War in Middle East – Latest

11:42 p.m.: Trump says Iran operations likely to last 4 to 5 weeks, but prepared ‘to go far longer’

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he had ordered the attack on Iran to thwart Tehran’s nuclear development and a ballistic missile program that he said was growing rapidly.

Trump offered his most extensive comments about the war beyond two video messages and a series of brief phone interviews with reporters over the weekend that offered sometimes conflicting objectives in the conflict.

He said, without providing evidence, that the threat from Iran had been imminent.

“This was our last best chance to strike ... and eliminate the intolerable threats ⁠posed by this sick and sinister regime,” he said at an event in the White House East Room.

Trump said military operations were ahead of schedule, without providing details. He said he had projected the U.S. campaign would last four to five weeks but that it could go longer.

A central premise of the fight was to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, which Tehran has denied doing, and thwart its long-range ballistic missile program, Trump said.

“An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be an intolerable threat to ⁠the Middle East, but also to the American people,” Trump said.

Trump said U.S. forces had knocked out 10 Iranian ships - “they’re at the bottom of the sea” - and expressed confidence about how the campaign was going.

“Today, the United States military continues to carry out large-scale, combat operations in Iran ⁠to eliminate the grave threats posed to America by this terrible, terrorist regime,” Trump said.

He said the objectives of the war included destroying Iran’s missile capabilities, annihilating their navy and stopping from them ⁠from having a nuclear weapon.

Trump said a third objective was a long-standing U.S. goal, to prevent Iran from supporting militant groups elsewhere in the region.

Trump noted the loss of ⁠four American service personnel in the fight so far, adding: “In their memory, we continue this mission with ferocious, unyielding resolve to crush the threat this terrorist regime poses to the American people.”

Trump says he took the decision to launch a war against Iran because it was the “last, best chance” to stop the country’s regime.

Speaking at the White House for the first time since attacking Iran, the president said the US military is continuing to carry out “large-scale combat operations”.

Iran ignored prior warnings from the US, Trump said, and “refused to cease their pursuit of nuclear weapons”.

The president said the objectives of the operation in Iran are “clear”, including “destroying Iran’s missile capabilities”, “annihilating their Navy” and preventing them from ever having a nuclear weapon.

With an initial projection of four-five weeks, the mission is “substantially ahead” of time, Trump said, and the US has the “capability to go far longer”.

 

10:23 p.m.: UAE intercepted 9 ballistic missiles, 6 cruise missiles and 148 drones today

Nine ballistic missiles, six cruise missiles and 148 drones were successfully intercepted by the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) air defences, according to its Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Since the beginning of the Iranian attacks, the UAE’s MoD says 174 ballistic missiles launched toward the country have been detected, 161 of which were destroyed, while 13 fell into the sea.

A total of 689 Iranian drones were also detected, with 645 intercepted, while 44 landed within the country’s territory, it adds.

Three people have died and 68 have suffered minor injuries during the incidents, according to the Ministry.

The MoD also says that the sounds heard in various parts of the country are as the result of air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles, and fighter jets intercepting drones and cruise missiles.

“These interceptions led to minor to moderate material damage to a number of civilian properties”, it adds.

Meanwhile, Qatar’s Ministry of Defense said it shot down two Iranian Su-24 bombers on Monday, marking the first time that any country has shot down Iranian aircraft since the latest conflict began. It also marks an escalation of Qatar’s involvement thus far.

Qatar also intercepted seven ballistic missiles with its air defenses and took out a further five Iranian drones with its Air Force and Navy, the ministry said in a statement.

“Qatar Armed Forces possess full capabilities and resources to safeguard the state’s sovereignty and lands, and to respond firmly to any external threat,” the Ministry of Defense added.

Earlier on Monday: Qatar’s state-run energy company QatarEnergy said in a statement that it stopped its production of liquefied natural gas following an Iranian attack on its facility in Ras Laffan. Qatar is one of the world’s largest LNG exporters, accounting for roughly 20% of global exports.

 

09:59 p.m.: Putin warns of regional conflict in calls with gulf leaders

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke Monday with four key leaders of Persian Gulf states, warning of the danger that the US and Israeli attacks on Iran could escalate into a regional conflict.

After Putin’s conversation with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kremlin said “both sides expressed serious concern about the real risk of the expansion of the conflict zone, which has already affected the territories of a number of Arab countries and is fraught with catastrophic consequences.”

Putin stressed the need for diplomacy to address an “extremely dangerous situation,” while the crown prince said Moscow could play a stabilizing role thanks to its good relations with both Iran and the gulf countries.

Russia has repeatedly condemned the US and Israeli strikes and the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Putin also spoke with the president of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. “Both sides emphasized the necessity to cease hostilities and return to a political and diplomatic process,” the Kremlin said.

The Kremlin said that in a call with the emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, both leaders “expressed concern over the risks of the conflict expanding in the Middle East and the danger of third countries being drawn into it.” The Russian president also spoke with the king of Bahrain.

 

09:41 p.m.: Qatar halts LNG production as Iran strikes energy sites

QatarEnergy has ceased the production of LNG and related products due to a military offensive on its operational facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City.

‘Due to military attacks on QatarEnergy’s operating facilities in Ras Laffan Industrial City and Mesaieed Industrial City in the State of Qatar, QatarEnergy has ceased production of LNG and associated products,’ the company said in a press release today.

QatarEnergy said that it ‘values its relationship with all its stakeholders and will continue to communicate the latest available information’.

09:20 p.m.: SL Embassy in Lebanon provides temporary accommodation to Sri Lankans

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Lebanon has taken steps to provide shelter to Sri Lankan seeking support amidst heavy airstrikes by Israel in Southern Beirut.

Accordingly, temporary shelter has been arranged to at least 14 Sri Lankans who have left their accommodation amidst heavy bombardment.

No Sri Lankan has sustained injuries in attacks carried out in Lebanon, the Embassy confirmed.

It added all Sri Lankans remain safe and the Embassy staff are monitoring the situation around the clock.

08:45 p.m.: Sri Lankan national in Israel injured in airstrikes

A Sri Lankan national working in Israel has sustained minor injuries in airstrikes, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Israel Nimal Bandara has confirmed.

The injured individual has been identified as a 43-year-old woman from Kadawatha.

She is employed as a caregiver in Northern Israel.

Further details regarding her condition have not yet been released.

08:34 p.m.: “Big wave” is yet to come in war with Iran: Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump told CNN in a nine-minute phone interview Monday morning that the US military is “knocking the crap” out of Iran — but that the “big wave” is yet to come.

“We’re knocking the crap out of them,” Trump told CNN’s Jake Tapper. “I think it’s going very well. It’s very powerful. We’ve got the greatest military in the world and we’re using it.”

Trump addressed a range of topics in the interview, including the expected length of the conflict, his surprise at Iran’s widespread retaliation and the country’s expected succession plan.

Asked whether the US is doing more beyond the military assault to help the Iranian people regain control of their country from the regime, Trump said, “Yes.”

“We are indeed. But right now we want everyone staying inside. It’s not safe out there.”

And it’s about to get even less safe, the president said.

“We haven’t even started hitting them hard. The big wave hasn’t even happened. The big one is coming soon.”

08:17 p.m.: Wife of late supreme leader has been killed: Iran state TV

Iran state TV Channel Two has confirmed that Mansoureh Khojaste Bagherzadeh, wife of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has also been killed “at home”.

Iranian outlets had previously reported that Bagherzadeh was in a coma.

Previously, Iranian media had said that Khamenei’s daughter, grandchild and son-in-law have been killed.

Khamenei and his wife had six children, four sons and two daughters.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who assembled theocratic power in Iran over the decades as its top leader and sought to turn it into a regional powerhouse, bringing it into confrontation with Israel and the United States over its nuclear program while crushing democracy protests, was killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes. He was 86.

Iranian state media reported the death early Sunday, after a major attack launched by Israel and the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump said hours earlier that Khamenei had been killed in the joint operation.

Khamenei dramatically remolded the Islamic Republic since he took the reins after the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. Khomeini was the fiery, charismatic ideologue who led the overthrow of the shah and installed rule by Shiite Muslim clerics tasked with spreading religious purity. It fell to Khamenei, a stodgier figure with weaker religious credentials and a leaden demeanor, to turn that revolutionary vision into a state establishment.

 

07:54 p.m.: Limited number of flights to resume from Dubai this evening

Emirates has announced that it will begin operating a limited number of flights starting this evening (02), as part of a gradual resumption of services following recent regional developments.

The airline said priority will be given to customers with earlier bookings, noting that those rebooked to travel on these limited flights will be contacted directly. It also urged passengers not to proceed to the airport unless they have been notified with confirmed flight details.

Emirates added that all other flights remain suspended until further notice, stressing that it continues to monitor the situation and will adjust its operational schedule accordingly. The airline said updates will be published on its official website and social media channels.

Dubai Airports also confirmed “a limited resumption” of flights will begin this evening, with a “small number of flights” from Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC).

But travellers have been told not to travel to the airports unless contacted by their airline with a confirmed departure time.

Meanwhile, Germany will send planes to evacuate tourists stranded in the Middle East, its foreign minister said.

They will be flown out of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Muscat, Oman, Johann Wadephul tod reporters, according to Reuters.

This morning, UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government is working “immensely hard” to help people return home. She said around 100,000 British citizens have registered their presence with the UK Foreign Office.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates announced that it will cover the costs of accommodation for all travellers stranded in the country.

Following the temporary closure of UAE airspace, all flights to and from the country have been cancelled – meaning many visitors have a longer than expected stay in Dubai.

In a statement issued, the General Civil Aviation Authority revealed that the UAE will bear all hosting and accommodation costs for affected and stranded passengers during the ongoing situation.

The statement covered the wider plans by the authority to contain the repercussions of the developments taking place in the region.

 

07:29 p.m.: Chinese FM calls for immediate stop of military operations in Middle East

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday that the urgent priority concerning the current situation in the Middle East is to immediately halt military operations and prevent the conflict from further spilling over.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in phone talks with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi.

During the phone call, Al Busaidi said that, with Oman’s mediation, Iran-U.S. negotiations had achieved unprecedented progress. However, he added, it was regrettable that the United States and Israel abandoned the existing outcomes of the talks and launched a war.

