'Friendly fire' downs 3 U.S. F-15's - IRAN WAR NEWS - 2-Mar-2026 (update 3)

March 2, 2026

UPDATE 3

12bytes: The following is my understanding of the Iran war situation according to the sources i'm following:

Most or all of the U.S. bases in the ME region have been hit by Iranian missiles and are apparently either no longer functional, or are operating at a reduced capacity.
Many of Iran's air defenses that were targeted by the U.S. and Israel were apparently decoys.
Contrary to Trump's fat mouth, the U.S. appears to be rapidly depleting what little air defenses it had, as well as its stockpiles of offensive missiles.
Israel is likely running low on its air defenses and, if Netanyahu hasn't already done so, he will likely be begging the U.S. to get Iran to stop the bombing as he did during the 12 day war.
Iran has driven the U.S. Navy out of the Persian Gulf and into the Indian Ocean.
Iran has destroyed multiple key U.S. radar systems.
Contrary to Trump's fat mouth, the Iranians are refusing any negations with the U.S., hence the next point;
Trump has apparently been in contact with the Italians in an attempt to get the Iranians to stop their attacks.
The U.S. has thus far failed on a spectacular level to achieve it's goal of regime change in Iran.
Iran continues to punish the genocidal parasites in Israel and pummel U.S. assets in the region.
Unlike Israel and the U.S., Iran is not targeting civilians.
It appears Iran has yet to deploy more than a few of its hypersonic missiles.
Iran continues to receive support from Russia and China.

It seems to me that there's 2 ways this might go; either the U.S. and Israel capitulate, which of course Trump will attempt to somehow spin as a victory, or Israel attacks Iran with nuclear weapons. If the latter happens, it is thought that this would not interfere with Iran's ability to launch its missiles, however Israel may ignite a 3rd world war if it does so. If the former happens, i'm not sure Iran would stop its attacks on Israel. Whatever happens, i think it could happen in the next few days. Neither the U.S. nor Israel can possibly sustain its attacks on Iran and we are already seeing this. Iran has the upper hand at this point and its ability to control shipping in the Hormuz Strait provides it with a powerful bargaining chip.

Pepe Escobar & Larry C. Johnson: US-Israel HIT Tehran, Iran DESTROYS Tel Aviv, Hezbollah NOW Joins

12bytes: Pepe provides a lot of important information regarding the war with Iran, largely from a geopolitical perspective. This is a must-watch interview.

In-depth analysis of Iran-US-Israel escalation. Iran's swift missile/drone counterstrike following leadership targeting reveals resilient decentralized military structure. US regional bases degraded; Strait of Hormuz closure drives oil prices higher. Western interceptor stocks depleting rapidly amid sustained Iranian volleys. Gulf petromonarchies reconsider security alignments as US deterrence credibility wanes. Conversation explores economic warfare, BRICS geopolitics, and Eurasian connectivity corridors underpinning the conflict. Iran's capacity for prolonged asymmetric resistance against conventional superiority examined. Key discussion of strategic miscalculations, regional fallout, and pathways affecting global stability.

BREAKING: U.S. LOSES THREE F-15's + IRAN REFUSES TO NEGOTIATE, TRUMP DESPERATE FOR A CEASEFIRE

Reports say Trump is ready for a ceasefire, but Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's National Security Council says: "We will not negotiate with the United States."
This, as Central Command has acknowledged that the U.S. lost three F-15 fighter jets in what they are describing as a "friendly fire" incident involving Kuwait's air defenses.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also reported that they targeted Netanyahu's office and the location of Israel's Air Force commander in a series of strikes using Kheibar missiles, as tensions continue to soar.

OIL, GAS PRICES SOAR AS QATAR HALTS LNG + IRAN PREPARED FOR 'LONG WAR' | Patrick Henningsen

Qatar halted its production of liquefied natural gas on Monday, impacting around 20% of global supply, as Iran's retaliatory attacks continue to impact the region. Gas prices in Europe alone nearly doubled on the news.
While President Trump is threatening a "big wave" of attacks against Iran, reports say he is desperate for a deal and the Pentagon is becoming increasingly panicked by the impact this war will have on U.S. weapons stockpiles.
Patrick Henningsen, a journalist, geopolitical analyst and host of the 21st Century Wire, noted that while we are only a few days into this war, we are already seeing the toll it will take on the global economy, and we're being reminded that Iran has spent decades preparing, and its retaliatory attacks are just getting started.

Alastair Crooke: Iran's Strategy - Evict the U.S. from the Middle East

Alastair Crooke is a former British diplomat and the Founder of "Conflicts Forum" based in Beirut. He was formerly an advisor on Middle East issues to Javier Solana, the EU Foreign Policy Chief. Crooke outlines Iran's strategy for its retaliatory strikes - how to exhaust the US and expel it from the Middle East.

Iran struck Dubai base used by Australian military, says minister | Middle East Eye

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles on Tuesday said Iranian forces struck the Al Minhad airbase near Dubai, a facility used by Australian troops, on the first night of the conflict.
About 100 Australian troops are stationed across the Middle East, most of them based in the United Arab Emirates, he said.
The base has been used as a logistics and operations hub for Australian missions in the region.

