US bombs Iran live updates: Iran launches fresh strikes in Israel as Trump promises major retaliation

LIVE UPDATES: Israelis and civilians across the Middle East are bracing for Iran’s latest attack as Donald Trump warns that escalation will be met with ‘a force that has never been seen before’.

Amy Cavender, Eloise Budimlich and Peta Rasdien
The Nightly
Donald Trump has ordered an enormous military build-up in the Middle East. Yet he has seemed unwilling to order a risky strike.
Donald Trump has ordered an enormous military build-up in the Middle East. Yet he has seemed unwilling to order a risky strike. Credit: The Nightly

The US has joined Israel to carry out a large-scale attack on Iran, with Donald Trump confirming he seeks regime change and to “free” the people of the outcast country.

Follow along for live updates.

Key events

01 Mar 2026 - 10:01 PM

Wrapping up for today

01 Mar 2026 - 09:54 PM

One killed in Kuwait after Iranian strikes

01 Mar 2026 - 09:36 PM

Death toll at Beit Shemesh revised to at least eight

01 Mar 2026 - 07:48 PM

Pope Leo urges end to ‘spiral of violence’

01 Mar 2026 - 07:12 PM

Iran state media says 57 people killed in Tehran attacks

01 Mar 2026 - 06:52 PM

Putin calls Khamenei killing ‘cynical murder’

01 Mar 2026 - 06:19 PM

Alireza Arafi appointed to Iran’s Leadership Council

01 Mar 2026 - 05:16 PM

Petrol prices projected to soar amid conflict

01 Mar 2026 - 04:57 PM

Iranians celebrate death of Supreme Leader around the world

01 Mar 2026 - 04:11 PM

Photos show aftermath of Iranian attack on Tel Aviv

01 Mar 2026 - 03:57 PM

Six killed near US consulate in Pakistan’s Karachi

01 Mar 2026 - 02:49 PM

Iran confirms deaths of key defence figures

01 Mar 2026 - 01:33 PM

Trump issues stern new warning to Iran

01 Mar 2026 - 01:30 PM

Airstrike kills 100 children at Iranian school

01 Mar 2026 - 01:19 PM

Air raid sirens ring out across Middle East

01 Mar 2026 - 01:12 PM

‘Revenge’ as Iran strikes 27 US bases

01 Mar 2026 - 12:48 PM

Sirens sound as Iran launches fresh attack on Israel

01 Mar 2026 - 12:43 PM

‘Brazen aggression against a sovereign nation’: China’s concern over Iran

01 Mar 2026 - 12:07 PM

Satellite images show devastation after Iran leader’s compound blast

01 Mar 2026 - 11:34 AM

Three person council to lead Iran after Khamenei’s death

01 Mar 2026 - 10:53 AM

Iran warns of ‘most intense’ attacks on Israel and US

01 Mar 2026 - 10:05 AM

Iran hit with fresh wave of strikes

01 Mar 2026 - 09:55 AM

UN Security Council divided over Iran attacks

01 Mar 2026 - 09:37 AM

‘Reached martyrdom’: Iranian State media confirm Khamenei’s death

01 Mar 2026 - 09:25 AM

Will Australia send troops to Middle East after the US-Israel offensive? 

01 Mar 2026 - 08:55 AM

Australia supports US-Israel but concerned about escalation: PM

01 Mar 2026 - 08:49 AM

Albanese says Khamenei's passing ‘will not be mourned’

01 Mar 2026 - 07:42 AM

Woman injured in Iran’s strikes on Israel dies

01 Mar 2026 - 07:22 AM

Wong confirms Australia had no pre-warning of attack on Iran

01 Mar 2026 - 07:08 AM

Iran carried out attacks on Australian soil in 2024: Wong

01 Mar 2026 - 07:02 AM

Travel advice upgraded for Australians

01 Mar 2026 - 06:58 AM

Penny Wong says Australia stands with ‘great struggle against oppression’

01 Mar 2026 - 06:53 AM

Iran says Israel and America will ‘regret their actions’.

01 Mar 2026 - 06:31 AM

Dubai International Airport hit in missile strike, four injured

01 Mar 2026 - 06:19 AM

Israel lists senior officials killed in strikes

01 Mar 2026 - 05:48 AM

‘One of the most evil people in history is dead’: Trump declares

01 Mar 2026 - 05:41 AM

Trump pictured monitoring Operation Epic Fury

01 Mar 2026 - 05:14 AM

Trump says ‘large number’ of Iranian leaders killed

01 Mar 2026 - 05:09 AM

Iran retaliates to US-Israeli strikes

01 Mar 2026 - 04:30 AM

Israel reportedly has photo of dead Khamenei

Iranians celebrate death of Supreme Leader around the world

Iranians worldwide have celebrated the US-Israel strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with dancing, chanting, and flag-waving in cities from London to Sydney.

