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US-Israel Strikes On Iran Live Updates: Hours after Hezbollah attack on Israel, massive explosions reported in Beirut
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- US-Israel Strikes On Iran Live Updates: Hours after Hezbollah attack on Israel, massive explosions reported in Beirut
THE TIMES OF INDIA | Mar 02, 2026, 07:18:17 IST
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US-Israel Strikes On Iran Live Updates: Hours after Hezbollah attack on Israel, massive explosions reported in Beirut
Israel Attack Iran Live Updates: Iran on Sunday appointed senior cleric Ayatollah Arafi as the interim Supreme Leader after Ali Khamenei's death in US-Israel strikes, state news agency IRNA reported.
Moreover, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the killing of Khamenei as “an open declaration of war against Muslims, and particularly against Shiites, everywhere in the world,” following his death in a sweeping assault on Iran carried out by Israel and the United States.
US President Donald Trump early Sunday announced that Iran's Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in the US-Israel strike. Trump called Khamenei "one of the most evil men in history". Strikes continued in Israel as an Iranian missile strike in Tel Aviv killed one and injured 22 others.
Israel launched a daylight strike on Saturday targeting Tehran, the capital of Iran, with plumes of smoke seen rising from the city’s downtown area. The attack reportedly occurred near offices associated with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It was not immediately clear whether the 86-year-old leader was present at the time. Khamenei has not appeared publicly in recent days amid rising tensions with the United States.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz described the operation as “to remove threats,” but provided no further details. The strike comes as Washington has deployed a substantial fleet of fighter jets and warships to the region in an effort to pressure Iran over its nuclear programme. Tehran has warned that any escalation could result in attacks on American military personnel and bases across the region.
Witnesses in Tehran reported hearing the first blast near Khamenei’s office. Iranian state television later confirmed the explosion without specifying a cause. Following the strikes, Iran shut down its airspace, issuing warnings to pilots as additional explosions were reported across the capital.
Meanwhile, sirens sounded across Israel, prompting the Israeli military to issue a “proactive alert” and advise civilians to be ready for possible missile attacks. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Home Front Command warned citizens to stay close to bomb shelters and avoid non-essential travel, although it noted that immediate sheltering was not required.
The situation affected international travel as well. Passengers at Tel Aviv airport, including those on Air India flight AI 140 to New Delhi, were asked to abandon their baggage and rush to bomb shelters. Air India announced it will suspend operations on the sector for a week to monitor the evolving situation.
The attack marks a serious escalation in the region, reflecting ongoing tensions between Israel, Iran, and the United States. The full extent of casualties, if any, remains unknown, and both military and diplomatic responses are being closely monitored.
07:18 (IST) Mar 02
Shia Muslims across India protest killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Shia Muslims across several parts of India held protests on Sunday following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint US–Israeli air strikes in Tehran.
In Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, members of the Shia community gathered at the Chhota Imambara to pay tribute. Cleric Maulana Syed Kalbe Jawad said Iran would never bow to its enemies and that Israel and the United States would ultimately be defeated.
Students at Aligarh Muslim University staged a candlelight march in condemnation, offering funeral prayers for Khamenei. Similar demonstrations were held in Ayodhya and Indore, where protesters carried portraits of the Iranian leader and chanted in his memory. In Jammu, members of the Shia community also expressed grief and anger.
Iranian state media reported that Khamenei was killed in the February 28 strikes alongside several family members.
07:17 (IST) Mar 02
Britain responding to suspected drone strike at Cyprus base
British forces are responding to a suspected drone attack on a military base in Cyprus, the the British ministry of defence said on Monday, adding that no casualties have been reported.
The incident occurred at RAF Akrotiri around midnight, the ministry said, describing it as an ongoing “live situation” being handled by personnel on the ground.
06:47 (IST) Mar 02
US, Israel attack Iran: Israel launches barrage of strikes on Lebanese capital
Israel carried out a series of airstrikes on Beirut on Monday after the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah launched missiles across the border earlier in the day.
It was the first time in more than a year that Hezbollah had claimed responsibility for an attack on Israel. The Israeli military said it intercepted one projectile, while several others landed in open areas, with no reports of injuries or damage.
In a statement, Hezbollah said the attack was in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and in response to what it described as “repeated Israeli aggressions.”
06:29 (IST) Mar 02
Striking with full force at targets belonging to the terrorist organisation Hezbollah: IDF
"The IDF has begun striking targets belonging to the terrorist organisation Hezbollah across Lebanon The IDF is now striking with full force targets belonging to the terrorist organisation Hezbollah across Lebanon, in response to launches fired towards the State of Israel. The terrorist organisation Hezbollah, operating under the auspices of the Iranian terrorist regime, has opened fire against the State of Israel and its citizens. The IDF will act against the terrorist organisation Hezbollah's decision to join the fray, and will not allow the organisation to pose a threat to the State of Israel or harm residents of the north. The terrorist organisation Hezbollah is devastating the State of Lebanon; the responsibility for this escalation lies with it, and the IDF will respond with full force to this attack. IDF forces prepared for this scenario as part of the orderly combat procedure within Operation "Roar of the Lion" and are ready for a multi-arena scenario and to confront any threat to the State of Israel," the IDF said in a post on X.
06:24 (IST) Mar 02
Iran War News: Hours after Hezbollah attack, massive explosions reported in Beirut
The Middle East conflict escalated as massive explosions were reported in Beirut just hours after a Hezbollah attack.
05:49 (IST) Mar 02
Iran War News: Israel says carrying out 'large-scale strikes' on Tehran
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