THE LATEST: Sirens blare across Israel; IDF targets Hezbollah chief of staff

2026-03-02 - 10:57

Monday, March 2, 2026 Key Developments: Sirens wailed across Israel Monday morning and noon as Iran continues to launch ballistic missiles. Hezbollah launched rockets and projectiles from Lebanon into Israel's northern communities early Monday morning, triggering a retaliatory response from the IDF, hitting targets across Beirut's Dahiyeh district and across Lebanon. Iran continued to attack neighboring Gulf states with drones and missiles, targeting Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura refinery. 12:20 | Search underway for body of senior Hezbollah official Mohammed Raad Sources told the Saudi Al-Hadath channel that search operations were ongoing for the body of senior Hezbollah official Mohammed Raad beneath the rubble. In parallel, DNA testing was underway to identify one of those killed in strikes on Dahiyeh. 12:13 | Sirens activated in central Israel and the Jerusalem area 11:53 | Arkia expands rescue flight operations from Europe Arkia airline expanded its rescue flights for Israelis stranded abroad, operating routes from Antalya to Athens, Larnaca, and Rome, and from Antalya to Sofia, Athens, and Rome. 11:44 | Cleared for publication: names of 6 of those murdered in Beit Shemesh Oren Katz, Bluria Cohen, Yosef Cohen, Ronit Elimelech, Sarah Elimelech, and Gabriel Baruch were murdered on Sunday in the direct missile strike on Beit Shemesh. 11:38 | Qatar: Iran will pay for the attack Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman told CNN that Iranian strikes that were intercepted had targeted civilian infrastructure, including Qatar's international airport. Qatar's fighter jets shot down drones and missiles. "Iran must pay a price for this brazen attack on our people," he said. "An attack like this cannot go unanswered." The spokesman added that Qatar's energy facilities were secure and workers were safe, and that Qatar was not currently in contact with the Iranian government. He added, "Ultimately, this crisis will be resolved at the negotiating table." 11:20 | IDF spokesman: We struck a senior terrorist operative in Beirut The IDF struck a senior Hezbollah terrorist operative in Beirut in a targeted strike a short time ago. Further details to follow. 11:17 | Iran: Israel and the US struck nuclear facilities Iran's representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency said, "The US and Israel struck Iranian nuclear facilities Sunday." 10:48 | 555 killed in Iran since the start of the war The Iranian Red Crescent updated on Monday that 555 people had been killed in Iran since the start of the war. 10:15 | Saudi Arabia: We destroyed drones that attempted to attack the refinery Saudi Arabia announced that two drones that had attempted to attack the Ras Tanura refinery on Monday morning were destroyed. The Saudi military spokesman said there were no casualties and that a limited fire had broken out at the facility. 10:17 | Defense Minister Katz: "Naim Qassem – a target for elimination" Defense Minister Israel Katz posted on X, "The Hezbollah terrorist organization will pay a heavy price for its firing at Israel, and Naim Qassem, who ordered the fire under pressure from Iran, is now a marked target for elimination. Those who walk in Khamenei's path will find themselves with him in the depths of hell, along with all the neutralized operatives of the axis of evil. "We will not return to the rules of engagement that existed before October 7 and will defend the residents of the north and all Israeli citizens with full force. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and I have instructed the IDF to act with full force against Hezbollah, while continuing to pursue the primary objective: crushing and defeating the Iranian terror regime and neutralizing its capabilities, in Operation Roaring Lion – in order to remove the threats against the State of Israel and enable Iran's citizens to rise up against it and bring it down." 10:10 | IDF spokesman's statement: "Hezbollah will pay a heavy price" IDF spokesman: "Hezbollah chose to open a campaign and will pay a heavy price for it. Immediately after the fire from Lebanon, we opened heavy fire on a number of targets, including in Beirut. We struck some of the most senior commanders still alive and are now assessing the results of the strike. During the fire, we issued evacuation warnings for more than 50 targets in Lebanon. With the launch of Operation Roaring Lion, we significantly intensified the offensive. "Forces are deployed along the border and are prepared to continue the campaign as required. We warned Lebanon what would happen if it sided with the Iranian regime – the IDF will respond with force. Hezbollah will pay a very heavy price for this. I address the residents of the north – we are committed to your security. The chief of staff conducted situation assessments and approved the strike. Anyone who tries to harm Israeli citizens will pay a price." 