Fourth day of war in Iran, following the attack launched by the US and Israel, the killing of Khamenei and senior government officials, intelligence officials, and officials in the nuclear program.

The US and Israel continue to target Iran with missile strikes in Tehran, aiming to decapitate the regime. The building where the summit to elect a new Supreme Leader was being held was also hit . None of the meeting's attendees were reported killed; Tehran reported that the building was evacuated just in time. And that evening, the same assembly of experts chose the Supreme Leader, recommended by the Revolutionary Guards: Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ali Khamenei .

The war is spreading: the IDF has entered southern Lebanon by land, capturing several nearby positions as part of a plan to strengthen the front's defenses. The Sassari Brigade is operating in the area, and 50,000 people in Lebanon have already been displaced by the Israeli raids, which have been ongoing for 48 hours.  

The Ayatollah regime's retaliation continues with drones and missiles targeting Israel, Dubai, and Doha. The US consulate in Dubai was hit this evening, and media reports suggest the Emirates are considering attacks against Iran.

The situation is therefore even more difficult for the many Italians and Sardinians still trapped in the Emirati city. Today, approximately 500 Italians returned from Fiumicino and Malpensa, including Susanna Campione from Sassari, among the 200 students, almost all minors , whose departure from Abu Dhabi was scheduled for Saturday, the day the war broke out. Flights from the UAE airport, however, are running intermittently and have been suspended again until March 6.

In the evening, Donald Trump spoke again, before his bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Merz: "Iran would have attacked us," he said, "I may have forced Israel's hand." Trump claimed the success of the operation, which "destroyed" Iran's military capabilities, and threatened to suspend all trade with Spain, which denied him use of the bases. The tycoon also said he was "not happy" with Great Britain's behavior.

And then he announced a "third wave" of attacks that will arrive "very soon." There is no precise plan for Iran's future, he implied: "The leaders we had in mind are all dead." The worst-case scenario? "That the new leader is worse than Khamenei."

***

Updates for Tuesday, March 3, 2026

10:10 PM – Khamenei's son becomes Iran's new Supreme Leader

Iran's Assembly of Experts has elected Ali Khamenei's son, Mojtaba, as the new Supreme Leader, following the recommendation of the Revolutionary Guards. Iran International reports this, citing informed sources. The news was also reported by Haaretz.

10:00 PM – Emirates: "Iran has launched over a thousand attacks."

The United Arab Emirates has been exposed to over 1,000 attacks since Iran launched its retaliatory operation in the region, the UAE Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to Reuters on its website. The UAE Foreign Ministry said it has not taken any decision to change its defensive posture in the face of Iranian attacks, but reserves the right to defend itself.

9:50 PM – New alert in Tel Aviv, wave of missiles from Iran

A new alert is underway in Tel Aviv due to a new wave of missiles launched by Iran. ANSA reports the situation on the ground.

9:30 PM – Fire extinguished, US consulate in Dubai hit by drone

The fire near the US Consulate in Dubai was caused by a drone strike, local authorities announced the news the day after the drone attack on the embassy in Riyadh. "Dubai authorities have confirmed that a fire caused by a drone strike near the US Consulate has been successfully contained," the Dubai Emirate's press office wrote on X. "Rescue teams responded immediately. No injuries were reported," it added.

8:55 PM – The US consulate in Dubai catches fire.

The U.S. consulate in Dubai is on fire after being hit by a suspected Iranian drone, CNN reports, citing a source in the region.

8:45 PM – Trump: "If necessary, the US will escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz."

Donald Trump announced that "if necessary, the United States will escort all oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz." In a post on Truth, the US president ordered, "effective immediately," "the United States Development Finance Corporation to provide, at a very reasonable price, political risk insurance and financial security guarantees for all maritime trade, particularly energy, passing through the Gulf."

8:20 PM – Macron: "Two French bases hit, we shot down drones."

After "limited bombing" that targeted two French military bases "in the early hours" of the conflict, Emmanuel Macron has decided to send military reinforcements to the region. The French president himself announced the news live on television from the Elysée Palace, speaking of his intention to deploy a "defense" force to the area. "We have defense agreements that bind us with Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. We are also linked to Jordan and our Kurdish allies. We shot down drones in self-defense." "In addition to the existing assets, radar and Rafale aircraft have been deployed in the last few hours," as well as the Languedoc frigate. 8:15 PM – Another 200 Italians arrive at Fiumicino Airport.

