Summary

  1. Blasts heard in Tehran as internet remains restrictedpublished at 00:16 GMT

    Ghoncheh Habibiazad
    Senior reporter, BBC Persian

    I was having a chat just now with a Tehran resident who could hear explosions in the distance as we spoke.

    He said his “biggest fear” was that the US would make a deal with the current Iranian leadership. “Khamenei’s death was not enough, they [officials] all need to go,” he said.

    He also said that he has seen security presence in streets on Tehran, but that the streets are mostly empty of people.

    Due to internet restrictions right now, it’s very difficult to have a clear picture of what is going on inside the country.

  2. ‘I see a light go up and boom’ - Erbil resident describes attacks on citypublished at 00:08 GMT

    Gabriela Pomeroy
    Live reporter

    Earlier, I spoke to a British-Kurdish woman who lives in Erbil, Iraq, and works for a local NGO. She asked to remain anonymous, “as we don’t want to attract more attention from the Iranians.”

    “I have seen seven or eight attacks since this morning, and I am a bit shocked,” she says.

    Most of the missiles were intercepted, but one hit a target on Sunday evening, which led to “10-15 minutes of constant explosions.”

    US Central Command has said Erbil’s international airport is among Iran’s targets.

    “I have never seen anything like this - it is very scary,” she says.

    “I have a panoramic view of the city from my two balconies, and we overlook the airport. I see a light go up and boom.”

    “I went to the market today, and people were out shopping as normal, but then suddenly we saw a missile interception above us. It was like in the movies.”

    She says she lives in a compound that is usually bustling with cafes in the evenings, but tonight no one is out.

    “We heard explosions on Saturday when my kids were in the playground - but Sunday was much more intensive.”

  3. Group of Gulf nations sends warning to Iranpublished at 23:52 GMT 1 March

    Members of the Gulf Cooperation Council met on Sunday to discuss the immense damage from Iranian attacks on the GCC's member countries, which the group says included the targeting of civilian facilities and residential areas.

    The GCC - which consists of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait- condemned the attacks, and accused Iran of violating their sovereignty and international law.

    In the press release, the GCC urged Iran to halt its attacks and stressed the importance of advocacy and dialogue. However, the group also warned it would take "all necessary measures" to defend its security.

  4. Iranian Americans in Los Angeles dance in the streets on day 2 of the conflictpublished at 23:43 GMT 1 March

    Regan Morris
    Reporting from Los Angeles

    In Los Angeles - home to the largest group of Iranians outside Iran - police closed the streets outside the federal building so Iranian Americans could dance on them in celebration.

    Waving flags and thank you signs to President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Iranian Americans said they felt hope for the future of Iran.

    A plane circled above, waving a banner - “THANK U TRUMP❤ FROM IRANIAN PEOPLE.

    Hoda Zeaighamnia danced in the streets with her three adult children - one who was just days old when the family fled Iran.

    A crowd waves flags while one person holds a poster of US Donald Trump with the quote: "All I want is freedom for the people"
    Image caption,

    People celebrate in Los Angeles after Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Iran

    A dog in Los Angeles wears a sign around its neck saying "Thank you Trump"
    Image caption,

    A dog in Los Angeles wears a sign around its neck saying "Thank you Trump"

  5. Oil prices jump after Iran attackspublished at 23:27 GMT 1 March
    Breaking

    Global oil prices have jumped after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran over the weekend.

    Brent crude and Nymex light sweet oil both jumped by more than 10% when energy markets opened on Monday morning in Asia, before giving up some of those gains.

    At the time of writing, Brent crude was up by almost 9% at $79.30 a barrel, while Nymex was around 8.5% higher at $72.70.

  6. Top Trump officials to brief Congress on Tuesdaypublished at 23:24 GMT 1 March

    US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and top defence officials are to brief Congress on Iran on Tuesday, CBS News is reporting, citing a source familiar with the plans.

    The BBC's partner organisation in the US says Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine and CIA Director John Ratcliffe will also brief Congress.

    The officials will talk to the Senate and the House in separate sessions.

  7. Events in Middle East 'must not lead to further escalation', EU's top diplomat sayspublished at 23:15 GMT 1 March

    EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas pictured earlier this yearImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas pictured earlier this year

    The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas says events in the Middle East "must not lead to further escalation that could threaten the region, Europe and beyond, with unpredictable consequences".

    In a statement on X which condemns Iran's attacks as "inexcusable", she adds: "We are taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of EU citizens in the region.

    "The EU expresses its solidarity with partners that have been attacked or affected.

    "We will continue to contribute to all diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and bring about a lasting solution to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon."

    She also shares a statement on behalf of the EU which says the bloc will "continue to protect EU security and interests, including through additional sanctions" on Iran.

  8. Israeli military 'sparing no effort' in the coming days - IDF sayspublished at 23:06 GMT 1 March

    The Israeli military's Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir says: "Many more days of combat lie ahead."

