In an interview with CNN on Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump said that the largest attack on Iran had not yet been launched. Speaking to host Jake Tapper, Trump described the ongoing military campaign as extremely powerful and claimed that the United States was using the world’s best armed forces. He added that the most significant wave of strikes was still to come and would happen very soon.

When asked how long the war might continue, Trump estimated it could last about one month, emphasizing that he did not want it to be prolonged. He said he had always thought it would last around four weeks. Trump also described Iran’s attack on Arab countries in the Middle East as a major surprise.

According to Trump, the United States had told Arab nations that it would handle the situation, but those countries were now eager to fight. He noted that their role was supposed to be limited, yet they were insisting on joining the conflict more aggressively.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for a missile and drone attack targeting the southern Israeli city of Beersheba, also known as Bir as-Sab, according to Al Jazeera. The Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that this was the eleventh round of Iranian strikes, asserting that the attack hit an Israeli military communications industry complex located in the city.

Tasnim later released a photograph it said showed a building in Beersheba that had been targeted. The report noted that the building housed offices of several international companies, including Microsoft. No further details about damage, casualties, or Israeli responses were provided in the available reports.

The incident marks another escalation in the ongoing hostilities between Iran and Israel, though immediate consequences or official confirmations from Israeli authorities were not included in the source.

A loud explosion was reported near a nuclear facility and an airbase in the central Iranian city of Isfahan, according to reports from Reuters and Al Jazeera. The blast was heard shortly before the reports were published on March 2, 2026, though no immediate details about damage or casualties were provided.

Earlier, Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility had been attacked. Reza Najafi, Iran’s envoy to the United Nations atomic watchdog, stated that the Natanz site was damaged in a joint strike by the United States and Israel. The incident near Isfahan follows that earlier attack, raising concerns about the security of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

The reports did not specify the cause of the latest explosion or whether it was linked to the previous assault on Natanz.

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to increase the number of nuclear warheads in France’s arsenal, citing global security uncertainty. Speaking on Monday at the Île Longue military base in northwestern France, where the country’s ballistic missile submarines are stationed, Macron said the current stock of fewer than 300 warheads will be expanded. He did not specify how many new warheads will be added. This marks the first planned increase in France’s nuclear stockpile since 1992.

Macron stated that the move aims to clarify France’s role in Europe’s security framework through its nuclear deterrent. He also referred to growing global threats and uncertainty surrounding U.S. security guarantees to European allies. In addition, France will allow the temporary deployment of nuclear-armed aircraft to allied countries and will collaborate with Germany and the United Kingdom on a long-range missile project to enhance strike capabilities.

Analysts cited in the report said the announcement signals a significant shift in Europe’s security policy direction.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that military strikes on Iran will continue until President Donald Trump is satisfied. According to Hegseth, only Trump can decide how long the operation will last, which could extend for two, four, or even six weeks, depending on circumstances. The statement was reported by CNN on March 2, 2026.

Hegseth and General Dan Kane, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the joint US-Israel operation will persist until Trump believes all its objectives have been achieved. The officials did not specify the exact goals or timeline of the campaign.

The report also noted related developments, including Iran’s leadership maintaining a firm stance following the death of Ayatollah Khamenei, a Kuwaiti naval officer’s death, NATO’s declaration that it will not engage in the Iran conflict, and Spain’s refusal to allow its bases to be used for the attacks.

Iran has announced its readiness to continue fighting at any cost as the conflict with the United States and Israel entered its third day. Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s National Security Council, stated that Tehran is prepared for a long-term war. His remarks were reported by TRT World and shared through a post on social media platform X, where he emphasized Iran’s determination to defend its civilization and make its enemies regret their miscalculations.

Larijani asserted that unlike the United States, Iran has advanced with preparation for a long war. His statement signals that Tehran is not seeking to de-escalate but rather to sustain its defensive stance. Analysts cited in the report suggested that such rhetoric indicates a further rise in regional tensions across the Middle East.

The statement comes as the conflict continues to intensify, with Iran reaffirming its commitment to self-defense and signaling that it will not back down easily.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reaffirmed that there are currently no American ground troops deployed in Iran. Speaking on March 2, 2026, he stated that Washington remains prepared to take necessary measures to protect US interests if required, though such actions would not be taken recklessly. His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera.

Hegseth questioned the logic of publicly outlining potential military options, saying it would not be wise to reveal in advance what steps the United States might take to achieve its objectives. The statement underscored a cautious but firm stance from Washington amid ongoing regional tensions.

According to the report, Iran has not issued any immediate response to Hegseth’s comments.

Oman’s Maritime Security Center reported that an oil tanker was attacked by an explosive-laden boat about 52 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat. According to a statement shared on the center’s X account and cited by Al Jazeera, the explosion caused a fire in the engine room, resulting in the death of one crew member. The remaining 21 crew members were evacuated safely from the vessel.

