Iran–Israel war LIVE: Trump talks about sending ground troops 'if it's necessary'

European natural gas prices jumped sharply on Monday as escalating tensions in the Middle East prompted Qatar to halt liquefied natural gas (LNG) production at its North Field facility, the world’s largest gas reservoir.

The benchmark Dutch TTF contract rose by as much as 45 per cent to around €46 per megawatt-hour in early afternoon trade, while UK prices on the NBP benchmark also climbed amid heightened volatility.

QatarEnergy said it had suspended LNG production linked to the North Field following an attack on its facilities, but did not provide details on the scale of the disruption. The announcement came after US and Israeli strikes on Iran intensified regional tensions.

Markets are also closely watching developments in the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime chokepoint for global oil and LNG flows, including exports from Qatar. Iran has moved to block traffic through the strait following the strikes, raising concerns over potential supply disruptions.

Earlier in the day, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it has targeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office in Tel Aviv, along with security and military sites in Haifa and east Jerusalem, following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.

In a brief phone interview with the New York Post, the president said he wasn’t ruling out US ground forces in Iran if “they were necessary.”

“I don’t have the yips with respect to boots on the ground. Like, every president says, ‘There will be no boots on the ground.’ I don’t say it,” Trump told the newspaper.

“I say, ‘Probably don’t need them,’ (or) ‘if they were necessary.’”

Trump has said since the start of US-Israeli strikes on Iran that American military casualties were likely, as they are in any war, but he hasn’t committed to having US forces on the ground long term. Before the strikes began, Vice President JD Vance told The Washington Post that there was “no chance” the US would be pulled into a drawn out war in the Middle East.

IndiGo will operate 10 special relief flights from Jeddah to four Indian cities on March 3 to bring back passengers stranded due to the Middle East crisis.

A source said flights from Jeddah will be operated to Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad.

The civil aviation ministry on Monday said it was closely monitoring the evolving airspace situation in parts of the Middle East and its impact on international flight operations.

"IndiGo has planned 10 special relief operations from Jeddah to India on 3 March, 2026 to facilitate the return of stranded passengers, subject to required approvals and prevailing airspace conditions. IndiGo is coordinating with the Consulate General of India at Jeddah for passenger facilitation," the ministry said in a statement.

“Among the targets of this tenth wave were a targeted strike on the Zionist regime’s government complex in Tel Aviv, attacks on military and security centers in Haifa, and a strike on East Jerusalem,” a Guards statement carried by state television said.

The Guards added that Kheibar ballistic missiles were used in the attack. East Jerusalem is a predominantly Arab area claimed by the Palestinians as the capital of a future state.

Real footage from a balcony in/near Haifa showing a large smoke plume and explosions during Iran's missile retaliation. The port, however, stays operational as claimed by the Adani Group.

Dubai International Airport and Emirates said that a limited resumption of flights will begin today, while Abu Dhabi’s Etihad will also operate a restricted number of repatriation and cargo services – an early sign of easing of flight restrictions after two days of near standstill.

US President Donald Trump is set to address the war against Iran at 9:30 PM IST on Monday, the White House has said.

Mansoureh Khojasteh, wife of deceased Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, has died of her injuries sustained during the attack, Reuters reported quoting Tehran’s state media.

US Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth declined to give a timeline on the US-Israeli war on Iran and said that it is up to President Donald Trump to ⁠decide ‌the ​length ‌of the military ‌campaign ​against Tehran.

Speaking at a news conference at the Pentagon, US Air Force General Dan Caine, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, says the joint US-Israeli operation on Iran is “not a single overnight mission”.

“We expect to take additional losses, as always we will work to minimise US losses but as the secretary general said this is major combat operations.”

European gas prices increased by up to 30-45 per cent after Qatar's LNG production stopped

An Indian national was killed on Monday after an explosives-laden unmanned boat struck an oil tanker off the coast of Oman’s Muscat Governorate, underscoring the growing risks to commercial shipping in the region in light of the Iran-Israel-US military clashes.

According to Oman’s ministry of defence, the oil tanker MV MKD Vyom, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, was attacked approximately 52 nautical miles off the Omani capital Muscat’s coast.