Rights group says 742 killed in Iran after US-Israeli strikes | Middle East Eye

At least 96 people, including 85 civilians and 11 military personnel, were killed in the past 24 hours following joint US-Israeli strikes in Iran, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said on Monday.
The Washington-based group said the latest deaths bring the total civilian toll to at least 742 since the attacks began on Saturday, including 176 children.
HRANA said Monday's strikes hit multiple locations, including military bases, two residential areas and Shahid Bahonar Pier in Bandar Abbas.
Iran's Red Crescent Society earlier put the overall death toll at 555.

US Embassy in Riyadh struck by two drones, Saudi says | Middle East Eye

Saudi authorities said two drones struck the US Embassy in Riyadh early Tuesday, causing a limited fire and minor damage to the building.
"The US Embassy in Riyadh was subjected to an attack by two drones according to initial estimates, resulting in a limited fire and minor material damage to the building," a spokesperson said.

Trump suggests US response to Riyadh embassy attack coming soon | Middle East Eye

US President Donald Trump said the American response to the drone attack on the US Embassy in Riyadh would be announced soon, according to NewsNation journalist Kellie Meyer.
Meyer said Trump told her, "You'll be finding out very soon," when asked about retaliation.
Meyer added that Trump said he did not believe "boots on the ground" would be necessary in the conflict with Iran.
Earlier, Trump had said he was not intimidated by the prospect of deploying US ground forces.

Stuck in Another Disastrous Middle East War - Antiwar.com

Unfortunately, President Trump listened to the neocons and Benjamin Netanyahu instead of his MAGA base and other voices of caution as he launched a surprise attack on Iran over the weekend. For the second time in nine months, the US Administration used negotiations with Iran as a cover to launch a pre-planned attack.

UPDATE 2

Military Situation In The Middle East On March 2, 2026 (Map Update)South Front

Iran
U.S.-Israeli airstrikes targeted locations in Tehran, including the IRGC headquarters, military bases, the military intelligence headquarters, the diplomatic police directorate, and Gandhi Hospital;
Airstrikes hit the Konarak naval base in Iran, where at least three surface vessels sank;
Strikes targeted the Bandar Abbas naval base in Iran, with the IRIS Makran vessel reportedly hit;
The IRGC's Imam Ali base in Sanandaj came under attack;
In Lorestan province, three IRGC members and five soldiers were killed;
Strikes were reportedly carried out against the HESA Aircraft Industries company in Shahin Shahr (Isfahan), which specializes in the production of military and civilian aircraft and UAVs;
The Natanz nuclear facility in Iran was targeted;
Strikes hit the Ahvaz oil pipeline and a refinery in Kermanshah;
According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, 555 people have been killed since the start of the war. Around 180 of them died in the strike on a school in Minab, most of them children;
The U.S. military stated that since the start of the operation, strikes have been carried out against 1,250 targets in Iran.
UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Cyprus
Iranian forces struck U.S. bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates;
Iranian forces struck targets in Ras Al Khaimah in the northern UAE;
The UAE Ministry of Defense reported intercepting 9 ballistic missiles, 6 cruise missiles, and 148 drones launched by Iran;
A Saudi Aramco refinery in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, was attacked. Iran's Tasnim news agency reported the strike on the refinery was carried out by Israel;
Saudi Arabia stated it had intercepted Iranian missiles targeting Prince Sultan Air Base near Riyadh.
Iranian forces attacked a QatarEnergy facility in Ras Laffan, Qatar;
Qatar's Ministry of Defense reported shooting down two Su-24 aircraft and intercepting 7 ballistic missiles and 5 drones;
Iranian forces struck targets in Kuwait, including the U.S. Embassy;
Iranian forces struck the U.S. Consulate in Erbil, Iraq;
Iranian forces attacked the British airbase in Akrotiri, Cyprus;
Iranian forces attacked the U.S.-flagged tanker Stena Imperative in a Bahraini port, the oil tanker MKD Fium off the coast of Muscat, Oman, and the Honduras-flagged tanker Athena Nova;
The IRGC threatened to destroy any vessel attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz;
Three F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait;
Iranian forces attacked bases in Jordan and Iraq where Bundeswehr troops are stationed.
Israel, Lebanon
Iranian forces struck the government district in Tel Aviv, as well as military facilities in Haifa, Jerusalem, and Beersheba;
The IRGC claimed to have carried out missile strikes on the residence of the Israeli Prime Minister and the headquarters of the Israeli Air Force commander;
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced an offensive operation in Lebanon against Hezbollah;
Israeli forces carried out strikes on Beirut, Lebanon;
Israeli forces struck Hosh al-Rafqa, west of the Baalbek district in eastern Lebanon;
The Israeli military stated it had destroyed over 2,500 units of Iranian military equipment and 600 infrastructure facilities.

