Interior minister says he is monitoring 'security situation'
Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar said he is following the “security situation and recent developments on the ground,” according to a statement relayed by the state-run National News Agency.
He said he had contacted all local officials, asking them to remain in their offices and facilitate procedures for residents displaced by Israeli strikes.
He also went to the headquarters of the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces, where he met with the director-general and the head of the Intelligence Division. “The necessary instructions were given to facilitate the movement of displaced residents, ensure their safety and reduce traffic congestion, while emphasizing continued on-the-ground coordination among the concerned units and the adoption of necessary measures according to developments,” the statement said.
Aoun condemns rocket fire and warns against using Lebanon as 'platform for support wars'
President Joseph Aoun condemned the launch of rockets from Lebanese territory, saying it “undermines all efforts and initiatives undertaken by the Lebanese state to keep Lebanon away from the serious military confrontations shaking the region.”
He warned that using Lebanon as a “platform for support wars” would once again expose the country to danger.
“The responsibility for these risks lies with the parties that have ignored repeated calls to preserve security and stability in the country,” he added. “The state will not allow this to happen again, and the Lebanese people — who are still working to heal the wounds caused by previous confrontations — will not accept it.”
At least 14 killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon
Israeli strikes on the town of Toul (Nabatieh district) killed seven members of the same family, our correspondent in southern Lebanon reported.
Israeli strikes also killed three women in Shehabieh (Sour), and four people in Sultanieh (Bint Jbeil), he added. Israeli strikes on Khirbet Silm (Bint Jbeil), Bir al-Salasil and Deir Qanoun al-Nahr (Sour) were also reported.
Heavy traffic in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs
Heavy congestion was reported on the Kafaat-Laylaki, the old Saida (Tayyouneh) and airport roads and in Choueifat.
The main roads in Saida and on the highways linking Saida to Sour, Saida to Nabatieh and Saida to Beirut were also congested, our correspondent reported.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called for an emergency Cabinet session at Baabda Presidential Palace at 8 a.m. on Monday.
A British RAF military base in Cyprus was struck in what is believed to be a drone attack, according to the Ministry of Defense, Sky News reports.
An Israeli strike targeted the town of Wadi Jilo in the Sour district, our correspondent reported. The village was one of 53 listed in the evacuation notice issued by the Israeli army.
AUB to close on Monday
The American University of Beirut (AUB) announced on X that it will close on Monday due to "the deteriorating situation in Lebanon," with the exception of essential services.
"We will continue to monitor events closely and do everything possible to care for our community and all those seeking our support. As always, AUBMC and KMC will remain open and ready to provide vital care," the statement added.
Several schools in Beirut open to receive those displaced
Several schools across Beirut opened their doors to host people displaced by the Israeli attacks.
A Merkava tank positioned on Hammames Hill fired shells toward Wadi al-Asafir in Khiam, the NNA reported.
Sour resident condemns Hezbollah’s fire at Israel: ‘It has no conscience’
"We thought Hezbollah wouldn’t get involved in the war between Iran and the United States. We didn’t want them to," said a resident of a village in the Sour district.
"This launch took us by surprise. Then we heard the missiles and the planes. People were screaming. Hezbollah has no conscience. Residents are fleeing in the cold, stuck in traffic. All of this can only lead to destruction and displacement."
Two sources — one at Beirut airport and a senior official at Middle East Airlines — told L’Orient Today that reports claiming Beirut airport staff had been asked to evacuate are not true.
Israel says it targeted senior Hezbollah officials in Beirut
The Israeli army claimed it “targeted top terrorist operatives of Hezbollah in the Beirut area.”
At the same time, the army said it struck “a central terrorist figure of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in southern Lebanon.”
Residents flee southern suburbs with nowhere to take shelter
Many displaced people don’t know where to go. "We slept in our cars during the first days of the last war [in 2024], and we’ll do the same this time," Zeinab, who fled Burj al-Barajneh with her teenage daughter, told L’Orient Today by phone.
Trump says he has ‘three very good’ candidates to lead Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday, in a brief interview with The New York Times, that he had “three very good choices” about who could lead Iran, declining to name them.
He added: “I won’t be revealing them now. Let’s get the job done first.”
In southern Lebanon, residents avoid roads for fear of bombings
Fearing being trapped on the road by traffic and Israeli strikes for hours, many residents are choosing to remain in the South for now, several residents from different districts in the region told L’Orient Today.
During the escalation between Hezbollah and Israel on Sept. 23, 2024, displaced residents had spent upwards of 12 hours on roads, blocked by Israeli attacks.
The Israeli army carried out strikes on Shehabieh (Sour), Sultanieh (Bint Jbeil), Khirbet Silm (Bint Jbeil), Bir al-Salasil and Deir Qanoun al-Nahr (Sour), our correspondent in the South reported.
Shots were fired into the air in the southern suburbs of Beirut to warn residents to flee the area.
Explosions heard in Tel Aviv
Explosions were reported in several neighborhoods of Tel Aviv, Reuters reported, citing an eyewitness. The source of the blasts is not yet known.
The Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs targeted buildings in the Haret Hreik and Jamous neighborhood, according to Al-Jadeed.
Salam condemns southern Lebanon rocket fire, vows to protect Lebanese
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the rocket launches from southern Lebanon, calling them an “irresponsible and suspicious act” that endangers the country’s security and integrity and provides Israel with a pretext to continue its attacks.
“Regardless of which entity is responsible, the rocket fire from southern Lebanon is an irresponsible and suspicious act that threatens Lebanon’s security and territorial integrity and gives Israel a pretext to pursue its attacks against the country,” he wrote. “We will not allow the country to be drawn into new adventures and will take all necessary measures to stop those responsible and protect the Lebanese people.”
The Israeli army claimed to have hit Hezbollah targets across Lebanon in a statement on X. “Israeli army troops had prepared for such a scenario as part of Operation ‘Roar of the Lion’ and are ready for confrontation on all fronts,” the statement added.
Hezbollah claims attack on Israel
More than an hour and a half after the Israeli army reported fire from Lebanon, Hezbollah issued a statement on its Telegram account claiming that, in retaliation for the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, it had “targeted a precision rocket battery and a swarm of drones at the Mishmar HaCarmel site, dedicated to the Israeli army’s missile defense, south of the occupied city of Haifa.”
Mishmar HaCarmel is roughly 40 kilometers away from Ras Naqoura and the Lebanese-Israeli border.
“The leadership of the Resistance has always affirmed that the continuation of Israeli aggression and the assassination of our leaders, our youth and our people gives us the right to defend ourselves and respond at the appropriate time and place,” the party added.
Hezbollah concluded by stating that “this response constitutes legitimate defense, and it is the responsibility of the relevant officials and parties to put an end to the Israeli-American aggression against Lebanon.”
No response from Hezbollah so far
L'Orient Today tried to reach several Hezbollah spokespersons to determine whether the party was behind the fire reported by the Israeli army. So far, we have received no response from any of them.
Israeli aircraft over Beirut, southern Lebanon
Israeli aircraft is flying low over Beirut and in several districts in southern Lebanon, residents told L'Orient Today.
Some residents leave southern Lebanon, Bekaa amid fear of escalation in Lebanon
Several residents in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa have told L'Orient Today that they are fleeing to Beirut, fearing an Israeli escalation.
Some, however, resorted to packing their bags with important documents and keeping them ready in case they had to leave.
Israel announces continue strike on Tehran; explosions heard in several areas in Iran
The Israeli army said it was continuing "large‑scale strikes" against targets in Iran, particularly around Tehran, as explosions were heard in several districts of the Iranian capital — especially in the north of the city — according to the semi‑official Tasnim news agency.
In a military statement, forces said the strikes were carried out by the air force "guided by army intelligence" and were aimed at targets linked to the "Iranian regime."
Iranian state media reported multiple explosions in areas including Seyed Khandan, Qasr crossroads, Vanak Square and Motahari Street as the operations continued.
The rocket fire from Lebanon, which has not been claimed so far, “will result in a harsh response,” KAN radio reported, citing senior Israeli security officials.
No comment from Hezbollah yet
Hezbollah has not yet made any comment or announcement regarding the firing reported from Lebanon by the Israeli army.
Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire in 2024, ending more than a year of fighting between the two, which concluded with Israeli strikes that severely weakened the Iranian-backed party. Israel near-daily violates the cease-fire by striking areas in Lebanon, mainly the South and the Bekaa Valley.
Israeli army intercepts 'projectile coming from Lebanon'
The Israeli army says that "a projectile coming from Lebanon and entering Israeli territory was intercepted by the Israeli air force."
"Several other projectiles fell in open areas," it added, adding that no injuries or damage were reported.
Israel reports missiles fired from Lebanon
Sirens sound in northern Israel after projectiles fired from Lebanon, the Israeli army Arabic-language spokesperson Ela Waweya said on X.
4 injured in Syria in Israeli interception of Iranian missile
A father and his three daughters were wounded in Syria by debris of Iranian missile intercepted by Israel over Syrian airspace, SANA reported.
"Four people, a father and three daughters, were wounded as a result of the fall of the missile debris resulting from the exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran, in the town of Ain Tarma in the Damascus province," the official SANA news agency said, quoting a health ministry official.
They were taken to hospital for treatment, the agency added.
Israel intercepted several missiles over Syria, according to a source in the Interior Ministry.
Israel had struck and destroyed much of the Syrian army's infrastructure including its air defenses after the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in 2024, to prevent it falling into the hands of the new authorities.
More details, here.👈
6 wounded in Jerusalem after Iranian missile strikes
Six people were injured in the Jerusalem area following Iranian missile strikes, Israeli rescue services said.
Magen David Adom said rescue teams were treating "a man of about 50 years old … as well as five people with minor injuries."
Israeli police added that searches are ongoing after "interception debris" likely fell in multiple locations.
UK to allow US to use its military bases for 'defensive' strikes
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday he had agreed to let the United States use U.K. bases to fire "defensive" strikes aimed at destroying Iranian missiles and their launchers.
But in a video address posted to social media platform X, he added: "We were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran and we will not join offensive action now."
"But Iran is pursuing a scorched-earth strategy, so we are supporting the collective self-defense of our allies and our people in the region."
Starmer added: "Our decision that the U.K. would not be involved with the strikes on Iran was deliberate ... Not least because we believe that the best way forward for the region and for the world is a negotiated settlement."
"We all remember the mistakes of Iraq. And we have learned those lessons," he added.
A separate statement posted on the U.K. government website set out its legal position.
Trump in second speech since war: Combat operations continue in full force until objectives are achieved
U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that combat operations in Iran were continuing and would carry on until all of Washington's objectives are achieved, while vowing to "avenge" the deaths of the U.S. troops killed in the conflict.
Trump confirmed in a video posted on Truth Social that three U.S. service members had been killed and said there would likely be more casualties, vowing to avenge the deaths of Americans.
"Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved. We have very strong objectives," Trump said.
He renewed his warning to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and military police to disarm and receive "immunity" or face death.
He concluded with a call to the Iranians to "seize this moment, to be brave, be bold and be heroic and take back your country. America is with you. I made a promise to you. And I fulfilled that promise. The rest will be up to you, and we will be there to help."
The EU is strengthening its military mission in the Red Sea with two French ships, said a diplomat quoted by AFP.
Hezbollah statement commemorating Khamenei
Hezbollah issued a statement on the death of Ali Khamenei, whom it described as "the sun that spreads light ... a fighting leader, a believer, devoted and courageous, endowed with penetrating vision and great wisdom," joining "the luminous caravan blessed in the divine way."
The statement added that Khamenei had "a long and blessed life, spent in the service of the oppressed and the underprivileged ... The cause of the liberation of Palestine was the central cause for which he gave all that was dear and precious to him."
Khamenei "fell as a martyr at the hands of the most heinous of the odious of our time, the Israeli and American terrorists, after consolidating the foundations of the Islamic Republic, strengthening its pillars and making it a powerful, honorable and victorious state," the party statement also said.
Hezbollah concluded its statement by saying that it "reaffirms its commitment to the Islamic Republic, its leadership, its government, its Revolutionary Guards, its army and its people, as it has always done in all trials and crises, to repel the arrogant and tyrants until complete and final victory."
7 wounded in Jerusalem following Iranian attack
A series of explosions heard over Jerusalem.
Seven wounded, one in serious condition, in Jerusalem area missile strike, Haaretz reported citing an emergency service.
Syria, Lebanon discuss coordination amid regional tensions
Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani spoke Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Sunday via phone to discuss closer coordination in light of recent regional developments, Syria’s Foreign Ministry said.
According to Damascus, the talks focused on "the latest regional developments and their repercussions." Shaibani stressed the importance of |strengthening coordination between the two brotherly countries in order to guarantee security and stability in the context of current developments."
Trump says Iran operation could last ‘four weeks or so’
U.S. President Donald Trump said he expects the American operation against Iran to last "four weeks or less," according to an interview published Sunday by the Daily Mail.
"It's always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so. It's always been about a four-week process so, as strong as it is, it's a big country, it'll take four weeks - or less," the President explained.
Oman says U.S.-Iran diplomacy channels remain open
Oman’s foreign minister said communication channels between the United States and Iran remain open, despite rising regional tensions.
"I continue to believe in the power of diplomacy to resolve this conflict. The sooner the talks resume, the better it will be for everyone," Badr Albusaidi wrote on X.
Oman has been playing a mediating role in the nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
7 Iranian commanders killed, Iran media reports
Seven Iranian military commanders were killed in strikes across the country, including the head of the office of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Sunday.
Tasnim did not immediately provide further details on where the strikes took place or who carried them out.
US strikes over 1,000 Iranian targets
The U.S. military has carried out strikes against over 1,000 Iranian targets so far since starting its campaign on Saturday, U.S. Central Command said on Sunday.
In a fact sheet, Central Command listed these items under "Types of Targets":
* Command and Control Centers
* IRGC Joint Headquarters
* IRGC Aerospace Forces Headquarters
* Integrated Air Defense Systems
* Ballistic Missile Sites
* Iranian Navy Ships
* Iranian Navy Submarines
* Anti-ship Missile Sites
* Military Communication Capabilities
Centcom says Iranian Revolutionary Guards HQ destroyed
The headquarters of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards was destroyed in U.S.–Israeli strikes, the U.S. military’s Middle East command, United States Central Command (Centcom), said on Sunday.
“The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [IRGC] has killed more than 1,000 Americans over the past 47 years.
Yesterday, a large-scale U.S. attack decapitated the snake. America has the most powerful armed forces on Earth, and the IRGC no longer has a headquarters,” Centcom said on X, accompanying its message with a video showing missiles launched from destroyers.
Explosions heard in Jerusalem after new Iranian missile alert
Explosions were reported in Jerusalem following a fresh missile alert linked to Iranian strikes, raising concerns of escalation in the region.
French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle redirects to Eastern Mediterranean
The French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle and its naval strike group have cut short their deployment in the Baltic Sea to head to the Eastern Mediterranean, BFMTV reports, amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock markets closed until Tuesday due to regional escalation
The UAE’s financial regulator, the CMA, announced an exceptional closure of the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) for Monday and Tuesday.
The closure comes after Iranian missile strikes on the UAE since Saturday, in response to U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. The CMA said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take any additional necessary measures, advising all parties to follow official channels for updates.
Reza Pahlavi calls on Iranians to celebrate Khamenei’s death safely
Reza Pahlavi, son of the former Shah of Iran, called on Iranians on Sunday to celebrate the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following U.S.-Israeli strikes, encouraging “songs every evening” while staying “safe.”
In a statement on X in both Farsi and English, Pahlavi described Khamenei as a “demon” for ordering the “massacre of thousands of Iranian sons and daughters.”
“With his dishonorable death, and that of many of his cronies and henchmen, the Islamic Republic reaches its last breath,” he said, presenting himself as a transitional figure.
“To the honorable and courageous people of Iran, the death of the despot of our time — while marking the start of a great national celebration — is not the end of the path. Stay vigilant. Be ready. The hour of a broad and decisive presence in the streets is very near,” Pahlavi added.
He urged citizens, while preserving their safety, to “show your satisfaction and support for the destruction of the Islamic Republic with songs every evening, and to voice your demands for Iran’s future.” He also called on the Iranian diaspora to “intensify” their efforts in support of the cause.
Strikes kill two pro-Iranian fighters near Syria-Iraq border
According to security and pro-Iranian sources, airstrikes have killed two pro-Iranian fighters near the Syria-Iraq border.
Police station near Tehran hit by strikes, people trapped under rubble
Iranian media report that a police station near Tehran was targeted in airstrikes, leaving people trapped under the debris.
UAE closes embassy in Iran and recalls ambassador after Iranian missile strikes
The United Arab Emirates announced on Sunday that it is closing its embassy in Tehran and recalling its ambassador in response to Iranian missile attacks targeting the country, according to a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
“The UAE announces the closure of its embassy in Tehran and the withdrawal of its ambassador and all members of its diplomatic mission, and condemns the Iranian missile attacks,” the ministry said.
The decision comes in response to what the ministry called “flagrant Iranian missile attacks targeting the territory, constituting aggressions against civilian sites, including residential areas, airports, ports, and service infrastructure, exposing defenseless civilians to danger.”
This move marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions amid the ongoing regional conflict following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Iran: Multiple media report strikes hit Tehran hospital
Iranian news agency ISNA reported that Gandhi Hospital, located in northern Tehran, was targeted Sunday evening during the second day of a bombing campaign against Iran by Israel and the United States.
“Gandhi Hospital in Tehran was attacked by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes,” ISNA wrote, while Fars and Mizan agencies shared a video, reportedly from the hospital, showing debris on the floor among scattered wheelchairs.
Israeli army confirms killing of Khamenei
The Israeli army officially announced that it killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, after previously hinting at it, saying it had “eliminated” the head of the “Iranian terrorist regime.”
Iranian state media broadcasts interrupted after Israeli strikes on headquarters
Broadcasts of Iranian state television were interrupted on Sunday after Israeli strikes targeted the headquarters of public radio and television in Tehran, causing live programs to stop abruptly, Reuters reports.
PM Salam holds meeting on measures to ensure market liquidity
On Sunday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, Economy and Trade Minister Amer Bisat, and Central Bank Governor Karim Souhaid to review preventive measures and emergency frameworks aimed at maintaining financial stability during this sensitive period, according to a statement from the Grand Serail.
Officials discussed liquidity management and ensuring the continued supply of cash to markets through the central bank and commercial banking sector.
US embassy in Lebanon to remain closed Monday
The U.S. embassy in Lebanon announced it will remain closed on Monday, posting a brief notice on its Facebook page.
Two powerful explosions heard in Tehran
Two new bombings struck the center of Iran’s capital on Sunday evening, according to AFP journalists.
The Israeli army said on Telegram that it is “continuing to strike in Tehran,” referring to “attacks on defense systems belonging to the Iranian terrorist regime in the heart of Tehran” in recent minutes.
Pro-Iranian Iraqi group claims drone attack on U.S. bases in Erbil
The pro-Iranian Iraqi armed group Saraya Awliya al-Dam said on Sunday that it carried out a drone attack on U.S. bases in Erbil, northern Iraq, Reuters reports.
U.S. and Iraqi authorities have not immediately confirmed the extent of the damage or whether there were any casualties.
Pro-Iranian Iraqi group claims drone attack on US bases in Erbil
The pro-Iranian Iraqi armed group Saraya Awliya al-Dam said on Sunday that it carried out a drone attack on U.S. bases in Erbil, northern Iraq, Reuters reports.
U.S. and Iraqi authorities have not immediately confirmed the extent of the damage or whether there were any casualties.
School near US embassy in Lebanon to remain closed Monday
Several schools in Beirut’s southern suburbs announced they will remain closed on Monday. The Lebanese Army deployed at the entrances of the Christian neighborhood of Ain al-Rummaneh ahead of a Hezbollah-organized gathering.
The Collège des Frères Maristes Champville, located in Dik el-Mehdi near the U.S. embassy in Awkar (Metn), also informed parents that it would remain closed.
The decision was made “considering the security situation in the area and for the safety of the entire school community: students, parents, teachers, and staff, as well as the school’s particular location.”
Iranian state TV headquarters hit in new Israeli airstrikes on Tehran
Parts of the headquarters of Iran’s national radio and television were hit on Sunday during another wave of Israeli airstrikes on the capital, state media reported. The broadcasts, however, continued normally.
US has ‘destroyed and sunk’ 9 Iranian naval ships, says Trump
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump stated that the U.S. has “destroyed and sunk” nine Iranian naval ships, some of which are “relatively large and important.”
He added that the U.S. military has “largely destroyed” the Iranian naval headquarters and is now targeting the remaining vessels in the Iranian fleet. “They will soon be floating at the bottom of the sea,” Trump said.
MP Michel Pharaon condemns Iran’s targeting of Gulf states
MP and former minister Michel Pharaon condemned Iran’s attacks on Gulf countries, calling them “an attack on all Arab countries, and Lebanon is part of them. It indicates the beginning of the Iranian regime’s sinking and its readiness to take everyone down with it,” he wrote on X.
He added, “Any attempt to target Israel from Lebanon must be prevented. We can no longer pay the Iranian and Israeli bills.”
Death toll from Minab girls’ school airstrike rises to 165
The death toll from the airstrike on a girls’ school in Minab has risen to 165, according to the county governor.
The governor said the updated figure reflects the conclusion of excavation operations at the school, where additional bodies of students were recovered. The attack, carried out on Saturday in southern Iran, initially had a reported toll of 108 victims.
On Sunday morning, the Israeli army told AFP that it was "not aware" of the strike on the school.
This tragic increase in casualties underscores the devastating impact of the ongoing strikes in the region and raises further international concern over civilian safety.
Israeli army says Khamenei assassination marks 'culmination' of campaign against Iran
The Israeli army has announced that the assassination of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei represents the "culmination of a sustained effort to eliminate the senior leadership of the Iranian terror axis throughout the 'War of Revival,'" according to Haaretz.
The military added that these targeted killings "significantly degrade the Iranian terror axis" and vowed to "continue to strike infrastructure belonging to the Iranian regime in order to degrade the regime and thwart threats against Israel."
This marks a dramatic escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran, signaling that Israel is pursuing a sustained campaign against Iranian leadership and military infrastructure. Analysts warn that such actions could further destabilize the region and provoke retaliatory measures from Tehran.
At least 244 people killed in Iran since Saturday, according to Iranian authorities and Israeli army reports
At least 244 people have been killed in Iran over the past 48 hours following U.S.-Israeli attacks, according to authorities.
On Saturday, 201 people — including 108 girls at a school — were killed in airstrikes, the Iranian Red Crescent reported. On Sunday, 43 security personnel died in another attack on the headquarters of a border regiment in the western city of Mehran, according to Iranian news agency Mehr.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army claimed to have killed 40 senior Iranian officials and dignitaries, including Ali Khamenei, a figure whose death estimate was later echoed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
These figures remain unverifiable, especially as internet access has been cut off in Iran.
Israeli army to call up '100,000 reservists' in operations against Iran
The Israeli army announced that it is preparing to mobilize “around 100,000 reservists” to “strengthen its readiness” as part of its operation against Iran, dubbed “Lion’s Roar.”
The military said it aims to “focus its efforts on offensive activities to counter terrorism,” with reinforcements especially at the country’s eastern border.
Washington authorizes non-essential diplomats and families to leave Qatar over security risks
The U.S. State Department has authorized the departure of non-essential diplomats and their families from Qatar due to security risks, according to a travel advisory issued by the embassy, Reuters reports.
Trump: 'They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk' with Iran
In a recent interview with Atlantic magazine, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that Iran’s new leadership has expressed interest in dialogue — and that he has agreed to engage. Speaking from his Florida residence, Trump said, “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them. They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long.”
This marks a notable development in U.S.-Iran relations, with Trump signaling willingness to reopen direct communication. Analysts are now watching closely to see what topics could be on the table and how Iran will respond.
Mediator Oman's FM urges cease-fire on call with Iran's Araghchi
Oman's foreign minister, who had been mediating U.S.-Iran talks, on Sunday urged a ceasefire on a call with his Iranian counterpart, as Tehran launched a second day of strikes in response to ongoing U.S.-Israeli air raids.
Badr Albusaidi "affirmed the Sultanate of Oman's continued call for a cease-fire and a return to dialogue... in a manner that achieves the legitimate demands of all parties," Oman's foreign ministry said in a readout of a call with Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.
Netanyahu says Israeli attacks on Tehran will increase even more in coming days
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli forces are now striking the heart of Tehran with increasing strength, which will increase even more in the coming days, according to Haaretz.
In a statement on the roof of the Kirya, the Israeli army's headquarters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said: "We eliminated the dictator Khamenei and dozens of senior officials of the oppressive regime."
"The military assistance of the United States allows us to do what I have been hoping to do for 40 years – to strike the terrorist regime squarely in the face. I promised – and so we will," he added.
Attack in western Iran kills 43 members of security forces, local media reports
Iranian media reported that 43 members of the security forces were killed in an attack on the headquarters of a border regiment in the western city of Mehran near Iraq on Sunday.
"This attack, which was accompanied by bombing, unfortunately resulted in the martyrdom of 43 security personnel, most of them border guards, and parts of nearby buildings were also seriously damaged," the Mehr news agency said.
"According to initial reports, this hostile act was carried out by agents of the United States and the Zionist regime."
Hezbollah supporters rally in Beirut after Khamenei’s death
Crowds gather in Beirut southern suburbs on March 1, 2026 to mourn Ayatollah Khamenei. (Credit: Mohammed Yassine/L'Orient-le Jour)
“Khamenei, Sayyed Ali, is a spiritual father, the Wali al-Faqih, a political leader with authority over us in all aspects of our lives,” said Khadija Diab, 41, who attended Sunday’s demonstration with her children in southern Beirut, organized by Hezbollah in tribute to Ali Khamenei.
“I was following the news, but at first, I didn’t believe it. We were waiting for confirmation from the Iranian side. Then I woke up to my 16-year-old brother crying. He had checked social media… The news hit like a brutal shock. It felt as if your soul left your body. It was like reliving what happened with Sayyed [Hassan Nasrallah], and this time it’s even worse,” she added.
“We want Lebanon to be safe. But we are facing aggression. Israel is attacking us. We have the right to protect ourselves: our lands, our families, our South, and our men who die every day. It is our duty to fight against this enemy. We want to defend ourselves. If the order is given, we will follow the command.”
Foreign Ministry sets up emergency unit for citizens abroad, provides hotline numbers
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it is monitoring developments in several Arab countries and across the region “with great concern,” following the war against Iran triggered by Israel and the United States.
The statement highlights the creation of an “emergency unit” connecting the ministry in Beirut with Lebanese diplomatic missions abroad. I
ts purpose is to continuously track developments, respond to citizens’ needs, and provide support. The ministry also released a list of hotline numbers for Lebanese nationals to call in case of emergencies.
Araghchi: Khamenei's successor could be chosen 'within a day or two'
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a successor to Iran's supreme leader could be chosen "within a day or two," in an interview with Al Jazeera.
Araghchi said the election would be held quickly, "So everything is in order and everything is in line with our legal system and in line with the constitution." Araghchi added that the country does not intend to close the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait is the world's most vital oil export route, linking major Gulf producers, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
USS Lincoln aircraft carrier 'not hit' in Iranian missile attack
The Pentagon on Sunday denied Iran's claim to have struck the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles in the Gulf.
"The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close," US Central Command said on X.
Three American service members have been killed in action, and five have been seriously wounded in President Trump’s war in Iran, the Pentagon said.
