War returns to Iran with Israel, US strikes

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Beijing values its longstanding friendship with Tehran and supports Iran in safeguarding its “sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and national dignity”, reported People’s Daily.

The Chinese diplomat made these remarks during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.

The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders for dozens of locations in Lebanon on Tuesday, including a warning for residents in two southern Beirut neighbourhoods to stay away from several buildings ahead of imminent military action., reports AFP.

“Urgent warning to the residents of Lebanon, specifically in the villages which names are shown. For your safety you must evacuate your homes immediately,” said a statement by the military’s Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee on Telegram, which listed 50 locations.

“You are located near Hezbollah facilities and interests, against which the IDF will operate in the near future,” he told the residents of the southern Beirut neighbourhoods Ghobeiry and Haret Hreik in another evacuation warning.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran may take “some time” but it will not take years, reports Reuters.

“I said it could be quick and decisive. It may take some time, but it’s not going to take years. It’s not an endless war,” Netanyahu said on Fox News’ “Hannity” program.

Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry that it had intercepted more than half a dozen drones near the capital Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj, reports AFP.

“Eight drones were intercepted and destroyed near the cities of Riyadh and Al-Kharj,” said defence ministry spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki on X.

Canada asked its citizens to leave the United Arab Emirates as soon as they can “secure a flight option”.

The advisory added that the UAE airspace is “subject to intermittent, temporary and partial closures”.

The US will take action to mitigate rising energy prices due to a spike in the price of oil caused by the Iran conflict, Secretary of State Rubio said on Monday, reports Reuters.

Speaking to reporters at Capitol Hill, Rubio said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Energy Secretary Chris Wright would announce the plans on Tuesday.

“Starting tomorrow, you will see us rolling out those phases to try to mitigate against that … We anticipated this could be an issue,” Rubio said.

The US Embassy in Islamabad has announced that, owing to the prevailing security situation, all visa appointments have been cancelled through Friday, March 6.

In a statement, the embassy said the decision also applies to the U.S. Consulates General in Lahore and Karachi, and that affected applicants will be informed accordingly.

United States President Donald Trump has suggested that the US would retaliate “soon” after its embassy in the Saudi capital Riyadh was struck by two suspected Iranian drones.

Speaking to the NewsNation network, Trump said “you’ll find out soon” how the US would respond, without providing further detail, after the US embassy confirmed the drone attack.

Two more blasts have been heard in Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter, two sources tell Reuters.

The US embassy in Riyadh has issued a security alert, recommending American citizens in Saudi Arabia to shelter in place immediately, reports Reuters.

The envoy is also limiting non-essential travel to any military installations in the region, the statement said in a statement on X.

Saudi defence ministry has said the US embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones, which resulted in a “limited fire” and minor material damage.

Black smoke can be seen rising over Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, which houses foreign missions, two sources told Reuters.

Three people familiar with the matter said a loud blast was heard and flames were seen at the embassy early on Tuesday morning. One of the sources said the fire was minor.

Reuters was not immediately able to confirm the circumstances of the incident.

An embassy spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did the Saudi government media office.

Qatar’s defence ministry has said two missiles, which targeted “several areas” in the country, have been intercepted and neutralised.

Kuwait’s armed forces are “currently dealing with a wave of missiles and drones that have been detected in the airspace of the State of Kuwait”, says a post by the army on X.

The post stated that the army “affirms its full readiness to deal with all threats to ensure the protection of the country’s land and airspace, as well as the safety of citizens and residents”.

A fire has broken out at the US embassy in the Saudi capital Riyadh after an explosion was heard, two sources have told Reuters.

The Israeli military has said it is striking Hezbollah command centres and weapons storage facilities in Beirut, reports Reuters.

Qatar has condemned Iranian attacks on its territory and said it reserves the right to respond.

In a letter to the UN secretary general and the president of the Security Council, it said “Iranian aggression against its territory” constituted a “flagrant violation of its national sovereignty, a direct infringement upon its security and territorial integrity, and an unacceptable escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region”.

Qatar strongly condemned the attacks, affirming its “full right to respond in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter and in a manner commensurate with the nature of the attack, in defence of its sovereignty and in safeguarding its security and national interests”.

The UAE’s defence ministry says its air defences are currently dealing with a barrage of ballistic missiles launched from Iran.

“The Ministry of Defence confirms full readiness to address all threats to ensure the protection of the state’s territories and the safety of citizens and residents,” it adds in a post on X.

Around five blasts have been heard over Doha at about 1:40am local time, Al Jazeera reports.

The Israeli military says it has identified missiles launched from Iran.

In a statement, it has said air defence systems are operating to intercept the strikes.