    The IDF made the announcement in Telegram on Sunday, in which it said a situational assessment with the General Staff Forum had been concluded.

    Zamir says the IDF will do everything it can to "accelerate our achievements" and is "sparing no effort".

    Military experts speaking to the Wall Street Journal have noted that the US and Israel are racing to achieve their objectives as quickly as possible out of concerns of depleting their munitions stockpiles.

    Also in the Telegram post, Zamir acknowledges the deaths and casualties in Beit Shemesh.

    "Our hearts are with the injured and murdered," he says, before encouraging Israelis to exercise "patience" and "resilience".

  9. 'Attack on Bahrain is an attack on collective stability in the Gulf', says officialpublished at 22:40 GMT 1 March

    Frank Gardner
    Security correspondent

    Reacting to Iran's missile and drone attack, a senior Bahraini official tells me that their national security "is inseparable from that of our Gulf neighbours and our strategic partners".

    "An attack on Bahrain is not an isolated act — it is an attack on the collective stability of the GCC and on the broader international order that safeguards maritime navigation and regional security."

    "Iran’s reckless missile adventurism will not alter Bahrain’s strategic posture.”

    You can read more analysis from Frank Gardner here: Allies of US in the Gulf bear brunt of Iran attacks

  10. Iran's region-wide retaliatory strikes, from Dubai to Israelpublished at 22:31 GMT 1 March

    Dark grey smoke billows into the sky following a strike Jebel Ali portImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Jebel Ali port in Dubai, in the UAE, was struck on the second day of Iran's retaliatory strikes against the US and Israel

    A white-panelled building with a hole in it following an Iranian strike. The panels are darkened by black sootImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Bahrain's capital Manama also came under fire today, with state officials telling local media that "limited debris" had landed in several areas

    Motorists drive past a plume of smoke rising from a reported Iranian strike in the industrial district of DohaImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    A heavy round of explosions was heard in Doha this morning, with a plume of smoke visible from the city

    Drone footage of emergency response in Beit Shemesh following a strike. Several buildings appear heavily damaged, with one property at the centImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    In Beit Shemesh, Israel, nine people were killed in a Iranian strike, according to a spokeperson from the Magen David Adom emergency service

  11. Over 1,000 Iranian targets struck in the first 24 hours of operation - US Centcompublished at 22:25 GMT 1 March

    In a fact sheet shared earlier today, United States Central Command (Centcom) said over 1,000 Iranian targets had been struck in the first 24 hours of Operation Epic Fury.

    It listed the US military assets used in the operation, which included stealth bombers, drones, fighter jets and anti-missile systems.

    It also listed Iranian targets, which included command and control centres, ballistic missile sites, and the joint headquarters of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

    It echoes comments from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), which said earlier that the first day of the operation had brought "highly significant achievements".

  12. Vance is seen, but not heardpublished at 22:20 GMT 1 March

    Sarah Smith
    North America editor

    Whilst Donald Trump was monitoring the progress of Operation Epic Fury from his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, the vice president, JD Vance, was seen seated at the head of the table in the White House Situation Room, in a photo shared by the administration.

    Despite his front row seat, he has shown no public support since the president decided to take action against Iran. There have been no commiserations about the service members who’ve been killed. No congratulations on the killing of Ayatollah Khamenei. No public support since the president’s decision to take military action.

    That is leading to speculation that he is unhappy about the decision to go to war.

    When he was running for election, Donald Trump told his supporters that there would be “no more foreign wars”. And he railed against the folly of previous American attempts at regime change. JD Vance is closely aligned with the “America First” wing of the Republican Party, which does not want to expend blood and money on conflicts overseas.

    The day before the assault on Iran began, he was playing down the prospect of a prolonged confrontation. Telling the Washington Post: “The idea that we’re going to be in a Middle Eastern war for years with no end in sight — there is no chance that will happen.”

    Mr Vance may be correct. There may not be a prolonged conflict. But at this point, there are no guarantees of that.

    Last June, following the US strikes targeting nuclear facilities in Iran, he said in a TV interview, "I empathize with Americans who are exhausted of foreign entanglements in the Middle East.”

    He continued: “The difference is that back then we had dumb presidents and now we have a president who actually knows how to accomplish America’s national security interests.”

    The vice president has yet to say he believes President Trump is enhancing America’s national security by starting a conflict with Iran.

    Perhaps Mr Vance's reticence explains that whilst Donald Trump had his Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Chief of Staff Suzie Wiles with him in Florida, his vice president was left behind in Washington.

    U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks with Cabinet Secretaries during military operations in Iran, in the Situation Room at the White HouseImage source, Reuters
  13. UK, France and Germany ready 'to take steps to defend our interests' in regionpublished at 22:00 GMT 1 March

    The UK, France and Germany have issued a joint statement condemning Iran for the "indiscriminate and disproportionate missile" attacks on its neighbours.