United States Central Command did not say where the troops were killed, but said that several other troops “sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions and are in the process of being returned to duty.”
Araghchi: ‘There is no victory in this war’
Abbas Araghchi has asserted that neither the United States nor Israel can achieve victory in the ongoing conflict, insisting that the war will not produce any positive outcome for the opposing side.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Araghchi said: “This war cannot bring about any good result for the other side.”
“There is no victory in this war. They have not been able to achieve their targets, and they will not be able to achieve their targets in the coming days. As long as they continue, they cannot achieve anything,” he added.
Drawing a comparison to last June’s 12-day conflict, Araghchi said: “This reminds me of the previous war – the 12-day war last June – when they expected that in two or three days Iran would capitulate and surrender. But it took 12 days for them to understand that Iran was not surrendering, and that they had no option but to ask for an unconditional cease-fire.”
“I do not see any difference between this time and the previous time. We will resist as long as it takes, and they will see the result,” Araghchi said.
US says it has sunk an Iranian ship in Gulf of Oman
Centcom released a statement saying the “Iranian Jamaran-class corvette” (ship) is “currently sinking to the bottom of the Gulf of Oman.”
As the President said, members of Iran’s armed forces, IRGC and police “must lay down your weapons.” Abandon ship,” it added in a post on X.
Details on how the ship was struck and the circumstances around the sinking remain limited, and there has been no independent confirmation so far.
Reports claim former Iranian president Ahmadinejad killed
Several Iranian and Israeli media outlets are reporting that former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was killed in the massive U.S.‑Israeli airstrikes on Iran, according to preliminary accounts.
Iranian state‑affiliated outlets, including the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA), say he was killed along with his bodyguards in a strike in the Narmak district of Tehran.
There has been no official confirmation so far from Iranian authorities or independent sources.
These reports follow a wave of strikes that have also been linked to the deaths of other senior Iranian figures in the ongoing conflict.
Airstrike kills four linked to Hashd al-Shaabi in Iraq
An airstrike killed four fighters from the former Iraq's Hashd al-Shaabi paramilitary coalition on Sunday, security officials and a party source told AFP.
The fighters, part of groups, previously a pro-Iranian militia, is now integrated into Iraq’s regular army.
They "were killed in an air strike on their base" in Diyala province, with eight others wounded, security officials reported.
A source within Hashd al-Shaabi confirmed "the martyrdom of four fighters," but did not identify the attacker.
Saudi Arabia says it intercepted Iranian missiles near Riyadh airport, U.S. base
Following reports of explosions sounding in eastern Riyadh, Saudi Arabia announced it "successfully intercepted Iranian missiles near Riyadh’s international airport and Prince Sultan Airbase," which hosts U.S. military personnel, a Gulf source told AFP.
The source said, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, added that the interception did not disrupt navigation or cause any human or material losses.
An eyewitness near the airport told AFP they "saw and heard the air defense intercept the missile in the sky."
(Credit: Screen grab from a video obtained by REUTERS on March 1, 2026)
Smoke billowing from an oil tanker hit earlier today off the coast of Oman.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards says it targeted USS Abraham Lincoln
Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced that they targeted the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, deployed off the coast of Oman, with four ballistic missiles, according to Iranian state media quoted by Reuters.
"The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was attacked by four ballistic missiles," the Revolutionary Guard Corps said in its seventh statement on the operation, reported by the Tasnim news agency.
The IRGC says its strikes are entering a "new phase" on land and at sea, targeting "U.S.-Zionist enemy targets."
Large plumes of smoke seen at Abu Dhabi port
Large plumes of smoke were seen rising from the Zayed Port area in Abu Dhabi, a Reuters witness reported.
This comes following AFP reports that explosions were heard in Abu Dhabi.
In related news, a ship was hit by an unidentified projectile off the Emirati coast of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency. A fire broke out but was extinguished, and the crew intends to continue on its route, the agency added on X.
An Israeli emergency service officer walks past the debris of building at the scene of a missile attack near Bet Shemesh, some 30 kilometres west of Jerusalem on March 1, 2026. (Credit: Ahmad Gharbali/AFP
Aftermath of an Iranian strike in Beit Shemesh that killed at least nine Israelis.
Aoun, Macron expected to discuss army support conference
Official sources told L'Orient-Le Jour that a phone call is expected Sunday afternoon between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the fate of the conference in support of the Lebanese Army.
In light of the current regional conflict, “they should make the postponement official,” a minister said on condition of anonymity.
Ask our editor-in-chief
Does Khamenei's assassination signal the end of the Iranian regime? What is the goal of the U.S.-Israeli bilateral offensive? How could these developments affect Lebanon?
A multitude of questions are emerging in the current crisis. You can ask our co-editor-in-chief Anthony Samrani either in the comments (for subscribers) or by email at livechatolj@lorientlejour.com
He will answer your questions here on Sunday, March 1 at 6 p.m. Lebanon time.
At least 9 killed in Israel in Iranian missile strike
At least nine people were killed Sunday in central Israel, Beit Shemesh, when a building collapsed following a "direct strike" by an Iranian missile, Haaretz reported citing rescue services said. The local police said those killed were "likely inside the bomb shelter"
At least 20 more people at the scene have sustained light to moderate injuries.
Iranian attacks on Kuwait kill 1, injure 32 others
Iranian attacks on Kuwait killed one person and injured 32 others, according to its Health Ministry, as cited by Reuters.
Israeli Home Front Command recalls 20,000 reservists
Israel’s Home Front Command said Sunday it recalled about 20,000 reservists amid its war with the U.S. on Iran.
The reservists joined “over the past 24 hours the regular and reserve forces already deployed and operational throughout the country,” it stated.
Israel says it struck two Iranian fighter jets at Tabriz airport
Two Iranian fighter jets, F-5 and F-4 aircraft, were struck by the Israeli air force at Tabriz airport in western Iran as they were preparing to take off “shortly,” the Israeli military claimed.
A military statement, accompanied by video of the attack, said the strike was carried out “to disrupt the activities of the Iranian air force and further weaken the regime’s air defenses.”
Joseph Aoun condemns attacks against Jordan
President Joseph Aoun spoke by phone with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and discussed recent regional developments, condemning the attacks on Jordanian territory.
Aoun also reaffirmed Lebanon’s solidarity, as a people and a state, with Jordan and its “brotherly people” during this delicate period for the region.
Gulf foreign ministers to meet to discuss Iranian response
Foreign ministers of Gulf states will meet Sunday by videoconference to discuss a possible response to the series of attacks launched by Iran against their countries in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli offensive, Gulf officials told Reuters.
The Gulf states, which host numerous U.S. bases, have already issued multiple public condemnations of the attacks and asserted their right to respond to the missile fire targeting them.
At least 3 killed and 58 wounded in Iranian strikes on UAE, authorities say
Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates killed three people and wounded 58 others, according to a statement from the Emirati Ministry of Defense.
In retaliation for the massive U.S.-Israeli attack that notably killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iran launched an unprecedented series of strikes against numerous targets in Gulf countries hosting U.S. bases.
New explosions were heard Sunday afternoon in the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, whose airport was also hit Saturday.
Iranian strikes on central Israel kill at least 6
According to the latest toll from Magen David Adom rescue services, the number of people killed by an Iranian missile strike that hit a residential building in Beit Shemesh, in central Israel, has risen to six, Israeli media reported.
Lebanon's Supreme Defense Council calls on officials, citizens to uphold their commitment to the highest sense of national responsibility
During the meeting of the Supreme Defense Council held at Baabda Presidential Palace, President Joseph Aoun emphasized that the events occurring in the region demonstrate the national consensus that decision over war and peace rests solely with the Lebanese state, according to the state-run National News Agency.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stressed “the importance of placing the interests of the Lebanese people above all considerations, maintaining security and order in the south and east, and preventing any disruption."
Salam stressed on the need to control prices and quantities of goods, food and fuel.
The Supreme Defense Council announced conclusions following the meeting, while keeping its resolutions private. The Council called on all Lebanese, officials and citizens alike, to uphold their commitment to the highest sense of national responsibility in these delicate circumstances to preserve general stability and comprehensive national security, militarily, socially and economically.
The Council requested the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to keep Lebanese airspace open while ensuring the safety of travelers, maintaining flights to and from Lebanon, monitoring developments, and informing citizens accordingly.
Iran strike damages hotel in Bahrain’s Manama
(Credit: Screenshot from Al-Arabiya TV)
Bahrain's Interior Ministry announced that Iran struck the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the capital, Manama, on Sunday, according to several regional media outlets. The hotel is said to house several employees of the U.S. Embassy stationed in Manama.
In a brief statement, the ministry confirmed that the attack caused material damage to the building, with no reported casualties. Following the incident, the U.S. Embassy in Manama announced that all U.S. personnel had been successfully evacuated from the hotel.
Hamas condemns Khamenei killing, hails his support
Hamas and its military wing on Sunday condemned the U.S.-Israeli attack that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, paying tribute to the direct "support" provided for decades by Iran's supreme leader.
"We in Hamas mourn the passing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He provided all forms of political, diplomatic and military support to our people, our cause and our Resistance," Hamas said in a statement.
"The U.S. and the fascist occupation government bear full responsibility for this blatant aggression and heinous crime against the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as for its serious repercussions on the security and stability of the region."
In a separate statement Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, described Khamenei as the "main supporter of the Axis of Resistance and its mujahideen."
"All the support the Islamic Republic has provided over decades to our people and our resistance ... was delivered by his direct decision and under his full supervision," the Brigades said.
"This substantial support has been a key factor in the development of the resistance and its tactics, culminating in the remarkable achievements" during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the group added.
UK warns of heightened military activity near Strait of Hormuz and other maritime areas
(Credit: @UK_MTO/X)
The UK Maritime Operations Centre (UKMTO) said it has observed “significant military activity” across the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
It warned that maritime security remains "highly volatile," with increased risks for commercial shipping.
"Mariners should be aware of the increased risk of miscalculation or misidentification, particularly in proximity to military units and other sensitive maritime facilities and infrastructure," it added.
US shoots down drones near Erbil military base
U.S. air defenses intercepted drones flying over its military base near Erbil International Airport in Iraq's Kurdistan region, security sources told Reuters.
Iran says Tehran broadcasting complex was not hit
Iran’s state broadcaster said Tehran’s broadcasting complex was not targeted in Sunday’s strikes, Reuters reported, citing the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting public relations office.
Explosions heard over Tel Aviv after sirens
Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv minutes after air raid sirens sounded in parts of Israel following the detection of missiles fired from Iran toward the country, the Israeli military said.
Lebanon forms crisis cell to secure fuel, food and medicine
Industry Minister Joe Issa al-Khoury said the ministry is working to ensure fuel supply for all factories and has set up a joint crisis cell to safeguard food and pharmaceuticals, according to the state-run National News Agency.
Speaking at a press conference with industry and union leaders, Khoury added: "We are working to prevent any shortages, disruptions or exploitation. We have at least three months of pharmaceutical stock, eight months of raw materials for medicines, and four months of stock in the food industry sector.”
Sirens sound in Tel Aviv amid drone sighting
Air raid sirens were triggered a few minutes ago, particularly in eastern areas and around Tel Aviv. Haaretz reported that a drone was also identified heading toward the open sea.
Air France extends cancellations to Middle East destinations
Air France has extended flight cancellations to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut, Dubai and Riyadh through Tuesday as airlines adjust schedules amid regional tensions after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, the carrier said in a statement cited by AFP.
The airline added it will later share updated flight plans for these routes.
Israel says 'about half' of Iran’s missile stockpiles destroyed
The Israeli military announced today that it had destroyed "about half" of Iran's missile stockpiles since the start of joint strikes with the United States against Tehran on Saturday.
"During this operation, we destroyed about half of the Iranian regime's missile stockpiles and prevented the production of at least 1,500 additional missiles," army spokesman Effie Defrin said in a televised speech.
"The regime was recently producing dozens of surface-to-surface missiles per month and intended to increase its production to several hundred per month," he added.
Lebanon's Interior Minister: 'All Lebanese place the interest of Lebanon above all else'
Leaving the Higher Defense Council meeting in Baabda, Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar said the government does not need to "receive the 'ok' from Hezbollah” regarding the party's potential involvement in the ongoing regional conflict.
He added that President Joseph Aoun confirmed that "contacts have taken place between the different parties, and that all Lebanese place the interest of Lebanon above all else."
Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri pays tribute to Khamenei
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri paid his respects to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a statement relayed by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
"We pay tribute to him for the nation, for all the free peoples of the world and for the wise religious authorities of the East and the West. We consider him an imam, a reference, a guide and a sincere and committed leader who kept his commitment to God and never faltered. We salute him as a great martyr, whose death uplifts the nation and strengthens its determination," Berri said
"In the face of this profound loss, we extend our deepest condolences and congratulations to the friendly Iranian people, the family of the deceased martyr, his children, his faithful, our great religious authorities and the Iranian leadership," he added.
Notably, Berri also heads the Amal Movement, a Hezbollah ally.
UK: 2 Iranian missiles fired toward its base in Cyprus
The U.K. defense secretary said two Iranian ballistic missiles were fired in the direction of Cyprus, where British military bases are located, though he added they were "pretty sure they weren't targeted" at them. He added that UK warplanes were involved in "defensive" action in the region, operating from Cyprus and Qatar.
In comments to the BBC, John Healey described the launches as evidence of the "indiscriminate" nature of Iran’s retaliatory attacks and noted that around 300 British military personnel were near targets in Bahrain during other Iranian strikes.
He did not further detail anything about the missiles and any interception action.
Local, regional and internation flight adjustment details
✈️Airlines continued canceling and rescheduling flights Sunday as much of the region’s airspace remained closed, following U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and sparked a new regional conflict.
🔎Here's what you need to know about Lebanon's Middle East Airlines flight adjustment.👈
🔎 Here's what you need to know about regional and international airlines flight adjustment.👈
Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem pays tribute to Khamenei
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem paid tribute to the leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ali Khamenei, in a statement.
"We offer our condolences and congratulations to the Imam of the Time, Imam Mahdi may God hasten his coming, to the Islamic nation, to the free peoples of the world and to the great Iranian people, for the sublime and blessed martyrdom of our leader and master, Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei, may God preserve his secret, who has obtained the highest distinction of glory, faithfulness, resistance and dedication in the way of God, namely martyrdom in the way of the master of martyrs, Imam Hussein peace be upon him."
"As I pay tribute to this divine leader and heavenly guide with a heart heavy with pain and wounds, and a soul filled with sadness and sorrow, I feel great pride and honor at the same time. The leader, guide, and guardian of the nation has ascended to the mercy and satisfaction of his Lord in the greatest month and the best of days, the month of Ramadan. He led the march of jihad and resistance against the tyrants and oppressors, the Americans and Israelis, who are enemies of religion and humanity, thereby achieving great victory and high honor, as he ended his blessed and honorable life with the divine medal of martyrdom"
"We, in Hezbollah ... will continue on our path with determination, steadfastness, and a martyrdom spirit that knows no fatigue or boredom and does not accept humiliation. ... We will do our duty in confronting aggression, confident in God's victory, guidance, and support ... No matter how great the sacrifices, we will not abandon the field of honor and resistance and confront the American tyrant and Zionist criminality to defend our land, our dignity, and our independent choices."
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi named acting Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has been appointed to Iran’s interim council temporarily assuming the duties of supreme leader following Ali Khamenei’s assassination in U.S.-Israeli strikes, the state-run ISNA news agency reported.
Under the constitution, the council — made up of the president, judiciary head and a jurist from the Guardian Council — ensures continuity of the supreme leader’s functions until a successor is chosen.
UN office set on fire in Pakistan protest
(Credit: Manzoor Balati/AFP)
Protesters set fire to a United Nations office during an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel demonstration in Skardu, in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region, AFP reported.
Oil tanker attacked off the coast of Oman, state media reports
Oman’s maritime security center reported that the Palau-flagged oil tanker Skylight was "targeted" about five nautical miles off Musandam on Sunday, Oman National News Agency reported.
Four crew members were injured, and all 20 aboard — including 15 Indians and 5 Iranians — were evacuated safely.
The source of the attack was not specified.
Lebanon assures food supply availability amid regional tensions
Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture said plant and animal products remain available in markets despite regional challenges.
Following consultations with producer unions, farmers and professional associations, the ministry highlighted that seasonal increases in vegetables, poultry, eggs, meat and fish help ensure local supply and meet citizens’ needs.
In images: 24 hours that shook the region
At dawn on Saturday, Feb. 28, the bilateral U.S.-Israeli military offensive against Iran began — just a day after talks between the Iran and the U.S. were taking place under reported "positive" conditions.
By Sunday, March 1, thousands of Iranians mourned Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, killed in the strikes. After bombings rocked Iran’s major cities, Iran retaliated against Israel and Gulf countries and Jordan, hundreds of flights were canceled, and the Strait of Hormuz was closed.
📸Here's a visual look back at the 24 hours that shook the region.👈
Ahmad Vahidi named IRGC commander-in-chief
General Ahmad Vahidi has been appointed commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, replacing Mohammad Pakpour, who was killed in Tehran yesterday, Iranian newspaper Hamshahri reported.
Vahidi previously served as Iran’s defense and interior minister and has been deputy chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces since November 2025. He also headed the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force and is suspected of involvement in the 1994 AMIA Jewish community center bombing in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people. He remains wanted by Interpol, with Argentina renewing its arrest request in April 2024.
At least 9 people killed in protests outside US diplomatic mission in Pakistan
Hundreds protesters tried to storm the U.S. consulate in Karachi following the announcement of the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, AFP journalists reported.
At least nine people were killed and 20 injured, mostly with bullet wounds, Muhammad Amin of the Edhi Foundation told AFP. Young demonstrators climbed over the main gate, smashed windows, and briefly gained access to the consulate driveway. Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Videos on social media showed protesters breaking windows while the American flag flew over the barbed-wire-topped compound.
Thousands also took to the streets in Lahore and Skardu, with a demonstration expected later near the U.S. embassy in Islamabad.
40 Tel Aviv buildings damaged in Iran's Saturday attacks
A drone view of the site of an Iranian missile strike on a residential building, in Tel Aviv, Israel March 1, 2026. (Credit: Roei Kastro/Reuters)
Forty buildings in Tel Aviv sustained varying degrees of damage after an Iranian missile struck the city yesterday, Haaretz reported citing the municipality. As a result, more than 200 residents were evacuated from their homes and housed in three hotels nearby, Haaretz added.
UAE warns Iran against targeting neighbors
A top Emirati official said Iran’s Gulf attacks have isolated the country and warned Tehran not to strike its neighbors as retaliation enters a second day, AFP reported.
"The Iranian aggression against the Gulf states was a miscalculation and it isolated Iran at a critical juncture. Your war is not with your neighbors," said presidential adviser Anwar Gargash.
"Return to reason, to your surroundings, and deal with your neighbors rationally and responsibly before the circle of isolation and escalation widens."
Israel army says has begun striking targets in 'heart of Tehran'
The Israeli military said that it had begun striking targets deep inside Tehran.
The army "is striking targets that belong to the Iranian terror regime in the heart of Tehran," the military said. "Over the past day, the Israeli Air Force conducted large-scale strikes in order to establish aerial superiority and to pave the path to Tehran."
Smoke rises after reported Iranian missile attacks, following United States and Israel strikes on Iran, as seen from Doha, Qatar, March 1, 2026. (Credit: Mohammed Salem/Reuters)
Iranian drones target Oman’s Duqm port, injuring 1
Oman’s Duqm commercial port was hit by two drones, injuring one foreign worker, the Oman News Agency reported.
This marks the first attack reported in Oman since Iran’s retaliatory strikes on the Gulf began Saturday. The Omani foreign minister recently acted as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran in nuclear negotiations.
"A security source reported that the commercial port of Duqm was targeted by two drones. One drone struck a mobile workers' accommodation, injuring one foreign worker, while debris from the other landed near fuel tanks, causing no casualties or material damage," the Oman News Agency said in a post on X.
Earlier, the U.S. embassy in Oman urged employees and Americans in the country to self-isolate "due to an ongoing incident" near Muscat, Reuters said.
Aoun convenes Higher Defense Council amid regional escalation
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun convened the Higher Defense Council in Baabda Sunday morning, a day after the bilateral Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran triggered Iranian retaliation on Israel and countries hosting U.S. military infrastructure.
The council, which usually includes the president, prime minister, key ministers, and heads of security and military services, does not make decisions but issues recommendations to the government. Ministers included in this council include misters of defense, foreign affairs, finance, interior and economy.
Sirens and explosions reported in Jerusalem
AFP journalists reported explosions in Jerusalem after the Israeli army detected new Iranian missile launches.
"Sirens sounded in several parts of the country, after the identification of missiles launched from Iran towards Israel," the army said. "The Israeli Air Force intervenes to intercept and strike threats, when necessary, in order to eliminate them."
Lebanese Shiite official condemns Khamenei killing
Ali al-Khatib, deputy chairman of Lebanon’s Higher Shiite Council, offered condolences for the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and condemned the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed him as a "heinous crime."
In a statement, Sheikh Khatib paid tribute to Khamenei who "offered himself as a martyr in the face of the forces of impiety, terrorism, crime and genocide."
He condemned the "heinous crime that violates all norms and laws."
"We share the pain and sadness of the Iranian people in the face of this immense loss," he added, adding that the death of the leader "will strengthen the cohesion and determination of the Iranian people to defeat the enemy's goals."
Iraq declares 3 days of mourning for Khamenei
Iraq announced a three-day national mourning following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes.
"With deep sadness, we offer our condolences to the noble people of Iran and the entire Muslim world" after Khamenei’s death in "a blatant act of aggression," government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said.
UN nuclear agency to hold extraordinary meeting on Iran Monday
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold an extraordinary meeting on Monday at the request of Russia following the bilateral U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.
Iran had made the same request in a letter to IAEA chief Rafael Grossi yesterday.
The agency will hold a "special session of the IAEA Board of Governors on matters related to military strikes of the United States and Israel against the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the IAEA said in a statement.
Loud explosions heard in Tehran
Several powerful explosions were heard in Tehran, according to Iranian media quoted by Reuters.
Top Iranian generals killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes
Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, Abdolrahim Mousavi, was killed along with other senior officials in U.S.-Israeli strikes, state television reported.
The broadcast said Mousavi, the defense minister, Revolutionary Guards chief Mohammad Pakpour, and Khamenei adviser Ali Shamkhani were all killed "during a meeting of the Defense Council," with additional names to be announced later.
More explosions reported in Dubai after Iran strikes
AFP correspondents in Dubai heard a new round of explosions earlier this morning, marking a second day of blasts in the city after Iran’s strikes in the Gulf in retaliation for U.S.‑Israeli attacks that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The blasts came after earlier explosions in Dubai, as well as in Doha and Bahrain’s Manama.
Trump warns Iran of unprecedented retaliation
(Credit: Screenshot of Trump's post on Truth Social)
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran with unprecedented force if it retaliates for the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
"Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!"
Iran’s transition process begins today; Larijani warns dissidents
Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and former Khamenei adviser said that Iran will start its transition process following Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death
He explained that a temporary leadership council would be set up, adding that the council will be set up "as soon as possible."
"The president, the head of the judiciary, and a Guardian Council lawyer will assume responsibility until the next leader is elected," Larijani added.
He also accused the United States and Israel of trying to plunder and disintegrate Iran and warned "secessionist groups" of a harsh response if they attempt action, state television said.
Protesters clash near US embassy in Baghdad
Protesters tried to storm the area housing the U.S. embassy in Baghdad following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the U.S.-Israeli strikes, an Iraqi security source told AFP.
"Their attempts had been thwarted so far, but they keep trying," the source said. Videos on social media showed stones being thrown at security forces, who responded with tear gas, while hundreds waved flags of pro-Iranian groups.
Several Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups said Saturday they will not remain "neutral" and will defend the Islamic republic.
The powerful group Kataib Hezbollah said it will attack U.S. bases after two of its fighters were killed in air strikes in southern Iraq.
Early today, loud explosions were heard near Erbil airport, which hosts U.S.-led coalition troops in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, an AFP journalist said.
Yesterday, U.S.-led coalition forces downed several missiles and explosive-laden drones over Erbil, local authorities said.
Three officials to lead Iran transition after Khamenei's death
Three senior officials, including President Massoud Pezeshkian, will oversee Iran’s transition following Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's assassination, one of his advisers, Mohammad Mokhber, told state television.
The trio will include Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and a Guardian Council lawyer, Mokhber said.
Thousands pay tribute to Khamenei in Tehran
People gather to mourn the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint US and Israeli strikes, at a square in Tehran on March 1, 2026. (Credit: Atta Kenare/AFP)
AFP journalists reported that thousands gathered at Enghelab Square in central Tehran following the announcement of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death.
Dressed mostly in black, some in tears, people held portraits of Khamenei and Iranian flags. The demonstrators chanted "Death to America," and "Death to Israel."
The 86-year-old leader was killed in Israeli-U.S. strikes on his residence Saturday, confirmed by state television on Sunday.
Israel Katz says, 'Justice has been served,' congratulates army for 'execution'
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz welcomed the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
"The tyrant Khamenei was taken ... along with other senior figures in the Iranian terrorist stronghold," Katz wrote on social media. "Justice has been served, and the axis of evil has suffered a severe blow."
He also congratulated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli army for the execution.
Sirens sound across Israel after Iranian missiles
Air raid sirens went off in central Israel after Iranian missiles were detected heading toward the country, the Israeli army said.
"Sirens sounded in several parts of the country, after the identification of missiles launched from Iran towards the State of Israel," the army wrote on Telegram, adding that interception operations are underway.
Explosions reported in Gulf
AFP journalists reported new explosions this morning across several Gulf cities as Iran vowed further attacks on U.S. military bases in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli offensive.
Explosions were heard in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Doha, Qatar; and Manama, Bahrain.
Iran says it was ready for Khamenei’s death
Iran had prepared for "all scenarios," including the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said.
“We have prepared for these moments and have considered all scenarios,” Ghalibaf said in a video broadcast on state television. He added that U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had "crossed our red lines" and "will suffer the consequences."
New Iranian strikes hit Israel, US bases
Iran launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks this morning targeting U.S. military bases across the Gulf and Israel, state media reported. The strikes come in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli operations that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
According to Iranian state television, 27 U.S. bases in the region, along with Israel Defense Forces headquarters and a defense industrial complex in Tel Aviv, were among the targets.
Who is Ali Khamenei
A protester waves a photo of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during a rally in Tehran in solidarity with the government against Israeli attacks, on June 14, 2025. (Credit: Atta Kenare/AFP)
The supreme leader, whose influence reshaped the region for decades, was killed Saturday in a series of U.S.-Israeli strikes after the long-standing, shadow war with Israel spread into his own territory and ultimately ended his reign.
Day 2 of regional escalation
Welcome to our live coverage as tensions surge across the Middle East, one day after a major regional escalation.
The crisis began with large-scale bilateral Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran, followed within hours by Iranian retaliation targeting Israel as well as U.S. bases and infrastructure in the Gulf and Jordan.
Overnight, Tehran confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the strikes — a development that marks a historic turning point in the confrontation.
We will bring you the latest on military developments, political fallout and reactions from Lebanon and around the world.
For a day 1 wrap up, check out yesterday's live blog, here.👈
Interior minister says he is monitoring 'security situation'
Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar said he is following the “security situation and recent developments on the ground,” according to a statement relayed by the state-run National News Agency.
