60 hours with connectivity dropping to as low as 1–4% of normal levels, disrupting government communications, state media, and public services.[147][145]
Israel subsequently declared a state of emergency, citing expectation of an Iranian attack.[148] Sirens blared in Israel as the government warned its citizens to remain in protected areas.[149] Trump warned that US lives may be lost.[150] The Israeli Ministry of Health moved its hospital operations underground.[151] According to Iran International, Israel warned Iranian civilians residing near military industries and infrastructure to evacuate immediately, stating "Your presence in these areas puts your life at risk."[152]
According to a US official, dozens of US strikes were carried out by planes based around the Middle East and from one or more aircraft carriers.[153] Israeli military officials said months-long planning preceded their strikes, allowing them to pinpoint their targets, attain "tactical surprise", and gain US support.[154] Attacking during the morning, rather than at night which was when most of Israel's previous attacks on Iran took place, added to the element of surprise. Israeli weapons included the newly developed Black Sparrow air-launched ballistic missile, fired from F-15s.[129] Israel later stated its initial strikes used over 1,200 bombs in 24 hours.[155] Iranian naval vessels were also targeted.[156]
A sports hall in Lamerd was bombed during a girls' practice, killing at least 18 civilians, according to Iranian state media.[157][unreliable source?] Communication services across Tehran were impaired following the attacks,[2] and a near total internet blackout was reported by Netblocks.[158][159][160] According to the BBC, Khamenei's office and the presidential office of Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran were hit during the strikes.[158] Reuters quoted an unnamed Israeli official who stated that Khamenei's body had been found, confirming death.[161]
A spokesperson for the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces said that two of its fighters had been killed while three more had been injured during strikes in Jurf al-Sakhar, south of Baghdad.[2] According to Iran International, quoting the Iranian Students' News Agency, thousands of IRGC personnel, including several senior officials,[162] were killed or wounded as several military bases were attacked.[152] It reported that the port city of Bushehr had also been struck; however, it was unclear whether the nuclear reactor had sustained any damage.[152] Rafael Mariano Grossi, the U.N. nuclear watchdog chief stated that no evidence has been found that nuclear facilities[163] have been hit from these attacks.[164]
Israel called up 20,000 reservists in addition to the 50,000 already on duty.[165] On 2 March 2026, Khamenei's wife Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh was confirmed to have also died of injuries sustained in the strike.[166]
American and Israeli leaders' statements on their aims
At exactly 2:30 AM EST on 28 February, Donald Trump released an eight-minute video statement on Truth Social, saying that the purpose of the US strikes in Iran was effectively regime change. Trump said that Iran's "menacing activities" endangered the US and its allies. He cited the Iran hostage crisis, support for proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah, its killings of protesters, and its alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons. He asserted that in the conflict: "The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost and we may have casualties. That often happens in war."[167]
Trump urged members of the IRGC to "lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or in the alternative, face certain death". Calling on the Iranian public to initiate regime change,[168] he said: "When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations."[92][52][169]
Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran's leadership of decades of hostility, saying that "for 47 years, the Ayatollah regime has called out 'Death to Israel' and 'Death to America'", and described it as a "murderous terror regime" that "must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons". He said the joint US-Israeli action would "create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands", and called on the people of Iran to "cast off the yoke of tyranny".[170] The Times of Israel reported that Defense Minister Israel Katz, had labeled the strikes a "pre-emptive attack" intended to "remove threats to the State of Israel".[148]
United States secretary of defense Pete Hegseth dismissed concerns raised by some Democrats in the US, saying: "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. As the president warned, an effort of this scope will include casualties. War is hell and always will be."[171][172] Iran rejected claims that it intended to attack the United States, citing the aggressive posture of the US armed forces as evidence.[56]
Iranian response and missile attacks in the Persian Gulf theater
Iranian forces reacted within hours by launching missiles against targets in Tel Aviv and Haifa as well as US military bases in the Persian Gulf region. The quicker response relative to that of the Twelve-Day War suggests a change in Iran's command structure, according to the BBC.[173] Iran named its response Operation True Promise IV.[k][l]
Iran targeted multiple US military bases throughout the Persian Gulf region.[174] Bahrain activated air-raid sirens to warn of an Iranian attack on US military bases within the nation, with Arabic media saying explosions and smoke were seen in the capital, Manama.[175][176] Bahrain later confirmed a missile strike had targeted the US Fifth Fleet headquarters.[177] Explosions were also reported at Kuwait International Airport and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.[178][179] There were missile and drone attacks on Kuwait.[180]
The IRGC said that Iran had targeted four US bases in the Middle East: Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar; Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait (which also hosted Italian soldiers);[181] Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE; and the US Navy Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain.[182] Saudi Arabia confirmed that there had been Iranian attacks on Riyadh and Eastern Province.[183] It claimed to have successfully intercepted Iranian attacks aimed at those areas and said that the Kingdom will "take all necessary measures" to defend itself, "including the option of responding to aggression".[184]
The UAE stated that it had successfully intercepted a number of Iranian missiles and that one Asian national had been killed by interceptor debris which had fallen on a residential area.[158][185] Qatar said that it had intercepted at least two waves of missile attacks, stating that no casualties or property damage had been reported.[186] In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Iranian aerial attacks targeted infrastructure hosting US military and civilian personnel, including Erbil International Airport and the US Consulate General in Erbil; according to local media reports, most missiles and drones were intercepted.[187]
A nine-storey building was hit by missiles in northern Israel, injuring one civilian.[2] Strikes were reported in Haifa and Tel Aviv.[188] A strike on a residential area in Tel Aviv killed a civilian woman in her forties and injured 27 others.[189] Jordan said that its armed forces had shot down two Iranian ballistic missiles targeting its territory[190][191] and that it had handled 54 reports of falling debris that caused material damage but no casualties.[192] Residential areas of Dubai in the proximity of the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Marina and the Dubai Palm were hit by strikes, setting the Fairmont The Palm hotel on fire[193] and causing four injuries;[2] a residential building on the outskirts of Doha was also hit.[194][186][195][196] Local sources said Iran used Shahed drones, which are among the weapons most used by Iran and its proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah.[197]
The UAE said that it had intercepted a "new wave" of Iranian missiles and that "fragments from the interceptions" had fallen in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, causing damage to Burj Al Arab.[198][199] Strikes on Kuwait International Airport caused several undefined injuries.[193] In Bahrain, during the evening a tower in a residential area was reported to be hit by an Iranian drone.[2]
According to an analysis in Reuters, by sending missiles at Gulf states, Iran has caused the Gulf states to realize that Iran poses a threat to them, and could thus cause them to support the US-Israel strikes.[200] Former CIA director David Petraeus echoed these sentiments, stating that Iran's targeting of other Gulf states was likely a strategic error that could pull additional countries into the war.[201]
1 March
Iran's top security official, Ali Larijani, announced the Interim Leadership Council on 1 March and accused the US and Israel of trying to dismantle Iran. He warned "secessionist groups" of severe consequences if they take action.[202] Trump relayed to NBC News that "a large amount of leadership" in Iran had been killed.[203] Israel launches a new wave of strikes against Iranian targets.[202]
Iran launched missiles and drones on Israel, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.[204][better source needed][205][better source needed][206] The United Kingdom initially reported there were strikes against Cyprus,[207][208] but later confirmed that there were not.[209] Two oil tankers, the Palau-flagged Skylight and the Marshall Islands-flagged MKD VYOM, were targeted off the coast of Oman.[210][211][212] Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowed to a standstill,[213] with 150 freight ships, including many oil tankers stalled.[214]
To avert further Iranian strikes, the E3 (the UK, France, and Germany) resolved to back, if needed, "proportionate military defensive measures" against drones and ballistic missiles, signaling the potential for direct involvement.[215] British prime minister Keir Starmer said that US can use British bases for "defensive" strikes on Iran[216] and disclosed that Ukrainian and other specialists would aid Gulf efforts to foil Iranian drone strikes.[217] CNN reported that Crown Prince Salman, with US backing, vowed to employ military force against further Iranian incursions, calling Iranian strikes "cowardly" due to Saudi airspace being closed to US and Israeli attackers.[218] On 1 March, Trump announced that the US had accepted an Iranian proposal to further negotiations.[219] Trump later said the US operations were to be completed within a four-week timetable in an interview with the Daily Mail.[220] However, Ali Larijani subsequently ruled out talks.[221]
2 March
Iranian strikes were reported on 2 March, including in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha,[10] and Beersheba.[222] The US embassy in Kuwait was struck and subsequently closed indefinitely; no casualties were reported.[223][224] The US-flagged tanker Stena Imperative and the Honduras-flagged tanker Athe Nova were also struck.[225][225] A senior IRGC official who is an advisor to the IRGC commander said he would set fire onto any ship coming through the Strait of Hormuz, and added that no oil will leave the area.[226] Qatar shot down two Iranian Su-24 bombers, making it the first nation to shoot down an Iranian aircraft in the conflict.[10]
Israel and the United States attacked the Natanz Nuclear Facility[227] and the Khatam-al-Anbia and Gandhi hospitals.[228] A friendly fire incident took place when the pilot of an F/A-18 of the Kuwait Air Force shot down three US F-15 fighters.[229][230][231][224] According to Saudi-owned Al Arabiya, in the evening, Israeli special forces and Mossad operatives carried out a ground operation inside Iran; no additional information was reported. Israeli authorities did not issue a response to the report by 3 March. No independent news outlet has confirmed these allegations.[232]
Israel and Hezbollah exchanged strikes against one another.[233] Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel in retaliation for Khamenei's killing.[48] Lebanon banned military activities by Hezbollah after the attacks.[234] Hezbollah later claimed that the attack was a "defensive act" after over a year of Israeli attacks despite a truce.[49] It added that it restarted fighting to force Israel to stop its aggression and evacuate from seized Lebanese territories, emphasising that the move was unrelated to the war.[50] An IDF spokesperson issued an emergency statement stating that the attack is to be considered "an official declaration of war by Hezbollah", vowing to "neutralize" the threat.[233] Israel struck southern Lebanon,[235][236][237] Beirut, and the Beqaa Valley.[233] The IDF said it killed the head of Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters Hussein Makled in the strikes.[238][239]
The Royal Air Force station at Akrotiri, Cyprus, was targeted by a drone strike around midnight local time, with one causing minor damage.[240][241][242][243] Another strike on Cyprus led to Greece announcing that they would deploy frigates and F-16s to defend Cyprus from any further strikes by Iran.[244] Later in the day IRGC general Sardar Jabbari commented that there was a US presence on the island of Cyprus and that Iran planned to strike the island "with such intensity that the Americans will be forced to leave".[245][246] The pro-Iran militant group Guardians of the Blood Brigade claimed responsibility for attacks on the US Victory Base near Baghdad International Airport and Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.[236][247][248] The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for over 23 drone strikes on US assets in Erbil.[249]
3 March
On 3 March, Israeli and US strikes reportedly destroyed the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) headquarters,[250] the Expediency Discernment Council building in Tehran,[251] and what Israeli officials described as an underground nuclear weapons facility called Min Zadai.[252] Bushehr Airport was also struck, damaging the airport terminal and destroying an Iran Air Airbus A319 (EP-IEP).[253][254] The proximity of these strikes to the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (about 12 km (7.5 mi) away) prompted the Russian agency Rosatom to suspend construction on new units and evacuate non-essential staff due to a loss of communication with Iranian officials.[255]
US officials said US forces severely damaged Iran's naval capabilities, mainly in the Gulf of Oman, where several Iranian warships have reportedly been destroyed and key bases hit.[256][257] Israel also reported that it killed Daoud Alizadeh, the commander of the Quds Force's Lebanon branch, in Tehran,[258] and that it detained a dozen Hezbollah members in response to a missile strike.[28] Debris from an airstrike damaged Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site,[259] causing UNESCO to issue a statement that damaging UNESCO property is against international law.[260]
Israel Katz authorized a ground invasion of Lebanon on 3 March.[261][262] Israeli officials warned its attacks against Iran could become more intense and involve a deeper ground invasion.[263] The US expressed reluctance to deploy its own ground troops to Iran.[264] Trump said the US retained a "virtually unlimited supply" of heavy weaponry, but that it was seeking more supplies from other states. Trump added that he was confident in a "BIG" US victory.[265]
Earlier in the conflict, Trump urged Iranians to "take over your government" and said that "America is backing you with overwhelming strength and devastating force", framing US military action as an opportunity for a broader uprising. Trump also reshared an opinion piece by the political commentator and former speechwriter Marc Thiessen arguing that "there is no need for a US invasion force... The Iranian people are the boots on the ground", signaling support for internal resistance.[266] However, the day before, US defense secretary Pete Hegseth said he would not rule out sending American ground troops to Iran.[267]
Western diplomats and other sources told The Jerusalem Post that Qatar had struck Iran after Iran had attempted to strike Doha's airport and Qatar shot down two Iranian Su-24 bombers;[264] Channel 12 also reported Qatari strikes.[268] Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari vigorously denied the accusation that Qatar had joined the "campaign targeting Iran".[269]
An IRGC general warned it would hit all economic hubs in the Middle East,[270][271] and Abbas Araghchi said that any defensive European military involvement would be considered an act of war.[272][273] The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for explosions in Erbil.[274]
4 March
On 4 March, US secretary of state Marco Rubio announced that the US-Israeli attacks on Iran would increase in their intensity.[5] Israel attacks hit the Basij headquarters.[275] According to Iranian sources, Mojtaba Khamenei, the eldest son of Ali Khamenei and a potential candidate as his successor, survived an airstrike.[276] Qatar arrested ten individuals for operating as a cell of the IRGC in Qatari territory, collecting data on military infrastructure, with some trained to use drones.[277] The IDF announced that an F-35I "Adir" shot down a Russian-made Iranian Yak-130 fighter jet over Tehran, the first time that an F-35 has ever shot down a manned fighter jet in air-to-air combat and the first time the Israeli Air Force shot down an aircraft since 1985.[278]
Iran launched strikes against the Al Udeid Air Base[279] and Aramco's Ras Tanura oil refining facility.[280] The United States ordered the evacuation of non-essential workers in Cyprus in anticipation of Iranian strikes and issued a travel warning for the country.[281][282]
Hezbollah launched anti-tank fire in Southern Lebanon.[283][284] Larnaca International Airport in Cyprus was temporarily closed in response to a Lebanese drone, which was shot down by Greek F-16s.[285][286] Reports suggested a closure of Cypriot airspace, but it was later dismissed as false by the Cypriot government, which also confirmed the existence of the unidentified object from Lebanon in the same statement.[287]
A ballistic missile launched from Iranian territory was intercepted by NATO integrated air defense systems as it entered Turkish airspace, marking a significant escalation in the regional conflict.[288] Turkey asserted its right to self-defense after it landed in Dörtyol, Hatay Province,[289] and NATO secretary general Mark Rutte stating that the alliance was committed to defending Turkey.[290] In a diplomatic response, Iran officially denied intentionally targeting Turkey, attributing the event to a "technical anomaly". Despite these denials, the potential invocation of NATO's Article 4 became a focal point of urgent discussions between Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan and allied leadership, as Turkey sought to reinforce the alliance's collective defense posture in the face of further aerial threats.[291]
An Iranian Navy frigate, IRIS Dena, was sunk in the Indian Ocean by a United States Navy submarine, approximately 40 nautical miles (74 km; 46 mi) south of Galle, Sri Lanka. The vessel was transiting back to Iran following its participation in the International Fleet Review 2026 and the multilateral Exercise MILAN at Visakhapatnam, India.[292][293][294] The exercise required participating ships not to carry any ammunition, and the US likely knew the Dena was defenseless, since it also sent a maritime patrol aircraft to participate.[295] It was the first ship sunk by a submarine in active combat since ARA General Belgrano during the Falklands War, and the first by an American submarine since World War II.[m][298] The ship issued a distress signal at dawn, prompting an immediate search and rescue operation by the Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force. The Sri Lanka Navy rescued 32 people and transported them to the Galle National Hospital, where they received medical treatment for exhaustion and injuries related to the blast; they also recovered 87 bodies.[299][300] It was also reported that the landing ship IRIS Lavan with a crew of 183 sailors had sought refuge and been interned at Kochi, India late evening on 4 March, following the attack on Dena.[301][302][303]
5 March
The government of Azerbaijan said on 5 March that two drones from Iran struck Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan exclave.[304] It said one drone struck the terminal building of Nakhchivan International Airport, while another landed near a school building in the village of Şəkərabad, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, damaging the airport and injuring two civilians.[305] Azerbaijan summoned their Iranian ambassador,[306] withdrew their diplomats from Iran,[307] and promised a military response.[308] Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi suggested it was an Israeli false flag attack,[309] Azer News reported that a Telegram channel affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for the strike in Nakhchivan.[310]
Alarms went off in the UK's military bases in Cyprus twice during the visit of UK defence minister John Healey, causing widespread panic and self evacuations in the local population, but the bases confirmed in both instances that the missiles were not headed toward Cyprus.[311] Kier Starmer confirmed that the UK's bases in Cyprus would be used to defend the airspace of Jordan from Iranian drones,[312][313] while Italy, the Netherlands and Spain confirmed that they would be sending warships to defend Cyprus,[314] including the Cristóbal Colón frigate.[315] Ireland stated they would be willing to protect Cyprus and join the European defense coalition that had mobilized around the island if requested.[316]
