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.

The United States Embassy in Kuwait has issued a warning about an ongoing threat of missile and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks in the country's airspace. In a statement released on March 2, 2026, the embassy advised American citizens residing in Kuwait to remain sheltered in place, review their security plans, and maintain maximum vigilance amid concerns of potential future attacks. Embassy staff are also reported to be taking shelter at their respective locations.

The advisory underscores heightened security concerns in Kuwait following reports of regional instability. The embassy’s statement, citing persistent aerial threats, aims to ensure the safety of US nationals and personnel in the area. The warning was reported by Al Jazeera and relayed through local media.

The embassy’s alert suggests that security conditions in the region remain tense, and further updates may follow depending on the evolving threat situation.

Israel launched new large-scale airstrikes on Iran’s capital Tehran early Monday, according to reports. The Israeli Defense Forces said their fighter jets struck central areas of Tehran. Iran’s Fars news agency reported that at least two people were killed in the central city of Sanandaj following the attacks.

According to the report, enemy missiles hit Sanandaj, destroying several residential buildings near a police station. Iran’s Tasnim news agency stated that US and Israeli forces fired six missiles into various parts of the city, including densely populated areas. Smoke was also seen near Kermanshah airport following the strikes.

The reports indicate a coordinated military action involving both the United States and Israel against Iranian targets, though further details on casualties or official responses were not provided in the source.

More than 115,000 Australian citizens are stranded across the Middle East after air routes were closed due to conflict sparked by U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, according to Australian authorities. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government hopes to repatriate citizens once commercial flights resume, as that would be the most feasible large-scale option.

Wong told reporters that the ongoing conflict has caused casualties and led to the closure of regional airspace, preventing both Australian and commercial flights from operating. The government is monitoring the situation and maintaining contact with airlines to assess when flights might restart. An online crisis portal has been launched for Australian citizens, permanent residents, and their close relatives in Israel, Iran, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to register for assistance.

Wong also commented on the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying the responsibility for explaining the U.S. and Israeli actions lies with those governments. She added that no one is mourning Khamenei’s death, describing his rule as one marked by brutality against his own people.

The death toll from an attack on a primary girls’ school in Minab, a city in southern Iran, has risen to around 180, according to a report published on Monday morning by Al Jazeera. The attack, reportedly carried out jointly by the United States and Israel, took place on Saturday. Since then, the number of casualties has continued to increase.

Hossein Kermanpour, head of public relations at Iran’s Ministry of Health, stated that approximately 180 children were killed in the Israeli strike on the Minab girls’ school. He added that similar missiles had been used just hours earlier in an attack on Tehran’s Gandhi Hospital.

The incident has drawn attention amid heightened regional tensions, with the report highlighting the growing humanitarian toll in Iran’s southern region following the strike.

At least 22 people were killed in Pakistan and Iraq during protests following the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran confirmed on Sunday morning that Khamenei was killed in a U.S. and Israeli airstrike on his palace compound in Tehran. In Karachi, demonstrators attacked the U.S. consulate, entering the reception area before security forces opened fire, killing 10 people and injuring 30 others. Another 10 people were killed in a separate incident in Gilgit-Baltistan. In Baghdad, two protesters died after security forces fired on crowds who had entered the Green Zone near the U.S. embassy.

Khamenei, aged 86, had served as Iran’s Supreme Leader for nearly four decades. His death triggered widespread anger and protests across the region, particularly targeting U.S. diplomatic missions. The Guardian was cited as the source confirming details of the attack and subsequent unrest.

The events have heightened tensions in the Middle East, with the protests signaling potential instability in countries hosting U.S. diplomatic facilities.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top officials were killed in a joint United States and Israeli strike, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA. The attack occurred early Sunday, resulting in the deaths of Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, along with senior figures including Ali Shamkhani, Abdur Rahim Mousavi, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, and IRGC Commander Mohammad Pakpour.

President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the killing as a direct declaration of war against the Muslim world, particularly the Shia community. He described Khamenei’s death as the greatest test facing the Islamic world. IRNA confirmed the deaths of several influential figures close to Khamenei, including Shamkhani, who had recently overseen nuclear program talks with the US.

The deaths of Mousavi, Nasirzadeh, and Pakpour mark a major blow to Iran’s military leadership. The report noted that Mousavi had been instrumental in Iran’s missile and drone programs, while Nasirzadeh and Pakpour were key defense figures. The incident is expected to have significant repercussions for Iran’s political and military stability.

Several explosions occurred at the United States’ Victoria military base near Baghdad International Airport, according to reports published early Monday. Verified video footage reviewed by Al Jazeera showed thick plumes of smoke rising from inside the base following the blasts.

Iraqi media, citing security sources, reported that two drones targeted the base. One drone reportedly struck inside the facility, while the other was intercepted and brought down. The full extent of the damage and any casualties have not yet been confirmed.

Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation, and further details remain unavailable at this stage, according to Al Jazeera.

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry has summoned Iran’s ambassador in Amman to protest attacks targeting Jordan and other Arab countries. The move followed a series of retaliatory missile launches by Tehran after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes across Iran on Saturday. Jordan reported that several dozen of those missiles were intercepted and destroyed within its airspace.

