Son of late Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei "in full health," studying country's affairs -- media
Mojtaba Khamenei, the second-eldest son of Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, is in full health, and currently studying important affairs of the country, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported Tuesday.
Mehr said it has received reliable news confirming that Mojtaba is alive and in full health, and is currently pursuing issues pertaining to his killed family members and reviewing the country's important affairs.
Mojtaba is among Iran's leadership candidates.
Iran's IRGC says hit 2nd U.S. THAAD system in West Asia
Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said on Tuesday it has struck the second U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system in the West Asia region.
In a statement published on its official news outlet Sepah News, the IRGC said it hit and destroyed the system with precision-guided missiles.
According to the statement, the IRGC on Monday destroyed the radar of a U.S. THAAD system stationed in a military base in the United Arab Emirates.
It said the destruction of the anti-missile systems has provided its forces with greater freedom to successfully hit their targets.
Trump says U.S. will escort oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz if necessary
U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary.
"If necessary, the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible," Trump said in a post on social media.
Trump said he has ordered the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide so-called political risk insurance and guarantees for maritime trade, especially energy, "traveling through the Gulf."
Nestled between the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, the Strait of Hormuz serves as the only sea passage from the Gulf to the open ocean, cementing its status as one of the world's most strategically vital chokepoints.
Israel strikes Iran's leadership compound in Tehran
The Israeli military struck Iran's Presidential office and the building of the Supreme National Security Council, dropping dozens of bombs on the country's leadership compound in Tehran, military spokesman Effie Defrin said on Tuesday.
In a press briefing, Defrin said that warplanes attacked the compound overnight. He added that the gathering compound, which he described as the site of Iran's most senior security decision-making forum, was targeted, as well as the institution for training Iranian military officers and additional key government infrastructure.
France cannot approve military actions by U.S., Israel: Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that the military operations launched by the United States and Israel were conducted "outside international law" and could not be approved by France.
In a televised address on the situation in Iran and the Middle East, Macron said the conflict triggered by the strikes carried out by the United States and Israel was now spreading across the region, posing serious consequences for peace and security.
Macron confirmed that the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is being dispatched to the Mediterranean Sea in response to the deteriorating situation in the region. The vessel had been in Sweden for military exercises.
Trump threatens to "cut off all trade" with Spain
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to "cut off all trade with Spain" for Spain's refusal to allow the U.S. military to use its base for attacks on Iran, while saying he is not happy with Britain either.
"We're going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don't want anything to do with Spain," Trump told reporters at the beginning of his talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office.
"By the way I'm not happy with the UK either," Trump said. "This is not Winston Churchill that we're dealing with."
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Parliament on Monday that Britain is not joining the U.S.-Israeli "offensive strikes" on Iran.
Merz is the first foreign leader to meet Trump in person since the U.S. administration launched large-scale airstrikes against Iran on Saturday morning. The two leaders said the Iran operation will be a major topic during their closed-door meeting.
U.S. demonstrators take to streets nationwide to oppose military action against Iran
The U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran sparked a wave of nationwide protests in around 50 cities across the United States on Monday, as heightened tensions in the Middle East have stretched for days.
The conflict has the potential to quickly expand into a devastating regional war which will bring unthinkable death and destruction, Answer Coalition, one of the organizers of the protests, said in a statement issued on Monday.
"Already, other countries in the region have been drawn into the war. (U.S. President Donald) Trump is lying when he says that Iran poses any kind of threat to the United States," said the statement.
No use or threat of force serves all parties, including Israel: Chinese FM
Refraining from the use or threat of force in international relations is in the fundamental interests of all parties, including Israel, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when holding a phone conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar at the latter's request.
After listening to Sa'ar's briefing on Israel's position regarding the current situation, Wang said that China has consistently advocated resolving international and regional hotspot issues through dialogue and consultation, and that all parties should abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
Conflicts between Pakistan, Afghanistan kill 110 Afghan civilians: official
At least 110 civilians, including 65 women and children, have been killed and 123 others injured in Pakistani airstrikes and mortar shelling across Afghanistan between Feb. 21 and March 2, deputy Afghan government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat announced on Tuesday.
In addition to the human toll, the conflicts caused significant material damage, with 353 residential houses completely or partially destroyed, one health center damaged, and a school affected, according to the official.
Military tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated in recent days, with several rounds of exchange of fire. ■
