What we know so far about ‘massive and ongoing’ attack on Iran
Sydney Morning Herald
by Tom MinearMarch 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A joint military operation carried out by the United States and Israel on Saturday resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering a severe retaliatory response from Iran. Iranian state media confirmed Khamenei’s passing after initial reports surfaced on social media and were later validated by US President Donald Trump. The strikes targeted multiple locations across Tehran and other major cities, including Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. In response, Iran launched missile attacks at Israel and US military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, with exchanges of fire continuing into Saturday night.
The conflict escalated following a series of events that began last year when Israel and Iran engaged in a 12-day war, culminating in significant US airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. This led to the “obliteration” of Tehran’s nuclear program, as Trump described it. Subsequent protests in Iran, fueled by economic instability and rising costs of living, were met with a harsh crackdown by the government, resulting in thousands of casualties
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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 3/2/2026