Hegseth dismisses rules of engagement in aggression on Iran - YouTube

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has explicitly said that the US does not care about what international institutions say and dismissed rules of engagement.
His comments, said bluntly, mirror what critics have said about the US for decades: that it has no regard for international law or rules of any kind. Hegseth and the Trump administration are showing in plainclothes what had been asserted for years, and that is that the US is an empire that has done nothing but commit murder around the globe.
With a few words dismissing "stupid rules of engagement", Hegseth has laid out the core principle of empire: "Might makes right."

Trump dismisses negative polling on Iran attack - RT World News

The president said he doesn't care about public opinion surveys as he defended the new war in the Middle East

Senior Russian official: Trump's "crazy" policies could ignite World War III - Yemen Press Agency

MOSCOW, March 03 (YPA) - Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, has warned that the world stands on the brink of a third world war that could erupt "at any moment."
Speaking to the TASS news agency, Medvedev stated that while a global war hasn't officially begun, it remains inevitable if U.S. President Donald Trump persists with his "crazy" course of criminally targeting and changing political regimes.
The Russian official emphasized that "any event at all" could serve as the catalyst for such a conflict.

Ships in Strait of Hormuz to be 'set ablaze', IRGC official says, as insurers cancel coverage | Middle East Eye

The world's largest insurance providers are cancelling war-risk coverage for ships in the Persian Gulf after a senior official in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Iran would "fire" on any ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the US and Israeli attack.
"The strait (of Hormuz) is closed. If anyone tries to pass, the heroes of the Revolutionary Guards and the regular navy will set those ships ablaze," Ebrahim Jabbari, a senior adviser to the IRGC commander-in-chief, said on Monday, according to state media.

Iran Hits Three More Tankers, U.S. Says It Sunk IRIS Shahid Bagheri Drone Carrier (Videos, Photos)South Front

The naval war in the Persian Gulf intensified on March 2 with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announcing an attack on a tanker that attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz "illegally."
In a statement, the guards said that the Athena Nova - a Honduras-flagged asphalt tanker -, belonging to allies of the United States, was targeted with two drones close to the strategic waterway. It added that a fire broke out on the tanker after the attack.
[...]
Three vessels were hit on the first day of attacks, including the Marshall Islands-flagged product tanker MKD VYOM. Oman's Maritime Security Center said on March 2 that the tanker "was attacked by a remotely operated boat" around 52 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat Governorate.
[...]
Projectiles also hit the U.S.-flagged products tanker Stena Imperative in the port of Bahrain early on March 2, according to Reuters.
[...]
The U.S., from its side, has also managed to deal several blows to Iranian naval forces. On March 2, the Central Command revealed that IRIS Shahid Bagheri, a container ship commissioned by the guard's navy last year after conversion to a drone carrier, was struck in the opening strikes of the war.
"U.S. forces struck the ship within hours of launching Operation Epic Fury," the command said in a brief statement.
Separately, satellite images released by Planet Labs revealed massive destruction at Bandar Abbas Naval Base in southern Iran, with several damaged vessels. One of the vessels was identified as IRIS Makran, a tanker turned into a forward base ship by the Iranian Navy. The vessel was commissioned five years ago.

US-allied fuel tanker attacked by Iran still burning in Strait of Hormuz: IRGC

The IRGC said on Monday that the US-allied Athens Nova fuel tanker was hit by two Iranian drones, and it is still on fire in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz.
[...]
In the fourth phase of the operation in the maritime arena, the IRGC said its Navy conducted "decisive and purposeful" attacks by firing 26 offensive drones and five ballistic missiles at fixed and mobile targets of the hostile US army in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as in the three countries of Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain.
The American base "Arifjan" in Kuwait was hit by 12 drones in two stages, while the US Military Command and Control Center at the Manhad base in the UAE was targeted with six drones and five ballistic missiles, the IRGC said.
The remaining facilities of the US Navy in Bahrain were struck and destroyed by six drones.

Iraqi Resistance strikes U.S. military bases with dozens of missiles, drones - Yemen Press Agency

BAGHDAD, March 03 (YPA) - The Islamic resistance in Iraq declared on Monday that it had carried out 28 military operations, striking American bases in Iraq and the broader region using dozens of missiles and drones.

Iran shoots down 3 warplanes, 29 drones over past hours - Yemen Press Agency

TEHRAN, March 03 (YPA) - The Iranian military announced on Monday that it had shot down seven advanced enemy drones, raising the total number of aircraft downed since the start of the war to 29.
According to Tasnim News Agency, the Iranian armed forces said in statement No. 8 that air defense units had targeted and destroyed seven advanced drones over the past several hours in different parts of the country.
The statement specified that the drones included MQ-9, Heron, Hermes, and Orbiter models. They were reportedly brought down by Air Force defense systems in the regions of Tabriz, Tehran, Isfahan, Khorramabad, and Bushehr.
[...]
Earlier, Tasnim News Agency reported that the number of U.S. fighter jets shot down had risen to three. The agency cited a statement from Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters (KCHQ)" which claimed that three American fighter jets were downed by domestically developed Iranian air defense systems.

