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.

Spain’s government has declared that no military base on its territory has been or will be used for attacks on Iran. On Monday in Madrid, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated that Spain retains full control over bases under its sovereignty, including Rota and Morón de la Frontera, and that these facilities are not being used in any Middle East operations. He emphasized that Spain will not authorize any deployment outside the framework of the United Nations Charter or its own sovereign decisions.

Albares described recent U.S. strikes as unilateral actions and said Madrid had not been informed beforehand. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also criticized unilateral moves by the United States and Israel against Iran, warning that such actions increase global instability. The foreign minister further cautioned that rising tensions could disrupt the Strait of Hormuz and drive up oil prices, urging all parties to de-escalate and pursue diplomacy.

Spain additionally condemned Iran’s retaliatory attacks in the Persian Gulf region, calling for restraint and dialogue to prevent further escalation.

Lebanon’s government has announced the closure of all private higher education institutions and the Lebanese University in Beirut for one day. The decision was reported by Al Jazeera on Monday, citing Education Minister Rima Karami, who confirmed the shutdown would take place on Tuesday.

According to local media reports referenced in the article, Minister Karami stated that the move was prompted by the deteriorating security situation caused by Israeli aggression in several regions of Lebanon. The temporary closure aims to ensure the safety of students and staff amid ongoing tensions.

The report did not specify whether classes would resume immediately after the one-day closure or if further measures might follow depending on the security situation.

The United States has urged its citizens currently in Lebanon to leave the country immediately while commercial flights remain available. In a post from the US Embassy in Beirut, officials warned Americans not to travel to Lebanon and to depart as soon as possible. The embassy cited rapidly deteriorating security conditions across the country, noting that airstrikes have begun in several areas, including the south, the Bekaa Valley, and parts of Beirut.

According to a BBC correspondent in Beirut, a large explosion was heard in the Dahiyeh district, known as a stronghold of the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. The embassy’s warning reflects growing concerns over escalating violence and instability in Lebanon’s capital and other regions.

The situation remains fluid, and the embassy’s advisory suggests that security conditions could worsen quickly, potentially affecting travel and safety for foreign nationals in Lebanon.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the ongoing US operation in Iran is not intended to become an endless war. Speaking at a press conference at the Pentagon on March 2, 2026, he did not rule out the possibility of deploying American ground forces to Iran in the future. Hegseth confirmed that there are currently no US ground troops in Iran.

He emphasized that Washington will go as far as necessary to protect American interests but declined to specify what actions might be taken, saying it would be unwise to reveal such plans to adversaries. According to Hegseth, the main objectives of the US operation are to destroy Iran’s missile and naval capabilities and to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The defense secretary further clarified that the situation in Iran is not comparable to Iraq and reiterated that the conflict will not be an open-ended engagement. The remarks were reported by Reuters.

Following Iran’s attack, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the call, both leaders discussed regional developments and ways to ease recent tensions. Putin expressed solidarity with the Qatari leader, reaffirming Russia’s readiness to provide any form of assistance to Qatar.

According to a statement from the Qatari Emir’s office, Sheikh Tamim thanked President Putin for his show of support and willingness to assist following the Iranian attack. The statement added that the two leaders emphasized the importance of strengthening diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and maintain regional security and stability.

The discussion highlighted ongoing diplomatic engagement between Qatar and Russia amid heightened regional uncertainty following Iran’s actions.

United States President Donald Trump said on Monday that the war against Iran, launched jointly with Israel, was initially projected to last four to five weeks but could continue much longer if necessary. Speaking from the White House, he described Iran as posing grave threats to the US and claimed that earlier American strikes had obliterated Iran’s nuclear programme. Trump also asserted that Iran’s ballistic missile programme was expanding rapidly, creating what he called a colossal threat to US forces and allies.

Trump’s remarks marked a shift from earlier claims of an immediate Iranian threat, instead portraying Tehran as a long-term danger. He argued that Iran’s missile development was designed to protect its nuclear ambitions, which he said were forbidden by the US. The president’s comments came as the Pentagon confirmed rising casualties, including four US military deaths, and regional fatalities exceeding 580 across Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and other Middle Eastern countries.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth sought to reassure critics within Trump’s political base, describing the campaign as a decisive mission rather than an open-ended conflict. He emphasized goals to destroy Iran’s missile and naval capabilities and prevent nuclear weapons development.