Around 200 Italians (278 passengers in total) who had been stranded in the United Arab Emirates for the past few days following the US and Israeli attack on Iran disembarked at Rome's Fiumicino Airport shortly after 8:00 PM on the first Etihad flight from Abu Dhabi. Around 150 Italians arriving from Muscat are also expected at the Rome airport shortly, with the second flight from Oman arriving at Leonardo da Vinci Airport, following the one that brought back the first 127 Italians who had been transferred from the United Arab Emirates across the border last night.

8:15 PM – Macron: "Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier heading for the Mediterranean"

The Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, the maritime giant symbolizing France's military power, currently in the Baltic Sea, will set sail for the Mediterranean this evening: French President Emmanuel Macron announced this on television, also ordering the deployment of the frigate Languedoc and anti-aircraft weapons to Cyprus.

8:10 PM – Macron: "Iran is primarily responsible, but the US and Israel's actions are illegal."

Iran "bears the primary responsibility for the situation," Emmanuel Macron told French citizens this evening live on television, beginning his speech with these words. The conflict, according to the French president, "is spreading throughout the region and has serious consequences for peace and security for all." For Emmanuel Macron, the United States and Israel acted "outside international law," but "no executioner" will be "missed." In his address to the French from the Elysée Palace, Macron said that "a stable peace in the region will only be achieved with the resumption of diplomatic negotiations," and called for "a swift halt to the bombing."

8:05 PM - Dubai suspends flights until March 6

"In light of the current situation in the Middle East, ITA Airways has decided to suspend flights to and from Tel Aviv until March 8 (including flight AZ809 on March 9) and to extend the suspension of flights to and from Dubai until March 6." This is according to the airline's website, which reminds that: "the following airspaces will not be used until March 8: Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dammam, and Iran. Additionally, United Arab Emirates airspace will not be used until March 6. Furthermore, for operational reasons, flights to and from Riyadh are suspended from March 2 to 4."

7:40 PM – The plane from Abu Dhabi carrying 200 students landed at Malpensa Airport.

The flight from Abu Dhabi carrying 200 Italian students from Dubai, where bombings have been ongoing since Saturday following the US and Israeli attack on Iran, landed at 7:25 PM. It will take at least 30 minutes for the students, escorted by police, to exit Gate B of Arrivals at Malpensa Terminal 1.

7:20 PM – Iraq, explosions near Erbil airport

Explosions were heard this evening in Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan in northern Iraq and also home to US bases. AFP journalists noted the news, specifying that the explosions were heard mostly near the airport, which hosts US-led coalition troops. Since the start of the war against Iran, numerous drones have been intercepted over Erbil, which is also home to a large US consular complex.

7 p.m. – Axios: "The Emirates are considering attacks on Iranian missile sites."

The United Arab Emirates is considering attacking Iranian missile sites to stop Tehran's strikes against the country. Axios reports this, citing two sources familiar with the matter, emphasizing that an Emirati attack on Iran would be unprecedented. The UAE has been the country most attacked by Iran since the war began, even more so than Israel. The country "is considering taking active defensive measures against Iran. Although not involved in any way in the war, the Emirates have still suffered 800 hits," a source familiar with the Emirati political discussions said.

6:30 PM – 50,000 displaced people in Lebanon

Approximately 50,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon following 48 hours of Israeli airstrikes following the resumption of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, according to the Lebanese Cabinet Crisis Unit, cited by the government news agency NNA.

6.20pm – "I'm not happy with Great Britain"

"I'm not happy with Britain," Trump said. "It took us three or four days to figure out where we could land," he added. "We're certainly not dealing with Winston Churchill," the American president later quipped.

6:15 PM – Trump: "Oil prices will be high for a while."

Donald Trump said that "oil prices are going to be a little high for a while" during the war with Iran but assured that "as soon as this is over, they will go even lower than before."

6:05 PM – Trump reiterates: "The leaders we envisioned for Iran are dead."

Donald Trump reiterated that all the leaders the United States had considered for Iran's succession "are dead." "Then there will be a third wave very soon, and soon there will be no one," he added.

6:00 PM – "We will cut all trade with Spain."

"We will cut all trade ties with Spain," which refused to allow the US to use its bases to launch attacks, Trump said, also saying he was "not happy" with the United Kingdom. "Spain has been terrible. I actually told Scott to cut all business with Spain. They've been unfriendly and inhospitable, and so Spain is a good country with nothing we need. They're the only country that hasn't decided to increase defense spending to 5% of GDP. They want to keep it at 2%, and they're not even paying that 2%, so we're going to cut all trade ties with Spain." These were the words of US President Donald Trump before his meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office. "It all started when every European nation started paying 5%, which I asked for and which was legitimate, everyone is enthusiastic, but Spain didn't do it and now Spain has said we can't use their bases. Well, if we want, we can just fly over them, fly over them and no one can tell us anything, but we won't do that," he explained.

6 p.m. – Trump: "The worst-case scenario in Iran is that the successors are worse."

"The worst-case scenario for Iran at this point is that the country is taken over by someone worse" than Khamenei, US President Donald Trump said.

5:55 PM – Trump: "They would have attacked us, I forced Israel's hand."

"I knew they would attack first if we didn't attack us. They would have attacked us first, I'm convinced of that. Based on how the negotiations were going, we knew they would attack first, and I didn't want that to happen. So, if anything, I could have forced the Israelis' hand, not the other way around." This was US President Donald Trump's statement before meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office. "The military operation is going well," he added. "Iran no longer has a navy, air force, or air defenses. We've destroyed them."

5:50 PM – UK sends anti-drone ship and helicopters to defend Cyprus

The United Kingdom is fully committed "to defending the security of Cyprus and the British personnel" deployed at the RAF Akrotiri military base, which has been targeted in the Iranian response to US and Israeli attacks. Prime Minister Keir Starmer made this statement to Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulidis in a phone call reported by Downing Street, formalizing his government's decision to send "helicopters with anti-drone capabilities to the region" and the Royal Navy's Dragon warship. "We will always act in the best interests of the United Kingdom and our allies," Starmer emphasized.

5:35 PM – Pentagon: "We are in the initial stages of the campaign against Iran."

Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby told Congress that the military campaign against Iran is far from over. "I would like to emphasize," Colby said during a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, "that we are in the early stages of this campaign."

5:15 PM – Pasdaran: "If the raids continue, we will hit all economic centers in the Middle East."

If the US and Israeli bombing campaign against Iran continues, it will lead to retaliation against "all economic centers" in the Middle East, said IRGC General Ebrahim Jabbari. "We are telling the enemy that if they decide to attack our main centers, we will attack all economic centers in the region," the general said. "We have closed the Strait of Hormuz. Currently, the price of oil is above $80 and will soon reach $200," he added, quoted by ISNA news agency.

5:10 PM – Trump: "Iran is running out of missiles and essential weapons."

Tehran's military capability is steadily degrading, although Iranian forces are expected to "keep firing missiles for a while." "They're running out of resources and they're running out of launch areas, because they're being decimated," US President Donald Trump said in an interview with Politico. "They're running out of launchers." We, he added, "have unlimited medium- and high-grade munitions and other things. We store them and produce them." "Defense companies are working tirelessly to build the various things we need," he added. "They're under emergency orders. We're rushing. But we have unlimited supplies."

4:40 PM – Iran, assembly site evacuated before raid

Iranian news agencies, reported by international media, reported that the Assembly of Experts building in Qom was "razed to the ground" in the attack, but that the building had been evacuated before the attack. Images of the aftermath of the attack, relayed by CNN, show the complex and large plumes of smoke rising from the area.

4:20 PM – Qatar Does Not Confirm Attacks on Iran

The Qatari government has not yet confirmed Israeli reports of attacks by its armed forces against Iran, in response to Tehran's response to US and Israeli strikes, which have targeted the emirate and other countries hosting American bases. Asked by the BBC in Doha, Majed al-Ansari, spokesman for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, claimed responsibility only for downing Iranian jets that, he said, had strayed into Qatari airspace and were struck over the skies "over the Gulf." "The pilots were informed" of the border violation, and the rules of engagement "were followed to the letter," he stated.

3:45 PM – Israeli TV: "Qatar attacked Iran in the last 24 hours."

Western sources reported today that Qatar attacked Iran in the last 24 hours, according to Israeli TV station Channel 12. No further confirmation is available at this time.

3:30 PM – Reports of deaths and injuries among members of the assembly electing Iran's Supreme Leader

The Assembly of Experts office in Qom was targeted by US and Israeli missiles today, Tasnim reports, while Telegram channels reported deaths and injuries among some assembly members, although there has been no official confirmation. The Assembly members were meeting to elect Iran's new Supreme Leader, Israeli broadcaster Kan reports, citing an Israeli official. The news was also reported by American Fox News.

