A drone attack targeted a hotel used to house US troops in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan region, near the Iranian border. The armed group Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility, saying it deliberately struck the hotel where American soldiers were staying. Iraqi news agency Naya News shared a video on Telegram showing a building in Erbil engulfed in flames, describing it as a strike on an ‘occupying force base.’ No immediate details on casualties or damage were available.

On the same day, Iran claimed responsibility for drone and missile attacks on US forces stationed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. According to Al Jazeera, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said its naval forces carried out a ‘complex attack’ combining drones and missiles against American troops in Dubai. The IRGC also claimed to have launched a drone strike on the US base at Arifjan in Kuwait.

The incidents mark a series of coordinated strikes across the region, though the full extent of the damage and potential escalation remain unclear.

US President Donald Trump has ordered a full-scale attack on Iran less than a year after declaring that his foreign policy would avoid regime change or nation-building in the Middle East. Analysts told Al Jazeera that the new war contradicts Trump’s stated ideology and campaign promises, arguing that it primarily benefits Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rather than the United States. Negar Mortazavi of the Center for International Policy described the assault as another Israel-driven conflict initiated under US pressure.

The report notes that Netanyahu has long warned of Iran’s nuclear and missile threats, though both Tehran and US officials have denied evidence of weaponization. Despite recent diplomatic progress through Omani mediation and three rounds of indirect US-Iran talks in Geneva, Trump proceeded with the strike, undermining hopes for a peace deal. Public opinion polls cited in the report show that most Americans oppose a new war with Iran.

Commentators, including National Iranian American Council president Jamal Abdi, said the decision marks a political victory for Netanyahu but a strategic setback for the US, signaling a potentially prolonged and unpredictable military engagement.

US President Donald Trump has signaled a strong response following a drone attack on the American Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In an interview with NewsNation journalist Kelly Meyer, Trump said Washington would take significant action soon, adding that the world would see the response very quickly.

According to the report, two drones struck the US Embassy in Riyadh early Tuesday morning, causing a small fire and partial damage to the building. Following the incident, the United States placed all its facilities and diplomatic missions across the Middle East on high alert.

The US government has also suspended all consular services in Saudi Arabia as a precautionary measure, while regional tensions remain heightened after the attack.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that two drones attacked the United States Embassy in Riyadh early Tuesday morning. The incident caused a limited fire within the embassy compound and minor structural damage to parts of the building, according to a statement released on social media platform X.

Following the attack, precautionary instructions were issued for staff of the US missions in Saudi Arabia. Personnel in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran were advised to remain in safe locations, and movement to military installations in the region was restricted unless necessary.

The ministry’s statement did not specify who was responsible for the attack or whether any casualties occurred. The situation prompted heightened security measures around diplomatic and military facilities in the affected areas.

Iran has launched a series of missile attacks targeting various areas across Israel, according to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Following the strikes, the IDF confirmed the attacks and declared a nationwide emergency alert to warn citizens. Mobile phone messages were sent to residents instructing them to move to safe shelters as the situation unfolded.

The IDF stated that Israel’s air defense systems have been activated to intercept the incoming missiles and are attempting to destroy them midair. The report, citing BBC as its source, did not specify the extent of damage or casualties resulting from the attacks.

The incident marks a significant escalation in regional tensions, prompting heightened security measures across Israel as defense operations continue.

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.