If the war continues, it will lead to further casualties and property losses, he said, urging all parties to work together for an early ceasefire.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has consistently followed the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and is a reliable positive force, Al Busaidi said.

At this sensitive moment and under complex circumstances, Oman expects China to play an important role, Al Busaidi said, adding that the Omani side will make every effort to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in Oman.

Wang said that Oman has actively mediated the Iran-U.S. negotiations and made great efforts to safeguard regional peace, which China appreciates.

Despite progress in the talks, the United States and Israel deliberately provoked a war against Iran, clearly violating the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, Wang said.

Calling for keeping the situation from reaching a point of no return, Wang said that China urges all parties to make joint efforts to this end and supports Oman in continuing its mediation work, Wang said, adding that China is also willing to play a constructive role, including upholding fairness and justice at the UN Security Council, striving for peace and stopping the war.

Wang said China attaches importance to the legitimate concerns of Gulf countries and supports them in safeguarding their sovereignty and national security. The spillover of war does not serve the fundamental and long-term interests of Gulf countries, he added.

China expects Gulf countries to strengthen independence, oppose external interference, develop good-neighborly relations, enhance solidarity and cooperation, and take their future into their own hands, Wang said.

07:11 p.m.: Immigration Dept. issues notice on visa extension for stranded foreign nationals

Visa extensions will be granted for 14 days for foreign nationals who are unable to depart Sri Lanka due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced.

The Department clarified that extension will be granted from the date of expiry of the current visa and will be issued on a case by case basis, subject to verification of the relevant circumstances.

The decision has been taken due to the cancellation of Middle East-bound flights effective from February 28.

The Immigration Department added that tourists are required to provide proof of their inability to depart due to flight cancellations, such as boarding passes, flight cancellation notices, or airline confirmations.

The visa extension can be obtained at the Airport immigration office at the time of their departure, the Department added.

 

06:57 p.m.: We didn’t start this war but we are finishing it: US Defense Secretary

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said today that the US strikes on Iran is not meant to be “regime change,” while he acknowledged that the leadership in the country has changed.

“This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change and the world is better off for it,” Hegseth said.

The US Defense Secretary also argued that the US didn’t start the war, claiming Iran has carried out attacks for decades in a “one-sided war against America.”
“We didn’t start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it,” Hegseth added.

Speaking at a special press briefing, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the country is mourning four armed forces personnel lost so far.

“The absolute best of America,” he said.

“May we prosecute the remainder of this operation in a manner that honours them, no apologies, no hesitation, epic fury,” he added.

Meanwhile, the US Defense Secretary urged the Iranian security forces to “choose wisely”.

“We fight to win and we don’t waste time or lives,” he emphasised.

Pete Hegseth went onto say that peaceful nuclear ambitions “do not need to be buried underneath mountains”.

He referenced last year’s Operation Midnight Hammer, which he said saw the US obliterate Iran’s nuclear sites.

The US defense secretary also accused Tehran of refusing to negotiate a “peaceful and sensible” deal with the US.

“They were stalling, buying time to reload their missile stockpiles and restart their nuclear ambitions,” he added.

“President Trump doesn’t play those games.”

The US defense secretary claimed that Iran has a “conventional gun to our head as they tried to lie their way to a nuclear bomb”, and “it almost worked” under Obama and his “terrible deal”.

He added that the Iran regime was “gifted death from America and death from Israel”.

It’s “not a so-called regime change war”, but the regime “surely changed and the world is better off for it”.

Hegseth also said that the operation against Iran will not lead to an “endless war”. Instead, he said, the US’s aim is to destroy Tehran’s missiles and other security infrastructure.

Hegseth added that Donald Trump has drawn the line “after 47 years of Iranian belligerence”.

The US Defense Secretary also warned that anyone who kills or threatens Americans will be hunted down by the US “without apology and without hesitation”.

 

06:23 p.m.: Ex-President Mahinda urges swift end to Middle East conflict

The military conflict in the Middle East must be brought to an end as soon as possible, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has stated.

Former President Rajapaksa also emphasized the need for international intervention to deescalate the conflict.

The former President made these remarks today (02) after attending an event at the at the historic Imbulakanda Sri Sambuddhi Viharaya in Homagama.

Responding to questions from journalists, former President Rajapaksa said he is of the view that other powerful countries should get involved and bring an end to the conflict in the Middle East promptly.

 

06:23 p.m.: Ambassador assures safety of Sri Lankans in Kuwait amid regional tensions

The Sri Lankan Ambassador to Kuwait, Lakshitha Ratnayake has reassured that Sri Lankans residing in Kuwait are being closely monitored and are safe following recent regional tensions.

Iran carried out attacks targeting U.S. military bases in Kuwait; however, the Ambassador confirmed that no Sri Lankan has been affected by these strikes.

He emphasized that there is no need for undue concern regarding the safety of Sri Lankans in Kuwait.

Ambassador Ratnayake further stated that the Sri Lankan Embassy continues to closely follow the situation and is coordinating with Kuwaiti security authorities to monitor developments and gather relevant information.

06:10 p.m.: Oil prices jump and shares fall as conflict escalates

Global oil prices have risen as Iran continues to launch strikes across the Middle East in response to ongoing attacks by the US and Israel.

Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil prices, jumped by 10% to touch more than $82 a barrel on Monday after at least three ships were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz at the weekend. Natural gas prices also surged by as much as 25%.

Iran warned vessels not to pass through the crucial waterway in the south of the country, through which about 20% of the world’s oil and gas is shipped.

In London, the FTSE 100 stock market index opened nearly 1% down with shares in airlines falling after airspace was closed across the Middle East.

Leading stock markets in Europe sustained bigger drops. In France, the CAC-40 fell by 1.6% while Germany’s Dax dropped by 1.7%.

Meanwhile, the price of gold, which is viewed as a safe-haven asset during periods of uncertainty, added 2.3% to $5,395.99 an ounce.

International shipping has almost come to a standstill at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, with analysts warning that a prolonged conflict could push energy prices even higher.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) said that two vessels had been struck, and an “unknown projectile” was reported to have “exploded in very close proximity” to a third.

After its initial surge, Brent crude fell back to $79 a barrel while US-traded oil was up by around 7.6% at $72.20.

“The market isn’t panicking”, Saul Kavonic, head of energy research at MST Marquee told the BBC. “There is more clarity that so far, oil transport and production infrastructure hasn’t been a primary target by any side,” he added.

“The market will be watching for signs that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz returns, which would see oil prices subside again.”

But some analysts have warned it could go over $100 in the event of a prolonged conflict which could have a knock-on effect on inflation and interest rates.

Robin Mills, chief executive at Dubai-based consultancy Qamar Energy and a former executive at oil giant Shell, said: “The jump in prices will feed through almost immediately because the oil traders are very much following the news too.

“At the moment, oil prices are not particularly high, they are still below where they were even two years ago so we’re not in full-blown oil crisis mode yet.”

On Sunday, the Opec+ group of oil producing nations agreed to increase their output by 206,000 barrels a day to help cushion any price rises, but some experts doubt this would help much.

Edmund King, president of the AA, warned the disruption could drive up petrol prices around the world.

“The turmoil and bombing across the Middle East will surely be a catalyst to disrupt oil distribution globally, which will inevitably lead to price hikes,” he said.

“The magnitude and duration of pump price increases depends on how long the conflict goes on.”

Subitha Subramaniam, chief economist and head of investment strategy at Sarasin & Partners, said if oil prices remained high for a sustained period: “It will start to cascade into other prices such as food, agriculture, industrial commodities and that’s just going to really bleed into inflation.”

The pace of inflation has been easing in the UK, leading to the Bank of England cutting interests.

Subramaniam suggested that the Bank may choose to leave interest rates unchanged at 3.75% for the moment despite recently signalling further cuts could be made.

On Sunday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) said three tankers from the UK and US had been “struck by missiles and are burning”. The UK and the US have not commented.

The UKMTO said “multiple security incidents” had been reported across the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, and it had advised ships to “transit with caution”.

At least 150 tankers have dropped anchor in open Gulf waters beyond the Strait of Hormuz, although a handful of Iranian and Chinese vessels have passed through today, according to ship-tracking platform Kpler.

“Because of Iran’s threats, the strait is effectively closed,” Homayoun Falakshahi from Kpler told BBC News.

“The vessels have taken a precautionary measure not to enter as the risks are too high and their insurance costs have sky-rocketed.”

He said the US would likely try to protect shipping routes which, if effective, would prevent an oil price spike, but if the strait remained shut for a long period prices could go “much, much higher”.

Danish container shipping group Maersk said in a statement on Sunday that it would pause sailings through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal and reroute ships around the Cape of Good Hope.

 

06:03 p.m.: Fourth US service member dies, military says

A fourth U.S. service member has died of injuries sustained in the U.S. operation in Iran, the Central Command said.

The service member had been seriously wounded during Iran’s initial attacks and eventually succumbed to their injuries, it said in a statement.

Apparent Iranian strikes have been reported across the region. The US does not say where the attack in which this service member was injured took place.

 

05:44 p.m.: Efforts underway to repatriate Sri Lankans stranded at various airports in Middle East: Minister

All flights to and from the Middle East have been suspended until midnight (02) due to the ongoing tensions in the region, the Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Anura Karunathilaka has confirmed.

Some airspaces remain open, but only for limited flights, the Minister said adding the decision on resuming operations will be made after midnight.

Minister Karunathilaka also confirmed that efforts are underway to repatriate Sri Lankans stranded at various airports in the Middle East. Meanwhile, tourists who were planning to leave the country have been provided with visa extension and other arrangements to allow them to remain in Sri Lanka if necessary, the Minister noted.

Meanwhile, the Minister confirmed naval operations remain unaffected. Several ships scheduled to arrive at Colombo and Hambantota ports have requested docking facilities, and authorities are prepared to provide the necessary support, according to Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka.

 

05:35 p.m.: Gulf countries and US condemn Iran’s missile and drone attacks

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, the UAE, and the United States have issued a joint statement strongly condemning the indiscriminate missile and drone attacks carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran against sovereign territories in the region, according to the Qatar News Agency (QNA).

