Missiles fired by US, Israel hit two schools near Tehran: Iranian media

On March 5, 2026, Iranian media reported that missiles fired by the United States and Israel struck two schools in Parand, a town southwest of Tehran. The attack, which damaged classrooms and nearby residential units, occurred six days after a prior strike on a girls' school in Minab that killed 165 people. Iranian authorities attributed the Minab attack to the US and Israel, who launched a war on Iran, with the US claiming unawareness of hitting a school and Israeli sources alleging the site's proximity to a military base. An Al Jazeera investigation disputed these claims, showing the school was separate from the adjacent military site. The attacks have ignited exchanges of fire across the Middle East.

The United States has ordered the departure of non-emergency personnel and their families from its consulates in Lahore and Karachi, Pakistan, citing safety risks. This decision follows protests in Pakistan against US-Israeli strikes on Iran, during which demonstrators attempted to storm the Karachi consulate. US Marines reportedly opened fire on protesters during the Karachi incident, though it remains unclear if anyone was struck. The State Department also authorized the voluntary departure of staff from US missions in Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, and Oman. The US embassy in Islamabad remains open.

The first flight from Dubai to Hong Kong since recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran landed Wednesday evening, bringing relief to stranded travelers. Dubai's airports had been closed following Iranian retaliation targeting US military bases in the UAE and other Gulf countries. Emirates flight EK380 was the first to arrive after Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport resumed limited operations. Passengers, including jockey Karis Teetan and his family, expressed joy at returning home after multiple flight cancellations and rebookings. Teetan reported hearing missiles in Dubai and remaining indoors for safety during the conflict.

Following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz declared that whoever is chosen as Iran's next Supreme Leader will be considered a target for elimination. Katz made the statement on X, asserting that any leader continuing a plan to destroy Israel and threaten the US would be targeted. This threat follows an Israeli strike on a building associated with Iran's Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for selecting the new Supreme Leader. The statement escalates tensions between the two countries amidst ongoing conflict. Iranians are preparing for a farewell ceremony for Khamenei.

The United States and Israel have launched a military campaign against Iran, leading to escalating strikes and retaliation. These actions have resulted in casualties, a spike in oil prices, and significant geopolitical shocks. China has strongly condemned the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an event that has destabilized Tehran. Financial markets have reacted negatively, with futures and Asian shares experiencing a sharp sell-off as the conflict continues. The situation is causing turmoil in the Middle East and raising concerns about a major regional escalation.

On March 1, 2026, Iranian missiles were observed over Tel Aviv and the occupied West Bank. According to reports, the missiles penetrated Israel's defense systems. Iran stated the missile strikes were targeting Israeli military facilities. The event marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two nations. The extent of damage or casualties is currently unknown. Further details are awaited as the situation develops.

On Monday, March 2, 2026, global air travel faced significant disruptions due to escalating conflict in the Middle East, involving U.S.-Israel strikes and Iranian retaliation. Airports in major transit hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha closed after being directly hit by Iranian strikes, stranding tourists, business travelers, and religious pilgrims. Governments worldwide are working to assist their citizens in returning home amidst the uncertainty surrounding airport reopenings and flight resumptions. Gulf carriers are resuming some flights, even as the conflict continues to fuel travel chaos. Travelers are advised to shelter in place while awaiting updates.

The US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, escalating tensions in the Middle East. Iran has vowed retaliation, drawing regional powers into the conflict. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and senior cleric Alireza Arafi will lead Iran in the transitional period. Donald Trump expressed willingness to negotiate with the remaining Iranian leadership. Elsewhere, the UK's RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus was hit by a suspected drone strike, causing minor damage. In the UK, new asylum rules designate refugee status as temporary, lasting 30 months, and the Green Party's membership surpassed 200,000 after a byelection victory. Concerns are also rising about the potential impact of data centers on the UK's greenhouse gas emissions.

