Issued on: 01/03/2026 - 07:02Modified: 02/03/2026 - 08:26
Lebanon's Iran‑backed Hezbollah militant group said on Monday it launched rockets and drones at Israel overnight in retaliation for the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel retaliated by launching strikes against Lebanon's capital city of Beirut. This liveblog is no longer being updated.
This liveblog is no longer updated. Follow FRANCE 24 for more coverage on the Middle East.
Pentagon chief to hold press conference on US–Israeli campaign against Iran
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth will hold a press conference on Monday morning about the joint US–Israeli military campaign against Iran, the first by a senior official since strikes began Saturday.
The press conference will be held at 8:00 am local time Monday (1300 GMT), the Pentagon announced Sunday on X.
Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will also take part, the Pentagon said.
US officials to brief Congress on military operation against Iran
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine will brief the full membership of Congress on the US military operation against Iran on Tuesday, the White House said Sunday. Rubio also was slated to brief Hill leadership on Monday.
Iraqi militia claims drone attack on US troops at Baghdad airport
An Iraqi Shiite militia claimed a drone attack Monday targeting US troops at the airport in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, further widening retaliation over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The group, Saraya Awliya al-Dam, is one of a number of Shiite militias operating in Iraq following the 2003 US-led invasion of the country that toppled Saddam Hussein.
Israeli military orders evacuations in Lebanon after rocket fire
The Israeli military told residents of about 50 towns and villages in Lebanon to evacuate on Monday, warning of imminent attacks against Hezbollah militants following rocket fire at Israel.
"For your safety, evacuate your homes immediately and move at least 1,000 metres (0.6 miles) away from your village to open areas," an army spokeswoman said in a statement on X, listing localities in the country's south and east.
Israeli military says it struck senior Hezbollah members in Beirut
Trump says sees three 'choices' of who could lead Iran
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he had a shortlist of three names to lead Iran after he launched a war to topple Tehran's ruling clerics.
Trump told The New York Times that he had "three very good choices" for who could lead Iran, but he did not name them. "I won't be revealing them now. Let's get the job done first," he said.
Irish Jews report 143 anti‑Semitic incidents in second half of 2025
Irish Jews reported 143 anti‑Semitic incidents during the second half of last year, according to a first‑ever report documenting the experiences of Ireland's tiny 2,200‑strong Jewish community.
The incidents spanned public spaces, workplaces, educational institutions, healthcare, retail and hospitality settings, as well as some digital communications, the report by the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland (JRCI) found.
Neighbouring Britain and many other European countries have been grappling with increasing anti‑Semitism in the wake of Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.
Missile fire from Iran injures three in Jerusalem
Missile fire from Iran injured three people in Jerusalem late on Sunday, Israeli medics said, with police reporting a "direct impact" on a city highway.
"A direct impact of a munition was identified on one of the main roads in Jerusalem," police said in a statement, sharing footage showing officers at a highway section littered with rubble.
Israel's emergency medical service Magen David Adom said three people were injured, including a 46-year-old man with moderate shrapnel wounds.
The medical organisation earlier said several others were treated for light injuries at the site.
Lebanon's PM says launching projectiles from southern Lebanon is 'irresponsible' and 'suspicious act'
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned rocket fire launched at Israel on Monday, as the Israeli military launched a series of strikes across Lebanon in response.
"Regardless of who is behind it, the rocket fire from southern Lebanon is an irresponsible and suspicious act that endangers Lebanon's security and safety and gives Israel pretexts to continue its attacks on it," Salam said on X.
Iran‑backed militant group Hezbollah claimed responsibility, saying it had launched rockets and drones overnight at Israel in retaliation for the killing of the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Britain responds to suspected drone strike at Cyprus base
British forces are responding to a suspected drone strike at their military base in Cyprus, the Defence Ministry said on Monday, with no casualties reported.
The strike hit the RAF Akrotiri base at midnight, said the ministry, adding that its forces were handling a "live situation".
Israel begins strikes on Hezbollah across Lebanon
The Israeli military said on Monday it has begun striking Iran‑backed militant group Hezbollah across Lebanon.
Explosions were heard in the southern suburbs of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, a Hezbollah stronghold.
US and Arab allies condemn Iran over strikes on Gulf states
The United States and its Arab allies on Sunday condemned Iran for launching a wave of strikes on Gulf states hosting US troops in response to a US–Israeli attack.
"The targeting of civilians and of countries not engaged in hostilities is reckless and destabilizing behaviour," the US State Department said in a joint statement with Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Lebanon's Iran‑backed Hezbollah launches rockets and drones at Israel
Lebanon's Iran‑backed Hezbollah militant group said on Monday it launched rockets and drones at Israel overnight in retaliation for the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
In a statement, the group said it launched "a barrage of missiles and a swarm of drones" at Israel "in retaliation for the pure blood of... Ayatollah Imam Sayyid Ali Al‑Husseini Khamenei... and in defence of Lebanon and its people, and in response to the repeated Israeli attacks".
Gold price rises around 2 per cent amid Middle East turmoil
The price of gold rose around two per cent on Monday on the back of turmoil in the Middle East after US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
In early trade in Asia, gold – a safe haven for investors in volatile times – was up 2.0 per cent at $5,384.52 per ounce.
Israel says carrying out 'large-scale strikes' on Tehran
The Israeli military said it launched “large‑scale strikes” on Tehran on Monday, two days since the start of a US–Israeli campaign against Iran.
“The Israeli Air Force … has begun an additional wave of strikes against the Iranian terror regime at the heart of Tehran,” the military said in a statement.
Australia says 115,000 nationals stranded in Middle East amid airspace closures
"We have about 115,000 Australians in the region. So that is a lot of people. The best way to get them home would be for commercial flights to return, because that is at scale," Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters.
"There's conflict in the region. We've seen loss of life across the region, and airspace is not open. So, whether or not it is an Australian flight or a commercial flight, the flights are not able to occur."
Asked if Australia would repatriate people, she said the government wanted to see if commercial flights would resume and that it was "engaging" with airlines.
Oil prices rise in early market trading after attacks in Middle East disrupt global energy supply
Oil prices soared in Asia on Monday on the back of turmoil in the Middle East following US and Israeli military strikes on Iran.
In early trade, Brent Crude rose to just over $80 per barrel compared to the closing price of $72.87 on Friday before easing slightly.
The price of Brent, the international benchmark for crude oil, already rose last week ahead of the strikes that began on Saturday.
With the resulting regional turmoil, maritime transport is under threat through the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 per cent of global oil passes.
Israeli military says projectiles fired from Lebanon trigger sirens in northern Israel
Israel's military said on Monday that sirens sounded in the north following projectiles launched from Lebanon.
"Sirens sounded in several areas in northern Israel following projectiles launched from Lebanon. The details are under review," the Israeli military posted on Telegram.
Russian nationals prepare evacuation from Iran via Azerbaijan
About 500 Russian nationals are readying for evacuation from Iran via Azerbaijan, the Russian embassy in Baku said on Sunday.
“We would like to express our gratitude to the Azerbaijani side for their assistance, including for the prompt consideration of issues related to the issuance of border crossing permits,” it said on its Telegram channel.
A source close to the Azerbaijani government said 192 individuals had been evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan over 38 hours, including 82 Azerbaijani nationals.
Yesterday's key developments:
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in Israeli and US strikes, Iranian state media confirmed.
Iran state television announced a 40-day mourning period and seven public holidays following the death of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had been in power since 1989.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday celebrated US-Israeli airstrikes that killed Iran's leader, but warned attacks would continue.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)
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