09:45 | Kuwait: "Several US fighter jets crashed – crew survived, condition stable" A Defense Ministry spokesman stated that several US combat aircraft crashed Monday morning, emphasizing that all crew members survived. The relevant authorities immediately launched search and rescue operations; crew members were evacuated and transferred to a hospital for medical assessment and treatment, and their condition was stable. The spokesman added that direct coordination had been carried out with US forces regarding the circumstances of the incident and that joint technical measures were being taken. The spokesman emphasized that the relevant authorities were continuing to investigate the causes of the incident and called on the public to obtain information only from official sources. 09:38 | Israeli source: the Lebanon operation will be "broad and sweeping" An Israeli security source told Al-Hadath Monday that the Lebanon operation would be "broad and sweeping and may include a ground incursion." The source said Israel was coordinating its operations with the US, and that "no political or military figure in Hezbollah is immune, nor are those who support it." The source added that "Hezbollah chose to destroy Lebanon, not Israel," and that Israel "has done and will do what is required to neutralize every threat against it." 09:21 | Report: oil facility in Saudi Arabia attacked An Iranian drone struck the Aramco refinery at Ras Tanura on Monday morning, sources at the company told Reuters, causing operations to be suspended. It was the third consecutive day, since the start of the American-Israeli operation against Iran, that Tehran had struck neighboring countries that had convened Sunday for an emergency discussion on response measures. 09:11 | IDF: Israeli Air Force striking across Iran The Israeli Air Force continued to strike across Iran and neutralize launchers. Footage was released of planes landing after strikes on Tehran. 09:02 | El Al: We will operate rescue flights from Europe, the US, and the East Israeli airline El Al was preparing to operate rescue flights from major destinations: US – New York, Miami, Los Angeles East – Bangkok, Phuket European destinations – Larnaca, Athens, Rome, Milan, Paris, Budapest, Tbilisi, Sofia, Warsaw, Bucharest, Madrid, London, Barcelona, Geneva, Amsterdam, Munich, and Zurich 08:33 | Report: US plane that crashed in Kuwait was accidentally intercepted According to reports, the US aircraft that crashed in Kuwait was accidentally intercepted by American anti-aircraft fire during an Iranian attack on Gulf states. 08:18 | Cyprus confirmed: British base struck by Iranian drone An Iranian Shahed-series drone struck the British Akrotiri Air Base overnight Sunday, causing minor damage, Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulidis confirmed. According to Reuters, two drones were launched at the base, and one was intercepted. "I want to make clear: our country is not participating in any way and does not intend to take part in any military action whatsoever," Christodoulidis said in a statement. 08:15 | An American source told Al-Hadath that Hezbollah had brought the Lebanon ceasefire agreement to an end. 07:46 | Iranian attacks also on Gulf states A fresh wave of Iranian missiles and drones was launched toward Doha, Kuwait, Dubai, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi. 07:31 | Additional launches from Iran identified 07:21 | IDF launched fresh wave of strikes in Lebanon The IDF began striking additional targets of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon. Targets included weapons depots and additional infrastructure belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization across several areas in Lebanon. 02:48 | Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the fire The Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon claimed responsibility for launching projectiles from Lebanese territory toward Israel, according to a statement issued on its behalf. Sunday March 1, 2026 Key Developments: Deadly Beit Shemesh strike. The death toll from a devastating Iranian missile impact in Beit Shemesh climbed to nine, with multiple residential buildings collapsing and emergency rescue forces actively searching the rubble for trapped victims. The scene of the attack in Beit Shemesh / Magen David Adom emergency services Magen David Adom emergency services Nationwide remote learning. Education Minister Yoav Kish announced that Israel's entire education system will immediately transition to remote learning starting Monday following the massive missile barrages. Emergency Arab summit. Foreign ministers from the Gulf Arab states are convening for an urgent emergency meeting to address the rapidly escalating regional warfare and the unprecedented Iranian retaliation. IDF strikes Iranian jets. The Israeli Air Force successfully bombed two Iranian fighter jets – an F-5 and an F-4 – directly on the tarmac just as they prepared for takeoff, crippling the regime's aerial capabilities.  