Iran live updates: 7th killed service member is identified

Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, was killed in Saudi Arabia.

ByDavid Brennan, Jon Haworth, Kevin Shalvey, Leah Sarnoff, Meredith Deliso, Nadine El-Bawab, and Bill Hutchinson ABCNews logo
Last updated: Monday, March 9, 2026 3:00PM GMT
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President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israel strikes attack targeting military and government sites, officials said.

Iranian state television confirmed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among those killed in Tehran on the first day of strikes. His son Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen on Sunday to succeed him.

Iran is responding to the operation with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, regional U.S. bases and multiple Gulf nations. Israel is also intensifying its long-running strike campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.

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Feb 28, 2026, 4:58 PM GMT

Drone strikes Kuwait International Airport, officials say

Kuwait's Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that a drone targeted the Kuwait airport, "resulting in minor injuries to a number of workers, in addition to limited material damage to the passenger building."

"The Authority confirmed that the situation is under complete control by the concerned authorities in the country, and that the safety of passengers and workers represents the utmost priority," the statement also said.

Feb 28, 2026, 4:56 PM GMT

UAE says it intercepted more Iranian missiles, drones

The United Arab Emirates said it successfully intercepted more Iranian missiles and drones as part of what it called a new wave of attacks.

The Ministry of Defense said missiles were intercepted by the UAE Air Defense system, and that debris has fallen on several areas in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. No injuries have been reported, the ministry said in their statement.

"[T]he targeting constitutes a blatant violation of national sovereignty and International Law, affirming the UAE's full right to take all necessary measures to protect its territory and people, and to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability," the statement further said.

Feb 28, 2026, 4:55 PM GMT

IDF chief says they are 'prepared and on high alert for a wide range of scenarios'

Israel is "prepared on high alert for a wide range of scenarios," Israel Defense Forces Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said Saturday.

"We now face a significant, decisive, and unprecedented operation, to dismantle the capabilities of the Iranian terrorist regime - capabilities that constitute an ongoing existential threat to the security of the State of Israel," Zamir said, in part. "This is an operation to secure our existence and our future here, in the land of our forefathers, for generations to come."

"At this very moment, Israeli Air Force pilots are striking hundreds of targets across Iran, at significant personal risk and in coordination with U.S. strikes," Zamir continued. "Air defense systems and the Navy are deployed to defend Israel's skies and shores against missile barrages and aerial and maritime threats. Our ground forces are positioned along the borders to thwart and repel any attempt to infiltrate Israeli territory. Home Front Command forces, together with the Israel Police and emergency and rescue services, are prepared to protect and save lives in the civilian arena."

"At this time, we are focused solely on victory," Zamir said.

-ABC News' Jordana Miller

Feb 28, 2026, 4:13 PM GMT

Iran says death toll in strike on elementary school rises to 85

The toll from a strike on a girls' elementary school in Minab, Iran, has risen to 85 students dead and 60 others injured, according to Iran's semiofficial Tasnim News Agency, which cited the local governor.

Iran claims the school was struck during the U.S.-Israeli military operation on Saturday.

It was unclear whether any teachers had been killed or injured, the Tasnim News Agency reported, citing the Minab governor.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted a photo on X purportedly showing the aftermath of a strike on a girls' elementary school in the south of Iran on Saturday.

Araghchi said the school was "bombed in broad daylight, when packed with young pupils."

"Dozens of innocent children have been murdered at this site alone," he added. "These crimes against the Iranian People will not go unanswered."

-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian