![\"Aftermath](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/d8d92ef_ftp-1-dojtfoxto2t3-2026-03-02t104756z-1030971678-rc29wja6srer-rtrmadp-3-iran-crisis-israel-l.jpeg\")
Aftermath of Israeli strikes following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, Lebanon, March 2, 2026. REUTERS <\/p>\n Aftermath of Israeli strikes following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran, Lebanon, March 2, 2026. REUTERS <\/p>\n
Israel bombarded Lebanon on Monday, March 2, following rocket fire from Hezbollah, several American warplanes crashed in Kuwait and Iran lashed out against the region with missiles, as the war with Israel and the United States expanded. A Saudi oil refinery was on fire after it was targeted, and black smoke rose from the US embassy complex in Kuwait as Iran pressed on with attacks it launched in retaliation for the US and Israeli campaign that killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei<\/a>. In Cyprus, an Iranian drone hit a UK military base, but no casualties were reported.<\/p>\n Israel and the US have struck targets across Iran since Saturday. The war that began with Khamenei’s killing<\/a> has engulfed the region, with explosions ringing in Dubai, Bahrain, Iraq and elsewhere, causing chaos with hundreds of flights canceled and the strategic Strait of Hormuz all but paralyzed<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Israeli military said on Monday it had begun a new “broad strike” in the “heart of Tehran” after generals vowed to step up attacks on “key elements of the regime.” Loud explosions were heard on Monday in several parts of the Iranian capital, AFP journalists said, shaking apartment buildings in the center.<\/p>\n Hezbollah seeks revenge <\/p>\n Lebanon was dragged into the Middle East war after militant movement Hezbollah fired rockets towards Israel in support of its backer Iran and to avenge Khamenei’s killing. Explosions rocked Beirut while in southern Lebanon, residents fled, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP) journalists, after the Israeli military announced it was striking both parts of the country. In the southern city of Sidon, cars carrying families fled on packed roads, an AFP journalist said, adding that some vehicles had mattresses tied to their roofs.<\/p>\n The Israeli military said it had struck a senior Hezbollah operative in Beirut, while Lebanese authorities said Israeli strikes killed at least 31 people. Israel’s military vowed to intensify its attacks on the country and make Hezbollah pay a “heavy price.” Hezbollah announced overnight that it had targeted an Israeli army site south of Haifa city “with a barrage of high-quality missiles and a swarm of drones.” It said the move was “retaliation for the pure blood” of Khamenei. But the Israeli army said there was no reason for a ground invasion of Lebanon yet.<\/p>\n Around three hours before Hezbollah’s statement, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Telegram channel said that “Hezbollah officially entered the war.” Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, whose government has pushed for Hezbollah’s disarmament and to keep the country out of the war, called Monday’s rocket fire “irresponsible.”<\/p>\n Salam announced “the immediate ban of all Hezbollah security and military activities and considering them illegal,” and demanded the party to surrender its weapons.<\/p>\n Read more Subscribers only Israel unites against the ‘existential threat’ of Iran: ‘We need to get rid of this regime that hates us’<\/a> Smoke over US embassy in Kuwait <\/p>\n In Kuwait, black smoke rose from the US embassy after Iranian strikes. While the mission did not announce it had been hit, it issued a security alert urging people to stay away. “Several US warplanes crashed this morning. Confirming that all crew members survived,” Kuwait’s defense ministry spokesman said, adding that the cause was under investigation.<\/p>\n Partner service <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Learn French with Gymglish<\/p>\n Thanks to a daily lesson, an original story and a personalized correction, in 15 minutes per day.<\/p>\n Try for free<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n Help us improve Le Monde in English <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Dear reader,<\/p>\n We\u2019d love to hear your thoughts on Le Monde in English! Take this quick survey to help us improve it for you.<\/p>\n Take the survey<\/p>\n <\/a> <\/p>\n New <\/p>\n