An Iranian-made Shahed drone struck Britain's Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri, Cyprus overnight, causing limited damage and no casualties, confirmed Cypriot and British officials. The attack marked a significant escalation, effectively drawing an EU member state into the Iran conflict. Two additional unmanned aerial vehicles targeting the base were subsequently intercepted on Monday, with sirens sounding and aircraft scrambling shortly after midday local time. Cyprus firmly stated it has no involvement in any military operations. The European Union reaffirmed solidarity with its members against any threats. Local residents fled the area overnight amid the strikes. Reuters witnesses reported aircraft taking off from the base following the alerts.

US President Donald Trump declared the "big wave" in the war against Iran is yet to come, telling CNN "we're knocking the crap out of them" as Tehran launched fresh missile barrages at American Gulf bases. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer clarified before Parliament that Britain was not involved in initial strikes on Iran and that British bases would only serve "defensive purposes," refusing to join the US-Israeli offensive. Starmer called for a negotiated settlement and urged Iran to renounce nuclear weapons ambitions as the best path forward. The UK government simultaneously activated measures to repatriate British citizens stranded across the conflict-affected region. (PC: X)

A satellite image shows smoke rising from the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet base in Bahrain after Iranian strikes. The image was taken on March 1 in Manama.   Bahrain said it intercepted 61 missiles and 34 drones launched toward the country. One person was killed by shrapnel from an intercepted missile. Officials said some projectiles struck buildings and parts of the naval base.   Iran’s Revolutionary Guards earlier said they targeted the US Fifth Fleet.   The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said a ship was hit in Bahrain port. “The fire has been extinguished and the vessel remains in port,” it said. (PC: NDTV)

3 US F-15E fighter jets were shot down by Kuwaiti air defences in separate incidents, the United States Central Command said on Monday. The military called it “friendly fire”, meaning the jets were hit by mistake during operations. All six crew members ejected safely and were rescued. They are in stable condition. Kuwait has accepted the mistake and is working with US officials. The incident comes during rising tensions in the Gulf. Iran has launched missile and drone attacks after US and Israeli strikes on its military targets. Fighting has spread across the region, raising fears of a wider war.

The wife of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has died from injuries suffered during recent US-Israel strikes, according to media reports.   Khamenei was killed in the same attack along with several family members. Reports said his daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter also died in the strikes.   His wife was injured during the operation and later succumbed to her wounds two days after his death.   There has been no detailed official statement on the deaths. The strikes have sharply raised tensions in the region.   The situation remains tense as Iran and Israel continue hostilities. (PC: India Today)

Israel’s military said it killed a senior Hezbollah leader in a strike in Beirut. The Israel Defense Forces said the target was Hussein Makled, head of Hezbollah’s intelligence unit.   “The IDF now confirms that in a precise strike in Beirut last night, the terrorist Hussein Makled has been eliminated,” the statement said.   The strike risks raising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. The two sides ended a year-long war 15 months ago under a ceasefire deal.   Hezbollah recently launched rocket and drone attacks. Israel responded with strikes. Both sides have fought several wars in the past, including in 2006 and 2023-24. (PC: X)

India’s state-run refiners, led by Indian Oil Corp., met government officials to review supply plans after the Iran war disrupted the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway carries nearly half of India’s daily oil imports.   Officials are considering buying more Russian crude. Tankers are waiting near Asian waters. India had reduced Russian purchases after pressure from the United States and a recent trade deal.   India imported just over 1 million barrels a day from Russia in February. That is about half of earlier peak levels.   Officials said India has stocks that could last up to two weeks. Options include using reserves and raising LPG output. (PC: HT)

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, “We didn’t start the war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it.” He said President Donald Trump has drawn the line after “47 years of Iranian belligerence.”   Hegseth warned that anyone who kills or threatens Americans will be hunted down “without apology and without hesitation.”   He said it is common sense that Iran must not have nuclear weapons. He added that Trump has the “guts” to enforce this.   Hegseth also criticised former President Barack Obama’s nuclear deal. He called it a “terrible deal” and said it almost allowed Iran to build a bomb. (PC: BBC)

Iranian strikes were reported on energy sites in Qatar and Saudi Arabia as the conflict spread across the region. Saudi officials said a refinery fire was “under control.” A major gas plant in Qatar was also hit.   Oil prices rose sharply in global markets. At one point, prices were up 42%.   In Kuwait, several US fighter jets crashed. The US military called it “an apparent friendly fire incident.” One aircraft was seen falling to the ground in video clips.   The US and Israel had launched strikes on Iran earlier. Fighting has also continued in Lebanon and around Tehran. (PC: BBC)

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is now acting independently after recent events in the country. He said a strike on an Oman port “was not our choice.”   In an interview with Al Jazeera, Araghchi said, “Our military units are now in fact independent and somehow isolated.” He added that they are acting on “general instructions” given earlier.   The IRGC reports directly to Iran’s Supreme Leader. Following recent developments, the force is operating without direct leadership. The Guards have vowed revenge and said they will continue their path and deliver “lesson-giving punishment” to those they call aggressors. (PC: NDTV)