A new Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that only about one in four Americans supported the joint US-Israel strike on Iran that killed an Iranian leader. The survey found that 27 percent of respondents approved of the attack, while 43 percent opposed it and 29 percent offered no opinion. Nearly nine in ten participants said they were at least somewhat aware of the strike, which began early Saturday.

The poll also revealed that 56 percent of Americans believe former President Donald Trump is too eager to use military force to advance national interests. Among Democrats, 87 percent shared this view, compared with 23 percent of Republicans and 60 percent of politically unaffiliated respondents. The survey was conducted while the Iran operation was underway and concluded before reports emerged of US casualties.

Subsequent updates confirmed that three US soldiers were killed and five seriously injured in the attack, though these incidents occurred after the poll had ended.

Seven additional flights were canceled at Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport on March 3, 2026, as airfields in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Doha remained closed due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East following a joint attack by Israel and the United States on Iran. The airport’s public relations officer, Engineer Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil, confirmed the cancellations in a press release issued in the morning.

According to the statement, the canceled flights included one arrival from Biman Bangladesh Airlines, one departure and one arrival from US-Bangla Airlines, and two departures and two arrivals from Air Arabia. Since February 28, a total of 35 international flights have been canceled at Shah Amanat Airport due to the regional conflict.

Meanwhile, Salam Air’s flight OV-401 from Muscat landed at 8:05 a.m. and departed again for Muscat at 9:15 a.m., while Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ flight BG-138 from Madinah arrived at 8:45 a.m. and left for Dhaka at 9:30 a.m.

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched military actions against two of China’s close allies within two months, threatening Beijing’s vital oil supply routes. In January, the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and on Saturday, an airstrike killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. Both Venezuela and Iran export most of their crude oil to China, accounting for about 15 percent of China’s total oil imports, according to analytics firm Kpler.

Rob Thummel, portfolio manager at Tortoise Capital, said China could be the main economic casualty of the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, as it produces less oil than it consumes. He warned that while high prices could slow growth, actual supply disruptions pose a greater threat to China’s economy, which depends heavily on imported oil.

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi condemned the U.S.-Israeli aggression as unacceptable and denounced Washington’s role in Khamenei’s killing, though he avoided discussing the potential economic fallout. Tehran has announced the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, and an oil tanker was attacked while violating sanctions, causing global oil prices to rise.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that more than 700 civilians have been killed in Iran since fighting began on Saturday. According to the agency’s latest update, CNN cited that by Monday afternoon at least 742 civilians, including 176 children, had died, and more than 900 others were injured. In the past 24 hours alone, at least 96 people were killed, with additional deaths under verification.

The report detailed widespread damage to religious sites and residential buildings, including a mosque in Karaj near Tehran, a governor’s office south of the capital, and the Shahid Bahonar Pier in Bandar Abbas on the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian sources also reported damage to hospitals in Tehran. Military targets hit within the last 24 hours included the Kurdistan Law Enforcement and Border Guard Command center in Sanandaj, an airbase in Isfahan, and an army base in Tehran.

HRANA emphasized that the information remains preliminary and subject to change, while CNN noted it could not independently verify the figures.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares announced that Spain will not permit its military bases to be used for attacks on Iran. The statement came after reports of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, which Spain condemned. Al Jazeera reported the development on Tuesday, citing Albares’ remarks.

Flight tracking data showed that since the weekend attacks began, fifteen U.S. aircraft departed from the Rota and Morón bases in southern Spain. According to Flightradar24, at least seven of those planes landed at Germany’s Ramstein Air Base. The report highlighted Spain’s stance as part of a broader European response to the escalating conflict.

The article also noted that Britain initially refused to allow its bases to be used for strikes on Iran but later reversed its position. Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized their use on Sunday, citing “collective self-defense.”

At least 96 people were killed in Iran within 24 hours in joint strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). The fatalities reportedly include 85 civilians and 11 soldiers. HRANA stated that since the joint attacks began on February 28, the total civilian death toll in Iran has reached at least 742, including 176 children.

Earlier, the Iranian Red Crescent Society reported on March 2 that the total number of deaths stood at 555, though Al Jazeera said it could not independently verify these figures. HRANA added that the latest strikes targeted various infrastructure sites across Iran, including several military bases, two residential areas, and the Shahid Bahonar port in Bandar Abbas.

The differing casualty figures highlight uncertainty over the full scale of the attacks and their humanitarian impact, as independent verification remains unavailable.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News on Monday that the ongoing Middle East conflict, triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran, will not turn into an endless or long-term war. He stated that the military operation would be swift and decisive, though it might take some time to complete.

According to Netanyahu, while the campaign will not last for years, it will require a certain period to achieve its objectives. His remarks came amid heightened regional tensions following the attacks in Iran, as reported by AFP.

The statement reflects Israel’s effort to frame the current military actions as limited in duration, aiming to reassure both domestic and international audiences about the scope of the conflict.

Security concerns have intensified across the Gulf region as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates reportedly face dwindling interceptor missile stocks while countering potential or ongoing Iranian missile and drone attacks. Defense analysts say the heavy use of air defense systems has rapidly reduced available interceptors, which are costly and slow to replace, raising fears of supply shortages during prolonged conflict.