But amid the celebratory scenes around the world, there was also mass mourning in Iran with the nation declaring a 40‑day national mourning period and seven days of public holidays.

Read the full story here.

Iranian Australians are celebrating the fall of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after US-Israeli air strikes.
Iranian Australians are celebrating the fall of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after US-Israeli air strikes. Credit: AAP
The Iranian diaspora in Australia are celebrating the death of Iran’s supreme leader.
The Iranian diaspora in Australia are celebrating the death of Iran’s supreme leader. Credit: News Corp Australia

Photos show aftermath of Iranian attack on Tel Aviv

Iran has launched a new wave of retaliatory strikes against Israel and US bases in the Middle East.
Iran has launched a new wave of retaliatory strikes against Israel and US bases in the Middle East. Credit: AAP
Emergency workers walk near the missile strike crater and clear a damaged building after the missile strike on February 28, 2026 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Emergency workers walk near the missile strike crater and clear a damaged building after the missile strike on February 28, 2026 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Credit: Getty Images
 Emergency workers and security personnel clear the buildings damaged by a missile strike on February 28, 2026 in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Emergency workers and security personnel clear the buildings damaged by a missile strike on February 28, 2026 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Credit: Getty Images

Six killed near US consulate in Pakistan’s Karachi

According to Al Jazeera, Pakistan’s Edhi rescue service has said six people were killed and several injured in riots that broke out near the US consulate in Karachi.

This follows protestors attempting to storm US consulate earlier today.

Local sources said Khamenei’s assassination triggered the protests.

Israel claims to have dropped more than 1,200 bombs on Iran in one day

Israel’s Air Force says in its joint attack with the US it has dropped more than 1,200 munitions on Iran over the past 24 hours.

Sites attacked in Iran include an elementary girls’ school in Minab, a city in the Hormozgan province of southern Iran, where at least 148 people have been reported killed and dozens more injured.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said “dozens of innocent children” were murdered in the attack on the school, which would “not go unanswered”.

Eloise Budimlich

Iran confirms deaths of key defence figures

The official IRNA agency has confirmed the deaths of two key Iranian defence officials.

Abdul Rahim Mousavi, the chief of staff of the armed forces, and Aziz Nasirzadehm, the minister of defence, were killed in the US-Israel strikes on Saturday.

It is likely more officials were killed but no more have been named.

Eloise Budimlich

Israel’s defence MP celebrates Khamenei’s death

Israel’s defence minister has celebrated the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Israel Katz, posted on X claiming that “justice had been served”.

“Congratulations to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the leadership and resolve, and to the IDF for the brilliant execution.”

Eloise Budimlich

Israel says no civilians hit in latest strike

Israeli media are reporting that no civilians have been impacted in the latest Iranian airstrikes.

Some people have been lightly injured from the chaos of getting to bomb shelters and are receiving medical attention.

The IDF said most civilians can leave bomb shelters now, but should not stray far from them in case of further strikes.

Eloise Budimlich

Doha, Dubai hit with explosions

Several explosions have been heard booming over Doha.

According to Al Jazeera, Qatar is currently defending attacks from Iran but it is difficult to ascertain how many missiles or drones have been fired.

Further explosions have been heard in Dubai and other regions in the UAE.

More strikes are expected to follow in Iran’s latest surge of retaliation.

Eloise Budimlich

Trump issues stern new warning to Iran

In the midst of back and forth airstrikes in the Middle East, US president Donald Trump has issued a stern new warning to Iran.

Taking to Truth Social, Mr Trump warned Iran against carrying out its planned “very hard” attacks.

“Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever been hit before,” the US president wrote.

“They better not do that, however, because if they do, we will hit them with a force that has never been seen before!”

Eloise Budimlich

Airstrike kills 100 children at Iranian school

It is understood the death toll of an airstrike on an Iranian school has risen to 148.

The US military said it was “looking into” reports of an airstrike Saturday morning that Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations said killed more than 100 children at a girls’ elementary school in southern Iran.

Iranian state media said US-Israeli airstrikes targeted the Shajarah Tayyiba girls’ school in the Iranian city of Minab while children were attending classes at the school.

The school is near what appears to be a military installation, according to satellite imagery and open source material.

Read the full story now

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