Trump digs in, Iran slams door on diplomacy; thousands flee Lebanon as Hezbollah enters war

Tuesday 03 March, 2026 | 12:42 AM READ MALAYALAM VERSION

TEL AVIV: The possibility of an immediate end to the war between the US-Israeli alliance and Iran has faded. US President Donald Trump himself has openly said that the war could last for a month and that the US could suffer more casualties. Three American soldiers were killed in a drone attack in Kuwait on Sunday. Five were seriously injured. Trump also announced that the mission will continue until the objective is achieved.

Iran's National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani has said that there will be no talks with the US. Larijani rejected Trump's statement that Iran is ready for talks.

An Iranian drone attack targeted the Aramco oil refinery in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia. It is one of the largest oil refineries in the world. The drones were shot down in mid-air, but the debris that fell on the site caused a fire. There were no casualties, but the refinery has been closed temporarily. The facility can process 550,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The fire has been brought under control. Iranian missile and drone attacks continue in the Gulf region, targeting US and Israeli facilities. In the Gulf countries alone, 6 people, including 1 Indian (the others are citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Kuwait), were killed. The deaths were caused by missile and drone debris.

Parliamentary chief killed

The war spread to Lebanon as Hezbollah launched an attack in solidarity with Iran. Hezbollah launched a missile attack on northern Israel. No casualties were reported. Israel bombed the Lebanese capital Beirut and southern cities. 31 people were killed, including Hezbollah parliamentary chief Mohammed Raad, and 149 were injured. People fled en masse as Israel ordered the evacuation of villages.

Gulf countries united

The GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries met online and reached an agreement to act unitedly against Iran's attacks. They also agreed to take measures, including a joint response against Iran if necessary. Saudi Arabia and Oman expressed the opinion that the conflict should not be incited. Both countries are trying to resolve the issue at the diplomatic level.

Iran continues to be attacked

The death toll from the collapse of a school in Minab, Iran, during the US-Israeli attack has risen to 183. A blast in Niloufer Square in Tehran killed more than 20 people and three in a residential area of Sanandaj. A hospital in Tehran was also attacked. A Chinese citizen was killed in Tehran. Since Saturday, the US has struck more than a thousand targets in 131 cities in Iran, including Revolutionary Guard and naval headquarters. Internet services in Iran are largely at a standstill.

Deaths

Iran - 555

Israel - 12

UAE - 3

Kuwait - 1

Bahrain - 1

Syria - 5

Oman - 1

Lebanon - 31

Iraq - 2

U.S. soldiers - 3

Injuries