He said he had contacted all local officials, asking them to remain in their offices and facilitate procedures for residents displaced by Israeli strikes.
He also went to the headquarters of the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces, where he met with the director-general and the head of the Intelligence Division. “The necessary instructions were given to facilitate the movement of displaced residents, ensure their safety and reduce traffic congestion, while emphasizing continued on-the-ground coordination among the concerned units and the adoption of necessary measures according to developments,” the statement said.
Aoun condemns rocket fire and warns against using Lebanon as 'platform for support wars'
President Joseph Aoun condemned the launch of rockets from Lebanese territory, saying it “undermines all efforts and initiatives undertaken by the Lebanese state to keep Lebanon away from the serious military confrontations shaking the region.”
He warned that using Lebanon as a “platform for support wars” would once again expose the country to danger.
“The responsibility for these risks lies with the parties that have ignored repeated calls to preserve security and stability in the country,” he added. “The state will not allow this to happen again, and the Lebanese people — who are still working to heal the wounds caused by previous confrontations — will not accept it.”
At least 14 killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon
Israeli strikes on the town of Toul (Nabatieh district) killed seven members of the same family, our correspondent in southern Lebanon reported.
Israeli strikes also killed three women in Shehabieh (Sour), and four people in Sultanieh (Bint Jbeil), he added. Israeli strikes on Khirbet Silm (Bint Jbeil), Bir al-Salasil and Deir Qanoun al-Nahr (Sour) were also reported.
Heavy traffic in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs
Heavy congestion was reported on the Kafaat-Laylaki, the old Saida (Tayyouneh) and airport roads and in Choueifat.
The main roads in Saida and on the highways linking Saida to Sour, Saida to Nabatieh and Saida to Beirut were also congested, our correspondent reported.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called for an emergency Cabinet session at Baabda Presidential Palace at 8 a.m. on Monday.
A British RAF military base in Cyprus was struck in what is believed to be a drone attack, according to the Ministry of Defense, Sky News reports.
An Israeli strike targeted the town of Wadi Jilo in the Sour district, our correspondent reported. The village was one of 53 listed in the evacuation notice issued by the Israeli army.
AUB to close on Monday
The American University of Beirut (AUB) announced on X that it will close on Monday due to "the deteriorating situation in Lebanon," with the exception of essential services.
"We will continue to monitor events closely and do everything possible to care for our community and all those seeking our support. As always, AUBMC and KMC will remain open and ready to provide vital care," the statement added.
Several schools in Beirut open to receive those displaced
Several schools across Beirut opened their doors to host people displaced by the Israeli attacks.
A Merkava tank positioned on Hammames Hill fired shells toward Wadi al-Asafir in Khiam, the NNA reported.
Sour resident condemns Hezbollah’s fire at Israel: ‘It has no conscience’
"We thought Hezbollah wouldn’t get involved in the war between Iran and the United States. We didn’t want them to," said a resident of a village in the Sour district.
"This launch took us by surprise. Then we heard the missiles and the planes. People were screaming. Hezbollah has no conscience. Residents are fleeing in the cold, stuck in traffic. All of this can only lead to destruction and displacement."
Two sources — one at Beirut airport and a senior official at Middle East Airlines — told L’Orient Today that reports claiming Beirut airport staff had been asked to evacuate are not true.
Israel says it targeted senior Hezbollah officials in Beirut
The Israeli army claimed it “targeted top terrorist operatives of Hezbollah in the Beirut area.”
At the same time, the army said it struck “a central terrorist figure of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in southern Lebanon.”
Residents flee southern suburbs with nowhere to take shelter
Many displaced people don’t know where to go. "We slept in our cars during the first days of the last war [in 2024], and we’ll do the same this time," Zeinab, who fled Burj al-Barajneh with her teenage daughter, told L’Orient Today by phone.
Trump says he has ‘three very good’ candidates to lead Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday, in a brief interview with The New York Times, that he had “three very good choices” about who could lead Iran, declining to name them.
He added: “I won’t be revealing them now. Let’s get the job done first.”
In southern Lebanon, residents avoid roads for fear of bombings
Fearing being trapped on the road by traffic and Israeli strikes for hours, many residents are choosing to remain in the South for now, several residents from different districts in the region told L’Orient Today.
During the escalation between Hezbollah and Israel on Sept. 23, 2024, displaced residents had spent upwards of 12 hours on roads, blocked by Israeli attacks.
The Israeli army carried out strikes on Shehabieh (Sour), Sultanieh (Bint Jbeil), Khirbet Silm (Bint Jbeil), Bir al-Salasil and Deir Qanoun al-Nahr (Sour), our correspondent in the South reported.
Shots were fired into the air in the southern suburbs of Beirut to warn residents to flee the area.
Explosions heard in Tel Aviv
Explosions were reported in several neighborhoods of Tel Aviv, Reuters reported, citing an eyewitness. The source of the blasts is not yet known.
The Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs targeted buildings in the Haret Hreik and Jamous neighborhood, according to Al-Jadeed.
Salam condemns southern Lebanon rocket fire, vows to protect Lebanese
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the rocket launches from southern Lebanon, calling them an “irresponsible and suspicious act” that endangers the country’s security and integrity and provides Israel with a pretext to continue its attacks.
“Regardless of which entity is responsible, the rocket fire from southern Lebanon is an irresponsible and suspicious act that threatens Lebanon’s security and territorial integrity and gives Israel a pretext to pursue its attacks against the country,” he wrote. “We will not allow the country to be drawn into new adventures and will take all necessary measures to stop those responsible and protect the Lebanese people.”
The Israeli army claimed to have hit Hezbollah targets across Lebanon in a statement on X. “Israeli army troops had prepared for such a scenario as part of Operation ‘Roar of the Lion’ and are ready for confrontation on all fronts,” the statement added.
Hezbollah claims attack on Israel
More than an hour and a half after the Israeli army reported fire from Lebanon, Hezbollah issued a statement on its Telegram account claiming that, in retaliation for the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, it had “targeted a precision rocket battery and a swarm of drones at the Mishmar HaCarmel site, dedicated to the Israeli army’s missile defense, south of the occupied city of Haifa.”
Mishmar HaCarmel is roughly 40 kilometers away from Ras Naqoura and the Lebanese-Israeli border.
“The leadership of the Resistance has always affirmed that the continuation of Israeli aggression and the assassination of our leaders, our youth and our people gives us the right to defend ourselves and respond at the appropriate time and place,” the party added.
Hezbollah concluded by stating that “this response constitutes legitimate defense, and it is the responsibility of the relevant officials and parties to put an end to the Israeli-American aggression against Lebanon.”
No response from Hezbollah so far
L'Orient Today tried to reach several Hezbollah spokespersons to determine whether the party was behind the fire reported by the Israeli army. So far, we have received no response from any of them.
Israeli aircraft over Beirut, southern Lebanon
Israeli aircraft is flying low over Beirut and in several districts in southern Lebanon, residents told L'Orient Today.
Some residents leave southern Lebanon, Bekaa amid fear of escalation in Lebanon
Several residents in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa have told L'Orient Today that they are fleeing to Beirut, fearing an Israeli escalation.
Some, however, resorted to packing their bags with important documents and keeping them ready in case they had to leave.
Israel announces continue strike on Tehran; explosions heard in several areas in Iran
The Israeli army said it was continuing "large‑scale strikes" against targets in Iran, particularly around Tehran, as explosions were heard in several districts of the Iranian capital — especially in the north of the city — according to the semi‑official Tasnim news agency.
In a military statement, forces said the strikes were carried out by the air force "guided by army intelligence" and were aimed at targets linked to the "Iranian regime."
Iranian state media reported multiple explosions in areas including Seyed Khandan, Qasr crossroads, Vanak Square and Motahari Street as the operations continued.
The rocket fire from Lebanon, which has not been claimed so far, “will result in a harsh response,” KAN radio reported, citing senior Israeli security officials.
No comment from Hezbollah yet
Hezbollah has not yet made any comment or announcement regarding the firing reported from Lebanon by the Israeli army.
Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire in 2024, ending more than a year of fighting between the two, which concluded with Israeli strikes that severely weakened the Iranian-backed party. Israel near-daily violates the cease-fire by striking areas in Lebanon, mainly the South and the Bekaa Valley.
Israeli army intercepts 'projectile coming from Lebanon'
The Israeli army says that "a projectile coming from Lebanon and entering Israeli territory was intercepted by the Israeli air force."
"Several other projectiles fell in open areas," it added, adding that no injuries or damage were reported.
Israel reports missiles fired from Lebanon
Sirens sound in northern Israel after projectiles fired from Lebanon, the Israeli army Arabic-language spokesperson Ela Waweya said on X.
4 injured in Syria in Israeli interception of Iranian missile
A father and his three daughters were wounded in Syria by debris of Iranian missile intercepted by Israel over Syrian airspace, SANA reported.
"Four people, a father and three daughters, were wounded as a result of the fall of the missile debris resulting from the exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran, in the town of Ain Tarma in the Damascus province," the official SANA news agency said, quoting a health ministry official.
They were taken to hospital for treatment, the agency added.
Israel intercepted several missiles over Syria, according to a source in the Interior Ministry.
Israel had struck and destroyed much of the Syrian army's infrastructure including its air defenses after the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in 2024, to prevent it falling into the hands of the new authorities.
More details, here.👈
6 wounded in Jerusalem after Iranian missile strikes
Six people were injured in the Jerusalem area following Iranian missile strikes, Israeli rescue services said.
Magen David Adom said rescue teams were treating "a man of about 50 years old … as well as five people with minor injuries."
Israeli police added that searches are ongoing after "interception debris" likely fell in multiple locations.
UK to allow US to use its military bases for 'defensive' strikes
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday he had agreed to let the United States use U.K. bases to fire "defensive" strikes aimed at destroying Iranian missiles and their launchers.
But in a video address posted to social media platform X, he added: "We were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran and we will not join offensive action now."
"But Iran is pursuing a scorched-earth strategy, so we are supporting the collective self-defense of our allies and our people in the region."
Starmer added: "Our decision that the U.K. would not be involved with the strikes on Iran was deliberate ... Not least because we believe that the best way forward for the region and for the world is a negotiated settlement."
"We all remember the mistakes of Iraq. And we have learned those lessons," he added.
A separate statement posted on the U.K. government website set out its legal position.
Trump in second speech since war: Combat operations continue in full force until objectives are achieved
U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that combat operations in Iran were continuing and would carry on until all of Washington's objectives are achieved, while vowing to "avenge" the deaths of the U.S. troops killed in the conflict.
Trump confirmed in a video posted on Truth Social that three U.S. service members had been killed and said there would likely be more casualties, vowing to avenge the deaths of Americans.
"Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved. We have very strong objectives," Trump said.
He renewed his warning to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and military police to disarm and receive "immunity" or face death.
He concluded with a call to the Iranians to "seize this moment, to be brave, be bold and be heroic and take back your country. America is with you. I made a promise to you. And I fulfilled that promise. The rest will be up to you, and we will be there to help."
The EU is strengthening its military mission in the Red Sea with two French ships, said a diplomat quoted by AFP.
Hezbollah statement commemorating Khamenei
Hezbollah issued a statement on the death of Ali Khamenei, whom it described as "the sun that spreads light ... a fighting leader, a believer, devoted and courageous, endowed with penetrating vision and great wisdom," joining "the luminous caravan blessed in the divine way."
The statement added that Khamenei had "a long and blessed life, spent in the service of the oppressed and the underprivileged ... The cause of the liberation of Palestine was the central cause for which he gave all that was dear and precious to him."
Khamenei "fell as a martyr at the hands of the most heinous of the odious of our time, the Israeli and American terrorists, after consolidating the foundations of the Islamic Republic, strengthening its pillars and making it a powerful, honorable and victorious state," the party statement also said.
Hezbollah concluded its statement by saying that it "reaffirms its commitment to the Islamic Republic, its leadership, its government, its Revolutionary Guards, its army and its people, as it has always done in all trials and crises, to repel the arrogant and tyrants until complete and final victory."
7 wounded in Jerusalem following Iranian attack
A series of explosions heard over Jerusalem.
Seven wounded, one in serious condition, in Jerusalem area missile strike, Haaretz reported citing an emergency service.
Syria, Lebanon discuss coordination amid regional tensions
Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani spoke Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Sunday via phone to discuss closer coordination in light of recent regional developments, Syria’s Foreign Ministry said.
According to Damascus, the talks focused on "the latest regional developments and their repercussions." Shaibani stressed the importance of |strengthening coordination between the two brotherly countries in order to guarantee security and stability in the context of current developments."
Trump says Iran operation could last ‘four weeks or so’
U.S. President Donald Trump said he expects the American operation against Iran to last "four weeks or less," according to an interview published Sunday by the Daily Mail.
"It's always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so. It's always been about a four-week process so, as strong as it is, it's a big country, it'll take four weeks - or less," the President explained.
Oman says U.S.-Iran diplomacy channels remain open
Oman’s foreign minister said communication channels between the United States and Iran remain open, despite rising regional tensions.
"I continue to believe in the power of diplomacy to resolve this conflict. The sooner the talks resume, the better it will be for everyone," Badr Albusaidi wrote on X.
Oman has been playing a mediating role in the nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
7 Iranian commanders killed, Iran media reports
Seven Iranian military commanders were killed in strikes across the country, including the head of the office of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Sunday.
Tasnim did not immediately provide further details on where the strikes took place or who carried them out.
US strikes over 1,000 Iranian targets
The U.S. military has carried out strikes against over 1,000 Iranian targets so far since starting its campaign on Saturday, U.S. Central Command said on Sunday.
In a fact sheet, Central Command listed these items under "Types of Targets":
* Command and Control Centers
* IRGC Joint Headquarters
* IRGC Aerospace Forces Headquarters
* Integrated Air Defense Systems
* Ballistic Missile Sites
* Iranian Navy Ships
* Iranian Navy Submarines
* Anti-ship Missile Sites
* Military Communication Capabilities
Centcom says Iranian Revolutionary Guards HQ destroyed
The headquarters of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards was destroyed in U.S.–Israeli strikes, the U.S. military’s Middle East command, United States Central Command (Centcom), said on Sunday.
“The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [IRGC] has killed more than 1,000 Americans over the past 47 years.
Yesterday, a large-scale U.S. attack decapitated the snake. America has the most powerful armed forces on Earth, and the IRGC no longer has a headquarters,” Centcom said on X, accompanying its message with a video showing missiles launched from destroyers.
Explosions heard in Jerusalem after new Iranian missile alert
Explosions were reported in Jerusalem following a fresh missile alert linked to Iranian strikes, raising concerns of escalation in the region.
French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle redirects to Eastern Mediterranean
The French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle and its naval strike group have cut short their deployment in the Baltic Sea to head to the Eastern Mediterranean, BFMTV reports, amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock markets closed until Tuesday due to regional escalation
The UAE’s financial regulator, the CMA, announced an exceptional closure of the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) for Monday and Tuesday.
The closure comes after Iranian missile strikes on the UAE since Saturday, in response to U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. The CMA said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take any additional necessary measures, advising all parties to follow official channels for updates.
Reza Pahlavi calls on Iranians to celebrate Khamenei’s death safely
Reza Pahlavi, son of the former Shah of Iran, called on Iranians on Sunday to celebrate the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following U.S.-Israeli strikes, encouraging “songs every evening” while staying “safe.”
In a statement on X in both Farsi and English, Pahlavi described Khamenei as a “demon” for ordering the “massacre of thousands of Iranian sons and daughters.”
“With his dishonorable death, and that of many of his cronies and henchmen, the Islamic Republic reaches its last breath,” he said, presenting himself as a transitional figure.
“To the honorable and courageous people of Iran, the death of the despot of our time — while marking the start of a great national celebration — is not the end of the path. Stay vigilant. Be ready. The hour of a broad and decisive presence in the streets is very near,” Pahlavi added.
He urged citizens, while preserving their safety, to “show your satisfaction and support for the destruction of the Islamic Republic with songs every evening, and to voice your demands for Iran’s future.” He also called on the Iranian diaspora to “intensify” their efforts in support of the cause.
Strikes kill two pro-Iranian fighters near Syria-Iraq border
According to security and pro-Iranian sources, airstrikes have killed two pro-Iranian fighters near the Syria-Iraq border.
Police station near Tehran hit by strikes, people trapped under rubble
Iranian media report that a police station near Tehran was targeted in airstrikes, leaving people trapped under the debris.
UAE closes embassy in Iran and recalls ambassador after Iranian missile strikes
The United Arab Emirates announced on Sunday that it is closing its embassy in Tehran and recalling its ambassador in response to Iranian missile attacks targeting the country, according to a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
“The UAE announces the closure of its embassy in Tehran and the withdrawal of its ambassador and all members of its diplomatic mission, and condemns the Iranian missile attacks,” the ministry said.
The decision comes in response to what the ministry called “flagrant Iranian missile attacks targeting the territory, constituting aggressions against civilian sites, including residential areas, airports, ports, and service infrastructure, exposing defenseless civilians to danger.”
This move marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions amid the ongoing regional conflict following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Iran: Multiple media report strikes hit Tehran hospital
Iranian news agency ISNA reported that Gandhi Hospital, located in northern Tehran, was targeted Sunday evening during the second day of a bombing campaign against Iran by Israel and the United States.
“Gandhi Hospital in Tehran was attacked by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes,” ISNA wrote, while Fars and Mizan agencies shared a video, reportedly from the hospital, showing debris on the floor among scattered wheelchairs.
Israeli army confirms killing of Khamenei
The Israeli army officially announced that it killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, after previously hinting at it, saying it had “eliminated” the head of the “Iranian terrorist regime.”
Iranian state media broadcasts interrupted after Israeli strikes on headquarters
Broadcasts of Iranian state television were interrupted on Sunday after Israeli strikes targeted the headquarters of public radio and television in Tehran, causing live programs to stop abruptly, Reuters reports.
PM Salam holds meeting on measures to ensure market liquidity
On Sunday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, Economy and Trade Minister Amer Bisat, and Central Bank Governor Karim Souhaid to review preventive measures and emergency frameworks aimed at maintaining financial stability during this sensitive period, according to a statement from the Grand Serail.
Officials discussed liquidity management and ensuring the continued supply of cash to markets through the central bank and commercial banking sector.
US embassy in Lebanon to remain closed Monday
The U.S. embassy in Lebanon announced it will remain closed on Monday, posting a brief notice on its Facebook page.
Two powerful explosions heard in Tehran
Two new bombings struck the center of Iran’s capital on Sunday evening, according to AFP journalists.
The Israeli army said on Telegram that it is “continuing to strike in Tehran,” referring to “attacks on defense systems belonging to the Iranian terrorist regime in the heart of Tehran” in recent minutes.
Pro-Iranian Iraqi group claims drone attack on U.S. bases in Erbil
The pro-Iranian Iraqi armed group Saraya Awliya al-Dam said on Sunday that it carried out a drone attack on U.S. bases in Erbil, northern Iraq, Reuters reports.
U.S. and Iraqi authorities have not immediately confirmed the extent of the damage or whether there were any casualties.
Pro-Iranian Iraqi group claims drone attack on US bases in Erbil
The pro-Iranian Iraqi armed group Saraya Awliya al-Dam said on Sunday that it carried out a drone attack on U.S. bases in Erbil, northern Iraq, Reuters reports.
U.S. and Iraqi authorities have not immediately confirmed the extent of the damage or whether there were any casualties.
School near US embassy in Lebanon to remain closed Monday
Several schools in Beirut’s southern suburbs announced they will remain closed on Monday. The Lebanese Army deployed at the entrances of the Christian neighborhood of Ain al-Rummaneh ahead of a Hezbollah-organized gathering.
The Collège des Frères Maristes Champville, located in Dik el-Mehdi near the U.S. embassy in Awkar (Metn), also informed parents that it would remain closed.
The decision was made “considering the security situation in the area and for the safety of the entire school community: students, parents, teachers, and staff, as well as the school’s particular location.”
Iranian state TV headquarters hit in new Israeli airstrikes on Tehran
Parts of the headquarters of Iran’s national radio and television were hit on Sunday during another wave of Israeli airstrikes on the capital, state media reported. The broadcasts, however, continued normally.
US has ‘destroyed and sunk’ 9 Iranian naval ships, says Trump
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump stated that the U.S. has “destroyed and sunk” nine Iranian naval ships, some of which are “relatively large and important.”
He added that the U.S. military has “largely destroyed” the Iranian naval headquarters and is now targeting the remaining vessels in the Iranian fleet. “They will soon be floating at the bottom of the sea,” Trump said.
MP Michel Pharaon condemns Iran’s targeting of Gulf states
MP and former minister Michel Pharaon condemned Iran’s attacks on Gulf countries, calling them “an attack on all Arab countries, and Lebanon is part of them. It indicates the beginning of the Iranian regime’s sinking and its readiness to take everyone down with it,” he wrote on X.
He added, “Any attempt to target Israel from Lebanon must be prevented. We can no longer pay the Iranian and Israeli bills.”
Death toll from Minab girls’ school airstrike rises to 165
The death toll from the airstrike on a girls’ school in Minab has risen to 165, according to the county governor.
The governor said the updated figure reflects the conclusion of excavation operations at the school, where additional bodies of students were recovered. The attack, carried out on Saturday in southern Iran, initially had a reported toll of 108 victims.
On Sunday morning, the Israeli army told AFP that it was "not aware" of the strike on the school.
This tragic increase in casualties underscores the devastating impact of the ongoing strikes in the region and raises further international concern over civilian safety.
Israeli army says Khamenei assassination marks 'culmination' of campaign against Iran
The Israeli army has announced that the assassination of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei represents the "culmination of a sustained effort to eliminate the senior leadership of the Iranian terror axis throughout the 'War of Revival,'" according to Haaretz.
The military added that these targeted killings "significantly degrade the Iranian terror axis" and vowed to "continue to strike infrastructure belonging to the Iranian regime in order to degrade the regime and thwart threats against Israel."
This marks a dramatic escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran, signaling that Israel is pursuing a sustained campaign against Iranian leadership and military infrastructure. Analysts warn that such actions could further destabilize the region and provoke retaliatory measures from Tehran.
At least 244 people killed in Iran since Saturday, according to Iranian authorities and Israeli army reports
At least 244 people have been killed in Iran over the past 48 hours following U.S.-Israeli attacks, according to authorities.
On Saturday, 201 people — including 108 girls at a school — were killed in airstrikes, the Iranian Red Crescent reported. On Sunday, 43 security personnel died in another attack on the headquarters of a border regiment in the western city of Mehran, according to Iranian news agency Mehr.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army claimed to have killed 40 senior Iranian officials and dignitaries, including Ali Khamenei, a figure whose death estimate was later echoed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
These figures remain unverifiable, especially as internet access has been cut off in Iran.
Israeli army to call up '100,000 reservists' in operations against Iran
The Israeli army announced that it is preparing to mobilize “around 100,000 reservists” to “strengthen its readiness” as part of its operation against Iran, dubbed “Lion’s Roar.”
The military said it aims to “focus its efforts on offensive activities to counter terrorism,” with reinforcements especially at the country’s eastern border.
Washington authorizes non-essential diplomats and families to leave Qatar over security risks
The U.S. State Department has authorized the departure of non-essential diplomats and their families from Qatar due to security risks, according to a travel advisory issued by the embassy, Reuters reports.
Trump: 'They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk' with Iran
In a recent interview with Atlantic magazine, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that Iran’s new leadership has expressed interest in dialogue — and that he has agreed to engage. Speaking from his Florida residence, Trump said, “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them. They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long.”
This marks a notable development in U.S.-Iran relations, with Trump signaling willingness to reopen direct communication. Analysts are now watching closely to see what topics could be on the table and how Iran will respond.
Mediator Oman's FM urges cease-fire on call with Iran's Araghchi
Oman's foreign minister, who had been mediating U.S.-Iran talks, on Sunday urged a ceasefire on a call with his Iranian counterpart, as Tehran launched a second day of strikes in response to ongoing U.S.-Israeli air raids.
Badr Albusaidi "affirmed the Sultanate of Oman's continued call for a cease-fire and a return to dialogue... in a manner that achieves the legitimate demands of all parties," Oman's foreign ministry said in a readout of a call with Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.
Netanyahu says Israeli attacks on Tehran will increase even more in coming days
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli forces are now striking the heart of Tehran with increasing strength, which will increase even more in the coming days, according to Haaretz.
In a statement on the roof of the Kirya, the Israeli army's headquarters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said: "We eliminated the dictator Khamenei and dozens of senior officials of the oppressive regime."
"The military assistance of the United States allows us to do what I have been hoping to do for 40 years – to strike the terrorist regime squarely in the face. I promised – and so we will," he added.
Attack in western Iran kills 43 members of security forces, local media reports
Iranian media reported that 43 members of the security forces were killed in an attack on the headquarters of a border regiment in the western city of Mehran near Iraq on Sunday.
"This attack, which was accompanied by bombing, unfortunately resulted in the martyrdom of 43 security personnel, most of them border guards, and parts of nearby buildings were also seriously damaged," the Mehr news agency said.
"According to initial reports, this hostile act was carried out by agents of the United States and the Zionist regime."
Hezbollah supporters rally in Beirut after Khamenei’s death
Crowds gather in Beirut southern suburbs on March 1, 2026 to mourn Ayatollah Khamenei. (Credit: Mohammed Yassine/L'Orient-le Jour)
“Khamenei, Sayyed Ali, is a spiritual father, the Wali al-Faqih, a political leader with authority over us in all aspects of our lives,” said Khadija Diab, 41, who attended Sunday’s demonstration with her children in southern Beirut, organized by Hezbollah in tribute to Ali Khamenei.
“I was following the news, but at first, I didn’t believe it. We were waiting for confirmation from the Iranian side. Then I woke up to my 16-year-old brother crying. He had checked social media… The news hit like a brutal shock. It felt as if your soul left your body. It was like reliving what happened with Sayyed [Hassan Nasrallah], and this time it’s even worse,” she added.
“We want Lebanon to be safe. But we are facing aggression. Israel is attacking us. We have the right to protect ourselves: our lands, our families, our South, and our men who die every day. It is our duty to fight against this enemy. We want to defend ourselves. If the order is given, we will follow the command.”
Foreign Ministry sets up emergency unit for citizens abroad, provides hotline numbers
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it is monitoring developments in several Arab countries and across the region “with great concern,” following the war against Iran triggered by Israel and the United States.
The statement highlights the creation of an “emergency unit” connecting the ministry in Beirut with Lebanese diplomatic missions abroad. I
ts purpose is to continuously track developments, respond to citizens’ needs, and provide support. The ministry also released a list of hotline numbers for Lebanese nationals to call in case of emergencies.
Araghchi: Khamenei's successor could be chosen 'within a day or two'
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a successor to Iran's supreme leader could be chosen "within a day or two," in an interview with Al Jazeera.
Araghchi said the election would be held quickly, "So everything is in order and everything is in line with our legal system and in line with the constitution." Araghchi added that the country does not intend to close the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait is the world's most vital oil export route, linking major Gulf producers, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
USS Lincoln aircraft carrier 'not hit' in Iranian missile attack
The Pentagon on Sunday denied Iran's claim to have struck the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles in the Gulf.
"The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close," US Central Command said on X.
Three American service members have been killed in action, and five have been seriously wounded in President Trump’s war in Iran, the Pentagon said.
United States Central Command did not say where the troops were killed, but said that several other troops “sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions and are in the process of being returned to duty.”
