Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. and Israel’s strikes on Tehran, calling the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei a violation of international law and warning of far-reaching consequences.
In a letter to the United Nations, Araghchi described the attacks as “unprovoked and unjustified acts of aggression” against Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, holding Washington and Jerusalem fully responsible.
He emphasised that Iran retains its “inherent and inalienable right” to defend itself under Article 51 of the UN Charter. The letter comes as Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani reiterated that Tehran “will not negotiate” with the U.S., signalling a hardening stance amid escalating regional conflict.
Earlier, Iran’s top national security official Ali Larijani said on Monday (2 March) that Iran “will not negotiate with the United States,” rejecting media speculation that Tehran had sought talks through intermediaries.
Larijani, who leads Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and has been involved in past diplomatic contacts, made the comment on the X platform.
Larijani, a former top adviser to the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, states that Iranian forces “did not start the invasion.”
Meanwhile, loud bangs and sirens were heard across Kuwait on Monday (2 March) witnesses reported to local media, as Iran continued retaliatory strikes on Gulf states following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Tehran which began on Saturday.
Smoke was seen rising from the vicinity of the U.S embassy in Kuwait, and fire fighters and ambulances were seen in the area, a witness told Reuters on Monday.
Kuwait’s civil defence said the country had intercepted incoming drones, and no injuries were reported. Residents described tense scenes as authorities scrambled to manage air defence and civil safety measures.
Tehran’s armed forces declared that U.S. and Israeli targets throughout the Middle East were legitimate targets and fired missiles and drones at bases and military infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations.
On Monday, Israel launched air strikes against Hezbollah in Beirut following the group’s missile and drone attacks in response to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death.
More than a dozen explosions shook the southern suburbs. The Israeli military said it struck senior Hezbollah figures and warned dozens of villages in southern and eastern Lebanon to evacuate.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday that the UK has approved U.S. use of British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles, after Tehran’s attacks threatened British citizens across the region.
Starmer stressed that Britain was not involved in the U.S.-Israel air strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and would not join further offensive operations.
He said the decision to allow U.S. forces to use UK bases was “specific and limited” to prevent missiles from being launched at allies or British nationals, in line with international law.
U.S. Central Command released video on Sunday (1 March) showing ongoing strikes in Iran, saying American forces are continuing combat operations.
The footage appeared to show stationary fighter jets and drones on the ground being hit in precision strikes.
In a statement accompanying the video, Washington said it was “taking bold action to eliminate imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime”.
Explosions hit central Tehran at about 9:30am local time on Saturday (28 February) as the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iranian targets, escalating tensions after nuclear talks collapsed and raising fears of wider conflict in the Middle East.
Strong blasts were heard across the Iranian capital, with Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reporting at least three explosions in downtown Tehran. Residents described the explosions as similar to last June’s surprise assault on Iranian targets.
In a message posted on Truth Social, Trump said the objective of the operation was to “eliminate imminent threats” posed by the Iranian government.
He accused Tehran of decades of hostility, citing attacks on U.S. forces in Beirut, Iraq and international waters.
Referring to last year’s campaign, President Donald Trump said a previous operation, dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer”, had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, but claimed Tehran had attempted to rebuild its programme.
“They can never have a nuclear weapon,” he said, adding that the current U.S. strikes sought to “destroy their missiles”, “annihilate their Navy”, and dismantle regional proxy networks.
Trump warned of possible American casualties, calling the operation “a noble mission”, and urged prayers for U.S. troops. He also issued a direct message to Iran’s security forces: “Lay down your weapons and have complete immunity, or face certain death.”
Addressing Iranian citizens, he said, “The hour of your freedom is at hand… stay sheltered. When we are finished, take over your government.”
The Pentagon later confirmed that the latest U.S. strikes were named “Operation Epic Fury”.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confirmed dead on 1 March by Iranian state media, following a series of joint United States and Israeli military strikes on Tehran.
State television announced early on 1 March that the 86-year-old leader had died “while performing his assigned duties,” and Iran declared a 40-day national mourning period.
