March 2: Hezbollah claims attack on Israel was ‘defensive act’ after year of Israeli strikes

Hezbollah-linked channel back on air, says it was targeted by IDF

Hezbollah-linked news channel Al-Manar TV is back on air after its broadcasts were interrupted a short while ago following an IDF evacuation warning in the area of the network’s headquarters in Hezbollah’s southern Beirut stronghold.

The network says on its newscast that the building was struck in the IDF strikes tonight. Footage published by other Arabic outlets purports to show the strike from afar.

غارة إسرائيلية تستهدف مبنى قناة المنار التابع لحزب الله بحارة حريك في الضاحية الجنوبية لبيروت pic.twitter.com/y5htiHaZLK

— العربية لبنان (@Alarabiyaleb) March 2, 2026

IDF says it’s striking series of Hezbollah targets in Beirut

The IDF says it has begun a wave of strikes against Hezbollah command centers and weapon depots in Beirut.

Further details will be provided later, the army says.

Rubio tells Americans abroad ‘to follow our security updates,’ does not mention latest State Dept directive that they immediately leave Middle East, including Israel

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a joint news conference with Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban in Budapest, Hungary, Monday, February 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

After the US State Department just called on all Americans to immediately depart more than a dozen countries in the Middle East, including Israel, amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, Secretary of State Marco Rubio urges Americans to register with the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) in order to receive further updates.

They can do so, he notes, at step.state.gov.

“We also encourage Americans abroad to follow our security updates for US citizens channel on WhatsApp and follow @travelgov on social media as well,” Rubio posts.

Americans in the Middle East can also reach the State Department 24/7 at 1-202-501-4444, Rubio adds.

At the US Department of State, he says, “Our number one priority is the safety and the security of American citizens everywhere in the world.”

He makes no specific mention of the directive from moments ago calling on all Americans to flee most of the Middle East.

To all American citizens in the Middle East: your safety and security is our number one priority.

Sign up to receive STEP alerts at https://t.co/SpQfuj4gN2.

Get information at @TravelGov and you can call the department 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444. pic.twitter.com/G8grZVgmCF

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 2, 2026

Hezbollah claims attack on Israel was ‘defensive act’ after year of Israeli strikes

The Lebanese terror group Hezbollah says its rocket and drone attack on Israel in the pre-dawn hours of Monday was a “defensive act” after more than a year of Israeli strikes despite a ceasefire.

“For fifteen months, Israeli aggression against Lebanon has continued through killing, destruction, bulldozing, and all forms of criminal acts,” a statement from the Iran-backed group says, making no mention of the recent killing of Iran’s supreme leader, unlike a previous missive.

The group’s “response against a military barracks in the usurping entity is a defensive act and a legitimate right,” it adds.

Israel says the November 2024 truce granted it the right to conduct strikes against imminent threats posed by Hezbollah, which under the ceasefire terms must end its presence in southern Lebanon and be disarmed.

More sirens blare in northern; people in central, southern Israel can exit bomb shelters

Sirens sound again in northern Israel as Iran fires more ballistic missiles.

The military says it is working to intercept the projectiles.

The IDF Home Front Command, meanwhile, says civilians in southern and central Israel, where sirens sounded, can now leave bomb shelters, but should still remain close to them.

More early warnings sound in north as Iranian missile attacks continue

A fresh early warning is issued by the IDF in northern Israel as more ballistic missiles are launched from Iran.

Meanwhile, missile fragments reportedly impacted in central Israel, causing slight damage. There are no immediate reports of injuries.

IDF clarifies latest attacks didn’t include missiles fired from Lebanon

The sirens that were triggered across northern, central and southern Israel were the result of ballistic missiles from Iran, despite some online claims to the contrary.

According to the IDF, no rocket fire was detected from Lebanon.

Sirens sound also in central Israel as Iran continues to fire missiles

Sirens sound across wide areas of the country amid Iran’s latest salvo of ballistic missiles, including the Tel Aviv area in central Israel.

Civilians in areas where sirens are sounding are instructed to remain in bomb shelters until further notice, as the IDF says it works to intercept the missiles.

US military says Strait of Hormuz not closed — Fox News

US Central Command says the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for the world’s oil supply, is not closed despite statements by Iranian officials, Fox News reports.

CENTCOM does not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Sirens sound in Beersheba area, continue to blare in north; early warning in center

Sirens sound in Beersheba and the surrounding area in southern Israel amid Iran’s latest ballistic missile attack.

Sirens also continue to sound in northern Israel.

Civilians in areas where sirens sound are instructed to enter bomb shelters.

Meanwhile, an early warning is issued in central Israel as more ballistic missiles are launched from Iran.

Incoming missile alerts sound in northern Israel amid barrage from Iran; early warning in south

Sirens sound across northern Israel amid an Iranian ballistic missile attack, the first in some seven hours.

The IDF says it is working to shoot down the projectiles.

Meanwhile, an early warning is issued in southern Israel as more ballistic missiles are launched from Iran.

Hezbollah-linked news channel halts broadcast after IDF evacuation warning in Beirut

Hezbollah-linked Lebanese news channel Al-Manar TV has halted its programming after the IDF issued an evacuation warning for an area of Beirut that includes the channel’s headquarters, according to Arabic media.

The network’s online livestream currently shows a black screen.

Live | مباشر https://t.co/rJC7dhUCCg

— AlManar Live | المنار مباشر (@AlmanarLive) March 2, 2026

IDF says missiles fired from Iran at Israel for first time in hours, sirens expected in north

After a lull of some seven hours, a new launch of ballistic missiles from Iran has been detected by the IDF.

Sirens are expected to sound in northern Israel shortly.

IDF destroys Iranian state broadcaster building, says IRGC used it for military purposes

The IDF says it destroyed the headquarters of Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB in an airstrike in Tehran a short while ago.

The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) building had already been targeted by Israel during the June 2025 war.

Israeli Air Force fighter jets dropped dozens of bombs on the building a short while ago, destroying it, the military says.

According to the military, the “Iranian terrorist regime’s communications center” was used to “advance military activities under the guise of civilian activity and assets, in addition to the propaganda activities that emanate from the communications center.”

The IDF says that the activities at the center were carried out by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Ahead of the strike, the IDF issued an evacuation warning for Iranian civilians in the area.

US State Department urges Americans to immediately leave over a dozen Mideast nations, including Israel

The US Department of State calls on Americans to immediately depart more than a dozen countries in the Middle East, including Israel, amid the US-Israeli war against Iran.

Americans are urged to depart using commercial means from Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen, according to Mora Namdar, the State Department’s assistant secretary for consular affairs.

The State Department has also activated an inter-agency emergency task force to manage the situation and coordinate the United States’ response to the conflict, a US official says.

The warning comes after the department, in recent days, updated its travel advisories for several countries in the region to recommend against travel.

The US Embassy in Amman, Jordan, announced earlier on Monday that its personnel had departed the site “due to a threat.”

In a post on X, Namdar gives details for those needing assistance.

The @SecRubio @StateDept urges Americans to DEPART NOW from the countries below using available commercial transportation, due to serious safety risks. Americans who need State Department assistance arranging to depart via commercial means, CALL US 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444 (from… pic.twitter.com/vdplAik2Sq

— Assistant Secretary Mora Namdar (@AsstSecStateCA) March 2, 2026

“Depart now via commercial means due to serious safety risks,” the new security update urges.

Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport is closed, and the country’s airspace is not expected to reopen before the start of next week at the earliest.

The urgent message is issued on the third day of US and Israeli attacks on Iran, which US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have said are aimed at creating conditions in which the Iranian public can achieve freedom from the Iranian regime. Iran has continued to target Israel with missiles and drones, and also fired at several countries in the region, with the war widening in the course of today.

The US State Department on Friday authorized non-emergency personnel and the family members of those stationed in Israel to leave the country due to “safety risks,” with US Ambassador Mike Huckabee reportedly telling embassy staff that if they want to leave Israel, they “should do so TODAY.”

CNN has also just quoted an unnamed senior US official saying that the US is preparing for a “major uptick” in attacks in Iran over the next 24 hours.

IDF confirms killing Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s top commander in Lebanon

The IDF confirms killing a top commander of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group in an airstrike in Beirut overnight.

Adham al-Othman, who headed Islamic Jihad’s Lebanon sector, was targeted in the pre-dawn hours of Monday in the Lebanese capital, after Hezbollah launched rockets and drones at Israel.

The military says Othman served in the top role for several years, “and was responsible for advancing and carrying out hundreds of terror attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians.”

The military says that recently, he “continued to advance numerous terror attacks on behalf of the organization from within Lebanon,” including training members of Islamic Jihad’s elite force, recruiting terrorists, and procuring weapons.

IDF issues evacuation warning for building in Hezbollah’s Beirut bastion

The IDF issues an evacuation warning for a building in Beirut, ahead of an airstrike against a Hezbollah site.

“You are located near facilities and interests affiliated with Hezbollah, against which the IDF will operate forcefully in the near term,” says spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee, attaching a map showing the location of a building in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold.

“For your safety and the safety of your family members, you must evacuate this building and the adjacent ones immediately and move at least 300 meters away from them,” he adds.

#عاجل ‼️إلى جميع السكان المتواجدين في منطقة الضاحية الجنوبية وتحديدًا في المبنى المحدد في الخريطة المرفقة والمباني المجاورة له في حي حارة حريك

⭕️أنتم تتواجدون بالقرب من منشآت ومصالح تابعة لحزب الله حيث سيعمل ضدها جيش الدفاع بقوة على المدى الزمني القريب

⭕️من أجل سلامتكم وسلامة… pic.twitter.com/plfDU8sea2

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) March 2, 2026

Israel to reopen Kerem Shalom crossing for ‘gradual’ entry of humanitarian aid

Trucks carrying aid which entered Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border crossing with Israel, drive past displaced peoples' tents at the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza on October 14, 2025, amid the Gaza ceasefire-hostage deal brokered by US President Donald Trump. (Eyad BABA / AFP)

Israel will reopen the Kerem Shalom border crossing with the Gaza Strip tomorrow for the “gradual” entry of humanitarian aid, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announces.

COGAT says that, in coordination with the American Civil Military Coordination Center (CMCC), it was decided to reopen the crossing on Tuesday, after it was closed since the start of the Israeli-American operation against Iran on Saturday.

“This decision was made in accordance with a security assessment, against the backdrop of Operation ‘Roaring Lion,’ and under security restrictions that will ensure the safety of all those present at the crossing on both sides,” COGAT says.

The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, however, remains closed.

Trump says Netanyahu to be interviewed on Fox, urges followers to tune in

US President Donald Trump (R) and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands as they arrive to speak to journalists during a joint press conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 29, 2025. (Jim Watson / AFP)

US President Donald Trump publishes a post on his Truth Social account urging followers to tune in to Fox News at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time for an interview with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ostensibly about Iran.

IDF announces new wave of airstrikes on regime targets in Tehran

The Israeli Air Force has launched a new wave of airstrikes against Iranian regime targets in Tehran, the IDF announces.

The military says further details will be provided later.

Rubio says regime change not an official aim but ‘we hope the Iranians can overthrow this government’

Asked whether regime change is a goal in Iran, as US President Donald Trump has indicated in the past, Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US would love to see it happen, but it is not among the aims of the current military operation.

“Our mission and our focus is the destruction of missiles and the ability to manufacture them, as well as their naval capabilities,” Rubio says.

Earlier today, Trump listed two other aims: ensuring Iran cannot support proxy militia groups or obtain a nuclear weapon.

“That said, we hope that the Iranian people can overthrow this government,” Rubio says.

“Whoever runs the regime, the goal is to ensure that they don’t have missiles and drones to threaten us,” he says, seemingly adding another war aim —neutralizing the Iranian drone threat.

Reiterating Trump’s message from earlier today, Rubio says the “hardest hits [against Iran] have yet to come.”

Qatar tells UN it has complete right to respond to Iranian attacks

Qatar condemns Iranian attacks on its territory and, in. a letter to the UN Secretary General and the president of the Security Council, says it reserves complete right to respond.

False alarms set off drone sirens in several communities near Lebanon border

A suspected drone infiltration siren sounds in several Israeli communities in the Western Galilee, close to the border with Lebanon.

A short while later, the IDF says the sirens were false alarms.

Overnight and today, the military reported shooting down three drones launched from Lebanon by the Hezbollah terror group. Dozens of drones launched from Iran have also been intercepted in the past three days, according to the IDF.

IDF issues ‘urgent warning’ to residents of Tehran’s Evin neighborhood ahead of planned strikes

The IDF issues an “urgent warning” to Iranians in Tehran’s Evin neighborhood, ahead of planned airstrikes.

“Urgent warning to all individuals present in the Evin area in Tehran, within the vicinity of the broadcasting authority, according to the area marked in red on the attached map,” says the IDF’s Persian-language spokesman, Lt. Col. (res.) Kamal Penhasi in a statement.

“The IDF, as it has acted in recent days in the Tehran area to strike the Iranian regime’s military infrastructure, will operate in this area in the coming hours,” he says.

“For your safety and well-being, we request that you immediately evacuate the designated area indicated on the map,” he adds.

‼️هشدار فوری به کلیه افراد مستقر در منطقه اوین در تهران در محدوده صدا و سیما، بر اساس ناحیه مشخص شده قرمز رنگ بر روی نقشه ضمیمه.

⭕ ارتش اسرائیل همچنان که در روزهای اخیر در منطقه تهران برای حمله به زیرساخت های نظامی رژیم ایران اقدام کرده است، طی ساعات آینده در این ناحیه فعالیت… pic.twitter.com/kCUo3Qqp4a

— ارتش دفاعی اسرائیل | IDF Farsi (@IDFFarsi) March 2, 2026

Rubio: ‘Imminent threat’ to US was Iran’s plan to strike American assets in response to Israeli attack

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives to brief House and Senate leaders on US military action in Iran, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 2, 2026. (Brendan Smialowski/ AFP)

WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reveals that the “imminent threat” posed by Iran that American officials have cited to justify striking Iran over the weekend was intelligence that Tehran would strike American assets in response to an Israeli attack.

“The imminent threat was that we knew that if Iran was attacked, and we believed they would be attacked, they would immediately come after us,” Rubio tells reporters on Capitol Hill.

However, it is widely understood that any Israeli attack on Iran would only have taken place with Washington’s blessing.

“We were not going to sit there and absorb a blow before we responded,” Rubio says before briefing Congress.

“If we waited for them to hit us first after they were attacked by someone else, we would suffer more casualties and more deaths.”

“We went proactively to prevent them from inflicting more damage. Had we not done so, there would have been hearings on Capitol Hill about how we knew that this was going to happen and we didn’t act preemptively to prevent more casualties and loss of life,” Rubio adds.

Rubio clarifies that the US operation “needed to happen” no matter what, but acted exactly when it did after becoming aware of an imminent Israeli strike that Washington believed would provoke an Iranian response against its assets in the region.

“We were aware of Israeli intentions and understood what that would mean for us, and understood what that would mean for us and had to be prepared to act as a result of it,” Rubio says.

Regardless, Rubio says it was key the operation take place around now, “Because Iran in about a year, or year and a half would’ve crossed the line of immunity — meaning they would so many short range missiles, so many drones, that no one could do anything about it because they could hold the whole world hostage.”

CENTCOM says 2 more US servicemembers killed in Iran fighting, raising death toll to 6

The US Central Command says a total of six American soldiers have been killed amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, after the bodies of two more servicemembers were located.

“US forces recently recovered the remains of two previously unaccounted for service members from a facility that was struck during Iran’s initial attacks in the region,” CENTCOM says in a statement.

CENTCOM does not provide further details on the circumstances that led to their deaths.