Following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, US officials are reportedly skeptical that a regime change in Iran is likely in the near future. Despite President Trump's call for Iranian patriots to "take back" their country, three US officials familiar with intelligence suggest that Iran's opposition is unlikely to topple the current theocratic government. While not completely ruling out the possibility due to ongoing US and Israeli air strikes and internal unrest, officials consider a near-term regime change improbable. The Iranian President, along with other officials, have temporarily assumed the duties of the supreme leader. The US and Israeli operation aimed to cripple Iran's ballistic missile and nuclear programs, with some US officials suggesting toppling the government as a goal.

Following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in March 2026, Iran retaliated by targeting Israel and US-linked military sites in the region, including in Gulf states hosting US forces. The exchange raises concerns about escalating conflict and Iran's capacity to strike back. Central to Iran's strategy is its large and diverse missile arsenal, including ballistic and cruise missiles, providing long-range capabilities. Iranian officials consider the missile program a key deterrent, especially given its aging air force. Western governments, however, view Iran's missile capabilities as destabilizing and potentially linked to nuclear ambitions, claims Iran denies.

Global air travel is experiencing major disruptions due to the US-Israel war on Iran, resulting in thousands of cancelled flights and stranded passengers worldwide. Major Middle Eastern airports, including Dubai, have been closed for multiple days, causing significant aviation shock. As of Monday, over 1,200 flights were cancelled, adding to the nearly 6,000 cancellations from the weekend. Airlines like Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have suspended numerous services, and Air India cancelled flights to Europe and North America. The airspace over several Middle Eastern countries remains largely empty, impacting flights from Bali to Frankfurt. The conflict's spread to Lebanon has further complicated the situation, with airspace closures and airport restrictions expected to cause continued delays and cancellations.

On March 1, 2026, Iran launched missile strikes against Israel, including the town of Beit Shemesh, resulting in at least nine deaths and 28 injuries. These attacks are part of Iran's retaliation for the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an earlier Israel-US strike. Tel Aviv residents reported explosions, and Israeli emergency services confirmed casualties. Iran's parliamentary speaker stated the attacks were a response to Israel crossing a "red line." The US military reported minimal damage and no casualties from hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks, while Israel stated it intercepted many of the dozens of missiles launched toward its territory.

In March 2026, the U.S. and Israel launched a joint military attack on Iran, targeting locations in Tehran, including the compound of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Following the attack, Iranian state media confirmed Khamenei's death. U.S. President Donald Trump urged the Iranian people to overthrow their government. In response, Iran launched missile strikes against Israel, specifically in Beit Shemesh. Protests erupted in Pakistan condemning Khamenei's death, with police using tear gas to disperse demonstrators. The attacks mark an escalation of tensions between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

The US and Israel have launched a military campaign against Iran, initiating a new regional conflict. The offensive began Saturday with missile strikes and airstrikes, escalating on Sunday with renewed attacks across Iran. Targets included areas near Tehran's police headquarters, state television, and a defense ministry building. The US President stated the goal is regime change, following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader in an Israeli airstrike. Iran's UN ambassador reported civilian casualties and accused the US and Israel of deliberately targeting civilian areas. The conflict raises concerns about a wider war and regional instability.

The CIA tracked the movements of Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, for months and shared this intelligence with Israeli officials. This intelligence sharing influenced the timing of recent strikes. These strikes, conducted by the US and Israel, resulted in the death of Khamenei and other senior Iranian leaders, prompting Iran to vow revenge. Iran retaliated with missile strikes against targets in Israel and Gulf Arab states. The conflict has resulted in casualties on both sides, including the first known American deaths, and has escalated tensions in the region, with Israel pledging continued strikes.

In a video posted on March 1, 2026, US President Donald Trump vowed to continue military attacks on Iran until "all objectives are achieved," framing the conflict as a response to an existential threat to the US. Trump stated that Iran, if armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons, would pose a dire threat, though no evidence has been presented to support Iran's development of such weapons. The attacks, launched alongside Israel, followed the deaths of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other high-ranking officials. Trump acknowledged the deaths of three US military personnel amid Iranian retaliation and predicted more casualties, promising to avenge their deaths. This statement contrasts with earlier interviews where Trump appeared open to diplomatic solutions.