Araghchi: ‘There is no victory in this war’
Abbas Araghchi has asserted that neither the United States nor Israel can achieve victory in the ongoing conflict, insisting that the war will not produce any positive outcome for the opposing side.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Araghchi said: “This war cannot bring about any good result for the other side.”
“There is no victory in this war. They have not been able to achieve their targets, and they will not be able to achieve their targets in the coming days. As long as they continue, they cannot achieve anything,” he added.
Drawing a comparison to last June’s 12-day conflict, Araghchi said: “This reminds me of the previous war – the 12-day war last June – when they expected that in two or three days Iran would capitulate and surrender. But it took 12 days for them to understand that Iran was not surrendering, and that they had no option but to ask for an unconditional cease-fire.”
“I do not see any difference between this time and the previous time. We will resist as long as it takes, and they will see the result,” Araghchi said.
US says it has sunk an Iranian ship in Gulf of Oman
Centcom released a statement saying the “Iranian Jamaran-class corvette” (ship) is “currently sinking to the bottom of the Gulf of Oman.”
As the President said, members of Iran’s armed forces, IRGC and police “must lay down your weapons.” Abandon ship,” it added in a post on X.
Details on how the ship was struck and the circumstances around the sinking remain limited, and there has been no independent confirmation so far.
Reports claim former Iranian president Ahmadinejad killed
Several Iranian and Israeli media outlets are reporting that former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was killed in the massive U.S.‑Israeli airstrikes on Iran, according to preliminary accounts.
Iranian state‑affiliated outlets, including the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA), say he was killed along with his bodyguards in a strike in the Narmak district of Tehran.
There has been no official confirmation so far from Iranian authorities or independent sources.
These reports follow a wave of strikes that have also been linked to the deaths of other senior Iranian figures in the ongoing conflict.
Airstrike kills four linked to Hashd al-Shaabi in Iraq
An airstrike killed four fighters from the former Iraq's Hashd al-Shaabi paramilitary coalition on Sunday, security officials and a party source told AFP.
The fighters, part of groups, previously a pro-Iranian militia, is now integrated into Iraq’s regular army.
They "were killed in an air strike on their base" in Diyala province, with eight others wounded, security officials reported.
A source within Hashd al-Shaabi confirmed "the martyrdom of four fighters," but did not identify the attacker.
Saudi Arabia says it intercepted Iranian missiles near Riyadh airport, U.S. base
Following reports of explosions sounding in eastern Riyadh, Saudi Arabia announced it "successfully intercepted Iranian missiles near Riyadh’s international airport and Prince Sultan Airbase," which hosts U.S. military personnel, a Gulf source told AFP.
The source said, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, added that the interception did not disrupt navigation or cause any human or material losses.
An eyewitness near the airport told AFP they "saw and heard the air defense intercept the missile in the sky."
(Credit: Screen grab from a video obtained by REUTERS on March 1, 2026)
Smoke billowing from an oil tanker hit earlier today off the coast of Oman.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards says it targeted USS Abraham Lincoln
Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced that they targeted the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, deployed off the coast of Oman, with four ballistic missiles, according to Iranian state media quoted by Reuters.
"The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was attacked by four ballistic missiles," the Revolutionary Guard Corps said in its seventh statement on the operation, reported by the Tasnim news agency.
The IRGC says its strikes are entering a "new phase" on land and at sea, targeting "U.S.-Zionist enemy targets."
Large plumes of smoke seen at Abu Dhabi port
Large plumes of smoke were seen rising from the Zayed Port area in Abu Dhabi, a Reuters witness reported.
This comes following AFP reports that explosions were heard in Abu Dhabi.
In related news, a ship was hit by an unidentified projectile off the Emirati coast of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency. A fire broke out but was extinguished, and the crew intends to continue on its route, the agency added on X.
An Israeli emergency service officer walks past the debris of building at the scene of a missile attack near Bet Shemesh, some 30 kilometres west of Jerusalem on March 1, 2026. (Credit: Ahmad Gharbali/AFP
Aftermath of an Iranian strike in Beit Shemesh that killed at least nine Israelis.
Aoun, Macron expected to discuss army support conference
Official sources told L'Orient-Le Jour that a phone call is expected Sunday afternoon between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the fate of the conference in support of the Lebanese Army.
In light of the current regional conflict, “they should make the postponement official,” a minister said on condition of anonymity.
Ask our editor-in-chief
Does Khamenei's assassination signal the end of the Iranian regime? What is the goal of the U.S.-Israeli bilateral offensive? How could these developments affect Lebanon?
A multitude of questions are emerging in the current crisis. You can ask our co-editor-in-chief Anthony Samrani either in the comments (for subscribers) or by email at livechatolj@lorientlejour.com
He will answer your questions here on Sunday, March 1 at 6 p.m. Lebanon time.
At least 9 killed in Israel in Iranian missile strike
At least nine people were killed Sunday in central Israel, Beit Shemesh, when a building collapsed following a "direct strike" by an Iranian missile, Haaretz reported citing rescue services said. The local police said those killed were "likely inside the bomb shelter"
At least 20 more people at the scene have sustained light to moderate injuries.
Iranian attacks on Kuwait kill 1, injure 32 others
Iranian attacks on Kuwait killed one person and injured 32 others, according to its Health Ministry, as cited by Reuters.
Israeli Home Front Command recalls 20,000 reservists
Israel’s Home Front Command said Sunday it recalled about 20,000 reservists amid its war with the U.S. on Iran.
The reservists joined “over the past 24 hours the regular and reserve forces already deployed and operational throughout the country,” it stated.
Israel says it struck two Iranian fighter jets at Tabriz airport
Two Iranian fighter jets, F-5 and F-4 aircraft, were struck by the Israeli air force at Tabriz airport in western Iran as they were preparing to take off “shortly,” the Israeli military claimed.
A military statement, accompanied by video of the attack, said the strike was carried out “to disrupt the activities of the Iranian air force and further weaken the regime’s air defenses.”
Joseph Aoun condemns attacks against Jordan
President Joseph Aoun spoke by phone with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and discussed recent regional developments, condemning the attacks on Jordanian territory.
Aoun also reaffirmed Lebanon’s solidarity, as a people and a state, with Jordan and its “brotherly people” during this delicate period for the region.
Gulf foreign ministers to meet to discuss Iranian response
Foreign ministers of Gulf states will meet Sunday by videoconference to discuss a possible response to the series of attacks launched by Iran against their countries in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli offensive, Gulf officials told Reuters.
The Gulf states, which host numerous U.S. bases, have already issued multiple public condemnations of the attacks and asserted their right to respond to the missile fire targeting them.
At least 3 killed and 58 wounded in Iranian strikes on UAE, authorities say
Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates killed three people and wounded 58 others, according to a statement from the Emirati Ministry of Defense.
In retaliation for the massive U.S.-Israeli attack that notably killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iran launched an unprecedented series of strikes against numerous targets in Gulf countries hosting U.S. bases.
New explosions were heard Sunday afternoon in the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, whose airport was also hit Saturday.
Iranian strikes on central Israel kill at least 6
According to the latest toll from Magen David Adom rescue services, the number of people killed by an Iranian missile strike that hit a residential building in Beit Shemesh, in central Israel, has risen to six, Israeli media reported.
Lebanon's Supreme Defense Council calls on officials, citizens to uphold their commitment to the highest sense of national responsibility
During the meeting of the Supreme Defense Council held at Baabda Presidential Palace, President Joseph Aoun emphasized that the events occurring in the region demonstrate the national consensus that decision over war and peace rests solely with the Lebanese state, according to the state-run National News Agency.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stressed “the importance of placing the interests of the Lebanese people above all considerations, maintaining security and order in the south and east, and preventing any disruption."
Salam stressed on the need to control prices and quantities of goods, food and fuel.
The Supreme Defense Council announced conclusions following the meeting, while keeping its resolutions private. The Council called on all Lebanese, officials and citizens alike, to uphold their commitment to the highest sense of national responsibility in these delicate circumstances to preserve general stability and comprehensive national security, militarily, socially and economically.
The Council requested the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to keep Lebanese airspace open while ensuring the safety of travelers, maintaining flights to and from Lebanon, monitoring developments, and informing citizens accordingly.
Iran strike damages hotel in Bahrain’s Manama
(Credit: Screenshot from Al-Arabiya TV)
Bahrain's Interior Ministry announced that Iran struck the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the capital, Manama, on Sunday, according to several regional media outlets. The hotel is said to house several employees of the U.S. Embassy stationed in Manama.
In a brief statement, the ministry confirmed that the attack caused material damage to the building, with no reported casualties. Following the incident, the U.S. Embassy in Manama announced that all U.S. personnel had been successfully evacuated from the hotel.
Hamas condemns Khamenei killing, hails his support
Hamas and its military wing on Sunday condemned the U.S.-Israeli attack that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, paying tribute to the direct "support" provided for decades by Iran's supreme leader.
"We in Hamas mourn the passing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He provided all forms of political, diplomatic and military support to our people, our cause and our Resistance," Hamas said in a statement.
"The U.S. and the fascist occupation government bear full responsibility for this blatant aggression and heinous crime against the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as for its serious repercussions on the security and stability of the region."
In a separate statement Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, described Khamenei as the "main supporter of the Axis of Resistance and its mujahideen."
"All the support the Islamic Republic has provided over decades to our people and our resistance ... was delivered by his direct decision and under his full supervision," the Brigades said.
"This substantial support has been a key factor in the development of the resistance and its tactics, culminating in the remarkable achievements" during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the group added.
UK warns of heightened military activity near Strait of Hormuz and other maritime areas
(Credit: @UK_MTO/X)
The UK Maritime Operations Centre (UKMTO) said it has observed “significant military activity” across the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
It warned that maritime security remains "highly volatile," with increased risks for commercial shipping.
"Mariners should be aware of the increased risk of miscalculation or misidentification, particularly in proximity to military units and other sensitive maritime facilities and infrastructure," it added.
US shoots down drones near Erbil military base
U.S. air defenses intercepted drones flying over its military base near Erbil International Airport in Iraq's Kurdistan region, security sources told Reuters.
Iran says Tehran broadcasting complex was not hit
Iran’s state broadcaster said Tehran’s broadcasting complex was not targeted in Sunday’s strikes, Reuters reported, citing the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting public relations office.
Explosions heard over Tel Aviv after sirens
Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv minutes after air raid sirens sounded in parts of Israel following the detection of missiles fired from Iran toward the country, the Israeli military said.
Lebanon forms crisis cell to secure fuel, food and medicine
Industry Minister Joe Issa al-Khoury said the ministry is working to ensure fuel supply for all factories and has set up a joint crisis cell to safeguard food and pharmaceuticals, according to the state-run National News Agency.
Speaking at a press conference with industry and union leaders, Khoury added: "We are working to prevent any shortages, disruptions or exploitation. We have at least three months of pharmaceutical stock, eight months of raw materials for medicines, and four months of stock in the food industry sector.”
Sirens sound in Tel Aviv amid drone sighting
Air raid sirens were triggered a few minutes ago, particularly in eastern areas and around Tel Aviv. Haaretz reported that a drone was also identified heading toward the open sea.
Air France extends cancellations to Middle East destinations
Air France has extended flight cancellations to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut, Dubai and Riyadh through Tuesday as airlines adjust schedules amid regional tensions after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, the carrier said in a statement cited by AFP.
The airline added it will later share updated flight plans for these routes.
Israel says 'about half' of Iran’s missile stockpiles destroyed
The Israeli military announced today that it had destroyed "about half" of Iran's missile stockpiles since the start of joint strikes with the United States against Tehran on Saturday.
"During this operation, we destroyed about half of the Iranian regime's missile stockpiles and prevented the production of at least 1,500 additional missiles," army spokesman Effie Defrin said in a televised speech.
"The regime was recently producing dozens of surface-to-surface missiles per month and intended to increase its production to several hundred per month," he added.
Lebanon's Interior Minister: 'All Lebanese place the interest of Lebanon above all else'
Leaving the Higher Defense Council meeting in Baabda, Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar said the government does not need to "receive the 'ok' from Hezbollah” regarding the party's potential involvement in the ongoing regional conflict.
He added that President Joseph Aoun confirmed that "contacts have taken place between the different parties, and that all Lebanese place the interest of Lebanon above all else."
Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri pays tribute to Khamenei
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri paid his respects to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a statement relayed by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
"We pay tribute to him for the nation, for all the free peoples of the world and for the wise religious authorities of the East and the West. We consider him an imam, a reference, a guide and a sincere and committed leader who kept his commitment to God and never faltered. We salute him as a great martyr, whose death uplifts the nation and strengthens its determination," Berri said
"In the face of this profound loss, we extend our deepest condolences and congratulations to the friendly Iranian people, the family of the deceased martyr, his children, his faithful, our great religious authorities and the Iranian leadership," he added.
Notably, Berri also heads the Amal Movement, a Hezbollah ally.
UK: 2 Iranian missiles fired toward its base in Cyprus
The U.K. defense secretary said two Iranian ballistic missiles were fired in the direction of Cyprus, where British military bases are located, though he added they were "pretty sure they weren't targeted" at them. He added that UK warplanes were involved in "defensive" action in the region, operating from Cyprus and Qatar.
In comments to the BBC, John Healey described the launches as evidence of the "indiscriminate" nature of Iran’s retaliatory attacks and noted that around 300 British military personnel were near targets in Bahrain during other Iranian strikes.
He did not further detail anything about the missiles and any interception action.
Local, regional and internation flight adjustment details
✈️Airlines continued canceling and rescheduling flights Sunday as much of the region’s airspace remained closed, following U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and sparked a new regional conflict.
🔎Here's what you need to know about Lebanon's Middle East Airlines flight adjustment.👈
🔎 Here's what you need to know about regional and international airlines flight adjustment.👈
Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem pays tribute to Khamenei
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem paid tribute to the leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ali Khamenei, in a statement.
"We offer our condolences and congratulations to the Imam of the Time, Imam Mahdi may God hasten his coming, to the Islamic nation, to the free peoples of the world and to the great Iranian people, for the sublime and blessed martyrdom of our leader and master, Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei, may God preserve his secret, who has obtained the highest distinction of glory, faithfulness, resistance and dedication in the way of God, namely martyrdom in the way of the master of martyrs, Imam Hussein peace be upon him."
"As I pay tribute to this divine leader and heavenly guide with a heart heavy with pain and wounds, and a soul filled with sadness and sorrow, I feel great pride and honor at the same time. The leader, guide, and guardian of the nation has ascended to the mercy and satisfaction of his Lord in the greatest month and the best of days, the month of Ramadan. He led the march of jihad and resistance against the tyrants and oppressors, the Americans and Israelis, who are enemies of religion and humanity, thereby achieving great victory and high honor, as he ended his blessed and honorable life with the divine medal of martyrdom"
"We, in Hezbollah ... will continue on our path with determination, steadfastness, and a martyrdom spirit that knows no fatigue or boredom and does not accept humiliation. ... We will do our duty in confronting aggression, confident in God's victory, guidance, and support ... No matter how great the sacrifices, we will not abandon the field of honor and resistance and confront the American tyrant and Zionist criminality to defend our land, our dignity, and our independent choices."
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi named acting Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has been appointed to Iran’s interim council temporarily assuming the duties of supreme leader following Ali Khamenei’s assassination in U.S.-Israeli strikes, the state-run ISNA news agency reported.
Under the constitution, the council — made up of the president, judiciary head and a jurist from the Guardian Council — ensures continuity of the supreme leader’s functions until a successor is chosen.
UN office set on fire in Pakistan protest
(Credit: Manzoor Balati/AFP)
Protesters set fire to a United Nations office during an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel demonstration in Skardu, in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region, AFP reported.
Oil tanker attacked off the coast of Oman, state media reports
Oman’s maritime security center reported that the Palau-flagged oil tanker Skylight was "targeted" about five nautical miles off Musandam on Sunday, Oman National News Agency reported.
Four crew members were injured, and all 20 aboard — including 15 Indians and 5 Iranians — were evacuated safely.
The source of the attack was not specified.
Lebanon assures food supply availability amid regional tensions
Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture said plant and animal products remain available in markets despite regional challenges.
Following consultations with producer unions, farmers and professional associations, the ministry highlighted that seasonal increases in vegetables, poultry, eggs, meat and fish help ensure local supply and meet citizens’ needs.
In images: 24 hours that shook the region
At dawn on Saturday, Feb. 28, the bilateral U.S.-Israeli military offensive against Iran began — just a day after talks between the Iran and the U.S. were taking place under reported "positive" conditions.
By Sunday, March 1, thousands of Iranians mourned Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, killed in the strikes. After bombings rocked Iran’s major cities, Iran retaliated against Israel and Gulf countries and Jordan, hundreds of flights were canceled, and the Strait of Hormuz was closed.
📸Here's a visual look back at the 24 hours that shook the region.👈
Ahmad Vahidi named IRGC commander-in-chief
General Ahmad Vahidi has been appointed commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, replacing Mohammad Pakpour, who was killed in Tehran yesterday, Iranian newspaper Hamshahri reported.
Vahidi previously served as Iran’s defense and interior minister and has been deputy chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces since November 2025. He also headed the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force and is suspected of involvement in the 1994 AMIA Jewish community center bombing in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people. He remains wanted by Interpol, with Argentina renewing its arrest request in April 2024.
At least 9 people killed in protests outside US diplomatic mission in Pakistan
Hundreds protesters tried to storm the U.S. consulate in Karachi following the announcement of the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, AFP journalists reported.
At least nine people were killed and 20 injured, mostly with bullet wounds, Muhammad Amin of the Edhi Foundation told AFP. Young demonstrators climbed over the main gate, smashed windows, and briefly gained access to the consulate driveway. Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Videos on social media showed protesters breaking windows while the American flag flew over the barbed-wire-topped compound.
Thousands also took to the streets in Lahore and Skardu, with a demonstration expected later near the U.S. embassy in Islamabad.
40 Tel Aviv buildings damaged in Iran's Saturday attacks
A drone view of the site of an Iranian missile strike on a residential building, in Tel Aviv, Israel March 1, 2026. (Credit: Roei Kastro/Reuters)
Forty buildings in Tel Aviv sustained varying degrees of damage after an Iranian missile struck the city yesterday, Haaretz reported citing the municipality. As a result, more than 200 residents were evacuated from their homes and housed in three hotels nearby, Haaretz added.
UAE warns Iran against targeting neighbors
A top Emirati official said Iran’s Gulf attacks have isolated the country and warned Tehran not to strike its neighbors as retaliation enters a second day, AFP reported.
"The Iranian aggression against the Gulf states was a miscalculation and it isolated Iran at a critical juncture. Your war is not with your neighbors," said presidential adviser Anwar Gargash.
"Return to reason, to your surroundings, and deal with your neighbors rationally and responsibly before the circle of isolation and escalation widens."
Israel army says has begun striking targets in 'heart of Tehran'
The Israeli military said that it had begun striking targets deep inside Tehran.
The army "is striking targets that belong to the Iranian terror regime in the heart of Tehran," the military said. "Over the past day, the Israeli Air Force conducted large-scale strikes in order to establish aerial superiority and to pave the path to Tehran."
Smoke rises after reported Iranian missile attacks, following United States and Israel strikes on Iran, as seen from Doha, Qatar, March 1, 2026. (Credit: Mohammed Salem/Reuters)
Iranian drones target Oman’s Duqm port, injuring 1
Oman’s Duqm commercial port was hit by two drones, injuring one foreign worker, the Oman News Agency reported.
This marks the first attack reported in Oman since Iran’s retaliatory strikes on the Gulf began Saturday. The Omani foreign minister recently acted as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran in nuclear negotiations.
"A security source reported that the commercial port of Duqm was targeted by two drones. One drone struck a mobile workers' accommodation, injuring one foreign worker, while debris from the other landed near fuel tanks, causing no casualties or material damage," the Oman News Agency said in a post on X.
Earlier, the U.S. embassy in Oman urged employees and Americans in the country to self-isolate "due to an ongoing incident" near Muscat, Reuters said.
Aoun convenes Higher Defense Council amid regional escalation
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun convened the Higher Defense Council in Baabda Sunday morning, a day after the bilateral Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran triggered Iranian retaliation on Israel and countries hosting U.S. military infrastructure.
The council, which usually includes the president, prime minister, key ministers, and heads of security and military services, does not make decisions but issues recommendations to the government. Ministers included in this council include misters of defense, foreign affairs, finance, interior and economy.
Sirens and explosions reported in Jerusalem
AFP journalists reported explosions in Jerusalem after the Israeli army detected new Iranian missile launches.
"Sirens sounded in several parts of the country, after the identification of missiles launched from Iran towards Israel," the army said. "The Israeli Air Force intervenes to intercept and strike threats, when necessary, in order to eliminate them."
Lebanese Shiite official condemns Khamenei killing
Ali al-Khatib, deputy chairman of Lebanon’s Higher Shiite Council, offered condolences for the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and condemned the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed him as a "heinous crime."
In a statement, Sheikh Khatib paid tribute to Khamenei who "offered himself as a martyr in the face of the forces of impiety, terrorism, crime and genocide."
He condemned the "heinous crime that violates all norms and laws."
"We share the pain and sadness of the Iranian people in the face of this immense loss," he added, adding that the death of the leader "will strengthen the cohesion and determination of the Iranian people to defeat the enemy's goals."
Iraq declares 3 days of mourning for Khamenei
Iraq announced a three-day national mourning following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes.
"With deep sadness, we offer our condolences to the noble people of Iran and the entire Muslim world" after Khamenei’s death in "a blatant act of aggression," government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said.
UN nuclear agency to hold extraordinary meeting on Iran Monday
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold an extraordinary meeting on Monday at the request of Russia following the bilateral U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.
Iran had made the same request in a letter to IAEA chief Rafael Grossi yesterday.
The agency will hold a "special session of the IAEA Board of Governors on matters related to military strikes of the United States and Israel against the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the IAEA said in a statement.
Loud explosions heard in Tehran
Several powerful explosions were heard in Tehran, according to Iranian media quoted by Reuters.
Top Iranian generals killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes
Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, Abdolrahim Mousavi, was killed along with other senior officials in U.S.-Israeli strikes, state television reported.
The broadcast said Mousavi, the defense minister, Revolutionary Guards chief Mohammad Pakpour, and Khamenei adviser Ali Shamkhani were all killed "during a meeting of the Defense Council," with additional names to be announced later.
More explosions reported in Dubai after Iran strikes
AFP correspondents in Dubai heard a new round of explosions earlier this morning, marking a second day of blasts in the city after Iran’s strikes in the Gulf in retaliation for U.S.‑Israeli attacks that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The blasts came after earlier explosions in Dubai, as well as in Doha and Bahrain’s Manama.
Trump warns Iran of unprecedented retaliation
(Credit: Screenshot of Trump's post on Truth Social)
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran with unprecedented force if it retaliates for the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
"Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!"
Iran’s transition process begins today; Larijani warns dissidents
Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and former Khamenei adviser said that Iran will start its transition process following Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death
He explained that a temporary leadership council would be set up, adding that the council will be set up "as soon as possible."
"The president, the head of the judiciary, and a Guardian Council lawyer will assume responsibility until the next leader is elected," Larijani added.
He also accused the United States and Israel of trying to plunder and disintegrate Iran and warned "secessionist groups" of a harsh response if they attempt action, state television said.
Protesters clash near US embassy in Baghdad
Protesters tried to storm the area housing the U.S. embassy in Baghdad following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the U.S.-Israeli strikes, an Iraqi security source told AFP.
"Their attempts had been thwarted so far, but they keep trying," the source said. Videos on social media showed stones being thrown at security forces, who responded with tear gas, while hundreds waved flags of pro-Iranian groups.
Several Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups said Saturday they will not remain "neutral" and will defend the Islamic republic.
The powerful group Kataib Hezbollah said it will attack U.S. bases after two of its fighters were killed in air strikes in southern Iraq.
Early today, loud explosions were heard near Erbil airport, which hosts U.S.-led coalition troops in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, an AFP journalist said.
Yesterday, U.S.-led coalition forces downed several missiles and explosive-laden drones over Erbil, local authorities said.
Three officials to lead Iran transition after Khamenei's death
Three senior officials, including President Massoud Pezeshkian, will oversee Iran’s transition following Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's assassination, one of his advisers, Mohammad Mokhber, told state television.
The trio will include Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and a Guardian Council lawyer, Mokhber said.
Thousands pay tribute to Khamenei in Tehran
People gather to mourn the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint US and Israeli strikes, at a square in Tehran on March 1, 2026. (Credit: Atta Kenare/AFP)
AFP journalists reported that thousands gathered at Enghelab Square in central Tehran following the announcement of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death.
Dressed mostly in black, some in tears, people held portraits of Khamenei and Iranian flags. The demonstrators chanted "Death to America," and "Death to Israel."
The 86-year-old leader was killed in Israeli-U.S. strikes on his residence Saturday, confirmed by state television on Sunday.
Israel Katz says, 'Justice has been served,' congratulates army for 'execution'
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz welcomed the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
"The tyrant Khamenei was taken ... along with other senior figures in the Iranian terrorist stronghold," Katz wrote on social media. "Justice has been served, and the axis of evil has suffered a severe blow."
He also congratulated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli army for the execution.
Sirens sound across Israel after Iranian missiles
Air raid sirens went off in central Israel after Iranian missiles were detected heading toward the country, the Israeli army said.
"Sirens sounded in several parts of the country, after the identification of missiles launched from Iran towards the State of Israel," the army wrote on Telegram, adding that interception operations are underway.
Explosions reported in Gulf
AFP journalists reported new explosions this morning across several Gulf cities as Iran vowed further attacks on U.S. military bases in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli offensive.
Explosions were heard in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Doha, Qatar; and Manama, Bahrain.
Iran says it was ready for Khamenei’s death
Iran had prepared for "all scenarios," including the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said.
“We have prepared for these moments and have considered all scenarios,” Ghalibaf said in a video broadcast on state television. He added that U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had "crossed our red lines" and "will suffer the consequences."
New Iranian strikes hit Israel, US bases
Iran launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks this morning targeting U.S. military bases across the Gulf and Israel, state media reported. The strikes come in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli operations that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
According to Iranian state television, 27 U.S. bases in the region, along with Israel Defense Forces headquarters and a defense industrial complex in Tel Aviv, were among the targets.
Who is Ali Khamenei
A protester waves a photo of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during a rally in Tehran in solidarity with the government against Israeli attacks, on June 14, 2025. (Credit: Atta Kenare/AFP)
The supreme leader, whose influence reshaped the region for decades, was killed Saturday in a series of U.S.-Israeli strikes after the long-standing, shadow war with Israel spread into his own territory and ultimately ended his reign.
Day 2 of regional escalation
Welcome to our live coverage as tensions surge across the Middle East, one day after a major regional escalation.
The crisis began with large-scale bilateral Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran, followed within hours by Iranian retaliation targeting Israel as well as U.S. bases and infrastructure in the Gulf and Jordan.
Overnight, Tehran confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the strikes — a development that marks a historic turning point in the confrontation.
We will bring you the latest on military developments, political fallout and reactions from Lebanon and around the world.
For a day 1 wrap up, check out yesterday's live blog, here.👈
Interior minister says he is monitoring 'security situation'
Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar said he is following the “security situation and recent developments on the ground,” according to a statement relayed by the state-run National News Agency.
He said he had contacted all local officials, asking them to remain in their offices and facilitate procedures for residents displaced by Israeli strikes.