“Major combat operations continue. The identities of the fallen are being withheld until 24 hours after next-of-kin notification,” CENTCOM adds.

Ahead of fresh strikes, IDF reiterates evacuation warnings for southern Lebanon villages

The IDF reiterates its evacuation warnings for several villages in southern Lebanon, as it prepares to carry out additional strikes against Hezbollah.

“Hezbollah’s activities are forcing the IDF to act against it, without any intention of harming you,” says spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee.

“For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move north to beyond the line of the villages marked on the map and their surrounding area,” he adds.

This morning, the IDF issued similar warnings to 53 villages in southern Lebanon, before carrying out strikes on dozens of Hezbollah sites.

#عاجل ????انذار عاجل إلى سكان لبنان وتحديدًا في القرى التالية:

الظهيرة (صور), طيبة, الناقورة, بلدة الجبين (صور), مطمورة, عديسة (مرجعيون), بيت ليف, بليدا (مرجعيون), بني حيان, بنت جبيل, حولا, حنين, طير حرفا, يارون, يارين, كفر كلا, محيبيب, ميس الجبل, مروحين, مارون الراس, مركبا,… pic.twitter.com/KTO4PBXhJo

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) March 2, 2026

Tehran’s traffic cameras allowed Israel to track Khamenei, senior Iranian officials — report

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are pictured in a street in Tehran, Iran, on April 10, 2023. (Atta Kenare/ AFP/ File)

Israel hacked into Tehran’s extensive traffic camera network in order to track the bodyguards of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other top Iranian officials, the Financial Times reports, citing two people familiar with the matter.

Iran’s cameras are believed to be part of the state’s surveillance apparatus that allows them to identify and pursue protesters and regime opponents. But the Mossad was able to use them against the regime.

Israel gained access to the cameras years ago, and found that one particular camera was angled in such a way that it showed where members of Khamenei’s security team parked their cars. Through the cameras, Israeli intelligence built files on the guards’ addresses, work schedules, and whom they were assigned to protect.

Israel and the US also disrupted cellular service on Tehran’s Pasteur Street, where Khamenei was assassinated, so those trying reach the bodyguards and deliver possible warnings would receive busy signals, per the report.

“We knew Tehran like we know Jerusalem,” an Israeli intelligence official tells the Financial Times. “And when you know [a place] as well as you know the street you grew up on, you notice a single thing that’s out of place.”

Israel used AI tools and algorithms it had developed to sort through mountains of data it was amassing on Iran’s leadership and their movements, according to official who spoke with the British daily.

That allowed them to track Khamenei to the Saturday meeting where he was struck, and assured the Mossad and CIA that senior officials were on their way to the meeting. The CIA also had a human source who provided key intelligence, according to the sources.

Military bolsters ‘defensive and offensive components’ along Lebanon and Syria borders

The Israeli military says it has bolstered “defensive and offensive components” on the borders with Lebanon and Syria, amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Troops of the 91st “Galilee” and 210th “Bashan” regional divisions — responsible for the borders with Lebanon and Syria, respectively — are “deployed in forward defense at positions along the border and in the security zone,” the IDF says.

“Defensive and offensive components in the sector have been reinforced, and the forces are at operational readiness for all scenarios,” the IDF adds.

The announcement comes after the IDF launched major strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon in the past day, in response to the terror group firing rockets and drones at Israel overnight.

US embassy in Jordan announces temporary evacuation due to security threat

AMMAN, Jordan — The US embassy in the Jordanian capital Amman says it has temporarily evacuated its staff due to an unspecified threat.

“Out of an abundance of caution, all personnel at the US embassy have temporarily departed the embassy compound due to a threat,” it says in a security alert posted on social media.

Jordan is among countries across the Middle East that have been responding to Iranian counterattacks against a joint US-Israeli campaign that killed its supreme leader.

Iranian state media airs video purporting to show downing of Israeli drone

Iranian state media publishes a video that purports to show an Israeli Air Force drone being shot down over Iran.

According to the Tasnim news agency, the drone was shot down over Khorramabad.

The news agency identifies the drone as a Hermes 450 model, although the footage appears to show a Heron drone.

⚡️Iranian media:

The moment of shooting down an Israeli Hermes 450 drone in Khorramabad. pic.twitter.com/4qmsaLIPwE

— Warfare Analysis (@warfareanalysis) March 2, 2026

Yesterday, Iran’s Mehr news agency published a video it claimed to show an American MQ-9 Reaper drone being shot down over Iran, though the footage showed what appeared to be an Israeli Hermes 900 model.

Iran shot down US MQ-9 Reaper drone pic.twitter.com/3KsoEyw595

— RT (@RT_com) March 1, 2026

Neither of the videos can be immediately verified, and there has been no comment from the Israeli military on the claims.

In June 2025’s 12-day war, the IAF acknowledged losing eight drones over Iran.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards declare Strait of Hormuz closed, threaten to fire on any ship trying to pass

This handout natural-color image acquired with MODIS on NASA's Terra satellite taken on February 5, 2025, shows the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz (upper left). (NASA Earth Observatory / AFP)

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commander says that the Strait of Hormuz is closed and Iran is to set fire to any ship trying to pass, Iranian media reports.

The move comes after supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an Israeli strike, and the closure threatens to choke a fifth of global oil flows and send crude prices sharply higher.

CENTCOM says US struck over 1,250 targets in first 48 hours of Iran war

The United States hit more than 1,250 targets in the first 48 hours of the war against Iran, the US military says — up from more than 1,000 during the first day of the conflict.

Targets struck included command-and-control centers, ballistic missile sites, Iranian navy ships and submarines, and anti-ship missile sites, according to a fact sheet released by the US Central Command, which is responsible for American forces in the region.

UAE and Qatar looking for help defending against Iranian strikes, pushing for end to war – report

Firefighters work as smoke rises outside a damaged warehouse in an industrial area in Al Rayyan, Qatar, following an Iranian strike, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo)

The United Arab Emirates and Qatar are working to enlist allies to help convince US President Donald Trump to bring the military operation against Iran to a rapid conclusion, Bloomberg reports, citing “people familiar with the matter.”

They are also worried about their air defenses running out.

The two wealthy Gulf countries, both close US allies that have been hit by Iranian drones and missiles this week, are telling allies that the conflict could spiral out of hand and drive energy prices up for an extended period.

Bloomberg cites a Qatari internal assessment that says if shipping lanes were disrupted by the middle of this week, natural gas prices would rise even more than they did earlier today.

According to the report, the UAE is looking for help with medium-range air defense.

Meanwhile, Qatar reportedly believes its Patriot missile stockpile could be depleted in four days, and is seeking help defending against Iranian drone attacks.

US military says it destroyed Iran’s naval fleet in the Gulf of Oman

The American military says it struck 11 Iranian Navy ships as part of its strikes.

“Two days ago, the Iranian regime had 11 ships in the Gulf of Oman. Today, they have ZERO,” the US Central Command says, attaching a video showing one of the strikes.

“The Iranian regime has harassed and attacked international shipping in the Gulf of Oman for decades. Those days are over. Freedom of maritime navigation has underpinned American and global economic prosperity for more than 80 years. US forces will continue to defend it,” CENTCOM adds.

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

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 2, 2026

Air force ‘deepens aerial control’ over western Iran with strikes targeting missile launchers, air defenses

The Israeli Air Force says it completed three more waves of strikes in western Iran, targeting Iranian ballistic missile launchers and air defense systems, and “deepening aerial control” in the area.

As part of the strikes, the military says IAF aircraft dropped hundreds of bombs on dozens of ballistic missile launchers, air defense systems, and other military assets belonging to the Iranian regime.

The IDF publishes footage showing one of the strikes.

חיל-האוויר השלים לפני זמן קצר שלושה גלי תקיפה נוספים במערב איראן לפגיעה במערכי האש של משטר הטרור האיראני והעמקת השליטה האווירית של צה"ל במרחב.

במסגרת גלי התקיפות, חיל-האוויר הטיל מאות חימושים לעבר עשרות משגרי טילים, מערכות הגנה ומערכי אש נוספים שהיו בשימוש משטר הטרור האיראני.… pic.twitter.com/UIO9nWx2Vq

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) March 2, 2026

IDF says most recent strikes targeted Tehran HQs and bases of Iranian security forces

A bird flies by a plume of smoke rising after a strike in Tehran, Iran, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

The Israeli Air Force completed a wave of airstrikes against dozens of headquarters belonging to Iran’s internal security forces in Tehran, the military says.

“As part of the sortie, the IDF struck headquarters and bases of internal security bodies subordinate to the Iranian terror regime and responsible for suppressing protests against the regime, including through the use of violence and the arrest of civilians,” the military says in a statement.

“Striking these bases deepens the blow to the regime’s repression capabilities,” the IDF says.

In addition, the military says it struck more than 10 headquarters belonging to Iran’s Intelligence Ministry, and a command center belonging to the IRGC’s Quds Force, where it says Iranian soldiers were gathered.

The IAF also struck Iranian ballistic missile launchers, a weapons production site, and other IRGC facilities as part of the strikes, the military adds.

חיל-האוויר בהכוונת אמ"ן, השלים תקיפה לעבר עשרות מפקדות של משטר הטרור האיראני בלב טהרן.

במסגרת המטס, צה"ל תקף מפקדות ובסיסים של גופי ביטחון הפנים, הכפופים למשטר הטרור האיראני ואחראיים לדיכוי המחאות נגד המשטר, בין היתר באמצעות שימוש באלימות ומעצרי אזרחים. תקיפת בסיסים אלו מעמיקה… pic.twitter.com/Bl9zu2B9sw

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) March 2, 2026

Asked about potential ground campaign against Hezbollah, IDF spokesman says ‘All options on the table’

Israeli troops at a staging area in the Golan Heights on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Purim, March 2, 2026. (Michael Giladi/ Flash90)

IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin says, “All options are on the table,” when asked about a potential ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

“The chief of staff was on the northern border, met with division commanders and the commanding officer of the Northern Command, briefed them, and approved plans,” he says in response to a question at a press conference.

“The bottom line is that all options are on the table. We will work to disarm Hezbollah from its weapons and remove threats to Israeli citizens,” Defrin says.

The IDF said that it bolstered forces on the northern border during the conflict with Iran.

Iran claims Israel and US attacked Natanz, despite UN saying ‘no indication’ any nuclear sites were hit

This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows the rubble of the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant at Iran's Natanz nuclear enrichment site on December 3, 2025. (Planet Labs PBC via AP)

Iran accuses Israel and the United States of having attacked its nuclear facility at Natanz yesterday, one of the main targets of the previous conflict between the three countries last June.

“The criminal regimes of the United States and Israel, pursuing their aggression, again targeted the Natanz nuclear site on Sunday afternoon in two brutal attacks,” Iran’s atomic energy chief Mohammad Eslami says in a letter to the UN’s nuclear watchdog quoted by the IRNA news agency.

The UN agency’s head earlier today said that there was “no indication” that any nuclear installations had been hit.

Kuwait says one of its naval soldiers killed in military ‘operation’

The Kuwaiti army says a navy soldier was killed today during an “operation” by the Gulf country’s armed forces.

The army does not provide details on the circumstances of the soldier’s death.

‘We’re a model ally’: IAF chief said to hail unprecedented US-Israeli military coordination in Iran campaign

Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, chief of the Israeli Air Force, speaks at an IAF pilots' graduation ceremony at the Hatzerim Airbase, December 24, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces/File)

The head of the Israeli Air Force, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, touted the unprecedented level of coordination with the United States during the ongoing US-Israeli aerial campaign against Iran during a recent closed-door meeting at the Kirya military headquarters, Channel 12 news reports.

“There are no secrets between the countries,” Bar said, according to the Hebrew network, which cites participants at the meeting. “Everything is transparent. We share every piece of information — every detail. There is no suspicion,” he reportedly added.

Bar described the military relationship as “potentially historic,” suggesting it could reshape the regional landscape, according to the report.

“For the United States, we are a model ally,” he reportedly said. “We are one, they are one — together that makes eleven.”

Bar added that the current campaign differs conceptually and operationally from previous efforts, saying, “The United States operates with scale,” while “we operate with precision,” according to Channel 12.

Security officials said to believe pace of Iranian missile attacks will taper off in coming days

Rescue forces inspect a crater at the scene of an Iranian missile strike in Beersheba on March 2, 2026. (Maya Levin/AFP)

Israeli security officials reportedly believe that the rate of Iran’s ballistic missile attacks on Israel will decrease in the coming days.

An official cited by Channel 12 news says, “We expect to see a decrease in launches from Iran, following IDF activity.”

Earlier, the military assessed that Iran was attempting to carry out larger and more coordinated ballistic missile barrages on Israel, which has resulted in longer lulls between attacks.

The IDF also reported today that it had struck some 150 ballistic missiles and launchers since the start of the conflict.

Iranian Quds Force warns, ‘The enemy will no longer be safe anywhere, not even home’

A poster of the late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the ongoing joint US-Israeli military campaign, and the late Islamic Revolution founder Ayatollah Khomeini, right, lies on a motorcycle, amid debris left by a strike in Tehran, Iran, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warns that the United States “will no longer be safe,” on the third day of joint US-Israeli attacks against the Islamic Republic.

“The enemy should know that their happy days are over and they will no longer be safe anywhere in the world, not even in their own homes,” the IRGC’s Quds Force, which oversees its foreign operations, says in a statement carried by state TV.

TV: Security officials tell cabinet that Iran likely to retain some of missile program, salvage nuclear material after conflict

Security officials warned cabinet ministers during last night’s security meeting that the Iranian “ballistic missile threat will not be destroyed” in the current round of fighting, Channel 12 reports.

The security officials are quoted as saying that Iran is keeping some of its missile systems below ground, and that it intends to bring those out “the day after.” They also are quoted as saying that the Islamic Republic is “trying to save what is possible from the nuclear sites” as well.

“After the campaign, they will try to reuse what we blew up,” the officials reportedly added.

If the security plans work as intended, the officials reportedly said, the IDF will significantly degrade Iran’s ballistic capabilities, as well as its ability to rebuild them.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.

Health Ministry says 960 people have been treated at hospitals since start of Iran fighting

The Health Ministry reports that since the beginning of the conflict with Iran on Saturday, 960 people have been evacuated to hospitals, 150 of whom are currently hospitalized in intensive care.

Among those hospitalized, four people are in serious condition, though two of them were not directly wounded by missile strikes. Twenty-four people are in moderate condition and 119 are in good condition. One person is being treated for anxiety and three are undergoing medical evaluations.

The ministry also says that the hours of its hotline, *5400, have been extended from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. On Friday, the hotline operates from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

IDF video shows Israeli fighter jet pilot evading interceptor missile over Iran

The IDF publishes a video showing an Israeli Air Force fighter jet pilot evading an Iranian air defense missile during operations over Iran.

“There’s another launch, heading above the clouds,” the pilot can be heard saying over the radio in the video.

According to the IDF, the jet had been conducting strikes in Tehran.

The military says IAF fighter jets have conducted over 1,000 sorties over Iran since the start of the conflict on Saturday.

״יש שיגור נוסף, מסיט אותנו, עולה מעל העננים״ תיעוד מיוחד: טייס קרב שתקף בטהרן מתחמק מטיל איראני ששוגר לכיוונו

עד כה חיל-האוויר ביצע יותר מ-1,000 גיחות קרב מעל שמי איראן. pic.twitter.com/tm0q2aMjqL

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) March 2, 2026

CENTCOM confirms B-1 heavy bombers carried out overnight attack in Iran

The American military confirms it used B-1 heavy bombers in overnight strikes in Iran.

“Last night, US B-1 bombers, struck deep inside Iran to degrade Iranian ballistic missile capabilities,” the US Central Command says.