Video: Israeli airstrikes in Tehran / Credit: Social media Airlines halt Gulf flights. Lufthansa suspended all flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi until March 4, declaring UAE airspace strictly off-limits amid the historic exchange of fire. "The Islamic Republic has reached its end." Reza Pahlavi issues a powerful call to the Iranian people to take to the streets after Khamenei's death. Khamenei eliminated. The IDF and Iranian state media formally confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed during a targeted strike on his Tehran office. Historic joint assault. US and Israeli forces executed an unprecedented bombing campaign across Iran, systematically decimating the country's air defense systems and ballistic missile arrays. Military leadership decapitated. The allied strikes successfully wiped out Iran's top security echelon, including the Armed Forces Chief of Staff and the commander of the Revolutionary Guards. Massive regional retaliation. In a desperate response, Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain, though regional air defenses intercepted the vast majority of the threats. Regime on the brink. Spontaneous protests and celebrations erupted across major Iranian cities following the strikes, as exiled leader Reza Pahlavi publicly declared the end of the Islamic Republic. US Secretary of War Hegseth confirms Operation EPIC FURY "The most lethal, most complex, and most precise air operation in history." China condemns the massive US-Israeli strike on Iran and demands an immediate ceasefire, while its embassy in Israel urges citizens to evacuate via Taba. The streets of Tehran, Karaj, and Mashhad are filled with celebrating Iranians following the elimination of Supreme Leader Khamenei. Direct US naval clash. American forces successfully sank a Jamaran-class Iranian corvette in the Gulf of Oman, prompting the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps to launch a barrage of ballistic missiles directly at the USS Abraham Lincoln (a US Navy aircraft carrier). Internal security headquarters obliterated. Israeli fighter jets completely destroyed the central command facility of Iran's internal security forces in Tehran, with the military revealing that 40 senior Iranian commanders were eliminated in just one minute during the opening strikes. Ahmadinejad reportedly eliminated. Iranian state media indicated that former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was killed alongside his bodyguards during a precision Israeli strike on his private neighborhood in eastern Tehran, further crippling the regime's political landscape.  Video: The site of fomer IRanian President Ahmedinejad's home following the strike / Social media 05:05 p.m. | American officials explicitly denied the attack on the aircraft carrier Lincoln. US defense officials flatly rejected the Iranian claim regarding a successful ballistic missile strike on the USS Abraham Lincoln (a US Navy aircraft carrier).  Video: IDF obliterates the headquarters of the Iranian internal security forces / Credit: IDF 05:00 p.m. | The IDF initiated an additional wave of strikes directly in the heart of Tehran. Initial military reports indicate the Israeli Air Force has launched a fresh wave of bombing runs targeting the heart of Tehran (the capital of Iran). 04:57 p.m. | The global shipping giant Maersk officially suspended all maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz. Maersk (the Danish shipping company) announced it immediately halted all sailing through the Strait of Hormuz (a key maritime chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman) amid the rapidly escalating regional conflict. 04:48 p.m. | The US military announced three American soldiers were killed and five were critically wounded in action. Three American service members were killed in combat operations and five suffered critical injuries during Operation EPIC FURY. Several other soldiers sustained mild injuries from shrapnel and concussions, though military medical personnel expect them to return to active duty shortly. "Significant combat operations continue, and our response effort is still ongoing," military officials stated. "The situation is dynamic, and therefore out of respect for the families, we will refrain from publishing additional information, including the names of the fallen, until 24 hours pass from the time of updating the immediate family members." 04:41 p.m. | An Iranian UAV struck a United Arab Emirates drilling rig in the Persian Gulf. Media channels affiliated with the Shiite axis reported that a hostile Iranian drone successfully targeted an Emirati maritime rig, escalating the regional conflict. 04:40 p.m. | The IDF obliterated the general headquarters of the Iranian internal security forces. Dozens of Israeli Air Force fighter jets successfully completed an additional wave of precision strikes in the skies above Tehran. Directed by the Military Intelligence Directorate and the Operations Directorate, the jets bombed dozens of central regime command centers. During the assault, the military completely destroyed the general headquarters of the internal security forces. This facility served as a vital command and control center linking the regime's top brass to terror forces in the field, and it historically orchestrated the brutal suppression of the Iranian people. 04:30 p.m. | The US military announced the sinking of an Iranian warship. American forces struck a Jamaran-class Iranian corvette during the opening salvos of Operation EPIC FURY. Military officials confirmed the warship is currently sinking to the bottom of the Gulf of Oman, just off the pier in Chabahar (an Iranian port city). 