He also went to the headquarters of the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces, where he met with the director-general and the head of the Intelligence Division. “The necessary instructions were given to facilitate the movement of displaced residents, ensure their safety and reduce traffic congestion, while emphasizing continued on-the-ground coordination among the concerned units and the adoption of necessary measures according to developments,” the statement said.
Aoun condemns rocket fire and warns against using Lebanon as 'platform for support wars'
President Joseph Aoun condemned the launch of rockets from Lebanese territory, saying it “undermines all efforts and initiatives undertaken by the Lebanese state to keep Lebanon away from the serious military confrontations shaking the region.”
He warned that using Lebanon as a “platform for support wars” would once again expose the country to danger.
“The responsibility for these risks lies with the parties that have ignored repeated calls to preserve security and stability in the country,” he added. “The state will not allow this to happen again, and the Lebanese people — who are still working to heal the wounds caused by previous confrontations — will not accept it.”
At least 14 killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon
Israeli strikes on the town of Toul (Nabatieh district) killed seven members of the same family, our correspondent in southern Lebanon reported.
Israeli strikes also killed three women in Shehabieh (Sour), and four people in Sultanieh (Bint Jbeil), he added. Israeli strikes on Khirbet Silm (Bint Jbeil), Bir al-Salasil and Deir Qanoun al-Nahr (Sour) were also reported.
Heavy traffic in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs
Heavy congestion was reported on the Kafaat-Laylaki, the old Saida (Tayyouneh) and airport roads and in Choueifat.
The main roads in Saida and on the highways linking Saida to Sour, Saida to Nabatieh and Saida to Beirut were also congested, our correspondent reported.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called for an emergency Cabinet session at Baabda Presidential Palace at 8 a.m. on Monday.
A British RAF military base in Cyprus was struck in what is believed to be a drone attack, according to the Ministry of Defense, Sky News reports.
An Israeli strike targeted the town of Wadi Jilo in the Sour district, our correspondent reported. The village was one of 53 listed in the evacuation notice issued by the Israeli army.
AUB to close on Monday
The American University of Beirut (AUB) announced on X that it will close on Monday due to "the deteriorating situation in Lebanon," with the exception of essential services.
"We will continue to monitor events closely and do everything possible to care for our community and all those seeking our support. As always, AUBMC and KMC will remain open and ready to provide vital care," the statement added.
Several schools in Beirut open to receive those displaced
Several schools across Beirut opened their doors to host people displaced by the Israeli attacks.
A Merkava tank positioned on Hammames Hill fired shells toward Wadi al-Asafir in Khiam, the NNA reported.
Sour resident condemns Hezbollah’s fire at Israel: ‘It has no conscience’
"We thought Hezbollah wouldn’t get involved in the war between Iran and the United States. We didn’t want them to," said a resident of a village in the Sour district.
"This launch took us by surprise. Then we heard the missiles and the planes. People were screaming. Hezbollah has no conscience. Residents are fleeing in the cold, stuck in traffic. All of this can only lead to destruction and displacement."
Two sources — one at Beirut airport and a senior official at Middle East Airlines — told L’Orient Today that reports claiming Beirut airport staff had been asked to evacuate are not true.
Israel says it targeted senior Hezbollah officials in Beirut
The Israeli army claimed it “targeted top terrorist operatives of Hezbollah in the Beirut area.”
At the same time, the army said it struck “a central terrorist figure of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in southern Lebanon.”
Residents flee southern suburbs with nowhere to take shelter
Many displaced people don’t know where to go. "We slept in our cars during the first days of the last war [in 2024], and we’ll do the same this time," Zeinab, who fled Burj al-Barajneh with her teenage daughter, told L’Orient Today by phone.
Trump says he has ‘three very good’ candidates to lead Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday, in a brief interview with The New York Times, that he had “three very good choices” about who could lead Iran, declining to name them.
He added: “I won’t be revealing them now. Let’s get the job done first.”
In southern Lebanon, residents avoid roads for fear of bombings
Fearing being trapped on the road by traffic and Israeli strikes for hours, many residents are choosing to remain in the South for now, several residents from different districts in the region told L’Orient Today.
During the escalation between Hezbollah and Israel on Sept. 23, 2024, displaced residents had spent upwards of 12 hours on roads, blocked by Israeli attacks.
The Israeli army carried out strikes on Shehabieh (Sour), Sultanieh (Bint Jbeil), Khirbet Silm (Bint Jbeil), Bir al-Salasil and Deir Qanoun al-Nahr (Sour), our correspondent in the South reported.
Shots were fired into the air in the southern suburbs of Beirut to warn residents to flee the area.
Explosions heard in Tel Aviv
Explosions were reported in several neighborhoods of Tel Aviv, Reuters reported, citing an eyewitness. The source of the blasts is not yet known.
The Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs targeted buildings in the Haret Hreik and Jamous neighborhood, according to Al-Jadeed.
Salam condemns southern Lebanon rocket fire, vows to protect Lebanese
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the rocket launches from southern Lebanon, calling them an “irresponsible and suspicious act” that endangers the country’s security and integrity and provides Israel with a pretext to continue its attacks.
“Regardless of which entity is responsible, the rocket fire from southern Lebanon is an irresponsible and suspicious act that threatens Lebanon’s security and territorial integrity and gives Israel a pretext to pursue its attacks against the country,” he wrote. “We will not allow the country to be drawn into new adventures and will take all necessary measures to stop those responsible and protect the Lebanese people.”
The Israeli army claimed to have hit Hezbollah targets across Lebanon in a statement on X. “Israeli army troops had prepared for such a scenario as part of Operation ‘Roar of the Lion’ and are ready for confrontation on all fronts,” the statement added.
Hezbollah claims attack on Israel
More than an hour and a half after the Israeli army reported fire from Lebanon, Hezbollah issued a statement on its Telegram account claiming that, in retaliation for the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, it had “targeted a precision rocket battery and a swarm of drones at the Mishmar HaCarmel site, dedicated to the Israeli army’s missile defense, south of the occupied city of Haifa.”
Mishmar HaCarmel is roughly 40 kilometers away from Ras Naqoura and the Lebanese-Israeli border.
“The leadership of the Resistance has always affirmed that the continuation of Israeli aggression and the assassination of our leaders, our youth and our people gives us the right to defend ourselves and respond at the appropriate time and place,” the party added.
Hezbollah concluded by stating that “this response constitutes legitimate defense, and it is the responsibility of the relevant officials and parties to put an end to the Israeli-American aggression against Lebanon.”
No response from Hezbollah so far
L'Orient Today tried to reach several Hezbollah spokespersons to determine whether the party was behind the fire reported by the Israeli army. So far, we have received no response from any of them.
Israeli aircraft over Beirut, southern Lebanon
Israeli aircraft is flying low over Beirut and in several districts in southern Lebanon, residents told L'Orient Today.
Some residents leave southern Lebanon, Bekaa amid fear of escalation in Lebanon
Several residents in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa have told L'Orient Today that they are fleeing to Beirut, fearing an Israeli escalation.
Some, however, resorted to packing their bags with important documents and keeping them ready in case they had to leave.
Israel announces continue strike on Tehran; explosions heard in several areas in Iran
The Israeli army said it was continuing "large‑scale strikes" against targets in Iran, particularly around Tehran, as explosions were heard in several districts of the Iranian capital — especially in the north of the city — according to the semi‑official Tasnim news agency.
In a military statement, forces said the strikes were carried out by the air force "guided by army intelligence" and were aimed at targets linked to the "Iranian regime."
Iranian state media reported multiple explosions in areas including Seyed Khandan, Qasr crossroads, Vanak Square and Motahari Street as the operations continued.
The rocket fire from Lebanon, which has not been claimed so far, “will result in a harsh response,” KAN radio reported, citing senior Israeli security officials.
No comment from Hezbollah yet
Hezbollah has not yet made any comment or announcement regarding the firing reported from Lebanon by the Israeli army.
Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire in 2024, ending more than a year of fighting between the two, which concluded with Israeli strikes that severely weakened the Iranian-backed party. Israel near-daily violates the cease-fire by striking areas in Lebanon, mainly the South and the Bekaa Valley.
Israeli army intercepts 'projectile coming from Lebanon'
The Israeli army says that "a projectile coming from Lebanon and entering Israeli territory was intercepted by the Israeli air force."
"Several other projectiles fell in open areas," it added, adding that no injuries or damage were reported.
Israel reports missiles fired from Lebanon
Sirens sound in northern Israel after projectiles fired from Lebanon, the Israeli army Arabic-language spokesperson Ela Waweya said on X.
4 injured in Syria in Israeli interception of Iranian missile
A father and his three daughters were wounded in Syria by debris of Iranian missile intercepted by Israel over Syrian airspace, SANA reported.
"Four people, a father and three daughters, were wounded as a result of the fall of the missile debris resulting from the exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran, in the town of Ain Tarma in the Damascus province," the official SANA news agency said, quoting a health ministry official.
They were taken to hospital for treatment, the agency added.
Israel intercepted several missiles over Syria, according to a source in the Interior Ministry.
Israel had struck and destroyed much of the Syrian army's infrastructure including its air defenses after the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in 2024, to prevent it falling into the hands of the new authorities.
More details, here.👈
6 wounded in Jerusalem after Iranian missile strikes
Six people were injured in the Jerusalem area following Iranian missile strikes, Israeli rescue services said.
Magen David Adom said rescue teams were treating "a man of about 50 years old … as well as five people with minor injuries."
Israeli police added that searches are ongoing after "interception debris" likely fell in multiple locations.
UK to allow US to use its military bases for 'defensive' strikes
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday he had agreed to let the United States use U.K. bases to fire "defensive" strikes aimed at destroying Iranian missiles and their launchers.
But in a video address posted to social media platform X, he added: "We were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran and we will not join offensive action now."
"But Iran is pursuing a scorched-earth strategy, so we are supporting the collective self-defense of our allies and our people in the region."
Starmer added: "Our decision that the U.K. would not be involved with the strikes on Iran was deliberate ... Not least because we believe that the best way forward for the region and for the world is a negotiated settlement."
"We all remember the mistakes of Iraq. And we have learned those lessons," he added.
A separate statement posted on the U.K. government website set out its legal position.
Trump in second speech since war: Combat operations continue in full force until objectives are achieved
U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that combat operations in Iran were continuing and would carry on until all of Washington's objectives are achieved, while vowing to "avenge" the deaths of the U.S. troops killed in the conflict.
Trump confirmed in a video posted on Truth Social that three U.S. service members had been killed and said there would likely be more casualties, vowing to avenge the deaths of Americans.
"Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved. We have very strong objectives," Trump said.
He renewed his warning to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and military police to disarm and receive "immunity" or face death.
He concluded with a call to the Iranians to "seize this moment, to be brave, be bold and be heroic and take back your country. America is with you. I made a promise to you. And I fulfilled that promise. The rest will be up to you, and we will be there to help."
The EU is strengthening its military mission in the Red Sea with two French ships, said a diplomat quoted by AFP.
Hezbollah statement commemorating Khamenei
Hezbollah issued a statement on the death of Ali Khamenei, whom it described as "the sun that spreads light ... a fighting leader, a believer, devoted and courageous, endowed with penetrating vision and great wisdom," joining "the luminous caravan blessed in the divine way."
The statement added that Khamenei had "a long and blessed life, spent in the service of the oppressed and the underprivileged ... The cause of the liberation of Palestine was the central cause for which he gave all that was dear and precious to him."
Khamenei "fell as a martyr at the hands of the most heinous of the odious of our time, the Israeli and American terrorists, after consolidating the foundations of the Islamic Republic, strengthening its pillars and making it a powerful, honorable and victorious state," the party statement also said.
Hezbollah concluded its statement by saying that it "reaffirms its commitment to the Islamic Republic, its leadership, its government, its Revolutionary Guards, its army and its people, as it has always done in all trials and crises, to repel the arrogant and tyrants until complete and final victory."
7 wounded in Jerusalem following Iranian attack
A series of explosions heard over Jerusalem.
Seven wounded, one in serious condition, in Jerusalem area missile strike, Haaretz reported citing an emergency service.
Syria, Lebanon discuss coordination amid regional tensions
Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani spoke Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Sunday via phone to discuss closer coordination in light of recent regional developments, Syria’s Foreign Ministry said.
According to Damascus, the talks focused on "the latest regional developments and their repercussions." Shaibani stressed the importance of |strengthening coordination between the two brotherly countries in order to guarantee security and stability in the context of current developments."
Trump says Iran operation could last ‘four weeks or so’
U.S. President Donald Trump said he expects the American operation against Iran to last "four weeks or less," according to an interview published Sunday by the Daily Mail.
"It's always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so. It's always been about a four-week process so, as strong as it is, it's a big country, it'll take four weeks - or less," the President explained.
Oman says U.S.-Iran diplomacy channels remain open
Oman’s foreign minister said communication channels between the United States and Iran remain open, despite rising regional tensions.
"I continue to believe in the power of diplomacy to resolve this conflict. The sooner the talks resume, the better it will be for everyone," Badr Albusaidi wrote on X.
Oman has been playing a mediating role in the nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
7 Iranian commanders killed, Iran media reports
Seven Iranian military commanders were killed in strikes across the country, including the head of the office of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Sunday.
Tasnim did not immediately provide further details on where the strikes took place or who carried them out.
US strikes over 1,000 Iranian targets
The U.S. military has carried out strikes against over 1,000 Iranian targets so far since starting its campaign on Saturday, U.S. Central Command said on Sunday.
In a fact sheet, Central Command listed these items under "Types of Targets":
* Command and Control Centers
* IRGC Joint Headquarters
* IRGC Aerospace Forces Headquarters
* Integrated Air Defense Systems
* Ballistic Missile Sites
* Iranian Navy Ships
* Iranian Navy Submarines
* Anti-ship Missile Sites
* Military Communication Capabilities
Centcom says Iranian Revolutionary Guards HQ destroyed
The headquarters of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards was destroyed in U.S.–Israeli strikes, the U.S. military’s Middle East command, United States Central Command (Centcom), said on Sunday.
“The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [IRGC] has killed more than 1,000 Americans over the past 47 years.
Yesterday, a large-scale U.S. attack decapitated the snake. America has the most powerful armed forces on Earth, and the IRGC no longer has a headquarters,” Centcom said on X, accompanying its message with a video showing missiles launched from destroyers.
Explosions heard in Jerusalem after new Iranian missile alert
Explosions were reported in Jerusalem following a fresh missile alert linked to Iranian strikes, raising concerns of escalation in the region.
French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle redirects to Eastern Mediterranean
The French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle and its naval strike group have cut short their deployment in the Baltic Sea to head to the Eastern Mediterranean, BFMTV reports, amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock markets closed until Tuesday due to regional escalation
The UAE’s financial regulator, the CMA, announced an exceptional closure of the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) for Monday and Tuesday.
The closure comes after Iranian missile strikes on the UAE since Saturday, in response to U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. The CMA said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take any additional necessary measures, advising all parties to follow official channels for updates.
Reza Pahlavi calls on Iranians to celebrate Khamenei’s death safely
Reza Pahlavi, son of the former Shah of Iran, called on Iranians on Sunday to celebrate the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following U.S.-Israeli strikes, encouraging “songs every evening” while staying “safe.”
In a statement on X in both Farsi and English, Pahlavi described Khamenei as a “demon” for ordering the “massacre of thousands of Iranian sons and daughters.”
“With his dishonorable death, and that of many of his cronies and henchmen, the Islamic Republic reaches its last breath,” he said, presenting himself as a transitional figure.
“To the honorable and courageous people of Iran, the death of the despot of our time — while marking the start of a great national celebration — is not the end of the path. Stay vigilant. Be ready. The hour of a broad and decisive presence in the streets is very near,” Pahlavi added.
He urged citizens, while preserving their safety, to “show your satisfaction and support for the destruction of the Islamic Republic with songs every evening, and to voice your demands for Iran’s future.” He also called on the Iranian diaspora to “intensify” their efforts in support of the cause.
Strikes kill two pro-Iranian fighters near Syria-Iraq border
According to security and pro-Iranian sources, airstrikes have killed two pro-Iranian fighters near the Syria-Iraq border.
Police station near Tehran hit by strikes, people trapped under rubble
Iranian media report that a police station near Tehran was targeted in airstrikes, leaving people trapped under the debris.
UAE closes embassy in Iran and recalls ambassador after Iranian missile strikes
The United Arab Emirates announced on Sunday that it is closing its embassy in Tehran and recalling its ambassador in response to Iranian missile attacks targeting the country, according to a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
“The UAE announces the closure of its embassy in Tehran and the withdrawal of its ambassador and all members of its diplomatic mission, and condemns the Iranian missile attacks,” the ministry said.
The decision comes in response to what the ministry called “flagrant Iranian missile attacks targeting the territory, constituting aggressions against civilian sites, including residential areas, airports, ports, and service infrastructure, exposing defenseless civilians to danger.”
This move marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions amid the ongoing regional conflict following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Iran: Multiple media report strikes hit Tehran hospital
Iranian news agency ISNA reported that Gandhi Hospital, located in northern Tehran, was targeted Sunday evening during the second day of a bombing campaign against Iran by Israel and the United States.
“Gandhi Hospital in Tehran was attacked by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes,” ISNA wrote, while Fars and Mizan agencies shared a video, reportedly from the hospital, showing debris on the floor among scattered wheelchairs.
Israeli army confirms killing of Khamenei
The Israeli army officially announced that it killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, after previously hinting at it, saying it had “eliminated” the head of the “Iranian terrorist regime.”
Iranian state media broadcasts interrupted after Israeli strikes on headquarters
Broadcasts of Iranian state television were interrupted on Sunday after Israeli strikes targeted the headquarters of public radio and television in Tehran, causing live programs to stop abruptly, Reuters reports.
PM Salam holds meeting on measures to ensure market liquidity
On Sunday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, Economy and Trade Minister Amer Bisat, and Central Bank Governor Karim Souhaid to review preventive measures and emergency frameworks aimed at maintaining financial stability during this sensitive period, according to a statement from the Grand Serail.
Officials discussed liquidity management and ensuring the continued supply of cash to markets through the central bank and commercial banking sector.
US embassy in Lebanon to remain closed Monday
The U.S. embassy in Lebanon announced it will remain closed on Monday, posting a brief notice on its Facebook page.
Two powerful explosions heard in Tehran
Two new bombings struck the center of Iran’s capital on Sunday evening, according to AFP journalists.
The Israeli army said on Telegram that it is “continuing to strike in Tehran,” referring to “attacks on defense systems belonging to the Iranian terrorist regime in the heart of Tehran” in recent minutes.
Pro-Iranian Iraqi group claims drone attack on U.S. bases in Erbil
The pro-Iranian Iraqi armed group Saraya Awliya al-Dam said on Sunday that it carried out a drone attack on U.S. bases in Erbil, northern Iraq, Reuters reports.
U.S. and Iraqi authorities have not immediately confirmed the extent of the damage or whether there were any casualties.
Pro-Iranian Iraqi group claims drone attack on US bases in Erbil
The pro-Iranian Iraqi armed group Saraya Awliya al-Dam said on Sunday that it carried out a drone attack on U.S. bases in Erbil, northern Iraq, Reuters reports.
U.S. and Iraqi authorities have not immediately confirmed the extent of the damage or whether there were any casualties.
School near US embassy in Lebanon to remain closed Monday
Several schools in Beirut’s southern suburbs announced they will remain closed on Monday. The Lebanese Army deployed at the entrances of the Christian neighborhood of Ain al-Rummaneh ahead of a Hezbollah-organized gathering.
The Collège des Frères Maristes Champville, located in Dik el-Mehdi near the U.S. embassy in Awkar (Metn), also informed parents that it would remain closed.
The decision was made “considering the security situation in the area and for the safety of the entire school community: students, parents, teachers, and staff, as well as the school’s particular location.”
Iranian state TV headquarters hit in new Israeli airstrikes on Tehran
Parts of the headquarters of Iran’s national radio and television were hit on Sunday during another wave of Israeli airstrikes on the capital, state media reported. The broadcasts, however, continued normally.
US has ‘destroyed and sunk’ 9 Iranian naval ships, says Trump
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump stated that the U.S. has “destroyed and sunk” nine Iranian naval ships, some of which are “relatively large and important.”
He added that the U.S. military has “largely destroyed” the Iranian naval headquarters and is now targeting the remaining vessels in the Iranian fleet. “They will soon be floating at the bottom of the sea,” Trump said.
MP Michel Pharaon condemns Iran’s targeting of Gulf states
MP and former minister Michel Pharaon condemned Iran’s attacks on Gulf countries, calling them “an attack on all Arab countries, and Lebanon is part of them. It indicates the beginning of the Iranian regime’s sinking and its readiness to take everyone down with it,” he wrote on X.
He added, “Any attempt to target Israel from Lebanon must be prevented. We can no longer pay the Iranian and Israeli bills.”
Death toll from Minab girls’ school airstrike rises to 165
The death toll from the airstrike on a girls’ school in Minab has risen to 165, according to the county governor.
The governor said the updated figure reflects the conclusion of excavation operations at the school, where additional bodies of students were recovered. The attack, carried out on Saturday in southern Iran, initially had a reported toll of 108 victims.
On Sunday morning, the Israeli army told AFP that it was "not aware" of the strike on the school.
This tragic increase in casualties underscores the devastating impact of the ongoing strikes in the region and raises further international concern over civilian safety.
Israeli army says Khamenei assassination marks 'culmination' of campaign against Iran
The Israeli army has announced that the assassination of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei represents the "culmination of a sustained effort to eliminate the senior leadership of the Iranian terror axis throughout the 'War of Revival,'" according to Haaretz.
The military added that these targeted killings "significantly degrade the Iranian terror axis" and vowed to "continue to strike infrastructure belonging to the Iranian regime in order to degrade the regime and thwart threats against Israel."
This marks a dramatic escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran, signaling that Israel is pursuing a sustained campaign against Iranian leadership and military infrastructure. Analysts warn that such actions could further destabilize the region and provoke retaliatory measures from Tehran.
At least 244 people killed in Iran since Saturday, according to Iranian authorities and Israeli army reports
At least 244 people have been killed in Iran over the past 48 hours following U.S.-Israeli attacks, according to authorities.
On Saturday, 201 people — including 108 girls at a school — were killed in airstrikes, the Iranian Red Crescent reported. On Sunday, 43 security personnel died in another attack on the headquarters of a border regiment in the western city of Mehran, according to Iranian news agency Mehr.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army claimed to have killed 40 senior Iranian officials and dignitaries, including Ali Khamenei, a figure whose death estimate was later echoed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
These figures remain unverifiable, especially as internet access has been cut off in Iran.
Israeli army to call up '100,000 reservists' in operations against Iran
The Israeli army announced that it is preparing to mobilize “around 100,000 reservists” to “strengthen its readiness” as part of its operation against Iran, dubbed “Lion’s Roar.”
The military said it aims to “focus its efforts on offensive activities to counter terrorism,” with reinforcements especially at the country’s eastern border.
Washington authorizes non-essential diplomats and families to leave Qatar over security risks
The U.S. State Department has authorized the departure of non-essential diplomats and their families from Qatar due to security risks, according to a travel advisory issued by the embassy, Reuters reports.
Trump: 'They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk' with Iran
In a recent interview with Atlantic magazine, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that Iran’s new leadership has expressed interest in dialogue — and that he has agreed to engage. Speaking from his Florida residence, Trump said, “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them. They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long.”
This marks a notable development in U.S.-Iran relations, with Trump signaling willingness to reopen direct communication. Analysts are now watching closely to see what topics could be on the table and how Iran will respond.
Mediator Oman's FM urges cease-fire on call with Iran's Araghchi
Oman's foreign minister, who had been mediating U.S.-Iran talks, on Sunday urged a ceasefire on a call with his Iranian counterpart, as Tehran launched a second day of strikes in response to ongoing U.S.-Israeli air raids.
Badr Albusaidi "affirmed the Sultanate of Oman's continued call for a cease-fire and a return to dialogue... in a manner that achieves the legitimate demands of all parties," Oman's foreign ministry said in a readout of a call with Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.
Netanyahu says Israeli attacks on Tehran will increase even more in coming days
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli forces are now striking the heart of Tehran with increasing strength, which will increase even more in the coming days, according to Haaretz.
In a statement on the roof of the Kirya, the Israeli army's headquarters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said: "We eliminated the dictator Khamenei and dozens of senior officials of the oppressive regime."
"The military assistance of the United States allows us to do what I have been hoping to do for 40 years – to strike the terrorist regime squarely in the face. I promised – and so we will," he added.
Attack in western Iran kills 43 members of security forces, local media reports
Iranian media reported that 43 members of the security forces were killed in an attack on the headquarters of a border regiment in the western city of Mehran near Iraq on Sunday.
"This attack, which was accompanied by bombing, unfortunately resulted in the martyrdom of 43 security personnel, most of them border guards, and parts of nearby buildings were also seriously damaged," the Mehr news agency said.
"According to initial reports, this hostile act was carried out by agents of the United States and the Zionist regime."
Hezbollah supporters rally in Beirut after Khamenei’s death
Crowds gather in Beirut southern suburbs on March 1, 2026 to mourn Ayatollah Khamenei. (Credit: Mohammed Yassine/L'Orient-le Jour)
“Khamenei, Sayyed Ali, is a spiritual father, the Wali al-Faqih, a political leader with authority over us in all aspects of our lives,” said Khadija Diab, 41, who attended Sunday’s demonstration with her children in southern Beirut, organized by Hezbollah in tribute to Ali Khamenei.
“I was following the news, but at first, I didn’t believe it. We were waiting for confirmation from the Iranian side. Then I woke up to my 16-year-old brother crying. He had checked social media… The news hit like a brutal shock. It felt as if your soul left your body. It was like reliving what happened with Sayyed [Hassan Nasrallah], and this time it’s even worse,” she added.
“We want Lebanon to be safe. But we are facing aggression. Israel is attacking us. We have the right to protect ourselves: our lands, our families, our South, and our men who die every day. It is our duty to fight against this enemy. We want to defend ourselves. If the order is given, we will follow the command.”
Foreign Ministry sets up emergency unit for citizens abroad, provides hotline numbers
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it is monitoring developments in several Arab countries and across the region “with great concern,” following the war against Iran triggered by Israel and the United States.
The statement highlights the creation of an “emergency unit” connecting the ministry in Beirut with Lebanese diplomatic missions abroad. I
ts purpose is to continuously track developments, respond to citizens’ needs, and provide support. The ministry also released a list of hotline numbers for Lebanese nationals to call in case of emergencies.
Araghchi: Khamenei's successor could be chosen 'within a day or two'
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a successor to Iran's supreme leader could be chosen "within a day or two," in an interview with Al Jazeera.
Araghchi said the election would be held quickly, "So everything is in order and everything is in line with our legal system and in line with the constitution." Araghchi added that the country does not intend to close the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait is the world's most vital oil export route, linking major Gulf producers, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
USS Lincoln aircraft carrier 'not hit' in Iranian missile attack
The Pentagon on Sunday denied Iran's claim to have struck the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles in the Gulf.
"The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close," US Central Command said on X.
Three American service members have been killed in action, and five have been seriously wounded in President Trump’s war in Iran, the Pentagon said.
United States Central Command did not say where the troops were killed, but said that several other troops “sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions and are in the process of being returned to duty.”
Araghchi: ‘There is no victory in this war’
Abbas Araghchi has asserted that neither the United States nor Israel can achieve victory in the ongoing conflict, insisting that the war will not produce any positive outcome for the opposing side.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Araghchi said: “This war cannot bring about any good result for the other side.”
