-American stealth bombers will soon land in UK bases, The Telegraph reports. While the UK had initially denied American requests to carry out strikes from its bases, on Sunday, it relented and would allow use for “specific and limited defensive purposes.” 

US troops pose with a B-2 stealth bomber – a model that may soon land in the UK- at Diego Garcia in 2020. Source: The Telegraph.

-The conflict continues to escalate and spread, as “air sirens sound in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem,” and Israel intensifies its strikes, announcing new strikes in Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah in Beirut’s suburbs. Meanwhile, the US and Israel continue to bombard Iran, so much so that the mourning ceremony for Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed at the start of the conflict, would be postponed.”

-In Lebanon, already over 80,000 people have been displaced, with shelter capacity running thin as many are forced to shelter in schools and in their vehicles. More than 70 people – including children – have been killed thus far in Lebanon. Israel issued further evacuation warnings, telling the people of Lebanon to “save your lives and evacuate your homes immediately.”

The aftermath of Israeli strikes in Lebanon, photographed on March 2. Source: The Jerusalem Post.

–Azerbaijan is reportedly preparing retaliatory measures after four Iranian drones entered its airspace and injured four people. One drone fell on Nakhchivan International Airport, which is just 10 miles from the border with Iran, and another landed by a school building nearby. The injured individuals are in stable condition. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi denied Azerbaijan’s claims, stating that, “We do not ⁠attack our neighbouring countries.”

A drone explodes in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan. Source: Reuters.

-The killing of Ayatollah Khamenei has left a power vacuum in Iran. While certain front-runners have emerged as choices for the new supreme leader, some warn that power has now fallen into the hands of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – an armed force that propped up Khamenei for decades. Recently, the IRGC orchestrated a crackdown on anti-government demonstrations, which left thousands dead.

-In Washington, the House of Representatives votes 212-219 to block a bipartisan resolution to limit President Trump’s military operations in Iran. The narrow victory came after four Democrats joined most Republicans against the resolution. The Trump administration and most Republicans in Congress believe that the “president has acted within his authority so far and are hopeful he will continue to do so.”

-The four US soldiers killed in the conflict, whose identities have been released (out of six total casualties), are remembered fondly by their friends and family. These men and women all bravely volunteered to defend our country, and their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll says.

-Speaking to POLITICO, President Trump “dismissed concerns about the Iran war” and “insisted that the military onslaught was popular with voters.” However, nearly six in ten Americans oppose military action in Iran, according to a text poll conducted for CNN. Trump also implied that “the United States intends to play a significant role in shaping Iran’s postwar political landscape,” stating that he will help to pick Iran’s new leader.