Both Qatar and the UAE have long relied on U.S.-made air defense systems and maintain close defense ties with Washington as part of regional security cooperation. The recent escalation of tensions with Iran has led these nations to strengthen their defense readiness. Analysts note that Iran’s combined use of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones has placed significant pressure on opposing air defense networks.

Diplomatic circles are reportedly discussing whether Gulf states might urge Washington to take stronger action against Iran or push for a swift diplomatic resolution. Experts warn that a prolonged conflict could disrupt regional security balance and further strain U.S. military supply chains.

The United States Department of State has instructed its citizens to leave almost all countries in the Middle East immediately. The directive, issued on Tuesday, cites serious security risks and urges Americans to depart using commercial flights as soon as possible. The countries listed include Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

The advisory marks a sweeping evacuation order covering nearly the entire region, reflecting heightened concern over safety conditions. The State Department’s message emphasizes urgency and advises travelers to act without delay. The announcement follows recent developments in regional tensions, though the source does not specify the exact nature of the threats or incidents prompting the decision.

The directive also coincides with the suspension of all US consular services in Saudi Arabia, indicating a broader precautionary stance across the Gulf and neighboring states.

Missile attacks from Iran struck several Gulf capitals and cities following a U.S.-Israeli offensive in Iran that killed top Iranian leaders, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The strikes caused casualties and damage across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, shaking the region’s image of stability. The United Arab Emirates withdrew its envoy from Israel, signaling frustration over the escalating conflict.

Despite the attacks, Gulf nations are voicing reluctance to join a direct war against Iran. Former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani warned that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members should not be drawn into direct conflict, arguing it would harm both sides and invite external control. Gulf Times editor Faisal Al-Mudahka echoed that the war belongs to the U.S. and Israel, not the Gulf states, emphasizing their focus on prosperity and dialogue.

Analysts note that Gulf countries had pursued diplomatic efforts to prevent war, with Oman mediating between Washington and Tehran before hostilities erupted. Experts suggest that while the Gulf states seek to avoid escalation, they may still act to protect their sovereignty and citizens.

The United States has confirmed that six of its soldiers were killed as part of ongoing military operations against Iran. According to a statement from the U.S. military, the deaths occurred after the United States and Israel began bombing Iran on Saturday. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the bodies of two missing soldiers were recovered from a facility that had been struck during Iran’s initial attacks.

CENTCOM added that large-scale combat operations are continuing and that the identities of the deceased will remain confidential for 24 hours until their families are notified. The announcement comes amid heightened military activity between the United States, Israel, and Iran, with the situation described as part of a broader regional conflict.

The report, sourced from Al Jazeera, did not provide further details on the location of the operations or the broader strategic objectives of the campaign.

New explosions were heard in Doha, the capital of Qatar, on the night of March 2, 2026. The blasts are believed to have resulted from Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. Earlier that day, Iranian drones reportedly struck several energy installations in Qatar’s industrial city of Ras Laffan, though no casualties were reported.

According to reports, Qatar’s air force claimed to have shot down two Iranian jets approaching its territory and intercepted several ballistic missiles and drones. The incidents mark a continuation of escalating tensions in the Gulf region, with Qatar appearing to be the latest target of Iranian aerial activity.

The situation remains tense as authorities assess the extent of the damage and monitor for further threats, while no immediate reports of injuries or fatalities have emerged.

Iran’s top leadership has maintained a defiant stance as US and Israeli airstrikes entered their third day across Tehran and other regions following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The strikes, which targeted Iranian military bases, came after Khamenei and several senior commanders were killed at the start of the conflict. Iranian authorities have suspended all dialogue with the United States, while internet access across the country remains cut off for a second day.

Under Iran’s post-1979 constitutional framework, the Assembly of Experts is tasked with selecting a new Supreme Leader. President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed that the council has begun this process, with an interim three-member leadership—comprising Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Guardian Council member Ayatollah Ali Reza Arafi—managing state affairs. Pezeshkian urged pro-establishment supporters to gather in public despite ongoing conflict.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed severe retaliation, claiming to have launched major attacks on US and Israeli bases. Senior officials, including military chief Amir Hatami and security head Ali Larijani, pledged to defend the nation and uphold constitutional procedures for leadership succession.

Kuwait has confirmed the death of one of its naval officers during a military operation, according to a statement from the country’s armed forces. The announcement was made public on March 3, 2026, but no additional information was provided about the nature of the operation or the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as its source, noted that the Kuwaiti military did not specify where or when the incident took place, nor did it disclose any operational details. The lack of clarity leaves open questions about the context of the mission and the conditions under which the officer was killed.

Further information from Kuwaiti authorities or regional media may clarify the circumstances of the operation and the broader implications for Kuwait’s military activities in the region.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated that the alliance will not directly engage in the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Speaking to Germany’s ARD television in Brussels, he praised the joint military actions by the United States and Israel, saying their operations have reduced Tehran’s ability to develop nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. Rutte emphasized that NATO has no plans to become part of the war.

He added that while NATO itself will not participate, member states may take steps to support the US-Israel efforts. Rutte described these actions as significant in limiting Iran’s strategic weapons capacity. His remarks came amid heightened regional tensions following recent military operations targeting Iranian facilities.

The statement clarifies NATO’s position of non-involvement while acknowledging the alliance’s political support for its member nations’ initiatives against Iran’s weapons programs.