The deployment of the B-1 aircraft was first published by the founder of the Military Air Tracking Alliance, a team of about 30 open-source analysts that analyzes military and government flight activity.

Last night, U.S. B-1 bombers, struck deep inside Iran to degrade Iranian ballistic missile capabilities. As the President stated, "we're going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground." pic.twitter.com/tIkIo5ugWv

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 2, 2026

IDF says branches of Hezbollah-linked financial institution hit in Lebanon strikes

The IDF says it has completed a wave of airstrikes across Lebanon against branches of the Al-Qard al-Hasan association, known to be used by Hezbollah as a quasi-bank.

Ahead of the strikes, the IDF issued evacuation warnings to Lebanese civilians. The strikes came in response to Hezbollah launching several rockets at Israel overnight.

The military says Al-Qard al-Hasan is used by Hezbollah to store money, manage salaries for its operatives, transfer funds from Iran, and purchase weapons.

“Hezbollah’s attempts at economic rehabilitation and the activity at the branches of the Al-Qard al-Hasan association constitute a threat to the citizens of the State of Israel,” the IDF adds.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claim drone attack on oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says that they attacked an allegedly US-linked oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz as part of a wave of strikes retaliating against a US-Israeli assault.

“The ATHE NOVA tanker, one of the American allies in the Strait of Hormuz, is still on fire after being hit by two drones,” the Guards say in a statement. On Saturday, the Guards said they had closed the waterway, which is vital for oil and gas shipments, after the start of US and Israeli attacks.

IDF says it intercepted drone from Lebanon that triggered sirens in north

A drone launched from Lebanon was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force over northern Israel a short while ago, the military says.

Sirens sounded in several communities in the Upper Galilee during the incident.

Overnight, two drones launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon at northern Israel were also intercepted by the IDF.

Hezbollah slams Lebanese government’s ‘swaggering’ decision to ban its military activities

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Hezbollah condemns the Lebanese government’s Monday decision to ban its military activities, while Israel carries out retaliatory strikes in response to rockets fired by the Iran-backed terror group.

In a statement, Mohammed Raad, the head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, condemns Beirut’s “swaggering decisions,” saying that “the Lebanese were expecting a decision rejecting the (Israeli) aggression.”

NATO chief praises US and Israeli strikes on Iran, stresses alliance won’t be involved

BRUSSELS, Belgium — NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte praises US and Israeli military action against Iran, saying it is degrading Tehran’s ability to get its hands on nuclear and ballistic missile capability, but he says NATO itself will not be involved.

“It’s really important what the US is doing here, together with Israel, because it is taking out, degrading the capacity of Iran to get its hands on nuclear capability, the ballistic missile capability,” he tells Germany’s ARD television in Brussels.

“There are absolutely no plans whatever for NATO to get dragged into this or being part of it, other than individual allies doing what they can to enable what the Americans are doing together with Israel,” he adds.

Trump says Iran strikes ‘last best chance’ to ‘eliminate the intolerable threats posed by this sick regime’

US President Donald Trump speaks during a Medal of Honor ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 2, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Jim Watson/AFP)

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump argues that Operation Epic Fury that he authorized over the weekend was the “last best chance” to strike Iran and “eliminate the intolerable threats posed by this sick and sinister regime.”

After coming under criticism for failing to present a clear case for the operation to the American public, Trump lists four goals for the operation, in prepared remarks at a White House event.

One, destroying Iran’s missile capabilities. He again claims that Iran was soon going to have the ability to launch long-range missiles that could reach the US, which is reportedly not substantiated by American intelligence assessments.

“The purpose of this fast growing missile program was to shield their nuclear weapon development and make it extraordinarily difficult for anyone to stop them from making these highly forbidden by US nuclear weapons,” Trump says.

The second goal is to “annihilate” Iran’s navy, Trump says, boasting that the US has already sunk 10 of the Islamic Republic’s ships.

The third goal is to ensure Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon. Trump has asserted that he obliterated Iran’s entire nuclear program by striking its three main sites last year.

He again claims that Iran “refused to cease their pursuit of nuclear weapons” after US warnings not to do so after last year’s strikes.

The fourth goal for the operation that Trump lists is to ensure that Iran cannot continue to back proxy militia groups beyond its borders.

He does not mention regime change, though he has urged Iranians in previous speeches to seize the opportunity provided by the strikes to “take over” their government.

Trump claims the US is “substantially ahead of our time projections” for the operation. “We projected four to five weeks, but we have capability to go far longer than that.”

“We also projected four weeks to terminate the military leadership, and, as you know, that was done in about an hour,” Trump claims.

He says he heard a reporter claim that he wants to end the war quickly because he will get bored.

“I don’t get bored. There’s nothing boring about this… If I got bored, I wouldn’t be standing here right now,” he adds.

Suspected drone sets off sirens in several Lebanon border towns

Sirens warning of a suspected drone infiltration sound in several Israeli communities near the Lebanon border.

The IDF says the drone that set off the sirens was launched from Lebanon, rather than Iran. The military has reported shooting down dozens of drones launched from Iran since Saturday, as well as two drones fired by Hezbollah from Lebanon overnight.

US says it struck Iranian naval drone carrier during the opening strikes on Saturday

Iran's first drone-carrier warship in the Persian Gulf, February 6, 2025. (Sepahnews via AP)

The American military says it struck Iranian naval drone carrier IRIS Shahid Bagheri during the opening strikes on Iran on Saturday.

“The Iranian regime’s false messaging machine continues to falsely claim that it has sunk a US aircraft carrier. The only carrier that has been hit is the Shahid Bagheri, an Iranian drone carrier,” the US Central Command says.

“US forces struck the ship within hours of launching Operation Epic Fury,” CENTCOM adds.

Iranian FM yelled at Witkoff during fateful Geneva meeting that preceded US strikes — NBC

Left: US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in Paris, France, April 17, 2025. (Ludovic Marin, Pool Photo via AP); Right: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow, Russia, April 18, 2025. (Tatyana Makeyeva/Pool Photo via AP)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi shouted at US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff during a Thursday meeting in Geneva intended to stave off a military conflict, according to an NBC News report.

Citing a senior official, the report says Araghchi began shouting at Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner after the Iranian diplomat claimed his country has an “inalienable right” to uranium enrichment, prompting Witkoff to respond by saying the US has an “inalienable right” to stop Iran.

“If you prefer, I can leave,” Witkoff is quoted as telling Araghchi in response to his yelling.

The senior US official tells NBC that Witkoff and Kushner then briefed Trump, who was “nonplussed.” Less than two days later, the US was striking Iran.

Cypriot officials say Lebanon’s Hezbollah likely fired drone that hit British airbase

Senior Cypriot officials say an attack on a British airbase was carried out by an Iranian Shahed drone most likely fired by Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah from Lebanon, although the officials have stressed that the base, rather than Cyprus, was the target.

They say it was undetected because it flew at a very low altitude. The drone strike caused limited damage and no casualties.

During the daytime today two more drones were detected heading toward Akrotiri, triggering sirens and a scramble of aircraft, though they were intercepted, a Cypriot spokesperson says.

IDF says latest Beirut strike targeted ‘senior’ Hezbollah operative

The IDF confirms carrying out an airstrike in the Lebanese capital of Beirut a short while ago, saying it targeted a “senior” Hezbollah operative.

No further details are given at this stage.

Emiratis say they downed 15 missiles, almost 150 Iranian drones today

UAE air defenses have intercepted nine ballistic missiles, six cruise missiles, and 148 drones today, says the Emirati Defense Ministry.

According to the ministry, Iran has fired 174 ballistic missiles at the UAE since Saturday, 161 of which were intercepted, while another 13 fell into the Persian Gulf.

In addition, only 44 of the 689 Iranian drones made it through. Eight cruise missiles were destroyed, though there was damage caused, says the UAE.

New Israeli strikes reportedly hit Hezbollah stronghold in south Beirut

Lebanese media reports new Israeli airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a known Hezbollah stronghold.

The IDF has not yet commented on the strikes.

COGAT says closure of Gaza border crossings won’t affect humanitarian situation in Gaza

The COGAT agency, which coordinates the entry of humanitarian aid to Gaza, insists that allegations that Israel is “arbitrarily” blocking aid to Gaza are false and based on Hamas disinformation.

The border crossings into Gaza were closed on February 28 when Israel and the US began striking Iran, due to the security threat posed to the crossings by incoming Iranian ballistic missiles.

“Opening the crossings under fire puts lives at risk, both personnel on the Israeli side and on the Gazan side,” says COGAT.

The agency asserts that the “temporary” closure of the crossings will not affect the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “tens of thousands of aid trucks have entered Gaza” since the ceasefire with Hamas went into effect on October 10, 2025, which it says have brought food aid amounting to “four times the population’s nutritional needs” according to UN methodology.

“Existing stockpiles inside Gaza are expected to suffice for a while,” the agency says, adding that “COGAT will continue to maintain continuous coordination with the international community” regarding humanitarian aid.

“The crossings will reopen as soon as the security situation allows,” the agency adds.

Footage from Gaza over recent days has shown well-stocked supermarkets and grocery stores. However, lines have developed at supermarkets due to the closure of the borders, which have reportedly pushed up prices.

Jose Andres, the founder of World Central Kitchen which has been key provider of prepared meals for Gazans over the last two years, says that the organization will run out of food this week if the borders are not reopened.

“We need food deliveries every single day to feed hungry families who are not part of this war. All the NGOs in Gaza need more food, medicine, medical equipment, fuel, tents, personal care every day. We cannot wait… let the humanitarian trucks go through today!” writes Andres on X.

We have been told that Gaza’s borders are closed indefinitely. If they stay closed, @wckitchen will run out of food this week. We are cooking 1M hot meals every day. We need food deliveries every single day to feed hungry families who are not part of this war. All the NGOs in… pic.twitter.com/CKYgwP0aAn

— Chef José Andrés ????️???????? (@chefjoseandres) March 1, 2026

Woman wounded in Beit Shemesh attack tells Herzog she’s burying husband, mother-in-law on day of son’s bar mitzvah

This handout photo shows President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal visiting Penina Cohen, who was wounded in an Iranian missile attack, at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem on March 2, 2026. (Haim Zach/GPO)

Visiting Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, President Isaac Herzog meets with Beit Shemesh resident Penina Cohen, who was wounded and lost her husband and mother-in-law in yesterday’s Iranian missile attack on the city, which killed nine civilians and destroyed a synagogue in a residential area.

Cohen’s husband, Yossi Cohen, and her mother-in-law, Bruria Gloria Cohen, were both killed in the attack.

Cohen tells Herzog that she and her family were in the synagogue when the siren went off and immediately ran to a bomb shelter: “We were sitting there and suddenly it happened. My young son was beside me and was also injured… I was right beneath the hole that was torn open, and I have no explanation for how we were not more seriously hurt. We experienced a great miracle,” she says.

“My children and I survived, but sadly, my husband and my mother-in-law, who was sitting next to me, were murdered,” she says, adding that her son was meant to celebrate his bar mitzvah today. “Instead, we are burying my husband and mother-in-law. And despite all the pain, I feel that we were under great protection,” she says.

Islamic Jihad says senior commander killed in overnight IDF strikes on Beirut

Smoke rises from Israeli airstrikes on Beirut's southern Dahiyeh district, early March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)bbbb new

Palestinian Islamic Jihad announces that a senior commander in its armed wing, the al-Quds Brigades, was killed in Israeli strikes on Beirut’s southern Dahiyeh district overnight.

He is identified as Adham al-Othman, 41, and described as “commander of al-Quds Brigades in the Lebanese arena.”

Israel confirmed it struck Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon after Hezbollah fired rockets at northern Israel overnight for the first time since the November 2024 ceasefire agreement.

At least 31 people were killed and 149 wounded in Israel’s strikes, according to Lebanon’s health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

Qatar says its air force downed 2 Iranian Russian-made bombers

Qatar says that its air force shot down two Iranian Russian-made Sukhoi Su-24 bombers.

Qatar’s Defense Ministry also says that its air force and navy intercepted seven ballistic missiles and five drones from Iran today.

IDF says some 70 Hezbollah weapons caches, rocket launching sites hit in latest strikes

In a wide wave of airstrikes across southern Lebanon, the IDF says it struck some 70 Hezbollah weapon depots and rocket launching sites.

Ahead of the strikes, the IDF issued evacuation warnings to Lebanese civilians.

“The targets struck were intended to be used by the Hezbollah terrorists to advance terror attacks against IDF troops and residents of the State of Israel,” the army says.

The IDF says that “Hezbollah made a deliberate decision to attack Israel in defense of the Iranian terrorist regime and will bear the consequences of its attack on Israel.”

תקיפות נרחבות בדרום לבנון: צה"ל תקף יותר מ-70 מחסני אמצעי לחימה, עמדות שיגור ומשגרים של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה

צה"ל השלים לפני זמן קצר גל תקיפות נרחב לעבר תשתיות של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה בדרום לבנון.

במסגרת התקיפה, הותקפו יותר מ-70 מטרות של הארגון ובהם מחסני אמצעי לחימה, עמדות… pic.twitter.com/KKui5nOaTn

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) March 2, 2026

Medics say no injuries reported in latest Iranian ballistic missile attack

An Iranian missile fragment is seen in central Israel, March 2, 2026. (United Hatzalah)

There are no reports of injuries following Iran’s latest ballistic missile fire on central Israel, medics say.

A large missile fragment impacted in central Israel, causing slight damage.

The IDF Home Front Command says civilians in areas where sirens sounded can now leave bomb shelters, but should still remain close to them.

Transportation minister clarifies that reopening of Israeli skies to begin next week

Transportation Minister Miri Regev says aviation authorities are preparing to gradually reopen the country’s airspace in a phased manner starting next week, and subject to security developments.

“Israel’s airspace for now remains closed,” says Regev. “I have instructed Civil Aviation Authority head Shmuel Zakay to meet with Israeli airlines so that they are prepared for the opening of the skies in a phased manner starting next week, all of this of course in accordance with security developments.”

Regev says she has asked Zakay to inform Israeli airlines to get ready for a partial reopening of the country’s airspace as early as Sunday so that they can start operating repatriation flights to bring back tens of thousands of Israelis stranded abroad.

Earlier, the IDF Home Front Command said it hoped air traffic would resume this evening in a “controlled, monitored, and coordinated manner,” and in accordance with a situational assessment.

The military later clarified that the authority to reopen the airspace remains under the responsibility of the Transportation Ministry.

“I too heard this morning the irresponsible statements of unauthorized sources that the skies will open tonight,” Regev says. “As of this time, I would like to clarify that there is no change in the guidelines and the airspace of the State of Israel is still closed due to the security situation.”

Trump: I don’t have ‘yips’ about US boots on the ground but ‘probably don’t need them’

US President Donald Trump on Monday tells the New York Post he will not rule out sending ground troops into Iran if necessary.

“I don’t have the yips with respect to boots on the ground — like every president says, ‘There will be no boots on the ground.’ I don’t say it,” Trump tells the Post in one of several brief interviews he has given since launching the Iran operation on Saturday.

“I say ‘probably don’t need them,’ [or] ‘if they were necessary,'” he says.

Trump claims US yet to launch largest wave of strikes on Iran: ‘The big one is coming soon’

US President Donald Trump exits Marine One on the South Lawn upon returning to the White House in Washington, DC, on March 1, 2026. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP)

US President Donald Trump claims the largest wave of strikes in Iran is still to come.

“We haven’t even started hitting them hard. The big wave hasn’t even happened. The big one is coming soon,” Trump tells CNN.