The statement described Iran’s actions as a dangerous escalation that violates the sovereignty of multiple states and threatens regional stability. It added that targeting civilians and countries not engaged in hostilities constitutes reckless and destabilising behaviour.

The countries affirmed their unity in defending their citizens, sovereignty, and territory, reiterating their right to self-defence in response to the attacks.

 

04:51 p.m.: Three US fighter jets went down in Kuwait due to friendly fire incident: US Central Command

Three US fighter jets went down “due to an apparent friendly fire incident,” US Central Command has announced.

Kuwaiti air defenses accidentally shot the F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets down late Monday evening ET time.

“During active combat—that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones — the U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses,” the statement said. “All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation.”

The cause of the incident is under investigation, according to CENTCOM. The jets were flying in support of the military operation against Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury.

Kuwait’s Minister of Defense said in the early hours of Monday morning that “several” US fighter jets crashed.

 

04:49 p.m.: UN nuclear watchdog says no sign US-Israeli attacks have hit Iran’s nuclear facilities

The UN nuclear watchdog said there was no indication that Israeli and US strikes on Iran have hit any nuclear facilities.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said: “Regarding the status of the nuclear installations in Iran, up to now, we have no indication that any of the nuclear installations, including the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, the Tehran Research Reactor or other nuclear fuel cycle facilities have been damaged or hit.”

“So far, no elevation of radiation levels above the usual background levels has been detected in countries bordering Iran,” he said.

Grossi’s comments come after Iran’s ambassador to the IAEA said Sunday that Natanz — one of Iran’s three key Iranian nuclear facilities – had been attacked, Reuters reported.

US President Donald Trump has cited Iran’s potential nuclear threat as one of his reasons justifying US strikes on the country, contracting US intelligence on the matter, which has assessed that Iran is nearly a decade away from developing a “militarily-viable” intercontinental ballistic missile.

 

04:39 p.m.: “Stop the war and commence peace talks promptly”: Sajith

Prevailing aggression and conflict in the Middle East is a significant threat to global peace and security, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa stated.

Opposition Leader Premadasa also said the expansion of the conflict through attacks on Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and other middle eastern countries must be vehemently condemned.

In a post on X (formally Twitter), the Opposition Leader said the lives of over one million Sri Lankans working in the Middle East are of paramount importance and therefore the war must be avoided at all cost.

“Stop the war and commence peace talks and negotiations promptly,” he added.

Premadasa also urged the world leaders to give peace a chance.

04:36 p.m.: Externally forced regime change unacceptable: Ex-President Ranil

The concept of externally forced regime change is unacceptable, according to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Commenting on the current developments in Iran during a discussion with activists in Colombo, former President Wickremesinghe said countries such as Switzerland and Norway have also expressed that such a move is against international law and norms.

The former President said Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iranian sites in a bid to change the leadership and the government of the country. Changing governments of countries in such a manner is unacceptable, the former President asserted.

Meanwhile, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said the reduction in oil production in Iran will not have a major bearing on the global arena since the output can be managed through other countries. 

 

03:49 p.m.: Middle East Conflict: No Sri Lankans injured in Iran airstrikes in UAE

No injuries or casualties involving Sri Lankans in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been reported thus far, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United Arab Emirates, Arusha Cooray has stated.

The Ministry of Defence of the UAE yesterday stated that civilian casualties were reported following recent missile and drone attacks linked to Iran.

According to the Ministry, one or more Sri Lankan nationals were among those who sustained minor injuries during the incidents.

In an official statement, the ministry said three individuals — nationals of Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh — were killed in the incidents.

A total of 58 people sustained minor injuries. Those injured include nationals of the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon and Afghanistan, the Ministry said yesterday.

However, Ambassador Arusha Cooray has now confirmed no Sri Lankans have sustained injuries in recent attacks.

 

02:59 p.m.: Oman-based airline lands at BIA

A flight operated by Oman-based SalamAir landed in Sri Lanka early this morning (02), the Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, Captain Daminda Rambukwella stated.

The flight had subsequently returned to Oman, following an operational decision by the airline, the Director General noted.

Captain Daminda Rambukwella also stated that the airspaces of Oman and Saudi Arabia remain open at present. He noted that several other Gulf states have also reopened their airspaces under certain restrictions.

Amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, authorities have once again cancelled all flights scheduled to operate from the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to destinations in the region today.

Airport sources said that since hostilities began on February 28, a total of 115 flights — both arrivals from the Middle East and departures from Sri Lanka to the region — have been cancelled.

02:59 p.m.: Over 550 killed in Iran by US-Israeli strikes on 131 cities, Red Crescent says

At least 555 people have been killed in Iran since joint US-Israeli strikes began on Saturday, according to the Red Crescent Society.

Iranian state media quoted the Red Crescent as saying there had been attacks on 131 cities.

At least 165 people were killed in a strike at a girls’ elementary school, according to Iranian state media.

A member of the Iranian parliament, Mohammad Beigi, claimed that nine hospitals had been seriously damaged. A number of patients were injured in Sunday’s attacks, he said.

A Chinese national was also killed in Iran, China’s ministry of foreign affairs said.

Meanwhile, at least 10 people have been killed and more than 200 injured in Israel since it began military operations against Iran, according to Magen David Adom. Nine of the fatalities were reported from the city of Beit Shemesh, where a missile hit a bomb shelter.

At least 31 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon and Beirut, the country’s Ministry of Public Health said.

Furthermore, four members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iran-backed paramilitary group, were killed in a US-Israeli strike that targeted one of its headquarters, the militia’s Media Directorate announced in a post on Telegram earlier today.

Three people in the United Arab Emirates have been killed in Iran’s retaliatory strikes, the country’s Defense Ministry said.

One person has also been killed after debris from an intercepted missile sparked a fire on a “foreign vessel” in Bahrain’s Salman Industrial City, Bahraini state media reported.

Moreover, three US service members were killed in Kuwait, US Central Command said.

 

02:50 p.m.: At least 31 killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, as conflict widens

Israeli strikes on Lebanon have killed at least 31 people, authorities said, following rocket fire from Tehran-backed militant group Hezbollah after the killing of Iran’s supreme leader.

Israel’s military vowed to intensify its attacks on the country and make Hezbollah pay a “heavy price” after launching several strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs and south Lebanon, areas where Hezbollah holds sway.

The escalation came as Lebanese authorities, who have been trying to spare the country from any repercussions of the US-Israeli attack on Iran, said Hezbollah’s rocket fire gave Israel “excuses” to ramp up its attacks.

Hezbollah’s attack on Israel overnight was the first time the Lebanese movement claimed responsibility for an operation against Israel since a November 2024 ceasefire sought to end over a year of hostilities between the two.

The group announced around that it had targeted an Israeli army site south of Haifa city “with a barrage of high-quality missiles and a swarm of drones”.

It said the move was “retaliation for the pure blood” of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, blaming his death on Israel after it launched attacks in a joint operation with the United States on Saturday.

“Hezbollah chose the Iranian regime over the State of Lebanon and initiated an attack on our civilians... they will pay a heavy price,” said Rafi Milo, head of the Israeli military’s Northern Command.

“The strikes continue, their intensity will increase,” he was quoted as saying in a military statement hours after the first strikes were fired.

Lebanon’s health ministry gave an “initial toll” of 31 killed in Israel’s strikes, 20 in Beirut’s southern suburbs and 11 in the south. It said at least 149 were wounded.

The bombings triggered a mass exodus from the area, according to AFP correspondents, with families hastily leaving their homes on motorcycles or in cars.
Israel has carried out regular strikes on Lebanon since the 2024 ceasefire came into effect, usually saying it targets the militant group and accusing it of truce violations.

A military statement this morning said Israeli forces “precisely struck” senior Hezbollah members in the Beirut area, and another in the south.

Israel then issued an evacuation warning to residents of about 50 towns and villages in Lebanon’s south and east - both Hezbollah strongholds.

Around three hours before Hezbollah’s statement, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Telegram channel said that “Hezbollah officially entered the war”.

The Israeli military said that “several projectiles” fired from Lebanon “fell in open areas”, with no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said attacks from the country’s territory risked drawing the country into regional conflict.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, whose government has pushed for Hezbollah’s disarmament, called the rocket fire “irresponsible”.

He vowed to “stop the perpetrators and protect the Lebanese people”.

Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir said, according to a statement, that “Hezbollah opened a campaign against Israel overnight, and is fully responsible for any escalation”.

Lebanese authorities had repeatedly said they do not wish to involve their country in the outbreak of conflict in the region, which started after a massive US-Israeli attack on Iran.

US President Donald Trump has signalled the US-Israeli military ⁠assault on Iranian targets could continue for weeks.
Shortly after 7am local time (5am Irish time) air raid sirens were triggered across Israel, including in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, warning of a fresh Iranian attack.

A new wave of missiles is being launched from central parts of Iran towards “enemy locations”, Iran’s state media said this morning.

The Israeli military said late last night that its air force had established aerial superiority over Tehran, and that a wave of strikes across the capital had targeted intelligence, security, and military command centres.

Sounds of explosions were heard in different parts of the Iranian capital Tehran this morning, according to state media, while Reuters witnesses heard loud blasts in Dubai and the Qatari capital Doha.

Kuwait said its air defences intercepted hostile drones, in a third consecutive day of Iranian retaliatory strikes on neighbouring Gulf states.

Britain’s RAF base Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by a suspected drone strike overnight, but damage was limited and there were no casualties, Cypriot authorities and the UK’s Ministry of Defence said.

A senior White House official told Reuters that while Mr Trump would at some point talk with new potential leadership in Iran, the military campaign would go on. The official did not identify any individuals as part of the new leadership.

“President Trump said new potential leadership in Iran has indicated they want to talk and eventually he will talk. For now, Operation Epic Fury continues unabated,” the official said.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian yesterday said a leadership council composed of himself, the judiciary head and a member of the powerful Guardian Council had temporarily assumed the duties of Supreme Leader.

In an X post this morning, Ali Larijani, who was adviser to Iran’s Khamenei, said his country would not negotiate with Mr Trump. He said the US president had “delusional ambitions” and was now worried about US casualties.

The first US casualties of the campaign, including the deaths of three service personnel were confirmed. Two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the US service members were killed on a base in Kuwait.