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz call on Tehran to end the strikes as they say they are prepared to take the necessary steps to defend their interests in the Middle East.

    "We will take steps to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region, potentially through enabling necessary and proportionate defensive action to destroy Iran’s capability to fire missiles and drones at their source," they say.

  14. Trump returning to Washingtonpublished at 21:52 GMT 1 March

    Donald Trump stands at the top of some aircraft steps about to board Air Force OneImage source, Reuters

    After posting his video statement, Donald Trump departed Mar-a-Lago from where he has overseen the strikes on Iran.

    Air Force One has just taken off from Palm Beach International Airport en route back to the White House in Washington DC.

  15. Trump urges Iranian people to 'take back your country'published at 21:42 GMT 1 March

    Continuing with Trump's newly released video, he says US-Israeli strikes against Iran are "right" and "necessary" to eliminate the "bloodthirsty terrorist regime, armed with nuclear weapons".

    "These intolerable threats will not continue any longer," Trump says.

    He then reiterates his calls for regime change, making a direct appeal to the people of Iran.

    "I call upon all Iranian patriots who yearn for freedom to seize this moment, to be brave," Trump says. "Be bold, be heroic, and take back your country. America is with you."

  16. Iran operation will continue until 'all objectives' achieved, Trump sayspublished at 21:34 GMT 1 March

    Donald Trump mid- speech talking behind lecternImage source, Donald Trump/Truth Social

    In his video released minutes ago, Donald Trump says: "Combat operations continue in full force and will continue until all of our objectives are achieved."

    The president continues by saying that "sadly there will likely be more" US casualties, adding: "That's the way it is."

    "America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against basically civilization," he continues.

    Trump adds: "I once again urge the Revolutionary Guards, the Iranian military police, to lay down your arms and receive full immunity or face certain death. It will be certain death, it won't be pretty."

  17. 'We all remember the mistakes of Iraq' - Starmerpublished at 21:29 GMT 1 March

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a dark suit stands in front of two UK flagsImage source, X / Keir Starmer

    We can now bring you some more from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's video statement.

    "We are not joining these strikes - but will continue with our defensive actions in the region," he says.

    He adds: "I want to be very clear: we all remember the mistakes of Iraq. And we have learned those lessons. We were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran… and we will not join offensive action now."

    However, he says Iran is "pursuing a scorched earth strategy", so the UK is "supporting the collective self-defence of our allies and our people in the region".

    He calls it the "best way to eliminate the urgent threat... and prevent the situation spiralling further".

  18. Trump says US will 'avenge' military deathspublished at 21:22 GMT 1 March

    US President Donald Trump has posted a video statement on Truth Social.

    Trump says the US will "avenge" US military deaths and "deliver the most punishing blow" to the Iranian regime.

    He says the US is "undertaking a massive operation, not merely to ensure security for our own time and place, but for our children and their children".

    He says this is the "duty and burden of a free people".

    "These actions are right, and they are necessary to ensure Americans will never have to face a radical, bloodthirsty terrorist regime, armed with nuclear weapons," he says.

    Media caption,

    Trump vows to deliver 'most punishing blow' to Iran

  19. UK to allow the US to take defensive action from British military bases - Starmerpublished at 21:10 GMT 1 March
    Breaking

    Media caption,

    Starmer confirms UK to allow US to use British bases for 'limited defensive purpose'

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has just shared a video statement on X.

    He says the UK is going to allow the US to take defensive action from British military bases.

    "Our partners in the Gulf have asked us to do more to defend them… We have British jets in the air as part of coordinated defensive operations… which have already successfully intercepted Iranian strikes," he says.

    "But the only way to stop the threat is to destroy the missiles at source - in their storage depots or the launchers which are used to fire the missiles."

    He says the US 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 killing innocent civilians, putting British lives at risks and hitting countries that have not been involved," he adds.

  20. In pictures: Some mourn Iran's supreme leader as strikes continue in Tehranpublished at 20:57 GMT 1 March

    We can now bring you some more pictures from Tehran.

    Mourners have gathered Vali-Asr Square today after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on Saturday. Others have been celebrating - read first-hand accounts from BBC Persian.

    Meanwhile, smoke has been seen rising over the city throughout the day as Israeli strikes continue.

    A woman holds on to a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the Vali-Asr SquareImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    A woman mourns the death of Iran's supreme leader at a gathering in Vali-Asr Square, Tehran

    Smoke rises following an explosion in TehranImage source, Reuters
    Image caption,

    Smoke rises over the rooftops following an explosion in Tehran after dark

    Smoke rises in central Tehran after an Israeli attackImage source, EPA
    Image caption,

    Smoke was also seen rising over central Tehran earlier in the day - Israel earlier said it was attacking targets "in the heart of Tehran"