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“Modi stood in the Knesset, giggling, accepting a non-existent fake award, and expressing his unconditional loyalty to his ‘friend’ and war criminal, Benjamin Netanyahu…”

With these words, Congress media & publicity department chief Pawan Khera launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s West Asia policy — one that now unfolds against the backdrop of a seismic geopolitical event: the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

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QatarEnergy said on Monday it would stop its production of liquified natural gas as the Mideast war rages, taking one of the world's top suppliers off the market. The state-owned firm blamed the war for the decision. It offered no timeline for restoring its production. Oil prices have already risen over the war.

Iran's Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency on Monday, 2 March, alleged that airstrikes by the United States and Israel targeted the Natanz enrichment facility in his country.

That contradicts an assessment by the UN nuclear watchdog chief, Rafael Grossi, who said that “up to now” the agency has "no indication" that nuclear facilities have been hit in Iran.

“Again, they attacked Iran's peaceful safeguarded nuclear facilities yesterday. Their justification that Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons is simply a big lie,” Reza Najafi told reporters at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, where a special session of the Board of Governors is being held at the request of Russia.

When asked by a reporter which nuclear facility he was referring to, Najafi replied, “Natanz.”

The Natanz site, some 220 km (135 miles) south of Tehran, is a mix of above- and below-ground laboratories that did the majority of Iran's uranium enrichment.

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Two Iranian drones targeted a power plant in Qatar and a separate energy facility on Monday, the Qatari Defence Ministry said, on the third day of Iranian retaliatory strikes against countries in the region.

“One drone targeted a water tank belonging to a power plant in Mesaieed, south of Doha, and another targeted an energy facility in Ras Laffan on the north coast, Qatar’s main site for production of liquefied natural gas,” the Ministry said.

There were no reports of casualties, it added.

- AFP

Greece on Monday said that it will send two frigates and two fighter jets to protect Cyprus amid Iranian strikes, Reuters reports.

This comes after Cyprus reported that two unmanned drones hit UK’s Royal Air Force base of Akrotiri overnight.

The 'unthinkable' has become the reality of the morning. Following the catastrophic escalation of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran — which has claimed the life of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — Tehran has played its ultimate strategic card.

As of today, 2 March, the Strait of Hormuz is under a de facto blockade, a move that has effectively paralysed the world’s most vital energy artery and sent global markets into a tailspin.

What began as a regional conflict has now morphed into a global economic siege. With the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) patrolling the narrow channel and major shipping giants abandoning the route, the world is witnessing the first total disruption of the Persian Gulf’s energy flow in modern history.

Since the early hours of 28 February, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and the European Union’s naval mission, Aspides, have reported a chilling shift in the maritime environment. Vessels entering the Gulf of Oman have been met with persistent VHF radio transmissions from the IRGC, explicitly stating: "No ship is allowed to pass."

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Three US Air Force jets mistakenly shot down by Kuwait in friendly fire incident, says American Central Command US Air Force jets mistakenly shot down by Kuwait in friendly fire incident, says American Central Command

Two Amazon cloud unit’s data centers in Bahrain and the UAE faced power and connectivity issues amid Iranian air strikes. AWS said on Sunday said that one zone in the UAE was affected after “objects” struck the data center and created sparks and fire, following which power was shut off.

“We can confirm that a localized power issue has affected another availability zone” in the UAE region, AWS said.

The cloud firm had reported some recovery in the region earlier on Monday, but is now asking customers to rely on its services in other regions, adding that recovery was expected to be “multiple hours away.”

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which reported to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei before his killing in the US-Israeli strikes on Saturday, said it had targeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office in Tel Aviv, as well as security and military sites in Haifa and carried out an attack on east Jerusalem.

“The office of the criminal prime minister of the Zionist regime and the headquarters of the regime's air force commander were targeted,” the Guards said in a statement carried by the Fars news agency. It added that Kheibar ballistic missiles were used in the attack.

The RAF (Royal Air Force) Akrotiri base in Cyprus is hit by a suspected drone strike just hours after Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the United Kingdom had permitted the United States to use British military bases to target Iranian missile sites.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed the strike on the base during morning media appearances but did not provide further details. Cypriot authorities and the Ministry of Defence said there were no casualties and only limited damage.

Cooper defended the decision to allow US access to UK bases, describing it as “about defensive action around the Gulf.”