Mr Trump paid tribute to the three killed as “true American patriots” but warned that there will likely be more casualties. “That’s the way it is,” he ⁠said.

An extended military campaign could pose a major political risk for Mr Trump’s Republican party ahead of US midterm elections that could decide the fate of Congress.

Only around one in four Americans approve of the operation, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll yesterday.

But in a video, Mr Trump vowed military strikes on Iran will continue until “all our objectives are achieved” without providing specifics. He said the assault had so far wiped out Iran’s military command and destroyed ⁠nine Iranian navy ships and a naval building.

US aircraft and warships have struck more than 1,000 Iranian targets since the start of major combat operations on Saturday, the US military said.

Mr Trump called on Iran’s military and police, including the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, to stop fighting, promising immunity for those who surrender and threatening “certain death” for those who resist.

He reiterated calls for the Iranian people to revolt against the government.

“I call upon all Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment, to be brave, be bold, be heroic and take back your country,” Mr Trump said in the pre-recorded video yesterday. “America is with you.”

In interviews with multiple news outlets, Mr Trump said the military campaign against Iran could continue for at ⁠least four weeks.

Following the death of Khamenei, Iran faces a power vacuum that could leave it in chaos, but the Trump administration has not outlined longer-term aims for the country.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had hit three US and UK oil tankers in the Gulf ⁠and the Strait of Hormuz, and attacked military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain with drones and missiles. Shipping data showed hundreds of vessels including oil and gas tankers dropping anchor in nearby waters with traders expecting sharp jumps in crude oil prices today.

Global air travel was also heavily disrupted as continued air strikes kept major Middle Eastern airports closed, including Dubai - the world’s busiest international hub - in one of the biggest aviation interruptions in recent years.

Asian airline shares plunged, with some major carriers down more than 5%.It remained unclear what the longer-term prospects were for Iran to rebuild its leadership and replace 86-year-old Khamenei, who had held power since the death of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989.

Experts said that while his death and those of other Iranian leaders would deal Iran a major blow, it would not necessarily spell the end of Iran’s entrenched clerical rule or the sway of the elite Revolutionary Guards over the population.

Still, it was too early to say how the Iranian people would respond to the changes. A new analysis of Iranian social media from Redpoint Advisors, a global intelligence firm, suggests the public is already looking beyond Khamenei for his replacement.

 

02:16 p.m.: Saudi Aramco shuts Ras Tanura refinery after drone strike

Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Aramco shut its Ras Tanura refinery following a drone strike, an industry source said on Monday, after Tehran launched strikes across the region in response to the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran.

The Ras Tanura complex, on the kingdom’s Gulf coast, houses one of the Middle East’s largest refineries with a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day (bpd) and serves as a critical export terminal for Saudi crude.

It was shut as a precautionary measure and the situation is under control, the source said.

Aramco did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

The drone strike added to a wave of attacks on the Gulf, including on Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Manama and Oman’s commercial part of Duqm. The strikes have paralysed major shipping hubs in the United Arab Emirates and Oman and sent Brent crude futures surging roughly 10% on Monday.

Saudi Arabia’s heavily fortified energy facilities have been targeted previously, most notably in September 2019 when unprecedented drone and missile attacks on the Abqaiq and Khurais plants temporarily knocked out more than half of the kingdom’s crude production and roiled global markets.

 

01:54 p.m.: Millions in Iran without internet for more than 48 hours

Iran’s internet blackout has now lasted for more than 48 hours, according to cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks, as the war enters its third day.

Internet shutdowns have previously been a go-to tactic for the regime, with a previous period of inactivity recorded in January for several weeks during anti-government protests.

CNN staff on the ground note there is some online connectivity and not a full-scale blackout like last month.

Meanwhile, Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic and a possible contender for the position of Iran’s next Supreme Leader, has urged the country’s citizens to remain on the streets and inside mosques.

“Do not leave the streets and mosques for a moment. Our soft power, the hearts of the people, and the presence of the people on the scene is what has kept us here,” Khomeini said, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

“From today until the end of the war, it is an objective obligation for everyone to be in the mosques, fill the mosques,” he said. “Our strongholds are the mosques and squares of the city. Every square must be occupied by the people, while they are wearing black clothes and holding the flag of Imam Hussein in their hands.”

Khomeini is the grandson of the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, giving him religious and revolutionary legitimacy.

He serves as the custodian of the Khomeini mausoleum but hasn’t held public office and appears to have little influence with the country’s security apparatus or ruling elite. He is known to be less hardline than many of his peers and was barred from running for the Assembly of Experts in 2016.

 

01:48 p.m.: Kuwait says several US warplanes have crashed in the country today

Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense said “several United States military aircraft crashed” on Monday and that “all crews survived.”

The statement comes after videos geolocated by CNN showed a fighter jet crashing in Kuwait and a pilot parachuting to the ground.

A US fighter jet has crashed in Kuwait during an Iranian missile attack on an American air base.

Video footage shows a US F-15E Strike Eagle spiraling downwards as flames engulf its engine six miles from the US Ali Al Salem base.

The fighter pilot appears to have ejected and landed safely, later being assisted by locals. The status of the weapons system operator is unknown.

It is not known whether the jet was shot down by an Iranian missile, hit by friendly US air defence rockets or suffered a technical malfunction.

It comes after the first US casualties of the war were confirmed on Sunday. Three soldiers have been killed and five more injured since operations started on Saturday morning.

Donald Trump vowed to avenge their deaths but warned there would likely be more casualties before the joint US-Israel war comes to an end.

The war expanded on Monday after Israel attacked Lebanon in response to Hezbollah firing retaliatory strikes over the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

 

01:39 p.m.: QR system for fuel unnecessary, CPC Chairman asserts

The QR system should only be used to limit fuel distribution in the event of a fuel shortage in the country, the Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), D.J. Rajakaruna stated. 

As there are currently sufficient fuel stocks available, there is no necessity to implement the QR system at this time, the Chairman noted.

However, he said that if a situation arises where the enforcement of the law alone is insufficient to control the circumstances, the authorities are prepared to introduce the QR system at any time if required.

Rajakaruna further stated that fuel distribution activities were carried out as usual today (02).

As of 9.45 a.m., 2,925,349 litres of diesel and 2,940,000 litres of Octane 92 petrol had been distributed.

He added yesterday (01) alone, 3,081,349 litres of diesel and 3,920,400 litres of Octane 92 petrol were released to the market.

The CPC Chairman emphasized that continuous fuel distribution is being maintained and that adequate fuel stocks are available. Therefore, there is no need for the general public to panic.

He expressed regret that people are unnecessarily alarmed and continue to wait in long queues.

Rajakaruna also warned that hoarding fuel at homes without a valid license is illegal and dangerous, and that strict legal action will be taken against such activities.

He further revealed that several individuals were arrested by police yesterday (01) in connection with illegally storing fuel.

The CPC Chairman urged the public to inform police if they have any information regarding individuals who are illegally hoarding fuel.

 

12:46 p.m.: SriLankan Airlines announcement on cancelled flights

SriLankan Airlines has announced that due to the continued closure of airspace in certain parts of the Middle East, the SriLankan Airlines flights scheduled to operate today (02) have been cancelled.

Accordingly, the following flights have been cancelled: 

UL225 Colombo – Dubai
UL226  Dubai – Colombo
UL217 Colombo – Doha
UL218 Doha – Colombo
UL253 Colombo – Dammam
UL254 Dammam – Colombo
UL265 Colombo – Riyadh
UL266 Riyadh – Colombo
UL229 Colombo – Kuwait
UL230 Kuwait – Colombo
Passengers are kindly requested to contact 1979 (within Sri Lanka), +94 11 777 1979 (international), respective travel agent, WhatsApp +94 74 444 1979 (chat only) or visit www.srilankan.com.

 

12:26 p.m.: Suspected drone strike hits British air base in Cyprus

A drone strike hit Britain’s Royal Air Force base of Akrotiri in Cyprus overnight, causing limited damage and no casualties, the island’s president and Britain’s defence ministry said on Monday.

The first attack on the British military facility since a rocket attack by Libyan militants in 1986, the incident represents a marked escalation in the conflict.

“All the competent services of the republic are on alert and in full operational readiness,” President Nikos Christodoulides said in a speech.

The Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicle caused minor damage when it crashed into the military facilities at 12:03 a.m., he added.

“I want to be clear: Our country does not participate in any way and does not intend to be part of any military operation,” Christodoulides said.

It was not immediately clear from where the Iranian-made Shahed had been fired. Two sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters the British bases intercepted a second drone.

While the bases are regarded as British sovereign territory, Cyprus itself is an EU member, now holding the bloc’s rotating presidency.

Akrotiri, south-west of the sprawling coastal city of Limassol, is one of two bases Britain has retained in the former colony since independence in 1960. In addition to the military facilities, it houses families of serving personnel.

Base authorities advised residents near Akrotiri to shelter in place until further notice after a “suspected drone impact”, and added later that non-essential personnel would be dispersed, while other British facilities would operate normally.

Akrotiri, located on a square-shaped peninsula on the southern tip of Cyprus, has been used in the past for military operations in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain had accepted a U.S. request to use its bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles in storage depots or launchers.

12:13 p.m.: Sri Lanka grants 2-week visa extension for foreigners stranded due to flight restrictions

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that, due to flight restrictions caused by the Middle East conflict, the visa validity period for foreigners stranded in the country will be extended by two weeks.

The Minister made this announcement during a press briefing at the Government Information Department.

He further emphasized that no fees will be charged for this visa extension.

 

11:50 a.m.: Iran ‘will not negotiate with US’: Top Iranian official

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani denied Monday claims that Tehran had sought to restart negotiations with Washington, declaring that Iran will not engage in talks with the US.

Larijani, through US social media company on X, addressed reports suggesting that Iran had made new initiatives to negotiate with the US.

Referring to a report by Al Jazeera, quoting The Wall Street Journal, that claimed Larijani attempted to resume negotiations with Washington through Oman, he noted: “We will not negotiate with the US.”

In a separate post, Larijani also responded to US President Donald Trump’s remarks on Iran.

Criticizing Trump for leading the region into chaos with “empty illusions,” Larijani said: “He is now worried about further losses of American soldiers. With his own delusions, he has transformed the slogan ‘America First’ into ‘Israel First’ and sacrificed American troops for Israel’s lust for power.”