Asked for a timeline for Operation Epic Fury, Trump says, “I don’t want to see it go on too long. I always thought it would be four weeks. And we’re a little ahead of schedule.”

Yesterday, he claimed he always thought it would take four to five weeks.

Trump says the US is taking steps outside the military realm for the Iranian people, without elaborating.

He acknowledges that the “biggest surprise” of the conflict thus far has been Iran’s attacks on its Arab neighbors.

“We told [the Arab states hit], ‘We’ve got this,’ and now they want to fight. And they’re aggressively fighting. They were going to be very little involved and now they insist on being involved,” Trump claims.

According to Trump, Khamenei was meeting with his inner circle for breakfast when the strikes hit his Tehran compound, having believed they were safe from a daylight attack. Despite Trump’s claim, the attack occurred during daytime over Ramadan, when Muslims traditionally fast.

“It was 49 leaders that were taken out. That was going to take four weeks, we thought, to get rid of the Iranian leadership. And it’s always, you know, if they hide, it’s a lot longer than four weeks. And they would have been hiding,” Trump tells Fox News. “We were shocked when we heard what was going on. We knew exactly what was happening and where.”

On who the new leader of Iran might be, Trump says he doesn’t know. “Maybe they’ll get lucky and get someone who knows what they’re doing.”

“They don’t know who’s leading. It’s a little like the unemployment line,” Trump asserts.

The New York Times reported earlier this month that Khamenei put in place detailed plans for his succession and emergency chains of command should he, or other top leaders, be killed in potential US or Israeli strikes, elevating longtime loyalist Ali Larijani to manage the crisis.

US Central Command shares footage of strikes on Iranian ballistic missile launchers

The US Central Command publishes footage showing airstrikes carried out by the American military on Iranian ballistic missile launchers.

“Iran continues to maliciously launch ballistic missiles, indiscriminately targeting military and civilian locations throughout the region. US forces remain on the hunt to eliminate this threat,” CENTCOM says.

Iran continues to maliciously launch ballistic missiles, indiscriminately targeting military and civilian locations throughout the region. U.S. forces remain on the hunt to eliminate this threat. As the President has said, our resolve has never been stronger. pic.twitter.com/SDdvaL38yp

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 2, 2026

Sirens blare across central Israel; IDF working to intercept Iranian missiles

Sirens sound across central Israel amid an Iranian ballistic missile attack.

The IDF says it is working to intercept the missiles.

An alert warning of a suspected drone infiltration also sounded a short while ago in the Upper Galilee, though the Home Front Command says that incident has concluded.

Germany’s Merz to discuss Mideast conflict with Trump during DC visit tomorrow

US President Donald Trump, right, meets Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, June 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will visit Washington, DC, tomorrow and discuss “Middle East developments” with US President Donald Trump amid the current US-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran, the chancellor writes on X.

I will speak with President Trump on the latest developments in the Middle East in Washington on Tuesday. I am in close contact with partners across Europe, Israel and the wider region. This is not the moment to lecture our allies, but to stand together in unity.

— Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz (@bundeskanzler) March 1, 2026

“I will speak with President Trump on the latest developments in the Middle East in Washington on Tuesday. I am in close contact with partners across Europe, Israel and the wider region,” Merz writes. “This is not the moment to lecture our allies, but to stand together in unity,” he adds.

Merz’s visit, which was scheduled before the conflict began, will make him the first foreign head of government to publicly meet with Trump since the campaign began this weekend. Germany, along with France and the United Kingdom, has affirmed its readiness to participate defensively in the conflict, but has stressed it will take no offensive measures.

A European diplomat tells The Times of Israel that Europe is broadly hoping for a diplomatic solution, but condemns Iran’s targeting of civilians in Israel and stresses that it must end hostile activities.

“You have to look at how Israel is being targeted indiscriminately. Iran’s attacks are not about military targets. They target civilians, from Beersheba to Tel Aviv to Beit Shemesh. We want this to end in a deal, and we want this to end in a way that saves as many lives as possible. But it’s in Iran’s hands to do what is necessary: give up its nuclear weapons program, the ballistic missiles that threaten the region, and its hostile activities through proxies. And [to] stop killing its own people for demanding freedom,” the diplomat says.

Two Israeli women arrested for spray-painting colors of Palestinian flag at West Bank bus stop

Graffiti depicting the colors of the Palestinian flag, sprayed over a Star of David and map of Israel, at a bus stop in the West Bank on March 2, 2026. (Israel Police)

Police say they’ve arrested two Israeli women suspected of spray-painting the colors of the Palestinian flag on a protective concrete block at a bus stop in the West Bank.

The colors — green, red, black and white — were painted over a blue Star of David and what appears to be a map of Israel that includes the West Bank and Gaza.

The pair, both middle-aged women from Jerusalem, were arrested south of Jericho and are being interrogated at a police station in the West Bank, police say.

It is unclear whether they will be released or brought to court for a remand hearing after their questioning.

IDF detects launch of ballistic missiles from Iran after several-hour lull

After a lull of some four hours, a new launch of ballistic missiles from Iran has been detected by the IDF.

Sirens are expected to sound in central Israel shortly.

Home Front Command further extends nationwide restrictions until Saturday night

Following another assessment amid the conflict with Iran, the IDF Home Front Command says restrictions imposed nationwide will remain unchanged until Saturday night.

All gatherings, educational activities, and workplaces, except for essential sectors, will remain prohibited.

Earlier today, the Home Front Command extended the restrictions until Wednesday. It is now extending them further, until Saturday at 8 p.m.

The restrictions were first imposed at the start of the Israeli-American strikes on Iran on Saturday morning.

At site of Iranian missile attack, Netanyahu says Israel ‘bringing’ freedom to Iranians, acting ‘for the sake of humanity’

This handout photo shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visiting the site of a deadly Iranian missile attack in Beit Shemesh, March 2, 2026. (GPO/ Avi Ohayon)

Standing at the site of an Iranian missile attack that killed nine people in Beit Shemesh, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the ongoing US-Israeli campaign against Iran aims to both remove existential threats and allow the Iranian people to effect regime change.

“We embarked on this campaign to free ourselves from the attempt to renew existential threats against us, and we also embarked on it to create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to cast off the yoke of tyranny from upon themselves,” Netanyahu says on the third day of the aerial assault.

“The day when [the Iranian people] will be able to do this is approaching. We are bringing it closer,” he continues, adding that “when it arrives, Israel and the United States will be there with the Iranian people.”

The premier sends his condolences to the families of the victims killed in the attack, saying Iran’s “terror regime fires at civilians, and we fire at the terror regime in order to defend civilians. That is a tremendous difference.”

He says Iran threatens not only Israel and the US but “all the peoples of the region.”

“They fired yesterday at a large part of the countries of the region. I also said they would fire at Europe. Well, they fired at Europe too,” he says, likely referring to Iran’s drone attack on a British military base in Cyprus today.

“If this regime of terror obtains nuclear weapons, they will threaten all of humanity. Therefore we went out in order to remove that danger first and foremost from ourselves, but we are acting here together with the United States, in the name of and for the sake of all humanity,” he says.

Netanyahu concludes by invoking a biblical commandment traditionally recited ahead of Purim: “We read in this week’s Torah portion, ‘Remember what Amalek did to you.’ We remember, and we act,” he says, referring to the ancient Israelites’ archetypal enemy, which in Jewish tradition has come to symbolize those who seek the Jewish people’s destruction in every generation.

Ben Gvir accuses Supreme Court judge of siding with Israel’s enemies

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir leads a faction meeting of his Otzma Yehudit party at the Knesset in Jerusalem on February 16, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir accuses Supreme Court Justice Chaled Kabub of siding with Israel’s enemies, after the judge upheld a lower court’s decision to have a minor accused of identifying with ISIS be held under restrictive conditions with electronic monitoring instead of in prison.

“This is Chaled Kabub, a judge in the Supreme Court. He decided in the midst of a war to release a terrorist from prison who decided to join ISIS and carry out terror attacks,” writes Ben Gvir, head of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, which is highly antagonistic to Israel’s Arab citizens.

“Does anyone have any doubt on whose side he is in this war?” the minister charges.

The Judicial Authority, headed by Supreme Court President Isaac Amit, strongly condemns Ben Gvir’s comments, saying that “personal attacks on a judge for implementing the law cross a red line and harm the rule of law.”

The Judicial Authority also opines that it doubted “those attacking the judge” actually read Kabub’s ruling, which it points out is based on an explicit law stipulating that imprisoning minors must be a last resort.

“The court did not downplay the seriousness of the acts, but acted in accordance with the law and binding rulings. Courts act according to the law, even when the decisions are unpopular,” the Judicial Authority insists in a rebuke to Ben Gvir.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara also slams Ben Gvir’s comments, saying that she “condemns the attacks by ministers on Supreme Court Justice the honorable Judge Kabub and the ongoing attacks on Supreme Court decisions.”

IDF probe finds Beit Shemesh bomb shelter hit in deadly missile strike was up to code

Ultra-Orthodox men look on as security forces operate at the site of a deadly Iranian missile strike in Beit Shemesh, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

An IDF investigation into yesterday’s deadly ballistic missile impact in Beit Shemesh has determined that the bomb shelter hit in the strike was up to safety standards.

According to the Home Front Command investigation, the missile with an estimated 500-kilogram warhead obliterated a synagogue building and penetrated a public bomb shelter beneath it, where people had been sheltering.

Among the nine people killed in the strike, some were not inside the bomb shelter but rather in the surrounding area, according to the military.

The Home Front Command investigation found that most people in the shelter at the time of the strike survived, despite the missile causing extensive damage to the bunker.

The Israeli Air Force is still investigating the failure by air defense systems to intercept the missile.

Man driving with his kids shot dead in Rahat

A man has been shot to death while driving with his children in Rahat, a Bedouin city in the Negev.

The victim, 31, had been in the car with his daughter and three sons when unknown assailants opened fire on him.

A spokesman for Rahat’s mayor tells The Times of Israel that the killing is linked to a dispute between warring families in the city.

Paramedics took the man in critical condition to the hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds. His daughter, who was moderately injured by the gunfire, was also rushed to the hospital.

Police are at the crime scene and have launched an investigation into the shooting. No arrests have yet been reported.

Freshly installed shelter in Holon gets immediate use in Iran missile attack

Minutes after the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) installed a new reinforced shelter in Holon, residents rushed inside as sirens warned of incoming Iranian missiles, March 2, 2026. (Courtesy/Raanan Cohen/IFCJ)

Minutes after the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) installed a new reinforced shelter in Holon, residents rushed inside as sirens warned of incoming Iranian missiles this morning, an IFCJ spokesperson says.

The IFCJ has installed more than 700 protective shelters around Israel since October 7, 2023, in coordination with the Home Front Command.

The organization is also delivering 1,500 food purchase cards ready for immediate distribution through municipal welfare departments to families whose homes are damaged or who are evacuated during missile attacks.

Iranian media reports that Khamenei’s wife died of wounds from Saturday strike

Iranian media says Mansoureh Khojasteh, wife of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has died. She had been in a coma since Saturday’s strikes on her husband’s office.

Khojasteh, 78, was the only wife of Ali Khamenei. They married in 1964.

US-Israeli strikes on Iran were planned to begin a week earlier — report

US and Israeli officials tell the Axios news site that the two countries planned to launch their military offensive against Iran a week earlier, but the opening attack was postponed for operational and intelligence reasons.

The report says that a key reason no green light was ultimately given to strike on February 21 was the weather, as well as to improve coordination between the US and Israeli militaries.

“The last two weeks have been very back and forth,” says a Trump administration official quoted in the report.

“Some people say it was about the moon or the weather or whatever. But that’s bull,” the official adds, before acknowledging “there was a weather thing. There’s no question. And there was a weather issue more in the mind of the Israelis.”

IDF chief says campaign against Hezbollah to continue until ‘threat from Lebanon is removed’

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir (right) and Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo are seen on the northern border, March 2, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir says the military “insists” that Hezbollah be disarmed, and will not end its new offensive against the terror group in Lebanon until “the threat is removed.”

“Our main effort is Iran. We are operating with force and striking the terror regime, in unprecedented cooperation with the United States military. After Hezbollah opened fire, I instructed that we act forcefully against Hezbollah as well. The IDF planned and is prepared to operate in multiple arenas simultaneously,” Zamir says during an assessment on the northern border today, according to remarks provided by the IDF.

“The Lebanese government and the Lebanese army have recently been warned many times to disarm Hezbollah — they did not act. We will end the campaign not only with Iran harmed, but with Hezbollah also sustaining a very severe blow,” he says.

Zamir says the IDF “will continue to insist that Hezbollah be disarmed. This is a demand we will not give up on.”

“The IDF will not end the campaign before the threat from Lebanon is removed,” he continues.

Zamir adds that the IDF’s offensive plans against Hezbollah “have been ready for a long time, and we will seize the opportunity.”

Energy prices spike after Qatar announces halt to LNG production amid war

European natural gas futures are spiking 42% in the wake of the shutdown of a major supplier of shipborne gas due to the fighting in the Middle East.

The futures contract for April delivery shoots up to 45.46 euros ($53.26) on the ICE commodities exchange. The jump comes after QatarEnergy said it would stop its production of liquefied natural gas as the Middle East war rages. The state-owned firm blamed the war for the decision.

Hegseth declines to put timeline on US operations in Iran, won’t rule out possibility of ground troops

(L/R) US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine take questions during a press conference on US military action in Iran, at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on March 2, 2026. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP)

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declines to give a timeline for American operations in Iran.

“Four weeks, two weeks, six weeks, it could move up, it could move back,” Hegseth says in a press conference when pressed on the US exit strategy amid fears that Washington may get dragged into another entrenched Mideast conflict.

Hegseth emphasized that US President Donald Trump will retain full latitude on the duration of Operation Epic Fury.

Trump has given a number of potential timelines, first saying Operation Epic Fury could wrap up in two to three days, then four weeks, then four to five weeks, each time insisting that it could be longer or shorter.

Hegseth says that there are not currently US troops on the ground but declines to rule out the possibility, arguing that doing so would be tipping off the enemy.

Asked about the conflict-opening IDF strike that killed Iran supreme leader Ali Khamenei, Hegseth responds that Israel “did a great job in the context of that operation.”

Beirut’s southern suburbs hit after IDF announces fresh strikes against Hezbollah

Several strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs after Israeli evacuation warnings, as seen on AFPTV’s live broadcast, as Israel attacks following Hezbollah’s dawn missile launches.

Plumes of smoke are rising from the targeted area as state media reports four Israeli strikes on the suburbs.

IDF says 30 female pilots and navigators have taken part in the strikes on Iran

A female Israeli Air Force pilot is seen ahead of strikes in Iran, in a photo issued by the military on March 2, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)

Some 30 female Israeli Air Force pilots and navigators have participated in the strikes on Iran, according to the military.

“We prepared for this operation for a long time, hours of training and briefings. The moment we take off, everything comes down to one thing: to defend our home. That is the mission, and that is also the sense of responsibility that accompanies me every second in the air,” says Maj. “Shin,” an IAF combat navigator, in remarks published by the military.

The IDF’s statement comes amid recent calls by religious activists and leading rabbis against the military’s plans to integrate women into more combat roles.

Top US general says ‘air superiority’ established over Iran, confirms Israel was first to strike on Saturday

This photo provided by the White House, which has been partially blurred, shows Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine talking at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, as US President Donald Trump monitors Operation Epic Fury on February 28, 2026. (Daniel Torok/The White House via AP)

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine confirms that Israel was the first to strike Iran on Saturday and that the US then followed.

“This was a daylight strike based on a trigger event conducted by the Israeli Defense Forces, enabled by the US intelligence community,” Caine says during a press conference at the Pentagon alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

It is believed that the initial Israeli strike targeted and killed Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, though US President Donald Trump has been taking credit for the strike.