Amid Israel strikes, the death toll in an elementary school in southern Iran climbed to at least 175, Iranian state media report said.

The death toll at Shajarah Tayyebeh school in the town of Minab seems to be one of the worst mass casualty events in the US-Israel attack.

The Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society has advised Telugu expats residing in the Gulf region to travel to Muscat in Oman for repatriation flights to Kochi and return to India.

A joint attack by the US and Israel on Iran on 28 February triggered an indefinite war, entangling several neighbouring Arab nations in the vicinity, where millions of Indians eke out a living.

Ravi Kumar P Vemuru, president of APNRTS, said the society has advised Telugu expatriates living in the Gulf countries to stay safe in their current locations, adding that the stranded visitors are nervous, especially in Dubai and Oman.

“The flights from Muscat have started already. We are directing them to take the Muscat-Kochi flight and then come back to India,” Vemuru told PTI, adding that Telugu-speaking people living in the West Asia are fine, but temporary visitors are nervous.

As airports in Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are closed now, he said the Muscat airport is the only route available.

Two days into the campaign launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, US military forces have suffered material setbacks and casualties, including multiple warplane crashes in Kuwait and at least three American service members killed and several seriously wounded, Pentagon‑acknowledged losses not seen before in this operation.

Iranian‑launched missiles and drones have struck or threatened a network of US bases across West Asia, from Kuwait to Bahrain, raising questions about the ability of the region’s air‑defence systems to fully shield key military assets even as they intercept large numbers of incoming threats.

While US forces retain technological superiority, the pace and spread of retaliatory strikes have challenged perceptions of an uninterrupted American security umbrella over Gulf states, highlighting the broadening nature of the conflict.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has reported no indication that Israeli or US strikes have hit Iran’s nuclear sites, but officials have not been able to contact Iranian nuclear authorities.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told the agency’s 35-nation Board of Governors that efforts to reach Iran’s nuclear regulatory bodies continue, with no response so far, Reuters reported.

Israel Defense Forces has announced it is intensifying its campaign against Iran and will increase strikes on what it calls “key elements of the regime”. AFP reported that in a televised address, the military said its forces have been targeting strategic and command‑and‑control centres in Tehran and beyond, aiming to degrade Iran’s offensive capabilities as part of the ongoing offensive.

India’s stock benchmarks continued to slide on Monday, tracking a sharp rise in crude oil prices amid escalating conflict in West Asia.

The BSE Sensex fell 2,743 points (3.37 per cent) in early trade to 78,543, later recovering slightly to 79,654 (down 2.01 per cent). The NSE Nifty dropped 533 points (2.11 per cent) to 24,645, later trading 505 points lower at 24,675 (down 2.01 per cent).

In the shadow of an increasingly volatile Middle East, Donald Trump has unveiled a stark vision of a conflict that shows no signs of swift resolution. Speaking in a brief telephone interview with The New York Times, Trump painted a picture of sustained military engagement with Iran — one that could stretch on for “four to five weeks” if circumstances demand, underscoring Washington’s readiness to press its assault with unflagging intensity.

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Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it launched missile strikes on an Israeli government complex in Tel Aviv, as well as security and military centres in Haifa and a strike on east Jerusalem.

The statement, carried by state TV, said Kheibar ballistic missiles were used in the attack, marking the tenth wave of Iranian strikes amid the escalating conflict.

Iran’s Red Crescent says at least 555 people have been killed across the country in US and Israeli strikes that began two days ago, with 131 cities affected, the humanitarian organisation posted on Telegram.

The casualty figure far exceeds earlier independent tallies of more than 200 deaths reported by Iranian state media and the Red Crescent, reflecting rapidly changing and unverified numbers in the ongoing conflict.

Delegates at the International Atomic Energy Agency began an extraordinary session on Monday in response to US‑Israeli strikes on Iran.

The meeting was requested by Russia and Iran, and takes place ahead of the IAEA’s regular board of governors session, which represents 35 countries.

Iran’s nationwide internet disruption has stretched beyond 48 hours, leaving millions with heavily restricted access, according to cybersecurity monitoring group NetBlocks.

While the blackout is not total — some limited connectivity remains in parts of the country — the partial shutdown mirrors previous disruptions during periods of unrest, including a weeks-long outage in January amid anti-government protests.

