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.

The United States has confirmed that six of its soldiers were killed as part of ongoing military operations against Iran. According to a statement from the U.S. military, the deaths occurred after the United States and Israel began bombing Iran on Saturday. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported that the bodies of two missing soldiers were recovered from a facility that had been struck during Iran’s initial attacks.

CENTCOM added that large-scale combat operations are continuing and that the identities of the deceased will remain confidential for 24 hours until their families are notified. The announcement comes amid heightened military activity between the United States, Israel, and Iran, with the situation described as part of a broader regional conflict.

The report, sourced from Al Jazeera, did not provide further details on the location of the operations or the broader strategic objectives of the campaign.

New explosions were heard in Doha, the capital of Qatar, on the night of March 2, 2026. The blasts are believed to have resulted from Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks. Earlier that day, Iranian drones reportedly struck several energy installations in Qatar’s industrial city of Ras Laffan, though no casualties were reported.

According to reports, Qatar’s air force claimed to have shot down two Iranian jets approaching its territory and intercepted several ballistic missiles and drones. The incidents mark a continuation of escalating tensions in the Gulf region, with Qatar appearing to be the latest target of Iranian aerial activity.

The situation remains tense as authorities assess the extent of the damage and monitor for further threats, while no immediate reports of injuries or fatalities have emerged.

Iran’s top leadership has maintained a defiant stance as US and Israeli airstrikes entered their third day across Tehran and other regions following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The strikes, which targeted Iranian military bases, came after Khamenei and several senior commanders were killed at the start of the conflict. Iranian authorities have suspended all dialogue with the United States, while internet access across the country remains cut off for a second day.

Under Iran’s post-1979 constitutional framework, the Assembly of Experts is tasked with selecting a new Supreme Leader. President Masoud Pezeshkian confirmed that the council has begun this process, with an interim three-member leadership—comprising Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and Guardian Council member Ayatollah Ali Reza Arafi—managing state affairs. Pezeshkian urged pro-establishment supporters to gather in public despite ongoing conflict.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed severe retaliation, claiming to have launched major attacks on US and Israeli bases. Senior officials, including military chief Amir Hatami and security head Ali Larijani, pledged to defend the nation and uphold constitutional procedures for leadership succession.

Kuwait has confirmed the death of one of its naval officers during a military operation, according to a statement from the country’s armed forces. The announcement was made public on March 3, 2026, but no additional information was provided about the nature of the operation or the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death.

The report, citing Al Jazeera as its source, noted that the Kuwaiti military did not specify where or when the incident took place, nor did it disclose any operational details. The lack of clarity leaves open questions about the context of the mission and the conditions under which the officer was killed.

Further information from Kuwaiti authorities or regional media may clarify the circumstances of the operation and the broader implications for Kuwait’s military activities in the region.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated that the alliance will not directly engage in the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Speaking to Germany’s ARD television in Brussels, he praised the joint military actions by the United States and Israel, saying their operations have reduced Tehran’s ability to develop nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities. Rutte emphasized that NATO has no plans to become part of the war.

He added that while NATO itself will not participate, member states may take steps to support the US-Israel efforts. Rutte described these actions as significant in limiting Iran’s strategic weapons capacity. His remarks came amid heightened regional tensions following recent military operations targeting Iranian facilities.

The statement clarifies NATO’s position of non-involvement while acknowledging the alliance’s political support for its member nations’ initiatives against Iran’s weapons programs.

Spain’s government has declared that no military base on its territory has been or will be used for attacks on Iran. On Monday in Madrid, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stated that Spain retains full control over bases under its sovereignty, including Rota and Morón de la Frontera, and that these facilities are not being used in any Middle East operations. He emphasized that Spain will not authorize any deployment outside the framework of the United Nations Charter or its own sovereign decisions.

Albares described recent U.S. strikes as unilateral actions and said Madrid had not been informed beforehand. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also criticized unilateral moves by the United States and Israel against Iran, warning that such actions increase global instability. The foreign minister further cautioned that rising tensions could disrupt the Strait of Hormuz and drive up oil prices, urging all parties to de-escalate and pursue diplomacy.

Spain additionally condemned Iran’s retaliatory attacks in the Persian Gulf region, calling for restraint and dialogue to prevent further escalation.

Lebanon’s government has announced the closure of all private higher education institutions and the Lebanese University in Beirut for one day. The decision was reported by Al Jazeera on Monday, citing Education Minister Rima Karami, who confirmed the shutdown would take place on Tuesday.

According to local media reports referenced in the article, Minister Karami stated that the move was prompted by the deteriorating security situation caused by Israeli aggression in several regions of Lebanon. The temporary closure aims to ensure the safety of students and staff amid ongoing tensions.

The report did not specify whether classes would resume immediately after the one-day closure or if further measures might follow depending on the security situation.

The United States has urged its citizens currently in Lebanon to leave the country immediately while commercial flights remain available. In a post from the US Embassy in Beirut, officials warned Americans not to travel to Lebanon and to depart as soon as possible. The embassy cited rapidly deteriorating security conditions across the country, noting that airstrikes have begun in several areas, including the south, the Bekaa Valley, and parts of Beirut.

According to a BBC correspondent in Beirut, a large explosion was heard in the Dahiyeh district, known as a stronghold of the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. The embassy’s warning reflects growing concerns over escalating violence and instability in Lebanon’s capital and other regions.

The situation remains fluid, and the embassy’s advisory suggests that security conditions could worsen quickly, potentially affecting travel and safety for foreign nationals in Lebanon.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the ongoing US operation in Iran is not intended to become an endless war. Speaking at a press conference at the Pentagon on March 2, 2026, he did not rule out the possibility of deploying American ground forces to Iran in the future. Hegseth confirmed that there are currently no US ground troops in Iran.

He emphasized that Washington will go as far as necessary to protect American interests but declined to specify what actions might be taken, saying it would be unwise to reveal such plans to adversaries. According to Hegseth, the main objectives of the US operation are to destroy Iran’s missile and naval capabilities and to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The defense secretary further clarified that the situation in Iran is not comparable to Iraq and reiterated that the conflict will not be an open-ended engagement. The remarks were reported by Reuters.