“There is no victory in this war. They have not been able to achieve their targets, and they will not be able to achieve their targets in the coming days. As long as they continue, they cannot achieve anything,” he added.
Drawing a comparison to last June’s 12-day conflict, Araghchi said: “This reminds me of the previous war – the 12-day war last June – when they expected that in two or three days Iran would capitulate and surrender. But it took 12 days for them to understand that Iran was not surrendering, and that they had no option but to ask for an unconditional cease-fire.”
“I do not see any difference between this time and the previous time. We will resist as long as it takes, and they will see the result,” Araghchi said.
US says it has sunk an Iranian ship in Gulf of Oman
Centcom released a statement saying the “Iranian Jamaran-class corvette” (ship) is “currently sinking to the bottom of the Gulf of Oman.”
As the President said, members of Iran’s armed forces, IRGC and police “must lay down your weapons.” Abandon ship,” it added in a post on X.
Details on how the ship was struck and the circumstances around the sinking remain limited, and there has been no independent confirmation so far.
Reports claim former Iranian president Ahmadinejad killed
Several Iranian and Israeli media outlets are reporting that former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was killed in the massive U.S.‑Israeli airstrikes on Iran, according to preliminary accounts.
Iranian state‑affiliated outlets, including the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA), say he was killed along with his bodyguards in a strike in the Narmak district of Tehran.
There has been no official confirmation so far from Iranian authorities or independent sources.
These reports follow a wave of strikes that have also been linked to the deaths of other senior Iranian figures in the ongoing conflict.
Airstrike kills four linked to Hashd al-Shaabi in Iraq
An airstrike killed four fighters from the former Iraq's Hashd al-Shaabi paramilitary coalition on Sunday, security officials and a party source told AFP.
The fighters, part of groups, previously a pro-Iranian militia, is now integrated into Iraq’s regular army.
They "were killed in an air strike on their base" in Diyala province, with eight others wounded, security officials reported.
A source within Hashd al-Shaabi confirmed "the martyrdom of four fighters," but did not identify the attacker.
Saudi Arabia says it intercepted Iranian missiles near Riyadh airport, U.S. base
Following reports of explosions sounding in eastern Riyadh, Saudi Arabia announced it "successfully intercepted Iranian missiles near Riyadh’s international airport and Prince Sultan Airbase," which hosts U.S. military personnel, a Gulf source told AFP.
The source said, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, added that the interception did not disrupt navigation or cause any human or material losses.
An eyewitness near the airport told AFP they "saw and heard the air defense intercept the missile in the sky."
(Credit: Screen grab from a video obtained by REUTERS on March 1, 2026)
Smoke billowing from an oil tanker hit earlier today off the coast of Oman.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards says it targeted USS Abraham Lincoln
Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced that they targeted the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, deployed off the coast of Oman, with four ballistic missiles, according to Iranian state media quoted by Reuters.
"The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was attacked by four ballistic missiles," the Revolutionary Guard Corps said in its seventh statement on the operation, reported by the Tasnim news agency.
The IRGC says its strikes are entering a "new phase" on land and at sea, targeting "U.S.-Zionist enemy targets."
Large plumes of smoke seen at Abu Dhabi port
Large plumes of smoke were seen rising from the Zayed Port area in Abu Dhabi, a Reuters witness reported.
This comes following AFP reports that explosions were heard in Abu Dhabi.
In related news, a ship was hit by an unidentified projectile off the Emirati coast of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency. A fire broke out but was extinguished, and the crew intends to continue on its route, the agency added on X.
An Israeli emergency service officer walks past the debris of building at the scene of a missile attack near Bet Shemesh, some 30 kilometres west of Jerusalem on March 1, 2026. (Credit: Ahmad Gharbali/AFP
Aftermath of an Iranian strike in Beit Shemesh that killed at least nine Israelis.
Aoun, Macron expected to discuss army support conference
Official sources told L'Orient-Le Jour that a phone call is expected Sunday afternoon between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the fate of the conference in support of the Lebanese Army.
In light of the current regional conflict, “they should make the postponement official,” a minister said on condition of anonymity.
Ask our editor-in-chief
Does Khamenei's assassination signal the end of the Iranian regime? What is the goal of the U.S.-Israeli bilateral offensive? How could these developments affect Lebanon?
A multitude of questions are emerging in the current crisis. You can ask our co-editor-in-chief Anthony Samrani either in the comments (for subscribers) or by email at livechatolj@lorientlejour.com
He will answer your questions here on Sunday, March 1 at 6 p.m. Lebanon time.
At least 9 killed in Israel in Iranian missile strike
At least nine people were killed Sunday in central Israel, Beit Shemesh, when a building collapsed following a "direct strike" by an Iranian missile, Haaretz reported citing rescue services said. The local police said those killed were "likely inside the bomb shelter"
At least 20 more people at the scene have sustained light to moderate injuries.
Iranian attacks on Kuwait kill 1, injure 32 others
Iranian attacks on Kuwait killed one person and injured 32 others, according to its Health Ministry, as cited by Reuters.
Israeli Home Front Command recalls 20,000 reservists
Israel’s Home Front Command said Sunday it recalled about 20,000 reservists amid its war with the U.S. on Iran.
The reservists joined “over the past 24 hours the regular and reserve forces already deployed and operational throughout the country,” it stated.
Israel says it struck two Iranian fighter jets at Tabriz airport
Two Iranian fighter jets, F-5 and F-4 aircraft, were struck by the Israeli air force at Tabriz airport in western Iran as they were preparing to take off “shortly,” the Israeli military claimed.
A military statement, accompanied by video of the attack, said the strike was carried out “to disrupt the activities of the Iranian air force and further weaken the regime’s air defenses.”
Joseph Aoun condemns attacks against Jordan
President Joseph Aoun spoke by phone with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and discussed recent regional developments, condemning the attacks on Jordanian territory.
Aoun also reaffirmed Lebanon’s solidarity, as a people and a state, with Jordan and its “brotherly people” during this delicate period for the region.
Gulf foreign ministers to meet to discuss Iranian response
Foreign ministers of Gulf states will meet Sunday by videoconference to discuss a possible response to the series of attacks launched by Iran against their countries in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli offensive, Gulf officials told Reuters.
The Gulf states, which host numerous U.S. bases, have already issued multiple public condemnations of the attacks and asserted their right to respond to the missile fire targeting them.
At least 3 killed and 58 wounded in Iranian strikes on UAE, authorities say
Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates killed three people and wounded 58 others, according to a statement from the Emirati Ministry of Defense.
In retaliation for the massive U.S.-Israeli attack that notably killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iran launched an unprecedented series of strikes against numerous targets in Gulf countries hosting U.S. bases.
New explosions were heard Sunday afternoon in the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, whose airport was also hit Saturday.
Iranian strikes on central Israel kill at least 6
According to the latest toll from Magen David Adom rescue services, the number of people killed by an Iranian missile strike that hit a residential building in Beit Shemesh, in central Israel, has risen to six, Israeli media reported.
Lebanon's Supreme Defense Council calls on officials, citizens to uphold their commitment to the highest sense of national responsibility
During the meeting of the Supreme Defense Council held at Baabda Presidential Palace, President Joseph Aoun emphasized that the events occurring in the region demonstrate the national consensus that decision over war and peace rests solely with the Lebanese state, according to the state-run National News Agency.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stressed “the importance of placing the interests of the Lebanese people above all considerations, maintaining security and order in the south and east, and preventing any disruption."
Salam stressed on the need to control prices and quantities of goods, food and fuel.
The Supreme Defense Council announced conclusions following the meeting, while keeping its resolutions private. The Council called on all Lebanese, officials and citizens alike, to uphold their commitment to the highest sense of national responsibility in these delicate circumstances to preserve general stability and comprehensive national security, militarily, socially and economically.
The Council requested the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to keep Lebanese airspace open while ensuring the safety of travelers, maintaining flights to and from Lebanon, monitoring developments, and informing citizens accordingly.
Iran strike damages hotel in Bahrain’s Manama
(Credit: Screenshot from Al-Arabiya TV)
Bahrain's Interior Ministry announced that Iran struck the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the capital, Manama, on Sunday, according to several regional media outlets. The hotel is said to house several employees of the U.S. Embassy stationed in Manama.
In a brief statement, the ministry confirmed that the attack caused material damage to the building, with no reported casualties. Following the incident, the U.S. Embassy in Manama announced that all U.S. personnel had been successfully evacuated from the hotel.
Hamas condemns Khamenei killing, hails his support
Hamas and its military wing on Sunday condemned the U.S.-Israeli attack that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, paying tribute to the direct "support" provided for decades by Iran's supreme leader.
"We in Hamas mourn the passing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He provided all forms of political, diplomatic and military support to our people, our cause and our Resistance," Hamas said in a statement.
"The U.S. and the fascist occupation government bear full responsibility for this blatant aggression and heinous crime against the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as for its serious repercussions on the security and stability of the region."
In a separate statement Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, described Khamenei as the "main supporter of the Axis of Resistance and its mujahideen."
"All the support the Islamic Republic has provided over decades to our people and our resistance ... was delivered by his direct decision and under his full supervision," the Brigades said.
"This substantial support has been a key factor in the development of the resistance and its tactics, culminating in the remarkable achievements" during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the group added.
UK warns of heightened military activity near Strait of Hormuz and other maritime areas
(Credit: @UK_MTO/X)
The UK Maritime Operations Centre (UKMTO) said it has observed “significant military activity” across the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
It warned that maritime security remains "highly volatile," with increased risks for commercial shipping.
"Mariners should be aware of the increased risk of miscalculation or misidentification, particularly in proximity to military units and other sensitive maritime facilities and infrastructure," it added.
US shoots down drones near Erbil military base
U.S. air defenses intercepted drones flying over its military base near Erbil International Airport in Iraq's Kurdistan region, security sources told Reuters.
Iran says Tehran broadcasting complex was not hit
Iran’s state broadcaster said Tehran’s broadcasting complex was not targeted in Sunday’s strikes, Reuters reported, citing the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting public relations office.
Explosions heard over Tel Aviv after sirens
Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv minutes after air raid sirens sounded in parts of Israel following the detection of missiles fired from Iran toward the country, the Israeli military said.
Lebanon forms crisis cell to secure fuel, food and medicine
Industry Minister Joe Issa al-Khoury said the ministry is working to ensure fuel supply for all factories and has set up a joint crisis cell to safeguard food and pharmaceuticals, according to the state-run National News Agency.
Speaking at a press conference with industry and union leaders, Khoury added: "We are working to prevent any shortages, disruptions or exploitation. We have at least three months of pharmaceutical stock, eight months of raw materials for medicines, and four months of stock in the food industry sector.”
Sirens sound in Tel Aviv amid drone sighting
Air raid sirens were triggered a few minutes ago, particularly in eastern areas and around Tel Aviv. Haaretz reported that a drone was also identified heading toward the open sea.
Air France extends cancellations to Middle East destinations
Air France has extended flight cancellations to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut, Dubai and Riyadh through Tuesday as airlines adjust schedules amid regional tensions after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, the carrier said in a statement cited by AFP.
The airline added it will later share updated flight plans for these routes.
Israel says 'about half' of Iran’s missile stockpiles destroyed
The Israeli military announced today that it had destroyed "about half" of Iran's missile stockpiles since the start of joint strikes with the United States against Tehran on Saturday.
"During this operation, we destroyed about half of the Iranian regime's missile stockpiles and prevented the production of at least 1,500 additional missiles," army spokesman Effie Defrin said in a televised speech.
"The regime was recently producing dozens of surface-to-surface missiles per month and intended to increase its production to several hundred per month," he added.
Lebanon's Interior Minister: 'All Lebanese place the interest of Lebanon above all else'
Leaving the Higher Defense Council meeting in Baabda, Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar said the government does not need to "receive the 'ok' from Hezbollah” regarding the party's potential involvement in the ongoing regional conflict.
He added that President Joseph Aoun confirmed that "contacts have taken place between the different parties, and that all Lebanese place the interest of Lebanon above all else."
Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri pays tribute to Khamenei
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri paid his respects to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a statement relayed by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
"We pay tribute to him for the nation, for all the free peoples of the world and for the wise religious authorities of the East and the West. We consider him an imam, a reference, a guide and a sincere and committed leader who kept his commitment to God and never faltered. We salute him as a great martyr, whose death uplifts the nation and strengthens its determination," Berri said
"In the face of this profound loss, we extend our deepest condolences and congratulations to the friendly Iranian people, the family of the deceased martyr, his children, his faithful, our great religious authorities and the Iranian leadership," he added.
Notably, Berri also heads the Amal Movement, a Hezbollah ally.
UK: 2 Iranian missiles fired toward its base in Cyprus
The U.K. defense secretary said two Iranian ballistic missiles were fired in the direction of Cyprus, where British military bases are located, though he added they were "pretty sure they weren't targeted" at them. He added that UK warplanes were involved in "defensive" action in the region, operating from Cyprus and Qatar.
In comments to the BBC, John Healey described the launches as evidence of the "indiscriminate" nature of Iran’s retaliatory attacks and noted that around 300 British military personnel were near targets in Bahrain during other Iranian strikes.
He did not further detail anything about the missiles and any interception action.
Local, regional and internation flight adjustment details
✈️Airlines continued canceling and rescheduling flights Sunday as much of the region’s airspace remained closed, following U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and sparked a new regional conflict.
🔎Here's what you need to know about Lebanon's Middle East Airlines flight adjustment.👈
🔎 Here's what you need to know about regional and international airlines flight adjustment.👈
Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem pays tribute to Khamenei
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem paid tribute to the leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ali Khamenei, in a statement.
"We offer our condolences and congratulations to the Imam of the Time, Imam Mahdi may God hasten his coming, to the Islamic nation, to the free peoples of the world and to the great Iranian people, for the sublime and blessed martyrdom of our leader and master, Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei, may God preserve his secret, who has obtained the highest distinction of glory, faithfulness, resistance and dedication in the way of God, namely martyrdom in the way of the master of martyrs, Imam Hussein peace be upon him."
"As I pay tribute to this divine leader and heavenly guide with a heart heavy with pain and wounds, and a soul filled with sadness and sorrow, I feel great pride and honor at the same time. The leader, guide, and guardian of the nation has ascended to the mercy and satisfaction of his Lord in the greatest month and the best of days, the month of Ramadan. He led the march of jihad and resistance against the tyrants and oppressors, the Americans and Israelis, who are enemies of religion and humanity, thereby achieving great victory and high honor, as he ended his blessed and honorable life with the divine medal of martyrdom"
"We, in Hezbollah ... will continue on our path with determination, steadfastness, and a martyrdom spirit that knows no fatigue or boredom and does not accept humiliation. ... We will do our duty in confronting aggression, confident in God's victory, guidance, and support ... No matter how great the sacrifices, we will not abandon the field of honor and resistance and confront the American tyrant and Zionist criminality to defend our land, our dignity, and our independent choices."
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi named acting Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has been appointed to Iran’s interim council temporarily assuming the duties of supreme leader following Ali Khamenei’s assassination in U.S.-Israeli strikes, the state-run ISNA news agency reported.
Under the constitution, the council — made up of the president, judiciary head and a jurist from the Guardian Council — ensures continuity of the supreme leader’s functions until a successor is chosen.
UN office set on fire in Pakistan protest
(Credit: Manzoor Balati/AFP)
Protesters set fire to a United Nations office during an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel demonstration in Skardu, in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region, AFP reported.
Oil tanker attacked off the coast of Oman, state media reports
Oman’s maritime security center reported that the Palau-flagged oil tanker Skylight was "targeted" about five nautical miles off Musandam on Sunday, Oman National News Agency reported.
Four crew members were injured, and all 20 aboard — including 15 Indians and 5 Iranians — were evacuated safely.
The source of the attack was not specified.
Lebanon assures food supply availability amid regional tensions
Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture said plant and animal products remain available in markets despite regional challenges.
Following consultations with producer unions, farmers and professional associations, the ministry highlighted that seasonal increases in vegetables, poultry, eggs, meat and fish help ensure local supply and meet citizens’ needs.
In images: 24 hours that shook the region
At dawn on Saturday, Feb. 28, the bilateral U.S.-Israeli military offensive against Iran began — just a day after talks between the Iran and the U.S. were taking place under reported "positive" conditions.
By Sunday, March 1, thousands of Iranians mourned Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, killed in the strikes. After bombings rocked Iran’s major cities, Iran retaliated against Israel and Gulf countries and Jordan, hundreds of flights were canceled, and the Strait of Hormuz was closed.
📸Here's a visual look back at the 24 hours that shook the region.👈
Ahmad Vahidi named IRGC commander-in-chief
General Ahmad Vahidi has been appointed commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, replacing Mohammad Pakpour, who was killed in Tehran yesterday, Iranian newspaper Hamshahri reported.
Vahidi previously served as Iran’s defense and interior minister and has been deputy chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces since November 2025. He also headed the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force and is suspected of involvement in the 1994 AMIA Jewish community center bombing in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people. He remains wanted by Interpol, with Argentina renewing its arrest request in April 2024.
At least 9 people killed in protests outside US diplomatic mission in Pakistan
Hundreds protesters tried to storm the U.S. consulate in Karachi following the announcement of the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, AFP journalists reported.
At least nine people were killed and 20 injured, mostly with bullet wounds, Muhammad Amin of the Edhi Foundation told AFP. Young demonstrators climbed over the main gate, smashed windows, and briefly gained access to the consulate driveway. Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Videos on social media showed protesters breaking windows while the American flag flew over the barbed-wire-topped compound.
Thousands also took to the streets in Lahore and Skardu, with a demonstration expected later near the U.S. embassy in Islamabad.
40 Tel Aviv buildings damaged in Iran's Saturday attacks
A drone view of the site of an Iranian missile strike on a residential building, in Tel Aviv, Israel March 1, 2026. (Credit: Roei Kastro/Reuters)
Forty buildings in Tel Aviv sustained varying degrees of damage after an Iranian missile struck the city yesterday, Haaretz reported citing the municipality. As a result, more than 200 residents were evacuated from their homes and housed in three hotels nearby, Haaretz added.
UAE warns Iran against targeting neighbors
A top Emirati official said Iran’s Gulf attacks have isolated the country and warned Tehran not to strike its neighbors as retaliation enters a second day, AFP reported.
"The Iranian aggression against the Gulf states was a miscalculation and it isolated Iran at a critical juncture. Your war is not with your neighbors," said presidential adviser Anwar Gargash.
"Return to reason, to your surroundings, and deal with your neighbors rationally and responsibly before the circle of isolation and escalation widens."
Israel army says has begun striking targets in 'heart of Tehran'
The Israeli military said that it had begun striking targets deep inside Tehran.
The army "is striking targets that belong to the Iranian terror regime in the heart of Tehran," the military said. "Over the past day, the Israeli Air Force conducted large-scale strikes in order to establish aerial superiority and to pave the path to Tehran."
Smoke rises after reported Iranian missile attacks, following United States and Israel strikes on Iran, as seen from Doha, Qatar, March 1, 2026. (Credit: Mohammed Salem/Reuters)
Iranian drones target Oman’s Duqm port, injuring 1
Oman’s Duqm commercial port was hit by two drones, injuring one foreign worker, the Oman News Agency reported.
This marks the first attack reported in Oman since Iran’s retaliatory strikes on the Gulf began Saturday. The Omani foreign minister recently acted as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran in nuclear negotiations.
"A security source reported that the commercial port of Duqm was targeted by two drones. One drone struck a mobile workers' accommodation, injuring one foreign worker, while debris from the other landed near fuel tanks, causing no casualties or material damage," the Oman News Agency said in a post on X.
Earlier, the U.S. embassy in Oman urged employees and Americans in the country to self-isolate "due to an ongoing incident" near Muscat, Reuters said.
Aoun convenes Higher Defense Council amid regional escalation
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun convened the Higher Defense Council in Baabda Sunday morning, a day after the bilateral Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran triggered Iranian retaliation on Israel and countries hosting U.S. military infrastructure.
The council, which usually includes the president, prime minister, key ministers, and heads of security and military services, does not make decisions but issues recommendations to the government. Ministers included in this council include misters of defense, foreign affairs, finance, interior and economy.
Sirens and explosions reported in Jerusalem
AFP journalists reported explosions in Jerusalem after the Israeli army detected new Iranian missile launches.
"Sirens sounded in several parts of the country, after the identification of missiles launched from Iran towards Israel," the army said. "The Israeli Air Force intervenes to intercept and strike threats, when necessary, in order to eliminate them."
Lebanese Shiite official condemns Khamenei killing
Ali al-Khatib, deputy chairman of Lebanon’s Higher Shiite Council, offered condolences for the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and condemned the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed him as a "heinous crime."
In a statement, Sheikh Khatib paid tribute to Khamenei who "offered himself as a martyr in the face of the forces of impiety, terrorism, crime and genocide."
He condemned the "heinous crime that violates all norms and laws."
"We share the pain and sadness of the Iranian people in the face of this immense loss," he added, adding that the death of the leader "will strengthen the cohesion and determination of the Iranian people to defeat the enemy's goals."
Iraq declares 3 days of mourning for Khamenei
Iraq announced a three-day national mourning following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes.
"With deep sadness, we offer our condolences to the noble people of Iran and the entire Muslim world" after Khamenei’s death in "a blatant act of aggression," government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said.
UN nuclear agency to hold extraordinary meeting on Iran Monday
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold an extraordinary meeting on Monday at the request of Russia following the bilateral U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.
Iran had made the same request in a letter to IAEA chief Rafael Grossi yesterday.
The agency will hold a "special session of the IAEA Board of Governors on matters related to military strikes of the United States and Israel against the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the IAEA said in a statement.
Loud explosions heard in Tehran
Several powerful explosions were heard in Tehran, according to Iranian media quoted by Reuters.
Top Iranian generals killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes
Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, Abdolrahim Mousavi, was killed along with other senior officials in U.S.-Israeli strikes, state television reported.
The broadcast said Mousavi, the defense minister, Revolutionary Guards chief Mohammad Pakpour, and Khamenei adviser Ali Shamkhani were all killed "during a meeting of the Defense Council," with additional names to be announced later.
More explosions reported in Dubai after Iran strikes
AFP correspondents in Dubai heard a new round of explosions earlier this morning, marking a second day of blasts in the city after Iran’s strikes in the Gulf in retaliation for U.S.‑Israeli attacks that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The blasts came after earlier explosions in Dubai, as well as in Doha and Bahrain’s Manama.
Trump warns Iran of unprecedented retaliation
(Credit: Screenshot of Trump's post on Truth Social)
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran with unprecedented force if it retaliates for the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
"Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!"
Iran’s transition process begins today; Larijani warns dissidents
Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and former Khamenei adviser said that Iran will start its transition process following Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death
He explained that a temporary leadership council would be set up, adding that the council will be set up "as soon as possible."
"The president, the head of the judiciary, and a Guardian Council lawyer will assume responsibility until the next leader is elected," Larijani added.
He also accused the United States and Israel of trying to plunder and disintegrate Iran and warned "secessionist groups" of a harsh response if they attempt action, state television said.
Protesters clash near US embassy in Baghdad
Protesters tried to storm the area housing the U.S. embassy in Baghdad following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the U.S.-Israeli strikes, an Iraqi security source told AFP.
"Their attempts had been thwarted so far, but they keep trying," the source said. Videos on social media showed stones being thrown at security forces, who responded with tear gas, while hundreds waved flags of pro-Iranian groups.
Several Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups said Saturday they will not remain "neutral" and will defend the Islamic republic.
The powerful group Kataib Hezbollah said it will attack U.S. bases after two of its fighters were killed in air strikes in southern Iraq.
Early today, loud explosions were heard near Erbil airport, which hosts U.S.-led coalition troops in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, an AFP journalist said.
Yesterday, U.S.-led coalition forces downed several missiles and explosive-laden drones over Erbil, local authorities said.
Three officials to lead Iran transition after Khamenei's death
Three senior officials, including President Massoud Pezeshkian, will oversee Iran’s transition following Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's assassination, one of his advisers, Mohammad Mokhber, told state television.
The trio will include Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and a Guardian Council lawyer, Mokhber said.
Thousands pay tribute to Khamenei in Tehran
People gather to mourn the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint US and Israeli strikes, at a square in Tehran on March 1, 2026. (Credit: Atta Kenare/AFP)
AFP journalists reported that thousands gathered at Enghelab Square in central Tehran following the announcement of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death.
Dressed mostly in black, some in tears, people held portraits of Khamenei and Iranian flags. The demonstrators chanted "Death to America," and "Death to Israel."
The 86-year-old leader was killed in Israeli-U.S. strikes on his residence Saturday, confirmed by state television on Sunday.
Israel Katz says, 'Justice has been served,' congratulates army for 'execution'
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz welcomed the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
"The tyrant Khamenei was taken ... along with other senior figures in the Iranian terrorist stronghold," Katz wrote on social media. "Justice has been served, and the axis of evil has suffered a severe blow."
He also congratulated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli army for the execution.
Sirens sound across Israel after Iranian missiles
Air raid sirens went off in central Israel after Iranian missiles were detected heading toward the country, the Israeli army said.
"Sirens sounded in several parts of the country, after the identification of missiles launched from Iran towards the State of Israel," the army wrote on Telegram, adding that interception operations are underway.
Explosions reported in Gulf
AFP journalists reported new explosions this morning across several Gulf cities as Iran vowed further attacks on U.S. military bases in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli offensive.
Explosions were heard in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Doha, Qatar; and Manama, Bahrain.
Iran says it was ready for Khamenei’s death
Iran had prepared for "all scenarios," including the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said.
“We have prepared for these moments and have considered all scenarios,” Ghalibaf said in a video broadcast on state television. He added that U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had "crossed our red lines" and "will suffer the consequences."
New Iranian strikes hit Israel, US bases
Iran launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks this morning targeting U.S. military bases across the Gulf and Israel, state media reported. The strikes come in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli operations that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
According to Iranian state television, 27 U.S. bases in the region, along with Israel Defense Forces headquarters and a defense industrial complex in Tel Aviv, were among the targets.
Who is Ali Khamenei
A protester waves a photo of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during a rally in Tehran in solidarity with the government against Israeli attacks, on June 14, 2025. (Credit: Atta Kenare/AFP)
The supreme leader, whose influence reshaped the region for decades, was killed Saturday in a series of U.S.-Israeli strikes after the long-standing, shadow war with Israel spread into his own territory and ultimately ended his reign.
Day 2 of regional escalation
Welcome to our live coverage as tensions surge across the Middle East, one day after a major regional escalation.
The crisis began with large-scale bilateral Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran, followed within hours by Iranian retaliation targeting Israel as well as U.S. bases and infrastructure in the Gulf and Jordan.
Overnight, Tehran confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the strikes — a development that marks a historic turning point in the confrontation.
We will bring you the latest on military developments, political fallout and reactions from Lebanon and around the world.
For a day 1 wrap up, check out yesterday's live blog, here.👈
Interior minister says he is monitoring 'security situation'
Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar said he is following the “security situation and recent developments on the ground,” according to a statement relayed by the state-run National News Agency.
He said he had contacted all local officials, asking them to remain in their offices and facilitate procedures for residents displaced by Israeli strikes.
He also went to the headquarters of the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces, where he met with the director-general and the head of the Intelligence Division. “The necessary instructions were given to facilitate the movement of displaced residents, ensure their safety and reduce traffic congestion, while emphasizing continued on-the-ground coordination among the concerned units and the adoption of necessary measures according to developments,” the statement said.