US drone shot down in Abyan - Yemen Press Agency

ABYAN, March. 02 (YPA) - An advanced American aircraft crashed in Abyan governorate, southern Yemen, in an incident shrouded in secrecy and coinciding with the peak of military escalation in the region, informed sources reported.
Multiple field sources confirmed that the wreckage found in Masab area of Khabar al-Maraqisha district belongs to a drone, likely an American "MQ-9 Reaper"

Witnesses Describe Horror Scene After "Double-Tap" Bombing Kills Over 20 at Popular Tehran Square

TEHRAN, IRAN-As groups of families and others gathered Sunday evening at cafes around Niloofar Square-a middle-class area in eastern Tehran-after breaking their fast for Ramadan, a series of explosions struck the area, leveling several buildings and killing over 20 people, according to witnesses at the scene and later reports from local news sources.
Witnesses who spoke to Drop Site said two explosions hit the area-a smaller strike in the vicinity, followed by a larger one that devastated much of the neighborhood, a tactic known as a "double tap" strike that is used to inflict maximum casualties.

Then become a martyr - The Grayzone live

Max Blumenthal is joined by analyst Ali Alizadeh to discuss the US-Israeli war imposed on Iran, the state of Iranian society and politics after the assassination of the country's Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the existential nature of the regional conflict for Iran.

Ray McGovern : What Happens Next? - Iran Situation Explained

12bytes: Ray thinks that Israel may exercise its Samson option (fire nuclear weapons at Iran) as a result of the beating it has and will likely continue to endure.

Col. Jacques Baud: Middle East on Fire - Is This the Start of Something Bigger?

Escalating US-Israel-Iran tensions analyzed: failed diplomacy, leadership strikes, and why regime change hasn't materialized despite decapitation attacks. Explores Iran's resilience, prepared succession, and cultural concepts of victory as resistance-not enemy destruction. Examines Arab Gulf states' precarious dependence on US protection amid growing doubts about Western reliability. Highlights strategic miscalculations: underestimating Iranian societal unity, overestimating technological superiority, and misunderstanding Middle Eastern psychology. Discusses how assassination of leaders without follow-up political strategy strengthens resolve rather than causing collapse. Questions a conflict driven more by historical grievances and obsession than tangible objectives. Warns that escalation without comprehending adversary worldview leads to protracted attrition where military gains don't equal strategic victory. Suggests sustainable peace requires genuine dialogue and respect-not just force-and that the West's pattern of broken agreements undermines future diplomatic efforts across the region.

Alex Krainer: Iran War - Economic Disaster & End of Trump?

Alex Krainer is a market analyst, author & former hedge fund manager. Krainer discusses the economic shockwaves from the attack on Iran, and why this failed regime-change operation could bring down the Trump administration.

US lawmaker accuses Trump of trying to bury Epstein with Iran - RT World News

A Republican lawmaker has accused US President Donald Trump of attempting to distract the public from the Epstein scandal by embroiling the country in a conflict with Iran.
Representative Thomas Massie's comments come after the release of millions of pages of files on late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein by the US Justice Department (DOJ). The documents mention Trump over 5,000 times, though without any indication of criminal activity.
"Bombing a country on the other side of the globe won't make the Epstein files go away," Massie said on X on Sunday.

UPDATE 1

'Trump's Gift to Iran': Iranian Media Shows 165 Graves for Minab School Bombing Victims

Iranian media have published a shocking aerial photo showing the diggi9ng of 165 graves for the young victims of the Minab school attack.
The victims, girls aged between seven and 12, were killed in a devastating attack by US and Israeli forces.

Trump says US 'knocking the crap' out of Iran | Middle East Eye

12bytes: The fact is, both Iran and its Israel-U.S. enemies are taking a beating. It is also apparent that Iran is in this for the long haul and has the missile stockpiles to sustain a protracted war, while the U.S. and Israel will soon run out of air defenses. Iran also doesn't appear to have broken out many of its more advanced missiles at this point. I think the fat-ass with the penis-shaped hole in his face might be eating his words in a few days or a week if he doesn't capitulate first.

US President Donald Trump told CNN on Monday that his military is "knocking the crap" out of Iran and that the "big wave" is yet to come.
"I think it's going very well. It's very powerful. We've got the greatest military in the world and we're using it," the president said, referring to the attacks Israel and the US have launched on Iran.
In a video posted to his social media accounts earlier, Trump said the US and Israel had hit "hundreds of targets" in Iran and "knocked out" nine Iranian ships, "plus their naval building".

Iranian Death Toll Rises to 550+, Israel threatens invasion of Lebanon after Hezbollah strikes, 3 U.S. warplanes down in Kuwait

Heavy bombing of Iran as war enters its third day. Strikes kill major Iranian leaders. Mass civilian casualties as Israel and the U.S. strike in the center of Tehran. Medical facilities in Tehran and Ahvaz damaged, and Iran says a nuclear facility was attacked. U.S. strikes across Iran include attack drones for the first time. Iran retaliates with major offensive against Israel and U.S. bases and military sites across the Gulf, and in Cyprus. Four U.S. service members killed. Three U.S. fighter jets shot down; Iran claims it downed at least one, while U.S. says it was friendly fire. At least ten killed at demonstration at U.S. consulate in Karachi. Oil facilities attacked, prices soar. President Donald Trump's estimate of the length of the war shifts from "days" to "weeks." Top Iranian officials signal Iran's willingness to fight, defend retaliation. U.S. and Israel burning through munitions. China backs Iran's self-defense.