6 March
The Sri Lanka Navy, operating off the coast of Sri Lanka, interned the Iranian tanker IRIS Bushehr and its crew of 208. This is the first instance of a warship being interned in a neutral country since World War II.[317] Trump said there are "no time limits" for how long the war will continue for,[318] and Hegseth stated that the war has "only just begun."[319]
US and Israeli airstrikes hit an IRGC intelligence site in Lorestan.[320] Three Ghanese peacekeepers enrolled in UNIFIL were hit by a missile and wounded in Southern Lebanon.[321]
Strikes in Iraq hit a five-star hotel from the Rotana Hotels chain in Erbil.[322][323] In Azerbaijan an alleged Iranian-linked terrorist plot against the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Israeli embassy and synagogues in Baku was prevented by local law enforcement,[324][325] with the trial of said alleged terrorists starting on the same day, during which they were identified as being part of a cell of the Islamic State known as "Vilayati-Khorasan" and the IRGC.[326][327]
7 March
The compounds and oil refineries structures of the US-based firm Halliburton located in Basra were hit by Iranian strikes.[328] Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport was struck in the early hours.[329] NDTV reported that following a week's hostilities, Iran might only have around one thousand ballistic missiles left.[330]
An earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale was also reported to have struck west of Bander Abbas.[331][332]
Strikes and casualties
The rate of ballistic missile launches by Iran declined from the beginning of the war to 4 March, with analysts pointing to a depletion of Iranian missile and launcher stores as well as a strategy of rationing for a longer war as explanatory factors.[333] On 5 March 2026, a military source told Fars News Agency that Iran had fired over 500 ballistic and naval missiles and almost 2,000 drones since 28 February. The report claimed that almost 40 percent of the launches were aimed towards Israel, and almost 60 percent were fired towards US targets in the region.[334]
Iran
Assassination of Ali Khamenei
On 28 February 2026, Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, was assassinated. Early on 1 March, Iranian state media announced that Khamenei had been killed.[335] The Fars News Agency, which is controlled by the IRGC, announced that Khamenei's daughter, son-in-law, grandchild, and daughter-in-law had also been killed in the strikes.[336][337][338] The state declared 40 days of mourning.[339] CIA assessments suggested that a hardliner from the IRGC would replace Khamenei.[340]
Iranian military and officials
Reuters reported several commanders in the IRGC may have been killed, but could not confirm this report.[341] It later reported, citing Israeli military and regional sources, that defense minister Aziz Nasirzadeh and IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpour had likely been killed by Israeli airstrikes.[342] Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged but downplayed the losses, deeming them "not such a big problem".[343] Iran International reported that Defence Council secretary Ali Shamkhani had been killed,[344] along with four top Ministry of Intelligence officials.[345] The IDF later stated that it had confirmed the deaths of seven Iranian security leaders, including Shamkhani, Nasirzadeh, and Pakpour.[346]
Additional senior officials confirmed to have been killed are Salah Asadi, head of intelligence for Iran's emergency command, Mohammad Shirazi, head of the military office of Khamenei, head of the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND) Hossein Jabal Amelian and former SPND head Reza Mozaffari Nia.[152] On 1 March, chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi and former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were confirmed by Iranian state media to have also been killed by strikes.[347][348] However, later reports stated that Ahmadinejad is alive.[349][350][unreliable source]
CBS News reported that "an intelligence source and a military source told CBS News Saturday evening [28th February 2026]" that 40 Iranian officials had been killed in the strikes but that they were not "clear whether these officials were in one location or multiple locations".[351][352] Iran's Foreign Ministry stated the military has lost control over several units, that are operating according to old general instructions.[353] On 4 March, Hengaw estimated that 2,100 members of Iranian military forces had been killed in the attacks.[354]
Iranian civilians
At around 17:30 CET of the first day of strikes, the Iranian Red Crescent reported that 201 civilians had been killed and 747 injured in Iran, but as of 28 February this has not been independently confirmed.[195] Two students were killed in a strike in Tehran, according to Al Jazeera English.[355][better source needed] A further 20 civilians were killed in Tehran's Niloofar Square on 2 March, according to Iranian-state owned media.[356] On 3 March, the Red Crescent said that over 600 civilians had been killed,[357] while the Human Rights Activists in Iran estimated that 742 civilians had been killed in the attacks.[26]
On 28 February a girls' elementary school was hit in American attacks on Minab, according to Iran.[358] The school was less than 60 meters from the Sayyid al-Shuhada military complex,[359][360][361][362] of which it once had been a part.[359][363] While there is no independent confirmation of the number killed,[364][158] Iranian state media reported that 180 people, mostly school children, had been killed and 95 wounded in the strike.[300][365] According to Iranian state-owned media, thousands of people attended the burial of the victims.[263] A spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry called the strike a "war crime" by Israel, though Israel denied the attack. CENTCOM confirmed it was investigating internally.[366] Evidence assembled by The New York Times suggested that the attack was carried out by the US.[367]
Iranian institutions
The opening attack on 28 February targeted the compound of Leadership House. On 2 March 2026, video footage released by Iran International showed the IRGC Malek-Ashtar building in Tehran completely destroyed following a joint US Israel missile strike on the capital.[368] In the early hours of 3 March 2026, the complex of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the state broadcaster's headquarters in Tehran, was hit in a separate Israeli air operation.[369][370]
Iranian authorities reported that parts of the broadcaster's facilities were struck but no casualties were reported.[371][unreliable source][372][unreliable source] Iranian state-linked media indicated that Iran's parliament building was also targeted by airstrikes.[373] Trump told reporters that "Just about everything's been knocked out" and that Iran had no navy, air force, air detection, or radar after the attacks.[374]
Israel bombed Iran's Assembly of Experts as they were in a meeting to elect the next supreme leader.[375] By 5 March, the World Health Organization had identified 13 Iranian health infrastructure sites that were hit during the war, as well as one health facility in Lebanon.[376]
United States
On the first day of the war, United States Central Command (CENTCOM) initially stated that it had suffered no casualties, noting that light damage to its facilities had not disrupted its operations and that it had neutralized several hundred Iranian drone and missile strikes.[377] At 9:30 a.m. ET on 1 March, CENTCOM confirmed that three US service members were killed and five others were seriously injured during the operation.[2]
On 2 March, it was announced that US fatalities had risen to six, with four others seriously injured.[378] Four of the victims have been identified, who are, according to CENTCOM, all members of the 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa.[379] All six confirmed US fatalities were killed in a single Iranian airstrike on a base in Kuwait.[380]
During the war, a THAAD radar system operated by America was destroyed in Qatar, while others were hit and damaged.[381] Alongside this, Foreign Policy reported that 1 AN/FPS-132 and 1 AN/TPS-59 were destroyed.[17]
Israel
The first connected Iranian airstrike targeted a building in Israel, leaving one Israeli civilian injured.[382] Magen David Adom reported that Iran's initial attacks had left 89 injured, with three directly wounded and the rest indirectly, most of them civilians.[383] On 28 February, a direct hit in Tel Aviv killed a civilian woman and injured 22 others, one seriously.[384] On 1 March, an Iranian strike hit a synagogue and residential buildings in Beit Shemesh, killing nine people and injuring 49 others.[385] Israeli broadcaster Kan 11 reported that 90, 65, and 25 missiles were launched at Israel from Iran on the first three days of the war, with 20 recorded in part of the fourth day.[386] Although the number of missiles in each volley has decreased, the missiles themselves have increased in size and impact.[387]
Lebanon
On 2 March, Hezbollah began firing rockets and missiles on Israel, in what they said was retaliation to the killing of Khamenei.[388][389] An action condemned by the Lebanese government.[390][391] In response Israel launched air strikes on southern Lebanon and south Beirut.[392] They were later followed by a ground incursion in southern Lebanon with forces from the 91st Division with the goal to stablish a "security layer" for the Israeli residents of northern settlements against the menace of Hezbollah, expecting to destroy their infrastructure in the Israel-Lebanon border. The Lebanese government reported that such Israeli preventive attacks reached Kfarkela and Qouzah, provoking the Lebanese army to do a redeployment from newly established border posts amid escalating Israeli activity in violation of 2024 Israel–Lebanon ceasefire agreement.[393]
At least 31 people were killed[394] and 149 were wounded by Israeli strikes in Lebanon,[5] as well as three additional paramedics, according to Al Jazeera.[28] Youssef Ragi, the Lebanese foreign minister, announced Lebanon's Council of Ministers decided to ban the military and security of Hezbollah, and called for them to hand over their weapons.[395] Israel called for Lebanon to take action beyond mere statements.[396] An NBC News analysis described Hezbollah as "significantly weakened".[395] Sami Nader, the director of the Institute of Political Science at Saint Joseph University of Beirut, described the situation as a "tipping point".[397]
Other countries and regions
In addition to its strikes against Israel, Iran launched strikes against Bahrain,[398][399] Kuwait,[400] Oman,[401] Saudi Arabia,[402][403] Qatar, the United Arab Emirates,[404][405] Azerbaijan,[304][305] the Kurdistan Region of Iraq,[406] and the Akrotiri and Dhekelia British Overseas Territory in Cyprus.[407] Among the casualties are three Indian nationals killed in the strait of Hormuz,[408] a Chinese national killed in Iran,[25] a Filipino national killed in Israel,[409] a Nepali and a Pakistani national killed in the UAE,[410] a Bangladeshi national killed in the UAE and another in Bahrain,[411] and two Japanese nationals detained in Iran.[412]
In Iraq, two members of the Popular Mobilization Forces were killed and three injured in a US-Israeli attack on 28 February.[413] A later report from The New York Times claimed three dead.[414] On 1 and 2 March, the United States and Israel conducted several attacks on Iranian-backed Iraqi militias to degrade their military capabilities to conduct retaliatory attacks.[415][416] On 2 March, a Kuwaiti F/A-18 shot down three American F-15Es in a friendly fire incident. The six crew members survived. The United States embassy in Kuwait was also hit by an Iranian missile strike, prompting Marco Rubio to close the embassy until further notice.[230][229]
Casualties by country
| Country | Killed | Injured | Missing | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1,482–4,301 | >7,981 | 11 | |
 Iran |
1,216–4,145[o] | 5,402 | Unknown | [26][419][417][418][420] |
 Lebanon |
217 | 798 | 0 | [421] |
 Israel |
12 | 1,619 | 11 | [11][422] |
 United States |
6 | 20 | 0 | [9][10] |
 Iraq |
21[p] | dozens[q] | 0 | [2][424][27] |
 Kuwait |
4 | 32 | 0 | [425][426] |
 Bahrain |
2 | 6 | 0 | [236] |
 United Arab Emirates |
3 | 78 | 0 | [427] |
 Oman |
1 | 3 | 0 | [428] |
 Qatar |
0 | 16 | 0 | [429] |
 Jordan |
0 | 5 | 0 | [430] |
 Azerbaijan |
0 | 2 | 0 | [431][432] |
Impact
Iranian politics
The death of Ali Khamenei triggered an election for a new supreme leader, which is due to be held on an unspecified date in 2026. Mojtaba Khamenei has been reported to be the favourite to replace his father as Supreme Leader.[433][434] Other potential successors include Alireza Arafi, Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri, Hashem Hosseini Bushehri, Sadiq Larijani, Hassan Khomeini, Ali Khomeni and Hassan Rouhani.[435]
Under the terms of Iran's constitution, an Interim Leadership Council was established on 1 March to exercise the functions of Iran's head of state until a new supreme leader is elected.[202] The council consists of President Masoud Pezeshkian, Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, acting as interim supreme leaders.[436] The group came about due to the lack of named heir to the position of Supreme Leader.[437]
In Israel
Der Spiegel described a joint war with the United States to attack Iran as "a dream for Benjamin Netanyahu that became true", but warned that it may have disastrous consequences for Israel[which?].[438]
Israel declared a nationwide state of emergency, saying that the strikes on Iran were the largest that it had ever launched.[148][439] Israel Katz issued a statement saying "Under my authority pursuant to Section 9C(b)(1) of the Civil Defence Law, 5711-1951, and after being convinced that there is a high probability of an attack on the civilian population, I hereby declare a special state on the home front throughout the entire territory of the country."[440] Israeli schools and workspaces were closed and public gatherings were canceled.[39]
Gaza Strip
The Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories closed multiple aid crossings in the Gaza Strip (specifically interrupting free circulation on the Egypt–Gaza border).[441] Israeli forces suspended United Nations humanitarian movements and postponed planned rotations of international humanitarian staff (including medical evacuations and the return of people into Gaza), which the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs condemned.[442]
Renewed internet blackout and suppression of Iranian civilians
Amid the renewed "near total" internet blackout in Iran, NetBlocks reported that internet connectivity in Iran dropped to 4% of ordinary levels.[158][159][160] As news of Khamenei's death broke, many Iranians began pouring out into the streets in celebration, though security forces were deployed to prevent an uprising, with footage showing them opening fire on celebrants in the streets.[443][444][445] Footage also showed security forces shooting at people chanting behind the windows of their homes.[446] After Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson held a televised press conference from a classroom in Tehran, concerns grew over Iran's use of civilian sites.[447] Footage also showed Iranian security forces stationed in schools and hospitals across the country.[447][448]
Prosecution of other civilians
The Arab states of the Persian Gulf started a campaign of prosecution against civilians and foreign citizens that shared or reposted rumours from unverified sources about the Iranian attacks, with the stated main goal to curb misinformation that could harm public order.[449] Bahrain's Cyber Crime Directorate also started a campaign of arresting civilians in the country, which has a large Shiite minority, who allegedly expressed "their support for the Iranian shelling targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain", describing such activities as treason and as promotion of hostile acts against the state.[450]
Disruption of daily life
As the US and Israel executed joint strikes targeting Iranian military and institutional targets, many cities reportedly became ghost towns, as civilians feared going outside or to their daily jobs.[451]
Disruption of international trade and geopolitical impact
The US–Israeli military strikes on Iran beginning 28 February 2026, and Iran's subsequent retaliatory actions, had global and regional economic consequences. The conflict led to immediate surges in oil and gas prices, widespread disruptions in aviation and tourism, declines in stock markets, and heightened volatility in financial markets.[452][453] However, Trump stated he is not concerned if gas prices go up, saying "If they rise, they rise."[454] Analysts projected potential global inflation increases and risks of recession if disruptions persisted, particularly through closures of key shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz.[452][453] The strikes included the assassination of Ali Khamenei Iran's Supreme Leader, which involved millions of dollars in US military equipment, exacerbating economic uncertainties.[455]
The conflict disrupted approximately 20% of global oil supplies transiting the Strait of Hormuz, causing prices on the Brent Crude oil market to rise from around $70 to over $80 per barrel within days.[456] Airspace closures in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, and other Gulf states led to the grounding of thousands of flights, affecting major carriers like Emirates Airlines and causing significant losses in tourism revenue.[457] Stock markets experienced declines, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling over 400 points on 2 March.[458] Broader economic forecasts warned of inflationary pressures and slowed global growth if the conflict prolonged.[459]
Airspace closures
Iran's airspace was largely empty of civilian aircraft following the strikes as regional states closed airspace.[460][461] Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Syria and the UAE closed their respective airspace following the attacks, with multiple airliners being redirected to other destinations.[462][463][464] International airlines like Air India, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, IndiGo, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, and Wizz Air suspended services to the Middle East in view of the war, as did airlines based in the region, including Kuwait Airways and Qatar Airways.[465][466][467][468] According to a Wirtschaftswoche analysis, prolonging the conflict would mean a "catastrophe" for Gulf states such as Qatar and the UAE.[469]
Strait of Hormuz
A Reuters report cited an Operation Aspides official who said that the IRGC had closed the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, according to maritime VHF radio announcements. A European Union official reported that vessels have been receiving messages stating that "no ship is allowed to pass the Strait of Hormuz".[470][471] Late on 28 February, outgoing traffic was heavy, while ingoing traffic was light.[472] Many vessels stayed outside the area, but some continued through. Three vessels were struck by projectiles, with partial damage,[473] and an Iranian drone attack also killed a seafarer.[474][211]
The current soft closure in Hormuz, alongside the fears of a declared blockade, has caused an increase in financial risk due to the impact in the prices for energy, shipping, insurance, aviation, etc. The war in the Persian Gulf theater has provoked speculation in the world economy, caused by the possibility of prolonged supply disruption, which will have broader consequences for inflation, currencies, and emerging markets. One-fifth of global petroleum liquids consumption and more than one-quarter of global seaborne oil trade is done by the extraction of oil in the Persian Gulf Basin and its commerce through crossing the Strait of Hormuz.[475]
Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb
Houthi-controlled Yemen restarted its threats in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, which had been suspended since 11 November 2025 after the Gaza peace plan proposal.[476] Houthis have been targeting commercial vessels (mainly the ones with business links to US or Israeli interests) through missile and drone operations against maritime traffic (in which other vessels could be targeted deliberately or in error) since the start of Gaza war.[477]
Some security sources claim that Houthis are planning to do incursions in the Arabian Sea and also use bases from the African side of the Red Sea, helped by their presence and some cells established in East Africa.[478] Danish carrier Maersk, due to the risk situation in the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, announced it was once again rerouting select services around the Cape of Good Hope route, instead of the Suez Canal one, to reach the Indian Ocean trade.[479]
Regional mobilizations
European in Cyprus and Eastern Mediterranean
Following strikes on the island of Cyprus and the threats of the IRGC against the island, numerous nations[245]—including France,[480] Greece, Italy, Spain,[314] the Netherlands and the United Kingdom—decided to mobilize their armed forces in the surrounding waters and onto the island,[481] vowing to protect it in case of an attack. The European Commission Chief Spokesperson Paula Pinho stated that in the coming days following the attack the EU "mutual defence clause will be up for discussion".[482] The President of the European People's Party (EPP), Manfred Weber, called Iran a "criminal regime" and vowed that an attack on the Republic of Cyprus would be considered an attack on Europe.[483]
