Israel has launched new attacks on Iran while Iran fired missiles toward Israel amid ongoing hostilities. The developments were reported on Wednesday through Al Jazeera’s live broadcast. The Israeli military confirmed that missiles were fired from Iran and said its defense systems were activated to intercept them. Civilians were instructed to remain in protective shelters until further notice.

Israel claimed responsibility for renewed strikes inside Iran, following earlier attacks on Tuesday that reportedly targeted the Iranian presidential complex and residences of senior leaders. Since February 28, multiple sources have reported joint U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran, with reports alleging the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his family. Tehran has vowed retaliatory attacks on Israeli and U.S. bases across the Middle East.

According to a human rights organization, around 1,100 civilians have been killed in Iran, while more than 50 deaths have been reported in Lebanon, where Hezbollah has also fired missiles at Israel and faced Israeli counterstrikes in Beirut.

Explosions were heard across Israel as Iranian missile attacks, previously concentrated in central and northern areas, expanded to the south. Al Jazeera journalist Nida Ibrahim reported hearing loud blasts from Ramallah, while Israeli defense forces confirmed intercepting missiles and urged residents to remain in shelters until further notice. Missile fragments were found in Beit Shemesh, west of Jerusalem.

Warning sirens sounded in Jerusalem, parts of central Israel, and the West Bank as Iran continued launching missiles. The Israeli military stated it had detected another missile fired from Iran and was actively working to intercept incoming threats.

The escalation marks a widening of the conflict, with Israel’s defense forces maintaining a high alert posture and advising civilians to stay protected as missile interceptions continue.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that at least 50 people were killed and 335 injured in Israeli airstrikes over the past two days, according to a CNN News report published on March 4, 2026. The attacks continued into Wednesday morning, with air raids striking southern Beirut, where at least six people were killed and eight others wounded.

Israel stated that its forces intend to advance further into Lebanese territory to capture what it described as strategically important areas. The stated goal of this move is to prevent attacks on Israeli border settlements. The information was also cited by the Lebanese outlet L’Orient Today.

The ongoing escalation underscores the intensifying conflict between Israel and Lebanon, with civilian casualties mounting as air and ground operations continue near the border and in urban areas.

Five days after a joint US-Israel attack on Iran, questions remain over President Donald Trump’s motives and objectives. Initially, Trump and his administration said the goal was to destroy Iran’s nuclear program and prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons. Vice President JD Vance reiterated this aim in a television interview. However, the administration’s reasoning evolved over subsequent days, with Trump later emphasizing the destruction of Iran’s missile and naval capabilities and the elimination of proxy groups in the region.

Trump subsequently suggested that regime change in Iran was necessary, telling Iranians they would take leadership after a transition. Yet Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth contradicted this, stating that regime change was not the United States’ goal, though he acknowledged leadership changes had occurred. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later argued that the attack was preemptive, as US forces would have become targets once Israel struck Iran.

The lack of a clear post-attack plan has drawn sharp criticism in Congress. Democrats accused the administration of acting without credible intelligence or a defined strategy, warning that the US could face a prolonged conflict.

France has announced the deployment of its warship Charles de Gaulle to the Mediterranean Sea to assist Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Iraq. President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement on Tuesday, stating that the move is part of France’s defense commitments with these partner nations.

Macron confirmed that, in addition to the warship, France has already deployed Dassault Rafale fighter jets, air defense systems, and radar equipment in recent hours. These assets are intended to help intercept missiles and drones originating from Iran, according to the French president.

The deployment underscores France’s ongoing military cooperation with Middle Eastern allies under existing defense agreements, reflecting its commitment to regional security and deterrence efforts.

Iran’s Defense Ministry has declared that the country is prepared for a prolonged conflict against the United States and Israel. The ministry’s spokesperson, Reza Talaei-Nik, stated that Iran possesses the capability to maintain resistance and continue offensive defense over an extended period. He emphasized that the nation has not yet deployed its most advanced weapons and military equipment.

The statement comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and both the United States and Israel. According to the ministry, the current confrontation has been imposed on Iran, but the country remains confident in its long-term military endurance. The remarks reflect Tehran’s effort to project strength and deterrence at a time of escalating regional hostilities.

The ministry’s comments suggest that Iran may be holding back its most sophisticated arsenal, signaling potential for further escalation if the conflict continues.

Arab leaders are facing severe consequences after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, triggering a regional war that has engulfed much of the Arab world. The killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei marked a turning point, prompting Iran to unleash its vast missile and drone arsenal despite lacking advanced air power. U.S. military bases across the Middle East, from Cyprus to Bahrain, have come under Iranian attack, exposing the limits of Washington’s security guarantees to its Arab allies.

The conflict has destabilized oil-rich Arab states, disrupted energy supplies, and driven up global fuel prices. Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and drone strikes on Saudi and Qatari energy facilities have intensified market turmoil. For Bangladesh, which depends heavily on Middle Eastern remittances and fuel imports, the war poses grave risks. Millions of Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar may lose jobs, while rising oil prices threaten inflation and trade costs.

Analysts cited in the report warn that the war could reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics, strain Arab economies, and trigger long-term global energy and financial instability.

The US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) reported that at least 1,097 civilians have been killed in Iran since February 28 amid ongoing violence. According to the agency, the victims include 181 children under the age of ten. The number of injured has risen to 5,402, with at least 100 children among them.