04:25 p.m. | Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently en route to the devastated scene in Beit Shemesh to survey the missile damage firsthand. 04:22 p.m. | "A new supreme leader can be chosen within a day or two," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared. Speaking to the Al Jazeera network, Araghchi directly addressed President Trump's calls for regime change in Tehran. "Regime change is an impossible task," the foreign minister insisted. "The absence or death of a leader does not mean the system collapses." 04:12 p.m. | A 102-year-old man sustained severe injuries while rushing to a protected space in Ramat Gan (a city in central Israel). MDA (Israel's national emergency medical service) reported that the elderly citizen fell down a flight of stairs during the sirens. Paramedics rushed him to Ichilov Hospital (a major medical center in Tel Aviv), where he remains in serious and unstable condition with a severe head injury. 04:04 p.m. | Abu Dhabi (the capital of the UAE) reported that UAV fragments crashed into the Israeli embassy compound, injuring a woman and a child. The Emirati Communications Ministry confirmed it is actively investigating an incident where drone remnants struck the facade of the Etihad Towers complex. Authorities reported that a mother and her son suffered mild injuries, while the building sustained minor property damage. The ministry clarified that the explosions were the result of active air defense interceptions and urged the public to avoid spreading misinformation. 04:02 p.m. | Iran supposedly targeted the USS Abraham Lincoln (a US Navy aircraft carrier) with ballistic missiles. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps formally claimed they launched four ballistic missiles toward the American warship. 03:53 p.m. | Open-source intelligence analysts revealed that B-2 bombers (US stealth strategic bombers) participated in the overnight strikes. Four American stealth bombers struck targets across Iran between Saturday and Sunday. Based on military aviation tracking data, the bombers departed from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and executed the long-range mission without landing, supported by a fleet of five aerial refueling tankers. 03:45 p.m. | Police Commissioner Daniel Levy arrived at the Beit Shemesh impact zone and described it as a "hard scene." Surveying the collapsed structures, Levy stated, "A hard scene with many casualties. There are dead and wounded – I will not expand on numbers. Our main challenge is to understand what happened and to make every effort so that God forbid no one remains under the ruins. We opened the 115 hotline – if anyone has a missing person, call this number." 03:30 p.m. | The official death toll from the Beit Shemesh missile impact tragically rose to nine victims. 03:22 p.m. | Iranian state media reported the elimination of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The ILNA news agency reported that Ahmadinejad and his personal bodyguards were killed during the Israeli strikes on Tehran on Saturday. According to the report, a precision strike hit the Narmak neighborhood in eastern Tehran, near his private residence. Ahmadinejad served as Iran's president from 2005 to 2013, though the regime had heavily marginalized him in recent years. Official confirmation from Tehran regarding his death remains pending.  Video: The site of fomer IRanian President Ahmedinejad's home following the strike / Social media 03:10 p.m. | Beit Shemesh fire station commander Avi Harush described a dramatic infant rescue from the rubble. Standing at the scene of the direct hit, Harush recounted, "Our fire station fell apart. When we arrived at the scene we saw dozens of dusty children running. We understood we needed to go inside, and then we identified a hole in the ground, a collapse into a public shelter. We entered and saw a mother holding a baby. The fighter took off equipment and entered – together we pulled the baby out." 03:01 p.m. | Beit Shemesh Mayor Shmuel Greenberg urged residents to stay away from the devastating impact zone. Speaking to Channel 12, Greenberg said, "A large and massive scene of destruction. Currently, there is no fear of trapped people, there are wounded in varying degrees. We ask residents not to come to the area. This is the time to strengthen and follow the instructions. We have not met such a case – we are currently in a hard event. Some of the wounded were evacuated from inside the shelter." 02:49 p.m. | The death toll from the devastating missile strike in Beit Shemesh officially climbed to nine. Emergency services confirmed six murdered, but then two who were in critical condition succumbed to their wounds. At least 20 others wounded at the scene of the direct impact, following the latest massive missile barrage launched from Iran.  