U.S. and Israel strike Iran as fighting spreads across the Middle East
Mar 2nd 2026
U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran killed top leaders and provoked widespread Iranian and allied retaliatory missile and drone attacks that have struck Gulf states, Lebanon and Israel, disrupted travel and energy supplies, and prompted emergency evacuations and international alarm.
- U.S. and Israeli strikes killed Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei and other senior figures, according to officials.
- Iran and Iran-backed groups launched missiles and drones that struck targets in the Gulf, Lebanon and Israel.
- The U.S. military reported six American service members killed during the operations.
- President Donald Trump said the campaign is likely to last four to five weeks but could continue longer.
- The State Department urged U.S. citizens to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries and some U.S. embassies have moved or evacuated staff.
- U.N. and aid agencies warned schools and humanitarian deliveries are disrupted and Gaza is facing fuel and water shortages after border closures.
- Markets and travel were hit as oil prices rose, airlines canceled routes, and some Gulf airports ran limited evacuation flights.