US-Iran ‘war’ highlights: Israel carries out ‘large-scale strikes’ in ‘heart’ of Iran; UK allows US to use bases

US-Israel attack Iran highlights: US President Donald Trump said nine ships from the Iranian navy have been “destroyed and sunk".

US-Iran ‘war’ highlights: Britain’s defence secretary John Healey said on Sunday that two Iranian ballistic missiles launched in the direction of Cyprus were shot down. Meanwhile, three American service members have been killed and five others seriously injured during the US attacks on Iran, the military announced Sunday, Renewed waves of Iranian missile and drone attacks have rocked the Middle East, prompting air‑raid sirens in cities including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and in parts of Qatari capital Doha and Kuwait. One woman was killed in Israel, as Tehran's retallition intensified, reported The Times of Israel. Iran's Revolutionary Gaurds said that a US naval base was targeted in Kuwait and ‘large number' of ’Amercan forces were killed' in the strike.

Responding to Tehran's fresh wave of strikes, US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning, saying any further Iranian retaliation would be met with “a force that has never been seen before”.

Mourning and cheers in Tehran

Iran has announced a 40-day period of national mourning with seven days of public holidays, as scenes of sorrow and emotional crowds, as reported by Iran's PressTV, emerged at shrines and in parts of the country.

Several purported pictures and videos emerging from the streets of Iran on social media showed crowds gathered in streets chanting ‘Death to America’ and ‘Death to Israel’ slogans. With Iraqi capital Baghdad and parts of India's Jammu and Kashmir seeing mourners gathered on streets.

On the streets of Tehran, reactions were mixed, according to eyewitnesses cited by news agency AFP. Some residents were seen cheering, blowing whistles and letting out ululations. Video footage verified by the agency showed groups gathering in public spaces, playing music and honking car horns after reports of Khamenei’s death began circulating.

Two more top leaders dead, Iran names interim leadership

Iranian state television has confirmed that, in addition to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, two other top figures were killed in the recent US-Israeli strikes. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, General Mohammad Pakpour, and Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Khamenei, also died in the attacks, the broadcasts said.

In response to the leadership vacuum, a temporary leadership council will take over the supreme leader’s duties. The council will be made up of the Iranian president, the head of the judiciary and a jurist from the Guardian Council, who will jointly oversee the country until a new Supreme Leader is selected, reported IRNA news agency.

President Donald Trump announced that Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in the joint US-Israel attack and warned of continued “pinpoint” bombing in Tehran and other Iranian territories. In response, Iran has launched retaliatory strikes on US assets in the region, with explosions reported in Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan, keeping the Gulf on high alert.

Missile and drone attacks across Middle East

Soon after the US-Israel strike on Iran, tensions across the Middle East escalated. Saudi Arabia said Iran launched attacks targeting its capital and eastern regions, but claimed they were repelled. Bahrain reported a missile strike aimed at the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters. Kuwait said a drone strike near its main international airport injured several employees and troops.

Jordan said it “dealt with” 49 drones and ballistic missiles. Explosions were also reported in Qatar. In Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi rebels pledged to resume attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes and Israel.

Several countries, including Iran, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Kuwait and the UAE, closed their airspace as a precaution.

Major international carriers announced widespread cancellations. These included Air France, Air India, Turkish Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Air Algérie, and Lufthansa.

Iran death toll so far

Iranian state media, citing the Red Crescent, said on Saturday evening that at least 201 people have been killed and more than 700 injured in the ongoing strikes, reported Associated Press.

Among the dead were at least 115 people killed and dozens wounded at a girls’ school in southern Iran, according to a local governor speaking to Iranian state television.

The US military said it is reviewing reports of civilian casualties from Saturday’s operation.

Top updates from Iran

1. 40 days of mourning declared: Iranian state television has announced 40 days of national mourning following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. State media also reported that his daughter, son-in-law and grandson were killed in the US-Israel attacks.

2. State media confirms Khamenei dead: Iranian news agencies formally confirmed the death of Ali Khamenei, describing him as a “martyr” in their coverage.

3. Trump vows continued strikes: The confirmation came hours after US President Donald Trump announced Khamenei’s killing. Trump said US attacks would continue for as long as necessary.

4. Succession process triggered: Under Iran’s constitution, Khamenei’s death initiates a transition mechanism in which the Iranian president, the head of the judiciary and a cleric from the Guardian Council will form a temporary council to lead the country.

5. Fresh attacks reported: Israel has launched a new wave of strikes on Iranian territory in recent hours, while additional Iranian attacks have been reported in the UAE and Bahrain.

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Mar 02, 2026 7:03:45 AM IST

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