Amid the gathering storm in the Middle East following the Israel–US airstrikes on Iran, the skies over the Gulf have fallen unsettlingly silent. Flight operations across key destinations have been abruptly disrupted, leaving scores of anxious travellers from Rajasthan stranded in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, suspended between uncertainty and hope.

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China has urged an immediate halt to military operations in the Middle East and called for diplomatic talks to end the rising conflict following US–Israeli strikes on Iran. Authorities said at least one Chinese citizen has been killed in Tehran amid the hostilities.

China’s foreign ministry described the ongoing violence as unacceptable and stressed the need to prevent further escalation, urging all parties to return to dialogue and negotiation to protect civilians and restore stability.

The United States Embassy in Bahrain has warned that “terrorist groups and those inspired by such organisations are intent on attacking US citizens abroad”.

In a statement, the embassy urged Americans to avoid hotels in Manama, saying they could be potential targets. “Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Bahrain. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning,” it added.

At least 27 people have been killed in US and Israeli strikes in northwest Iran over the past two days, according to a provincial official.

Majid Farshi, head of the crisis management department in East Azerbaijan province, told the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency that the deaths were the result of Israeli and American attacks in the region.

A drone strike has hit a facility operated by Saudi Aramco, with video footage showing thick smoke billowing from the site.

According to Bloomberg, operations at the Ras Tanura refinery in Saudi Arabia have been halted following the strike in the area.

IndiGo has extended the temporary suspension of select international flights operating through parts of Middle Eastern airspace, citing evolving regional security concerns.

The airline said some additional international services may also be affected as operations are aligned with the changing situation. IndiGo has offered full flexibility and fee waivers for travel to and from the Middle East, and other impacted sectors, until 7 March 2026 for bookings made on or before 28 February 2026.

Passengers can reschedule at no extra cost or opt for a full refund, the airline said in a statement.

The United States Department of State has issued updated security guidance for several West Asian countries amid escalating regional tensions.

The advisory warns of heightened risks from missile and drone attacks and urges US citizens to remain vigilant, monitor local media and follow instructions from local authorities.

Loud explosions were heard near the airport in Erbil on Monday, an AFP journalist reported. The airport hosts US-led coalition troops and is located close to a major US consulate complex.

Earlier in the day, air defence systems were seen intercepting drones near the facility. Since the start of the US–Israel campaign against Iran, drones have repeatedly been downed over Erbil.

At least 27 people have been killed in US and Israeli strikes in northwest Iran over the past two days, according to a provincial official.

Majid Farshi, head of the crisis management department in East Azerbaijan province, told the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency that the deaths were the result of Israeli and American attacks in the region.

The United States Embassy in Kuwait has warned of a “continuing threat of missile and UAV attacks” and advised people not to come to the facility, after smoke was seen rising from the compound.

In a statement, the embassy urged individuals to take cover in their residences on the lowest available floor and away from windows, and not to go outside. “US Embassy personnel are sheltering in place,” it added, as Iran’s retaliatory attacks in the Gulf entered a third day.

At least 20 international flights were cancelled from Kolkata on Monday due to the escalating conflict in West Asia, airport sources here said.

PTI quoting officials at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, said, multiple flights operated by international carriers were cancelled for the day due to the prevailing war-like situation in West Asia and related operational constraints.

The cancelled services included four arrivals and four departures by Emirates, two arrivals and two departures each by Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, one arrival and one departure of Air Arabia, and one arrival and one departure of Flydubai.

Officials said several passengers scheduled to travel to Gulf destinations such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi were affected by the cancellations, prompting airlines to assist them with rescheduling or alternative arrangements.

"Flight schedules are being closely monitored, and passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines before heading to the airport," an airport official said.

Kolkata airport operates regular direct flight connections to major Gulf hubs, which serve as key transit points for travellers from eastern and northeastern India heading to Europe, North America and other international destinations.

A US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet has reportedly crashed in Kuwait on Monday, with early video showing the aircraft spiralling down before impact and the pilot ejecting safely, according to multiple media reports.

There has been no official confirmation yet from US or Kuwaiti authorities on the cause of the crash or whether it was shot down; investigations and details are still emerging.