He further accused Trump of “making American soldiers and their families pay the price with new lies.”

The joint US-Israeli military campaign launched on Saturday has killed several senior Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Gulf countries. Three US service members have been killed and five others seriously wounded.

 

09:17 a.m.: Iraqi militia claims drone attack targeting US troops in Baghdad

An Iraqi Shiite militia claimed a drone attack Monday targeting U.S. troops at the airport in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, further widening the retaliation over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The group, Saraya Awliya al-Dam, is one of a group of Shiite militias operating in Iraq following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of the country that toppled Saddam Hussein.

The U.S. and Iraq did not immediately comment on the claim.

The attack comes as Iranian-supported militias including the Lebanese group Hezbollah have entered the war started by the U.S. and Israel launching an airstrike campaign targeting Iran’s theocracy.

 

08:15 a.m.: Israel strikes Beirut’s southern suburbs after Hezbollah attacks

Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday, after the Iran-backed group launched missiles and drones towards Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

More than a dozen explosions rocked Beirut, witnesses said, in the most intensive strikes on the southern suburbs since a war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2024.

Lebanese security sources said airstrikes hit several areas of the southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh.

The Israeli military said it had begun striking Hezbollah targets across Lebanon and held Hezbollah responsible.

“Hezbollah opened a campaign against Israel overnight, and is fully responsible for any escalation,” Israeli Chief of the General Staff, Eyal Zamir, said in a statement.

The projectiles launched by Hezbollah were the first since the start of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.

Israel also carried out airstrikes in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, the Lebanese security sources said.

The Shi’ite Muslim group, long one of Tehran’s principal allies in the Middle East, said it launched the attack against Israel in response to Israel killing Khamenei and continuous Israeli violations against Lebanon.

“The resistance leadership has always emphasised that the continuation of Israeli attacks and the assassination of our leaders, youth, and people gives us the right to defend ourselves and respond at the appropriate time and place,” Hezbollah said in a statement.

“The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will operate against Hezbollah’s decision to join the campaign, and will not enable the organization to constitute a threat to the State of Israel,” the Israeli military said.

Israel and Lebanon agreed to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in 2024, ending more than a year of fighting between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah that had culminated in Israeli strikes that severely weakened the Iran-backed group. Since then, the sides have traded accusations over violations.

Lebanon’s presidency said on Saturday it had been told by the U.S. ambassador that Israel would not escalate against Lebanon as long as there are no hostile acts from the Lebanese side.

 

07:08 a.m.: Israel hits Tehran again after killing Khamenei, leadership council takes over

Israel launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran on Sunday and Iran responded with more missile barrages, a day after the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei pitched the Middle East and the global economy into deepening uncertainty.

U.S. and Israeli strikes - and Iranian retaliation - sent shockwaves worldwide through sectors from shipping to air travel to oil, amid warnings of rising energy costs and disruption to business in the Gulf region.

The Israeli military said it had intercepted projectiles that were launched from Lebanon early Monday morning, in what could be the first sign of Lebanon’s Shi’ite Muslim armed group Hezbollah, long one of Tehran’s principal allies in the Middle East, entering the conflict.

U.S. President Donald Trump said the attack was intended to ensure Iran could not have a nuclear weapon, to contain its missile program and to eliminate threats to the United States and its allies. The U.S. has hit more than 1,000 Iranian targets since the start of the campaign, U.S. Central Command said.

In a video statement posted to his Truth Social site, Trump vowed military strikes will continue until “all our objectives are achieved.” He said the assault had wiped out Iran’s military command and destroyed nine Iranian navy ships and a naval building.

Trump said the Iranian military and police should lay down their arms, promising immunity for those who surrender and threatening “certain death” for those who resist. He reiterated calls for the Iranian people to revolt against the government.

“I call upon all Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment, to be brave, be bold, be heroic and take back your country,” Trump said in the pre-recorded video. “America is with you.”

Earlier in an interview with the Atlantic magazine, Trump said Iran’s leadership wanted to talk to him and he had agreed.

In a separate interview with the Daily Mail, he said the military campaign against Iran could continue for the next four weeks.

 

06:46 a.m.: Trump says combat operations in Iran will continue until all objectives achieved

U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that combat operations in Iran were continuing and would carry on until all of Washington’s objectives are achieved.

Trump confirmed in a video posted on Truth Social that three U.S. service members had been killed and said there would likely be more casualties, vowing to avenge the deaths of Americans.

“Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved. We have very strong objectives,” Trump said.

 

06:33 a.m.: UK’s Starmer says US can use British bases for defensive strikes against Iran missiles

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday that his country has accepted a U.S. request to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles in storage depots or launchers.

“The United States has requested permission to use British bases for that specific and limited defensive purpose. We have taken the decision to accept this request to prevent Iran firing missiles across the region,” he said in a video message on X.

Starmer reiterated that Britain was not involved in the joint U.S.-Israel air strikes on Iran that killed the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday, adding that Britain would not join further waves of strikes.

But he said Iran had retaliated by launching sustained attacks across the region and its missiles had hit airports and hotels where British citizens were staying.

“Our decision that the UK would not be involved with the strikes on Iran was deliberate, not least because we believe that the best way forward for the region and for the world is a negotiated settlement, one in which Iran agrees to give up any aspirations to develop a nuclear weapon,” he said.

“But Iran is striking British interests nonetheless, and putting British people at huge risk.”

Britain’s partners in the Gulf had asked it to do more to defend them, he said, and it was his duty to protect British lives.

British fighter jets were already taking part in coordinated defensive operations and had intercepted Iranian strikes, he said, but the only way to stop the threat was to destroy the missiles at their source in storage depots or launchers.

Accepting the U.S. request, therefore, was based on the “collective self-defence of long-standing friends and allies and protecting British lives” in accordance with international law, he said.

 

08:30 p.m.: No plans to close Strait of Hormuz: Iran FM

Iran’s leadership transition is proceeding under constitutional procedures following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera. 

He said a Transitional Council—comprising the president, the head of the judiciary and a Guardian Council jurist—has assumed interim leadership duties until the Assembly of Experts elects a successor, a decision he suggested could come within one or two days. “Everything is in order and in line with our legal system,” he said, calling the killing “a very serious and unprecedented act” and “a blatant violation of international law”. 

Araghchi added that Tehran remains open to diplomacy, in contrast to the United States, which he accused of striking Iran “for the second time during negotiations”.

Araghchi stressed that Iran has “no restrictions or limits in defending ourselves” but does not intend to escalate by disrupting maritime traffic. He said there are no plans “at this stage” to close the Strait of Hormuz or otherwise impede navigation. 

Emphasising Iran’s ties with Gulf neighbours, he said Tehran is “not attacking our brothers” and seeks to maintain friendly, good‑neighbourly relations, framing current actions as self‑defence and retaliation against U.S. targets.

Meanwhile, the U.K. Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) says a vessel near the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unidentified projectile northwest of Mina Saqr in the United Arab Emirates, sparking a fire that has since been extinguished, with the ship intending to continue its voyage. Authorities are investigating. It is the third maritime incident UKMTO has reported today, following earlier attacks north of Muscat in Oman, within the Strait of Hormuz, and off Oman’s Kumzar.

Araghchi said Iran is acting in self-defence against ongoing U.S. attacks, focusing its response on American military personnel and regional bases rather than targets inside the United States. 

As US forces have evacuated certain installations and moved into civilian areas, he alleged they are effectively using “human shields”, adding that Iran is aiming strictly at military sites and the facilities supporting U.S. operations against Tehran.

 

08:27 p.m.: Sri Lankan nationals among 58 civilians with minor injuries after Iranian attacks on UAE

The Ministry of Defence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has confirmed that civilian casualties were reported following recent missile and drone attacks linked to Iran. 

According to the Ministry, one or more Sri Lankan nationals were among those who sustained minor injuries during the incidents.

In an official statement, the ministry said three individuals — nationals of Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh — were killed in the incidents.

A total of 58 people sustained minor injuries. Those injured include nationals of the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon and Afghanistan. 

However, the statement did not specify how many Sri Lankan nationals were among the 58 injured persons or provide any details of their identities.

The ministry further indicated that debris fell in various parts of the country as a result of air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles and drones, leading to minor to moderate material damage to several civilian properties.

Reaffirming its preparedness, the ministry stated that it remains fully ready to address any threats and emphasised that the safety of citizens, residents and visitors remains a top priority.

The ministry also announced that the UAE Air Force and Air Defence Forces have so far dealt with 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 541 Iranian drones since the commencement of the Iranian attack on 28 February 2026.

According to the statement, on the morning of the second day of the attack, the UAE Air Force and Air Defence Forces destroyed 20 ballistic missiles, while eight missiles fell into the sea. They also intercepted and destroyed two cruise missiles and 311 drones. However, 21 drones struck civilian targets.

Since the beginning of the attack, 165 ballistic missiles launched from Iran towards the UAE have been detected, of which 152 were intercepted and destroyed, while 13 fell into sea waters. In addition, two cruise missiles were detected and destroyed.

A total of 541 Iranian drones were detected, of which 506 were intercepted and destroyed, while 35 fell within the country, causing material damage.

 

07:31 p.m.: CPC to continue uninterrupted fuel distribution – Chairman

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) says it will continue fuel distribution without interruption.

CPC Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna stated that fuel distribution will proceed as usual tomorrow (02).

He noted that although today (01) was a public holiday, fuel distribution activities were carried out with the support and contribution of staff.

Accordingly, by 5.00 p.m. today, a total of 1,332,311 litres of diesel and 2,019,600 litres of 92-octane petrol had been distributed, the Chairman said.

He further emphasized that stockpiling fuel at private residences is an illegal act.

As a result, he added that police have been requested to take legal action against those engaging in such practices.

 

06:53 p.m.: Death toll in UAE rises to three, another 58 injured in strikes

Three people in the United Arab Emirates have been killed in Iran’s retaliatory strikes, the country’s Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Sunday.

Those killed were nationals of Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh who died as a result of Iranian drones that made it through the UAE air defenses, causing damage on the ground, the Defense Ministry said. At least 58 other people have experienced minor injuries.