Caine says that the US strikes, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, followed months and years of preparations and came after Trump gave a final “go-order” at 3:38 p.m. eastern time on Friday.

The US army’s cyber units were the first to operate by disrupting Iran’s ability to see what was coming and respond accordingly, Caine says.

One hundred US aircraft began striking Iran in a single wave, and 1,000 targets were hit in the first 24 hours, while Israel launched hundreds of its own strikes, the US army chief adds.

B-2 bunker buster bombers — the same ones used to strike Iran’s nuclear sites last year — also participated in the strikes, Caine confirms.

“This is not a single overnight operation. The military objectives that CENTCOM and the Joint Force have been tasked with will take some time to achieve, and in some cases will be difficult and gritty work,” Caine says. He adds that the United States is still sending additional troops to the Middle East, even after a massive military buildup.

He also says that US forces have now achieved air superiority over Iran.

Strikes by American forces “resulted in the establishment of local air superiority. This air superiority will not only enhance the protection of our forces, but also allow them to continue the work over Iran,” Caine adds.

China declares support for Iran ‘defending its sovereignty,’ lashes out at US and Israel

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi tells his Iranian counterpart on a call that Beijing supports Tehran defending itself against US-Israeli strikes, as war spreads across the Middle East.

Wang tells Abbas Araghchi that Beijing “cherishes the traditional friendship between China and Iran, supports Iran in defending its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and national dignity, and supports Iran in protecting its legitimate rights and interests,” state broadcaster CCTV reports.

China “urged the US and Israel to immediately cease military operations, avoid further escalation of tensions and prevent the conflict from spreading to the entire Middle East region,” Wang says according to CCTV.

In a separate phone call with Oman’s foreign minister, Wang accuses the United States and Israel of “violating the purposes and principles of the UN charter” by “deliberately instigating a war against Iran.”

“China is also willing to play a constructive role, including upholding justice, striving for peace, and stopping the war through the platform of the UN Security Council,” Wang tells Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, CCTV reports.

And in another call with France’s Jean-Noel Barrot, Wang warns that the world risked “regression to the law of the jungle.”

“Major powers cannot arbitrarily attack other countries based on their military superiority,” Wang says, according to CCTV.

“The Iranian nuclear issue must ultimately return to the track of political and diplomatic settlement,” he says.

IDF announces new wave of strikes on Hezbollah targets across Lebanon

The IDF announces that it has begun a wave of airstrikes against Hezbollah targets across Lebanon.

It says further details will be provided later.

Earlier, the military issued evacuation warnings for dozens of Lebanese villages in southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as a building in Beirut and dozens of other sites affiliated with Hezbollah across the country.

Airlines call for civilian flights not to be targeted in Mideast fighting

Airlines call for civilian flights to not be targeted during the conflict in the Middle East after airports were struck.

“It is critical that states respect their obligation to keep civilians, and civil aviation free from harm,” says Willie Walsh, head of the International Air Transport Association.

“We all hope for an early peaceful resolution to the current hostilities,” adds Walsh, whose association unites more than 360 airlines that account for 85 percent of commercial passenger traffic.

Tel Aviv cafe destroyed by Iranian rocket, says owner

Cafe Graziani, a neighborhood bakery and coffee joint on Tel Aviv’s Yehuda Halevi Street, was completely destroyed by Saturday night’s Iranian rocket barrage.

Owner and baker Yaniv Graziani writes on Instagram that his heart is broken after his cafe — one of three — was totally destroyed in the strike.

“Graziani is much more than a place — it’s a community, people and a home,” he writes on Instagram.

“The most important thing is that all of our staff is safe,” adds Graziani in his Instagram Story.

Bodega Burger, a hamburger joint in central Tel Aviv about an eight-minute walk from the cafe, reports that it is open for business after its front window was shattered in the same rocket barrage.

“My kids went in to open Bodega so people here could have some joy in the crazy times,” says owner James Oppenheimer. “People were lined up when a bomb hit and the front glass shattered.”

No one was injured, says Oppenheim. He and his children, who help run the burger joint, worked through the night to clean up the damage, before reopening the next day for pickup and deliveries.

Hegseth: ‘This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change’; says campaign ‘not endless,’ hails US-Israeli cooperation

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth looks on during a press conference on US military action in Iran, at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on March 2, 2026. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP)

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth uses a press conference at the Pentagon to push back on the notion that the Trump administration is getting engaged in another entrenched Mideast conflict by launching Operation Epic Fury.

“This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change, and the world is better off for it,” Hegseth says.

In his address to the nation announcing the operation, though, US President Donald Trump called on the Iranian people to take over their government once the bombing subsides and repeated that call yesterday.

Hegseth says the goals of the operation launched on Saturday are: “Destroy Iranian offensive missiles, destroy Iranian missile production, destroy their navy and other security infrastructure, and they will never have nuclear weapons.”

Trump has claimed that the strikes he authorized last year obliterated Iran’s nuclear program, but that it has tried to rebuild it since.

“Our ambitions are not utopian. They are realistic,” Hegseth says. “This is not Iraq, this is not endless… Our generation knows better and so does this president.”

“He called the last 20 years of nation building wars dumb. This is the opposite,” he asserts.

Hegseth lists the nefarious actions taken by the Iranian regime over the last several decades that killed thousands of Americans.

“We didn’t start this war. But we will finish it,” he says.

He pushes back on Iran’s claim that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, saying that it has been trying to hide that aim.

“Peaceful nuclear ambitions do not need to be buried underneath mountains,” Hegseth argues.

He insists that the US made “earnest attempts at peace” in the recent rounds of negotiations, while Iran was trying “to hold us hostage threatening to strike our forces.”

Hegseth touts Israel’s collaboration in the war, while knocking “traditional allies” who “clutch their pearls” and “whine about use of force.”

Hegseth says the US operation will include “classified effects.”

He acknowledges that there will be more casualties, lamenting the loss of four American soldiers since the start of the operation.

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

“We will finish this on America First conditions of President Trump’s choosing,” Hegseth adds.

Final three Beit Shemesh missile strike victims identified as teen siblings Yaakov, Avigail and Sarah Biton

From left: Avigail (15), Yaakov (16) and Sarah (13) Biton, who were killed in an Iranian missile strike in Beit Shemesh on March 1, 2026. (Courtesy)

The Beit Shemesh municipality releases the names of the final three victims of yesterday’s deadly Iranian rocket strike.

In a statement, the municipality identifies three siblings, Yaakov (16), Avigail (15) and Sarah (13) Biton as having died in the attack, which killed nine residents of the city.

“The Beit Shemesh Municipality shares in the family’s deep sorrow and embraces them at this difficult time,” the city says, announcing their their funeral will be held on Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives at 5 p.m.

The other victims of the strike are Bruria and Yossi Cohen, Ronit and Sara Elimelech, Oren Katz and 16-year-old Gavriel Baruch Ravach.

Israeli military says it expects Iran operation to take more than a week

The Israeli military expects the ongoing operation against Iran to take more than a week, at least.

The IDF says it seeks to deal a heavy blow to the Iranian regime, but stresses that this will take more than a few days to achieve.

Recent strikes in Iran have targeted sites belonging to the Iranian regime, along with ballistic missile launchers and air defense sites.

Iranian nuclear facilities have not yet been targeted, but are among Israel’s and the United States’ objectives, according to the military.

Knesset committee approves wartime emergency measures, receives security briefing

Members of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, in a closed session, receive an operational intelligence review of Operation Roaring Lion. The committee members, who are required to sign a confidentiality form, hear about preparations for the campaign, the current situational assessment, and readiness for continued operations as well as a briefing from representatives of the IDF Homefront Command.

The committee unanimously approves the government’s request to authorize the declaration of a Special Situation on the Home Front until March 12, 2026, as well as “an expansion under Section 8 of the ‘Registration and Mobilization of Equipment for the IDF Law,’ which addresses types of vehicles/equipment eligible for mobilization,” the Knesset states.

B-1 heavy bombers flew from US to carry out strikes in Iran

Illustrative: In this photo released by the US Air Force, an Israeli Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle flies in formation with a U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer over Israel as part of a deterrence flight, on Saturday, October 30, 2021. (US Air Force/Senior Airman Jerreht Harris via AP)

The US used B-1 heavy bombers in overnight strikes in Iran, according to an American official and analysts monitoring open-source flight tracking data.

The information is first published by the founder of the Military Air Tracking Alliance, a team of about 30 open-source analysts that analyzes military and government flight activity.

According to the analyst, three B-1 bombers flew nonstop from the US to Iran to conduct the strikes.

A US official confirms to the Axios news site that the bombers struck “above-ground ballistic missile and command and control sites in Iran.”

#OperationEpicFury #FreeIran
"OPERATION EPIC FURY" BOMBER MISSION #2
I can confirm that 3x B-1B "Lancer" bombers from Ellsworth AFB have conducted strikes against Iran regime targets overnight after a non-stop flight from the United States. This is the second bombing mission we… pic.twitter.com/kMZfroiiIu

— DefenceGeek ???????? (@DefenceGeek) March 2, 2026

WATCH: Pentagon holds live briefing on progress of the war against Iran

The Pentagon is holding a briefing on the progress of the US-Israel war against Iran.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is speaking first, followed by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine.

Qatar suspends natural gas production after Iranian attacks

After Iranian drones hit two of its facilities, Qatar’s state-owned petroleum company says it will suspend production of natural gas.

“Due to military attacks on QatarEnergy’s operating facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City in the State of Qatar,” says the company in a statement, “QatarEnergy has ceased production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and associated products.”

The company is one of the largest gas companies in the world, and Qatar is the world’s third-largest natural gas exporter.

IDF says it has hit more than 600 sites across Iran

A plume of smoke rises after a strike in Tehran, Iran, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Since the start of the operation against Iran, the IDF says it has destroyed some 600 Iranian regime sites in airstrikes.

They include 20 sites belonging to Iran’s security leadership, 150 ballistic missiles and launchers, and 200 air defense systems, according to the military.

Israeli Air Force aircraft have dropped over 2,500 bombs, the IDF says.

The IDF publishes footage showing an airstrike targeting Iranian soldiers at an air defense site in Iran.

The military says the Israeli Air Force struck and killed the Iranian soldiers as they were attempting to operate the air defense system against Israeli aircraft.

“The IDF will not allow the Iranian terror regime to operate air defense systems to harm Israeli Air Force aircraft and will continue to strike attempts to arm missile launchers,” the military says.

כלי טיס של חיל-האוויר תקפו וסיכלו חוליית חיילים ממערך ההגנה של משטר הטרור האיראני בזמן שניסו להפעיל מערכות הגנה נגד כוחותינו.

צה"ל לא יאפשר למשטר הטרור האיראני להפעיל מערכות הגנה על מנת לפגוע במטוסי חיל האוויר וימשיך לתקוף ניסיונות לחמש את משגרי הטילים.

במקביל חיל-האוויר ממשיך… pic.twitter.com/WGX8VuwIC4

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) March 2, 2026

US says 4th soldier killed in conflict with Iran

The US Central Command says a fourth American soldier has been killed during the ongoing conflict with Iran.

“The fourth service member, who was seriously wounded during Iran’s initial attacks, eventually succumbed to their injuries,” CENTCOM says in a statement.

Yesterday, CENTCOM announced the deaths of three US servicemembers.

CENTCOM adds that “major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing.”

Military supply planes still landing at Ben Gurion Airport despite closure of airspace

Cargo planes at Ben Gurion Air Port in a photo released on March 2, 2026 ( Defense Ministry)

Despite the closure of Israeli airspace to civilian flights, the Defense Ministry says cargo planes landed at Ben Gurion Airport in the past day with armaments and military equipment.

The ministry says the logistical effort is expected to intensify in the coming days, “amid preparations for potential escalation across additional fronts.”

‘Fake news’: Netanyahu’s office dismisses Iran army claims PM’s fate unclear after purported Jerusalem missile attack

A sign pointing to the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem, November 7, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office dismisses as “fake news” an Iranian claim that the premier’s fate is unclear after a missile attack targeting Jerusalem. (Netanyahu later visits the scene of yesterday’s deadly Beit Shemesh missile strike and delivers remarks.)

In a video statement carried by the semi-official Fars news agency, a military spokesman claims that Iran’s Khaibar missiles successfully struck Netanyahu’s office and the home of Air Force chief Tomer Bar in a surprise attack.

There were no reports of any missile impacts in Jerusalem after air raid sirens sounded in the capital about two hours ago. Netanyahu’s office is, by all accounts, intact.

The Iranian spokesman also claims that Iran downed three American fighter jets over Kuwait. The US says the three were accidentally hit by friendly fire from Kuwait’s air defenses.

The Iranian regime has been known to oversell its military achievements for propaganda purposes.

Palestinian Authority says two killed by settlers in West Bank

Two Palestinian men were shot dead by settlers today in the Palestinian village of Qaryut, south of Nablus in the northern West Bank, the Palestinian Authority’s Health Ministry says. Israeli forces do not immediately comment.

The dead are identified as Muhammad Muammar, 52, and his brother Fahim Muammar, 47. The elder brother was shot in the head and the younger brother in the pelvis, the PA ministry says.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reports another three people were injured by gunfire.

Footage published by Palestinian outlets from shows ten settlers standing on a hill in the village, one of whom trains an assault rifle on an off-camera target.

جيش الاحتلال يؤمن هجوم مليشيات المستوطنين ويواصل اقتحام قرية قريوت جنوب نابلس. pic.twitter.com/HkrgQalulI

— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) March 2, 2026

Separate footage shows four men carrying a man bleeding from his head.

عاجل| نقل إصابة خطيرة جراء هجوم كبير لمليشيات المستوطنين على قرية قريوت جنوب نابلس. pic.twitter.com/1OA0N5zKnS

— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) March 2, 2026

Israir to start repatriation flights from 6 European destinations to Egypt’s Taba

An Israir flight takes off from Ben Gurion International Airport, outside of Tel Aviv, August 25, 2024. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

Israeli carrier Israir announces that starting tomorrow it plans to operate special flights from six destinations in Europe to Taba International airport in Egypt to help stranded customers return home via land border crossings following the closure of Israel’s airspace amid US-Israel attacks on Iran.

Taba is next to Eilat in southern Israel.

Initially, Israir will operate flights from Prague, Budapest, Sofia, Rovaniemi, Bergamo, and Grenoble at no additional cost for customers whose flights were canceled.

The flights will be chartered by planes of Croatia’s Trade Air and Romania’s HelloJets, upon approvals from authorities.

Flights will be opened to the general public for sale only after the completion of the placement of Israir ticket holders and their return home to Israel, the airline says.

In the coming days, Israir will continue to update passengers regarding additional flight operations.

Pentagon briefers said to undercut White House claim that Iran was planning preemptive strike on US

Officials from the US Defense Department briefing congressional staff on Sunday revealed that Iran was not planning a preemptive missile strike before the US and Israel launched joint strikes against the Islamic Republic on Saturday, CNN reports, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.

The reported acknowledgement came a day after a senior US official briefing reporters claimed that Iran was planning to preemptively strike the US, as he went through reasons justifying the Trump administration’s decision to attack when it did.

Injured toll in Beersheba strike rises to 19, most are lightly hurt

Magen David Adom updates the wounded toll from the missile strike in Beersheba to 19.

One man, aged 35, was moderately injured, and 18 were lightly hurt, MDA says.

The Iranian ballistic missile struck a residential area in the city, causing damage to several homes.