Video: The devastation in Beit Shemesh following the missile barrage / Credit: Magen David Adom/Article 27a of Israel's intellectual property law 02:48 p.m. | Authorities completely blocked the entrance to Beit Shemesh from Route 38 (a major intercity road in Israel). Following the deadly missile impact inside the city, police shut down two traffic lanes at the Nahshonim Interchange, completely sealing off the main entrance to Beit Shemesh. 02:47 p.m. | Foreign ministers from the Gulf Arab states rushed to convene an emergency discussion following the Iranian strikes. A diplomatic source in the Gulf told the Al Arabiya network that regional leaders scheduled an urgent Zoom meeting to address the escalating regional warfare.  Video: The debris following a missile hit on the Beit Shemesh area / Use under the Israel intellectual property law Section 27 a 02:40 p.m. | Rescue forces described a "complex scene" after two residential buildings collapsed in Beit Shemesh. New details emerged from the devastating impact site where the Lahava unit (Israel's elite national fire and rescue unit) was urgently deployed. A senior official in the unit stated, "A complex and difficult scene. We are conducting an internal scan to neutralize gas and blast explosions." A Fire and Rescue Services official added that responders are dealing with a highly severe incident. 02:34 p.m. | Initial reports confirmed four people were killed as a result of the direct hit in Beit Shemesh. Note that this figure was later updated as rescue operations uncovered more victims. 02:33 p.m. | Education Minister Yoav Kish announced that the education system will immediately transition to remote learning. Following a comprehensive security situational assessment, Kish stated, "Starting Monday, the education system transitions to remote learning." 02:29 p.m. | Lufthansa (the German flagship airline) suspended all its flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi until March 4. The airline formally updated its schedule and further noted that the airspace of the United Arab Emirates will remain strictly off-limits for its flights up to and including that date. 02:25 p.m. | MDA (Israel's national emergency medical service) confirmed rescue operations are ongoing at the impact zone in Beit Shemesh. Medics treated 20 casualties at the location, including three victims in critical condition, two in serious condition, one in moderate condition, and 14 who suffered mild injuries. 02:08 p.m. | At least 20 people sustained injuries during the Beit Shemesh attack, including three young children fighting for their lives in critical condition. The Fire and Rescue Services reported that the structure suffered a catastrophic direct hit and collapsed, sparking fears that several residents remain trapped beneath the rubble. 02:06 p.m. | Security forces located an interceptor fragment inside a residential neighborhood in Herzliya (a city in central Israel). Following blaring alarms in the area, police and rescue units arrived at the scene to conduct thorough scans. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. One local resident recounted, "A part of an interceptor fell in our house." 02:05 p.m. | Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich visited the impact scene in Tel Aviv and vowed to rebuild. Standing outside the destroyed home, Smotrich stated, "We are at the scene in a house that suffered a direct hit on Saturday. Notice how the entire house is destroyed. The woman who lives here, an elderly tenant, obeyed the instructions, evacuated to the safe room, and came out thank God without a scratch. I implore you, let us all obey the instructions. The protected space saves lives. We will demolish this house and rebuild it." 01:55 p.m. | A 10-year-old girl suffered serious injuries during a missile impact in central Israel. Emergency medics transferred her for urgent care, while 15 additional victims were treated for mild injuries at the scene. 01:47 p.m. | A ballistic missile launched from Iran struck the roof of a building in central Israel. First responders rushed to the scene, though no casualties have been reported thus far. 01:30 p.m. | Alarms relentlessly sounded across the entire country following massive barrages of incoming missiles from Iran. 01:26 p.m. | Missile fire aggressively expanded to the north as military officials warned that alarms are expected nationwide. 01:22 p.m. | The IDF proudly confirmed the destruction of two Iranian fighter jets caught on the tarmac. The IDF Spokesperson announced that the Israeli Air Force successfully bombed two Iranian fighter jets – an F-5 and an F-4 – right as they were ready for takeoff. The military statement elaborated, "The strike was carried out to damage the activity of the Iranian Air Force and to deepen the damage to the defense systems of the regime." 01:19 p.m. | The government officially approved an emergency compensation package, ensuring any resident whose home was damaged will receive 2,000 shekels (approximately $555). The cabinet unanimously passed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal to transfer immediate financial assistance through the Interior Ministry. The funds are earmarked for local authorities directly hit during Operation Lion's Roar and will be distributed per person for uninhabitable homes. 