2 March 2026
US and Israel-Iran
On the morning of February 28, the United States and Israel launched an aerial war against Iran. Dubbed Operation Epic Fury in the US and Operation Roaring Lion in Israel, the air campaign has dropped tens of thousands of bombs, drones and missiles on Iranian military targets. In the opening attacks, Israeli jets targeted and eliminated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at his compound in Tehran. Subsequent attacks have killed more than 40 senior leaders in the Iranian regime. In the first 24 hours, the US struck more than 1000 targets. Iranian responses have been haphazard, chaotic and ineffectual, sending ballistic missiles and drones into Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Oman and Qatar. Casualties have been very limited, with 4 American service members killed and less than 2 dozen civilians in the aforementioned countries killed. Three US jets were brought down in a friendly fire incident during which Kuwaiti air defences incorrectly identified them as hostile targets. The pilots ejected safely. After Hezbollah joined the war by launching rockets from Lebanon, Israel began targeting the terrorist group with airstrikes. Hezbollah also launched drones at a British base in Cyprus.
DefenceReport published our editor, Stewart Webb’s, quick analysis of the most likely outcome of the conflict.
North Korea
The possibility of Trump-Jong-un talks in April has been dampened with the US strikes on Iran. Some analysts also believe that the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will further push the Jong-un regime into the pursuit of developing its nuclear arsenal.
Global Energy
At least 150 ships are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, and maritime insurers are cancelling war risk insurance on those vessels. Iranian drone and missile attacks on oil and LNG refineries in the region, including Saudi Arabia’s largest oil refinery, have also brought global production to a severely diminished level.
Belgium seized a suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker in the North Sea. The ship, named Ethera, was flying the flag of Guinea.
Afghanistan
The Taliban confirmed air strikes occurred in the capital overnight. Fighting continues along the Durand line between Pakistani forces and the Afghan Taliban.
France
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will increase the number of nuclear warheads that his country possesses, saying, “in order to be free, we need to be feared.” France has an estimated 290 nuclear warheads, most of which are submarine-launched.
Ukraine
A recent poll indicates that 70 percent of Ukrainians believe that the US-led negotiations between Ukraine and Russia will not result in lasting peace. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi stated that Ukraine captured more territory than it lost in February 2026. This also comes at the heels of Russian units being cut off from Starlink communications.
Social media wires
Footage of a U.S. airstrike on a Russian-supplied Tor SAM system in Iranian service.
A Kuwaiti man approaches a downed US pilot…with a pipe in hand
Featured Photo: “Tomahawk launch” – US CENTCOM, 2026
The Wires Brief is a daily breaking news report incorporating wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates. Feature photos are altered with grayscale.