At least 31 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, the country’s health ministry said, after rocket fire claimed by the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

A senior Israeli commander, Rafi Milo, head of the army’s Northern Command, said the military would intensify its campaign following the cross-border attack. “Hezbollah chose the Iranian regime over the State of Lebanon and initiated an attack on our civilians… they will pay a heavy price,” he said, adding that the strikes would increase in intensity.

Smoke was seen rising from the US Embassy in Kuwait City, according to AFP.

There was no immediate word on the cause of the smoke or whether there were any injuries. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a nationwide advisory to state governments warning of possible communal unrest following the recent military strikes by the US and Israel against Iran, according to The Times of India.

The letter, dated 28 February, urged states to be on high alert and to identify “pro-Iran radical preachers giving inflammatory sermons” that could incite tensions, as authorities step up efforts to maintain law and order.

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The government of Cyprus has confirmed that an unmanned drone struck the UK’s Akrotiri airbase, causing what it described as “limited damage”.

Al Jazeera reported that the government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said authorities are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the UK. The base at RAF Akrotiri is a key British military facility in the eastern Mediterranean.

Lebanese president Joseph Aoun has criticised both Hezbollah and Israel, warning that renewed hostilities risk dragging Lebanon deeper into regional conflict.

Aoun said cross-border attacks launched from Lebanese territory undermine government efforts to keep the country out of “dangerous military confrontations” unfolding in the region.

The president also condemned what he described as Israeli aggression, cautioning that using Lebanon as a platform for wider wars would once again expose the country to serious risks.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council and a former speaker of parliament, has dismissed US media reports suggesting he sought to revive nuclear talks with Washington following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader.

“We will not negotiate with the United States,” Larijani wrote in a post on X.

Al Zajeera reported that the denial came after The Wall Street Journal reported that he had approached the US through Omani mediators in the wake of Ali Khamenei’s death.

Gold and silver prices climbed more than 3 per cent on Monday as investors rushed to safe-haven assets amid intensifying conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange, April gold futures rose 3.12 per cent to Rs 1,67,155 per 10 grams, while March silver futures gained 3.04 per cent to Rs 2,91,249 per kg on an intra-day basis.

Analysts said heightened geopolitical tensions, including Israeli strikes on Tehran and retaliatory attacks on Israeli territory and US bases in the Gulf, have fuelled risk aversion. IANS reported that a sharp rise in crude oil prices and uncertainty over global trade policy have further supported bullion, although a firmer US dollar limited additional gains.

The Karnataka government has swiftly activated its emergency response machinery after sweeping airspace closures across several Middle Eastern nations disrupted international flight operations, leaving scores of passengers — including many Kannadigas — stranded far from home.

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Former Indian foreign secretary Nirupama Rao has described the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, as more than a single event, calling it a signal that could reshape international norms.

In a strongly worded reflection, Rao argued that when targeted killings are framed as “defining moments”, the vocabulary of global conduct begins to shift. Actions once seen as extraordinary risk becoming normalised, she suggested, warning that the erosion of long-standing norms could have far-reaching consequences.

She said the implications for India are immediate. A significant share of India’s energy supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz, millions of Indians live and work in the Gulf, and strategic projects such as Chabahar port operate in an increasingly uncertain environment. Oil price volatility, she noted, quickly feeds into domestic economic pressures.

Rao called for steadiness and restraint, arguing that India’s strategic autonomy should mean safeguarding national interests while avoiding rhetoric or actions that deepen instability. “The language we use matters,” she said, urging a focus on sovereignty, maritime stability and the protection of civilians as the global order faces mounting strain.

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim has called for an immediate ceasefire, urging all sides to protect civilians and return to meaningful negotiations.

The Malaysian prime minister said the crisis “cannot be resolved by force” and instead requires diplomacy, restraint and political will to prevent further escalation.

Security analysts have warned that a sustained wave of drone attacks could pose serious risks to Gulf states such as Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, all of which lie within roughly 500km of Iran’s coastline.

Experts say that if Iran were to deploy long-range drones capable of switching navigation systems mid-flight, key infrastructure — including airports, ports and energy facilities — in cities such as Doha and Manama could become increasingly vulnerable.

The prospect of sustained daily drone launches has raised concerns about regional stability, economic disruption and the security of expatriate communities across the Gulf.