Iran's response was to state that such acts of involvement in the conflict could be considered "acts of war",[272][273] however analysts note that the European mobilization in Cyprus was not the reaction Iran expected and seems to have worked as a deterrent.[484] Observers in the countries of Cyprus and Greece noted how the war was perceived pretty vividly and fears of further escalation involving both nations is prevalent.[485] Cyprus expressed worries of possible terroristic cells that could act within the nations on Iran's behalf from Northern Cyprus, where 10,000 pro‑regime Iranians live and where, allegedly, Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood operate.[486]
Italy's intelligence agencies have been reporting that it is highly possible that the entire Eastern Mediterranean region will be affected by the growing instability in the Levant and the Strait of Hormuz, mainly suffering impacts on energy markets and supply security, which will impact the Mediterranean countries and Europe as a whole if the Indo-Mediterranean trade route through Suez Canal-Red Sea is damaged by the conflict (specially if Houthis do a more active aid to Iran at the Gulf of Aden), generating a widening arc of instability across the multiple regions of Afro-Eurasia. Such catastrophic geopolitical possibility of maritime insecurity have been declared as the main reason of various Western countries to deploy troops with the main goal of protect the Euro-Atlantic trade routes.[487] Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni has been developing an rapprochement between the European Union and the Gulf Cooperation Council for a common diplomatic strategy concerning the Iran-US conflict and maintain their neutrality while condemning Iranian attacks.[488][489]
Azerbaijan in the Caucasus
Since 3 March, Azerbaijan's troops have already begun deploying toward the Iranian border as the conflict rages. This heightened military presence was justified in the fact that the Iran conflict severely escalates the risk of border skirmishes, especially if Iranian internal security collapses or if Israel uses Azerbaijani territory to launch attacks against Iran.[490][491] However, foreign minister Jeyhun Bayramov said that "it is impossible for any country to use the territory of Azerbaijan against neighboring and friendly Iran".[491][492]
On 28 February, the Armenian Government established a working group (from the Security Council of Armenia) to assess the conflict's potential impact on the Caucasus, fearing the possibility of merging the US-Israel war on Iran with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the Georgian-Ossetia conflict.[492] On the other hand, the Georgian Government expressed its preoccupation at the country's territory being used by Iranians to bypass Western sanctions, as also by Iranian opposition entities to conspire against the IRGC repression, blaming that the country is under constant attack and that is violated it's neutrality by inner traitors among Georgians related to a side of the Iranian conflict.[493]
Evacuations
Tens of thousands of people within the Gulf region are stuck with few ways to leave.[28] The US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, China, and Poland urged citizens to leave Iran and the Gulf states (Middle East).[494]
The US Department of State urged Americans in the Middle East to leave such countries due to "safety risks" as the war could last from four to five weeks or even more, recommending its population to use the available commercial transportation.[495] The United States Department of State subsequently announced it was working on bringing Americans in the Middle East home, and stated they are in contact with more than 3,000 Americans there.[5]
According to Trump[5] and Rubio, almost 9,000 Americans have evacuated from the Middle East since the start of the strikes.[28] A US state department official stated many more Americans are expected to evacuate.[496] The United Kingdom's Foreign Office said it was developing plans to evacuate UK citizens in the region.[497] Russia, through its embassy, made facilitations for Russians unable to leave Iran by liberalizing the route in the Iran–Turkmenistan border.[498] The Foreign Ministry of Italy also helped to evacuate its citizens from the Gulf Countries, expecting to evacuate 30,000 Italians from the UAE,[499] receiving on 3 March around 300 people from Oman and other 200 from the UAE.[500]
Kazakhstan's foreign ministry started to develop plans for evacuation measures to help its nationals who were living in escalation zones, exploring routes through the Caucasus, Turkey or Central Asia.[501] People started to leave the country to reach the Caucasus through Azerbaijan's Astara crossing,[501][502] and by March 6 both Azerbaijan and Armenia have received 1500 refugess from Iran (mostly Chinese, Russians and other foreigners)[503] while Georgia became a refugee for Iranian people related to the opposition.[504] Also increased the border crossing between Iran's Mirjaveh and Taftan to Pakistan's Balochistan province by Pakistanis in Iran.[505] However, the UN refugee agency stated there has been no major exodus from Iran.[506][507] The UAE announced its intent to repatriate 44,000 travelers.[28]
On 5 March, New Zealand foreign minister Winston Peters said that the New Zealand Defence Force was ready to send planes to evacuate stranded New Zealanders in the Gulf region when "conditions allow".[508] The Israeli military issued warnings to evacuate almost the entire southern Lebanon, causing tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of people to flee. The entire region that Israel warned to evacuate is said to house around 500,000 people.[509]
Internet infrastructure
Three Amazon Web Services data centers in the United Arab Emirates were struck and damaged as a result of drone strikes, leading to outages of web infrastructure within the Middle East,[510] causing "sparks and fire" as well as "major structural damage" for 2 of the data centers, with internal water levels reaching up to 4 cm, alongside the mechanical failure of cooling and air systems.[511] Meanwhile, a data center within Bahrain was indirectly damaged by a drone strike on nearby infrastructure.[512] As the targeted data centers within the United Arab Emirates were in different availability zones, and Amazon infrastructure was only designed to withstand redundancy of a single zone,[513] fundamental web infrastructure including S3 storage, EC2 compute and DynamoDB databases suffered complete outages within the Middle Eastern region.[511]
Food distribution
Reports have emerged that prisoners in Evin Prison have been receiving limited bread and water since the onset of the war.[514]
Despite the missile strikes, life in Tehran is going "normally but cautiously", without widespread famine or shortages, according to Al Jazeera.[515]
Kurdish rebellion
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump was open to supporting armed militias, particularly Kurds in Iran that have been in armed conflict with Tehran for decades.[264] The Washington Post reported that Trump had called Kurdish minority leaders, offering air support (the Iranian Kurdish groups do not control any air assets, and require "backup" from allies) and military backing for the Kurds to take over parts of Western Iran.[516] The Kurds have historically been a regional ally of the United States.[517] The reports coincided with intensified strikes in the Kurdish-majority areas of western Iran (Iranian Kurdistan) targeting police stations, border posts along the Iran–Iraq border, and other security facilities, which some sources suggested may have "paved the way for a Kurdish advance"[264][518][519][520] and also hinted at a strategy built around the Kurds.[521] The human rights organization Hengaw stated that the strikes had already resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Iranian security personnel in the Kurdish regions, which it said may have been "underreported".[522] A few days after the start of the attacks, Trump also held calls with Kurdish leaders of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq's two main parties, Masoud Barzani and Bafel Talabani, discussing what were described as "sensitive" topics.[523]
The Kurdistan Region hosts several armed Iranian Kurdish opposition groups, which have declared their readiness to help topple the Iranian regime under the umbrella of the Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan (CPFIK).[524][525] These groups had already become targets of Iranian strikes during the conflict, with Iranian drones and missiles hitting their bases and camps in the Kurdistan Region, and some also claimed to have carried out combat operations inside Iran.[526]
According to ITV News, since the start of last year, weapons have been smuggled into western Iran to arm thousands of Kurdish volunteers, and Kurdish sources have told the outlet that US and Israeli forces were asked to provide air cover when any such ground operation begins.[527] These reports were corroborated by CNN, which stated that the CIA was working to arm Kurdish forces to spark an uprising in Iran, and that President Trump had a phone call with Mustafa Hijri, the leader of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan.[517]
According to an unnamed official from the Coalition of Political Forces of Iranian Kurdistan, Iraqi-based Kurdish armed groups consisting of thousands of the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) troops had begun a military offensive into Iranian territory, with operations beginning earlier on 2 March.[528] American and Israeli officials reportedly confirmed the events.[529] However, an unnamed PJAK official denied the claims of an ongoing offensive and cross-border troop movements, as did Aziz Ahmed, deputy chief of staff to Kurdistan Region's prime minister Masrour Barzani.[530] On 4 March, Trump held a phone call with Kurdish leaders in Iraq Masoud Barzani and Bafel Talabani, during which they discussed the next stages of war in Iran.[531]
According to Axios, Barzani and Talabani expressed reservations about getting the Peshmerga involved in any ground invasion on Iran,[531] adding as a main cause of concern a massive military response from Iran against Kurdish forces in Iraq.[532] Separately, Trump spoke with Mustafa Hijri, a Kurdish leader in Iran.[531] Axios reported that Secretary Rubio told Congress that the US was not arming the Kurds, but he added that "you never know with the Israelis."[531] White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that President Trump had not decided whether to support the Kurds in a potential offensive, with Kurdish militants inside Iran saying that they are waiting the American "green light".[531] The assembly of PJAK called on the people of Iranian Kurdistan to form "local governance committees" and "self-defense committees", to resist displacement by government forces and to stay away from their known locations for safety.[533]
Economy and costs
For the United States, the first 100 hours of the conflict is estimated to have cost $3.7 billion, according to the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.[534]
Reactions
Iran
Government
Iran's foreign ministry vowed a response as Iranian forces struck US bases across the Persian Gulf.[174][535] The Supreme National Security Council said Iran was targeted by a "brutal air operation" carried out by the US and Israel, saying: "This occurred once again during negotiations, and the enemy imagines that the resilient Iranian nation will surrender to their petty demands through these cowardly actions."[2] Abbas Araghchi called the attacks "wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate".[467] An IRGC general announced that Iran is capable of fighting for a long time.[536] Iranian officials have rejected Trump's attempt to insert himself into the government's succession plans.[537]
Civilians
A holistic picture of civilian reactions in Iran is somewhat difficult to obtain due to the government's control over the circulation of information, the renewed internet blackout, and the ongoing heated nature of the war.[538] The Daily Telegraph and Iran International posted videos of some people inside Iran celebrating the attacks, hopeful that they will bring forth an end to the ruling government.[539][540] The New York Times, Reuters, Al Jazeera, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty published photos of some Iranians during pro-government rallies waving the Islamic Republic flag holding portraits of Khamenei while demonstrating against the US and Israeli attack.[39][541][542][543] As news of Khamenei's death broke, many Iranians began pouring out into the streets in celebration, though security forces were deployed to prevent an uprising, with footage showing them opening fire on celebrants in the streets.[445][443][444] Footage also showed security forces shooting at people chanting behind the windows of their homes.[446]
Diaspora and opposition
Following the US–Israeli airstrikes on Iran, Iranians living abroad showed support for regime change in Iran. Celebratory rallies were held worldwide by the Iranian diaspora, where Iranians gathered waving anti-Islamic Republic symbols, including the Lion and Sun flag.[544][545][546] Reza Pahlavi, a leader of the opposition and son of the former Shah of Iran, is supportive of Israel and the US, and states he is ready to have his transitional government take over if the Islamic Republic is overthrown.[547][548] Kurdish Iranian dissidents in Iraq denied any attack plans, but said they would support a US invasion of Iran.[549]
United States
Donald Trump confirmed that the US military had begun "major combat operations" in Iran,[550] describing it as "a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America".[551] In a video posted to Truth Social, he reaffirmed that "Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people", adding: "For 47 years, the Iranian regime has chanted 'Death to America' and waged an unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder, targeting the United States, our troops and the innocent people in many, many countries."[552] Trump said that talks with Iran will be easier following Khamenei's assassination.[152] On the third day of the war, Trump said that the US military is "knocking the crap out of Iran but the big wave of attacks yet to come" and mentioning the possible use of ground troops.[152] According to experts, the use of ground troops are required for the goals of the Trump administration in the Middle East.[553] On 3 March, Trump said on Truth Social: "Their air defense, Air Force, Navy, and Leadership is gone. They want to talk. I said, 'Too Late!'"[374] Trump claimed victory and said that he had defeated Iran militarily.[5] Trump has also informally stated his idea for a post-war Iran in which a new Iranian regime works together on oil production in the same way that the US and Venezuela do.[554]
Public
Opinion polling showed that most Americans were unsupportive of US military action against Iran.[555] According to The Guardian, 27% of Americans were supportive of the US operation while 43% were opposed and 29% were uncertain.[556] An NBC poll found that 52% of registered voters believed the US should not have taken military action, while 41% supported the military action.[557] Most Americans reported they believe that Trump still has not explained the goals behind attacking Iran.[379] Polls showed splits on the issue on political and demographic lines. Most Republicans supported the action, while most Democrats and independents opposed it.[555] Trump reacted to the disapproval by denying that opinion polling showed low approval ratings, also adding, "I don't care about polling."[558][559]
Politicians
Some members of the US congress called for a vote on the War Powers Resolution, also known as the War Powers Act,[560] that some other members asserted could have effectively ended the attack on Iran.[561] Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, called the vote "dangerous".[379] The resolution failed,[562] mainly due to Republican opposition.[563] Most House Democrats, and two Republicans, supported the Resolution, arguing that the military actions go beyond the President's authority to make war.[564] Most Republicans, and four Democrats, voted down the Resolution, believing the War Powers Resolution empowers the President to engage in limited armed conflict.[564] Representative Thomas Massie and former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene argued Trump started the war as a distraction from ongoing disclosures relating to the Epstein pedophile network.[565] A similar resolution was voted down in the Senate, mostly along party lines.[566]
Israel
Netanyahu said the goal of the strikes was to "remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran", stating that "our joint action will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands."[567] Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that military action against Iran was urgently needed "despite the significant risks involved", adding that "delay would have allowed the Iranian regime to reach a level of immunity for its nuclear programme, as well as to engage in the mass production of long-range ballistic missiles".[568] Minister of Science and Technology Gila Gamliel said that 2026 Israeli legislative election will likely be brought forward to late June or July to allow Netanyahu bloc to leverage the war.[569] On 4 March 2026, Defense Minister Israel Katz disclosed that Israel had initially planned to strike Iran in mid-2026.[570] On 5 March 2026, Katz said that Netanyahu set aim of assassinating supreme leader Ali Khamenei in November 2025.[571]
A March 2026 survey by the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) found that 82% of the Israeli public supported ongoing military operations, including 93% of Jewish Israelis and 26% of Arab Israelis.[572]
International
It was reported that European Union Commission president Ursula von der Leyen supports a regime change in Iran.[573][574] NATO secretary general Mark Rutte said that Europe is "supportive" of the US attacks on Iran, as Iran is a "threat".[575] He also said that he felt that the US "knows what it is doing".[576] The Israeli and US attacks were supported at least in part by Ukraine,[577][578] Albania,[579] Argentina,[580] Australia,[581] Canada,[582] Czechia,[583] Finland,[584] Germany,[585] Kosovo,[586] Latvia,[587] Lithuania,[587] New Zealand,[588] Papua New Guinea,[589] Romania,[587] and Trinidad and Tobago,[590] while being implicitly or explicitly opposed by Afghanistan,[591] Armenia,[592] Brazil,[593] Chile,[594][595] China,[596] Kazakhstan,[597][598] Oman,[599] North Korea,[600] Norway,[578] Malaysia,[601] Pakistan,[602] Russia,[577] and Vietnam.[603]
Iran's retaliations were condemned by Austria,[587] Bahrain,[599] Belgium,[587] Bulgaria,[587] incoming president of Chile José Antonio Kast,[604] Croatia,[587] Cyprus,[587] Djibouti,[605] Egypt,[606] India,[607][608] Kazakhstan,[597] Kuwait,[578] Malta,[587] Morocco,[609] Netherlands,[587] the Palestinian Authority,[610] Portugal,[611] Qatar,[578] Saudi Arabia,[183] Sweden,[587] Syria,[612] Somalia,[613] Turkey,[28] the UAE,[578] as well as by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, who issued a joint declaration.[614] Additionally, the United Kingdom permitted the US to use British military bases for defensive purposes,[615] Portugal permitted the US to use the Lajes Field for defensive purposes,[616] France sent its aircraft carrier towards the Mediterranean,[28] and when asked whether they would join the war, Canada said they "can't rule out participation".[617] On 5 March 2026, French broadcaster BFMTV reported that France authorized American armed forces to use French bases amid the war.[618] The partially recognized states of Somaliland,[619] and Taiwan,[620] also condemned Iran's attacks on the Gulf states.
Mixed reactions or calls for peace were made by South Africa,[621] Azerbaijan,[622] Indonesia,[623] Lebanon,[624][625][578] Ireland,[626] Slovenia,[587] Vatican City,[627] Uruguay,[628] Uzbekistan,[629] and Venezuela.[630] In addition to condemning both the Israeli and US attacks and Iran's counterattacks,[587] Spain denied the use of its military bases for US flights connected to a military offensive against Iran, leading President Trump to threaten economic retaliation.[631] In Pakistan, the Army was deployed to suppress the escalation of violence during pro-Iranian protests in the northern cities of Gilgit and Skardu, especially after Shiite demonstrators attacked on 1 March the offices of the UN Military Observer Group at Azad Kashmir. Similar action was done in Sindh during the attack on the US consulate in Karachi.[632]
On 6 March, it was reported that Russia has been providing Iran with intelligence on the locations of American warships and aircraft.[633][634][635]
See also
- 1953 Iranian coup d'état
- 1998 bombing of Iraq
- 2011 military intervention in Libya
- 2026 Cuban crisis
- 2026 United States intervention in Venezuela
- 2026 Afghanistan–Pakistan war
- Greenland crisis
- Jimmy Carter's engagement with Ruhollah Khomeini
Notes
- ^ Has also undertaken defensive deployments outside of Akrotiri and Dhekelia
- ^ Primarily the Persian Gulf and the Levant, as well as Cyprus (Akrotiri and Dhekelia) and the South Caucasus.