US-Israeli war on Iran expands and shuts down Gulf oil and gas production | Middle East Eye

The US-Israeli conflict with Iran escalated across the region on Monday, with Iranian strikes prompting Saudi Arabia and Qatar to halt production at major oil and gas facilities, and bombing spreading to Lebanon too.
Meanwhile, three US F-15s were downed in Kuwait, Qatar shot down two fighter jets approaching from Iran, and rockets were launched at a British military base in Cyprus.
US and Israeli bombing on Iran continued apace for a third day, with President Donald Trump warning the "big wave" is yet to come.
Tehran's response has targeted Israel and US assets across the region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it has targeted over 500 US and Israeli sites, using 700 drones and hundreds of missiles.
"Iran, unlike the United States, has prepared itself for a long war," top Iranian official Ali Larijani warned.

Missile sirens will never stop in Israeli-occupied territories, Iran warns

The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters of the Iranian Armed Forces has warned that missile sirens will not stop in the occupied territories as retaliatory strikes against Israeli targets continue unabated, issuing an evacuation order for settlers.

IRGC targets US intelligence centers, military depots in 11th wave of attacks

A late Monday statement from the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said that the 11th wave of offensive attacks under Operation True Promise 4 had been launched by the naval and aerospace units of the elite force.
The statement said the "extensive and high-density operation" had targeted American intelligence centers and military support warehouses in the Persian Gulf region, the Israeli communications industries complex in the occupied city of Beersheba, as well as 20 locations in the occupied regions of Tel Aviv, West al-Quds, and Galilee.
It said the "brave sons of Iran's armed forces" had used more than 700 drones and hundreds of missiles to hit 60 strategic targets and 500 military locations linked to the United States and the Israeli regime since the start of the US-Israeli aggression on Iran on Saturday.

Iranian drones cost a fraction of air defences. How long can Gulf states last? | Middle East Eye

In retaliation against the US and Israel's war, Iran is striking targets far and wide.
Tehran has attacked Israel and US bases in the region, as was widely expected and threatened.
But it has also struck every single country in the Gulf - including key oil and gas facilities in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Some of those strikes, particularly on the US and Israel, are punitive in nature, to prove that it will not take the killing of its supreme leader and dozens of officials, as well as hundreds of civilians, lightly.
But the attacks on oil and gas facilities, and the Strait of Hormuz, indicate that Iran is also targeting the economic interests of countries in the region perceived to be allied with the US.

Oil tanker attacked off coast of US ally (VIDEO) - RT World News

The Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker MKD VYOM was attacked by an explosive-laden remotely operated boat while it was sailing 52 nautical miles (over 95 km) off the coast of Muscat Governorate, according to Omani authorities. The attack resulted in a fire and explosion in the main engine room, with one fatality and the remaining 21 crew evacuated, they added.

Qatar shot down aircraft coming from Iran | Middle East Eye

Qatar shot down two SU24 aircraft coming from Iran, the Qatari defence ministry said on Monday. It did not provide further details on the incident, Reuters reported.

Cyprus source says Hezbollah likely behind UK base drone attack | Middle East Eye

An official Cypriot source said that "all indications" suggest drones that targeted British bases on the Greek island were launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon.
The source, cited by Reuters, did not provide further details on the drone attack, which hit the UK's Akrotiri airbase in Cyprus overnight. The UK and Cyprus said the damage was limited and there were no casualties.
The airbase has been used by Britain's Royal Air Force for intelligence-gathering flights over Gaza and other parts of the Middle East.
Hezbollah launched missiles and drones towards Israel on Monday. Israel has responded with crushing air strikes, already killing at least 31 people in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Residential buildings in Beirut's Southern Suburb ravaged by Israeli strikes - YouTube

Israeli fighter jets have once again struck Beirut's Southern Suburb, leveling an entire residential complex in the Al-Manshieh neighborhood of Burj Al-Barajneh.
The three eight-story buildings were completely destroyed, leaving rubble and smoke rising from the site, while surrounding structures also suffered significant damage.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent Abbas Sabbagh reported from the site that the destruction is extensive, marking yet another instance in a 15-month-long pattern of Israeli attacks and blatant violations of Lebanese sovereignty and killing of Lebanese civilians.

US 'stonewalling' requests by Gulf states to replenish interceptors, sources say | Middle East Eye

12bytes: Interesting. Is the U.S. running out of missiles already?

The US is "stonewalling" requests by some Gulf states to replenish their air defence interceptors as pressure mounts on them to join the US and Israel in their war on Iran, one western official and one former US official familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye.