The United States and Israel continued joint airstrikes in Iran for a third consecutive day on Saturday, prompting Iranian counterattacks. On Monday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated at a Pentagon press conference that the ongoing operation in Iran is not an 'endless war.' He emphasized that the mission’s main objectives are to destroy Iran’s missile and naval capabilities and to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The statement came amid escalating regional tensions following the strikes. Hegseth underscored that the situation in Iran differs from the US experience in Iraq, suggesting a limited scope for the current campaign. Meanwhile, other developments include the death of a Kuwaiti naval officer, NATO’s declaration that it will not engage in the conflict, and Spain’s refusal to allow its bases to be used for attacks on Iran.

Former US President Donald Trump was cited as saying the conflict could last about a month, indicating expectations of a short-term but intense confrontation.

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, stated that there are no indications of damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities following recent US and Israeli attacks. He confirmed that the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the Tehran research reactor, and other nuclear fuel sites showed no signs of harm.

In a statement to the IAEA’s Board of Governors, Grossi said the agency had been trying to contact Iran’s nuclear regulatory authority but had not received any response. Meanwhile, Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA, Reza Najafi, told the BBC that an attack had occurred on Sunday at the Natanz nuclear facility but did not provide further details.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and the challenges faced by international monitors in maintaining communication with Iranian authorities during periods of conflict.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that only one in four Americans supported the joint US-Israeli strike in Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The survey, conducted while the operation was ongoing, found that 27 percent of respondents backed the attack, 43 percent opposed it, and 29 percent were uncertain. Nearly nine in ten participants said they had at least heard something about the strike, which began early Saturday.

According to the poll, 56 percent of Americans believe President Donald Trump is too eager to use military force to protect US interests. Among Democrats, 87 percent shared this view, compared with 23 percent of Republicans and 60 percent of independents. Within Trump’s party, 55 percent supported the strike, while 13 percent opposed it. However, 42 percent of Republicans said their support could decline if US troops were killed or injured.

The report noted that three US soldiers have been killed and five seriously wounded so far, as the attack has triggered a new and uncertain conflict in the Middle East.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for missile attacks targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office and the headquarters of the Israeli Air Force. The claim was reported on Monday, March 2, 2026, by Iran’s state-run Fars News Agency, citing an official IRGC statement.

According to the IRGC statement, the strikes were directed at what it described as the office of the “criminal prime minister of the Zionist regime” and the command headquarters of the Israeli Air Force. The statement further said that Iran used its domestically developed Khaibar missiles in the operation.

The report did not provide details about the extent of the damage, casualties, or Israel’s response to the alleged attacks.

The United States and six Gulf allies issued a joint statement describing Iran’s recent actions in the region as highly dangerous and a threat to Middle East stability. The statement, released by Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warned that civilians and non-combatant countries were being targeted, undermining regional security.

The Arabic-language statement was jointly issued by Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. It emphasized that these nations reserve the right to self-defense if Iran’s attacks continue. The statement also reported that attacks had occurred in Bahrain, Iraq (including the Kurdistan region), Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

The joint declaration reflects growing concern among Gulf states and Washington over escalating tensions linked to Iran’s regional military activities, which they view as destabilizing the broader Middle East.

The United States military confirmed that three of its F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were accidentally shot down by Kuwait’s own air defense system during an Iranian attack. The incident occurred while the aircraft were engaged in a combat mission over Kuwait amid Iranian strikes involving aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones. All six crew members aboard the downed jets ejected safely and have been rescued in stable condition.

According to the US Central Command, the mishap took place as Kuwait’s defense systems responded to Iranian aggression. Kuwait has acknowledged the incident, and the US military expressed gratitude for Kuwait’s efforts and continued support in the ongoing operation. The statement emphasized that the shootdown was unintentional.

Separately, Iranian state television claimed responsibility for targeting one of the downed US aircraft in Kuwait but did not provide further details. The event marks the first reported instance of Iran’s older air fleet participating directly in the current conflict.