Aoun condemns rocket fire and warns against using Lebanon as 'platform for support wars'
President Joseph Aoun condemned the launch of rockets from Lebanese territory, saying it “undermines all efforts and initiatives undertaken by the Lebanese state to keep Lebanon away from the serious military confrontations shaking the region.”
He warned that using Lebanon as a “platform for support wars” would once again expose the country to danger.
“The responsibility for these risks lies with the parties that have ignored repeated calls to preserve security and stability in the country,” he added. “The state will not allow this to happen again, and the Lebanese people — who are still working to heal the wounds caused by previous confrontations — will not accept it.”
At least 14 killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon
Israeli strikes on the town of Toul (Nabatieh district) killed seven members of the same family, our correspondent in southern Lebanon reported.
Israeli strikes also killed three women in Shehabieh (Sour), and four people in Sultanieh (Bint Jbeil), he added. Israeli strikes on Khirbet Silm (Bint Jbeil), Bir al-Salasil and Deir Qanoun al-Nahr (Sour) were also reported.
Heavy traffic in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs
Heavy congestion was reported on the Kafaat-Laylaki, the old Saida (Tayyouneh) and airport roads and in Choueifat.
The main roads in Saida and on the highways linking Saida to Sour, Saida to Nabatieh and Saida to Beirut were also congested, our correspondent reported.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called for an emergency Cabinet session at Baabda Presidential Palace at 8 a.m. on Monday.
A British RAF military base in Cyprus was struck in what is believed to be a drone attack, according to the Ministry of Defense, Sky News reports.
An Israeli strike targeted the town of Wadi Jilo in the Sour district, our correspondent reported. The village was one of 53 listed in the evacuation notice issued by the Israeli army.
AUB to close on Monday
The American University of Beirut (AUB) announced on X that it will close on Monday due to "the deteriorating situation in Lebanon," with the exception of essential services.
"We will continue to monitor events closely and do everything possible to care for our community and all those seeking our support. As always, AUBMC and KMC will remain open and ready to provide vital care," the statement added.
Several schools in Beirut open to receive those displaced
Several schools across Beirut opened their doors to host people displaced by the Israeli attacks.
A Merkava tank positioned on Hammames Hill fired shells toward Wadi al-Asafir in Khiam, the NNA reported.
Sour resident condemns Hezbollah’s fire at Israel: ‘It has no conscience’
"We thought Hezbollah wouldn’t get involved in the war between Iran and the United States. We didn’t want them to," said a resident of a village in the Sour district.
"This launch took us by surprise. Then we heard the missiles and the planes. People were screaming. Hezbollah has no conscience. Residents are fleeing in the cold, stuck in traffic. All of this can only lead to destruction and displacement."
Two sources — one at Beirut airport and a senior official at Middle East Airlines — told L’Orient Today that reports claiming Beirut airport staff had been asked to evacuate are not true.
Israel says it targeted senior Hezbollah officials in Beirut
The Israeli army claimed it “targeted top terrorist operatives of Hezbollah in the Beirut area.”
At the same time, the army said it struck “a central terrorist figure of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in southern Lebanon.”
Residents flee southern suburbs with nowhere to take shelter
Many displaced people don’t know where to go. "We slept in our cars during the first days of the last war [in 2024], and we’ll do the same this time," Zeinab, who fled Burj al-Barajneh with her teenage daughter, told L’Orient Today by phone.
Trump says he has ‘three very good’ candidates to lead Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday, in a brief interview with The New York Times, that he had “three very good choices” about who could lead Iran, declining to name them.
He added: “I won’t be revealing them now. Let’s get the job done first.”
In southern Lebanon, residents avoid roads for fear of bombings
Fearing being trapped on the road by traffic and Israeli strikes for hours, many residents are choosing to remain in the South for now, several residents from different districts in the region told L’Orient Today.
During the escalation between Hezbollah and Israel on Sept. 23, 2024, displaced residents had spent upwards of 12 hours on roads, blocked by Israeli attacks.
The Israeli army carried out strikes on Shehabieh (Sour), Sultanieh (Bint Jbeil), Khirbet Silm (Bint Jbeil), Bir al-Salasil and Deir Qanoun al-Nahr (Sour), our correspondent in the South reported.
Shots were fired into the air in the southern suburbs of Beirut to warn residents to flee the area.
Explosions heard in Tel Aviv
Explosions were reported in several neighborhoods of Tel Aviv, Reuters reported, citing an eyewitness. The source of the blasts is not yet known.
The Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs targeted buildings in the Haret Hreik and Jamous neighborhood, according to Al-Jadeed.
Salam condemns southern Lebanon rocket fire, vows to protect Lebanese
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the rocket launches from southern Lebanon, calling them an “irresponsible and suspicious act” that endangers the country’s security and integrity and provides Israel with a pretext to continue its attacks.
“Regardless of which entity is responsible, the rocket fire from southern Lebanon is an irresponsible and suspicious act that threatens Lebanon’s security and territorial integrity and gives Israel a pretext to pursue its attacks against the country,” he wrote. “We will not allow the country to be drawn into new adventures and will take all necessary measures to stop those responsible and protect the Lebanese people.”
The Israeli army claimed to have hit Hezbollah targets across Lebanon in a statement on X. “Israeli army troops had prepared for such a scenario as part of Operation ‘Roar of the Lion’ and are ready for confrontation on all fronts,” the statement added.
Hezbollah claims attack on Israel
More than an hour and a half after the Israeli army reported fire from Lebanon, Hezbollah issued a statement on its Telegram account claiming that, in retaliation for the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, it had “targeted a precision rocket battery and a swarm of drones at the Mishmar HaCarmel site, dedicated to the Israeli army’s missile defense, south of the occupied city of Haifa.”
Mishmar HaCarmel is roughly 40 kilometers away from Ras Naqoura and the Lebanese-Israeli border.
“The leadership of the Resistance has always affirmed that the continuation of Israeli aggression and the assassination of our leaders, our youth and our people gives us the right to defend ourselves and respond at the appropriate time and place,” the party added.
Hezbollah concluded by stating that “this response constitutes legitimate defense, and it is the responsibility of the relevant officials and parties to put an end to the Israeli-American aggression against Lebanon.”
No response from Hezbollah so far
L'Orient Today tried to reach several Hezbollah spokespersons to determine whether the party was behind the fire reported by the Israeli army. So far, we have received no response from any of them.
Israeli aircraft over Beirut, southern Lebanon
Israeli aircraft is flying low over Beirut and in several districts in southern Lebanon, residents told L'Orient Today.
Some residents leave southern Lebanon, Bekaa amid fear of escalation in Lebanon
Several residents in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa have told L'Orient Today that they are fleeing to Beirut, fearing an Israeli escalation.
Some, however, resorted to packing their bags with important documents and keeping them ready in case they had to leave.
Israel announces continue strike on Tehran; explosions heard in several areas in Iran
The Israeli army said it was continuing "large‑scale strikes" against targets in Iran, particularly around Tehran, as explosions were heard in several districts of the Iranian capital — especially in the north of the city — according to the semi‑official Tasnim news agency.
In a military statement, forces said the strikes were carried out by the air force "guided by army intelligence" and were aimed at targets linked to the "Iranian regime."
Iranian state media reported multiple explosions in areas including Seyed Khandan, Qasr crossroads, Vanak Square and Motahari Street as the operations continued.
The rocket fire from Lebanon, which has not been claimed so far, “will result in a harsh response,” KAN radio reported, citing senior Israeli security officials.
No comment from Hezbollah yet
Hezbollah has not yet made any comment or announcement regarding the firing reported from Lebanon by the Israeli army.
Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire in 2024, ending more than a year of fighting between the two, which concluded with Israeli strikes that severely weakened the Iranian-backed party. Israel near-daily violates the cease-fire by striking areas in Lebanon, mainly the South and the Bekaa Valley.
Israeli army intercepts 'projectile coming from Lebanon'
The Israeli army says that "a projectile coming from Lebanon and entering Israeli territory was intercepted by the Israeli air force."
"Several other projectiles fell in open areas," it added, adding that no injuries or damage were reported.
Israel reports missiles fired from Lebanon
Sirens sound in northern Israel after projectiles fired from Lebanon, the Israeli army Arabic-language spokesperson Ela Waweya said on X.
4 injured in Syria in Israeli interception of Iranian missile
A father and his three daughters were wounded in Syria by debris of Iranian missile intercepted by Israel over Syrian airspace, SANA reported.
"Four people, a father and three daughters, were wounded as a result of the fall of the missile debris resulting from the exchange of strikes between Israel and Iran, in the town of Ain Tarma in the Damascus province," the official SANA news agency said, quoting a health ministry official.
They were taken to hospital for treatment, the agency added.
Israel intercepted several missiles over Syria, according to a source in the Interior Ministry.
Israel had struck and destroyed much of the Syrian army's infrastructure including its air defenses after the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in 2024, to prevent it falling into the hands of the new authorities.
More details, here.👈
6 wounded in Jerusalem after Iranian missile strikes
Six people were injured in the Jerusalem area following Iranian missile strikes, Israeli rescue services said.
Magen David Adom said rescue teams were treating "a man of about 50 years old … as well as five people with minor injuries."
Israeli police added that searches are ongoing after "interception debris" likely fell in multiple locations.
UK to allow US to use its military bases for 'defensive' strikes
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Sunday he had agreed to let the United States use U.K. bases to fire "defensive" strikes aimed at destroying Iranian missiles and their launchers.
But in a video address posted to social media platform X, he added: "We were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran and we will not join offensive action now."
"But Iran is pursuing a scorched-earth strategy, so we are supporting the collective self-defense of our allies and our people in the region."
Starmer added: "Our decision that the U.K. would not be involved with the strikes on Iran was deliberate ... Not least because we believe that the best way forward for the region and for the world is a negotiated settlement."
"We all remember the mistakes of Iraq. And we have learned those lessons," he added.
A separate statement posted on the U.K. government website set out its legal position.
Trump in second speech since war: Combat operations continue in full force until objectives are achieved
U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that combat operations in Iran were continuing and would carry on until all of Washington's objectives are achieved, while vowing to "avenge" the deaths of the U.S. troops killed in the conflict.
Trump confirmed in a video posted on Truth Social that three U.S. service members had been killed and said there would likely be more casualties, vowing to avenge the deaths of Americans.
"Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved. We have very strong objectives," Trump said.
He renewed his warning to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and military police to disarm and receive "immunity" or face death.
He concluded with a call to the Iranians to "seize this moment, to be brave, be bold and be heroic and take back your country. America is with you. I made a promise to you. And I fulfilled that promise. The rest will be up to you, and we will be there to help."
The EU is strengthening its military mission in the Red Sea with two French ships, said a diplomat quoted by AFP.
Hezbollah statement commemorating Khamenei
Hezbollah issued a statement on the death of Ali Khamenei, whom it described as "the sun that spreads light ... a fighting leader, a believer, devoted and courageous, endowed with penetrating vision and great wisdom," joining "the luminous caravan blessed in the divine way."
The statement added that Khamenei had "a long and blessed life, spent in the service of the oppressed and the underprivileged ... The cause of the liberation of Palestine was the central cause for which he gave all that was dear and precious to him."
Khamenei "fell as a martyr at the hands of the most heinous of the odious of our time, the Israeli and American terrorists, after consolidating the foundations of the Islamic Republic, strengthening its pillars and making it a powerful, honorable and victorious state," the party statement also said.
Hezbollah concluded its statement by saying that it "reaffirms its commitment to the Islamic Republic, its leadership, its government, its Revolutionary Guards, its army and its people, as it has always done in all trials and crises, to repel the arrogant and tyrants until complete and final victory."
7 wounded in Jerusalem following Iranian attack
A series of explosions heard over Jerusalem.
Seven wounded, one in serious condition, in Jerusalem area missile strike, Haaretz reported citing an emergency service.
Syria, Lebanon discuss coordination amid regional tensions
Syrian Foreign Minister Assaad al-Shaibani spoke Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Sunday via phone to discuss closer coordination in light of recent regional developments, Syria’s Foreign Ministry said.
According to Damascus, the talks focused on "the latest regional developments and their repercussions." Shaibani stressed the importance of |strengthening coordination between the two brotherly countries in order to guarantee security and stability in the context of current developments."
Trump says Iran operation could last ‘four weeks or so’
U.S. President Donald Trump said he expects the American operation against Iran to last "four weeks or less," according to an interview published Sunday by the Daily Mail.
"It's always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so. It's always been about a four-week process so, as strong as it is, it's a big country, it'll take four weeks - or less," the President explained.
Oman says U.S.-Iran diplomacy channels remain open
Oman’s foreign minister said communication channels between the United States and Iran remain open, despite rising regional tensions.
"I continue to believe in the power of diplomacy to resolve this conflict. The sooner the talks resume, the better it will be for everyone," Badr Albusaidi wrote on X.
Oman has been playing a mediating role in the nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
7 Iranian commanders killed, Iran media reports
Seven Iranian military commanders were killed in strikes across the country, including the head of the office of the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Sunday.
Tasnim did not immediately provide further details on where the strikes took place or who carried them out.
US strikes over 1,000 Iranian targets
The U.S. military has carried out strikes against over 1,000 Iranian targets so far since starting its campaign on Saturday, U.S. Central Command said on Sunday.
In a fact sheet, Central Command listed these items under "Types of Targets":
* Command and Control Centers
* IRGC Joint Headquarters
* IRGC Aerospace Forces Headquarters
* Integrated Air Defense Systems
* Ballistic Missile Sites
* Iranian Navy Ships
* Iranian Navy Submarines
* Anti-ship Missile Sites
* Military Communication Capabilities
Centcom says Iranian Revolutionary Guards HQ destroyed
The headquarters of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards was destroyed in U.S.–Israeli strikes, the U.S. military’s Middle East command, United States Central Command (Centcom), said on Sunday.
“The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [IRGC] has killed more than 1,000 Americans over the past 47 years.
Yesterday, a large-scale U.S. attack decapitated the snake. America has the most powerful armed forces on Earth, and the IRGC no longer has a headquarters,” Centcom said on X, accompanying its message with a video showing missiles launched from destroyers.
Explosions heard in Jerusalem after new Iranian missile alert
Explosions were reported in Jerusalem following a fresh missile alert linked to Iranian strikes, raising concerns of escalation in the region.
French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle redirects to Eastern Mediterranean
The French aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle and its naval strike group have cut short their deployment in the Baltic Sea to head to the Eastern Mediterranean, BFMTV reports, amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock markets closed until Tuesday due to regional escalation
The UAE’s financial regulator, the CMA, announced an exceptional closure of the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) for Monday and Tuesday.
The closure comes after Iranian missile strikes on the UAE since Saturday, in response to U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. The CMA said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take any additional necessary measures, advising all parties to follow official channels for updates.
Reza Pahlavi calls on Iranians to celebrate Khamenei’s death safely
Reza Pahlavi, son of the former Shah of Iran, called on Iranians on Sunday to celebrate the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei following U.S.-Israeli strikes, encouraging “songs every evening” while staying “safe.”
In a statement on X in both Farsi and English, Pahlavi described Khamenei as a “demon” for ordering the “massacre of thousands of Iranian sons and daughters.”
“With his dishonorable death, and that of many of his cronies and henchmen, the Islamic Republic reaches its last breath,” he said, presenting himself as a transitional figure.
“To the honorable and courageous people of Iran, the death of the despot of our time — while marking the start of a great national celebration — is not the end of the path. Stay vigilant. Be ready. The hour of a broad and decisive presence in the streets is very near,” Pahlavi added.
He urged citizens, while preserving their safety, to “show your satisfaction and support for the destruction of the Islamic Republic with songs every evening, and to voice your demands for Iran’s future.” He also called on the Iranian diaspora to “intensify” their efforts in support of the cause.
Strikes kill two pro-Iranian fighters near Syria-Iraq border
According to security and pro-Iranian sources, airstrikes have killed two pro-Iranian fighters near the Syria-Iraq border.
Police station near Tehran hit by strikes, people trapped under rubble
Iranian media report that a police station near Tehran was targeted in airstrikes, leaving people trapped under the debris.
UAE closes embassy in Iran and recalls ambassador after Iranian missile strikes
The United Arab Emirates announced on Sunday that it is closing its embassy in Tehran and recalling its ambassador in response to Iranian missile attacks targeting the country, according to a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
“The UAE announces the closure of its embassy in Tehran and the withdrawal of its ambassador and all members of its diplomatic mission, and condemns the Iranian missile attacks,” the ministry said.
The decision comes in response to what the ministry called “flagrant Iranian missile attacks targeting the territory, constituting aggressions against civilian sites, including residential areas, airports, ports, and service infrastructure, exposing defenseless civilians to danger.”
This move marks a significant escalation in diplomatic tensions amid the ongoing regional conflict following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Iran: Multiple media report strikes hit Tehran hospital
Iranian news agency ISNA reported that Gandhi Hospital, located in northern Tehran, was targeted Sunday evening during the second day of a bombing campaign against Iran by Israel and the United States.
“Gandhi Hospital in Tehran was attacked by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes,” ISNA wrote, while Fars and Mizan agencies shared a video, reportedly from the hospital, showing debris on the floor among scattered wheelchairs.
Israeli army confirms killing of Khamenei
The Israeli army officially announced that it killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, after previously hinting at it, saying it had “eliminated” the head of the “Iranian terrorist regime.”
Iranian state media broadcasts interrupted after Israeli strikes on headquarters
Broadcasts of Iranian state television were interrupted on Sunday after Israeli strikes targeted the headquarters of public radio and television in Tehran, causing live programs to stop abruptly, Reuters reports.
PM Salam holds meeting on measures to ensure market liquidity
On Sunday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, Economy and Trade Minister Amer Bisat, and Central Bank Governor Karim Souhaid to review preventive measures and emergency frameworks aimed at maintaining financial stability during this sensitive period, according to a statement from the Grand Serail.
Officials discussed liquidity management and ensuring the continued supply of cash to markets through the central bank and commercial banking sector.
US embassy in Lebanon to remain closed Monday
The U.S. embassy in Lebanon announced it will remain closed on Monday, posting a brief notice on its Facebook page.
Two powerful explosions heard in Tehran
Two new bombings struck the center of Iran’s capital on Sunday evening, according to AFP journalists.
The Israeli army said on Telegram that it is “continuing to strike in Tehran,” referring to “attacks on defense systems belonging to the Iranian terrorist regime in the heart of Tehran” in recent minutes.
Pro-Iranian Iraqi group claims drone attack on U.S. bases in Erbil
The pro-Iranian Iraqi armed group Saraya Awliya al-Dam said on Sunday that it carried out a drone attack on U.S. bases in Erbil, northern Iraq, Reuters reports.
U.S. and Iraqi authorities have not immediately confirmed the extent of the damage or whether there were any casualties.
Pro-Iranian Iraqi group claims drone attack on US bases in Erbil
The pro-Iranian Iraqi armed group Saraya Awliya al-Dam said on Sunday that it carried out a drone attack on U.S. bases in Erbil, northern Iraq, Reuters reports.
U.S. and Iraqi authorities have not immediately confirmed the extent of the damage or whether there were any casualties.
School near US embassy in Lebanon to remain closed Monday
Several schools in Beirut’s southern suburbs announced they will remain closed on Monday. The Lebanese Army deployed at the entrances of the Christian neighborhood of Ain al-Rummaneh ahead of a Hezbollah-organized gathering.
The Collège des Frères Maristes Champville, located in Dik el-Mehdi near the U.S. embassy in Awkar (Metn), also informed parents that it would remain closed.
The decision was made “considering the security situation in the area and for the safety of the entire school community: students, parents, teachers, and staff, as well as the school’s particular location.”
Iranian state TV headquarters hit in new Israeli airstrikes on Tehran
Parts of the headquarters of Iran’s national radio and television were hit on Sunday during another wave of Israeli airstrikes on the capital, state media reported. The broadcasts, however, continued normally.
US has ‘destroyed and sunk’ 9 Iranian naval ships, says Trump
In a post on Truth Social, President Trump stated that the U.S. has “destroyed and sunk” nine Iranian naval ships, some of which are “relatively large and important.”
He added that the U.S. military has “largely destroyed” the Iranian naval headquarters and is now targeting the remaining vessels in the Iranian fleet. “They will soon be floating at the bottom of the sea,” Trump said.
MP Michel Pharaon condemns Iran’s targeting of Gulf states
MP and former minister Michel Pharaon condemned Iran’s attacks on Gulf countries, calling them “an attack on all Arab countries, and Lebanon is part of them. It indicates the beginning of the Iranian regime’s sinking and its readiness to take everyone down with it,” he wrote on X.
He added, “Any attempt to target Israel from Lebanon must be prevented. We can no longer pay the Iranian and Israeli bills.”
Death toll from Minab girls’ school airstrike rises to 165
The death toll from the airstrike on a girls’ school in Minab has risen to 165, according to the county governor.
The governor said the updated figure reflects the conclusion of excavation operations at the school, where additional bodies of students were recovered. The attack, carried out on Saturday in southern Iran, initially had a reported toll of 108 victims.
On Sunday morning, the Israeli army told AFP that it was "not aware" of the strike on the school.
This tragic increase in casualties underscores the devastating impact of the ongoing strikes in the region and raises further international concern over civilian safety.
Israeli army says Khamenei assassination marks 'culmination' of campaign against Iran
The Israeli army has announced that the assassination of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei represents the "culmination of a sustained effort to eliminate the senior leadership of the Iranian terror axis throughout the 'War of Revival,'" according to Haaretz.
The military added that these targeted killings "significantly degrade the Iranian terror axis" and vowed to "continue to strike infrastructure belonging to the Iranian regime in order to degrade the regime and thwart threats against Israel."
This marks a dramatic escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran, signaling that Israel is pursuing a sustained campaign against Iranian leadership and military infrastructure. Analysts warn that such actions could further destabilize the region and provoke retaliatory measures from Tehran.
At least 244 people killed in Iran since Saturday, according to Iranian authorities and Israeli army reports
At least 244 people have been killed in Iran over the past 48 hours following U.S.-Israeli attacks, according to authorities.
On Saturday, 201 people — including 108 girls at a school — were killed in airstrikes, the Iranian Red Crescent reported. On Sunday, 43 security personnel died in another attack on the headquarters of a border regiment in the western city of Mehran, according to Iranian news agency Mehr.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army claimed to have killed 40 senior Iranian officials and dignitaries, including Ali Khamenei, a figure whose death estimate was later echoed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
These figures remain unverifiable, especially as internet access has been cut off in Iran.
Israeli army to call up '100,000 reservists' in operations against Iran
The Israeli army announced that it is preparing to mobilize “around 100,000 reservists” to “strengthen its readiness” as part of its operation against Iran, dubbed “Lion’s Roar.”
The military said it aims to “focus its efforts on offensive activities to counter terrorism,” with reinforcements especially at the country’s eastern border.
Washington authorizes non-essential diplomats and families to leave Qatar over security risks
The U.S. State Department has authorized the departure of non-essential diplomats and their families from Qatar due to security risks, according to a travel advisory issued by the embassy, Reuters reports.
Trump: 'They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk' with Iran
In a recent interview with Atlantic magazine, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that Iran’s new leadership has expressed interest in dialogue — and that he has agreed to engage. Speaking from his Florida residence, Trump said, “They want to talk, and I have agreed to talk, so I will be talking to them. They should have done it sooner. They should have given what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long.”
This marks a notable development in U.S.-Iran relations, with Trump signaling willingness to reopen direct communication. Analysts are now watching closely to see what topics could be on the table and how Iran will respond.
Mediator Oman's FM urges cease-fire on call with Iran's Araghchi
Oman's foreign minister, who had been mediating U.S.-Iran talks, on Sunday urged a ceasefire on a call with his Iranian counterpart, as Tehran launched a second day of strikes in response to ongoing U.S.-Israeli air raids.
Badr Albusaidi "affirmed the Sultanate of Oman's continued call for a cease-fire and a return to dialogue... in a manner that achieves the legitimate demands of all parties," Oman's foreign ministry said in a readout of a call with Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.
Netanyahu says Israeli attacks on Tehran will increase even more in coming days
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli forces are now striking the heart of Tehran with increasing strength, which will increase even more in the coming days, according to Haaretz.
In a statement on the roof of the Kirya, the Israeli army's headquarters in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu said: "We eliminated the dictator Khamenei and dozens of senior officials of the oppressive regime."
"The military assistance of the United States allows us to do what I have been hoping to do for 40 years – to strike the terrorist regime squarely in the face. I promised – and so we will," he added.
Attack in western Iran kills 43 members of security forces, local media reports
Iranian media reported that 43 members of the security forces were killed in an attack on the headquarters of a border regiment in the western city of Mehran near Iraq on Sunday.
"This attack, which was accompanied by bombing, unfortunately resulted in the martyrdom of 43 security personnel, most of them border guards, and parts of nearby buildings were also seriously damaged," the Mehr news agency said.
"According to initial reports, this hostile act was carried out by agents of the United States and the Zionist regime."
Hezbollah supporters rally in Beirut after Khamenei’s death
Crowds gather in Beirut southern suburbs on March 1, 2026 to mourn Ayatollah Khamenei. (Credit: Mohammed Yassine/L'Orient-le Jour)
“Khamenei, Sayyed Ali, is a spiritual father, the Wali al-Faqih, a political leader with authority over us in all aspects of our lives,” said Khadija Diab, 41, who attended Sunday’s demonstration with her children in southern Beirut, organized by Hezbollah in tribute to Ali Khamenei.
“I was following the news, but at first, I didn’t believe it. We were waiting for confirmation from the Iranian side. Then I woke up to my 16-year-old brother crying. He had checked social media… The news hit like a brutal shock. It felt as if your soul left your body. It was like reliving what happened with Sayyed [Hassan Nasrallah], and this time it’s even worse,” she added.
“We want Lebanon to be safe. But we are facing aggression. Israel is attacking us. We have the right to protect ourselves: our lands, our families, our South, and our men who die every day. It is our duty to fight against this enemy. We want to defend ourselves. If the order is given, we will follow the command.”
Foreign Ministry sets up emergency unit for citizens abroad, provides hotline numbers
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it is monitoring developments in several Arab countries and across the region “with great concern,” following the war against Iran triggered by Israel and the United States.
The statement highlights the creation of an “emergency unit” connecting the ministry in Beirut with Lebanese diplomatic missions abroad. I
ts purpose is to continuously track developments, respond to citizens’ needs, and provide support. The ministry also released a list of hotline numbers for Lebanese nationals to call in case of emergencies.
Araghchi: Khamenei's successor could be chosen 'within a day or two'
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a successor to Iran's supreme leader could be chosen "within a day or two," in an interview with Al Jazeera.
Araghchi said the election would be held quickly, "So everything is in order and everything is in line with our legal system and in line with the constitution." Araghchi added that the country does not intend to close the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait is the world's most vital oil export route, linking major Gulf producers, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
USS Lincoln aircraft carrier 'not hit' in Iranian missile attack
The Pentagon on Sunday denied Iran's claim to have struck the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles in the Gulf.
"The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close," US Central Command said on X.
Three American service members have been killed in action, and five have been seriously wounded in President Trump’s war in Iran, the Pentagon said.
United States Central Command did not say where the troops were killed, but said that several other troops “sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions and are in the process of being returned to duty.”