In a statement, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry reaffirmed the country’s commitment to protecting its sovereignty and ensuring the safety of its citizens. Authorities confirmed that no casualties had been reported inside Jordan from the intercepted missiles. The incident underscores rising regional tensions following the exchange of strikes involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

The situation has drawn concern from the United States and Gulf allies, who described Iran’s actions as dangerous, according to the report.

US President Donald Trump has provided several updates on the ongoing joint military operation by Washington and Tel Aviv against Iran. Speaking to multiple American media outlets by phone, Trump said that 48 Iranian leaders had been killed and that the operation was progressing rapidly. According to a BBC live update on Monday, March 2, 2026, Trump described the campaign as advancing ahead of schedule and fulfilling all objectives.

In interviews with Fox News, CNBC, and other outlets, Trump claimed that Iranian expatriates in the United States were celebrating reports of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s death. He highlighted the festive atmosphere among the large Iranian community in Los Angeles. In a separate interview with The Atlantic, Trump stated that Iran’s post-Khamenei leadership had signaled readiness to resume negotiations that had collapsed the previous week.

Trump added that he was willing to engage in talks with the new Iranian leadership, saying that such discussions should have occurred earlier. The situation marks a potential shift in US-Iran relations following the reported leadership change in Tehran.

The United States and Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Iran on Friday, striking 24 of its 31 provinces. According to Iranian state media, at least 201 people were killed, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several senior military and civilian officials. In retaliation, Iran carried out missile and drone attacks on Israeli and US positions across the Middle East.

Israeli media reported that at least 40 buildings were destroyed in Tel Aviv, forcing more than 200 residents to relocate to hotels. In Beit Shammash, nine people were killed and 27 injured. Iran also targeted US bases in the region, claiming strikes on 27 installations. The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar were hit for a second consecutive day, with explosions reported in Doha and Dubai. The UAE Defense Ministry said it intercepted most of the 165 ballistic missiles and 541 drones launched by Iran, though three expatriates were killed and 58 injured.

The escalation followed the collapse of nuclear talks between Iran and the US, which had resumed in Muscat and Geneva earlier in February.

Following U.S. and Israeli attacks in Iran, hundreds of passengers bound for the Middle East have been stranded at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. Since Saturday, 54 flights to destinations including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Italy have been canceled due to temporary airspace closures and security risks. Many travelers now face visa expiry and missed connections, with some unable to contact airlines or travel agencies for updates.

Civil Aviation and Tourism State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat said the suspended flights would be rescheduled and passengers given sufficient time to travel. He added that the ministry, in coordination with other government bodies, is monitoring the situation to minimize passenger hardship. The Prime Minister is reportedly overseeing passenger welfare, including food and accommodation arrangements.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines announced that flights to all Middle Eastern destinations except Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi will operate on schedule. US-Bangla Airlines resumed flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Muscat but temporarily suspended services to the UAE and Qatar until conditions improve.

A Bangladeshi national has been identified among those killed in a retaliatory Iranian missile strike in the United Arab Emirates. The deceased, Saleh Uddin alias Ahmad Ali, aged 48, was from Gaziteka village under Barlekha municipality in Moulvibazar. His family in Bangladesh confirmed his death on Sunday night, March 1, after receiving information from relatives in the UAE. Saleh was reportedly killed when an Iranian missile hit Ajman city amid escalating regional conflict following U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran.

According to family sources, Saleh had been living in Ajman for many years and worked as a water truck driver. On Saturday evening, while performing his regular duties, a missile struck the area, injuring several people. Saleh was taken to a local hospital where doctors declared him dead. His relatives in Bangladesh had heard unconfirmed reports of his death earlier but received confirmation the following day.

The incident highlights the growing regional tension that has extended its impact to expatriate communities in the Gulf region.

A missile fired from Iran struck West Jerusalem on March 2, 2026, injuring six people, according to reports cited by Al Jazeera. The attack triggered air raid sirens across the city, followed by several loud explosions. Israel’s military confirmed that missiles had been launched from Iran toward Israeli territory and stated that its defense systems were actively responding. Authorities instructed residents to remain in safe shelters.

Israel’s emergency ambulance service reported rescuing several injured individuals from the site, including a 50-year-old man in serious condition and five others with minor injuries who received initial treatment. Video footage published by Israeli media showed the missile hitting a roadway, leaving a large crater and severely damaging a nearby vehicle.

The incident marks a significant escalation in regional tensions, with Israel’s defense forces maintaining high alert and emergency services continuing operations in the affected area.

The US Department of Defense informed Congress that it found no clear evidence Iran had planned a preemptive strike against the United States before the recent joint US-Israel attack. According to a Reuters report, Pentagon officials told congressional staff in a closed-door meeting that Iran’s ballistic missile program and allied forces were viewed as immediate threats to US interests. However, they acknowledged that there was no specific intelligence indicating Tehran had planned to attack US forces in advance.

The report noted that officials from the Trump administration had previously claimed there were signs Iran might carry out a preemptive strike. The new Pentagon assessment has raised questions about the validity of those earlier claims.

The disclosure adds a new dimension to ongoing debates in Washington about the accuracy of intelligence assessments and the justification for military actions involving Iran.