The escalation follows weeks of diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The most recent round of indirect talks concluded on Thursday (26 February) without agreement, despite earlier reports of progress.
“Iran refused, just as it has for decades and decades,” Trump said.
“They rejected every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions, and we can’t take it any more.”
The renewed confrontation further dims hopes for a negotiated settlement to Tehran’s long-running nuclear dispute with Western powers.
Israel said it had also conducted extensive air strikes on Iranian targets. Defence Minister Israel Katz described the action as a “pre-emptive attack” to remove threats to Israel.
“The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel,” he said.
The Israeli military said it had struck “hundreds of Iranian military targets”, including missile launchers in western Iran, and that operations were continuing to intercept retaliatory fire.
An Israeli defence official said the strike had been planned for months, with the launch date decided weeks ago.
In a video statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Trump “for his historic leadership” and called on Iranians to “cast off the yoke of tyranny and bring about a free and peaceful Iran”. He said the joint operation would help create conditions for Iranians “to take their destiny into their own hands”.
Israel has long argued that any agreement with Iran must dismantle Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure entirely and include restrictions on its ballistic missile programme.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had launched the first wave of missile and drone attacks against Israel in response to recent strikes on Iranian territory, according to the Tasnim news agency. The Israeli military later reported additional missiles fired towards Israel.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, described the confrontation as “wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate”.
Tehran previously responded to U.S. and Israeli strikes in June 2025 by launching missiles at the Al Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest American military facility in the Middle East.
Western governments have long argued that Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal threatens regional stability and could eventually serve as a delivery system for nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies.
The latest strikes push the Middle East into renewed military confrontation and significantly increase the risk of broader escalation involving regional actors and proxy forces.
This is a developing story.
Several marine insurers said they are cancelling war risk cover for ships due to the conflict in Iran and the Gulf.&n...
Türkiye raised its security level for Turkish-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz to Level 3 on Sunday (2 March). The development fol...
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. and Israel’s strikes on Tehran, calling the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Kha...
The UK said it's allowing the U.S. to use its bases for defensive strikes against Iran ami...
Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday (2 March), af...
Several marine insurers said they are cancelling war risk cover for ships due to the conflict in Iran and the Gulf. Insurers including Gard, Skuld, NorthStandard, the London P&I Club and the American Club said their cancellations will take effect from 5 March.
Türkiye raised its security level for Turkish-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz to Level 3 on Sunday (2 March). The development follows Iranian restrictions on shipping after U.S. and Israeli strikes and confirmation of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death.
The United States and Israel have carried out large-scale strikes on Iranian leadership and military targets, with Iranian state media confirming that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed.
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has moved into a pivotal constitutional role following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, becoming the clerical member of Iran’s temporary leadership council under Article 111 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Follow the latest developments and global reaction after the U.S. and Israel launched “major combat operations” in Iran, prompting retaliation from Tehran.
Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has moved into a pivotal constitutional role following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, becoming the clerical member of Iran’s temporary leadership council under Article 111 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Governments across the region responded swiftly to Israel’s strikes on Iran, closing airspace, issuing travel advisories and activating contingency plans amid fears of escalation.
A senior Iranian official has warned Israel to “prepare for what is coming”, insisting that Tehran’s response to the latest escalation in the Middle East will be made openly and without limits.
The United States and Israel have carried out large-scale strikes on Iranian leadership and military targets, with Iranian state media confirming that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed.
Several marine insurers said they are cancelling war risk cover for ships due to the conflict in Iran and the Gulf. Insurers including Gard, Skuld, NorthStandard, the London P&I Club and the American Club said their cancellations will take effect from 5 March.
Türkiye raised its security level for Turkish-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz to Level 3 on Sunday (2 March). The development follows Iranian restrictions on shipping after U.S. and Israeli strikes and confirmation of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s death.
Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday (2 March), after the Iran-backed group launched missiles and drones towards Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The United States and Israel have carried out large-scale strikes on Iranian leadership and military targets, with Iranian state media confirming that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed.
Follow the latest developments and global reaction after the U.S. and Israel launched “major combat operations” in Iran, prompting retaliation from Tehran.
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