IDF says it killed Hezbollah intelligence chief in overnight strike

People inspect a damaged building after an Israeli airstrike in Beirut's southern suburb neighborhood of Haret Hreik on March 2, 2026. (Photo by IBRAHIM AMRO / AFP)

Hezbollah’s intelligence chief was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut overnight, the IDF announces.

The IDF says it can now confirm that its overnight strike in the Lebanese capital killed Hussein Makled, “who served as the head of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters.”

Zamir holds assessment on Lebanese border

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir speaks with officers on the northern border, March 2, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir held an assessment on the northern border a short while ago, the military says, as the Israeli Air Force conducts strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Zamir briefed Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo and the commanders of the IDF’s divisions deployed to the area.

Saudis threaten to target Iranian oil facilities if Tehran mounts ‘concerted’ strike on Aramco

A concerted attack by Iran on Saudi oil infrastructure could trigger a military response from the kingdom, a source close to the Saudi government tells AFP.

Saudi Arabia would target “Iranian oil facilities if Iran mounts a concerted attack on Aramco,” the source tells AFP, referring to the state oil giant.

Earlier today a drone hit a Saudi refinery, causing a fire and forcing some operations to be shut down.

???????? Saudi Arabia has shut down Aramco’s Ras Tanura, its largest oil refinery, following an Iranian drone strike.

Begun the attack, Ras Tanura processed 550,000 barrels of crude oil per day. pic.twitter.com/zUdsxnxDh5

— The ₿itcoin Academy (@BTC_Prep) March 2, 2026

IDF issues evacuation orders for Hezbollah-affiliated building and banks across Lebanon

A man inspects a building damaged in an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburb of Haret Hreik of Beirut the on March 2, 2026. I (Photo by AFP)

The IDF issues evacuation warnings ahead of airstrikes against a building used by Hezbollah in Beirut and branches across Lebanon of the Al-Qard al-Hasan association, known to be used by the terror group as a quasi-bank.

“You are located near facilities and interests affiliated with Hezbollah, against which the IDF will operate forcefully in the near term,” says Lt. Col. Ella Waweya, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokeswoman, attaching a map showing the location of a building in Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold.

“For your safety and the safety of your family members, you must evacuate this building and the adjacent ones immediately and move at least 300 meters away from them,” she says.

In a separate statement, the IDF warns that it will target sites belonging to Al-Qard al-Hasan across Lebanon.

“Remaining near these buildings puts you at risk. You must evacuate immediately,” the military says, attaching maps of the locations that are set to be targeted.

Footage shows smoke rising over Tehran amid Israeli strikes

A man looks through biculars as a plume of smoke rises after a military strike on the capital Tehran on March 2, 2026. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)

Footage shows smoke rising above Iran’s capital, Tehran, amid extensive Israeli airstrikes.

The IDF said it was carrying out a wave of strikes against “targets of the Iranian terror regime in the heart of Tehran.”

Central Tehran, #Tehran Province, #Iran
(Video via @vahid) pic.twitter.com/oAGSPKgkeR

— Shin (@hey_itsmyturn) March 2, 2026

In first remarks, newly appointed Iranian cleric says new supreme leader to be chosen soon

The second meeting of the Interim Leadership Council attended by President Masoud Pezhakian (C) Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei (L) and Alireza Aarafi (R), a member of the Guardian Council's jurist, in Tehran, in a photo made available on March 2, 2026. (Handout / IRIBNEWS / AFP)

Iranian cleric Alireza Arafi has delivered some of his first public remarks since he was made a member of Iran’s temporary leadership council. In remarks aired on state television, Arafi says he hopes that a new supreme leader will be “quickly” appointed.

The 88-seat Assembly of Experts, a group of mostly hardline clerics, will choose a replacement for supreme leader Ali Khameini, who was killed Saturday. But no clear successor is in place.

Arafi is serving on a temporary leadership council that includes President Masoud Pezeshkian and Iran’s hardline judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei. Arafi added that state institutions were continuing to function “under these extremely difficult circumstances.”

Lebanese PM says Hezbollah attacks on Israel ‘illegal,’ bans group from military activity

A family rides in the back of a lorry as motorists flee villages in southern Lebanon along the coastal road through the city of Sidon on March 2, 2026. (Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP)

After Hezbollah launches an overnight missile attack on Israel that sparked widespread Israeli strikes on the terror group in Lebanon, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam calls Hezbollah’s military operations “illegal acts.”

“We declare a ban Hezbollah’s military activities and confine its role to the political realm,” Salam says in a statement, demanding that Lebanon’s military prevent any such attacks.

He also stresses Beirut’s “rejection of any military operation launched from Lebanese territory outside the framework of legitimate bodies.”

Salam emphasizes his government’s commitment to the 2024 ceasefire with Israel that ended an Israeli ground operation in Lebanon against Hezbollah, and calls for resuming talks with Israel.

On Saturday, Salam wrote on X that his government “won’t let anyone drag the country to adventures that threaten its security and unity.”

British base in Cyprus evacuated after sirens sound

A British sovereign base in Cyprus was being evacuated on Monday after sirens sounded, an AFP correspondent said.

About 70 cars were seen leaving the Akrotiri base area on the southern coast of the Mediterranean island, the correspondent said, adding that most of them bore civilian license plates.

In addition to British and other military personnel, the base also houses civilians working there.

Video showed jets scrambling to try intercept a drone.

“A British fighter jet scrambled to intercept a potential threat near RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, as heightened security alerts grip the key military hub.”
pic.twitter.com/yWbrqTg3G6

— Flashpoint OSINT (@OkosOstan) March 2, 2026

Army bans public Purim readings, even in shelters; some rabbis back Zoom recitations of the megillah

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men and children read a Scroll of Esther, which tells the story of Purim, inside Yeshiva Belz (Hasidic dynasty) in Jerusalem, March 24, 2024. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90

Public recitations of the Book of Esther for the Purim holiday are forbidden under Home Front Command restrictions on gatherings, including inside bomb shelters, an army spokesperson tells The Times of Israel.

Some leading rabbis have endorsed live virtual readings via Zoom or other audiovisual conferencing technology as sufficient to fulfill the religious commandment.

Public readings of the biblical book are traditionally held on the night of Purim,  which begins tonight, and again in the morning. In Jerusalem and a handful of other locales, the holiday will be celebrated tomorrow night and Wednesday, but the restrictions will remain in place. By Jewish law, one must hear the book, known as a megillah, being read in person from a parchment scroll.

According to the Home Front Command’s guidelines, any public gathering, including in synagogues, is prohibited. The prohibition includes Megillat Esther readings in any format outside family settings in private houses.

“All gatherings are prohibited, regardless of their purpose or location,” an army spokesperson states in response to a question by The Times of Israel, citing the primacy of preserving human life over religious observance. “The megillah may be read in a family setting rather than in synagogues.”

The spokesperson adds that public gatherings in shelters are included in the prohibition.

In light of the emergency situation, the moderate Orthodox organization Tzohar, leading Religious Zionist Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon, and other leading religious figures say people can fulfill the obligation by joining a live reading over Zoom.

However, Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Kalman Ber and Chief Sephardic David Yosef say that Zoom readings do not fulfill the religious commandment.

Injured toll in Beersheba strike rises to 15

Magen David Adom updates the wounded toll from the missile strike in Beersheba to 15.

One man, aged 35, was moderately injured, and 14 were lightly hurt, MDA says.

The Iranian ballistic missile struck a residential area in the city.

באר שבע אהובתי.

החלמה מהירה לפצועים בגוף ובנפש! שיבואו ימים של שלום, ביטחון ושגשוג????????

הביאו את היום???????? pic.twitter.com/di5qeLOr0E

— אבי דבוש (@avidabush) March 2, 2026

Lapid says he met with Netanyahu, offered him full support

Speaking at the scene of yesterday’s deadly Iranian missile attack in Beit Shemesh, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid reiterates that the opposition stands behind the government in the current war.

“I just arrived from a security briefing with the prime minister, in which I told him: the entire State of Israel stands behind this operation. The entire State of Israel is strong and gives its full backing and that is essentially the same thing I am saying to the residents of Beit Shemesh: the entire State of Israel, the entire people of Israel, stand behind you, feel your pain, and wept with you last night.”

Lapid: “I just arrived from a security briefing with the prime minister, in which I told him: the entire State of Israel stands behind this operation." pic.twitter.com/VxkC1wXf0i

— Sam Sokol (@SamuelSokol) March 2, 2026

Qatar says Iranian attacks injured around 20, targeted airport and energy infrastructure

Firefighters work as smoke rises outside a damaged warehouse in an industrial area in Al Rayyan, Qatar, following an Iranian strike, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo)

Around 20 people have been injured by Iranian attacks on Qatar since the Islamic Republic began striking countries in the region amid the US-Israeli bombing campaign, the Qatari foreign ministry spokesman tells CNN, adding that such attacks will not remain unanswered.

The injuries are “mostly minor,” and Qatar has “been able to thwart most of these attacks,” which caused “very minimal damage,” Majed Al Ansari tells the network. He adds that over 100 missiles and “scores” of drones have been launched at the country, targeting “not only US forces” but also commercial, civilian and military infrastructure, including its international airport.

Al Ansari adds that Qatar is not engaging with Iran at the moment.

Qatar’s defense ministry says that it was recently attacked by two drones launched from Iran, one targeting a water tank at a power plant in Mesaieed and another targeting an energy facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City, with no reports of casualties.

Ten hospitalized in Beersheba missile impact

Ten people have been taken to Soroka Hospital following the Iranian ballistic missile impact in a Beersheba residential area, medics say.

Magen David Adom says it treated a 35-year-old man, whose condition was upgraded from serious to moderate, and nine others in good condition.

Mourners hail Oren Katz, killed in deadly Beit Shemesh missile strike, as selfless hero

Mourners carry the flag-draped body of Oren Katz, who was killed in an Iranian missile attack, during his funeral in Beit Shemesh, Israel, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Mourners in Beit Shemesh gather for the funeral of Oren Katz, who was killed by yesterday’s deadly Iranian missile strike, amid sirens and booms during the funeral itself.

“Your generosity cost you your life yesterday. You went upstairs to close the shelter. You will always remain with us, we will never forget you,” says Katz’s wife, Smadar, eulogizing him. According to reports, he was killed while shutting the shelter door.

“You were always a special person who cared for everyone, just not for yourself. Yesterday, you came home in the middle of your workday so we would have something to eat for lunch,” says Katz’s son, Yosef.

“I’m glad I had the privilege to eat your food one last time,” he says.

Nine people were killed and dozens injured in yesterday’s strike, the deadliest in Israel during the current conflict with Iran. Four other victims have been identified as Ronit Elimelech, her mother Sara Elimelech, 16-year-old Gavriel Baruch Ravach, Bruria Gloria Cohen and her son Yossi Cohen.

US confirms three fighter jets shot down by Kuwait in ‘friendly fire’ incident; crews ok

Screen capture from video of a US pilot who ejected from an F-15 fighter jet over Kuwait, March, 2, 2026. (X)

The American military confirms that three US F-15 fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwait this morning, in an incident of so-called “friendly fire.”

“Three US F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury went down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident,” the US Central Command says in a statement, referring to the ongoing Israeli-American operation against Iran.

CENTCOM says that during “active combat — that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones — the US Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses.”

“All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition,” CENTCOM says

“Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation,” the statement continues.

CENTCOM says the incident is under further investigation.

One person killed as oil tanker hit off Oman coast

One person was killed in an attack on an oil tanker off Muscat that also caused an explosion and a fire, the Omani authorities say, as Iran presses on with its Gulf retaliation campaign.

“The oil tanker MKD VYOM, flying the flag of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, was attacked by an unmanned boat 52 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat Governorate. The tanker was carrying approximately 59,463 metric tons of cargo,” the Omani maritime security centre says in a statement.

“The attack resulted in a fire and explosion in the main engine room, killing one crew member, an Indian national,” it adds.

#BREAKING #IranWar Video footage shows an oil tanker on fire off the coast of Oman following an Iranian drone strike.https://t.co/6xeZgIQNiR pic.twitter.com/28RdDctQvh

— The National Independent (@NationalIndNews) March 2, 2026

Knesset committee members forced to take shelter during briefing on war

Lawmakers take a selfie while sheltering during an Iranian missile attack at the Knesset on March 2, 2026 (Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee)

Members of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee take shelter during an Iranian missile attack, which interrupts a special closed session in which they were receiving an operational intelligence review of Operation Roaring Lion as well as holding a vote approving the declaration of a “special situation” on the home front.

During the attack, members of the committee from both the coalition and opposition take shelter in the Knesset Diaspora Committee’s chamber, which is reinforced as a bomb shelter. The lawmakers snap a selfie together in a show of wartime unity.

Air Force launches new wave of strikes in Tehran

An Israeli Air Force F-15 fighter jet takes off from an airbase in Israel for strikes in Iran, in a handout photo published on March 2, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)

The Israeli Air Force has launched a new “extensive” wave of airstrikes against Iranian regime targets in Tehran, the IDF announces.

Two wounded, one seriously, in missile strike in Beersheba

Two people are wounded, one of them seriously, following an Iranian ballistic missile impact in Beersheba, first responders say.

Sirens sounding in Beersheba, southern Israel

Sirens continue to sound in Beersheba and the surrounding area in southern Israel amid Iran’s ballistic missile attack.

So far, there have been no reports of injuries after sirens also sounded across central Israel.

Iran Guards claim they targeted Netanyahu’s office, Air Force headquarters

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say their latest missile attacks have targeted the office of  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the headquarters of the Israeli air force commander.

“The office of the criminal prime minister of the Zionist regime and the headquarters of the regime’s air force commander were targeted,” the Guards say in a statement carried by Fars news agency.

It says Kheibar missiles were used in the attack.

Israel says there were no injuries in the strikes.

Sirens, missiles interrupt funeral for Beit Shemesh strike victims

People take cover as a siren sounds during the funeral of Sara and Ronit Elimelech, killed by an Iranian missile strike a day earlier in Beit Shemesh, on March 2, 2026 (Ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP)

Sirens go off in Beit Shemesh in the middle of the funerals for several of the victims of yesterday’s deadly Iranian missile attack. Multiple booms can be heard in the city.

The funeral of several of the victims of yesterday‘s attack in Beit Shemesh is interrupted by rocket fire from Iran. (????: בית שמש חדשות( pic.twitter.com/MlAfuPZTF2

— Sam Sokol (@SamuelSokol) March 2, 2026

Magen David Adom urges public to donate blood

Magen David Adom MDA spokesperson Zaki Heller calls on the public to donate blood in an emergency blood drive with locations listed on its website, or call for more information: 03-5300400.

Sirens sound in central Israel, Jerusalem

Sirens sound across central Israel and the Jerusalem area amid an Iranian ballistic missile attack.

Meanwhile, an early warning is also issued in southern Israel as more projectiles are fired.

IDF detects new launch from Iran

Shortly after telling civilians they can leave bomb shelters, the IDF has detected another launch of ballistic missiles from Iran.

Sirens are expected to sound in central Israel in the coming minutes.

Medics say no reports of injuries in latest Iranian missile salvo

There are no reports of injuries following Iran’s latest ballistic missile fire on central Israel, medics say.

The IDF Home Front Command says civilians in areas where sirens sounded can now leave bomb shelters, but should still remain close to them.

Two more victims of Beit Shemesh strike named as Bruria Gloria Cohen and her son Yossi Cohen

Security and rescue forces operate at the scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran struck Beit Shemesh, central Israel, causing extensive destruction and killing at least eight people, March 1, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

The Beit Shemesh municipality identifies two additional victims of Sunday’s deadly Iranian missile strike, naming them as Bruria Gloria Cohen and her son Yossi Cohen. Their funeral will be in Beit Shemesh at 3 p.m.