3:30 PM – Trump: "We can continue wars forever, thanks to weapons stockpiles."

"The U.S. munitions stockpile has never been higher or better. We have a virtually unlimited supply of these weapons. Wars can be fought 'forever,' and with great success, using only these supplies, which are better than other countries' best weapons." This was just written by US President Donald Trump on Truth Social.

3:10 PM – Netanyahu: "It won't be an endless war."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured Americans that there will not be an "endless war" in the Middle East in an interview with Fox News. "We will not have an endless war," Netanyahu said. "This terrorist regime in Iran is at its weakest point since it took Iran from the brave Iranian people 47 years ago. So this will be swift and decisive action. And we will first create the conditions for the Iranian people to take control of their own destiny, to form their own democratically elected government, which will make Iran completely different," he added, insisting that the destruction of the Iranian regime would pave the way for "many peace treaties" with other Muslim countries in the region and would "change the world." "If we accomplish what we intend to do, I believe we will create the conditions for peace," he said. "This is not an endless war. This is, in fact, something that will usher in an era of peace that we have not even dreamed of."

3:05 PM – Tel Aviv Police: "Iran targeted civilians with cluster bombs."

Israeli police report that in the latest Iranian missile attack, some impacts in central Israel were caused by submunitions from the warhead of a cluster bomb. "The impacts caused civilian injuries and damage," said Tel Aviv Police Commander Haim Sargaroff. Shortly before the latest wave of missiles on central Israel, the IDF confirmed that Tehran is using cluster bombs against civilians in Israel.

3:00 PM – The headquarters of the body that will elect Iran's new Supreme Leader was attacked.

Israeli and US strikes hit the building of the body that will elect Iran's new supreme leader, Iranian media reported.

2.55pm – Tehran launches nearly a thousand drones and missiles against the Emirates.

Since the beginning of the conflict, the UAE's air defenses have detected 186 missiles and 812 drones. This is the tally from the UAE Ministry of Defense, according to the Guardian. Brigadier General Abdul Nasser Mohammed Al-Humaidi, defense spokesman, stated that only one missile fell on domestic territory, another 172 were intercepted, and 13 fell into the sea. Of the 812 drones, 755 were destroyed, as were eight cruise missiles. In total, three people have been killed and 68 slightly injured in the UAE since the beginning of the conflict.

2:50 PM – Israel launches large-scale attacks in Tehran

The IDF reported on Telegram that it had launched its ninth wave of strikes on Tehran. "The Air Force has just begun a large-scale strike against the Iranian terrorist regime's infrastructure in Tehran," it wrote. Immediately following the announcement, loud explosions were heard in the Iranian capital.

2:00 PM – Iran, Trump: "They want to negotiate, but it's too late."

"Their air defense, Air Force, Navy, and leadership are gone. They want to talk. I said, 'Too late!'" US President Donald Trump wrote in Truth.

1:50 PM – Meloni meets with ministers: working on security measures for Italian citizens

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "chaired two government meetings dedicated to developments in the Middle East crisis," with the government and with Eni and Snam. This is according to a statement from Palazzo Chigi. The first meeting was attended by Vice President and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Environment and Energy Security Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, and Undersecretaries to the Prime Minister's Office Alfredo Mantovano and Giovanbattista Fazzolari. The meeting "focused on the latest developments in the crisis, with particular attention to measures to assist and ensure the safety of Italian citizens in the affected areas, reaffirming the government's full commitment."

1:30 PM – IDF: Another Iranian commander hit in Tehran

The Israeli Air Force has struck a "senior commander of the Iranian terrorist regime" in Tehran, the IDF announced, as reported by the Times of Israel.

1:00 PM - Tajani: "Tehran's ambassador summoned after the attack on Cyprus."

"I summoned the Iranian ambassador after the attack in Cyprus to say that Europe had nothing to do with it, and absolutely must not be involved in this affair." This was announced by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani during a press briefing at the Farnesina Crisis Unit.

12:00 PM – Tehran: "Defensive actions by European countries would be an act of war."