01:14 p.m. | Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett visited the Tel Aviv impact scene and called for unity. "There is no opposition and no coalition until we remove this threat," Bennett declared. "Now is the turn of the Iranian people to rise, revolt, and free themselves." 01:09 p.m. | Providing a momentary sigh of relief, MDA stated, "At this stage, there are no known casualties" following the most recent nationwide missile barrage. 01:07 p.m. | President Isaac Herzog surveyed the destruction at the Tel Aviv impact scene where a 60-year-old woman was killed on Saturday. Herzog firmly stated, "We are in a war – he who comes to kill you, rise early to kill him. There is a massive coalition standing with us against this terrible enemy and all its proxies." 01:04 p.m. | A scorching fragment from an Iranian missile hit a gas accumulator in Jerusalem, immediately sparking a dangerous fire. Firefighters swiftly contained the blaze, and officials confirmed there were no casualties. 01:02 p.m. | Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem praised the eliminated Iranian leader. Qassem stated, "Master Ali Khamenei won the greatest honor – death in the path of the Master of Martyrs of Imam Hussein. He led the march of jihad and resistance against the tyrannical and oppressive American and Israeli forces, the enemies of religion and humanity, and thereby achieved a great victory and supreme honor, after ending his life." 12:53 p.m. | Blaring alarms triggered across the country following aggressive launches from Iran. Additionally, military radars detected a hostile UAV infiltrating the airspace over Jerusalem and the Samaria area. 12:40 p.m. | The IDF Spokesperson warned civilians that fresh launches from Iran were identified, cautioning that alarms are expected in the coming minutes across widespread communities. 12:35 p.m. | Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran Ali Larijani openly threatened to strike Israel and the US with unprecedented force. Larijani continued to escalate his rhetoric in a social media post, promising a painful retaliatory strike. 12:32 p.m. | Russian President Vladimir Putin strongly condemned the elimination of Khamenei. The Russian leader blasted the joint operation, calling it a "cynical murder contrary to all standards of human morality and international law." 12:31 p.m. | North Korea labeled the allied strikes in Iran as "illegal aggression." The rogue state's official news agency, KCNA, published a sharp condemnation declaring the Israeli strikes possessed zero legal validity. 12:24 p.m. | Senior security officials broke out in applause for Netanyahu during a tense security consultation. Hours after the opening strike of Operation Lion's Roar on Saturday, defense chiefs praised the Prime Minister's decisive leadership. 12:13 p.m. | Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the IDF is operating a ceaseless airlift. Katz stated, "For the first time in Operation Lion's Roar, Israeli Air Force planes in 'stand-in' over the skies of Tehran in a powerful strike on regime and suppression targets in the heart of Tehran, in accordance with the IDF plan as approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and by me. From now on, a ceaseless airlift will operate for a powerful strike on tornado targets in Tehran." 11:50 a.m. | National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the strike scene in Tel Aviv and declared the enemy decapitated. Ben-Gvir stated, "We made history, the head of the snake was severed. There were those who expressed doubts – we are winning in Iran and will destroy it to the end. Ultimately these Nazis want to destroy us. They want to eliminate us and we are eliminating them one by one. We will continue to lead the State of Israel." 11:43 a.m. | British authorities revealed Iran recklessly launched two missiles toward Cyprus. Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed the projectiles flew toward the island nation hosting vital British military bases. "We are quite confident that they were not aimed toward our bases," Healey stated, though he cautioned, "This shows how indiscriminate the Iranian response is." He also noted that 300 British soldiers were stationed in close proximity to the targeted areas in Bahrain. 11:27 a.m. | The IDF Spokesperson vowed to relentlessly chase the enemies of Israel. Effie Duprin shared an old tweet by Khamenei from October 10, 2023, where the Iranian leader praised the October 7 massacres. Duprin wrote, "We will not forget October 7. We will continue to chase the enemies of Israel – from the architects of the attack to the terrorists who took part in the massacre." 11:18 a.m. | A 5.8 magnitude earthquake rattled the Kyushu (a southern Japanese island) area in Japan, adding a natural disaster to the global news cycle. 