Attack on Tehran, March 2, 2026. Photo by Majid Asgaripour / WANA / Reuters / Scanpix / LETA.
Main Events
- On the morning of March 2, Israeli forces struck Hezbollah positions in response to attacks from the group on northern Israel. The Israeli General Staff announced the start of an "offensive campaign" against this group, leading to an escalation of hostilities.
- On the same day, Israeli aviation began active strikes on Lebanon, resulting in over 30 deaths and around 150 injuries in Beirut and southern regions, according to local authorities.
- Among the victims of the Israeli attacks was a high-ranking Hezbollah commander, Mohammed Raad.
- Due to the escalation of the conflict, Lebanon closed all educational institutions.
- Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned Hezbollah's actions as "illegal" and imposed a ban on the group's military operations.
- Throughout the day, explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities, caused by retaliatory strikes from Lebanon and missile attacks from Iranian territory.
- The USA and Israel continued active airstrikes on key targets in Iran, including command centers and military bases.
- In response, Iran launched a ninth wave of attacks using missiles and drones against Israel and American bases in the Persian Gulf.
- Iran rejected proposals for negotiations with the USA, stating its intention to continue military actions.
- On the night of March 3, air raid sirens sounded again in Israel, with reports of new strikes on Iranian targets.
Iranian Strikes on American Bases
- On the morning of March 2, Iran announced the start of a new phase of operations against "American military targets" in the region, launching ballistic missiles and drones at targets in Iraq and Syria. The Pentagon reported that some of the missiles were intercepted.
- Strikes were recorded near the Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq, where American troops are stationed, damaging infrastructure and injuring several servicemen.
- Iran also reported missile launches against American facilities in Qatar and Bahrain, where the Fifth Fleet of the USA is based; the air defense systems of the regional countries confirmed their activity.
- In the evening of the same day, Iranian drones attacked US facilities in eastern Syria, which was reported by the US Central Command, indicating damage assessment and possible retaliatory actions.
- At night, air raid sirens sounded again at American facilities in Iraq; the Pentagon confirmed the interception of several missiles but also reported casualties among the military.
- In Kuwait, three American fighter jets crashed. The country's Ministry of Defense reported that several fighter jets went down as a result of the incident, and Central Command confirmed the loss of three F-15Es, suggesting that this occurred due to an error in the Kuwaiti air defense system during Iranian air attacks.
Closure of Airspace and International Consequences
- The airspace over key Middle Eastern countries remains closed, with airlines suspending flights until March 7 and beyond.
- The first commercial flight departed from the UAE after several days of delay, and the evacuation of foreign citizens continues.
- Sea routes through the Strait of Hormuz remain threatened, causing a halt in tanker traffic and rising oil prices in global markets.
Casualties and Victims
- According to reports, hundreds of civilians have died and been injured in Iran, Lebanon, and neighboring regions as a result of attacks from both sides.
- The USA confirmed that several of its servicemen were killed during hostilities with Iran.
Global Reaction
- US President Donald Trump characterized operations against Iran as prolonged, noting that they could last more than four weeks.
- The UK, France, and Germany expressed support for their allies in the region, providing bases for operations, while Spain refused to provide its bases for actions against Iran.
