Morning Briefing: March 1, 2026

By Gizem Nisa Demir

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here’s a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including shocking announcement from Iranian state TV that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli attacks; President Donald Trump claiming the US has a “very good idea” about Iran’s next leadership; and an Iranian official condemning the strikes as “wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate.”

TOP STORIES

• Iranian state TV says Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei killed in US-Israeli attacks

Iranian state television announced that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli attacks targeting Iran.

Iranian television said that “the Leader of the Revolution and the Islamic Republic of Iran, Sayyed Ali Khamenei, was martyred” in the US-Israeli aggression.

The Fars News Agency reported that Khamenei “was martyred in his office while carrying out his duties,” and his daughter, son-in-law and grandson were also killed in the attacks.

The Iranian government declared 40 days of national mourning and ordered the suspension of official institutions for seven days.

• US has 'very good idea' about next Iranian leadership: Trump

The US has a "very good idea" about the next leadership in Iran, said President Donald Trump, claiming that "a lot" of the current Iranian leadership has been killed in recent strikes.

Speaking to ABC News by phone, Donald Trump described US-Israeli military attack on Iran as going "very well."

When asked about whether the Iranian leadership had been killed, Trump said: "A lot of it is, yeah. But we don’t know all, but a lot of it is. Was a very powerful strike."

• Netanyahu, Trump’s war on Iran ‘unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate,’ says Iranian foreign minister

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, describing them as “wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate.”

He said US President Donald Trump had turned “‘America First’ into ‘Israel First’ — which always means ‘America Last,’” on US social media company X.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei were killed, the Fars News Agency reported, citing sources close to the leader’s office.
• Ali Shamkhani, Iran’s Defense Council secretary and senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in Israeli and US airstrikes on Iran, Iranian media reported.
• The Qatari Defense Ministry announced it intercepted 18 ballistic missiles targeting multiple areas of the country.
• Three explosions were reported in the Iranian capital, shortly after Israel announced the start of a military offensive against Iran, media and news agencies reported.
• Iran's UN envoy criticized the US and Israel for waging a "war against the Charter of the United Nations" during an emergency meeting of the Security Council.
• A missile was intercepted after it was launched toward northern Israel, while a separate rocket struck a central area of the country, Hebrew media reported.
• The Jordanian Interior Ministry reported 73 incidents involving falling objects and missile debris nationwide as Iran responded to Israeli and US attacks, with no injuries reported.
• An Asian national was killed and seven others injured at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi following drone interceptions, airport authorities said.
• Dubai authorities said a drone was intercepted above the city, with falling debris igniting a limited fire on the outer facade of the iconic Burj Al Arab luxury hotel.
• Bahrain’s air defense systems intercepted a new wave of Iranian ballistic missiles, according to the Bahrain National Communication Center.
• Air raid sirens sounded in southern Israel amid a suspected drone infiltration, according to Israeli media.
• The US State Department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio will no longer travel to Israel after attacks on Iran by Washington and Tel Aviv.
• The United Arab Emirates said it shot down 132 Iranian ballistic missiles and intercepted 195 drones since the start of an attack on its territory.
• More than 100,000 Israelis are stranded abroad after Israel closed its airspace, as authorities brace for possible Iranian retaliation because of airstrikes, Hebrew Channel 12 reported.
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a call with US President Donald Trump to discuss regional developments, including attacks against Iran, according to an official.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Israel strike risks heightens oil price concerns amid nuclear deadlock

Tensions between the US and Iran persist amid disputes about uranium enrichment in ongoing nuclear negotiations, as market participants assess the possibility that an Israeli strike could lift oil prices by around 10%.

US President Donald Trump said nuclear talks launched this week have not progressed as hoped, alleging that Tehran has not demonstrated a “good faith and transparent” approach. Trump reiterated that the US does not want Iran to obtain nuclear weapons but prefers a diplomatic resolution, though the two sides remain far apart on key terms.

Following the developments, reports indicated that Israel launched a pre-emptive strike against Iran. Air-raid sirens were heard across Israel at around 8.14 am local time, with mobile alert systems activated nationwide. Some Israeli media reports suggested the operation was conducted by the US and Israel, a claim later echoed by Trump, who said a major operation had been launched against Iran.

• UK should resist being drawn into Middle East conflict, says Foreign Affairs Select Committee chair

The UK should resist being drawn into a conflict in the Middle East unless it is directly attacked, said Emily Thornberry, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee.

Israel launched an attack against Iran under the name “Lion’s Roar,” declaring a “special and immediate” state of emergency across the country.

The UK said it "does not want to see further escalation into a wider regional conflict," after the US and Israel launched the attack.