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.

Iran’s powerful Assembly of Experts has reportedly chosen Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in recent US-Israeli military strikes. Mojtaba, a mid-ranking cleric, is believed to have strong backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which reportedly influenced the succession process. The move marks an unprecedented father-to-son transition in Iran’s political system, sparking debate over dynastic leadership and the future direction of the Islamic Republic amid rising regional tensions. (PC: Reuters)

Israeli Military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said the Northern Command has moved forward inside Lebanon, taken control of dominating terrain and is creating a buffer zone to shield Israeli residents from threats. Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorised the Israel Defense Forces to seize additional strategic positions to prevent attacks on border communities. Meanwhile, the Lebanese army said it redeployed soldiers from several recently established border posts due to Israeli “escalation.” A Lebanese military source told AFP that eight to nine soldiers stationed at each point were withdrawn to bases owing to safety risks. (PC: X)

The United States Central Command said it has struck nearly 2,000 targets and destroyed 17 Iranian naval ships, including a submarine, within 100 hours of launching Operation Epic Fury. Admiral Brad Cooper stated more than 2,000 munitions were used, severely degrading Iran’s air defences and destroying hundreds of ballistic missiles, launchers and drones. He described the campaign as involving “uncontested surgical strikes” by B-2 and B-1 bombers. Over 50,000 US troops and 200 fighter aircraft are engaged in ongoing 24/7 operations. In retaliation, Iran has launched over 500 ballistic missiles and 2,000 drones, though US officials claim Tehran’s strike capability is steadily declining.

Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei has been elected Iran’s new Supreme Leader by the Assembly of Experts, Israeli media reported. He succeeds his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28 while at his compound. His daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, and wife Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh also died following the attack. Khamenei, who ruled for 36 years, will be buried in Mashhad, with a large farewell ceremony planned in Tehran; the date remains undisclosed. An interim Leadership Council comprising Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei had overseen duties. The strikes, named Operation Epic Fury, have intensified regional tensions significantly. (PC: NDTV)

A drone struck an area near the US Consulate in Dubai early Tuesday, causing a fire, city officials said. Dubai’s government media office confirmed that emergency teams reached the site quickly. The fire was brought under control. No injuries were reported. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the drone hit a parking lot next to the consulate’s chancery building. “All personnel are accounted for,” Rubio said. He added that the US had reduced staff at some diplomatic sites earlier. The consulate is in a busy area of Dubai, close to the British embassy and the Saudi consulate.

France has ordered its aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to sail to the Mediterranean as tensions rise in the Middle East. President Emmanuel Macron said the carrier, along with its air wing and escort ships, will help protect allied assets in the region. At the same time, Israel said it struck a “covert underground” nuclear site in Iran. The Israeli military claimed the compound was linked to developing capabilities for nuclear weapons. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it launched a new wave of missile and drone attacks against Israel. The conflict has expanded days after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran. (PC: HT)

The Pentagon has warned that key US missile stocks could run low if the Iran conflict continues for 10 more days, according to a report by Al Jazeera. Officials reportedly told President Donald Trump that a longer war may strain interceptor and precision weapon supplies. Analysts said systems such as THAAD and other interceptors could be hit hardest. Reports say the US has already used a large share of such missiles in past clashes. However, Trump said on social media that US munitions stockpiles have “never been higher” and claimed wars could be fought “forever” with current supplies. The conflict has already raised concerns about rising costs. (PC: X)