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US president said it has ‘always been a four-week process’ as casualties mount in Iran and across the Middle East
Bel Trew, Alex Croft & Mike BediganMonday 02 March 2026 02:33 GMT- Bookmark
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An Iranian drone has reportedly struck a US Navy base in Bahrain as Tehran retaliates to ongoing US-Israeli strikes across the country.
The drone hit the US Navy’s 5th fleet base at around 7:30pm GMT (10:30pm local time) causing a major fire, a senior Bahraini official told the BBC.
It struck near an adjoining UK naval facility, but there were no casualties as the area had preciously been evacuated.
Meanwhile, a suspected Iranian drone attacked the UK’s RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus, while Israel and Hezbollah traded fresh strikes.
Donald Trump suggested the conflict with Iran could go on for the next four weeks, the Daily Mail is reporting, after the US president earlier said that operations are “ahead of schedule”.
In Iran, at least 201 people have been killed by US-Israeli strikes, including 165 at a girls’ primary school, Iranian authorities said. Iran’s retaliation has killed at least nine people in Israel and three US service members.
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Trump-Iran latest: Key Points
- Iranian drone strikes US navy base, report says
- Iran conflict could go on for four weeks, says Trump
- Starmer gives Trump permission to use UK bases for action against Iran
- At least 165 killed in strike on girls' primary school in Iran, authorities say
- Three US service members killed, US Central Command says
ICYMI: MOD confirms strike on UK base in Cyprus
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that it is responding to a suspected Iranian drone strike at a British military base in Cyprus.
“Our Armed Forces are responding to a suspected drone strike at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at midnight local time,” a spokesperson told The Independent. “Our force protection in the region is at the highest level and the base has responded to defend our people.”
The spokesperson added that the situation was “live” and that further information would be provided “in due course.”
It is understood that there were no casualties in the strike, which took place in the early hours of Monday morning, but that “minor damage” had been caused.
Mike Bedigan2 March 2026 02:30Sirens sound in Jerusalem as explosions heard
Sirens sound in Jerusalem as explosions heardGraeme Massie2 March 2026 02:15Trump suggests conflict with Iran could go on for four weeks
Donald Trump has suggested the conflict with Iran could go on for the next four weeks, after the US president earlier said that operations are “ahead of schedule”.
"It's always been a four-week process,” the president said, per The Daily Mai.
“We figured it will be four weeks or so. It's always been about a four-week process so - as strong as it is, it's a big country, it'll take four weeks - or less.”
Mike Bedigan2 March 2026 02:00At least 115 killed, most likely children, in strike on Iranian school: report
At least 115 people, most of them likely to be children, were killed during U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on a girls school in Iran Saturday, according to new reports.
The strike on Shajarah Tayyebeh school in the southern town of Minab is believed to be the deadliest attack so far in the ongoing Operation Epic Fury.
Videos and images verified by The New York Times showed that at least half of the institution was destroyed in the bombardment.
Mike Bedigan2 March 2026 01:39Watch: Trump says US has hit hundreds of Iran targets
Watch: Trump says US has hit hundreds of Iran targetsMike Bedigan2 March 2026 01:20New: MOD confirms suspected Iranian drone strike on RAF base in Cyprus
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that it is responding to a suspected Iranian drone strike at a British military base in Cyprus.
“Our Armed Forces are responding to a suspected drone strike at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus at midnight local time,” a spokesperson told The Independent.
Read more here:
MOD confirms suspected Iranian drone strike on RAF base in Cyprus
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that it is responding to a suspected Iranian drone strike at a British military base in Cyprus.Mike Bedigan2 March 2026 01:13Further details about three dead U.S. service members shared
New details have emerged about the three U.S. service members who were killed as part of U.S. operations in Iran.
The trio were all part of a sustainment unit in Kuwait and served in the Army, sources told The Washington Post.
It is not certain where the troops were killed, with U.S. Central Command previously saying it was waiting to notify their families before releasing further information.
“The situation is fluid, so out of respect for the families, we will withhold additional information, including the identities of our fallen warriors, until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified,” CENTCOM said.
Mike Bedigan2 March 2026 01:04Israel begins more 'large-scale strikes' on Tehran
Israel has reportedly begun carrying out more “large-scale strikes” Monday in Tehran, two days on since the start of bombardment carried out with U.S. forces.
“The Israeli Air Force... has begun an additional wave of strikes against the Iranian terror regime at the heart of Tehran,” the Israeli military said in a statement, per Agence France-Presse.
Mike Bedigan2 March 2026 00:51Top Trump offcials to brief Congress Tuesday
Top members of Donald Trump’s administration will reportedly brief Congress on Operation Epic Fury and ongoing action in the Middle East on Tuesday.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine and CIA Director John Ratcliffe will be the four officials conducting the briefings, CBS News reports.
The four will brief the Senate and House in two separate sessions, a source close to the matter told the outlet.
Mike Bedigan2 March 2026 00:41Trump tells Iranian leaders to lay down arms 'or face certain death'
In a new video message posted Sunday night, Donald Trump urged Iranian military leaders to lay down their arms “or face certain death,” warning them “it will not be pretty.”
“For almost 50 years, these wicked extremists have been attacking the United States while chanting the slogan, ‘death to America,’ or ‘death to Israel,’ or both,” he said, referring to Iranian leaders.
“They are the world's number one state sponsor of terror. We are the world's greatest and most powerful nation. So we can do something about what they do. These intolerable threats will not continue any longer.
“I once again urge the Revolutionary Guard, the Iranian military police to lay down your arms and receive full immunity or face certain death.
“It will be certain death, it won't be pretty.”
Mike Bedigan2 March 2026 00:25Newer1 / 5OlderMore about
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