U.S. First Lady Melania Trump is set to preside over a United Nations Security Council meeting on Monday, marking the first time a First Lady will chair such a session. Her office stated that she will emphasize the role of education in promoting tolerance and advancing global peace. The announcement came shortly before the United States began military action against Iran.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that this will be the first instance of a First Lady leading a Security Council meeting. The United States holds the rotating presidency of the Council for March. Melania Trump has previously engaged in diplomatic efforts, including advocating for the release of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.

The development comes amid growing political and financial tensions between Washington and the United Nations. Analysts suggest President Donald Trump may be seeking to bypass the Council through his “Peace Abroad” initiative, which recently convened in Washington to discuss Gaza reconstruction funding.

Mansoureh Khojasteh, the wife of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has died after being injured in attacks carried out by the United States and Israel. The report was published by Al Jazeera on Monday, citing Iranian state media confirmation of her death. The attacks have been ongoing since Saturday, according to the source.

Earlier, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei himself was reported killed in the same series of US-Israel strikes on Iran. Iranian state media announced Khojasteh’s death on Monday, following days of continued assaults targeting the country.

The situation marks an escalation in hostilities between Iran and the United States-Israel alliance, with reports indicating sustained military action since the weekend.

Trita Parsi, co-founder of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, stated that he believes the United States and Israel pursued a strategy of targeting Iran’s senior leaders until someone agreed to surrender. He described this as a miscalculation, arguing that Iran’s leadership fears surrender far more than war.

According to Parsi, former U.S. President Donald Trump assumed that deploying aircraft carriers to the Gulf would intimidate Iran into submission. However, Parsi explained that Iran’s rulers believe they can survive a war but not a surrender. He warned that if no one in Iran agrees to surrender, the approach would require not only removing successive leaders but effectively destroying the entire country.

Parsi added that the Trump administration did not understand how long such a campaign might take or whether it was even possible. During that time, he said, Iran’s strategy would be to inflict as much damage as possible on the United States, its forces, the global economy, neighboring states, and international markets to make such an initiative prohibitively costly.

The state-owned vessel MV Banglar Joyjatra of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation (BSC) has become stranded at Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates amid the ongoing war in Iran and the Middle East. Cargo unloading operations from the ship have been suspended. The vessel is currently docked at the port with 31 Bangladeshi sailors on board.

BSC Managing Director Commodore M Mahmudul Malek stated that all crew members are safe and maintaining regular contact with their families. The ship arrived at Jebel Ali on February 27 carrying 38,800 metric tons of steel coils from Mesaieed Port. BSC currently operates a fleet of seven ships, with only the Banglar Joyjatra active in the Gulf region.

The situation underscores the operational challenges faced by Bangladeshi vessels in conflict-affected areas of the Middle East, though authorities have confirmed the safety of the crew and are monitoring developments closely.

Smoke was seen rising over the area surrounding the United States Embassy in Kuwait on March 2, 2026, according to reports from Reuters and AFP. Firefighters and ambulances were present at the scene, though no further details about the cause of the smoke were provided. Following the incident, the US Embassy issued an alert advising people not to approach the embassy and to remain indoors.

In a notice published on its website, the embassy instructed residents to take shelter on the lowest floor of their homes, stay away from windows, and avoid going outside. It also urged US citizens in Kuwait to remain where they are, review their security plans, and stay alert for possible additional attacks. Embassy staff were reported to have taken shelter in place as well.

The situation prompted heightened caution among US nationals in Kuwait, though the source did not specify the origin or extent of the incident.

Iran’s state-run Fars News Agency has released a new video showing thousands of drones lined up inside underground tunnels built deep beneath Tehran. The footage depicts drones mounted on rocket launchers, with Iranian flags and images of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei displayed on the tunnel walls. The video appears intended to showcase the country’s military capabilities.

The report did not provide specific details such as the time, location, or types of drones featured in the footage. However, the release is believed to have come amid heightened regional tensions. The publication of the video follows a series of recent developments involving Iran and its regional activities, as noted in related news items.

The timing and content of the video suggest an effort by Iran to project strength, though the absence of technical or operational details leaves key aspects of the footage unverified.

A total of 39 international flights from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka were canceled on Monday, March 2, 2026, due to the ongoing closure of airspace across several Middle Eastern countries. The affected destinations included the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, the cancellations followed the temporary airspace shutdown announced by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan on February 28 amid heightened security concerns.

In the past three days, a total of 102 flights have been canceled, including 23 on February 28, 40 on March 1, and 39 on March 2. Airlines affected include Qatar Airways, Emirates, Gulf Air, Flydubai, Kuwait Airways, Air Arabia, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and US-Bangla Airlines. Flights to destinations other than Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Dubai have resumed.

Thousands of Bangladeshi migrant workers and business travelers have been stranded at the airport, with uncertainty remaining over when normal flight operations will resume.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that two Bangladeshi nationals were killed and seven others injured in recent missile and drone attacks across the Middle East. The attacks followed Iran’s retaliatory strikes on US bases in several countries. One of the deceased, identified as Saleh Ahmed from Sylhet’s Barlekha, died in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, after a civilian facility was hit. Another Bangladeshi was killed in Bahrain, where three others were also injured. Four more Bangladeshis were wounded near Kuwait’s civilian airport.