11:06 a.m. | Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly addressed the Iranian people in Persian, promising them their moment will come soon. In a video uploaded to X, Netanyahu stated, "Citizens of Iran, the time has come to unite for a historic mission. In the coming days, we will strike thousands of targets of the terror regime. We will create conditions for the brave people of Iran so they can break free from the chains of tyranny. Do not miss this opportunity. This is an opportunity that comes only once in a generation. Do not give up because your moment will come soon." 10:37 a.m. | The military released footage documenting IDF strikes directly in the heart of Tehran (the capital of Iran). Speaking at the Hatzerim base (an Israeli Air Force base), IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir told forces, "I trust you to carry out the mission with great excellence."  Video: PM Netanyahu calls on Iranians to claim freedom / Credit: PMO 10:24 a.m. | Alarms sounded across the central region and the Jerusalem area. 10:21 a.m. | Echoes of explosions resounded across northern Tehran late Sunday morning. Following the IDF Spokesperson's announcement regarding a widespread strike against the regime in the heart of the Iranian capital, heavy blasts rocked the northern districts of the city.  Video: Israeli airstrikes in Tehran / Credit: Social media 10:20 a.m. | The IDF struck Iranian terror regime targets directly in the heart of Tehran. The IDF Spokesperson announced that for the first time since the launch of Operation Lion's Roar, the Israeli Air Force – directed by the Military Intelligence Directorate – initiated a massive wave of strikes against regime targets in the capital. Over the past day, Israeli fighter jets conducted extensive bombing runs to establish aerial superiority and clear the path to Tehran.  Video: Celebrations in Iran following death of Khamenei / Credit: Social media 10:16 a.m. | Sirens were activated in the center of the country and across the Sharon region. 10:13 a.m. | Alarms were just activated in Haifa and the surrounding metropolitan area. 10:05 a.m. | The military officially confirmed the elimination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The IDF Spokesperson released a formal announcement stating that the Iranian leader was killed on Saturday during a targeted Israeli strike on his office as part of Operation Lion's Roar. 10:00 a.m. | Alarms were triggered in the south and center of the country. 09:55 a.m. | Incoming rocket sirens sounded in the Jordan Valley. Alarms were activated a short time ago in the community of Hemdat. 09:42 a.m. | Tehran appointed Ahmad Vahidi as the new general commander of the Revolutionary Guards. According to Iranian state media, Vahidi officially assumed command on Sunday morning after his predecessor, Mohammad Pakpour, was eliminated during the massive Israeli strikes on Saturday. 09:12 a.m. | The IDF Home Front Command cleared residents to leave their protected spaces in several regions across the country. Military officials confirmed that civilians may exit their shelters at this time, with the strict exception of those residing in the northern region.  Video: Iran's state media announce death of Khamenei / Credit: Social media 09:01 a.m. | Alarms were activated across the north. 08:54 a.m. | Alarms triggered across the country. Sirens sounded in the Shfela and the central region. Authorities urged civilians to strictly follow the instructions of the IDF Home Front Command. 08:39 a.m. | Tehran officially confirmed the elimination of the Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff. Iranian state media verified on Sunday morning that Abdolrahim Mousavi was killed during the Israeli strikes of Operation Lion's Roar. 08:32 a.m. | A senior official in the Iranian Intelligence Ministry, Mohammad Baseri, was reportedly eliminated. Iranian state media announced on Sunday morning that Baseri was killed in the joint US-Israeli wave of strikes. The senior intelligence officer was heavily wanted for his suspected involvement in the 2007 abduction of retired FBI special agent Robert A. Levinson, who disappeared while visiting the Iranian island of Kish in the Persian Gulf. In 2010, the US Department of the Treasury slapped crippling sanctions on Baseri due to his suspected role in the kidnapping. 08:28 a.m. | Arab media reported rocket launches targeting the American military base in Erbil (the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan). According to regional reports, projectiles were fired toward the US installation in the Kurdish region of Iraq. 08:17 a.m. | Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of United States Central Command, stated, "The first 24 hours of Operation EPIC FURY. The president ordered a bold action, and our brave soldiers – on land, at sea, in the air, in the Marines, in the Space Force, and in the Coast Guard – are answering the call." 08:11 a.m. | Mass mourning rallies are currently sweeping through Isfahan (a major Iranian city) following the targeted elimination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. 08:08 a.m. | The AFP news agency reported that a fresh series of explosions echoed across Dubai (a major city in the UAE). 08:04 a.m. | Shiite Lebanese journalist Nadim Koteich quoted a senior diplomatic source who delivered a stark warning. The source said, "If the remaining senior officials in the leadership of Iran do not seize the moment, they will soon meet with Khamenei." 07:50 a.m. | Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated, "We prepared ourselves for all scenarios and even made plans for