Nine people were killed and dozens injured in the strike, the deadliest in Israel during the current conflict with Iran. Four other victims have been identified as Ronit Elimelech, Sara Elimelech, Oren Katz and 16-year-old Gavriel Baruch Ravach.

Home Front Command says no change in restrictions until Wednesday evening

Following a fresh assessment amid the conflict with Iran, the IDF Home Front Command says restrictions imposed nationwide remain unchanged until Wednesday night.

All gatherings, educational activities, and workplaces, except for essential sectors, will remain prohibited.

The restrictions expire on Wednesday at 8 p.m., before which a new assessment will be made.

Sirens sounding in central Israeli amid Iranian missile attack

Sirens sound in Tel Aviv and across central Israel amid an Iranian ballistic missile attack.

The IDF says it is working to intercept the missiles.

Civilians in areas where sirens are sounding are instructed to enter bomb shelters until further notice

Turkey denies reports US base on its territory was hit by Iran

Turkey’s Directorate of Communications puts out a statement denying reports that a US base in Turkey was struck by an Iranian missile.

“There has been no attack against our country,” says Turkey. “Posts seeking to portray Türkiye as a party to regional conflicts constitute a clear act of disinformation.”

Posts showing footage of an ostensible blast at Turkey’s Incirlik Air Base have been circulating on some news accounts on social media. The clip is actually from Syria.

Turkey is one of the few US allies near Iran that hasn’t been hit since the start of the US-Israeli attacks on Saturday.

The US has over 1,000 military personnel at Incirlik, and other NATO countries have smaller contingents.

IDF says it’s downed dozens of Iranian drones since start of war

The Israeli Air Force and Israeli Navy have intercepted dozens of drones launched at Israel from Iran since the start of the conflict, the military says.

The IDF publishes footage showing a Navy warship shooting down a drone before it reached Israel’s borders.

שיתוף פעולה של חיל האוויר וחיל הים: צה"ל יירט עשרות כלי טיס בלתי מאוישים

חיל האוויר וחיל הים פועלים מאז תחילת מבצע 'שאגת הארי' ליירוט עשרות כלי טיס בלתי מאוישים ששוגרו לעבר שטח מדינת ישראל.

חיל האוויר יירט כלי טיס בלתי מאוישים בדרום ובצפון הארץ, וכלי טיס בלתי מאוישים נוספים… pic.twitter.com/qwKr7tkobf

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) March 2, 2026

German FM says Berlin not planning to enter Iran conflict beyond ‘defensive measures’

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (R) and his Belgian counterpart Maxime Prevot address a joint press conference during their meetin in Berlin on February 25, 2026. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP)

German Foreign Minister Johan Wadephul says that the German government does not intend to participate offensively in the US-Israeli campaign against Iran.

“⁠We do not have the corresponding military resources, and the German government definitely has no intention of participating in any way,” Wadephul says in an interview with German media this morning, after German officials reportedly said Berlin is seriously considering taking military action against Iran if it does not cease attacking countries in the region.

Wadephul clarifies that the E3 statement last night condemning Iran’s attacks and stressing the readiness of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom to defend themselves and their allies, “means that our Bundeswehr soldiers, if attacked, would defend themselves. From the German perspective, there will be no further measures beyond this.”

“The only thing we would do, of course, is take defensive measures by the soldiers we have deployed,” Wadephul says.

Missile launch detected in Iran, sirens expected in central Israel

A new launch of ballistic missiles from Iran has been detected by the IDF.

Sirens are expected to sound in central Israel shortly.

Bennett calls for unity, social solidarity to give military time for Iran operation

Friend and family grieve during the funeral of Oren Katz, the day after a missile attack on Bet Shemesh on March 2, 2026. (Photo by Ilia YEFIMOVICH / AFP)

Speaking at the site of Sunday’s deadly Iranian missile strike in Beit Shemesh, former prime minister Naftali Bennett issues a call for unity and determination, stating that “every hour of our current operation in Iran is another step toward dismantling the Iranian death machine that has been built over 30 years.”

“Every hour that the air force’s pilots are operating in Iran means another missile factory destroyed, another nuclear tunnel demolished, and another regime unit struck. Therefore, the Israeli public is now required to focus on three things: determination, safety, and unity. To act with determination, to strictly adhere to safety protocols and all directives, and to remain united,” Bennett says.

Holding a prayer book from the synagogue hit yesterday, some of whose members were killed, Bennett contrasts Israel and Iran, stating that “the Iranian terror regime is doing everything in its power to kill as many Israeli citizens as possible while the State of Israel is doing everything in its power to avoid harming Iranian civilians, targeting only the regime, missile production plants, and nuclear infrastructure.”

“This is not simple, and it is not easy” and repeatedly rushing for shelter “is unpleasant,” he continues. “This may last for days or even weeks. However, in these coming days of determination, we must provide the full operational space needed and remain united until the task is complete.”

West Bank settlement bloc offers to host Beit Shemesh residents after deadly Iran strike

Mourners carry the flag-draped body of Oren Katz, who was killed in an Iranian missile attack, during his funeral in Beit Shemesh, Israel, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

In the wake of Sunday’s deadly Iranian missile strike in Beit Shemesh, residents of the Gush Etzion settlement bloc offer to host local families wishing to leave the city.

In a post on a local Beit Shemesh Facebook group, a spokesman for the Gush Etzion Regional Council writes that the “residents of Gush Etzion are seeking to express deep solidarity and open their homes to Beit Shemesh residents” and that “in cooperation with the regional council and the community center, Gush Etzion residents are inviting families from Beit Shemesh who wish to do so to stay in Gush Etzion communities for several days, in order to enjoy a break, quiet, and renewed strength during this challenging period.”

IDF names several top Iranian intelligence officers killed in opening strike

This screenshot taken from footage released by the IDF on March 1, 2026, shows strikes on "the headquarters of the Iranian terror regime" in Tehran. (Israel Defense Forces)

The IDF announces that several senior Iranian intelligence officials were killed in the opening strikes on Iran on Saturday.

Among them is Seyed Yahya Hamidi, Iran’s deputy intelligence minister for Israel affairs, who the IDF says directed terror attacks against Jews, the West, and “regime opponents in Iran and abroad.”

In addition, the military says the strikes killed Jalal Pour Hossein, head of the espionage department in the Iranian Intelligence Ministry, along with “several other senior officials involved in advancing terrorist activities worldwide and in suppressing the Iranian people.”

The IDF says the killing of the Intelligence Ministry’s leadership “dealt a severe blow to the regime’s ability to advance terror attacks and to target regime opponents in Iran.”

On Sunday, the military says, the Israeli Air Force also bombed the Intelligence Ministry headquarters in Tehran.

The Intelligence Ministry, which is under US sanctions, “is the central intelligence body of the Iranian terror regime, possessing the most advanced capabilities in Iran and operating under the direct authority of the supreme leader,” the IDF says.

The IDF says that it located documents in Gaza during the war that revealed efforts by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry to establish “a joint intelligence operations room of Hezbollah, Hamas, and the IRGC.”

“The Intelligence Ministry also serves as the Iranian terror regime’s primary tool for monitoring the activities of Iranian citizens. Ministry operatives provided intelligence that enabled the violent suppression of protests over the years,” the IDF adds.

At site of deadly Iranian missile strike, Herzog warns proxy groups against joining conflict

President Isaac Herzog (L), alongside Beit Shemesh Mayor Shmuel Greenberg, visits the site of an Iranian missile attack in Beit Shemesh, which resulted in the death of nine civilians. March 2, 2026. (Haim Zach/GPO)

Speaking at the site of yesterday’s deadly Iranian missile strike in Beit Shemesh, President Isaac Herzog warns Iranian proxy terror groups not to join Iran’s attacks against Israel.

“I recommend to any proxy not to even dare think that they will start another war with us. We will not accept any more, and we won’t let them amass their forces on our border,” Herzog says in remarks shared by his office, after Hezbollah attacked Israel from Lebanon overnight in response to the US-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran.

“We are in the middle of a very important stage in history. This stage will determine the direction of the Middle East,” Herzog continues. “Rather than endless terror and havoc created by the empire of evil from Tehran, there will be change that will offer hope and peace to a coalition of nations, which has emerged above ground and is fighting against the empire of evil,” he says.

“I sincerely hope that this operation will move forward so that there will be real change,” the president says. “We call upon the Iranian people. This is your opportunity, at the given moment, to rise up and bring change in the region so that we can all live in peace.”

Herzog sends condolences to the families of the nine victims, including children, who were killed in yesterday’s missile strike, which destroyed a synagogue and caused extensive damage to surrounding homes in a residential area.

Senior IDF rescue officer attacked by ultra-Orthodox extremist in Beit Shemesh on way to missile impact site

Israeli security and rescue forces operate at the scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran struck Beit Shemesh, central Israel on March 1, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

A senior Home Front Command officer was attacked by an ultra-Orthodox extremist in Beit Shemesh yesterday while en route to the site of an Iranian ballistic missile impact.

According to the military, the Haredi man threw a stone at the car of Brig. Gen. Elad Edri, who serves as chief of staff at the Home Front Command.

The stone smashed a window, causing minor injuries to a female officer sitting in the car.

There have been no reports of arrests made.

France says Israeli, US strikes on Iran should have been debated at UN beforehand

France's Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot gives a press conference after a crisis meeting in Paris on March 2, 2026 (Photo by Thibault Camus / POOL / AFP)

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot says that Israeli and US “unilateral” attacks in Iran should have been debated in the collective bodies set up for this exact purpose, such as the United Nations.

“Everyone could have taken their responsibilities, because it is only by going before the (United Nations) Security Council that the use of force can acquire the necessary legitimacy,” Barrot tells reporters after holding a meeting at the ministry in Paris.

Barrot added that no French victims had been reported at this stage.

IDF says Beirut strike targets ‘senior’ Hezbollah terrorist

The IDF says it carried out an airstrike targeting a “senior terrorist” from Hezbollah in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut.

Lebanese media reports that the strike hit Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold.

غارة عنيفة تستهدف الضاحية الجنوبية في هذه الأثناء pic.twitter.com/hpXaz8Nvvy

— هنا لبنان (@thisislebnews) March 2, 2026

UN nuclear watchdog says ‘no indication’ Iran nuclear installations hit

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi attends the special meeting on Iran, at the agency's headquarters in Vienna, Austria on March 02, 2026. (Photo by Joe Klamar / AFP)

UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi says his agency has “no indication” that any nuclear installations in Iran had been damaged or hit in the US-Israeli strikes.

“Efforts to contact the Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities… continue, with no response so far. We hope this indispensable channel of communication can be re-established as soon as possible,” Grossi says as he opened a special session on Iran of the board of governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Grossi says the situation in the Middle East was “very concerning,” urging “utmost restraint” after Israeli-US strikes on Iran and its retaliatory missile attacks.

“I reiterate my call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further escalation,” Grossi says.

IDF believes Iran trying to fire larger, coordinated strikes on Israel, leading to lulls in attack

Rocket trails from interceptors are pictured over Jerusalem on March 1, 2026. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)

The Israeli military assesses that Iran is attempting to carry out larger and more coordinated ballistic missile barrages on Israel, which has resulted in longer lulls between attacks.

Missile barrages on Israel in the past day have consisted of 9-30 missiles at a time, with long breaks between each launch, according to the IDF Home Front Command. Iran did not launch any ballistic missiles at Israel overnight.

This is in contrast to salvos of 2-3 projectiles, with shorter breaks between each launch, during the first day of the conflict.

The IDF believes Iran is struggling to coordinate even larger attacks, of dozens of missiles at a time, as the Israeli Air Force hunts down its launchers.

The Home Front Command also confirms that Iran fired a ballistic missile with a cluster bomb warhead at central Israel last night.

IDF says Israel to start reopening airspace this evening in ‘controlled’ manner

A Fly Dubai flight at Ben Gurion International Airport, February 25, 2026. (Yossi Aloni/FLASH90)

Israel is expected to gradually open up its airspace starting this evening.

The Home Front Command says air traffic will resume in a “controlled, monitored, and coordinated manner,” and in accordance with a situational assessment.

Israel’s skies have been closed since the start of the conflict with Iran on Saturday morning.

Iran Red Crescent says 555 people killed in Iran since start of war

A man carrying groceries walks by a picture of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hanging on a black sheet along the side of a mosque in Tehran, Iran, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

A total of 555 people have been killed across Iran in US and Israeli strikes that began two days ago, the Iranian Red Crescent says.

“Following the Zionist-American terrorist attacks carried out in various regions of our country, 131 cities have been affected to date and, regrettably, 555 of our compatriots have been killed,” the group says in a post on Telegram.

The numbers do not differentiate between military, leaders and civilians amid the targeted strikes.

Germany said considering joining Israel-US campaign against Iran

A Eurofighter Typhoon (31 04) of the German Air Force arrives at the military air base in Laage, south of Rostock, northeastern Germany, during a demonstration as part of a press day on September 23, 2025. (Tobias Schwarz / AFP)

Germany is seriously considering joining the US-Israeli campaign against Iran if the regime does not cease  attacking countries in the region amid the conflict, German political and military sources tell Israel’s Army Radio.

Planning for possible military action with the United States is already underway, ranging from joining bombing strikes to providing military and aerial assistance, officials in Germany’s foreign ministry and members of the Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee tell the radio station.

The German embassy in Israel did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report.

Last night, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s strikes in the region, warning that they are ready to defend their interests and those of their allies in the Gulf if necessary by taking “defensive action” against Iran.

Tel Aviv shares surge, shekel up after US-Israeli strikes on Iran

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange seen on April 28, 2025. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)

Shares on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange jump and the shekel gains amid investor optimism that the joint Israeli-US assault on Iran will ultimately reduce geopolitical risk.

“War continues against Iran, with Israel intercepting most missiles but suffering civilian casualties as well,” says Jonathan Katz, a macroeconomist at Leader Capital Markets. “The joint US -Israel operation improves the geopolitical outlook greatly.”

Katz notes that US President Donald Trump “appears to be interested in avoiding a prolonged conflict, even if there is no regime change.”

“A much weakened Iran is positive for Israel, while a war of attrition is the major downside risk,” he adds.

The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange’s benchmark TA-125 index increases 3.3 percent in Tel Aviv. The TA-35 index of blue-chip companies is up 3.2%. The TA-Insurance Index jumps 6.1% and the TA-Finance Index soars 5%. The TA-Construction Index advances 4.5%. The shekel gains 0.3% and is trading around NIS 3.12 against the dollar.

Katz warns Israel will target Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem

Supporters watch a televised speech by Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem during a rally to show their solidarity with Iran, in the southern suburb of Beirut on January 26, 2026. (Anwar AMRO / AFP)

Defense Minister Israel Katz says Hezbollah secretary general Naim Qassem is a target, after the terror group fired rockets and drones at Israel overnight.

“The Hezbollah terror organization will pay a heavy price for the firing toward Israel, and Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s secretary general, who decided on the firing under pressure from Iran, from now on, he is a marked target for elimination,” Katz says on X.

He says that whoever “follows the path” of Iran’s former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed by Israel on Saturday, “will soon find himself together with him in the depths of hell with all those eliminated from the axis of evil.”

IDF says senior Hezbollah commanders hit in strikes, warns terror group will pay ‘heavy price’ for attacks

Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern Lebanese area of Deir Seryan on March 2, 2026. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP)

IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin says Hezbollah will pay a “heavy price” for attacking Israel overnight.

“Hezbollah opened fire; it chose to start a campaign. It will pay a heavy price,” Defrin says in a press conference.

Defrin says the IDF, in response, struck dozens of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including in Beirut.