- ^ Their identities are reported by ABC News: "Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; and Spc. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa, died [28 February] in Kuwait from an Iranian drone attack." ... "Maj. Jeffrey R. O'Brien, 45, of Indianola, Iowa, and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, of Sacramento, California"[5][6]
- ^ Including 2 DoD personnel.[7][8][9][10]
- ^ Including 48 leaders.[18][19]
- ^ 87 sailors killed, 32 injured and 61 missing off the coast of Sri Lanka[22]
- ^ [24]Including at least 180 civilians in Minab school airstrike), Lizzie Porter [@lcmporter] (2 March 2026). "555 people have been killed in US and Israeli attacks across Iran, the country's Red Crescent Society said" (Tweet). Retrieved 2 March 2026 – via Twitter.</ref> and a Chinese national[25]
- ^ Sometimes included in the "Axis of Resistance".[74][75]
- ^ From left to right: Trump; Secretary of State, Marco Rubio; and Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles
- ^ Hebrew: מִבְצַע שְׁאָגַת הָאֲרִי, romanized: Mivtsá She'agát Ha'arí, pronounced [mivˈt͡sä ʃe̞.äˈɡätʰ hä.ʔäˈʁi]
- ^ Previously, Iran had launched I, II, and III on a more limited scale.
- ^ Persian: عملیات وعده صادق ۴, romanized: Amaliyat-e Va'deh-ye Sadegh 4
- ^ In 2010, South Korean corvette ROKS Cheonan was sunk near the border with North Korea. An investigation into the incident by a group of countries concluded that it was sunk by a torpedo launched by a North Korean Yeono-class midget submarine, though North Korea denied any responsibility.[296][297]
- ^ Including at least 180 civilians in Minab school airstrike,[417][365][355][418]
- ^
- ^ 20 Popular Mobilization Forces fighters killed [27] 1 Kurdistan Freedom Party fighter killed[423]
- ^ dozens Popular Mobilization Forces fighters injured [27] 3 Kurdistan Freedom Party fighters injured[423]
References
- ^ Toomey, Bridget (1 March 2026). "Iraqi Shiite militias join the war between Israel, the US, and Iran with drone attacks". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Mohamed, Edna; Marsi, Federica. "US and Israel attack Iran; explosions heard in Israel". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "The Second Day of the U.S.–Israel and Iran War: Rising Civilian Casualties". HRANA. 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Map shows attack locations across Iran, and Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israel and other U.S. allies in Mideas". CBS News. 3 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f "Iran live updates: US embassies 'under direct attack,' Rubio says". ABC News.
- ^ "Iran live updates: Pentagon IDs remaining 2 American troops killed in Kuwait". ABC News.
- ^ Watson, Eleanor (2 March 2026). "2 U.S. personnel injured in weekend attack on Bahrain hotel". CBS News. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Middle East crisis live: Israel launches new attacks on Tehran and Beirut as Iran closes critical Strait of Hormuz". The Guardian. 2 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Fourth US service members dies following Iran strikes". News Nation. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d "Live updates: Trump warns Iran about larger strikes as war spirals in Middle East". CNN. 2 March 2026.
- ^ a b Harkov, Lahav (1 March 2026). "At least 12 killed in Iranian missile strikes in Israel since start of war". Jewish Insider.
- ^ "Health Ministry says 140 people taken to hospital due to Iran war in past 24 hours".
- ^ "Five IDF soldiers badly wounded by anti-tank fire near Lebanon border".
- ^ "Exiled Kurd group says Iran conducted deadly strikes on fighters in Iraq". Al Arabiya English. 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Iranian General: 650 American soldiers have been killed so far". WANA. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^
Bordeaux, Thomas; Mezzofiore, Gianluca (5 March 2026). "Radar bases housing key US missile interceptor hit in Jordan and UAE, satellite images show". CNN. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
The radar system for an American THAAD missile battery in Jordan was struck and apparently destroyed in the first days of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, a satellite image taken on Monday shows.
- ^ a b
Amoah, Macdonald; Bazilian, Morgan; Matlsek, Jahara. "The First 36 Hours of War Consumed Over 3,000 U.S.-Israeli Munitions". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
The destruction of two advanced U.S. radars, the AN/FPS-132 in Qatar and the AN/TPS-59 in Bahrain, highlights a problem where the total weight of the "mineral bill" is less of a concern than the extreme fragility of the supply chain and the extensive timelines for replacement.
- ^ a b "Over 3,000 Iranian soldiers and operatives killed since start of war, Israeli officials say". Ynet. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Trump says 48 leaders killed in strikes on Iran, in Fox News interview". Reuters. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Operation Epic Fury: The first 7 days". CENTCOM. 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "US military says it has sunk over 30 Iranian ships so far". Reuters. 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "U.S. sub sinks Iranian warship off Sri Lanka, killing 87 and expanding war zone". Reuters. 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Iranian government agency says war death toll has reached at least 1,045 people". Irish Examiner. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "At least 1,300 civilians killed in US-Israeli strikes since war on Iran began". Middle East Eye. 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ a b "China says one citizen dead in Iran conflict, more than 3,000 evacuated". Reuters. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ a b c "Day Six of the U.S.–Israel War on Iran: 170 Strikes in 19 Provinces". HRANA.
- ^ a b c d "Airstrike Targets PMF Base in Diyala, Drone Intercepted Near Baghdad Airport Amid Ongoing Strikes". Kurdistan 24. 4 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "'Off-ramps available': Oman pushes peace talks as nearly 800 killed in Iran". Al Jazeera English.
- ^ "Trump Enters Phase Two of His Regime Change War in Iran". The New Republic.
- ^
Blake, Aaron (28 February 2026). "Trump launches the regime-change effort in Iran that he pledged to avoid". CNN.
While his brief Iran strikes in June were about debilitating the country's nuclear program, he's indicated these carry the broader and bigger goal of regime change.
- ^ a b "Iran's Conflict With Israel and the United States". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b Salem, Mostafa; Karadsheh, Jomana; Dean, Sarah; Davey-Attlee, Florence; Pourahmadi, Adam (23 January 2026). "The night Iran went dark: Witness accounts and video reveal violence inflicted during Iran's internet blackout". CNN. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Iranian regime rallies supporters in bid to quell unrest". Le Monde. 13 January 2026. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ "US-Iran talks end with no deal but potential signs of progress". Reuters. Retrieved 26 February 2026.
- ^ a b Seligman, Lara; Gordon, Michael R.; Ward, Alexander; Holliday, Shelby (19 February 2026). "U.S. Gathers the Most Air Power in the Mideast Since the 2003 Iraq Invasion". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 19 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "How Trump Decided to Go to War". The New York Times. 3 March 2026.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (28 February 2026). "Satellite image shows destruction of Khamenei's compound". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Brown, Paul; Sardarizadeh, Shayan; Murphy, Matt (6 March 2026). "Iranian schools, hospital and landmarks among civilian sites hit during US-Israeli strikes". BBC Verify. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d Boxerman, Aaron; Pager, Tyler; Fassihi, Farnaz; Bergman, Ronen (28 February 2026). "U.S.-Led Strike on Iran: Live Updates as Trump Calls for Government Overthrow". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Smoke seen in Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait as Iran retaliates against strikes. AP News. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Piper, Imogen; Kelly, Meg; Ley, Jarrett; Ducroquet, Simon (28 February 2026). "See where U.S., Israeli strikes have hit Iran and where Iran has retaliated". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Dubai airport, iconic Burj Al Arab hotel damaged in Iranian missile strikes". Reuters. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "إصابة 4 أشخاص في حادث بمطار دبي الدولي" [4 people injured in an accident at Dubai International Airport]. Sky News Arabia (in Arabic). 1 March 2026.
- ^ إصابة 4 أشخاص إثر حادث في مطار دبي الدولي [4 people injured as a result of an accident at Dubai International Airport]. FactJo (in Arabic). Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Azerbaijan threatens to respond after Iranian drones hit airport and near school". Times of Israel. 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Two drones intercepted heading for RAF base, Cyprus says". BBC. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Elliott, Rebecca F.; Eavis, Peter (28 February 2026). "Oil Shipments in Persian Gulf Already Disrupted by Iran Attack". The New York Times.
- ^ a b "Hezbollah claims responsibility for attack on Israel". Al Jazeera English. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Beirut, Lebanon, March 2, 2026 (AFP) – Hezbollah says attack on Israel was 'defensive act'". Namibia Press Agency. Agence France Presse. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Hezbollah leader: Resumed fighting with Israel not linked to war on Iran". United Press International. 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Read Trump's full statement on Iran attacks". PBS News. Associated Press. 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b Magid, Jacob (28 February 2026). "Trump indicates goal of Iran strikes is to topple regime; tells Iranian people: 'When we're finished, take over your government'". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Volz, Dustin; Ward, Alexander; Seligman, Lara (2 March 2026). "Trump's Case for War With Iran Faces Growing Scrutiny". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Glasser, Susan (2 March 2026). "Can Donald Trump Win a War with Iran If He Can't Explain Why He Started It?". The New Yorker. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^
Haake, Garrett; Leavitt, Karoline (4 March 2026). White House says Trump's 'feeling based on fact' that Iran posed an imminent threat led to strikes. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump's decision to launch Operation Epic Fury was based on the 'cumulative effect' of threats and his feeling 'based on fact' that Iran posed an imminent and direct threat (Internet video). Associated Press. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
[Total running time, 1:41 min.]
- ^ a b
Scahill, Jeremy (3 March 2026). "Exclusive: Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Rejects Trump's 'Big Lie' About Why He Went to War". Drop Site News. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
'They claim that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States,' Baghaei added. 'Did we come to the Gulf of Mexico to target Los Angeles and other U.S. cities? Or did they come 6,500 miles away to Iranian shores?'
- ^ "Trump has privately shown serious interest in U.S. ground troops in Iran". NBC News. 7 March 2026. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ "How the world has reacted to US and Israeli strikes on Iran". BBC News. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^
"Did Trump declare war and did Congress approve Iran attacks? What to know". BBC. 3 March 2026.
Democratic lawmakers and legal scholars have challenged the justification for the strikes and raised concerns about potential violations of the War Powers Resolution.
- ^ Schneid, Rebecca (28 February 2026). "How the World Is Reacting to the Attack on Iran". Time. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^
Chávez, Steff; Politi, James; Hauslohner, Abigail (1 March 2026). "Donald Trump tries to defy troubled history of US interventions in Middle East". Financial Times. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
But the US president has been increasingly willing to take big gambles in foreign affairs, defying traditional diplomacy and the sovereignty of America's foes.
- ^ "US, Israel defend strikes at UN as Iran alleges 'war crime'". Philstar.com. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Trump says no deal with Iran until country's 'unconditional surrender'". WFIE. Associated Press. 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d "From 1953 Coup To 2026 Strikes: The Long Road To US-Iran War". News18. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Gambrell, Jon (12 October 2023). "In first, CIA acknowledges 1953 coup it backed to overthrow leader of Iran was undemocratic". PBS News. Associated Press. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Kabir, Marmar (1 February 2026). "Iran in the eye of the storm". Le Monde diplomatique. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Hubbard, Ben; Rubin, Alissa J. (30 September 2024). "Facing a Big Test, Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' Flails". The New York Times.
- ^ Hourcade, Bernard (1 March 2026). "What prospects for a new Iran?". Le Monde diplomatique. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^
Mens, Jay (June 2024). "A War Without a Name: The Iran-Israel Relationship in Historical Perspective" (PDF). Harvard Kennedy School, Belfer Center for International Relations.
Here is an important difference between the Cold War and the cold war in the modern Middle East. Unlike the United States and the Soviet Union, Israel and Iran do not have diplomatic relations and openly contest the other's moral right to exist.
- ^ Asadzade, Peyman (1 October 2019). "Faith or Ideology? Religiosity, Political Islam, and Anti-Americanism in Iran". Journal of Global Security Studies. 4 (4): 545–559. doi:10.1093/jogss/ogy038. ISSN 2057-3170.
- ^ Al-Marashi, Ibrahim (2 March 2026). "Iran and the US have been at war for decades – and there's no end in sight". The Conversation. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "The Axis of Resistance". Middle East Institute. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ Phillips, Morgan (24 October 2024). "Intelligence report says Iran will keep trying to kill Trump regardless of election outcome". Fox News. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ "Flexible Resistance: How Hezbollah and Hamas Are Mending Ties". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^ "What links Hamas to the 'Axis of Resistance' and Iran as its patron?". The Irish Times. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
- ^
Gritten, David (18 June 2025). "Was Iran months away from producing a nuclear bomb?". BBC. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
the US intelligence community "continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader [Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei has not authorised the nuclear weapons programme that he suspended in 2003". – What do we know about Iran's nuclear programme? a decade-long investigation by the IAEA found evidence that Iran conducted "a range of activities relevant to the development of a nuclear explosive device" from the late 1980s until 2003
- ^
UN Security Council. "Resolution 2231 (2015) on Iran Nuclear Issue". United Nations.
resolutions 1696 (2006), 1737 (2006), 1747 (2007), 1803 (2008), 1835 (2008) and 1929 (2010)
- ^
"Iran reaffirms right to enrich uranium ahead of key talks in Turkiye". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
Western powers, led by the US and backed by Israel, have long accused Tehran of secretly seeking nuclear weapons. Iran has repeatedly denied this, insisting its nuclear programme is solely for civilian purposes such as energy production.
- ^
"No Evidence Iran Is Building a Nuclear Bomb: IAEA". All India Radio. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, has said that there has been no evidence of Iran building a nuclear bomb. In a social media post, Mr Grossi said that Iran's large stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium and refusal to grant inspectors full access are cause for serious concern.
- ^
"Give negotiations a chance: How to turn Iran's claimed right to enrich uranium into a new deal—and avoid a war". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
Iran has used its enrichment program for leverage in international negotiations.
- ^ "Iran rejects inspections of bombed nuclear sites without IAEA framework". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "'Deeply ideological': the rationale behind Iran's insistence on uranium enrichment". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^
-
Bowen, Wyn; Moran, Matthew (7 March 2014). "Iran's Nuclear Programme: A Case Study in Hedging?". Contemporary Security Policy. 35 (1). King's College London (kcl.ac.uk): Taylor & Francis (tandfonline.com). doi:10.1080/13523260.2014.884338. ISSN 1743-8764.
this assessment is further complicated by Iran's domestic political context, which has engendered an approach that is as much 'hedging by default' as it is 'hedging by design'. This approach allows Tehran to reconcile restraint with domestic consensus on nuclear advancement.
-
Bowen, Wyn; Moran, Matthew (2015). "Living with nuclear hedging: the implications of Iran's nuclear strategy" (PDF). International Affairs. The Royal Institute of International Affairs: John Wiley & Sons. p. 688-paragraph 2nd.
There is much evidence to suggest Iran is engaged in a more nuanced strategy based on nuclear hedging, rather than outright pursuit of the bomb.
-
Bowen, Wyn; Moran, Matthew (7 March 2014). "Iran's Nuclear Programme: A Case Study in Hedging?". Contemporary Security Policy. 35 (1). King's College London (kcl.ac.uk): Taylor & Francis (tandfonline.com). doi:10.1080/13523260.2014.884338. ISSN 1743-8764.
- ^ Eisenstadt, Michael (29 November 2022). "Iran's Nuclear Hedging Strategy: Shaping the Islamic Republic's Proliferation Calculus". The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
- ^ Gettel, Christopher (December 2024). "Why Iran is Choosing Nuclear Hedging". Panoply Journal. 5. George Mason University: Center for International Relations and International Security Inc: DOAJ. doi:10.71166/2x5v5824. ISSN 2766-2594.
- ^
Volpe, Tristan (23 February 2023). "Chapter 6: Iran: Abstract". Leveraging Latency: How the Weak Compel the Strong with Nuclear Technology. Naval Postgraduate School: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/oso/9780197669532.003.0006.
Iran developed its nuclear program from 1953 to 2002 and then botched a deception campaign before reconfiguring around a safer hedge posture.
- ^ "Iran nuclear deal: Trump pulls US out in break with Europe allies". BBC News. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b Hourcade, Bernard (1 March 2026). "What prospects for a new Iran?". Le Monde diplomatique. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Trump tightens the screws on Iran's oil". Brookings Institute. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Shamim, Sarah. "How US sanctions crippled lives of Iranians Trump says he wants to 'help'". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Trump reimposes 'maximum pressure' on Iran, aims to drive oil exports to zero". Reuters. 4 January 2025. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ a b
Sanger, David E. (28 February 2026). "For Trump, the Iran Attack Is the Ultimate War of Choice". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 28 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
While Mr. Trump claimed Tehran was ultimately aiming to reach to the United States with its array of missiles, even his own Defense Intelligence Agency concluded last year that it would be a decade before Iran could get past the technological and production hurdles to produce a significant arsenal.
