Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz said any leader chosen to replace Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be a “target for assassination.” The warning came even before Khamenei’s funeral. Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes during the ongoing conflict with Iran. Iranian authorities said a three-day state funeral will be held, with people allowed to pay tribute in Tehran. He will later be buried in Mashhad. Reports from Israeli media said Khamenei’s son Mojtaba may be named as the next leader. Iran has not confirmed this. Katz said Israel has instructed its military to prepare for action. “Any leader selected… will be a certain target for assassination,” he said. (PC: X)

A Kuwaiti fighter jet mistakenly shot down three US F-15E fighter aircraft over Kuwait on Monday, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. A US official said a Kuwaiti F-18 Hornet pilot fired three missiles at the American jets during active combat operations. The aircraft crashed in Kuwait, but the crews parachuted to safety. US Central Command said the incident happened during “active combat” involving Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones. Iran had earlier claimed it shot down the jets. The downing came as Iranian drones were entering Kuwaiti airspace. One drone strike earlier killed six US soldiers at a base in Kuwait. Officials said the exact circumstances are still unclear. (PC: NDTV)

Israel said it carried out airstrikes on what it called “security headquarters” across Tehran as fighting with Iran continued. Israeli forces also struck targets in Lebanon and again warned people in southern Beirut to leave the area. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said at least 1,097 civilians have been killed in Iran since the US-Israeli attacks began on Saturday. Iran also launched attacks on US-linked sites. An Iranian drone hit the US consulate in Dubai, while a missile struck a US base in Qatar. Separately, an Iranian navy ship was reported sinking near Sri Lanka, with sailors being rescued. The cause of the incident remains unclear. (PC: BBC)

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they launched more than 40 missiles at targets linked to the United States and Israel as tensions continue in the region. The Guards said the strikes were carried out in response to recent attacks on Iranian territory. They said the missiles targeted military and strategic sites connected to the US and Israel. The announcement came as Iran prepares for the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Authorities said the public gathering will begin late Wednesday at the Imam Khomeini Musallah. People are expected to pay their respects there. Meanwhile, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said Iran’s next supreme leader would be a “target for elimination”. (PC: India Today)

Saudi Arabia said it is ready to respond to Iranian attacks and protect its security and residents.   The statement followed a Cabinet meeting chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Officials said the kingdom will take “all necessary measures” and support countries hit by what it called Iranian aggression.   Meanwhile, authorities in Qatar arrested 10 people suspected of spying for Iran. State media said the suspects were linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.   Separately, the Human Rights Activists News Agency said 1,097 civilians have been killed in Iran since February 28, including 181 children. (PC: India Today)

Iran is using cheap drones worth about $20,000 to attack targets across the Middle East. The United States and its partners are using Patriot air defence missiles to stop them. Each Patriot missile costs about $4 million. Officials say the system has intercepted more than 90% of incoming drones and missiles. However, the cost difference is creating pressure on defence supplies. Iran has already launched over 1,200 drones and missiles since the conflict began. Experts say the fight may become a battle of resources. The side that runs out of weapons first could lose the advantage. Oil sites, US bases and cities remain potential targets. (PC: Bloomberg)

A preliminary investigation into the friendly fire incident on the third day of the US-Iran conflict finds that a US-made Kuwaiti F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet may have **accidentally shot down three US F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft over Kuwait. The incident occurred amid heightened combat operations after Iranian missile and drone attacks triggered intense US and allied retaliation. All six US aircrew ejected safely and were recovered. The Trump administration initially described the event as friendly fire; the probe aims to clarify how allied forces’ aircraft were misidentified in crowded airspace. A joint investigation continues.

An Israeli airstrike struck a hotel in the Beirut suburb of Hazmieh, part of widening cross-border clashes with Lebanese civilian areas amid the broader Middle East conflict. The strike came as Israel escalates operations against Hezbollah, which has fired missiles and drones toward northern Israel in retaliation for joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran. Meanwhile, the US military said it has hit almost 2,000 targets across Iran, degrading air defences and key military infrastructure in one of the largest bombardments in the region. The conflict has led to rising casualties, widespread displacement and fears of a wider regional war. (PC: AFP)

US President Donald Trump has said the historic relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom “is not like it used to be”, criticising British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over his cautious stance on the war with Iran. Trump told The Sun that the UK’s initial refusal to allow US forces to use British military bases strained ties and that Washington now has “very strong relationships with other countries in Europe,” including France and Germany. Starmer later allowed limited use of UK bases for defensive purposes but defended his decisions as based on legal and national interest considerations. (PC: X)

A suspected Iranian drone attack late March 3, 2026, caused a fire near the United States Consulate in Dubai as regional tensions escalate following ongoing hostilities between Iran, Israel and the United States. Dubai authorities said the blaze, which broke out in a parking area adjacent to the consulate, was quickly extinguished by emergency responders and no injuries were reported. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed all personnel were safe and highlighted the incident amid broader Iranian drone and missile strikes across Gulf diplomatic missions.