"Iran considers this an act of war and complicity with the aggressors," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said, referring to statements by Germany, France, and Great Britain regarding possible "defensive actions" against Iranian missiles at their bases in the Gulf. IRNA reports this. "The Europeans," Baghaei states, "have adopted 'contradictory' approaches to the ongoing war. They should abandon this indifference, as the consequences of any violation of law and war are a fire that will soon spread to European countries and the world."

11:00 AM - The IDF: "The Ayatollahs' headquarters in Tehran were hit overnight."

IDF spokesperson Effi Defrin said the Air Force attacked the Iranian leadership compound, the most important and central headquarters of the Ayatollah regime. As part of the operation, conducted under the direction of the Intelligence Directorate, government security buildings in the heart of Tehran were targeted overnight.

10:40 a.m. – Iran tells Europeans: "Don't join the US and Israel in their war."

In a statement released today, the Iranian Foreign Ministry warned European states not to join the US-Israeli war against Iran.

9:40 a.m. – Tajani: "Working to provide maximum assistance to Italians in Dubai."

"We are also organizing transfers from Dubai to Muscat, Oman, with tour companies, to facilitate border crossings. We have sent a team from Rome's Crisis Unit, which is already operational, consisting of three diplomats, two Carabinieri, two financial police, and a Civil Protection representative to provide maximum assistance and also prevent scams or ticket touts trying to oversell tickets," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told RaiNews24.

8:40 a.m. – New attacks in Tehran

The United States and Israel launched a new series of missile strikes on Tehran. The explosions were heard in the northern and eastern parts of the capital.

8:30 a.m. – The IDF enters Lebanon

The IDF entered southern Lebanon by land, capturing several nearby positions as part of a plan to strengthen the front's defenses. A spokesperson for the army reported this. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the IDF advance into southern Lebanon is not a ground operation and is intended to prevent "direct fire" on Israeli communities. "To prevent the possibility of direct attacks against Israeli communities, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have authorized the IDF to advance and maintain additional dominant territory in Lebanon and to defend border communities from there," he said. "The IDF continues to operate against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The terrorist organization is paying and will pay a high price for its fire against Israel," he added.

8:00 AM – Damage to Iran's Natanz nuclear facility

Images captured by the intelligence firm Vantor over the past 48 hours reveal damage to the Natanz nuclear facility, one of Iran's most sensitive military installations and its largest uranium enrichment center. According to CNN's analysis of the images, a large warehouse and two smaller two-story buildings were hit. The structures were access points for workers and vehicles to Natanz's underground facilities, according to the Institute for Science and International Stability, which monitors Iran's nuclear program . The damage to the facility appears to be relatively minor compared to two US attacks on the same facility in June 2025, when US forces struck the site with bunker-busting munitions and cruise missiles.

7:20 a.m. – Trump: "We're full of ammunition."

"The United States' stockpile of medium- and high-grade munitions has never been higher or better. As I was told today, we have a virtually unlimited supply of these weapons." US President Donald Trump wrote in Truth. "Wars can be fought 'forever,' and very successfully, using only these stockpiles, which are better than other countries' best weapons! At the highest level, we have a good stockpile, but we're not where we want to be. Many other high-quality weapons are stored for us in peripheral countries."

7:10 a.m. – Trump: "We will respond."

The US will respond to the attack on the US Embassy. In his initial reaction to the incident, President Donald Trump said that "you'll soon find out what the retaliation will be" for the attack and the deaths of US service members during the conflict in Iran, NewsNation's Kellie Meyer posted on X, citing an interview with the tycoon. "He also told me he doesn't believe any action will be necessary on the ground," Meyer added. The US Embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones, causing a limited fire and some property damage, according to a report released by the Saudi Ministry of Defense.

7:00 AM - US Embassy in Riyadh hit

A strike by two drones has caused a fire at the US Embassy in Riyadh, the Saudi Defense Ministry announced. The news was reported by international media. Three people told Reuters that a loud explosion was heard and flames were seen at the embassy. One source said the fire was minor. Witnesses told AFP they saw a plume of smoke. "The US Embassy in Riyadh was attacked by two drones, causing a limited fire and minor material damage to the building," a ministry spokesperson said. Witnesses told AFP they saw smoke coming from the building, and the embassy urged US citizens in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dhahran to take cover. A source had earlier told AFP that Saudi Arabia had intercepted four drones targeting the embassy neighborhood in Riyadh.

ALL THE NEWS ABOUT THE WAR IN IRAN

- UPDATE IN PROGRESS -

© Riproduzione riservata