- ^ Robertson, Noah (3 July 2025). "US strikes set back Iran's nuclear program up to 2 years, DOD says". Military Times. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
- ^ Sanger, David E.; Pager, Tyler; Fassihi, Farnaz (28 January 2026). "Trump Threatens Iran with 'Massive Armada' and Presses a Set of Demands". The New York Times.
- ^
"Trump lays out case for possible attack on Iran in State of the Union speech". The Straits Times. 25 February 2026. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
He accused Iran of restarting its nuclear programme, working to build missiles that 'soon' would be capable of reaching the US – Iranian state media have claimed that Tehran is developing a missile capable of reaching North America.
- ^ Murphy, Francois (27 February 2026). "IAEA report says Iran must allow inspections, points at Isfahan". Reuters. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "IAEA says Iran stored highly enriched uranium at underground Isfahan site". Iran International. 27 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^
"IAEA says cannot assure Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful". Iran International. 27 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
The UN nuclear watchdog warned it will not be in a position to provide assurance that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful unless Tehran restores access to key facilities, according to confidential reports seen by Bloomberg and the Associated Press.
- ^ Jacobson, Louis. "How US actions spurred Iranian economic, political upheaval". Politifact. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Northam, Jackie (23 February 2026). "Trump's sanctions on Iran have dramatically affected its economy and led to protests". NPR. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Sharma, Yashraj. "US says it caused dollar shortage to trigger Iran protests: What that means". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran anti-government student protests spread to more universities". BBC News. 23 February 2026.
- ^ Serjoie, Kay Armin; Saberi, Roxana; Jamalpour, Fatemeh (25 January 2026). "Iran Protest Death Toll Could Top 30,000: Local Officials". Time. Archived from the original on 25 January 2026. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ Chang, Emily (2 January 2026). "Trump warns US is 'locked and loaded' if Iran kills peaceful protesters". ABC News. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Elwelly, Elwely; Erickson, Bo (14 January 2026). "Trump urges Iranians to keep protesting, saying 'help is on its way'". Reuters.
- ^ Wintour, Patrick (24 January 2026). "Trump says US 'armada' heading to Middle East as Iran death toll put above 5,000". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ "Live updates: U.S. and Israel launch attack on Iran as Trump calls for regime change". The Washington Post. 28 February 2026. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Sabbagh, Dan (13 February 2026). "Trump sends second aircraft carrier to Middle East in effort to increase pressure on Iran". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ a b Ravid, Barak (14 February 2026). "U.S. and Iran set to hold second round of nuclear talks in Geneva". Axios. Retrieved 14 February 2026.
- ^ Paraskova, Tsvetana (26 February 2026). "Iran Rushes to Ship Oil Ahead of Possible U.S. Strike". OilPrice.com.
- ^ a b "Peace 'within reach' as Iran agrees no nuclear material stockpile: Oman FM". Al Jazeera English.
- ^ Brennan, Margaret; Walsh, Joe (27 February 2026). "U.S.-Iran deal is 'within our reach,' Omani mediator says". CBS News. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "US envoy says Iran misjudged Trump team in nuclear negotiations". Iran International. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Magid, Jacob (3 March 2026). "Witkoff: Iran negotiators boasted of having enough enriched uranium to build 11 nuclear bombs". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Stewart, Phil; Ali, Idrees (14 February 2026). "Exclusive: US military preparing for potentially weeks-long Iran operations". Reuters.
- ^
Caputo, Marc; Ravid, Barak (3 March 2026). "Exclusive: The Trump-Netanyahu call that changed the Middle East". Axios. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
Last Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called President Trump with a stunning tip: Iran's supreme leader and his top advisers were all set to meet at one location in Tehran on Saturday morning.
They could all be killed in a single devastating airstrike, Netanyahu told Trump and his team, according to three sources briefed on the discussion. - ^
Hawkinson, Katie (4 March 2026). "What Israel's Netanyahu said to Trump during secret phone call that led to Iran strikes: report. Trump has said Iran was 'going to attack first' if the U.S. didn't strike". The Independent. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
Now, Axios reports that Netanyahu called Trump on Monday, Feb. 23, and told him that Khamenei, along with other top Iranian officials, were planning to meet in a single location on Saturday morning in Tehran. The CIA reportedly confirmed the intelligence by Thursday.
- ^ "Donald Trump condemns Iran's 'sinister' nuclear ambitions in State of the Union". Financial Times. 24 February 2026.
- ^ Kluth, Andreas (3 March 2026). "The Iran strikes feel like 2003 all over again". Qatar Tribune. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Hansler, Jennifer; Bertrand, Natasha; Atwood, Kylie; Cohen, Zachary (28 February 2026). "Trump has claimed Iran is building missiles that could soon hit the US. Sources say that's not backed up by US intelligence". CNN. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Rowlands, Lyndal (25 February 2026). "Iran's FM says deal with US 'within reach'; Trump says he prefers diplomacy". Al Jazeera English.
- ^ Mancini, Ryan (26 February 2026). "Vance: 'No chance' any Iran strikes would lead to long war in Middle East". The Hill.
- ^
"Vance defends Iran war after years of anti-interventionism". CBS. 4 March 2026.
Vice President JD Vance has broken his silence on Iran, voicing his support for the conflict in contrast to his longstanding "anti-war" posture.
- ^ Smith, Benedict; Bhojwani, Janhvi (1 March 2026). "How the US pulled off the assassination of the century". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ Birnbaum, Michael; Hudson, John; DeYoung, Karen; Allison, Natalie; Mekhennet, Souad (1 March 2026). "Push from Saudis, Israel helped move Trump to attack Iran". The Washington Post.
- ^ Roth, Andrew (25 February 2026). "Marco Rubio briefs US lawmakers on Iran as Trump uses State of the Union to threaten nuclear programme". The Guardian.
- ^ "جمهوری اسلامی در «نبرد بقا» در حالی که پایان بازی نامشخص است". BBC News (in Persian). 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Inside the plan to kill Ali Khamenei". The Financial Times. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ a b Halbfinger, David M.; Bergman, Ronen (1 March 2026). "How the Assault on Iran Unfolded". The New York Times. Jerusalem, Tel Aviv.
- ^ a b Lieber, Dov; Ward, Alexander; Norman, Laurence (1 March 2026). "Why the U.S. and Israel Struck When They Did: A Chance to Kill Iran's Leaders". The Wall Street Journal. Washington. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Trump advisers said to prefer Israel attack Iran before US strikes: 'The politics are a lot better'". The Times of Israel. 26 February 2026.
- ^ "News kompakt: USA begründen Iran-Angriff mit Israels Plänen". Deutsche Welle (in German). Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^
Cramer, Philissa (3 March 2026). "Israel's critics erupt after Rubio suggests it dragged US into war with Iran".
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio inflamed critics of the US-Israel war on Iran on Monday when he suggested that Israel had pulled the United States into the conflict.
- ^ Magid, Jacob (3 March 2026). "Trump says he may have forced Israel's hand into war with Iranian 'lunatics'". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Pentagon names Iran mission 'Operation Epic Fury'". Iran International. Archived from the original on 1 March 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Bozorgmehr, Najmeh; Ghaffari, Bita (28 February 2026). "Tehran started its working week. Then came the explosions". Financial Times. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Epstein, Jake (28 February 2026). "Here are the weapons America used to strike Iran — and shield against retaliation". Business Insider. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Updated: U.S., Israel Launch Strikes Against Iran, Tehran Retaliates Across Region". USNI. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Shalev, Tal (28 February 2026). "Israel names operation against Iran "Roaring Lion"". CNN. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Update from Erica Solomon and Farnaz Fassihi". The New York Times. 28 February 2026. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Salem, Mostafa; Pourahmadi, Adam (28 February 2026). "Explosions were heard near Iran's Supreme Leader's residence and office". CNN. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Shalev, Tal (28 February 2026). "Attack coordinated with the United States, Israeli source tells CNN". CNN. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (28 February 2026). "IDF says 200 jets involved in Air Force's largest-ever attack sortie". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Hackers hit Iranian apps, websites after US-Israeli strikes". Reuters. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ a b Gal, Itai (28 February 2026). "Israel plunges Iran into darkness with largest cyberattack in history during attack against Iran". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Israel Hacked Popular Iranian Prayer App to Urge Defections, Resistance". The Wall Street Journal. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "The digital front: Iran's internet down for second day amid reports of U.S.-Israel cyberattacks". CNBC. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ a b c Liebermann, Oren (28 February 2026). "Israel launches strike against Iran, declares state of emergency across country". CNN. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Mohamed, Edna; Marsi, Federica. "Israel Attacks Iran". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Liptak, Kevin (28 February 2026). "Trump warns US lives may be lost in mission in Iran". CNN. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Yosef, Eugenia (28 February 2026). "Israeli hospitals shift underground as Health Ministry orders highest readiness level". CNN. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f "Live – Israel and US launch strikes on Iran as Tehran prepares retaliation". Iran International. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Update from Eric Schmitt". The New York Times. 28 February 2026. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Israel says months of planning led to surprise Iran strikes". Iran International. Volant Media UK Ltd. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Israel claims to have dropped over 1,200 bombs on Iran in one day". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Satellite images show Iranian warship burning after US Israel strikes". Business Insider. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ Aslan, Mahmoud. "After a Sports Hall in Iran Was Bombed, Witnesses Describe Chaos and 'Continuous Screaming'". Dropsite News. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d e "US and Israel launch attack on Iran, as Trump says 'major combat operations' under way". BBC News. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b "NetBlocks (@netblocks@mastodon.social)". Mastodon. 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b "نتبلاکس از خاموشی اینترنت در ایران خبر داد" [NetBlocks reported an internet blackout in Iran]. Iran International. 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei killed, senior Israeli official says". Reuters.
- ^ "Senior Revolutionary Guards commanders killed in US-Israel strikes – Reuters". Iran International. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Reals, Tucker; Hubbard, Kaia; Dakss, Brian (2 March 2026). "Live updates: Trump says Iran operation could take 'four weeks or less', 3 U.S. troops killed". CBS News.
- ^ Shalev, Tal (28 February 2026). "Timing of US-Israel attack on Iran bears symbolic meaning in Judaism". CNN. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (28 February 2026). "Israel calls up 20,000 reservists, in addition to the 50,000 reservists currently on duty". The Times of Israel.
- ^ Suter, Tara (2 March 2026). "Khamenei's wife dies from injuries sustained in US, Israeli attack: State media". The Hill. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Trump announces "major combat operations" in Iran. Watch the full video and read his statement". CBS News. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Clover, Charles; Moore, Malcolm; Srivastava, Mehul; Chávez, Steff; Shotter, James (28 February 2026). "Military briefing: The US-Israeli strikes and Iran's retaliation". Financial Times. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Explosions rock northern Israel as the country works to intercept incoming Iranian missiles". Longmont Times-Call. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Netanyahu says Israel, US launched strikes to 'remove the existential threat' posed by Iran". The Times of Israel. 28 February 2026. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine Hold a Press Briefing". U.S. Department of War. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Kang, Jay Caspian (5 March 2026). "The No-Explanation War". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "جنگ آمریکا و اسرائیل با ایران؛ چرا واکنش تهران اینبار تنها چند ساعت طول کشید؟" [The war between the U.S. and Israel with Iran; why did Tehran's response this time only last a few hours?]. BBC News Persian (in Persian). 28 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Iran targets US bases across Persian Gulf states, IRGC-aligned outlet says". Iran International. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Lehmann, Noam (28 February 2026). "Bahrain: Sirens activated as Iran targets US bases". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Yee, Isaac; Rebane, Teele (28 February 2026). "Videos show smoke rising near US Navy facility in Bahrain". CNN. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Bahrain says a missile attack targeted the US Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters in the island kingdom". WRAL-TV. Associated Press. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Explosions reported in Kuwait and UAE". Armenia News. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Drone attacks targets Kuwait international airport". Iran International. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Kuwait summons Iran envoy after missile, drone attacks". Iran International. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Iran targets US military bases in the Middle East with retaliatory strikes". France 24. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Salem, Mostafa (28 February 2026). "Iran's IRGC targeted four US bases in the Middle East, Iranian media reports". CNN. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Update from Ismaeel Naar". The New York Times. 28 February 2026. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Update from Edward Wong". The New York Times. 28 February 2026. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Salem, Mostafa (28 February 2026). "One person killed in UAE after Iranian strikes". CNN. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b Dahir, Abdi Latif (28 February 2026). "Iran Hits Back Across the Mideast, Targeting U.S. Bases and Allies". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Drones Shot Down Over Erbil Near U.S. Consulate as Iran-Israel Conflict Expands to Iraqi Kurdistan". Kurdistan24. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Watch: Scattered fires, damage seen across Israel as Iran retaliates". Al Jazeera English. 1 March 2026.
- ^ Summers, Charlie; Fabian, Emanuel (1 March 2026). "Woman killed, dozens injured as Iranian missile strikes Tel Aviv residential block". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Air defense systems intercepted two ballistic missiles targeting Jordanian territory — JAF". The Jordan Times. 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Jordan's military says it downed two missiles targeting the country". Reuters. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Update from Rawan Sheikh Ahmad". The New York Times. 28 February 2026. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Iran latest: US launches 'major combat operations' against regime – as multiple Middle East cities struck during retaliation". Sky News. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Blackburn, Gavin; Fisayo-Bambi, Jerry (28 February 2026). "Euronews journalists in Dubai report explosions and apparent missile strike on residential area". Euronews. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b Nicastro, Andrea (28 February 2026). "Iran, le ultime notizie in diretta | Attacco di Usa e Israele: «Probabile che Khamenei sia morto». Teheran risponde: raffiche di missili su Israele e sulle basi Usa nel Golfo. Poi un sms: «Lasciate la capitale»". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Iranian Shahed-136 drone strike reported near Burj Khalifa, smoke plumes captured on video: Watch". Moneycontrol. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Paul, Rohit (28 February 2026). "Video Shows Iranian Shahed Drone Striking Dubai, Huge Explosion". NDTV. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Update from Ismaeel Naar". The New York Times. 28 February 2026. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ El Masaiti, Amira (28 February 2026). "Dubai authorities say drone debris causes fire at Burj Al Arab Hotel". Hespress English. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ Nakhoul, Samia (1 March 2026). "Iran missiles brings war to Gulf doorstep; hardens support for US–Israel campaign". Reuters. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Ex-CIA director says Iran erred by expanding attacks to Persian Gulf states". Iran International. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b c "More strikes aimed at Iran after Khamenei's death, Trump issues new warning". Reuters. 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Trump says 'a large amount' of Iran's leadership is gone". NBC News. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran launches missiles at Israel, Israeli military launches defense system". AiCoin. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Daily World Briefing, March 1". Xinhua Net. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ Gambrell, Jon; Lidman, Melanie; Boak, Josh; Tucker, Eric (1 March 2026). "Iran fires missiles at Israel and Gulf states after US-Israeli strike kills Khamenei". AP News. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Two Iranian missiles fired in direction of Cyprus: British defence secretary". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran launched missiles at Cyprus, threatening thousands of British troops stationed there". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ Maddox, David (1 March 2026). "Iran missiles fired towards UK military bases in Cyprus, defence minister says". The Independent. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ Hand, Marcus (1 March 2026). "Ships avoid the Strait of Hormuz, tanker hit off Oman". SeatradeMaritime. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ a b Saba, Yousef (1 March 2026). "Three tankers damaged in Gulf and one seafarer killed as US-Iran conflict escalates". Reuters.
- ^ "Seafarer death confirmed aboard product tanker struck off Oman". Ship Management International. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Wells, Peter; Thomas, Nathalie; Wheatley, Jonathan; Ralph, Oliver; Munir, Zehra; Meixler, Eli; Cash, Kieran; Ryan, Orla; Vickers, Julian (1 March 2026). "Middle East war day 2 as it happened: Oil flows through Strait of Hormuz dry up, Opec+ plans to raise output". Financial Times. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Nahost-Liveblog: ++ Mehrere Tote bei Raketeneinschlag in Israel ++" [Middle East Liveblog: ++ Several dead in rocket strike in Israel ++]. Tagesschau (in German). Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "E3 say they may back defensive steps to destroy Iran's launch capability". Iran International. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "US can use UK bases for missile strikes on Iran: Starmer". Euractiv. Agence France Presse. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^
Guardian staff (2 March 2026). "Ukraine war briefing: Starmer says Ukrainian experts will help shoot down Iranian drone attacks in Gulf". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
And we will also bring experts from Ukraine, together with our own experts, to help Gulf partners shoot down Iranian drones attacking them.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia authorizes retaliation against Iran, CNN". Iran International. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ Scherer, Michael (1 March 2026). "'I Have Agreed to Talk'". The Atlantic. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Trump says Iran wants talks, suggests war may last four weeks – Daily Mail". Iran International. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "'We will not negotiate with the United States,' Iranian official says". KABC-TV. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Video shows Iranian missile strike hit Beersheba, Israel". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Reals, Tucker (3 March 2026). "Live Updates: U.S. death toll in Iran war rises to 6 as Trump says campaign could last 5 weeks". CBS News.
- ^ a b Reals, Tucker (2 March 2026). "Live updates: U.S. military confirms 4 troops killed in Iran war; Kuwait downs 3 U.S. jets in "friendly fire"". CBS News. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ a b "US flagged products tanker hit by unknown projectiles in Bahrain port, sources say". Reuters. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ McCreesh, Shawn; Pager, Tyler; Schmitt, Eric; Cooper, Helene; Pérez-Peña, Richard (2 March 2026). "Live Updates: Trump Suggests Extended War on Iran as U.S. Adds to Forces in Mideast". The New York Times.
