Iran news and live updates: Pete Hegseth declares America ‘didn’t start this war but we’re finishing it’

Iranian cleric Alireza Arafi has appeared on state television, saying a group of the regime’s “hard-line” clerics known as the Assembly of Experts will be choosing Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei’s replacement.

Qatar’s defence ministry is reporting Iranian drones have attacked two of the country’s power plants.

No casualties have been reported, but the Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majid al-Ansari says a “price has to be paid” for the regime’s attack.

Mr al-Ansari says Qatar has been attacked with “more than 100 missiles and scores of drones” which targeted “civilian and commercial infrastructure”.

The three F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft shot down over Kuwait were “mistakenly” shot down by Kuwaiti air defences, US Central Command says.

“All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition,” a statement said.

“Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation.”

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The Israeli Defence Force says it has commenced an “additional broad strike” on the Iranian capital on Monday afternoon.

The strike is targeting “Iranian terror regime targets” according to the IDF.

The Oman News Agency are reporting a Marshall Islands oil tanker has been hit by a drone on Monday afternoon, which killed one crew member.

The killed mariner is believed to be from India.

France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot says the country is “ready” to defend Gulf countries who are targeted by Iranian missiles and “dragged into a war they did not choose”, according to France 24.

“Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan – France expresses its full support and complete solidarity,” Mr Barrot said.

“It stands ready. . .to take part in their defence.”

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has released a statement conveying Australia’s position of “abhorrence” against the Iranian regime.

“This is a regime which has engaged in international terrorism support, including, of course, here in Australia,” Mr Albanese said in a video.

“This will be a difficult time, including for Iranian Australians who have relatives and friends in Iran.

“We hope that what emerges is a more democratic and free Iran.”

Reports from Iranian state television say the regime targeted US aircraft which crashed over Kuwait earlier on Monday.

No further information was reported.

Kuwait’s Defence Ministry says “several” war aircraft crashed in its airspace, although all pilots were able to evacuate and are in a stable condition in hospital.

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s Iranian ambassador Reza Najafi says the Natanz nuclear enrichment site south of Tehran was targeted by US-Israeli strikes.

“Again they attacked Iran’s peaceful safeguarded nuclear facilities yesterday,” Najafi said.

“Their justification that Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons is simply a big lie.”

The Natanz site was targeted by US forces during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June 2025.

Neither Israel or the US have confirmed the targeted strike.

The Lebanese capital of Beirut has been attacked by the Israeli air force with blasts reported around the city.

It is believed the strikes hit an area in Beirut’s south where Hezbollah conducts rallies.

Israel announced it is considering a ground offensive into Lebanon after Hezbollah fired missiles into Israel in response to “repeated Israeli aggressions” and the killing of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

31 people have been killed in Lebanon by Israeli retaliatory strikes.