“We struck dozens of command centers and rocket launch sites belonging to the organization. We struck senior commanders, among the last remaining top officials still alive in that organization,” he says, adding that the results of the strikes are under review.

Additional strikes will be conducted in south Lebanon later, he says, after the IDF issued evacuation warnings in dozens of villages.

UN nuclear agency holds special meeting on Iran

Delegates at the United Nations’ nuclear agency begin meeting for an extraordinary session on Iran in the wake of the US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic.

Russia, a key ally of Tehran, requested the meeting on Saturday at the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), following the same request by Iran.

The extraordinary meeting precedes an already scheduled regular session of the IAEA’s board of governors, which represents 35 countries.

Following the strikes, the IAEA — which monitors Iran’s nuclear program — said on Saturday that it was “closely monitoring developments in the Middle East, and urges restraint to avoid any nuclear safety risks to people in the region.”

Kuwait says several US warplanes crashed, crew survived

Several American warplanes crashed in Kuwait this morning but their crews survived, Kuwait’s defense ministry says, as Iran pressed on with a third day of strikes in the Gulf.

“Several US warplanes crashed this morning. Confirming that all crew members survived,” a defense ministry spokesman says in a statement, adding that the cause was under investigation.

“Authorities immediately initiated search and rescue operations, evacuating the crews and transporting them to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment,” the statement adds.

He noted that their condition is stable.

Videos on social media appeared to show an F-15 crashing with a pilot ejecting.

JUST IN: ???????? US F-15 fighter jet crashes in Kuwait. pic.twitter.com/NiR7jJNhHH

— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) March 2, 2026

El Al planning to operate repatriation flights from 22 destinations once airspace opens

An El Al flight takes off at Ben Gurion International Airport, near Tel Aviv, during ongoing missile attacks from Iran toward Israel, February 28, 2026. (Oren Cohen/Flash90)

Israel’s flag carrier El Al says it is planning to operate flights from 22 destinations across Europe, the US, and Asia to repatriate Israelis stranded abroad once Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport reopens.

In the first phase, El Al is preparing to operate repatriation flights from New York, Miami, and Los Angeles in the US; and Bangkok and Phuket in southeast Asia. Across Europe, flights will be operated from Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan, Paris, Budapest, Tbilisi, Sofia, Warsaw, Bucharest, Madrid, London, Barcelona, ​​Geneva, Amsterdam, Munich and Zurich.

Repatriation flights for El Al and Sundor ticket holders whose flights were canceled will be at no additional cost. Flight tickets will be opened for sale to the general public only after all El Al and Sundor customers have been repatriated, El Al says.

Israel’s airspace, which has been closed since the US-Israel attack on Iran on Saturday, is not expected to reopen until at least Wednesday.

Subject to approval by the government and security agencies, El Al is also considering offering flights chartered by KlasJet planes for El Al and Sundor customers from nearby destinations in Europe, to the Taba airport in Egypt or Aqaba airport in Jordan. These flights will be offered free of charge for El Al and Sundor ticket holders.

Iran’s Guards say they launched missile attack on Tel Aviv, Haifa and East Jerusalem

Thai workers stand near a reinforced shelter in Moshav Yashresh as sirens sound following ballistic missiles fired from Iran toward Israel, March 2, 2026. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say they launched missile strikes on a government complex in Tel Aviv as well as security and military centers in Haifa and an attack on East Jerusalem.

“Among the targets of this tenth wave were a targeted strike on the Zionist regime’s government complex in Tel Aviv, attacks on military and security centers in Haifa, and a strike on East Jerusalem,” says a Guards statement carried by state TV.

East Jerusalem is a predominantly Arab area that the Palestinians claim as the capital of a future state.

Iran says Kheibar ballistic missiles were used in the attack.

IDF publishes video of new strikes in Iran

An Israeli Air Force F-15 fighter jet takes off from an airbase in Israel for strikes in Iran, in a handout photo published on March 2, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)

The IDF publishes new footage of airstrikes against Iranian ballistic missile launchers and other military targets in Iran.

Overnight, the military said, it launched a wave of strikes in Tehran.

The IDF publishes new footage of airstrikes against Iranian ballistic missile launchers and other military targets in Iran.

Overnight, the military said it launched a wave of strikes in Tehran. pic.twitter.com/RXOFjNPQL6

— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) March 2, 2026

Israeli source says Lebanon op could include ground offensive, no immunity for any Hezbollah members

Displaced people fleeing Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon sit in traffic at a highway links to Beirut, in the southern port city of Sidon, Monday, March 2, 2026 after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

An Israeli security source tells the Saudi news channel Al-Hadath that there will be “no immunity for any politician or military figure in Hezbollah, and even for its supporters.”

The source also adds that the IDF’s new offensive against the Lebanese terror group “will be broad and comprehensive and may include a [ground] invasion.”

Israel launched dozens of strikes in Lebanon this morning after the terror group fired rockets and drones at Israel overnight.

Small fire under control at Saudi Aramco refinery after apparent drone strike

A small, isolated fire is under control at Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura refining facility following what appeared to be a drone strike earlier in the morning, a Semafor reporter says in a post on X, citing sources.

An Iranian drone struck Saudi Aramco’s oil facility in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, causing a fire.

I don’t know how the Saudis can take that and not respond. pic.twitter.com/ylbZVmEuKS

— ???????? Angel Martinez ???????? (@AngelMartmma24) March 2, 2026

Amazon cloud unit flags issues at Bahrain, UAE data centers amid Iran strikes

A pigeon flies as trails from the interception of an Iranian projectile are seen in the sky over Dubai on March 2, 2026. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP)

Amazon cloud unit’s data centers in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates are facing connectivity issues, the company says, amid Iranian strikes in the region in response to US and Israeli strikes on the Islamic Republic.

Iranian strikes have hit airports, ports, and residential areas across the wider Gulf.

One of the cloud unit AWS zones in the UAE was still without power today, after the company said that “objects” struck the data center and created sparks and fire.

Amazon reported some recovery in the UAE but recommended that customers use alternate regions as it investigates “additional connectivity issues and error rates.”

The company did not confirm or deny, when asked earlier, whether the UAE data center incident was connected to the Iranian strikes.

Amazon did not provide a reason for the connectivity issues at its Bahrain data center. It also did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Explosions heard near Iraq’s Erbil airport

Loud explosions are heard near Iraq’s Erbil airport, which hosts US-led coalition troops, an AFP journalist says.

Earlier today, an AFP photographer said that air defense systems downed drones near the airport.

Since the start of the US-Israel campaign against Iran, drones have repeatedly been intercepted over Erbil, which is also home to a major US consulate complex.

Smoke rising from US embassy in Kuwait City

Black smoke is seen rising from the US embassy in Kuwait City after Iranian strikes, according to an AFP correspondent.

Sirens earlier sounded over the city following the latest volley of Iranian attacks, which started across the oil-rich Gulf region on Saturday.

The embassy does not announce it had been hit, but issues a security alert urging people to stay away.

“There is a continuing threat of missile and UAV attacks over Kuwait. Do not come to the embassy,” the statement says.

Kuwait’s interior ministry says it intercepted an unspecified number of drones targeting the small, oil-rich country at dawn.

BREAKING: ????????????????

Smoke rises from US embassy in Kuwait. pic.twitter.com/UTR4564box

— The Terra Post (@TheTerraPost) March 2, 2026

Health Ministry says 777 people hospitalized since start of Iran war

Israeli security and rescue forces at the scene where a ballistic missile fired from Iran hit in Tel Aviv, February 28, 2026. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)

The Health Ministry reports that since the beginning of Operation Roaring Lion on Saturday, 777 people have been evacuated to hospitals, of whom 86 are currently hospitalized or in the ER.

Four are in serious condition; two of those cases are not directly the result of missile strikes. Twenty are in moderate condition and 58 are in good condition. Another four are undergoing medical evaluation.

Dozens of people have been hurt in accidents while running for shelters.

Officials say all nine victims of Beit Shemesh missiles strike have been identified

Rescue workers and military personnel operate at the scene where several people were killed in an Iranian missile strike in Beit Shemesh, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

The National Institute for Forensic Medicine (Abu Kabir) announces that all nine bodies of the Israelis killed yesterday in the Iranian missile strike in Beit Shemesh have been identified.

“This has been the most complex and difficult event we have dealt with since the beginning of Operation Roaring Lion, and therefore the identification efforts lasted several hours,” says Dr. Ricardo Nachman, director of the Forensic Clinical Examinations Unit.

He says the unit carried out the identification process using various scientific methods in cooperation with the Israel Police.

“We share in the grief of the families at this difficult time,” Nachman says.

So far, authorities have released the names of four of the victims.

Medics say no injuries reported in Iran missile salvo

There are no reports of injuries following Iran’s latest ballistic missile fire on central and southern Israel and the Jerusalem area, medics say.

The IDF Home Front Command says civilians in areas where sirens sounded can now leave bomb shelters, but should still remain close to them.

IDF chief says days-long ‘offensive campaign’ launched against Hezbollah in Lebanon

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir holds a situational assessment following Hezbollah rocket fire on northern Israel, on March 2, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir says the military has launched an “offensive campaign” against Hezbollah that will likely last several days.

“We have begun an offensive campaign against Hezbollah. We are not just on the defensive, now we go on the offense,” he says during an assessment following Hezbollah’s rocket and drone attacks on Israel overnight.

“We need to prepare for several days of fighting, many. We need strong defensive readiness and continuous offensive preparedness, in waves,” he says.

Israel has already carried out several waves of airstrikes against Hezbollah targets in Beirut and southern Lebanon since the rocket attacks.

Sirens sounding in Beersheba, surrounding area

Sirens sound in Beersheba and the surrounding area in southern Israel amid a new Iranian ballistic missile attack.

Lebanon Health Ministry: 31 killed, 149 wounded in IDF strikes overnight

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

Lebanon’s Health Ministry says 31 people were killed and 149 wounded in IDF strikes in the country’s south and Beirut’s southern Dahiyeh district, both of which are Hezbollah strongholds.

The numbers do not differentiate between Hezbollah operatives and civilians.

The IDF confirmed attacking Hezbollah targets in response to the Iranian proxy group’s rocket barrage on northern Israel overnight, the first such attack from Lebanon since the November 2024 Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement.

At least one person killed in Iranian strike on Bahrain

Bahrain’s interior ministry says Iranian strikes killed one person, the island nation’s first fatality since the start of Tehran’s campaign, bringing the total number of deaths across the Gulf to five since Saturday.

Falling debris from an intercepted missile sparked a fire on a foreign ship in the port city of Salman, the Bahraini ministry says, killing one worker and seriously injuring two others.

Since Saturday, across the Gulf, civilian infrastructure has been hit, from airports and seaports to residential buildings and hotels.

BREAKING: Massive explosion in Bahrain. pic.twitter.com/Ns2FvzfiZX

— James???????? (@MrJamesKe) March 2, 2026

Launch detected from Iran, sirens expected in southern Israel

A new launch of ballistic missiles from Iran has been detected by the IDF.

Sirens are expected to sound in southern Israel shortly.

Sirens sounding in Jerusalem, central Israel

Sirens sound across central Israel amid an Iranian ballistic missile attack.

An alert warning of a suspected drone infiltration also sounds in the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights.

The IDF says it is working to intercept the projectiles.

US F-15 fighter jet crashes in Kuwait

A US F-15 fighter jet crashed in Kuwait, footage posted to social media shows.

At least one pilot managed to eject, according to videos.

There is no immediate comment from the American military on the circumstances of the incident.

Footage of an F-15 falling out of the sky this morning over Kuwait, in an apparent “friendly fire” incident involving the U.S. Air Force. pic.twitter.com/GQvryfJ4C4

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 2, 2026

???? At least 1 pilot was able to eject before the fighter jet crashed. https://t.co/tyNQeZ4Mvl pic.twitter.com/CasOVNq6lu

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 2, 2026

New missile launch detected from Iran, sirens expected in central Israel

A new launch of ballistic missiles from Iran has been detected by the IDF.

Sirens are expected to sound in central Israel in the coming minutes.

No injuries reported in latest Iranian missile salvo

There are no reports of injuries following Iran’s latest ballistic missile fire on central and southern Israel, medics say.

The IDF Home Front Command says civilians in areas where sirens sounded can now leave bomb shelters, but should still remain close to them.

IDF launches fresh strikes on Hezbollah sites in Lebanon

The IDF says it has launched a new wave of airstrikes against Hezbollah targets across Lebanon.

It also publishes a video showing an overnight strike that hit members of the terror group.

The strikes come after Hezbollah launched rockets and drones at Israel overnight.

צה"ל פתח בגל תקיפות נוסף בלבנון

צה״ל החל כעת בתקיפת מטרות נוספות של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה בלבנון.

בין המטרות שהותקפו, מחסני אמצעי לחימה ותשתיות נוספות של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה במספר מרחבים בלבנון pic.twitter.com/1a853nGUnk

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) March 2, 2026

Head of Hezbollah parliamentary bloc said killed in IDF strike on Beirut

A damaged apartment building is seen following an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburb, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Mohammad Raad, head of Hezbollah’s bloc in the Lebanese parliament, is among at least ten people killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Dahiyeh, Hezbollah’s south Beirut stronghold, Saudi-owned outlet Al-Arabiya reports.

The IDF has confirmed striking Hezbollah targets across Lebanon following the Iran-backed group’s rocket attack on northern Israel, which came in response to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the start of the US-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran on Saturday.

Hezbollah had not attacked Israel since the two sides’ November 2024 ceasefire agreement.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, whose government seeks to disarm Hezbollah, slams the rocket attack on Israel.

Without naming Hezbollah, Aoun says the attack undermines Beirut’s efforts to keep Lebanon outside of a regional war.

“While we condemn the Israeli aggression against Lebanon, we warn the persisting in using Lebanon as a platform for proxy wars puts our country in danger,” Aoun says in a statement.

Explosions heard in Dubai, Qatar and Bahrain

Explosions are heard in Dubai, Doha and Bahrain.

Iran has been carrying out drone and missile strikes on the Gulf nations.

Sirens sound in central and southern Israel

Sirens sound across central and southern Israel amid an Iranian ballistic missile attack, the first in over eight hours.

An alert warning of a suspected drone infiltration also sounds in the Upper Galilee.

The IDF says it is working to intercept the threats.

Missile launch detected in Iran, sirens expected in southern and central Israel

After a lull of over eight hours, the IDF says it has detected a new launch of ballistic missiles from Iran.

Sirens are expected to sound in southern and central Israel in the coming minutes.

Suspected drone infiltration sets off sirens in Golan Heights

Sirens warning of a suspected drone infiltration sound in the Golan Heights.

A short while later, the Home Front Command says the incident has concluded, without providing further details.

Since the start of the conflict, the IDF has reported shooting down over 50 drones launched from Iran at Israel.

IDF Northern Command chief: Strikes on Hezbollah will intensify, no plans to evacuate Israelis from north

IDF Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo is seen at the command's HQ in Safed, early March 2, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)

Chief of the IDF Northern Command, Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo says the intensity of Israel’s strikes against Hezbollah will increase after the terror group launched rockets and drones at Israel from Lebanon overnight.

Milo says that the IDF has “significantly” bolstered forces in the north and along the Lebanon border, and that there is no intention to evacuate Israeli residents of the area.

“We are prepared in defense and offense,” he says in remarks published by the IDF.

“Shortly after Hezbollah’s rocket fire, in accordance with planning, we launched a first wide wave of strikes in Beirut and southern Lebanon, targeting senior operatives, headquarters, and terror infrastructure. We are also working to evacuate the population in southern Lebanon for its protection ahead of additional strikes,” Milo says.

“The strikes continue, their intensity will increase,” he adds.