- ^ "Iran says Natanz nuclear site hit in US-Israeli strikes". Reuters. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "حملات گسترده هوایی به پایتخت ایران؛ آسیب به بیمارستانهای گاندی و خاتمالانبیاء در تهران" [Massive airstrikes on Iran's capital; damage to Gandhi and Khatam al-Anbiya hospitals in Tehran]. BBC News (in Persian). 1 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Kuwait shoots down US jets: All about F/A-18 Hornet that accidentally shot down F-15s amid Iran tensions". Hindustan Times. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ a b Seligman, Lara; Weisgerber, Marcus; Holliday, Shelby (4 March 2026). "Exclusive: Kuwaiti Jet Fighter Mistakenly Downed U.S. F-15s, Initial Reports Say". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "سنتکام: سقوط سه اف-۱۵اشتباه پدافند کویت بود؛ قرارگاه خاتمالانبیاء: ما زدیم" [CentCom: The downing of three F-15s was a mistake by Kuwaiti defense; Khatam al-Anbiya base: We hit]. BBC News Persian (in Persian). 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Report: Israel carried out ground operation in Iran". Israel National News. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ a b c Kleinbaum, Yair (1 March 2026). "Breaking: Hezbollah Officially Declared War on Israel". JFeed. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Lebanon's ban on Hezbollah 'activities': bold but difficult to implement". Al Jazeera English. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Kraus, Yair; Glikman, Eitan; Shashua, Itamar (1 March 2026). "Israel strikes southern Lebanon and Tehran as Hezbollah joins Iran war". Ynetglobal. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ a b c Stepansky, Joseph; Sabah, Zaid (2 March 2026). "US, Israel attack Iran live: Trump vows to avenge 3 American soldiers". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Iran, le news dalla guerra. Missili di Hezbollah dal Libano verso Haifa, Israele risponde. Teheran sotto attacco dell'Idf" [Iran, news from the war. Hezbollah launches missiles from Lebanon toward Haifa, Israel responds. Tehran under attack from the IDF]. la Repubblica (in Italian). 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (2 March 2026). "IDF says it killed Hezbollah intelligence chief in overnight strike". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Israeli military says it killed head of Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters". Reuters. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "RAF responding to suspected drone strike at UK base in Cyprus, MoD says". BBC News. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "UK Cyprus base hit by drone". cyprus-mail.com. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ Smith, Helena (2 March 2026). "Authorities in Cyprus have confirmed the drone strike". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Sabbagh, Dan (2 March 2026). "Hezbollah said to have launched drone that struck UK RAF airbase in Cyprus". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Greece deploys frigates and F-16s to Cyprus amid rising security tensions". eKathimerini. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ a b "We will strike Cyprus hard, Iranian general says over American presence on island". In-Cyprus. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Iranian General warns of "intense" attacks on Cyprus over US presence – Video". caliber.az. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Explosions rock Iraq's Erbil". Al Jazeera English. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Iranian attack sets off fire near Bahrain's Mina Salman Port". Al Jazeera English. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran-aligned group claims 23 drone attacks on US sites in Erbil". Al Jazeera English. 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Israel strikes Iran leadership compound in central Tehran". Iran International. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Video shows ruins of Iran's Expediency Council building after strikes". Iran International. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "IDF destroys secret nuclear site, thousands of missile pads". The Jerusalem Post. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran Air A319 Destroyed on the Ground at Bushehr — Tehran's Mehrabad Airport Was Hit Too". View from the Wing. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran Air Airbus A319 destroyed following military escalation in Iran". Aeroflap. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Civilian Iran Air Passenger Jet Destroyed at Bushehr Airport, Rosatom Nuclear Plant Suspended". The Sunday Guardian. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Ozberk, Tayfun (2 March 2026). "US Strikes Destroy Iran's Main Naval Assets". Naval News. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Trevithick, Joseph; Rogoway, Tyler (2 March 2026). "Iran's Key Naval Base On Strait Of Hormuz Set Ablaze From Strikes". The War Zone. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (3 March 2026). "Top IRGC commander, responsible for Lebanon, killed in Tehran strike — IDF". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "UNESCO shares concerns over protection of cultural heritage sites". euronews. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Purwar, Krati (3 March 2026). "How Iran Conflict Damaged Golestan Palace, Once Home Of Peacock Throne Looted From Delhi". NDTV. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ McShane, Asher (3 March 2026). "Israel launches ground invasion of Lebanon and Trump warns 'hardest hits were yet to come'". LBC. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Israel orders troops to seize new positions in Lebanon". France 24. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ a b Tankersley, Jim; McCreesh, Shawn; Troianovski, Anton; Rennison, Joe (3 March 2026). "Iran Live Updates: Trump Says U.S. Went to War to Pre-empt Iranian Attacks". The New York Times.
- ^ a b c d "Trump Open to Supporting Armed Militias in Iran, U.S. Officials Say". The Wall Street Journal. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "US munitions stockpiles at record levels in key categories, Trump says". Iran International. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Trump weighs support for armed Iranian opposition groups – report". i24 News. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "U.S. won't rule out sending ground troops into Iran". The Washington Post. 2 March 2026. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Freiberg, Nava (3 March 2026). "Qatar carried out strikes in Iran, Saudi Arabia to soon follow — Israeli reports". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Qatar denies Israeli media report that it's carrying out retaliatory strikes in Iran". The Times of Israel. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran says will hit all Mideast economic hubs if US-Israeli attacks persist". The Economic Times. 3 March 2026. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran says will hit all Mideast economic hubs if US-Israeli attacks persist". LBCIV7. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Crisi Medio Oriente, l'Iran minaccia l'Europa: scatta l'allerta militare e i Paesi si mobilitano". TGLA7 (in Italian). 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ a b Fouda, Malek (3 March 2026). "Tehran vows to strike European countries if they join Iran war". euronews. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Iraqi group claims attack on Erbil hotel housing US troops". Al Jazeera English. 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Israel says it hits security headquarters across Tehran, as Iran attacks US sites in Dubai and Qatar". BBC News. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Hafezi, Parisa (4 March 2026). "Mojtaba Khamenei, seen as possible next Supreme Leader, has survived attacks on Iran, sources say". Reuters. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Qatar State Security announces the arrest of two cells affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard". The Peninsula. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Israel F-35 downs Iranian fighter jet in first war dogfight". The Jerusalem Post. 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Qatar says Al Udeid Air Base hit by ballistic missile". ABC News.
- ^ "Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura struck again by unknown projectile, four sources say". Reuters. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Papadopoulos, Kosta (4 March 2026). "America Evacuates Non-Essential Workers from Cyprus Greek City Times". Greek City Times. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Chen, Eve. "Reconsider visiting this European country, State Department says". USA Today. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Hezbollah claims to hit Israeli battle tank near border". Al Jazeera English. 4 March 2026.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (4 March 2026). "IDF says 2 troops moderately injured today from anti-tank fire in southern Lebanon". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Cyprus Closes Larnaca Airspace After Suspicious Object Detected Greek City Times". Greek City Times. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Cyprus' Larnaca closes airspace due to suspicious object". breakingthenews.net. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Govt insists Cypriot airspace is open". Cyprus Mail. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Turkey says NATO defences destroyed missile fired from Iran over Mediterranean". Reuters. 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Turkey says Iranian ballistic missile entered its airspace, shot down by NATO". The Times of Israel. 4 March 2026. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ NATO Press Office (5 March 2026). "Secretary General Mark Rutte condemns violation of Turkish airspace". NATO Official Website.
- ^ "Press Release Regarding the Interception of a Ballistic Missile Over Hatay". Republic of Türkiye Ministry of National Defence (Press release). 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Sri Lanka rescues 32 sailors from sunk Iranian warship". The Hindu. AFP. 4 March 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Rana, Javaria (2 March 2026). "Sri Lanka responds to distress call from Iranian warship returning from Vizag Fleet Review". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Sri Lanka sends jets over Iran naval ship's distress call, denies 'submarine attack' reports". Hindustan Times. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "The Most Chilling Detail in the U.S. Attack on an Iranian Naval Ship". The New Republic. ISSN 0028-6583. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "External Impact Likely Cause of Ship Sinking". The Korea Times. 15 April 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2010.
- ^ "North Korea rebuffs South Korea's evidence on Cheonan attack". Christian Science Monitor. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
- ^ Howard Altman; Joseph Trevithick (4 March 2026). "U.S. Navy Submarine Torpedoes Iranian Frigate In Indian Ocean". The War Zone. Archived from the original on 4 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Iris Dena news Live Updates: US says Iran's warship Iris Dena sunk in torpedo attack near Sri Lanka, at least 87 dead". The Hindustan Times. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Around 180 sailors were onboard the distressed Iranian naval ship 'IRIS Dena' off Galle- FM". The Morning. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^
Padmanabhan, Keshav (6 March 2026). "Iranian naval ship Lavan with crew of 184 docked in Kochi same day US torpedoed IRIS Dena". The Print. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Iranian Warship IRIS 'Lavan' Has Been In Kochi Since Wednesday, Sources Say". The Wire. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "India gave safe harbour to another Iranian ship days before IRIS Dena was sunk by US". The Times of India. 6 March 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Missiles, drones coming from Iran fell on airport in Azerbaijan, source says". Reuters. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Azerbaijan MFA: Iran carried out drone attack on Nakhchivan, two civilians injured". Apa.az. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Live – Azerbaijan summons Iran ambassador after strike injures two in Nakhchivan". Iran International. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Azerbaijan withdraws its diplomats from Iran". Iran International. 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ Grove, Thomas. "Azerbaijan Promises Response to Iran Drone Attack". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran denies its drones hit airport in Azerbaijan's exclave as war widens". Al Jazeera English. 5 March 2026. pp. 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Iranian drones hit Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Airport, four casualties reported [VIDEO/UPDATED]". Azernews. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Elgot, Jessica (5 March 2026). "Sirens over RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus are stark reminder of its proximity to war". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Cyprus the likely launchpad as UK jets shoot down drones in Jordan". cyprus-mail.com. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Starmer confirms use of Cyprus base to shoot down Iranian drones". cyprus-mail.com. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Spain, Italy and Netherlands join European naval deployment to Cyprus". Euronews. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Europe commits to expanding Iran campaign as Israel strikes southern Lebanon". Los Angeles Times. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ O'Keeffe, Cormac (5 March 2026). "Ireland urged to assist Cyprus if it invokes EU mutual defence clause". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Sri Lanka Takes Control of Iranian Ship Iris Bushehr and 208 Crew". News First. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Trump says he has 'no time limits' on how long war with Iran could go on". CNN. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Hegseth says the US has "only just begun to fight" in war with Iran". CNN. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Israeli, US strikes hit IRGC intelligence site in Lorestan". Iran International. 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "War in Middle East live: Three Ghanaian peacekeepers in Lebanon wounded in missile attacks". France 24. 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Drone strike hits upscale hotel in Erbil; no casualties". The New Region. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Drone targets hotel in Iraq's Erbil, Iraqi security sources say". The Times of Israel. 6 March 2026. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Azerbaijan announces prevention of terrorist attacks planned by Iran against Israeli Embassy and synagogue". Ukranews. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ Rustamova, Saida (6 March 2026). "Azerbaijan says it stopped Iranian terror attack plot and dismantled spy cell". EuroNews. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Trial Begins in Azerbaijan for Individuals Accused of Planning Terrorist Attack on Foreign Embassy". 1news.az. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Azerbaijan says it foiled alleged IRGC plot". Iran International. 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Drone attack on foreign oil compound in Iraq's Basra sets Halliburton and KBR facilities ablaze". Philenews. 7 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Live updates: Huge explosions rock Tehran airport as Trump demands Iran's 'unconditional surrender'". BBC News. 7 March 2026. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^
Som, Vishnu (7 March 2026). "Iran's Ballistic Missiles Could Be Under 1,000, Drone Attacks Tapering: Ian Bremmer To NDTV". NDTV. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Srivastava, Nisha (7 March 2026). "Earthquake Today: 4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Recorded Near Bandar Abbas in Southern Iran". The Sunday Guardian. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ "US-Israel vs Iran War Live Updates: Trump says US defence manufacturers agree to 'quadruple production' of weapons". The Indian Express. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ Clover, Charles (4 March 2026). "Rate of Iranian ballistic missile launches is declining, western officials say". Financial Times. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^
"Report: Iran launched more than 500 missiles, 2,000 drones since Saturday". Haaretz. 5 March 2026.
Iran has launched more than 500 ballistic and naval missiles and about 2,000 drones since Saturday, a military source told Iran's Fars News agency, owned by the Revolutionary Guards. According to the report, about 40 percent of the launches were aimed at Israel, and about 60 percent were fired at American targets in the region.
- ^ اطلاعیه شهادت حضرت آیتالله العظمی سیدعلی حسینی خامنهای رهبر انقلاب اسلامی [Announcement of the martyrdom of His Highness Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, Leader of the Islamic Revolution]. Supreme National Security Council (Press release) (in Persian). 1 March 2026. Archived from the original on 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026 – via KHAMENEI.ir.
- ^ Habibiazad, Ghoncheh (1 March 2026). "Khamenei's daughter and grandchild killed in attacks, state media says". BBC News. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Khamenei's relatives killed in the attacks too". BBC News. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ Magdy, Sam (1 March 2026). "Khamenei family members killed in attacks, Fars news agency reports". Associated Press. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, state media says". BBC News. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ Banco, Erin (28 February 2026). "Exclusive: Prior to Iran, CIA assessed". Reuters.
- ^ Stewart, Phil; Hafezi, Parisa; Rose, Emily; Mills, Andrew (28 February 2026). "Iranian leader Khamenei killed in strikes, Israel says". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Iran defence minister, Guards commander killed in Israeli attacks, three sources say". Reuters. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Iran's FM says loss of commanders 'not such a big problem'". Iran International. Volant Media UK Ltd. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Iran Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani killed". Iran International. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Four senior intelligence ministry officials killed in airstrikes on Iran". Iran International. Volant Media UK Ltd. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "IDF confirms killing top Iranian leaders, including top defense official Ali Shamkhani". The Times of Israel. 28 February 2026. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad killed in Tehran missile strike". Egypt Independent. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ Sharma, Sheenu (1 March 2026). "Abdolrahim Mousavi, Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff, killed in US-Israel attack". India TV. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ محمود احمدینژاد زنده است [Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is alive] (in Persian). IranWire. 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Former Iranian President Ahmadinejad is alive: Adviser". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ LaPorta, James (28 February 2026). "About 40 Iranian officials killed in strikes, sources say". CBS News. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "CBS reports 40 Iranian officials killed in strikes". BBC News. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran military units acting independently, Foreign Minister says". Iran International. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Hengaw report on the sixth day of the war: At least 2,400 killed, including 310 civilians". Hengaw. 4 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Israel strikes two schools in Iran, killing more than 50 people". Al Jazeera English. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Iranian media say 20 killed in attack on Tehran's Niloofar Square". Al Jazeera English.
- ^ "Iran death toll reaches 555 as US, Israel escalate attacks". Al Jazeera English.
- ^ "Over 50 killed in strike on girls' elementary school in Iran". Al Jazeera English. 28 February 2026. Archived from the original on 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b Browne, Malachy; Livni, Ephrat; Mahoozi, Sanam (1 March 2026). "Strike on Girls' School Kills at Least 175, Iranian State Media Says". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Habibiazad, Ghoncheh; Greenall, Robert (1 March 2026). "At least 153 dead after reported strike on school, Iran says". BBC News. Archived from the original on 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ Aslan, Mahmoud (28 February 2026). ""Small Children Who Knew Nothing of Politics or Wars"". Drop Site News. Archived from the original on 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Al Jazeera investigation: Iran girls' school targeting likely 'deliberate'". Al Jazeera. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Angelovski, Ivan; Szeto, Eric; Bilhete, Britnei (4 March 2026). "Who bombed a girls' school in Iran? A visual investigation". CBC News. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^
El Chamaa, Mohamad (28 February 2026). "U.S. military investigating reports of fatal strike on Iranian girls' school". The Washington Post. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
The semiofficial Mehr News Agency reported that at least 63 students were killed and another 60 were injured, adding that 170 pupils were at the school at the time of the attack. There was no independent confirmation of that report.
- ^ a b El Damanhoury, Kareem (1 March 2026). "Death toll at girls' school hit in strike rises to 148". CNN. Archived from the original on 1 March 2026.
- ^ بقائی: حمله به دانشآموزان مدرسه در میناب یک جنایت آشکار است [Baghai: The attack on school students in Minab is an obvious crime]. IRNA (in Persian). Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Analysis suggests US behind school strike that killed at least 165: Report". Al Jazeera English. 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Video shows US-Israel strike destroys IRGC's Malek‑Ashtar building". Iran International. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Israel bombs Iran's state TV after threatening it would 'disappear'". Al Jazeera English.
- ^ "IRIB struck by Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu hijacks transmission". The Jerusalem Post. 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Israel strikes complex of Iran's state broadcaster in Tehran, no casualties reported". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "US, Israeli strikes hit parts of Iran's state television headquarters in Tehran". Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran's parliament building likely targeted in airstrikes – IRGC outlet". Iran International. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ a b Detsch, Jack; Gould, Joe; Stokols, Eli; Sakellariadis, John (1 March 2026). "Pentagon offers no evidence to support claim it attacked Iran in defense". Politico. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Ravid, Barak (3 March 2026). "Israel bombs council choosing Iran's next supreme leader, official says". Axios. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "WHO says it has verified 13 attacks on health sites in Iran". Reuters. 5 March 2026.