HRANA’s report stated that in the past 24 hours alone, at least 104 attacks occurred across the country, targeting military bases, medical centers, and residential areas. The organization also noted that reports of several hundred additional deaths are still being verified.

The figures highlight the scale of the recent escalation in Iran, though the report indicates that casualty numbers may continue to rise as verification continues.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that Washington launched preemptive strikes in Iran to support Israel and prevent potential Iranian retaliation against American forces in the Middle East. Rubio said intelligence indicated Israel would attack Iran, prompting fears that Tehran might target US troops and bases. Republican congressional leader Mike Johnson echoed this justification, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer refused to endorse the legality of the US action under international law.

The conflict entered its fourth day with heavy Israeli and US bombardments across Tehran and other Iranian cities, including strikes on the presidential office and state broadcaster IRIB. Iran reported 787 deaths nationwide. In response, Iran continued missile and drone attacks on US and Israeli targets across the region, hitting bases in Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain. The US closed its embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after drone strikes and urged citizens to leave 14 Middle Eastern countries.

President Donald Trump said the war could last four to five weeks, while Iran vowed to continue fighting until US and Israeli aggression ends. The situation has triggered widespread regional instability and diplomatic fallout.

Thousands of Bangladeshi expatriates have been stranded across the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, prompting several countries to close their airspace. The resulting flight cancellations have left many unable to return to their workplaces, with expiring visas and mounting financial strain. At Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport alone, 147 international flights were canceled in four days, while Chattogram’s Shah Amanat Airport saw 35 cancellations. Biman Bangladesh Airlines suspended all flights on six Middle Eastern routes until March 5.

The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment said it has formed a four-member committee and a special cell to assist affected workers and resolve visa complications. Qatar’s Interior Ministry extended all expiring visas by one month without fees, while the UAE embassy in Dhaka will issue temporary travel permits once flights resume. Expatriates described living in fear and uncertainty, unable to work or move freely amid the conflict.

Officials said the government is monitoring the situation and coordinating with embassies to address visa and repatriation issues, hoping for a quick resolution.

The United States and Israel have continued heavy air and missile strikes on Iran, marking the fourth day of coordinated attacks across Tehran and other cities. Israeli forces targeted Iran’s presidential office and state broadcaster, while US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, defended the strikes as preemptive measures to prevent Iranian retaliation. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer refused to endorse the legality of the US attack under international law. The assaults have killed at least 787 people, including civilians, and damaged more than 150 cities, according to Iranian sources.

Iran has launched counterstrikes across the region, hitting US bases, embassies, and allied infrastructure in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain. The US closed its embassies in Riyadh and Kuwait City after drone attacks, and President Donald Trump warned of further retaliation. Iran’s envoy to the UN vowed to continue defensive operations until US and Israeli aggression ends. Meanwhile, Hezbollah joined the conflict from Lebanon, attacking Israeli military sites as Israel expanded operations into Lebanese territory.

The US has urged its citizens to leave 14 Middle Eastern countries immediately, underscoring the escalating regional instability and risk of broader conflict.

US President Donald Trump announced that the US Navy will provide security for oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary. He made the statement on Wednesday in a post on the social media platform Truth Social. Trump also directed his administration to arrange insurance coverage for ships operating in the area.

In his message, Trump emphasized that the US Navy would begin protecting tankers through the strategic waterway as quickly as required. He added that the United States would ensure the safe global supply of energy under any circumstances.

The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions, as the source also mentioned reports of US strikes on Iranian targets and other related incidents in the Middle East.

Iran launched a missile attack on the US Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, according to a statement from Qatar’s Ministry of Defense. The ministry reported that two ballistic missiles were fired from Iran, one of which was intercepted by Qatar’s air defense system, while the other struck the Al-Udeid base. The incident occurred on Wednesday, and no casualties have been reported so far.

The report, carried by Al Jazeera and cited by the Qatari defense authorities, marks a significant escalation involving Iranian missile activity in the Gulf region. The Al-Udeid base is known as a key US military installation in Qatar, and the attack underscores heightened regional tensions. The ministry’s statement did not provide further details about the extent of the damage or any immediate response measures.

Authorities have not yet released additional information regarding potential follow-up actions or investigations into the missile strike.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the recent unprovoked attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran violated international law, while emphasizing that Tehran remains 'primarily responsible' for the current tensions. His remarks were reported by Al Jazeera and published on March 4, 2026.

Macron said that both the US and Israel conducted military operations outside the bounds of international law, which France cannot endorse. However, he pointed to Iran’s nuclear activities, its support for regional proxy groups, and its internal repression as reasons for assigning primary responsibility to Tehran. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has clarified that there is no evidence Iran is developing a nuclear bomb.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that Macron’s comments reflect an effort to balance France’s position between Western allies and the ongoing Middle East crisis.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint attack by the United States and Israel, will be buried in the city of Mashhad, according to Fars News Agency on Wednesday. The 86-year-old leader was targeted in an assault last Saturday morning. Before his death, Khamenei had served as Iran’s highest religious authority for 36 years.

Mashhad, considered a holy city by Iranians, is also Khamenei’s birthplace. His father was buried at the Imam Reza shrine there, and Khamenei had reportedly expressed his wish to be laid to rest at the same site. However, the exact date of his burial has not yet been announced.

The report highlights the symbolic importance of Mashhad in Iran’s religious and political landscape, as it houses one of the country’s most revered shrines and now will become the final resting place of its long-serving leader.