India’s benchmark indices, the BSE Sensex and the Nifty 50, fell nearly 1 per cent as the escalating West Asia conflict pushed crude oil prices higher and sparked a flight to safe-haven assets.

Rising energy costs and heightened geopolitical tensions weighed on investor sentiment, dragging equities lower in early trade.

Amazon Web Services said power to one of its data centres in the United Arab Emirates was temporarily shut down after objects struck the facility, causing sparks and a fire, according to a Reuters report.

The UAE has been rocked by Iranian retaliatory missile and drone strikes following US and Israeli attacks on Iran. The strikes have hit airports, ports and residential areas across the country and the wider Gulf region.

China has strongly condemned the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, describing it as a “grave violation” of the country’s sovereignty and security.

A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said the attack “tramples on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic norms governing international relations”, adding that Beijing “firmly opposes and strongly condemns” the move.

China also called for an immediate halt to military operations and warned against further escalation, urging coordinated international efforts to safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond.

The US military has announced the first American casualties since President Donald Trump intensified strikes on Iran.

As the conflict entered its second day, Mr Trump said 48 Iranian leaders had been killed and claimed US forces had begun sinking Iran’s navy, with nine warships destroyed so far and operations continuing against the remaining vessels.

Meanwhile, a new opinion poll indicated that only one in four Americans supports military strikes against Iran.

An Iraqi Shiite militia has claimed responsibility for a drone attack targeting US troops at the airport in Baghdad, in the latest escalation following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

The group, Saraya Awliya al-Dam, is among several militias that emerged in Iraq after the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. There was no immediate comment from the US or Iraqi authorities.

The development comes as Iranian-backed groups, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, have joined the conflict sparked by the US–Israeli air campaign against Iran’s leadership.

Pope Leo XIV has called for an end to what he described as a “spiral of violence” in the Middle East, following the launch of US and Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory attacks.

Addressing crowds gathered in St Peter's Square during his weekly Angelus prayer on Sunday, the pontiff warned of the risk of a catastrophe “of enormous proportions” if hostilities continue to intensify.

“I appeal to the parties involved to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable chasm,” he said.

The Pope stressed that lasting stability cannot be achieved through force or threats, arguing instead that peace must be built on “reasonable, genuine and responsible dialogue”. Weapons, he said, bring only destruction, suffering and death.

Leo XIV, the first American-born leader of the Catholic Church, also urged diplomatic efforts to regain prominence in resolving the crisis. “May diplomacy recover its role and may the good of peoples be promoted,” he added.

In a message resonating with historical and philosophical weight, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed the party’s deepest condolences to the bereaved family, the people of Iran, and Shia communities worldwide. “In this moment of profound grief, we extend our solidarity to all those navigating this grave crisis,” Kharge said, framing the tragedy as a loss felt far beyond Iran’s borders.

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The Israel Defense Forces on Monday urged residents in nearly 50 villages in Lebanon to evacuate ahead of possible retaliatory strikes after Hezbollah fired into Israel.

The Hezbollah attack was described as a response to the joint US–Israeli air campaign that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. The Israeli military called on civilians in eastern and southern Lebanon to leave their homes and move at least 1,000 metres away from villages into open areas.

The island kingdom of Bahrain said one person was killed by shrapnel from an intercepted missile, marking its first reported fatality since the war began. The victim, a foreign worker, was at Salman Industrial City working on a boat.

Bahrain – home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet – said it intercepted 61 missiles and 34 attack drones launched against it. However, some projectiles struck buildings and the naval base, causing damage.

Residents of south Lebanon fled by car after Israel launched strikes in response to Hezbollah rocket fire on Monday, an AFP journalist reported.

Heavy traffic streamed out of the region towards the city of Sidon, with vehicles packed with families and some carrying mattresses strapped to their roofs.

Pete Hegseth set to hold his first press conference since the US–Israeli strikes on Iran began, the Pentagon announced. The briefing is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. local time (6:30 p.m. IST) and is expected to address the ongoing joint military campaign.

Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will also take part in the briefing, the Pentagon said.

Hegseth is set to visit Congress on Tuesday alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio to brief lawmakers on the progress of the military operation, the White House announced on Sunday.

Opposition Democrats have criticised the administration, saying they were not consulted before the operation began.