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.

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.