Neocons And Netanyahu Get Their Iran War... - YouTube

Netanyahu said he had been hoping for this moment for 40 years, but despite the spin the US/Israeli attack on Iran is not going as planned. Instead, the region is in flames and Israel is under punishing attack. Does anyone have a plan?

Gaza Health Ministry: Death toll rises to 72,097 since start of Israeli aggression - Yemen Press Agency

12bytes: The 72k figure less than half of the real number which has been twice estimated to be approximately 200,000, the latest estimate being the result of a study a week or so ago.

GAZA, March 02 (YPA) - The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza Strip announced on Monday that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli aggression since October 7, 2023, has risen to 72,097 martyrs, in addition to 171,796 injured.

Putin holds crisis calls with Gulf leaders - RT Russia & Former Soviet Union

According to a readout of the call between Putin and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the two leaders discussed "the unprecedented tragic events in the Middle East in the context of the US-Israeli aggression against Iran and Tehran's harsh retaliatory actions."
Both sides stressed "the need for an immediate ceasefire and a return to the political-diplomatic process."
Putin noted that Russia's significant efforts to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the Iranian nuclear program issue, in which the UAE had also played an active role, were disrupted by an "unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign UN member state, in violation of the fundamental principles of international law."

IN OTHER NEWS...

While the U.S. Declared War on Drug Cartels, They Forgot to Stop Arming Them - CovertAction Magazine

The New York Times further quoted from a Mexican security analyst who claimed that the killing of "El Mencho" was "undoubtedly the most important blow that has been dealt to drug trafficking in Mexico since drug trafficking existed in Mexico."[1]
This latter assessment is put in doubt by the fact that, going back to the days of Pablo Escobar, the strategy of killing drug kingpins has done nothing to curtail the drug demand patterns and underlying structural inequalities fueling the growth of the worldwide drug trade.[2]

END UPDATES

Recap | Middle East Eye

Here's a quick recap of some of the most recent events from the Middle East:
Gulf tensions
At least 131 Iranian cities affected by US-Israeli attacks, the Red Crescent said.
Amazon's cloud unit reported a disruption to its services after its UAE-based data centre was struck by "objects", sparking a fire.
Kuwaiti air defences mistakenly shot down three US F15 fighter jets flying in Iran-related operations, the US said.
Iranian attacks targeted a power plant, a separate energy facility in Qatar, as attacks on civilian infrastructure, including the international airport, were intercepted.
One person was killed in an attack on an oil tanker off Muscat that also caused an explosion and a fire.
Several US fighter jets crashed in Kuwait on Monday, with all pilots ejecting safely.
France is "ready" to defend Gulf countries and Jordan against Iran if necessary, the French foreign minister said.
Lebanon strikes
Heavy Israeli strikes killed at least 31 people, according to local health authorities.
Israel army says no reason to launch a ground invasion of Lebanon for now
The Lebanese government has imposed an "immediate ban" on Hezbollah's military and security activities and called on the group to hand over its weapons to the state.
Mass displacement is reported in south Lebanon after the Israeli attacks.
Iran update
A total of 312 people have been evacuated from Iran via Azerbaijan since Saturday, a source close to the government in Baku said.
Iran's president named a general in the Revolutionary Guards, Majid Ebnelreza, as acting defence minister.
A total of 555 people have been killed across Iran in US and Israeli strikes that began two days ago, the Iranian Red Crescent said.
IAEA chief Rafael Grossi also said up to now his agency had "no indication" that any of the nuclear installations have been damaged or hit in Iran.

IRGC launches tenth wave of 'Operation True Promise-4', using Khaybar missiles - Yemen Press Agency

TEHRAN, March 02 (YPA) - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the launch of the tenth wave of Operation True Promise 4, targeting an Israeli regime's government complex in Tel Aviv and a site in East Al-Quds (Jerusalem), among other Zionist occupied locations,
In a statement, the IRGC said that a number of Khaybar missiles were deployed in this wave of operation, which "opened doors to a massive inferno" in the occupied territories.
The IRGC warned settlers of the occupied territories to evacuate immediately from areas near military bases, security centers, and governmental facilities.
On the Ground, Iran's army said it launched 15 cruise missiles at Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait and at ships in the northern Indian Ocean.
It added that the US consulate in Erbil and a US base in Bahrain were completely destroyed.
Iran also said it targeted Israel's Ministry of Security building and a facility linked to Unit 8200.

Iran's Missile Might vs. America's Arsenal: Who Will Run Out First?

"If the US continues to use its missiles in such a manner, their stockpile will swiftly run out," Russian military expert Yuri Knutov tells Sputnik, commenting on a recent video of apparently 10 Patriot interceptors downing just one Iranian ballistic missile.

Three U.S. F-15s Involved in Friendly Fire Incident in Kuwait; Pilots Safe > U.S. Central Command

TAMPA, Fla. - At 11:03 p.m. ET, March 1, three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury went down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident.

Iran posed no imminent threat to US: Pentagon tells Congress

As US-Israeli military aggression against Iran continues, Pentagon staff have acknowledged that there was no military threat from Tehran towards US bases and forces in West Asia prior to US aggression, contradicting claims by senior administration officials that Washington started the aggression to prevent Tehran from targeting American interests in the region.

