Experts analyzing evidence have suggested that U.S. forces were likely responsible for a deadly strike on a school in Iran, according to a CNN report. The White House has not dismissed this possibility. The attack on February 28 targeted a primary school in Minab, southern Iran, killing 165 children. Satellite imagery, local videos, statements from U.S. officials, and assessments by weapons experts indicated that the strike coincided with a U.S. attack on an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval base in the same area.

An Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson stated that he was unaware of any Israeli operation in that region. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Ali Bahraini, initially reported 150 student deaths, later revised to 165. A large funeral and mourning ceremony was held in Iran for the victims.

The report also noted that under international humanitarian law, deliberate attacks on schools, hospitals, or other civilian facilities constitute war crimes.

An Israeli airstrike on the Lebanese city of Nabi Chit killed 16 people and injured 35 others, according to Lebanese health officials. The attack occurred as part of continuing hostilities that have already claimed more than 200 lives in Lebanon since the conflict began.

Last week, the Israeli military ordered large-scale forced evacuations from southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut. This directive led to a mass exodus of civilians from those areas, adding to the growing humanitarian crisis.

Lebanese authorities estimate that around 95,000 people have been displaced since the start of the conflict, underscoring the escalating toll on the civilian population.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) carried out a drone strike on an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday morning, according to Tasnim news agency. The attack reportedly targeted the vessel after it ignored a prior warning from the IRGC prohibiting navigation through the area. The tanker, named Prima, was sailing under the Maltese flag and was carrying oil and chemicals through the strategic waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime route for global energy shipments, and the reported strike underscores ongoing tensions in the region. The incident was first reported by Tasnim, with vessel tracking data from Marine Traffic confirming the tanker’s identity and route.

The report did not mention any casualties, damage details, or official responses from Iran or Malta following the attack.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that the country’s interim leadership council has decided not to carry out further attacks on neighboring countries unless Iran is attacked from U.S. bases located there. He stated that Iran would only retaliate if an assault on its territory originates from a neighboring state. Pezeshkian expressed regret that Iran had to target Arab neighbors in recent operations.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghei said on state television that Iran’s actions against neighboring countries were driven by the presence of U.S. military bases on their soil, emphasizing that Iran holds no hostility toward its neighbors. He confirmed that the decision was approved in a meeting of the interim leadership council.

The announcement follows a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28 that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials in Tehran. In response, Iran launched counterstrikes on Israel and U.S. bases across the Middle East, led by the Revolutionary Guard Corps.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American defense companies have agreed to quadruple the production of advanced weapons amid ongoing conflict with Iran. He made the statement on Friday through his social media platform, Truth Social, following a meeting with top defense manufacturers. Trump said the companies had already begun increasing production three months prior to the meeting.

According to the report, Iran has been carrying out attacks on U.S. bases across the Middle East and targeting Israel’s missile defense systems, including Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Patriot batteries. These sustained assaults have raised doubts about the long-term resilience of U.S. and Israeli defense systems. In response, Trump held discussions with executives from major defense firms such as BAE Systems, Boeing, Honeywell Aerospace, L3 Harris Missile Solutions, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon.

The decision to boost production reflects Washington’s effort to maintain military readiness and replenish its arsenal as regional tensions intensify.

UNICEF has reported that more than 190 children have been killed within a week of escalating military conflict across the Middle East following attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel. In a statement shared on social media, the organization warned that the growing violence is having a devastating impact on children, emphasizing that while children do not start wars, they pay the highest price.

According to UNICEF’s statement, 181 children were killed in Iran, seven in Lebanon, three in Israel, and one in Kuwait since the weekend surge in hostilities. The agency called for urgent protection of children across the region as fighting intensifies.

The statement underscores the worsening humanitarian toll of the conflict and highlights the need for immediate measures to safeguard children amid the expanding regional violence.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that it carried out large-scale coordinated attacks on US installations across the Middle East using a new generation of missiles and drones. According to the IRNA news agency, one of the main targets was the Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.

The IRGC stated that the assault destroyed an advanced warning radar system, a hangar used for MQ-9 drone maintenance, and facilities linked to US intelligence aircraft. It also claimed responsibility for a heavy missile strike on Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem Air Base, saying that cruise and ballistic missiles damaged the base’s radar system, fuel storage facilities, and two runways used by the US Air Force.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, did not mention any immediate response from the United States or regional governments, leaving the broader impact of the attacks unclear.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss ongoing regional tensions in the Middle East, according to a Kremlin statement. During the call, Putin expressed condolences over the deaths of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his family members, and senior military officials in a joint U.S.-Israel attack.

The Kremlin said Putin emphasized the urgent need to end hostilities and return to political and diplomatic solutions, reaffirming Russia’s stance against the use of force. It also noted that Putin has been maintaining regular contact with leaders of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as tensions in the region escalate.