The Royal Navy of Oman has deployed a ship to monitor the condition of the damaged tanker. Authorities have also issued warnings to other vessels operating in the same waters to exercise caution following the incident.

The report did not specify who carried out the attack or the extent of the damage to the tanker, leaving key details about the motive and perpetrators unclear.

Qatar has temporarily suspended production of liquefied natural gas (LNG) following an attack linked to Iran. Authorities confirmed that the decision was made after the country’s main LNG facility in Ras Laffan Industrial City was targeted. The extent of the damage in the area remains unclear, but officials from QatarEnergy and the state news agency confirmed the production halt on Monday.

As the world’s largest LNG producer, Qatar’s suspension has raised concerns about potential disruptions in global gas supply. The Ras Laffan complex operates 14 LNG trains with a combined annual production capacity of about 77 million tons, making it a critical hub for international energy markets.

The temporary shutdown underscores the vulnerability of global energy infrastructure to regional conflicts and may influence short-term energy prices depending on how quickly Qatar can resume operations.

A member of the US military who was critically injured in Iranian attacks has died, raising the total number of US military fatalities to four, according to an official statement from the United States. The announcement follows reports from the US Central Command, which earlier confirmed that three service members had been killed and five others seriously wounded.

The Central Command stated that the deceased soldier had sustained severe injuries during the Iranian assault and later succumbed to those wounds. The report did not specify the exact location or timing of the incident but linked the death directly to the ongoing hostilities involving Iran.

The situation underscores the continuing escalation between the United States and Iran, with related developments including 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.

Russia has called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East following joint US-Israel airstrikes on Iran that entered their third day on Saturday. The strikes, which Iran has been responding to, reportedly targeted several civilian areas, including a girls’ school where nearly a hundred people were killed on the first day. Moscow strongly condemned attacks on civilian targets and urged all sides to halt hostilities immediately.

In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry emphasized that no attack on civilian targets, whether in Iran or Arab countries, can be justified. The ministry further stressed that diplomatic solutions, rather than military actions, should be pursued to de-escalate tensions in the region. The ongoing conflict has heightened international concern over the growing instability in the Middle East.

The statement reflects Russia’s position as tensions continue to rise, with global actors expressing alarm over the humanitarian toll and potential regional repercussions of the conflict.

The Israeli military has claimed responsibility for killing Hussein Makled, identified as the head of Hezbollah’s intelligence headquarters. According to a report published by Al Jazeera on Monday, the strike took place on Sunday night in Beirut, Lebanon’s capital, and was described by Israel as a precise and targeted operation.

The report noted that Hezbollah has not yet issued any immediate comment regarding the alleged killing. The incident adds to ongoing regional tensions, though no further details about the strike or its aftermath were provided in the source.

It remains unclear how Hezbollah or Lebanese authorities will respond to the reported attack, as no official statements were available at the time of reporting.

An estimated 300,000 people have been stranded across the Gulf region following the outbreak of war involving Iran, according to Al Jazeera. The United Kingdom has taken the initiative to assist in evacuation efforts. Operations at six to seven major airports in the region have been suspended, with more than 3,400 flights canceled in the first few days of the conflict. Major hubs including Dubai International, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Doha’s Hamad International Airport have halted services.

Large portions of the region’s airspace remain closed, significantly disrupting global air travel since Middle Eastern airports serve as vital transit points between Europe, Asia, and Africa. Social media posts show stranded passengers at Hamad, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi airports waiting in long lines for rebooking, hotel vouchers, or assistance, with many spending nights inside terminals.

If the airspace closures and conflict persist, thousands of travelers are expected to remain in uncertainty for an extended period.

Israel’s military announced that two senior Iranian intelligence officials were killed at the start of a recent attack. In a statement released on Monday, the army identified the deceased as Seyed Yahya Hamidi and Jalal Pour Hossein. According to the statement, Hamidi served as Iran’s deputy minister for intelligence affairs related to Israel, while Hossein headed the espionage division of Iran’s intelligence ministry.

The Israeli military claimed that Hamidi had directed terrorist operations targeting Jews, Western representatives, and opposition figures both inside and outside Iran. The statement further asserted that several other senior militants were also eliminated in the same operation. No additional details about the location or timing of the strike were provided in the statement.

The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions, with Israel and Iran frequently accusing each other of covert operations and attacks. The report did not include any official response from Iranian authorities or independent verification of the Israeli claims.

Qatar’s Ministry of Defense reported that two of the country’s energy-related facilities were hit by missile attacks on March 2, 2026. The ministry confirmed that no casualties or injuries occurred in the incidents. One missile struck a water storage tank at the Mesaieed Energy Plant, while another targeted an energy installation in Ras Laffan Industrial City operated by QatarEnergy.

According to the ministry’s statement, relevant authorities will assess all damages caused by the attacks and release detailed information later. Qatari officials stated that the situation is currently under control following the strikes.

The report attributed the missile attacks to Iran, though no further details about the launch or response were provided in the ministry’s statement.