In total, Iran launched 165 ballistic missiles on the UAE, of which 152 were destroyed by the country’s air defenses and 13 fell into the sea, the ministry said. A further two cruise missiles were detected and destroyed.

The ministry also said Iran launched a total of 541 drones, of which 506 were intercepted, while 35 fell within the country’s territory.

“Some debris fell in scattered areas of the country as a result of air defense systems intercepting ballistic missiles and drones, leading to minor and moderate material damage in a number of civilian properties,” the ministry’s statement added.

06:35 p.m.: One killed, 32 injured in Kuwait following Iranian strikes

One person has been killed and 32 injured in Iranian strikes on Kuwait, the country’s health ministry said Sunday.

All of the 32 injured are foreign nationals, according to Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad, a spokesperson for the ministry.

He said that those wounded sustained chest, head and abdominal injuries among others, and that 15 patients had been transferred to Jaber Al-Ahmad Hospital.

Meanwhile, eight people were killed in a direct missile hit on a residential building near Jerusalem, Israel’s emergency response service said on Sunday afternoon.

It marks the deadliest incident in Israel since Iran began retaliating with ballistic missile launches to a wave of joint US-Israel strikes on Saturday morning.

Nearly 30 people were injured in the strike on the city of Beit Shemesh, Magen David Adom (MDA) said, including two seriously injured.

“As a result of the direct hit, severe damage and collapse of the building occurred,” Israel police said in a statement. Video from the scene from MDA showed firefighters trying to douse flames and smoke rising from what appears to be a major impact site.

Israel has intercepted most of the Iranian missile launches since the fighting began, but the Israeli military has warned the public that the aerial defense systems are not guaranteed to stop every missile.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said search and rescue forces, along with medical teams, are working at the site of the impact. A helicopter has also been sent to the site for emergency evacuation.

 

06:03 p.m.: Police to take action against individuals involved in unlawful hoarding of fuel

Sri Lanka Police will conduct investigations and initiate legal proceedings against any individuals or groups involved in the unlawful hoarding of fuel, profiteering by reselling at inflated prices, or disseminating false and misleading information regarding fuel availability on social media platforms, the Police Headquarters announced.

Issuing a statement, the Police Media Division said police have observed that certain individuals are attempting to stockpile fuel improperly due to concerns arising from the current unstable situation in the Middle East.

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has officially stated that there are sufficient fuel reserves available within the country and that the public need not panic or be unduly alarmed, police added.

Police noted despite the announcement, some individuals and groups are taking steps to collect fuel in cans, barrels, and other containers.

All police stations have been instructed to take appropriate action in coordination with filling station management to prevent such practices.

The Police Media Division noted that accordingly fuel should not be dispensed into cans, bottles, or any other containers, except for legitimate requirements related to fishing vessels, industrial operations, workplaces, agricultural activities, and essential domestic purposes.

 

05:44 p.m.: Pope Leo voices ‘deep concern’ over Iran escalation

Pope Leo XIV voiced concern on Sunday about developments in the Middle East and Iran, urging the parties involved to stop what he called a “spiral of violence” before it becomes an “irreparable abyss.”

“Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue,” the pope said March 1. He appealed for diplomacy to “recover its role” and for the common good of peoples who long for peaceful coexistence “founded on justice.”

The pontiff added: “Let us continue to pray for peace.”

Leo also appealed for peace in the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, calling for an urgent return to dialogue. He asked Catholics to pray that concord may prevail in conflicts around the world, saying: “Only peace, a gift of God, can heal the wounds between peoples.”

The pope also said he was close to the people of Brazil’s state of Minas Gerais following severe flooding, offering prayers for victims, families who have lost their homes, and those engaged in rescue operations.

Earlier, before reciting the Angelus, the pope reflected on Sunday’s Gospel account of the Transfiguration, describing Christ as the living wisdom who fulfills the Law and the Prophets. He said the Transfiguration anticipates the light of Easter—death and resurrection, darkness and new light—shining, he said, upon bodies “scourged by violence,” “crucified by suffering,” and “abandoned in misery.”

Pope Leo said the Lord “transfigures the wounds of history,” illuminating minds and hearts with a surprising revelation of salvation. He added that grasping this mystery requires time: time of silence to listen to the Word, and time of conversion to savor the Lord’s companionship.

 

05:29 p.m.: Middle East crisis could impact Sri Lanka’s economy – Prof. Tudor Weerasinghe

Political analyst Professor Tudor Weerasinghe today (01) outlined the potential impact of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East on Sri Lanka.

Addressing a media briefing on the matter, Prof. Weerasinghe noted that global daily oil production stands at approximately 100 million barrels, with around 20% originating from the Middle East region. Any disruption to this supply, he warned, could lead to significant shifts in the global economy, particularly through rising oil and gas prices.

Elaborating further, Prof. Weerasinghe stated that Sri Lanka’s exports could also be affected.

“We export a significant volume of tea to Iran. We also export to Arab countries. Under these circumstances, the conflict situation could disrupt those activities. Already, many international flights between countries have been cancelled. This situation could have a decisive impact not only on the global economy and trade, but also on international relations,” Prof. Tudor Weerasinghe added.

 

05:12 p.m.: Alireza Arafi appointed to Iran’s Leadership Council

Iran has appointed Alireza Arafi as the jurist member of its temporary Leadership Council following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes, according to state media.

The appointment occurred on Sunday, as reported by the ISNA news agency. Arafi, a cleric and member of the Guardian Council, joins President Masoud Pezeshkian and Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei on the council, which handles the supreme leader’s duties until the Assembly of Experts selects a successor.

State media repeated the announcement, noting Arafi’s role in the interim body.

In Tehran, some residents celebrated with cheers, music, whistles, and fireworks shortly after 11 pm local time on Saturday, even before official confirmation of Khamenei’s death. Videos verified by news agency AFP showed these scenes, though large crowds did not form due to fears stemming from a recent crackdown on anti-government protests in January.

Others mourned in central Tehran, gathering in Enghelab Square dressed in black, some weeping, chanting “death to America” and “death to Israel,” while waving Iranian flags and holding Khamenei’s photos. State television declared a 40-day mourning period and seven public holidays, stating that Khamenei’s path would continue with increased vigour.

Iran President Pezeshkian described the killing as a “declaration of war against Muslims” by the US and Israel. The Revolutionary Guards earlier vowed to punish those responsible. 

US President Donald Trump announced Khamenei’s death on Truth Social late Saturday, calling him “one of the most evil people in History” and suggesting it offered Iranians a chance to reclaim their country.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Iranians to overthrow the regime, describing Khamenei as a “cruel tyrant” who spread terror, oppressed his people, and sought Israel’s destruction over more than three decades. 

Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s late shah, stated on X that Khamenei’s death marked the end of the Islamic Republic, soon to be discarded in history.

 

04:52 p.m.: One killed and 11 injured at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports as Iran strikes region

One person has been killed and 11 injured at airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as Iran launched attacks across the Middle East in response to a massive and ongoing attack against it by the US and Israel.

Authorities in Abu Dhabi confirmed a drone targeting Zayed International Airport (AUH) was intercepted, leading to “falling debris”, killing one person and injuring seven.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) - the world’s busiest by passenger traffic - was damaged in an “incident” that injured four staff, according to authorities.

Thousands of flights have been grounded to and from the region, in one of the most serious disruptions to global travel since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Retaliatory strikes from Iran continued on Sunday with explosions heard in Doha, Dubai and Manama.

Iran has used ballistic missiles and drones to launch wide-scale attacks on US allies and assets across the Gulf, after its supreme leader was killed in the ongoing US-Israel air offensive launched on Saturday morning.

Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait - all home to US military bases - said they had intercepted missiles fired towards them, but falling debris appeared to have caused widespread damage.

Also in Dubai, debris from an “aerial interception” caused a fire in a berth at the Jebel Ali deep sea port - the world’s ninth busiest.

On the Palm Jumeirah, Dubai’s luxury man-made archipelago, the five-star Fairmont The Palm hotel was struck by a large explosion. Video verified by the BBC shows a fire raging as black smoke rises into the sky.

Authorities also confirmed debris from an intercepted drone had caused a “minor fire” on the outer facade of the five-star Burj Al Arab hotel.

In Bahrain, the interior ministry said the airport was damaged after being targeted by a drone. There were unconfirmed reports of continuing attacks on Sunday morning.

On Saturday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said they had struck the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, located in Bahrain’s capital Manama. Huge plumes of black smoke were seen rising from an area near the base.

Meanwhile, Oman’s state news agency reported Duqm commercial port was targeted by two drones, injuring one worker.

 

04:24 p.m.: Russian President Vladimir Putin says the killing of Khamenei is ‘cynical’ murder

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family was “cynical” murder that violated all the norms of human morality and international law.

“Please accept my deep condolences in connection with the murder of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic ⁠of Iran, Seyed Ali Khamenei, and members of his family, committed in ⁠cynical violation of all norms of human morality and international law,” Putin said in a note to Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian released by the Kremlin.

Khamenei was killed on Saturday, aged 86, Iranian state media announced, in air strikes by Israel and the United States.

“In our country, Ayatollah Khamenei will be remembered as an outstanding statesman who made a huge personal contribution to the development of friendly Russian-Iranian relations and bringing them to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership,” Putin said.

“I ask you to convey my most sincere sympathy and support to the family and friends of the Supreme Leader, the government and the entire people of Iran.”

 

04:16 p.m.: Two Israelis killed, 120 injured in missile attack - IDF

Two Israelis have been killed and over 120 injured in the two days since Operation Roaring Lion began, the Israel Defense Forces has confirmed.

The first fatality occured when a missile hit an older residential building whose designated protected spaces are public shelters instead of built-in safe rooms.

Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s emergency medical service, said that the woman, who was initially in critical condition, succumbed to her injuries a few hours after the attack.

“Paramedics have confirmed the death of a woman in her 40s,” after an Iranian missile hit the Tel Aviv city center, according to a senior officer in a video shared by the army.

Marina Bleive, a 68-year-old Tel Aviv resident, suffocated on her way to the shelter on Sunday morning.

Her daughter Aya told Ynet: “I started walking, I went outside. [Marina] told me, ‘Go, I’ll come.’ I turned around and saw that she had stopped, and she shouted, ‘Go, don’t wait for me’… I kept walking, and then the neighbor called me and said that my mom was sitting on the bench and was choking.”