According to the statement, Pezeshkian thanked Moscow for its support during the crisis and expressed gratitude for Russia’s solidarity with the Iranian people defending their sovereignty and independence. He also briefed Putin on the latest developments, and both sides agreed to continue communication through various channels.

Qatar has announced the partial resumption of flights for the first time since the war began a week ago. The country’s aviation authority stated that the airspace will be reopened only for evacuation flights and emergency cargo operations. Hamad International Airport said that any further expansion of flight operations will depend on updated assessments of the security situation.

Earlier, Qatari officials reported that their military had thwarted an attempted attack on the airport by Iran. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that Qatar shot down nine drones on Friday, one of which fell in an uninhabited area without causing casualties.

The decision to reopen airspace in a limited capacity reflects Qatar’s cautious approach amid ongoing regional tensions and security concerns.

Iran has launched a series of missile and drone attacks on Israel, prompting millions of Israelis to take refuge in bomb shelters. Since midnight on Friday, Israel detected at least five ballistic missiles fired from Iran. Explosions were heard in Jerusalem on Saturday after air raid sirens warned of incoming strikes.

According to Israeli military sources, Iran carried out a new round of missile attacks, while Israel’s air defense systems worked to intercept the threats. Israeli analysts believe Iran’s continued strikes and the mass movement of civilians into shelters are intended to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

The situation has heightened regional tension, with reports suggesting that the conflict could further destabilize the Middle East if the attacks persist.

China has voiced concern over the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, condemning recent attacks and calling for a ceasefire. Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized the United States and Israel for their actions in Iran, particularly the killing of a sovereign nation's leader. Despite its diplomatic stance, analysts note that China has remained largely a spectator in recent crises, including U.S. actions in Venezuela and Iran, revealing limits to its ability to assist allied nations.

Experts from the Royal United Services Institute and SOAS China Institute observed that while China seeks to present itself as a counterbalance to U.S. power, it lacks the military capacity to protect its partners. They added that President Xi Jinping may attempt to project himself as a stable global leader in contrast to U.S. President Donald Trump. Analysts also warned that disruptions to energy supplies and air travel could disproportionately affect developing nations, potentially leading to food shortages in the coming months.

China has initiated diplomatic outreach, with Wang Yi speaking to his counterparts in Oman and France and announcing plans to send a special envoy to the Middle East.

China is closely monitoring the escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, as the Middle East turmoil begins to affect its strategic and economic calculations. Although Beijing currently holds sufficient oil reserves for several months and could seek support from Russia if needed, officials are assessing the long-term consequences for China’s investments and energy security. The issue has surfaced during a major Communist Party meeting in Beijing, where delegates are already grappling with domestic economic challenges, including property market distress and high local debt.

China’s ties with Iran, while often described as close, remain largely transactional. Despite a 25-year strategic partnership agreement signed in 2021, only a fraction of the pledged $400 billion investment has materialized, though oil flows from Iran to China continue. Analysts note that China’s ability to assist partners like Iran is limited, as seen in its restrained response to recent U.S. actions in Venezuela and Iran.

Beijing has condemned the attacks and called for a ceasefire, while preparing for U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit. The meeting could clarify Washington’s stance on sensitive issues such as Taiwan and regional stability.

Israel has continued its assaults on Palestinians even as it carries out joint military aggression with the United States against Iran. According to reports, Israeli forces have launched simultaneous attacks on the blockaded Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. Despite a ceasefire announced on October 10 last year through mediation by US President Donald Trump, Israeli forces have continued to strike Palestinian areas.

A statement from the Palestinian Health Ministry said that in the past 24 hours, three Palestinians were killed and one injured in Israeli attacks. Over the five months since the ceasefire, 636 people have been killed and 1,704 injured, while 753 bodies have been recovered. In total, more than 72,120 people have been killed and 171,802 injured in Israeli assaults over the past two years.

Following the outbreak of conflict with Iran, Israel has imposed a complete blockade on Gaza, closing all entry and exit routes. Israeli authorities also banned Friday prayers at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, citing security reasons, and arrested 11 people across the region.

The United States Department of State has approved an emergency sale of weapons and military equipment worth $151 million to Israel. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the sale was necessary under the existing emergency situation. The announcement was made through an official statement from the State Department.

According to the statement, the proposed sale will support US foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening the defense capabilities of a key regional ally. The package includes bombs, supplies, and other military equipment. The statement also emphasized that Israel remains an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The approval reflects Washington’s continued commitment to its strategic partnership with Israel, particularly in the context of ongoing regional instability, as noted in the State Department’s communication.

Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud met with Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir, according to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Defense. The meeting focused on the recent Iranian attack in Saudi Arabia and the broader security situation in the region.

The ministry said both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening their long-standing fraternal ties and enhancing strategic defense partnerships between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. They also expressed hope that Iran would act with wisdom and reason and avoid taking any wrong steps.

The discussion reflects ongoing regional tensions and efforts by both countries to coordinate their defense and diplomatic responses to evolving security challenges in the Middle East.