- ^ "US military says 'minimal' damage but no casualties from Iranian attacks". Al Jazeera English. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Linton, Caroline (2 March 2026). "4 U.S. service members killed in Iranian strike in Kuwait, Pentagon says". CBS News. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ a b c Reals, Tucker; Baldwin, Sarah Lynch (3 March 2026). "Live Updates: Trump defends war with Iran as conflict widens, military names first service members who were killed". CBS News.
- ^ "Pentagon names four of six US soldiers killed in Iranian strike on Kuwait base". The Guardian.
- ^ Bordeaux, Thomas; Mezzofiore, Gianluca (5 March 2026). "Radar bases housing key US missile interceptor hit in Jordan and UAE, satellite images show". CNN.
- ^ "Five pupils reported killed in Iran, man injured in Israel as war starts". Premium Times. 28 February 2026. ISSN 2360-7688. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (28 February 2026). "Medics treat 89 people during Iranian strikes, most lightly hurt running for shelter". The Times of Israel.
- ^ "Woman killed, 22 injured in direct strike in Tel Aviv after siren sounded late". Ynet. 28 February 2026.
- ^ Levine, Heidi; Soroka, Lior; Chason, Rachel (2 March 2026). "From the scene where nine people were killed in central Israel". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ בלומנטל, איתי. "פגיעה במשגרים ובריחה של חיילים: הסיבות להפחתה המשמעותית בשיגורים מאיראן". Kan.
- ^ Odeh, Nour. "Israelis 'need to know how long this will take'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Hezbollah Claims Rocket, Drone Strike On Israeli Missile Defence Site Near Haifa". BERNAMA. Anadolu. 3 February 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Israel strikes Beirut, Lebanon state media says Hamas official killed". France 24. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "PM Salam affirms no military action outside state authority in rebuke to Hezbollah". LBCIV7. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "« Rébellion » et « pure folie » : au Liban, les responsables condamnent en bloc les tirs du Hezbollah sur Israël". L'Orient-Le Jour (in French). 2 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ Christou, William (2 March 2026). "Israel strikes Lebanon after Iran ally Hezbollah fires missiles over border". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Israel Launches Ground Incursion in Lebanon as Hezbollah Targets Military Bases". Palestine Chronicle. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Boxerman, Aaron; Fassihi, Farnaz; Cooper, Helene; Kanno-Youngs, Zolan; Pager, Tyler; Zhuang, Yan (1 March 2026). "Israel Strikes Hezbollah in Lebanon as War With Iran Escalates". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Live updates: U.S. shuts embassies after drone attacks; Israel stages incursion into Lebanon". NBC News. 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Live updates: Israel hits Beirut and Tehran as Trump warns Iran of escalated strikes". CNN. 3 March 2026.
- ^ Goldbaum, Christina (6 March 2026). "Lebanon at 'Tipping Point' as It Seeks to Curb Hezbollah's Influence". New York Times.
- ^ "Minor Damage Reported at Bahrain Airport". The Daily Tribune. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Abbas Al Lawati; Laura Sharman (1 March 2026). "Passengers flee smoke-filled Dubai airport as Iran attacks major Gulf travel hubs". CNN. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Drone Attack Causes Damage, Panic at Kuwait Airport". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Oman port and tanker hit as US-Israeli attacks on Iran widen regional war". Ahram Online. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Fire at US embassy complex in Riyadh after blast heard, sources say". Reuters. 3 March 2026.
- ^ Dwivedi, Vinay (3 March 2026). "Iran war live updates: U.S. embassy in Riyadh hit by drones, Trump promises response 'soon'". CNBC. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "UAE confirms death of Pakistani, Nepalese, Bangladeshi nationals in Iranian strikes". Business Upturn. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Hundreds of Indians stranded in Dubai, other hub airports after military escalation in West Asia". The Hindu. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Iraqi militias attack US forces: New Iran war frontline?". The Jerusalem Post. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Live RAF base in Cyprus hit by suspected drone strike, says MoD". The Telegraph. 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Three Indian seafarers killed, one injured in West Asia conflict, says Centre". Scroll. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ Moaje, Maritas; Austria, Hilda (2 March 2026). "Israel embassy mourns 'selfless' OFW killed in missile strike". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "One Nepali among three killed in Iranian attack in UAE". The Kathmandu Post. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Bangladeshi killed in Bahrain by debris from intercepted missile". The Daily Star. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ Brown, Bridget; Belanger, Lorian; Gera, Vanessa; Callister, Drew; Vileira, Luena Rodriguez-Feo; Pane, Lisa Marie. "Live updates: US military shows footage of Iranian drone carrier on fire after strikes". AP News. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Two killed in Israeli strike on PMF base in Iraq". Shafaq News. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Solomon, Erika. "U.S. Attacks Iran as Trump Calls for Overthrow of Government". The New York Times.
- ^ "Iran Update Evening Special Report: March 2, 2026". Critical Threats. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Sleiman, Nadia (3 March 2026). "Iran Update Evening Special Report, March 2, 2026". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
Middle East Eyewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
Lizzie Porter-2026was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Stein, Amichai (2 March 2026). "Over 1,000 IRGC and Iranian security officials killed since start of war, source tells 'Post'". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "US-Israel attacks on Iran: Death toll and injuries live tracker". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Lebanon says 217 killed, 798 wounded in Israeli strikes since Monday". Times of Israel. 6 March 2026.
- ^ Bletter, Diana. "Health Ministry says 140 people taken to hospital due to Iran war in past 24 hours".
- ^ a b "Exiled Kurd group says Iran conducted deadly strikes on fighters in Iraq". Al Arabiya English. 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran-Backed Iraqi Militia Says Four Fighters Killed in US-Israeli Airstrike as Protests Erupt Across Iraq". Kurdistan 24. 1 March 2026.
- ^ "الصحة: حالة وفاة واحدة و32 إصابة على خلفية التطورات الراهنة في المنطقة" [Health Ministry: One death and 32 injuries reported due to current developments in the region]. Kuwait News. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "11-Year-Old Child Dies; Four Family Members Undergoing Medical Evaluation After Shrapnel Incident". Times Kuwait. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "How many people have been killed in the US-Israel war on Iran?". Al Jazeera English. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "3 Indians killed in Iranian attacks off Oman; 20 injured across West Asia". Hindustan Times. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Ministry of Interior announces 8 new injuries resulting from Iranian attack". The Peninsula Newspaper. QNA. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ Akour, Omar. "Jordanian police say 5 people injured by falling shrapnel after Iranian projectiles were intercepted in the kingdom's airspace". AP News. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Missiles, drones coming from Iran fell on airport in Azerbaijan, source says". Jerusalem Post. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Azerbaijan says Iran fired two drones at its territory, injuring two people". Ynet. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Fassihi, Farnaz (3 March 2026). "Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's Son Emerges as Leading Choice to Be His Successor". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, frontrunner to be Iran's supreme leader?". Reuters. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Contreras, Jocelyn (4 March 2026). Who will be Iran's next Supreme Leader? Here are some potential candidates. Retrieved 5 March 2026 – via CNN.
- ^ Motamedi, Maziar. "Iran forms interim council to oversee transition after Khamenei's killing". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Who will be Iran's next Supreme Leader?". BBC News. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Schröder, Thore (6 March 2026). "(S+) Iran-Krieg: Netanyahus Triumph könnte Israel schwer schaden". Der Spiegel (in German). ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Israeli army says air raids on Iran largest ever in air forces history". LBCIV7. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Israel Begins Attacks on Iran, Explosions Reported in Tehran Amid Preemptive Strike Declaration". Kurdistan24. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Israel closes Gaza's Rafah crossing amid attacks on Iran". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Today's top news: Middle East, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan". United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ a b "حضور نیروهای یگان ویژه در جنتآباد تهران" [The presence of special forces in Jannat Abad, Tehran]. Iran International. 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b "تیراندازی و جولان سرکوبگران در سبزوار؛ شادی مردم پس از انتشار خبر مرگ علی خامنهای" [Shooting and the rampage of suppressors in Sabzevar; the joy of people after the news of Ali Khamenei's death was released]. Independent Persian (in Persian). Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ a b Sinaiee, Maryam (1 March 2026). "Iranians react with joy and disbelief to Khamenei's death". Iran International. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Security forces shoot at people chanting behind windows". Iran International. 4 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Iran holds press conference at school as concerns grow over use of civilian sites". Iran International. 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Video: Iran's armed forces based in a civilian sport center". Iran International. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "UAE warns people against sharing unverified information on Iranian strikes". The New Arab. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Bahrain cracks down on people allegedly celebrating Iran strikes on kingdom". The New Arab. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Bombardment unleashes terror in Tehran with no sign of protests". 2026.
- ^ a b "The 2026 Iran War, An Initial Take and Implications". Oxford Economics. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Iran conflict poses new risk to US economic resilience". Reuters. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Regan, Helen; El Damanhoury, Kareem; Mogul, Rhea; Blackburn, Piper Hudspeth; Sangal, Aditi; Culpepper, Austin; Newton, Paula; Rios, Michael; Giraldo, Nina; Michaelis, Tamar; Cotovio, Vasco; Ward, Clarissa; Mando, Nechirvan; McCluskey, Mitchell; Braithwaite, Sharon; Saltman, Max; Britzky, Haley; Powell, Tori B.; Chowdhury, Maureen; Liebermann, Oren; Waldenberg, Samantha; Cancryn, Adam; Ferris, Sarah; Grayer, Annie; Egan, Matt; Towfighi, John; Bordeaux, Thomas; Mezzofiore, Gianluca; Kent, Lauren; Tanno, Sophie; Ataman, Joseph; Matthews, Alex Leeds; Warnes, Soph; de Acosta, Rosa; Bartlett-Imadegawa, Rhyannon; Robinson, Lou; Rigdon, Renée; Salem, Yahya; Hansler, Jennifer; Cohen, Zachary; Kourdi, Eyad; Mallo, Charbel; Subkhanberdina, Nina; Haq, Sana Noor; Jaramillo, Alejandra; Saifi, Zeena; Schmitz, Avery; Salem, Mostafa; Riess, Rebekah; Reck, Charlotte; Alrajjal, Tala; Stockwell, Billy; Iyer, Kaanita; Schiciano, Logan; Stelter, Brian; Nadeau, Barbie Latza; Isidore, Chris; Gharagozlou, Leila; Dmitracova, Olesya; Yosef, Eugenia; Yeung, Jessie; Symons, Todd; Radford, Antoinette; Sharman, Laura; Seo, Yoonjung; Tsui, Karina; Ripley, Will; Pleitgen, Frederik; Watson, Ivan; Asada, Yumi (5 March 2026). "Live updates: Trump says 'no time limits' on Iran war, Israel strikes Tehran and Beirut suburb". CNN. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's assassination will likely backfire. Here is why". Al Jazeera. 2 March 2026. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Middle East crisis pushes up oil prices – and could drive inflation rises too". The Guardian. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Limited flights leave UAE but disruption continues amid Iran strikes". BBC. 2 March 2026. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Oil prices surge and stocks fall amid fears over Iran war". NPR. 2 March 2026. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran conflict 2026: Disruption to Strait of Hormuz increases energy and food production risks". Janes. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran's skies empty after strikes as regional states close airspace". Iran International. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Iran Shutters Airspace After Israel Strikes, Trackers Show Planes Rerouting". NDTV World. 28 February 2026.
- ^ Yosef, Eugenia (28 February 2026). "Israel closes airspace after strikes on Iran". CNN. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Lehmann, Noam (28 February 2026). "Iraq shuttering airspace after US, Israel strike Iran". The Times of Israel.
- ^ "Syria shutters airspace". The Times of Israel. 28 February 2026. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Iran-Israel war: Air India, IndiGo and multiple other airlines suspend flights. Check full list". The Economic Times. 28 February 2026. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Biman suspends Middle East flights amid conflict". Prothom Alo. 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b Khalil, Hafsa; Gritten, David (28 February 2026). "What we know about the joint US-Israel attack on Iran". BBC News. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Maccioni, Frederico; Plucinska, Joanna (28 February 2026). "Travel in chaos as airlines cancel flights after US, Israel strikes on Iran". Reuters.
- ^ Stölzel, Thomas (1 March 2026). "Flugverkehr im Nahen Osten: Ein längerer Krieg im Iran wäre für Emirates und Qatar eine Katastrophe" [Air traffic in the Middle East: A longer war in Iran would be a disaster for Emirates and Qatar]. WIWO (in German). Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "IRGC says 'no ship allowed to pass Strait of Hormuz', according to EU official". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "'No ship allowed to pass Strait of Hormuz,' Iran warns vessels – Reuters". Iran International. Volant Media UK Ltd. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Iranian Naval Response to "Operation Epic Fury" Unclear". The Maritime Executive. 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Iran Attacks Gulf Shipping Hitting Product Tanker off Oman". The Maritime Executive. 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Crew member killed after projectile hits tanker off Oman, manager says". CNA. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Matamis, Joaquin (3 March 2026). "Global Markets and the Strait of Hormuz: The Economic Shockwaves of the Iran War • Stimson Center". Stimson Center. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Houthis threaten to 'escalate attacks' on Red Sea-linked Bab el-Mandeb Strait: 4 ways this could hurt the Indian economy". The Financial Express. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Toomey, Bridget (2 March 2026). "Houthis express solidarity with Iran but do not launch retaliatory attacks—yet". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Ben Ari, Lior (27 February 2026). "'A frightening silence' in Sanaa as Houthis prepare for war". Ynetglobal. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Rerouting of ME11 and MECL Service around The Cape of Good Hope". Maersk. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Britain, France and Greece send air-defence forces to Cyprus base after drone strike". The Straits Times. 4 March 2026. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Parker, Jessica (3 March 2026). "European allies rush to bolster Cyprus defences after drones target British base". BBC News. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Michalopoulos, Sarantis (3 March 2026). "EU's mutual defence clause to be discussed in coming days". Euractiv. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Yiakoumi, Michael (3 March 2026). "An attack on Cyprus would be an attack on Europe, says M. Weber". Parikiaki. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Al Amine, Rami (3 March 2026). "Drones Over Cyprus: Hezbollah's New Front in the Iran War". Alhurra. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ H. Diamataris, Antonis (3 March 2026). "For Greece and Cyprus This is a Real War". The National Herald. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Michalopoulos, Sarantis (4 March 2026). "Cyprus fears 'chaotic' terrorism from Turkey-occupied territory as EU help ramps up". Euractiv. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Rossi, Emanuele (4 March 2026). "Italy's Intelligence Warns of an Expanding 'Arc of Crises' Across the Wider Mediterranean". Decode39. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Rossi, Emanuele (3 March 2026). "Italy activates crisis coordination as Middle East tensions raise security and energy risks". Decode39. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Rossi, Emanuele (5 March 2026). "Italy backs Gulf partners, rules out entering Middle East war". Decode39. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Azerbaijani troops reportedly deployed to Iranian border as conflict rages". OC Media. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Aliyev mobilises army following Iranian drone attack on Azerbaijan". OC Media. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia tread carefully as Iran conflict explodes". OC Media. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Georgian Dream says discussing Iran sanctions evasion in Georgia is treason". OC Media. 6 March 2026. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ "Seven Nations Including France, Germany and Italy Advise Citizens to Leave Iran Amid Fears of Escalation". Kurdistan24. 27 February 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.[dead link]
- ^ "US urges citizens to immediately leave Middle East". The New Arab. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Live Updates: Hegseth says U.S. "just getting started" in Iran war as conflict intensifies and spreads". CBS News. 4 March 2026.
- ^ "UK working on plans to help its citizens leave Gulf countries". The New Arab. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Russians in Iran can leave via Turkmenistan, Russian embassy says". Reuters. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Italy Evacuates its Citizens from UAE as the Middle East War Escalates: What the Conflict Means for Italy". Wanted in Rome. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Italy summons Iran envoy over Cyprus strike". Al Arabiya English. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b Bland, Stephen M. (2 March 2026). "Central Asia Confronts Iran War Fallout as Trade Routes and Citizens Come Under Pressure". The Times Of Central Asia. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Tudor, Nadira; Aktan, Sertaç. "Azerbaijani soldiers are assisting those fleeing the conflict in Iran at the Astara border". Euronews. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Armenia and Azerbaijan receive around 1,500 evacuees from Iran". OC Media. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ "Iranians find refuge in Georgia, despite murky ties with Tehran". OC Media. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ "Pakistanis at remote border describe scramble to leave Iran". GEO TV. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "UN sees no major exodus from Iran". Iran International. 3 March 2026.
- ^ "No refugee exodus from Iran, says EU Commission". EU Observer. 3 March 2026.