Evacuation, building damage after the strike

Following the direct strike on Tel Aviv, over 200 residents were evacuated from the area and housed in three hotels nearby.

40 buildings in the area have been inspected so far, with only one being declared unfit for habitation.

Of the 40 buildings, 29 sustained property damage without significant structural impact, and 10 suffered minor damage.

The Home Front Command said Iran has launched several hundred missiles towards Israel and other countries in the region, sending a continuous stream of missiles rather than the organized waves of 20-30 missiles that were seen during Operation Rising Lion, last June.

 

04:00 p.m.: OPEC+ debates oil output boost as war disrupts shipments

OPEC+ will consider a larger-than-expected oil output increase on Sunday, two OPEC+ sources said after the U.S.-Israeli war on OPEC+ member Iran and Tehran’s retaliation led to shipment disruptions in the Middle East.

OPEC+ has a history of raising oil output to cushion disruptions but analysts said the group currently has very little spare capacity to meaningfully add to supply, except for its leader Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Riyadh has been raising oil production and exports in recent weeks in preparation for U.S. strikes on Iran, sources have told Reuters.

Oil, gas and other shipments from the Middle East via the Strait of Hormuz have come to a halt since Saturday after shipowners received a warning from Iran saying the area was closed for navigation.

OPEC+ will debate a production hike of 411,000 barrels per day or more at a meeting on Sunday, sources told Reuters, larger than the original expectations of 137,000 bpd.

Oil prices jumped on Friday to $73 per barrel, the highest level since July, on fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East and supply disruptions through Hormuz, the world’s most important oil route amounting to over 20% of global oil transit.

Middle East leaders have warned Washington that a war on Iran could lead to oil prices jumping to over $100 per barrel, said veteran OPEC analyst Helima Croft from RBC. Analysts from Barclays also said prices could rise to $100.

Croft said the market impact from any large OPEC output increase will be limited due to a lack of actual production capabilities outside Saudi Arabia.

The meeting on Sunday will start at 1100 GMT and will involve only eight members of OPEC+ - Saudi Arabia, Russia, the UAE, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Iraq, Algeria and Oman. OPEC+ groups the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies like Russia but most production changes in the past years have been done by the eight members.

The eight members raised production quotas by about 2.9 million bpd from April through December 2025, roughly 3% of global demand, before pausing increases for January to March 2026 due to seasonal weakness.

 

03:26 p.m.: No Sri Lankans in Israel harmed in Iran attacks: Ambassador

No Sri Lankans have been known to be harmed in Israel following retaliatory attacks launched by Iran, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Israel, Nimal Bandara has confirmed to Ada Derana.

Ambassador Nimal Bandara said Israel banned public gatherings, shut schools and workplaces and moved hospital patients to underground facilities on Saturday as Tehran launched missiles towards Israel in retaliation for a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran.

Defence Minister Israel Katz also declared a state of emergency across the country, warning the public of Iranian missile and drone attacks.

The military ordered the public to follow emergency guidance while urging residents against non-essential travel so as to allow security and emergency vehicles to move freely, Ambassador Nimal Bandara.

The Ambassador said he expects the situation to be brought under control in two days.

Ambassador Nimal Bandara said since the Ben Gurion Airport remains closed, Sri Lanka hoping to leave Israel and those hoping to arrive in the country will be required to postpone their travel plans.

He said the Embassy is taking all measures to educate the Sri Lankans in Israel on all safety measures and other protocols.

 

02:40 p.m.: Oil tanker attacked near coast of Oman

An oil tanker was attacked about five nautical miles off the coast of Masandam in Oman, the country’s maritime security center said Sunday.

Four people were injured and the whole crew of 20 people was evacuated, it said. The vessel was called “Skylight” and flew the flag of Palau, a small island nation in the western Pacific.

The maritime security center said the rescues were carried out by the Omani navy and military, “reflecting the national readiness to deal with maritime incidents.”

Oman had played a key role in mediating the recent talks between Iran and the United States, which aimed to reach a new nuclear deal.

 

02:38 p.m.: Iran’s Khamenei ‘will not be mourned,’ says Australian PM Albanese

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “will not be mourned,” as state media in the Islamic Republic confirms he has been killed.

“Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was responsible for the regime’s ballistic missile and nuclear program, support for armed proxies and its brutal acts of violence and intimidation against its own people,” Albanese tells reporters.

“He was responsible for orchestrating attacks on Australian soil. His passing will not be mourned.”

 

02:30 p.m.: Israel targets “heart of Tehran” in new wave of strikes

The Israeli Air Force has carried out a new wave of strikes on the Iranian capital Tehran, according to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

“For the first time since the start of Operation ‘Roaring Lion’: The IDF is striking targets that belong to the Iranian terror regime in the heart of Tehran,” a statement said, a day after joint attacks with the US killed Iran’s supreme leader.

“Over the past day, the Israeli Air force conducted large-scale strikes in order to establish aerial superiority and to pave the path to Tehran.”

Reports from Tehran say there were explosions in multiple areas of the city Sunday morning.

Images posted on social media purported to show large clouds of dense smoke rising from several parts of Tehran.

 

02:27 p.m.: Senior Iranian official says no US warships can enter Persian Gulf

No US warships would be allowed to enter the Persian Gulf Moshen Rezaei, a former top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander and senior Iranian official, said Sunday.

Rezaei’s pronouncement came in a Telegram post from the state-run Fars News Agency.

The US Navy amassed what President Donald Trump has called an “armada” of ships in the region before Saturday’s attack on Iran. In the days leading up to the strikes, at least a few of those US ships were in the Gulf while others were in the Arabian Sea. The exact location of US ships in the region was unknown on Sunday.

Video released by US Central Command since the strikes began showed US warships launching Tomahawk missiles as part of the strikes on Iran as well as fighter jets taking off from an aircraft carrier.

 

02:03 p.m.: Several senior Iranian figures killed in attack by US and Israel

A number of senior figures in Iran are known to have been killed in Saturday’s strikes on Iran.

The Israeli military has also published a list of senior Iranian officials it says were killed in Saturday’s airstrikes.

They include:

• Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, who was killed on Saturday morning at his office
• Aziz Nasirzadeh, the country’s defense minister
• Ali Shamkhani, the head of the Iranian Security Council
• Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
• Abdolrahim Mousavi, country’s armed forces chief of staff
• Saleh Asadi, an intelligence official
• Hossein Jabal Amelian and Reza Mozaffari-Nia, research officials
• Mohammed Shirazi, longtime defense liason

Iranian television State media has also reported that Khamenei’s daughter, son-in-law and grandchild were killed in the attack

An intelligence source and military source has told CBS News that overall around 40 Iranian officials were killed in the strikes.

 

01:40 p.m.: Middle East Conflict: Foreign Ministry issues emergency contact numbers

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a set of emergency contact numbers for Sri Lankans in light of the escalating conflict in the Middle East.   

Accordingly, Sri Lankans residing in the Middle East can obtain information by using contact details of the missions/ posts.

 

01:29 p.m.: Middle East Conflict causes worst travel disruptions in years

Thousands of flights have been affected across the Middle East and beyond since the U.S. and Israeli strikes, according to data on FlightAware, a flight tracking platform.

Key transit airports including Dubai - the world’s busiest international hub - and Abu Dhabi in the UAE, and Doha in Qatar, were shut or severely restricted as much of the region’s airspace remained closed.

Dubai International Airport sustained damage during Iran’s retaliatory attacks, while airports in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait were also hit.

Dubai and neighbouring Doha sit at the crossroads of east-west air travel, funnelling long-haul traffic between Europe and Asia through tightly scheduled networks of connecting flights.

With those hubs idle, aircraft and crews remained stranded out of position, disrupting airline schedules worldwide.

“It’s the sheer volume of people and the complexity,” said UK-based aviation analyst John Strickland.

“It is not only customers, it is the crews and aircraft all over place.” 

 

01:19 p.m.: From Pakistan to Iraq, protesters storm US Consulates over Khamenei’s death

Scores of men forced their way into the United States Consulate in Pakistan’s Karachi on Sunday, as tensions escalated in the Middle East after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was announced.

Visuals showed police clashing with protestors on the street outside the consulate. 

While protestors threw stones, police fired tear gas in an attempt to disperse them. 

Another video showed scores of men inside the gate compound of the consulate, trying to break glasses of windows and doors to enter the main building.

 

12:50 p.m.: SL Embassy in Saudi Arabia urges Sri Lankans to remain vigilant amid evolving security situation

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Saudi Arabia has urged Sri Lankans residing in Saudi Arabia to remain attentive and cautious in light of the evolving security situation in the Middle East.

Issuing a special notice, the Embassy advised Sri Lankans to rely solely on official sources of information.

Sri Lankans have also been requested to strictly follow instructions issued by the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as guidance provided by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General’s Office in Jeddah.

The Embassy further called on the Sri Lankans to refrain from spreading unverified information and to avoid traveling to areas where security advisories have been issued.

Sri Lankans have also been advised to keep their travel and identification documents easily accessible at all times.

To ensure the safety and welfare of Sri Lankans, the Embassy has introduced 24-hour emergency contact numbers.

Individuals can reach the Embassy via +966 54 947 7567 or +966 56 982 2700.

For WhatsApp or IMO messages, the number +966 56 975 3380 has been provided.

Information can also be obtained via email at slemb.riyadh@mfa.gov.lk

 

12:11 p.m.: China urges immediate ceasefire after US, Israel strike Iran

China’s ministry of foreign affairs has expressed concern over United States-Israeli strikes against Iran and called for an immediate ceasefire, urging all sides to avoid escalation and to resume dialogue and negotiation.

In a statement on Saturday (Feb 28), the ministry said Iran’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected.

On Sunday, China’s embassy in Israel issued a notice advising Chinese citizens in Israel to evacuate to safer areas within the country as soon as possible or to leave for Egypt via the Taba border crossing.

The US and Israel launched an attack on Iran on Saturday, targeting its military capability. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in the operation, state media reported.

Separately, Hong Kong-based airline operator Cathay Group on Saturday suspended operations in the Middle East, citing regional tension following the strikes.

The suspension affects passenger flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh, as well as freighter services operating through Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, Cathay, the parent of Cathay Pacific Airways, said in a statement.

