Israel Expands Deployment Deeper Into Southern Lebanon
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced they have deployed troops deeper into southern Lebanon, beyond the five positions previously held, as part of what they described as an “enhanced forward defense posture.”
Soldiers from the 91st “Galilee” Regional Division are positioned at multiple points near the border to strengthen security in northern Israel, the army said.
The IDF said it is conducting targeted strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure to neutralize threats and prevent infiltration into Israeli territory. The expanded deployment follows a series of rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah on northern Israel that began early on March 2 in retaliation for Israel’s killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The attacks continued overnight into the morning of March 3.
The Israeli military said the measures are intended to provide an additional layer of security for residents in northern Israel while countering threats from Hezbollah.
Rubio Defends Iran Strikes, Warns 'Hardest Hits' Still to Come
- By RFE/RL
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended Washington’s decision to strike Iranian targets, describing the attacks as a preemptive move to protect American forces from what he called an “imminent threat,” and warning that “the hardest hits are yet to come from the US military.”
“There absolutely was an imminent threat,” Rubio told reporters in Washington on March 2. Speaking on Capitol Hill before a closed-door briefing with lawmakers, he described the strikes as both a response to an “imminent threat” and a pre-emptive move.
“We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action. We knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces,” Rubio said. “If we didn’t preemptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties. This had to happen, no matter what.”
Responding to Rubio's statement, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on March 3 that the US Secretary of State's comments showed that the US "entered a war of choice on behalf of Israel."
The United States and Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Iran on February 28, targeting what officials described as missile sites and military infrastructure. The strikes marked one of the most direct confrontations between Washington and Tehran in years and immediately triggered a regional escalation.
Iran responded by firing missiles at US bases in several Persian Gulf states, widening the conflict beyond Israeli-Iranian hostilities and raising fears of a broader regional war. US military officials said American air defenses intercepted many incoming projectiles, though some bases reported damage and casualties.
President Donald Trump signaled that further action could follow. In remarks to US media, Trump warned that a “big wave” of attacks was still ahead, suggesting that the weekend strikes were only the beginning of a sustained campaign aimed at degrading Iran’s military capabilities.
With reporting by C-SPAN, NBC News, and dpa
USGS Says 4.3-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Iran
The United States Geological Survey (USGS)says a magnitude 4.3 earthquake has struck the Gerash region in southern Iran. The quake was at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles), it added. There were no immediate reports of damage from Iranian authorities.
Netanyahu Says Operation Against Iran Is Not An "Endless War'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has moved to dismiss concerns about a prolonged conflict in the Middle East following strikes by his country and the United States on Iran in recent days.
“I hear the people are saying you’re going to have an endless war here. You’re not going to have an endless war,” Netanyahu told Sean Hannity on Fox News. “This is going to be a quick and decisive action, and we’re going to create the conditions first for the Iranian people to get control of their destiny to form their own democratically elected government.”
Iran Women’s Soccer Team Silent During Playing Of Anthem
The Iranian women’s soccer team remained silent last night while the Islamic republic's national anthem was played before the opening match of the Asian Cup in Australia, with none of the players singing along.
Head coach Marzieh Jafari was seen on the sidelines smiling as the players stood in silence.
Despite Iran’s 3–0 loss to South Korea, members of the Iranian women’s team were applauded by spectators.
Australian media and Fox News reported that during a press conference, journalists asked team captain Zahra Ghanbari -- who was seated alongside Jafari -- about the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but the question was quickly cut off.
According to ESPN, Jafari responded in Persian, but a media representative from the Asian Football Confederation interrupted her remarks without providing a translation.
Vance Says Iran Nuclear Talks “Did Not Pass the Smell Test” As Strikes Enter Third Day
US Vice President JD Vance said that negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program collapsed after officials concluded Tehran’s assurances “did not pass the smell test,” leading President Donald Trump to authorize Operation Epic Fury, which is now in its third day.
Speaking to Fox News late on March 2, Vance said US envoys, including Steve Witkoff, Marco Rubio and Jared Kushner, held “deliberate” talks in Geneva aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief.
The discussions broke down over uranium enrichment, with Vance questioning why Iran was building "facilities 70 feet underground” and enriching uranium beyond civilian levels.
"Nobody objects to the Iranians being able to build medical isotopes; the objection is these enrichment facilities that are only useful for building a nuclear weapon," he said.
Vance added that there was "just no way" that Trump would take the United States "into a multiyear conflict with no clear end in sight and no clear objective. "
He also said that Washington would prefer "a friendly regime in Iran, a stable country, a country that's willing to work with the United States."
Report: Trump Says 'You'll Find Out Very Soon' When Asked About Response To Riyadh Embassy Attack
US President Donald Trump told a reporter 'you'll find out very soon' when asked by a reporter about the response to an attack on the American Embassy in Riyadh and the deaths of American service members in the Iran conflict.
Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry said on X earlier today that two drones struck the US Embassy in Riyadh, causing a small fire and limited material damage, based on an initial assessment.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Kuwait says it will be closed until further notice "due to ongoing regional tensions."
US Centcom Says It Has 'Destroyed' IRGC Command And Control Facilities
Good morning.
We'll begin today’s live blog with US Central Command (CENTCOM) saying US forces have destroyed Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields during sustained operations. "We will continue to take decisive action against imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime," it added.
Israel Struck Tehran’s State Television Broadcaster, Military Says
Israel's military said it "struck and dismantled" the headquarters of Tehran's state radio and television broadcaster, describing it as the "terrorist regime's communications center."
"Over the years, the Iranian Broadcasting Authority called for the destruction of the State of Israel and for the use of nuclear weapons," the military said in a statement published on March 2.
"The center was also recently used by the Iranian regime's forces to advance military activities under the guise of civilian activity," it added.
Shortly after, Israeli defense forces said that a new wave of Iranian attacks had been launched on the country.
Tehran Residents Share Images Of Destruction As Air Strikes Continue
Videos shared online on March 2 show the massive impact of missiles hitting Tehran on the third day of a military campaign against Iran by the United States and Israel.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society put the death toll in the country at more than 500 and said that dozens more had been killed in Iranian counter-strikes across the region.