IRGC, Army launch fresh waves of missile strikes against Israeli, US targets

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Army have announced the launch of fresh waves of massive missile strikes targeting strategic sites in the Israeli-occupied territories and US bases across the region.
The IRGC said in a statement on Monday that homegrown Kheybar missiles were deployed in the tenth wave of massive precision missile strikes deep inside the occupied territories as part of Operation True Promise 4.
The statement stressed that the projectiles opened the gates of massive inferno to the usurping regime.
"Precision strikes on the regime's administrative institutions in Tel Aviv, attacks against military and security installations in Haifa as well as areas in East al-Quds were among the objectives of the Iranian missile strikes," the statement read.

Iran Deals Blow To Energy Facilities In Saudi Arabia And Qatar, Hits Six U.S. Bases Nearby (Videos)South Front

A spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Defense told the official SPA news agency that the kingdom repelled in the early morning drones attempting to strike the Ras Tanura oil refinery belonging to state oil giant Aramco.
[...]
Videos posted to social networks show large fires at different sections of Ras Tanura, which is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf in eastern Saudi Arabia The refinery is Aramco's largest and one of the world's key facilities. It has a 550,000 barrels per day capacity. It also serves as a vital domestic fuel supplier and major crude export terminal.

Thunder In The Gulf: Why The Iran War Will Reshape The World Order | South Front

12bytes: In typical South Front fashion, this is a lengthy and detailed article with a lot of imagery and videos. Among other items, it breaks down the entire war to date including targets hit, munitions expended and projected outcomes, including financial on a global scale. According to South Front, Iran has launched roughly 500 missiles and 400 drones thus far which is a tiny fraction of their stockpiles. Nearly half of that was dedicated to the wonderful Zionist jackasses that started all of this.

The Persian Gulf is one of the world's most oil-rich regions. The situation there has always directly impacted the global economy. Since the conflict began over the weekend, global stock markets have not yet reacted, but oil prices are highly likely to soar on Monday. A war between Israel, the U.S., and Iran could have serious global consequences. Regardless of the outcome, the global geopolitical landscape will never be the same.
[...]
There have been serious rocket attacks reported across Israel, the main instigator of the war. Several rockets reportedly hit residential buildings, killing civilians. Various infrastructure facilities have also been targeted, including the Port of Haifa.

Hezbollah Joins War Alongside Iran, Israel Responds With Assassinations (Videos)South Front

Hezbollah joined the war alongside Iran early on March 2, launching rockets and drones against targets in Israel, which responded with deadly strikes.
The attack, which set off sirens across northern Israel, was carried out in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the opening strikes of the American-Israeli attack on the Islamic Republic two days earlier. It marked the end of the ceasefire in Lebanon brokered by the U.S. more than a year ago, a ceasefire that Israel largely ignored, keeping troops in southern Lebanon and launching strikes against Hezbollah on a regular basis.

Several U.S. Fighter Jets, Including F-15, Shot Down Over Kuwait Amid Iranian Drone Attack (Videos)South Front

Several American fighter jets crashed in Kuwait on March 2, right after an Iranian attack targeted the United States embassy in the country.
One of the fighter jets, an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet of the U.S. Air Force, reportedly crashed some ten kilometers away from Ali Al Salem Air Base, which hosts U.S. forces.
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While it is possible that the fighter jets were shot down by medium-range anti-aircraft missiles launched by Iran-aligned factions in Iraq, or by some cell near Ali Al Salem Air Base using a man-portable air defense system - Shia Muslims make a large part of Kuwait population -, the most likely scenario is that they were hit by American or Kuwaiti air defenses in a friendly-fire incident. It is also possible that there was some collision midair.

BREAKING-Video of USAF F-15 Being Shot Down Over Kuwait

Daniel Davis: U.S. Miscalculation - War Not Going as Planned

Lt. Col. Daniel Davis is a 4x combat veteran, the recipient of the Ridenhour Prize for Truth-Telling, and is the host of the Daniel Davis Deep Dive YouTube channel. After the second day of the war, Lt. Col. Davis discusses why the war against Iran is not going as planned and Iran has too many advantages.

Scott Ritter: Iran TARGETS the USS Abraham Lincoln Aircraft Carrier - Obliterating US Bases & Israel

Examines US-Israel military actions against Iran and strategic fallout. The Supreme Leader's assassination is analyzed as counterproductive, creating a martyr that unified Iranians behind their government rather than collapsing the regime. Iran's constitutional succession mechanisms ensured leadership continuity. Retaliatory strikes target Gulf states hosting US military infrastructure and Israeli command facilities, demonstrating sophisticated Iranian intelligence capabilities. Discussion addresses alleged intelligence failures, civilian casualties, and Iran's use of decoy targets to absorb enemy munitions. The conflict is characterized as illegal aggression driven by regime change objectives favoring Israeli over American interests. Concerns raised that removing religious prohibitions on nuclear weapons may accelerate Iran's weapons program. Russia and China positioned as diplomatic mediators focused on preventing regional economic destabilization rather than direct military involvement. Analysis suggests the war may carry significant political repercussions for US leadership while potentially empowering Shia populations across Gulf monarchies, with implications for regional power dynamics and future diplomatic resolution efforts.

