Iran-Israel war LIVE: Israeli strikes Hezbollah targets in Beirut; U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia attacked by two drones, and more
The Hindu
Iran-Israel war: Follow the latest updates on the West Asia war, on March 3, 2026
Israel and the United States pounded Iran on Monday (March 2, 2026) in an escalating campaign that U.S. President Donald Trump said would likely take several weeks. Tehran and its allies hit back across the region, striking Israel and a variety of targets inside Gulf states, including energy facilities in Qatar and the American embassy in Saudi Arabia.
The intensity of the attacks, the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and the lack of any apparent exit plan set the stage for a prolonged conflict with far-reaching consequences. Safe havens in the Mideast like Dubai have seen incoming fire; hundreds of thousands of airline passengers are stranded around the globe; energy prices shot up; and U.S. allies pledged to help stop Iranian missiles and drones.
Saudi Arabia said early on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) that the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh came under attack from two drones, which caused a “limited fire” and minor damage. Further details weren’t immediately available. On Monday, the US Embassy compound in Kuwait was struck.
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U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivered a defence of Washington’s military operation in Iran, calling it a “clear, devastating, decisive mission” aimed at destroying missile threats and preventing nuclear weapons. He accused Tehran of buying time to restart its nuclear ambitions and warned that any threat to Americans would be met without hesitation. The remarks come amid escalating tensions following U.S. strikes and widening conflict across West Asia.
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