Middle East conflict escalates: Iran targets US assets; Israel opens multiple fronts

2026-03-02 - 07:06

Amid speculation over possible diplomatic efforts, Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, denied reports circulated by US media claiming Tehran was seeking to resume nuclear negotiations with Washington, signaling that political dialogue remains unlikely in the near term. The United States also has signaled no immediate de-escalation. President Donald Trump warned that military operations against Iran would continue until Washington achieves all of its strategic objectives, vowing retaliation for the deaths of three American soldiers. The exchange of strikes has deepened concerns that the confrontation is rapidly evolving into a broader regional war involving multiple state and non-state actors, reports Al-Jazeera. This happens as the Middle East conflict entered a dangerous new phase as Iran intensified attacks on American assets and regional targets across the Gulf following the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of senior Iranian officials in recent strikes. Iranian raids were reported in several countries, with Bahrain confirming one fatality, while Iraq and Kuwait also recorded incoming attacks amid heightened regional alert levels. The escalation has raised fears of a widening conflict that could directly affect Gulf security and critical infrastructure. Israel, meanwhile, announced it was striking what it described as the “heart of Tehran,” expanding its military campaign after Hezbollah launched a heavy barrage of rockets toward northern Israel from Lebanon. Lebanese authorities reported more than 30 people killed in Israeli strikes, underscoring the growing humanitarian toll as multiple fronts ignite simultaneously. Iranian state media said Israeli attacks in Tehran killed at least 20 people in Niloofar Square and caused significant damage to Gandhi Hospital and a nearby police facility. In retaliation, Iranian missile strikes hit Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with at least nine people killed in the central city of Beit Shemesh.