Araghchi: ‘There is no victory in this war’
Abbas Araghchi has asserted that neither the United States nor Israel can achieve victory in the ongoing conflict, insisting that the war will not produce any positive outcome for the opposing side.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Araghchi said: “This war cannot bring about any good result for the other side.”
“There is no victory in this war. They have not been able to achieve their targets, and they will not be able to achieve their targets in the coming days. As long as they continue, they cannot achieve anything,” he added.
Drawing a comparison to last June’s 12-day conflict, Araghchi said: “This reminds me of the previous war – the 12-day war last June – when they expected that in two or three days Iran would capitulate and surrender. But it took 12 days for them to understand that Iran was not surrendering, and that they had no option but to ask for an unconditional cease-fire.”
“I do not see any difference between this time and the previous time. We will resist as long as it takes, and they will see the result,” Araghchi said.
US says it has sunk an Iranian ship in Gulf of Oman
Centcom released a statement saying the “Iranian Jamaran-class corvette” (ship) is “currently sinking to the bottom of the Gulf of Oman.”
As the President said, members of Iran’s armed forces, IRGC and police “must lay down your weapons.” Abandon ship,” it added in a post on X.
Details on how the ship was struck and the circumstances around the sinking remain limited, and there has been no independent confirmation so far.
Reports claim former Iranian president Ahmadinejad killed
Several Iranian and Israeli media outlets are reporting that former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was killed in the massive U.S.‑Israeli airstrikes on Iran, according to preliminary accounts.
Iranian state‑affiliated outlets, including the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA), say he was killed along with his bodyguards in a strike in the Narmak district of Tehran.
There has been no official confirmation so far from Iranian authorities or independent sources.
These reports follow a wave of strikes that have also been linked to the deaths of other senior Iranian figures in the ongoing conflict.
Airstrike kills four linked to Hashd al-Shaabi in Iraq
An airstrike killed four fighters from the former Iraq's Hashd al-Shaabi paramilitary coalition on Sunday, security officials and a party source told AFP.
The fighters, part of groups, previously a pro-Iranian militia, is now integrated into Iraq’s regular army.
They "were killed in an air strike on their base" in Diyala province, with eight others wounded, security officials reported.
A source within Hashd al-Shaabi confirmed "the martyrdom of four fighters," but did not identify the attacker.
Saudi Arabia says it intercepted Iranian missiles near Riyadh airport, U.S. base
Following reports of explosions sounding in eastern Riyadh, Saudi Arabia announced it "successfully intercepted Iranian missiles near Riyadh’s international airport and Prince Sultan Airbase," which hosts U.S. military personnel, a Gulf source told AFP.
The source said, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, added that the interception did not disrupt navigation or cause any human or material losses.
An eyewitness near the airport told AFP they "saw and heard the air defense intercept the missile in the sky."
(Credit: Screen grab from a video obtained by REUTERS on March 1, 2026)
Smoke billowing from an oil tanker hit earlier today off the coast of Oman.
Iranian Revolutionary Guards says it targeted USS Abraham Lincoln
Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced that they targeted the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, deployed off the coast of Oman, with four ballistic missiles, according to Iranian state media quoted by Reuters.
"The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was attacked by four ballistic missiles," the Revolutionary Guard Corps said in its seventh statement on the operation, reported by the Tasnim news agency.
The IRGC says its strikes are entering a "new phase" on land and at sea, targeting "U.S.-Zionist enemy targets."
Large plumes of smoke seen at Abu Dhabi port
Large plumes of smoke were seen rising from the Zayed Port area in Abu Dhabi, a Reuters witness reported.
This comes following AFP reports that explosions were heard in Abu Dhabi.
In related news, a ship was hit by an unidentified projectile off the Emirati coast of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency. A fire broke out but was extinguished, and the crew intends to continue on its route, the agency added on X.
An Israeli emergency service officer walks past the debris of building at the scene of a missile attack near Bet Shemesh, some 30 kilometres west of Jerusalem on March 1, 2026. (Credit: Ahmad Gharbali/AFP
Aftermath of an Iranian strike in Beit Shemesh that killed at least nine Israelis.
Aoun, Macron expected to discuss army support conference
Official sources told L'Orient-Le Jour that a phone call is expected Sunday afternoon between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the fate of the conference in support of the Lebanese Army.
In light of the current regional conflict, “they should make the postponement official,” a minister said on condition of anonymity.
Ask our editor-in-chief
Does Khamenei's assassination signal the end of the Iranian regime? What is the goal of the U.S.-Israeli bilateral offensive? How could these developments affect Lebanon?
A multitude of questions are emerging in the current crisis. You can ask our co-editor-in-chief Anthony Samrani either in the comments (for subscribers) or by email at livechatolj@lorientlejour.com
He will answer your questions here on Sunday, March 1 at 6 p.m. Lebanon time.
At least 9 killed in Israel in Iranian missile strike
At least nine people were killed Sunday in central Israel, Beit Shemesh, when a building collapsed following a "direct strike" by an Iranian missile, Haaretz reported citing rescue services said. The local police said those killed were "likely inside the bomb shelter"
At least 20 more people at the scene have sustained light to moderate injuries.
Iranian attacks on Kuwait kill 1, injure 32 others
Iranian attacks on Kuwait killed one person and injured 32 others, according to its Health Ministry, as cited by Reuters.
Israeli Home Front Command recalls 20,000 reservists
Israel’s Home Front Command said Sunday it recalled about 20,000 reservists amid its war with the U.S. on Iran.
The reservists joined “over the past 24 hours the regular and reserve forces already deployed and operational throughout the country,” it stated.
Israel says it struck two Iranian fighter jets at Tabriz airport
Two Iranian fighter jets, F-5 and F-4 aircraft, were struck by the Israeli air force at Tabriz airport in western Iran as they were preparing to take off “shortly,” the Israeli military claimed.
A military statement, accompanied by video of the attack, said the strike was carried out “to disrupt the activities of the Iranian air force and further weaken the regime’s air defenses.”
Joseph Aoun condemns attacks against Jordan
President Joseph Aoun spoke by phone with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and discussed recent regional developments, condemning the attacks on Jordanian territory.
Aoun also reaffirmed Lebanon’s solidarity, as a people and a state, with Jordan and its “brotherly people” during this delicate period for the region.
Gulf foreign ministers to meet to discuss Iranian response
Foreign ministers of Gulf states will meet Sunday by videoconference to discuss a possible response to the series of attacks launched by Iran against their countries in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli offensive, Gulf officials told Reuters.
The Gulf states, which host numerous U.S. bases, have already issued multiple public condemnations of the attacks and asserted their right to respond to the missile fire targeting them.
At least 3 killed and 58 wounded in Iranian strikes on UAE, authorities say
Iranian strikes on the United Arab Emirates killed three people and wounded 58 others, according to a statement from the Emirati Ministry of Defense.
In retaliation for the massive U.S.-Israeli attack that notably killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Iran launched an unprecedented series of strikes against numerous targets in Gulf countries hosting U.S. bases.
New explosions were heard Sunday afternoon in the cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, whose airport was also hit Saturday.
Iranian strikes on central Israel kill at least 6
According to the latest toll from Magen David Adom rescue services, the number of people killed by an Iranian missile strike that hit a residential building in Beit Shemesh, in central Israel, has risen to six, Israeli media reported.
Lebanon's Supreme Defense Council calls on officials, citizens to uphold their commitment to the highest sense of national responsibility
During the meeting of the Supreme Defense Council held at Baabda Presidential Palace, President Joseph Aoun emphasized that the events occurring in the region demonstrate the national consensus that decision over war and peace rests solely with the Lebanese state, according to the state-run National News Agency.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stressed “the importance of placing the interests of the Lebanese people above all considerations, maintaining security and order in the south and east, and preventing any disruption."
Salam stressed on the need to control prices and quantities of goods, food and fuel.
The Supreme Defense Council announced conclusions following the meeting, while keeping its resolutions private. The Council called on all Lebanese, officials and citizens alike, to uphold their commitment to the highest sense of national responsibility in these delicate circumstances to preserve general stability and comprehensive national security, militarily, socially and economically.
The Council requested the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to keep Lebanese airspace open while ensuring the safety of travelers, maintaining flights to and from Lebanon, monitoring developments, and informing citizens accordingly.
Iran strike damages hotel in Bahrain’s Manama
(Credit: Screenshot from Al-Arabiya TV)
Bahrain's Interior Ministry announced that Iran struck the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the capital, Manama, on Sunday, according to several regional media outlets. The hotel is said to house several employees of the U.S. Embassy stationed in Manama.
In a brief statement, the ministry confirmed that the attack caused material damage to the building, with no reported casualties. Following the incident, the U.S. Embassy in Manama announced that all U.S. personnel had been successfully evacuated from the hotel.
Hamas condemns Khamenei killing, hails his support
Hamas and its military wing on Sunday condemned the U.S.-Israeli attack that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, paying tribute to the direct "support" provided for decades by Iran's supreme leader.
"We in Hamas mourn the passing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He provided all forms of political, diplomatic and military support to our people, our cause and our Resistance," Hamas said in a statement.
"The U.S. and the fascist occupation government bear full responsibility for this blatant aggression and heinous crime against the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as for its serious repercussions on the security and stability of the region."
In a separate statement Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, described Khamenei as the "main supporter of the Axis of Resistance and its mujahideen."
"All the support the Islamic Republic has provided over decades to our people and our resistance ... was delivered by his direct decision and under his full supervision," the Brigades said.
"This substantial support has been a key factor in the development of the resistance and its tactics, culminating in the remarkable achievements" during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, the group added.
UK warns of heightened military activity near Strait of Hormuz and other maritime areas
(Credit: @UK_MTO/X)
The UK Maritime Operations Centre (UKMTO) said it has observed “significant military activity” across the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
It warned that maritime security remains "highly volatile," with increased risks for commercial shipping.
"Mariners should be aware of the increased risk of miscalculation or misidentification, particularly in proximity to military units and other sensitive maritime facilities and infrastructure," it added.
US shoots down drones near Erbil military base
U.S. air defenses intercepted drones flying over its military base near Erbil International Airport in Iraq's Kurdistan region, security sources told Reuters.
Iran says Tehran broadcasting complex was not hit
Iran’s state broadcaster said Tehran’s broadcasting complex was not targeted in Sunday’s strikes, Reuters reported, citing the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting public relations office.
Explosions heard over Tel Aviv after sirens
Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv minutes after air raid sirens sounded in parts of Israel following the detection of missiles fired from Iran toward the country, the Israeli military said.
Lebanon forms crisis cell to secure fuel, food and medicine
Industry Minister Joe Issa al-Khoury said the ministry is working to ensure fuel supply for all factories and has set up a joint crisis cell to safeguard food and pharmaceuticals, according to the state-run National News Agency.
Speaking at a press conference with industry and union leaders, Khoury added: "We are working to prevent any shortages, disruptions or exploitation. We have at least three months of pharmaceutical stock, eight months of raw materials for medicines, and four months of stock in the food industry sector.”
Sirens sound in Tel Aviv amid drone sighting
Air raid sirens were triggered a few minutes ago, particularly in eastern areas and around Tel Aviv. Haaretz reported that a drone was also identified heading toward the open sea.
Air France extends cancellations to Middle East destinations
Air France has extended flight cancellations to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut, Dubai and Riyadh through Tuesday as airlines adjust schedules amid regional tensions after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, the carrier said in a statement cited by AFP.
The airline added it will later share updated flight plans for these routes.
Israel says 'about half' of Iran’s missile stockpiles destroyed
The Israeli military announced today that it had destroyed "about half" of Iran's missile stockpiles since the start of joint strikes with the United States against Tehran on Saturday.
"During this operation, we destroyed about half of the Iranian regime's missile stockpiles and prevented the production of at least 1,500 additional missiles," army spokesman Effie Defrin said in a televised speech.
"The regime was recently producing dozens of surface-to-surface missiles per month and intended to increase its production to several hundred per month," he added.
Lebanon's Interior Minister: 'All Lebanese place the interest of Lebanon above all else'
Leaving the Higher Defense Council meeting in Baabda, Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar said the government does not need to "receive the 'ok' from Hezbollah” regarding the party's potential involvement in the ongoing regional conflict.
He added that President Joseph Aoun confirmed that "contacts have taken place between the different parties, and that all Lebanese place the interest of Lebanon above all else."
Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri pays tribute to Khamenei
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri paid his respects to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a statement relayed by the state-run National News Agency (NNA).
"We pay tribute to him for the nation, for all the free peoples of the world and for the wise religious authorities of the East and the West. We consider him an imam, a reference, a guide and a sincere and committed leader who kept his commitment to God and never faltered. We salute him as a great martyr, whose death uplifts the nation and strengthens its determination," Berri said
"In the face of this profound loss, we extend our deepest condolences and congratulations to the friendly Iranian people, the family of the deceased martyr, his children, his faithful, our great religious authorities and the Iranian leadership," he added.
Notably, Berri also heads the Amal Movement, a Hezbollah ally.
UK: 2 Iranian missiles fired toward its base in Cyprus
The U.K. defense secretary said two Iranian ballistic missiles were fired in the direction of Cyprus, where British military bases are located, though he added they were "pretty sure they weren't targeted" at them. He added that UK warplanes were involved in "defensive" action in the region, operating from Cyprus and Qatar.
In comments to the BBC, John Healey described the launches as evidence of the "indiscriminate" nature of Iran’s retaliatory attacks and noted that around 300 British military personnel were near targets in Bahrain during other Iranian strikes.
He did not further detail anything about the missiles and any interception action.
Local, regional and internation flight adjustment details
✈️Airlines continued canceling and rescheduling flights Sunday as much of the region’s airspace remained closed, following U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and sparked a new regional conflict.
🔎Here's what you need to know about Lebanon's Middle East Airlines flight adjustment.👈
🔎 Here's what you need to know about regional and international airlines flight adjustment.👈
Hezbollah’s Naim Qassem pays tribute to Khamenei
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem paid tribute to the leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ali Khamenei, in a statement.
"We offer our condolences and congratulations to the Imam of the Time, Imam Mahdi may God hasten his coming, to the Islamic nation, to the free peoples of the world and to the great Iranian people, for the sublime and blessed martyrdom of our leader and master, Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei, may God preserve his secret, who has obtained the highest distinction of glory, faithfulness, resistance and dedication in the way of God, namely martyrdom in the way of the master of martyrs, Imam Hussein peace be upon him."
"As I pay tribute to this divine leader and heavenly guide with a heart heavy with pain and wounds, and a soul filled with sadness and sorrow, I feel great pride and honor at the same time. The leader, guide, and guardian of the nation has ascended to the mercy and satisfaction of his Lord in the greatest month and the best of days, the month of Ramadan. He led the march of jihad and resistance against the tyrants and oppressors, the Americans and Israelis, who are enemies of religion and humanity, thereby achieving great victory and high honor, as he ended his blessed and honorable life with the divine medal of martyrdom"
"We, in Hezbollah ... will continue on our path with determination, steadfastness, and a martyrdom spirit that knows no fatigue or boredom and does not accept humiliation. ... We will do our duty in confronting aggression, confident in God's victory, guidance, and support ... No matter how great the sacrifices, we will not abandon the field of honor and resistance and confront the American tyrant and Zionist criminality to defend our land, our dignity, and our independent choices."
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi named acting Supreme Leader
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has been appointed to Iran’s interim council temporarily assuming the duties of supreme leader following Ali Khamenei’s assassination in U.S.-Israeli strikes, the state-run ISNA news agency reported.
Under the constitution, the council — made up of the president, judiciary head and a jurist from the Guardian Council — ensures continuity of the supreme leader’s functions until a successor is chosen.
UN office set on fire in Pakistan protest
(Credit: Manzoor Balati/AFP)
Protesters set fire to a United Nations office during an anti-U.S. and anti-Israel demonstration in Skardu, in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region, AFP reported.
Oil tanker attacked off the coast of Oman, state media reports
Oman’s maritime security center reported that the Palau-flagged oil tanker Skylight was "targeted" about five nautical miles off Musandam on Sunday, Oman National News Agency reported.
Four crew members were injured, and all 20 aboard — including 15 Indians and 5 Iranians — were evacuated safely.
The source of the attack was not specified.
Lebanon assures food supply availability amid regional tensions
Lebanon’s Ministry of Agriculture said plant and animal products remain available in markets despite regional challenges.
Following consultations with producer unions, farmers and professional associations, the ministry highlighted that seasonal increases in vegetables, poultry, eggs, meat and fish help ensure local supply and meet citizens’ needs.
In images: 24 hours that shook the region
At dawn on Saturday, Feb. 28, the bilateral U.S.-Israeli military offensive against Iran began — just a day after talks between the Iran and the U.S. were taking place under reported "positive" conditions.
By Sunday, March 1, thousands of Iranians mourned Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, killed in the strikes. After bombings rocked Iran’s major cities, Iran retaliated against Israel and Gulf countries and Jordan, hundreds of flights were canceled, and the Strait of Hormuz was closed.
📸Here's a visual look back at the 24 hours that shook the region.👈
Ahmad Vahidi named IRGC commander-in-chief
General Ahmad Vahidi has been appointed commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, replacing Mohammad Pakpour, who was killed in Tehran yesterday, Iranian newspaper Hamshahri reported.
Vahidi previously served as Iran’s defense and interior minister and has been deputy chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces since November 2025. He also headed the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force and is suspected of involvement in the 1994 AMIA Jewish community center bombing in Buenos Aires, which killed 85 people. He remains wanted by Interpol, with Argentina renewing its arrest request in April 2024.
At least 9 people killed in protests outside US diplomatic mission in Pakistan
Hundreds protesters tried to storm the U.S. consulate in Karachi following the announcement of the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, AFP journalists reported.
At least nine people were killed and 20 injured, mostly with bullet wounds, Muhammad Amin of the Edhi Foundation told AFP. Young demonstrators climbed over the main gate, smashed windows, and briefly gained access to the consulate driveway. Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Videos on social media showed protesters breaking windows while the American flag flew over the barbed-wire-topped compound.
Thousands also took to the streets in Lahore and Skardu, with a demonstration expected later near the U.S. embassy in Islamabad.
40 Tel Aviv buildings damaged in Iran's Saturday attacks
A drone view of the site of an Iranian missile strike on a residential building, in Tel Aviv, Israel March 1, 2026. (Credit: Roei Kastro/Reuters)
Forty buildings in Tel Aviv sustained varying degrees of damage after an Iranian missile struck the city yesterday, Haaretz reported citing the municipality. As a result, more than 200 residents were evacuated from their homes and housed in three hotels nearby, Haaretz added.
UAE warns Iran against targeting neighbors
A top Emirati official said Iran’s Gulf attacks have isolated the country and warned Tehran not to strike its neighbors as retaliation enters a second day, AFP reported.
"The Iranian aggression against the Gulf states was a miscalculation and it isolated Iran at a critical juncture. Your war is not with your neighbors," said presidential adviser Anwar Gargash.
"Return to reason, to your surroundings, and deal with your neighbors rationally and responsibly before the circle of isolation and escalation widens."
Israel army says has begun striking targets in 'heart of Tehran'
The Israeli military said that it had begun striking targets deep inside Tehran.
The army "is striking targets that belong to the Iranian terror regime in the heart of Tehran," the military said. "Over the past day, the Israeli Air Force conducted large-scale strikes in order to establish aerial superiority and to pave the path to Tehran."
Smoke rises after reported Iranian missile attacks, following United States and Israel strikes on Iran, as seen from Doha, Qatar, March 1, 2026. (Credit: Mohammed Salem/Reuters)
Iranian drones target Oman’s Duqm port, injuring 1
Oman’s Duqm commercial port was hit by two drones, injuring one foreign worker, the Oman News Agency reported.
This marks the first attack reported in Oman since Iran’s retaliatory strikes on the Gulf began Saturday. The Omani foreign minister recently acted as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran in nuclear negotiations.
"A security source reported that the commercial port of Duqm was targeted by two drones. One drone struck a mobile workers' accommodation, injuring one foreign worker, while debris from the other landed near fuel tanks, causing no casualties or material damage," the Oman News Agency said in a post on X.
Earlier, the U.S. embassy in Oman urged employees and Americans in the country to self-isolate "due to an ongoing incident" near Muscat, Reuters said.
Aoun convenes Higher Defense Council amid regional escalation
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun convened the Higher Defense Council in Baabda Sunday morning, a day after the bilateral Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran triggered Iranian retaliation on Israel and countries hosting U.S. military infrastructure.
The council, which usually includes the president, prime minister, key ministers, and heads of security and military services, does not make decisions but issues recommendations to the government. Ministers included in this council include misters of defense, foreign affairs, finance, interior and economy.
Sirens and explosions reported in Jerusalem
AFP journalists reported explosions in Jerusalem after the Israeli army detected new Iranian missile launches.
"Sirens sounded in several parts of the country, after the identification of missiles launched from Iran towards Israel," the army said. "The Israeli Air Force intervenes to intercept and strike threats, when necessary, in order to eliminate them."
Lebanese Shiite official condemns Khamenei killing
Ali al-Khatib, deputy chairman of Lebanon’s Higher Shiite Council, offered condolences for the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and condemned the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed him as a "heinous crime."
In a statement, Sheikh Khatib paid tribute to Khamenei who "offered himself as a martyr in the face of the forces of impiety, terrorism, crime and genocide."
He condemned the "heinous crime that violates all norms and laws."
"We share the pain and sadness of the Iranian people in the face of this immense loss," he added, adding that the death of the leader "will strengthen the cohesion and determination of the Iranian people to defeat the enemy's goals."
Iraq declares 3 days of mourning for Khamenei
Iraq announced a three-day national mourning following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes.
"With deep sadness, we offer our condolences to the noble people of Iran and the entire Muslim world" after Khamenei’s death in "a blatant act of aggression," government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said.
UN nuclear agency to hold extraordinary meeting on Iran Monday
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will hold an extraordinary meeting on Monday at the request of Russia following the bilateral U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran.
Iran had made the same request in a letter to IAEA chief Rafael Grossi yesterday.
The agency will hold a "special session of the IAEA Board of Governors on matters related to military strikes of the United States and Israel against the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran," the IAEA said in a statement.
Loud explosions heard in Tehran
Several powerful explosions were heard in Tehran, according to Iranian media quoted by Reuters.
Top Iranian generals killed in U.S.-Israeli strikes
Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, Abdolrahim Mousavi, was killed along with other senior officials in U.S.-Israeli strikes, state television reported.
The broadcast said Mousavi, the defense minister, Revolutionary Guards chief Mohammad Pakpour, and Khamenei adviser Ali Shamkhani were all killed "during a meeting of the Defense Council," with additional names to be announced later.
More explosions reported in Dubai after Iran strikes
AFP correspondents in Dubai heard a new round of explosions earlier this morning, marking a second day of blasts in the city after Iran’s strikes in the Gulf in retaliation for U.S.‑Israeli attacks that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The blasts came after earlier explosions in Dubai, as well as in Doha and Bahrain’s Manama.
Trump warns Iran of unprecedented retaliation
(Credit: Screenshot of Trump's post on Truth Social)
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran with unprecedented force if it retaliates for the U.S.-Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
"Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever hit before," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!"
Iran’s transition process begins today; Larijani warns dissidents
Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and former Khamenei adviser said that Iran will start its transition process following Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death
He explained that a temporary leadership council would be set up, adding that the council will be set up "as soon as possible."
"The president, the head of the judiciary, and a Guardian Council lawyer will assume responsibility until the next leader is elected," Larijani added.
He also accused the United States and Israel of trying to plunder and disintegrate Iran and warned "secessionist groups" of a harsh response if they attempt action, state television said.
Protesters clash near US embassy in Baghdad
Protesters tried to storm the area housing the U.S. embassy in Baghdad following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the U.S.-Israeli strikes, an Iraqi security source told AFP.
"Their attempts had been thwarted so far, but they keep trying," the source said. Videos on social media showed stones being thrown at security forces, who responded with tear gas, while hundreds waved flags of pro-Iranian groups.
Several Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups said Saturday they will not remain "neutral" and will defend the Islamic republic.
The powerful group Kataib Hezbollah said it will attack U.S. bases after two of its fighters were killed in air strikes in southern Iraq.
Early today, loud explosions were heard near Erbil airport, which hosts U.S.-led coalition troops in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, an AFP journalist said.
Yesterday, U.S.-led coalition forces downed several missiles and explosive-laden drones over Erbil, local authorities said.
Three officials to lead Iran transition after Khamenei's death
Three senior officials, including President Massoud Pezeshkian, will oversee Iran’s transition following Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's assassination, one of his advisers, Mohammad Mokhber, told state television.
The trio will include Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and a Guardian Council lawyer, Mokhber said.
Thousands pay tribute to Khamenei in Tehran
People gather to mourn the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint US and Israeli strikes, at a square in Tehran on March 1, 2026. (Credit: Atta Kenare/AFP)
AFP journalists reported that thousands gathered at Enghelab Square in central Tehran following the announcement of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death.
Dressed mostly in black, some in tears, people held portraits of Khamenei and Iranian flags. The demonstrators chanted "Death to America," and "Death to Israel."
The 86-year-old leader was killed in Israeli-U.S. strikes on his residence Saturday, confirmed by state television on Sunday.
Israel Katz says, 'Justice has been served,' congratulates army for 'execution'
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz welcomed the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
"The tyrant Khamenei was taken ... along with other senior figures in the Iranian terrorist stronghold," Katz wrote on social media. "Justice has been served, and the axis of evil has suffered a severe blow."
He also congratulated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli army for the execution.
Sirens sound across Israel after Iranian missiles
Air raid sirens went off in central Israel after Iranian missiles were detected heading toward the country, the Israeli army said.
"Sirens sounded in several parts of the country, after the identification of missiles launched from Iran towards the State of Israel," the army wrote on Telegram, adding that interception operations are underway.
Explosions reported in Gulf
AFP journalists reported new explosions this morning across several Gulf cities as Iran vowed further attacks on U.S. military bases in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli offensive.
Explosions were heard in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Doha, Qatar; and Manama, Bahrain.
Iran says it was ready for Khamenei’s death
Iran had prepared for "all scenarios," including the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said.
“We have prepared for these moments and have considered all scenarios,” Ghalibaf said in a video broadcast on state television. He added that U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had "crossed our red lines" and "will suffer the consequences."
New Iranian strikes hit Israel, US bases
Iran launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks this morning targeting U.S. military bases across the Gulf and Israel, state media reported. The strikes come in retaliation for U.S.-Israeli operations that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
According to Iranian state television, 27 U.S. bases in the region, along with Israel Defense Forces headquarters and a defense industrial complex in Tel Aviv, were among the targets.
Who is Ali Khamenei
A protester waves a photo of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during a rally in Tehran in solidarity with the government against Israeli attacks, on June 14, 2025. (Credit: Atta Kenare/AFP)
The supreme leader, whose influence reshaped the region for decades, was killed Saturday in a series of U.S.-Israeli strikes after the long-standing, shadow war with Israel spread into his own territory and ultimately ended his reign.
Day 2 of regional escalation
Welcome to our live coverage as tensions surge across the Middle East, one day after a major regional escalation.
The crisis began with large-scale bilateral Israeli-U.S. strikes on Iran, followed within hours by Iranian retaliation targeting Israel as well as U.S. bases and infrastructure in the Gulf and Jordan.
Overnight, Tehran confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the strikes — a development that marks a historic turning point in the confrontation.
We will bring you the latest on military developments, political fallout and reactions from Lebanon and around the world.
For a day 1 wrap up, check out yesterday's live blog, here.👈
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