Israeli PM's fate unclear after 'surprise' missile attack on his office: IRGC

12bytes: Far as i know, the cowardly Bibi left the country yesterday.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the fate of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is uncertain following "purposeful and surprise" attacks on his office and the residence of the regime's air force commander.

At least 31 killed in Israeli aggression on southern Lebanon after Hezbollah strikes

At least 31 people, most of them women and children, were killed in attacks by Israel across southern Lebanon following Hezbollah's entry into the front line in defense of Iran.

Israeli settlers shoot dead two Palestinian brothers in Nablus attack | Middle East Eye

Israeli settlers on Monday launched attacks on the village of Qaryut, south of Nablus, killing two brothers and wounding several others.

European gas prices soar as Iran strikes close Saudi and Qatari oil and LNG sites | Middle East Eye

European gas prices soared almost 50 percent after Iranian strikes prompted Saudi Arabia to close its biggest oil refinery and Qatar to halt the production of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Iranian Red Crescent: 555 people killed since start of the US-Israeli aggression - Yemen Press Agency

TEHRAN, March 02 (YPA) -The Iranian Red Crescent announced on Monday that 555 people have been killed in Iran since the start of the war. Iranian media reported that 35 people were killed in Fars province in southern Iran.
According to the Red Crescent , the strikes targeted "131 cities and resulted in 555 deaths" since the war started.
For his part, Mohammad Beighi, a member of Iran's Parliamentary Health and Treatment Committee, said that five hospitals and medical centers were damaged in recent US and Israeli strikes. Some were evacuated due to fears of further attacks.

US and Israel drop more munitions on Iran in last 48 hours than in single operation in June attacks: Report | Middle East Eye

According to the official, the Israeli air force has dropped over 2,300 munitions in two days, while the US has dropped 1,500.

Iran targets three US, British oil tankers - Yemen Press Agency

TEHRAN, March 02 (YPA) - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran said on Monday that it targeted three US and British oil tankers in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement, the IRGC said it launched a new wave of "Operation True Promise 4."
The IRGC added that three tankers were hit in the Gulf waters and the Strait of Hormuz, according to Russia's Sputnik news agency.
The statement also said four drones attacked the US naval base in Bahrain.
It also confirmed that three US Navy facilities in Kuwait were destroyed.
Earlier, the IRGC announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz following Israeli and US strikes on Iran.

Iranian missile strike completely destroys Israeli fortified shelter in Beit Shemesh - Yemen Press Agency

OCCUPIED PALESTINE, March 02 (YPA) - A fortified shelter in the city of Beit Shemesh was completely damaged after it was struck by a missile, according to reports.
The missile hit the shelter directly, causing major destruction and turning much of the structure into rubble.
Reports said the strike caused significant human losses. No official figures were immediately released.

20% of the World's Oil at Risk - Why China Now Holds the Leverage - YouTube

The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly 20% of the world's oil and around 20% of global LNG exports. After U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, vessels began receiving warnings that the Strait was closed. Tanker traffic has dropped sharply, insurers are suspending coverage, and war-risk premiums are surging.
If even part of Hormuz is disrupted, more than 20 million barrels of oil per day are at risk. JP Morgan has warned that a worst-case scenario could send oil prices to $120-$130 per barrel - pushing inflation higher and rattling global markets.
But this crisis is not only about oil.
Over 90% of crude flowing through Hormuz heads to Asia. China, India, Japan, and South Korea account for nearly three-quarters of those imports. China is also the primary buyer of Iran's sanctioned oil exports.
So who really holds leverage if Hormuz destabilizes?
In this Deep Dive, we break down:
How the Strait of Hormuz can be effectively "closed" without a naval blockade
Why insurance markets - not missiles - may determine shipping flows
How oil could surge to $130
What this means for U.S. inflation and the Federal Reserve
Why Asia absorbs the largest shock
And why China may now be the central geopolitical actor in this crisis
This is not just a regional conflict. It is a systemic energy shock with global consequences.

War in the Middle East, the Rothschilds, the Confidential Pentagon Memo: "Take Out 7 Countries... Finishing off Iran." Resisting War - Global Research

On about 20 September 2001, just ten days after the destruction of the World Trade Centre buildings on 9/11, recently retired U.S. Army General Wesley Clark was visiting the Pentagon for meetings with Secretary Rumsfeld and Deputy Secretary Wolfowitz when he was assailed by another General whom he had formerly commanded.
This General advised General Clark that the US was going to attack seven countries in five years.
A few weeks later, a similar meeting between the same officers led General Clark to be confidentially shown a memo from the Secretary of Defense's office earlier that day.
Handing Clark the memo, the officer reported
'This is a memo that describes how we're going to take out 7 countries in 5 years, starting with Iraq, and then Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and, finishing off, Iran.'