According to sources familiar with the operation, the United States provided intelligence to Israel that helped pinpoint a gathering of Iranian leaders. The intelligence sharing by the C.I.A. enabled Israel to conduct a strike that resulted in the deaths of Iran's supreme leader and other high-ranking Iranian officials. The collaboration between the two countries focused on identifying the location of the Iranian leaders. The strike occurred after the intelligence was shared, leading to the targeted killings.

Following the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli attack in March 2026, Iran faces the critical task of selecting a new Supreme Leader. The Assembly of Experts, an 88-member clerical body, will convene to choose Khamenei's successor, a process they have undertaken only once before. The selection occurs amidst heightened tensions, with Iran retaliating against Gulf countries and the US threatening further strikes. The attacks, which also killed several senior Iranian leaders, occurred despite recent diplomatic efforts regarding Iran's nuclear program. The new Supreme Leader will assume power at a time when the US has pledged to dismantle Iran's ruling structure.

Upon the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the 88-member Assembly of Experts, a council of Shiite clerics, is responsible for selecting his replacement. This panel, elected every eight years and vetted by the Guardian Council, has the power to appoint and theoretically remove the Supreme Leader. Iranian law mandates a swift selection process; however, a temporary leadership council can assume duties in the interim. This council would consist of Iran's president, the head of the judiciary, and a member of the Guardian Council. The succession process is complex due to the structure of Iran's theocracy and the vetting process for the Assembly of Experts.

Iranian state media confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Following his death after almost 37 years in power, a leadership council was formed on Sunday to govern the country. The council consists of Iran’s president, the head of the judiciary, and a member of the Guardian Council. Khamenei's death raises questions about Iran's future and the complex succession process. The article suggests Khamenei was killed in an airstrike campaign by the United States and Israel.

On February 28, 2026, an Israeli strike hit an elementary girls' school in Minab, southern Iran, killing at least 53 people and injuring 63, according to Iranian state media. This attack is part of a larger wave of joint US-Israeli military actions across Iran. Separately, another Israeli attack east of Tehran reportedly killed at least two students. Iranian officials condemned the attacks, with the Foreign Minister sharing a photo of the destroyed school and vowing retaliation. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson urged action from the United Nations Security Council, while Al Jazeera reported the attacks contradict claims of targeting only military sites.

The US and Israel have initiated a joint military operation against Iran, commencing with widespread airstrikes targeting key political, security, and military sites. The operation, dubbed "Operation Lion's Roar" by Israel, aims to degrade the Iranian regime's capabilities. Strikes hit at least 14 cities, including Tehran, targeting the residence of Supreme Leader Khamenei, weapons facilities, and ballistic missile caches. Satellite imagery confirms damage to Khamenei's compound. At least 85 people were reportedly killed and over 63 wounded in a strike on a girls' school in Minab, verified by Reuters. The stated goal of the operation is regime change, with the campaign continuing indefinitely.

Following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, world leaders are reacting cautiously amid growing fears of a wider war. The strikes, including one near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, occurred on Saturday. European leaders convened emergency meetings in response to the escalating situation. The international community is concerned about the potential for a broader conflict in the region. The strikes have prompted increased diplomatic activity as leaders seek to de-escalate tensions.

A fire at a hotel in Dubai's Palm Jumeirah area injured four people following a reported loud explosion on Saturday. The incident occurred amidst Iranian retaliatory strikes in the Middle East, though authorities have not explicitly confirmed a connection. The Dubai Media Office stated the fire was contained and the site secured, emphasizing public safety. Authorities are urging calm and advising the public to rely on official information sources. Emergency response teams responded to the incident, the cause of which remains unconfirmed by Dubai officials.

Following Israeli and US airstrikes on Iran, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (Dfat) has warned Australians of potential "reprisal attacks and further escalation" across the Middle East. Dfat updated its Smartraveller website, advising against travel to Iran and urging those in the country to leave if safe, citing the risk of military conflict and potential airspace closures impacting global flights. Australians remaining in Iran are advised to prepare to shelter in place with adequate supplies. The Australian embassy's operations in Iran are suspended. Prior to the attacks, Australia had already advised citizens in Israel and Lebanon to consider leaving and withdrew dependents of officials from Israel and Lebanon due to the deteriorating security situation.