The ministry said Bangladesh’s embassies in the affected countries are in contact with local authorities and providing necessary assistance, including arrangements to repatriate the bodies once commercial flights resume. The Bangladeshi ship “Banglar Joyjatra” remains stranded at Jebel Ali Port in the UAE, though all crew members are safe.

Dhaka reiterated its deep concern over the escalating situation in the Middle East and stated that it is closely monitoring developments. The government emphasized that the safety of over six million Bangladeshi expatriates in the region remains its top priority and urged citizens to follow local advisories strictly.

Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Monday expressing deep sorrow over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The ministry said the government was shocked to learn of the assassination, which occurred during Israeli and US attacks on Iran. The statement conveyed condolences to the brotherly people of Iran.

The ministry emphasized that Bangladesh believes conflicts cannot bring solutions and that disputes should be resolved through dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to international law. The new statement followed criticism of an earlier one issued on Sunday, which condemned violations of sovereignty in several Middle Eastern countries but did not mention the attack on Iran or Khamenei’s death.

According to the report, Israel and the United States launched a large-scale military operation across Iran on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of Khamenei, his daughter, son-in-law, and grandson.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, was killed in a morning airstrike jointly conducted by the United States and Israel, according to reports published on March 2, 2026. The attack targeted a compound in central Tehran where Khamenei and several senior military and intelligence officials were meeting. The operation followed months of surveillance on Khamenei’s daily movements and was executed after receiving critical intelligence only hours earlier. Israeli jets reportedly dropped around 30 bombs on the compound at 9:40 a.m. local time.

The intelligence that enabled the strike reportedly originated from the CIA and was shared with Israel, which carried out the direct assault on Iranian leadership targets. The United States focused on military facilities. The attack also killed three senior Iranian defense officials, including Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani, Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, and IRGC Commander General Mohammad Pakpour. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed he was safe after strikes hit his office.

The long-term impact of Khamenei’s death on Iran’s internal stability and regional conflicts remains unclear, though reports suggest Iran had succession plans prepared in advance.

Iran’s military announced on Monday that it carried out attacks targeting the US air base Ali Al Salem in Kuwait and vessels operating in the northern Indian Ocean. The statement said the strikes were launched by Iran’s ground and naval missile units from separate positions.

According to the Iranian military’s statement, a total of 15 cruise missiles were used in the attacks. The announcement followed the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli strike, which the Iranian side linked to its retaliatory actions.

The report did not provide details about potential damage, casualties, or responses from the United States or other parties involved.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrault announced that France is prepared to defend Gulf countries and Jordan against Iranian missile and drone attacks. In a statement on Monday, he expressed full support and solidarity with allied nations that have become targets of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and risk being drawn into conflict. Barrault specifically named Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan as countries France stands ready to assist.

He emphasized France’s commitment to maintaining regional stability and ensuring the security of its allies. The minister also questioned the legitimacy of recent joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, suggesting that such use of force should have been discussed within international bodies like the United Nations. Speaking to reporters in Paris after a foreign ministry meeting, Barrault said decisions of this nature should be debated in collective frameworks such as the UN Security Council.

The statement reflects France’s dual stance of supporting regional allies while advocating for multilateral decision-making in international security matters.

Saudi Arabia’s largest oil refining company, Aramco, has temporarily shut down operations at its Ras Tanura refinery following a drone attack attributed to Iran. According to a Saudi defense ministry spokesperson quoted by Al Arabiya TV, two drones targeted the facility, causing a limited fire that was quickly brought under control. No casualties have been reported so far.

The incident comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, where Iran has recently carried out missile and drone strikes against Gulf countries and Israel. The Ras Tanura refinery, located in eastern Saudi Arabia, is one of the world’s major oil export hubs, processing over 550,000 barrels of crude oil daily. Its adjacent export terminal ships millions of barrels to global markets each day.

The temporary closure of Ras Tanura underscores the vulnerability of key energy infrastructure in the region and could heighten concerns about stability in global oil supply if attacks continue.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrault has questioned the legality of the joint US-Israel strikes on Iran, which have entered their third day. Speaking in Paris after a meeting at the Foreign Ministry on Monday, he said that decisions involving the use of force should have been discussed within international bodies such as the United Nations. Barrault emphasized that legitimacy for such actions arises only when they are presented before the UN Security Council.

The minister’s remarks come amid growing international scrutiny of the unilateral military actions in Iran. He reiterated that the use of force must be subject to collective deliberation under established global frameworks to ensure accountability and shared responsibility. Barrault also confirmed that no French nationals have been reported injured or killed in the ongoing situation in Iran.

The statement reflects France’s call for adherence to international law and multilateral decision-making in matters of military intervention, highlighting concerns over the bypassing of the UN system.

Explosions were reported on Monday in several major Middle Eastern cities, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Manama, and Jerusalem, according to multiple news agencies. AFP reported that loud blasts were heard in the capitals of Qatar and Bahrain, as well as in the most populous city of the United Arab Emirates.

The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that a suspected drone attack targeted the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus on Sunday night. No casualties were reported, and British authorities stated that security in the region remains at the highest level, with defensive responses initiated from the base.

The incidents follow the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint U.S. and Israeli airstrike. The British Defence Secretary, John Healy, said indiscriminate retaliatory attacks by Iran have increased risks for British troops and civilians across the Middle East.