- ^ "NZ Defence Force planes prepare to fly to Middle East for evacuations". RNZ. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Live updates: Trump says 'no time limits' on Iran war, Israel strikes Tehran and Beirut suburb". CNN. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ Gault, Matthew (2 March 2026). "Amazon Data Centers on Fire After Iranian Missile Strikes on Dubai". 404 Media. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ a b Lee Chong Ming; Eugene Kim. "Amazon says 3 data centers were damaged by drone strikes in the Middle East". Business Insider. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Amazon says drones damaged three facilities in UAE and Bahrain". BBC. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Mann, Tobias (2 March 2026). "AWS says drones hit two of its datacenters in UAE, urges users to move resources to different regions". The Register. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Families say food distribution disrupted in Evin wards after strikes in Tehran". Iran International. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Iranians get by as US, Israeli bombs rain down, internet blocked". Al Jazeera. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ DeYoung, Karen; Salim, Mustafa; Nakashima, Ellen; Warren P., Strobel (5 March 2026). "Trump calls on Kurds to aid U.S. effort in Iran, offers support". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b "CIA working to arm Kurdish forces to spark uprising in Iran, sources say". CNN. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Daily Report: The Second Iran War – March 3, 2026 (19:00)". Alma Research and Education Center. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Rojhelat security, military bases targeted as strikes intensify along borders". Rudaw. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Bombing of Iranian military, police, border guard, intellegence bases continues in western Iran". Rudaw. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Airstrikes in Iran's West Target Police Stations and Border Posts, Hinting at a Ground Strategy Built Around the Kurds". The National Context. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "At least 1,500 killed on third day of war, including 200 civilians". Hengaw. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Scoop: Trump calls Kurdish leaders in Iran war effort". Axios. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "In Their First Statement, Iranian Kurdish Alliance Signals Readiness for Regime Change". The Amargi. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Kurdish groups unite to fight against Iran". The Jerusalem Post. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Frantzman, Seth J. (2 March 2026). "Kurdish Iranian opposition groups say Iran targeted them in northern Iraq, claim operations in Iran". Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Murphy, Emma (3 March 2026). "United States seeking an armed uprising inside Iran, with ground operation expected within days". ITV News. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Thousands of Kurdish fighters launch ground offensive into Iran against regime, official says". i24 News. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Stein, Amichai; Kweller, Idan (4 March 2026). "Hundreds of Kurdish fighters launch ground offensive in Iran". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Rojhilat'ta "kara harekatı" iddiası: Kürt güçlerinden yalanlama" (in Turkish). 4 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d e Ravid, Barak; Caputo, Marc (5 March 2026). "Kurds backed by Mossad, CIA could lead next phase of war in Iran". Axios. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Abdul-zahra, Qassim; Martany, Stella; Yahya, Rashid (4 March 2026). "Kurdish dissident groups say they are preparing to join the fight against Iran with US support". Halifax City News. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "PJAK'tan halka çağrı: Derhal kendi yerel yönetim komitelerinizi kurun". ANF News (in Turkish). 4 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran war live: Israeli-US strikes hit Tehran's residential neighbourhoods". Middle East Eye.
- ^ "Iran decries attacks, vows response as it appeals to Security Council". Iran International. 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Iran live updates: Trump offers immunity or 'guaranteed death' to Iranian forces". ABC News. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^
"Iran's future will be determined by Iranians, not Trump, officials say". Al Jazeera. 6 March 2026. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
Iranian officials have rejected Donald Trump's push to be involved in the selection of the country's next leader, insisting that only Iranians can decide the future of their country.
- ^ Kwong, Emily (28 February 2026). "How some Iranians reacted to attacks on their country". NPR. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ Madadi, Afshin (28 February 2026). "Iranians cheer US strikes in street". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ مردم فریاد «مرگ بر خامنهای» سر دادند [People shouted 'Death to Khamenei.']. Iran International (in Persian). 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Gas Lines, Protests, And Heavy Traffic In Tehran After US And Israeli Strikes". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Photos: Anti-US protest in Tehran". Al Jazeera English. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Streets empty and shops close as US strikes confirm Iranian fears". France24. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Petz, Sarah (28 February 2026). "Rallies calling for a regime change in Iran are being held around the world". CBC News. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Iranians at The Hague celebrate US, Israeli air strikes". Iran International. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "'War is no good, but I'm happy': Iranian diaspora jubilant as regime attacked, see difficult days ahead". The Times of Israel. Agence France-Presse. 28 February 2026. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Inside an exiled prince's plan for regime change in Iran". Politico. 13 January 2026. Retrieved 25 January 2026.
- ^ Rise Iran!. "Iran Prosperity Project: Economic Vision for Free Iran". Iran Prosperity Project. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
auto1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Pager, Tyler (28 February 2026). "Update from Tyler Pager". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Liptak, Kevin (28 February 2026). "Trump says military campaign is "massive and ongoing"". CNN. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Liptak, Kevin (28 February 2026). "Trump confirms in video message that military campaign in Iran has begun". CNN. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^
Woodward, Alex (2 March 2026). "Trump won't rule out boots on the ground in Iran. Middle East experts say he's 'grasping at straws'". the Independent.
Trump's mission to target both Iran's missile program and Iran proxies in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, Syria and elsewhere would necessarily require troops on the ground, experts say.
- ^ "Trump has privately shown serious interest in U.S. ground troops in Iran". NBC News. 7 March 2026. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
- ^ a b Guskin, Emily; Schreier, Elizabeth (2 March 2026). "Most Americans do not support latest Iran strikes, 3 polls find". ABC News. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Fulton, Adam; Dunbar, Marina; Richards, Serena; Lowe, Yohannes; Vernon, Hayden; Ratcliffe, Rebecca (2 March 2026). "Trump warns there could be more casualties after service members killed – as it happened". the Guardian.
- ^ "Poll: Majority of voters disapprove of how Trump has handled Iran". NBC News. 4 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ Manchester, Julia (2 March 2026). "Trump: 'I don't care about polling' showing Iran strikes unpopular". The Hill. Archived from the original on 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Lee, Chantelle; Jeyaretnam, Miranda (3 March 2026). "Most Americans Disapprove of War With Iran, Polls Show". TIME. Archived from the original on 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "6 U.S. service members killed since start of war". NBC News. 3 March 2026.
- ^ Mascaro, Lisa (28 February 2026). "Members of Congress demand swift vote on war powers resolution after Trump orders Iran strike without congressional approval". PBS News. Associated Press.
- ^ Schermele, Zachary. "Senate fails to block US involvement in Iran war". USA TODAY.
- ^ Schmitt, Eric; Cooper, Helene; Fassihi, Farnaz; Boxerman, Aaron; Jakes, Lara (4 March 2026). "Iran Live Updates: U.S. Says Strikes Are Accelerating, GOP in Senate Blocks Trump War Powers Limits". The New York Times.
- ^ a b Lillis, Mike (6 March 2026). "House Republicans sink effort to rein in Trump's attacks on Iran". The Hill. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Trump's critics say attacking Iran 'won't make the Epstein files go away'". Archived from the original on 4 March 2026.
- ^ Wong, Scott; Thorp, Frank (4 March 2026). "Senate blocks resolution that would have restricted Trump's war in Iran". NBC News. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Estrin, Daniel (28 February 2026). "U.S. and Israel strike Iran in operation 'Epic Fury.' Trump calls for regime overthrow". NPR. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Update from Johnatan Reiss". The New York Times. 28 February 2026. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^
"Likud Minister Says Israeli Elections to Be Moved Up to July for Netanyahu Bloc to Capitalize on Iran War". Haaretz. 3 March 2026.
One Likud source said that the PM would want to go to elections right after the military campaign in order to leverage the Iran war. Meanwhile, the opposition Democrats party appealed to the Knesset speaker to suspend committee discussions related to the coalition's contentious judicial overhaul plans until the war is over. Likud minister Gila Gamliel said on Tuesday that national elections will likely be brought forward to late June or July.
- ^ "Israel's Initial Plan Was To Strike Iran Months Later, Defence Minister Reveals". NDTV. 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Israel decided to kill khamenei in November, defence minister says". Global Banking & Finance Review. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ Levaton, Stav (4 March 2026). "Poll: Most Jewish Israelis support Iran war, toppling regime; Arab backing far lower". The Times of Israel.
- ^ "Von der Leyen llama abiertamente a una 'transición creíble' de poder en Irán". Europa Press. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ Zsiros, Sandor; Aktan, Sertaç (2 March 2026). "Live. Von der Leyen backs regime change in Iran, signaling policy shift at the European Commission". Euro News. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Iran strikes Qatar and Saudi energy sites as US jets shot down by Kuwaiti 'friendly fire'". BBC News. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "NATO's Rutte says Iran must no longer pose threat". Iran International. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ a b Nicholls, Catherine (28 February 2026). "Russia condemns "reckless" airstrikes on Iran, as Finland and Ireland express concern". CNN. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f "World reacts to US, Israel attack on Iran, Tehran retaliation". Al Jazeera English. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Sulmet e SHBA dhe Izraelit në Iran: Rama, Garda Revolucionare Iraniane të shpallet organizatë terroriste" [US and Israeli attacks on Iran: Rama, Iranian Revolutionary Guard to be declared a terrorist organization]. Gazeta Tema (in Albanian). 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Javier Milei elogió la operación conjunta de Estados Unidos e Israel, los definió como aliados y condenó "las atrocidades' de Irán". Clarín (in Spanish). 28 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Press conference – Sydney". Prime Minister of Australia. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ "Canada backs United States actions in Iran". Politico. 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Čeští politici schvalují údery na Írán, občané nemají jezdit do regionu" [Czech politicians approve strikes on Iran, citizens should not travel to the region]. ČeskéNoviny (in Czech). 28 February 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Foreign minister hails 'window for long-awaited change in the Middle East', meets with EU and Moroccan leaders". yle.fi. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Psaropoulos, John (4 March 2026). "After Iran's warning, Europe fails to unite on war launched by US, Israel". Al Jazeera English.
- ^ "Komunikatë nga Ministria e Punëve të Jashtme dhe Diasporës" [Press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora]. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora (in Albanian). 28 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Gkritsi, Eliza (1 March 2026). "How every EU country responded to the strikes on Iran". Politico.
- ^ Luxon, Christopher; Peters, Winston (1 March 2026). "NZ Government Statement on Iran". New Zealand Government. Archived from the original on 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ Blades, Johnny (3 March 2026). "Papua New Guinea seeks help for citizens in Middle East, supports US-Israel attack on Iran". RNZ. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Caribbean countries react to US-Israel war against Iran". The Saint Kitts & Nevis Observer. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Ahmad Azizi (1 March 2026). "Taliban warn of 'long-term consequences' from US-Israel strikes on Iran". Amu TV.
- ^ "Armenia condemns while Azerbaijan calls for dialogue following Israeli strikes on Iran". OC Media. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Magalhaes, Luciana (28 February 2026). "Brazilian government condemns strikes on Iran". Reuters. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Chile expresa su preocupación por escalada militar en Medio Oriente" [Chile expresses its concern regarding the military escalation in the Middle East]. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Chile) (in Spanish). 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Miranda, Michel Nahas (28 February 2026). "Chile condena ataques de EE.UU. e Israel contra Irán y llama a detener la escalada militar en Medio Oriente" [Chile condemns the US and Israeli attacks against Iran and calls for an end to the military escalation in the Middle East]. CNN Chile (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "China condemns attacks on Iran, urges ceasefire and talks". Reuters. 1 March 2026.
- ^ a b Satubaldina, Assel (28 February 2026). "Kazakh President Orders Emergency Planning as Iran Tensions Escalate". The Astana Times. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "US-Israel attacks Iran Live updates: Iran President, 2 officials to lead transition after Ayatollah Khamenei's death". The Hindu. 1 March 2026. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Multiple Arab states that host US assets targeted in Iran retaliation". Al Jazeera English. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Kim, Heejin (1 March 2026). "North Korea says Israeli attacks and US military operation against Iran are 'illegal aggression'". Reuters. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Strangio, Sebastian (2 March 2026). "How Southeast Asia Responded to the Outbreak of the Iran War". The Diplomat.
- ^ "Pakistan condemns unwarranted attacks against Iran, calls for halt to escalation". 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Viet Nam opposes use of force against sovereign nations". Government News. Government of Vietnam. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ Sepúlveda, Arnaldo (28 February 2026). ""Chile debe ser aliado de las naciones que promueven la libertad": La respuesta de la oficina de Kast por conflicto en Irán" ["Chile must be an ally of nations that promote freedom": Kast's office responds to the conflict in Iran]. Meganoticias (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Djibouti Condemns Iran Attacks on Arab States, Calls for Immediate De-escalation". Dawan Africa. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Egypt president affirms full support for GCC states; warns against escalation". 2026.
- ^ "Exercise restraint, prioritise civilians: India urges de-escalation in Middle East". India Today. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Roy, Shubhajit (3 March 2026). "Bahrain, Saudi hit by Iran, PM Modi speaks to rulers, condemns attacks". The Indian Express. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ El Masaiti, Amira (28 February 2026). "Morocco condemns abject Iranian attack "violating brotherly Arab States' integrity, security"". Hespress. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Lehmann, Noam (28 February 2026). "Palestinian Authority condemns Iran, offers support to Arab states". The Times of Israel. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 2 March 2026.
- ^ Lima Lobo, Renata (28 February 2026). "Luís Montenegro divulga comunicado onde apela à 'máxima contenção', condenando os ataques do Irão" [Luís Montenegro releases a statement calling for "maximum restraint", condemning the Iranian attacks]. Sábado (in Portuguese). Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "Syria condemns Iranian strikes on several Arab countries". Syrian Arab News Agency. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "Somalia omits UAE in statement condemning Iran attacks on Gulf countries". Somali Guardian. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Germany, France and UK tell Iran to stop attacks in region". The Straits Times. 28 February 2026.
- ^ Boxerman, Aaron; Fassihi, Farnaz; Cooper, Helene; Kanno-Youngs, Zolan; Pager, Tyler (1 March 2026). "Iran Live Updates: U.S. Reports American Casualties as Trump Says He's 'Willing to Talk' to Iran". The New York Times.
- ^ Ema Gil, Pires (3 March 2026). "Governo português deu "autorização condicional" aos EUA para utilizarem Base das Lajes" [The Portuguese government gave the U.S. 'conditional authorization' to use Lajes Air Base]. euronews (in European Portuguese).
- ^ "Live updates: U.S. has struck or sunk over 20 Iranian ships, CENTCOM says". NBC News. 5 March 2026.
- ^ "France authorises US use of French bases, BFMTV reports". Phileleftheros. 5 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Somaliland president holds phone call with Netanyahu amid Iran war". Somali Guardian. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Taiwan condemns Iran's indiscriminate attacks on Middle East countries". Focus Taiwan – CNA English News. 3 March 2026. Retrieved 5 March 2026.
- ^ "Cyril Ramaphosa calls for dialogue in the Middle East amid escalating tensions". Post. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ "No:053/26, Statement on regional military escalation". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Indra, Radhiyya (4 March 2026). "Pressure grows for Indonesia to quit Board of Peace amid US-Israel war against Iran". The Jakarta Post.
- ^ "Lebanon PM says Beirut won't let anyone drag country into war". Apa.az. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ "PM Nawaf Salam calls for unity, warns against escalation". LBCIV7. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Ali, Taz; Mackay, Hamish; Ratcliffe, Rebecca (28 February 2026). "Iran launches retaliatory strikes across the Middle East after US and Israel attack – live". The Guardian.
- ^ "Pope on Iran: Peace not built with mutual threats or death-dealing arms". Vatican News. 1 March 2026. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Uruguay expresa preocupación por ataques militares". Ministry of Foreign Relations (Uruguay) (in Spanish). Retrieved 1 March 2026.
- ^ S., Elshod (28 February 2026). "O'zbekiston Yaqin Sharqda yangi ziddiyatli holat yuzaga kelganidan jiddiy xavotirda — TIV". Gazeta (in Uzbek). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Condena de Venezuela y Cuba por ofensiva militar de EE.UU. e Israel contra Irán". BAE Negocios (in Spanish). 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- ^ Liy, Macarena Vidal (3 March 2026). "Trump: 'We're going to cut off all trade with Spain'". El País English. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "Pakistan deploys troops and imposes curfew after deadly Iran protests". France 24. 2 March 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Robertson, Noah; Nakashima, Ellen; Strobel, Warren P. (6 March 2026). "Russia is providing Iran intelligence to target U.S. forces, officials say". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ Bertrand, Natasha; Sciutto, Jim; Cohen, Zachary; Hansler, Jennifer (6 March 2026). "Russia is aiding Iran's war effort by providing intel on US military targets, sources say". CNN. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ "Russia providing intelligence to Iran about U.S. positions, sources say". CBS News. 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
External links
- "What we know about the US-Israeli attack on Iran and Tehran's retaliation". CNN. 28 February 2026. Retrieved 28 February 2026.
- U.S. and Israeli Strikes on Iran, C-SPAN
|
Iran–Israel proxy conflict
|
|
|---|---|
| Background |
|
| 2024 Iran–Israel conflict |
|
| Twelve-Day War |
|
| 2026 Iran war |
|
| Hezbollah–Israel conflict |
|
| Israeli–Palestinian conflict |
|
| Gaza–Israel conflict |
|
| Syrian civil war |
|
| Red Sea crisis |
|
| International incidents |
|
| Nuclear program of Iran |
|
| Related |
|
|
|
|
Ali Khamenei
|
|
|---|---|
|
|
| Politics |
|
| Policies |
|
| Books and messages |
|
| Family |
|
| Economy |
|
 Category
|
|
|
Benjamin Netanyahu
|
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||
| Premiership |
|
||||
| Elections |
|
||||
| Family |
|
||||
| Related |
|
||||
|
Category
|
|||||
|
Second presidency of Donald Trump
|
|||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General |
|
||||||||||||||
| Events |
|
||||||||||||||
| Policies |
|
||||||||||||||
| Democratic backsliding |
|
||||||||||||||
| Protests |
|
||||||||||||||
| Related |
|
||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||