It said it is rerouting flights that typically pass over the affected area. 

 

11:42 a.m.: Iran speaker brands US, Israel chiefs ‘filthy criminals,’ warns of retaliation

Iran’s parliament speaker on Sunday called the leaders of the United States and Israel “filthy criminals” who will face “devastating blows” for their ongoing attacks on the Islamic Republic.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf made the comment in a televised address.

Qalibaf is the highest-ranking official to appear on camera since the attacks began Saturday. “You have crossed our red line and must pay the price,” he said. “We will deliver such devastating blows that you yourselves will be driven to beg.”

 

11:16 a.m.: Sri Lanka’s fuel supply chain not from current conflict zone - CPC Chairman

There will be no delays in receiving fuel stocks ordered through April and May, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) stated.

Addressing a media briefing in Colombo, CPC Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna noted that Sri Lanka’s fuel supply chain is not from the current conflict zone in the Middle East. Therefore, he said the fuel supply to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will not be interrupted.

CPC Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna noted that the relevant fuel shipments are scheduled to arrive from India and Singapore.

“We are making this statement responsibly. Therefore, there is no point in people waiting in queues. We were not originally scheduled to distribute fuel today (01). However, due to increased public consumption, we have called all fuel distribution staff back to work. Fuel issuance has now commenced. Although tomorrow (02) is a Poya day, fuel supplies will continue,” he said.

The CPC Chairman also noted that all filling stations have been instructed not to supply fuel into cans or barrels. He warned that legal action will be taken against anyone attempting to purchase fuel in bulk containers for resale.

 

11:13 a.m.: Continuous fuel distribution today and tomorrow: Petroleum Tanker Owners

Despite the ongoing war in the Middle East, the Sri Lanka Petroleum Private Tanker Owners’ Association has reassured the general public that there is sufficient fuel stock for the next 37 days in Sri Lanka, urging people not to panic unnecessarily.

Speaking on the matter, D.V. Shantha Silva, an executive committee member of the association, emphasized that fuel distribution will continue as normal today, Sunday, despite the holiday, and that fuel distribution will also take place tomorrow, which is Poya Day.

Silva further clarified, “Normally, Sundays are holidays, but due to the extended weekend, the Indian Oil Corporation had already made arrangements for regular fuel distribution. Even though fuel distribution typically halts on Poya days, the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd. has confirmed that fuel will be distributed tomorrow (March 2). A sufficient number of tankers have been deployed for the task. There is absolutely no need to cause unnecessary alarm regarding fuel availability.”

 

10:44 a.m.: Iran launches new wave of strikes against Israel, US bases

Iran has launched a new wave of missile and drone strikes targeting US military bases in the region and Israel.

Twenty-seven US bases in the region, as well as Israel’s military headquarters and a defence industries complex in Tel Aviv, were among the targets, Iranian state TV said.

Blasts were reported in Dubai, the UAE, Doha, Qatar and in Bahrain’s Manama. 

An AFP journalist reported a thick black cloud of smoke over Doha after explosions were heard. 

The new explosions came after a day of deadly Iranian strikes in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi, which saw military bases and infrastructure, including airports, hit across the Gulf - except for mediator Oman. 

 

10:39 a.m.: Khamenei’s Tehran compound heavily bombed

Iranian state media said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an airstrike targeting his compound in downtown Tehran.

Satellite photos from Airbus showed the site heavily bombed.

His death at his office “showed that he consistently stood among the people and at the forefront of his responsibilities, confronting what officials call global arrogance”, state TV said.

Cheers could be heard on Tehran’s streets after reports first emerged from Israel of the death of Khamenei, as plumes of black smoke hovered over the district where he usually resides.

The attack came weeks after Iranian authorities ruthlessly put down mass protests, killing thousands.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards vowed “severe, decisive” punishment for Khamenei’s “murderers”.

 

10:35 a.m.: All SriLankan Airlines flights to Middle East cancelled today

SriLankan Airlines has announced that all flights to the Middle East scheduled for today (01) have been cancelled in response to the ongoing situation in the region.

SriLankan Airlines announced yesterday (28) that all flights departing to the Middle East from Colombo have been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Accordingly, passengers have been requested to contact the airline’s Global Contact Centre 1979, visit http://www.srilankan.com, any SriLankan Airlines office or respective travel agent for rebooking options and further assistance.

 

10:35 a.m.: CPC assures adequate fuel supply; urges motorists to avoid panic buying

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has confirmed that the country has adequate fuel stocks to last for more than a month.

Accordingly, motorists are urged to refrain from panic buying.

The announcement comes in the wake of reports of long fuel queues at certain fuel stations in the country.

 

10:34 a.m.: Iran leader Khamenei killed

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on Saturday in air strikes that pulverised his central Tehran compound. 

The 86-year-old had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989.

“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,” US President Donald Trump said on his Truth Social network.

Iranian state media had also reported that Khamenei’s daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law and son-in-law were killed in the strikes.

The 36-year rule of Khamenei built Iran into a powerful anti-United States force, spreading its military sway across the Middle East, while using an iron fist to crush repeated unrest at home.

Under him, Iran and Israel also fought a shadow war for years, with Israel assassinating Tehran’s nuclear scientists and Revolutionary Guard commanders.

Urging Iranians to overthrow their clerical rulers, the US launched “major combat operations” along with Israel against Iran early on Saturday.

The US is calling the operation “Epic Fury”, while the Israelis call it “Lion’s Roar”.

US President Donald Trump said Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had been killed.

It came two days after US-Iranian talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme ended without a deal.

Iran launched counter-attacks throughout the Middle East in retaliation to what its foreign minister called an “unprovoked, illegal” attack by the US and Israel.

Why did the US attack Iran?

Shortly after explosions were reported in the Iranian capital on Saturday, Trump took to social media to accuse Tehran of waging an “unending campaign of bloodshed and mass murder targeting the United States”.

Trump argued Iran had rejected every opportunity to renounce its nuclear programme and claimed it was developing long-range missiles that could threaten Europe, US troops overseas, and even “soon reach the American homeland”.

He further cited the violent takeover of the US embassy in Tehran in 1979, resulting in dozens of Americans being held hostage for 444 days, as well as Iran’s proxies bombing a US Marine barracks in Beirut in 1983 that killed 241.

The US president had also pledged in January to intervene when Iranian security forces crushed protests amid an economic crisis.

In June last year, the US bombed three nuclear facilities in Iran. Trump said the US Operation Midnight Hammer had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear programme.

Last summer’s US attacks paved the way for a ceasefire in a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel.

Israel had launched air strikes on Iranian nuclear, military and infrastructure sites. Tehran had retaliated by firing hundreds of rockets and drones at Israel.

Is Iran’s supreme leader dead?

Yes.

Trump announced on social media that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had died, describing him as “one of the most evil people in History”.

Iranian state TV later confirmed the death of Khamenei, 86, who had ruled since 1989, and declared 40 days of mourning.

An intelligence source and a military source told the BBC’s US partner CBS that around 40 Iranian officials were also killed in the strikes.

BBC Verify obtained satellite imagery taken over Tehran that showed significant damage to part of Khamenei’s office in the Iranian capital.

Is the US at war?

In his video announcement, Trump described the US-Israel attacks on Iran as “major combat operations”.

Congress reserves the power to officially declare war, as written in Article I of the US Constitution, but it has not done so.

The Constitution does, however, give the president broad authority to engage in military action.

This grey area has been the source of much debate recently in Washington.

Reactions on Capitol Hill to the US-Israel attack on Iran have fallen largely along partisan lines. Republicans, who currently control both chambers of Congress, were mostly in support.

Kentucky Senator Lindsey Graham, who has long called for a US attack on Iran, wrote on X: “This operation is necessary and long justified.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, said the Trump administration had notified the “Gang of 8” - a bipartisan group of congressional leaders - ahead of the strikes.

Democrats mostly denounced the attacks, accusing Trump of launching a war without congressional approval.

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, on the Armed Services Committee, called the conflict “Trump’s illegal war”.

Democrats renewed calls for Congress to take up a war powers resolution, like the bill that failed last year for lack of Republican support.

If another war powers resolution were introduced and passed, it could block the president’s unilateral use of force without congressional approval.

But the odds of such a bill passing appear unlikely for now.

Few Republicans have indicated they would back such a measure, except for congressman Thomas Massie and Senator Rand Paul.

Will there be US boots on the ground?

The US has about 13 military bases across the Middle East, with 30,000 to 40,000 troops normally deployed between them.

But there is no indication that US combat troops will be deployed on the ground in Iran, not least because of the low appetite among the American public for a ground invasion.

The US military has been building its presence in the Middle East for weeks and has two aircraft carriers, USS Gerald R Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln, in the region.

BBC Verify tracked a total of 12 US ships in the Middle East and a large number of US aircraft, including F-35 and F-22 fighter jets, refuelling tankers, and surveillance aircraft. But US military action has amounted to air raids so far.

Does Iran have the capability to attack the US?

The Iranian regime has always denied it wants a nuclear weapon, but it has enriched uranium to a level that has no civilian use in a nuclear power programme, says the BBC’s international editor Jeremy Bowen.

So far Israel and the US have published no evidence that it was about to build the bomb, he adds.

There have been no public reports of a pending attack on the US mainland, but local authorities have said they are on high alert.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said emergency management officials were taking “proactive steps” in “sensitive locations” out of an abundance of caution.

On the west coast, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said police had stepped up patrols, although “there are no known credible threats at this time”.

How many have died?

Trump said “the lives of courageous American heroes may be lost”, although the US military said it had received no reports of combat casualties so far.

More than 200 people have been killed across Iran and more than 700 injured, according to the Red Crescent on Saturday.

The first-aid organisation said that 24 of Iran’s 31 provinces had been hit. At least 108 people have died in an explosion at a school in southern Iran, according to a local prosecutor.

One person died and at least 20 were wounded when an Iranian missile hit several buildings in central Tel Aviv, reports the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

In counterattacks, Iran also fired drones and missiles at Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar the UAE, all of which have a US military presence.

One person was killed in Abu Dhabi, UAE state media said.

Trump warned bombing would continue throughout the week, so the death toll may rise.

(With agencies inputs)