HAVANA TIMES – We bring you some of the top international news stories compiled by Democracy Now on Monday, March 2, 2026.
U.S. and Israel Launch Joint Attack on Iran, Killing Supreme Leader and Hundreds of Civilians
Mar 02, 2026
The Iranian Red Crescent Society says more than 550 people have been killed since the U.S. and Israel launched a full-scale military assault on Iran early on Saturday. The unprovoked attack prompted Iran to launch missiles across the Middle East, targeting Israel and Gulf Arab nations. The joint U.S. and Israeli war on Iran began with a daytime assault on the high-security compound of Ali Khamenei, Iran’s 86-year-old supreme leader. He was killed in the attack, along with his daughter and granddaughter, Iran’s defense minister, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, senior intelligence officials and other Iranian leaders. Scores of civilians have also been killed. In southern Iran, a missile struck a girls’ elementary school in the city of Minab, killing 165 people. Nearly 100 others were injured. Video of the aftermath shows rescuers searching through twisted concrete and rubble strewn with textbooks and backpacks, as screams are heard in the background.
First responder “As we entered the school, we saw the body of a teacher that had been cut in half. And as you can see, we are still clearing the debris, and even now body parts are still coming out.”
In another strike, 18 people — most of them children — were killed in Lamerd, in southern Iran, when a missile struck residences and a gymnasium. About 100 people were wounded in that attack.
Trump Calls for Regime Change in Iran, Says U.S. Attacks Could Continue for Weeks
Mar 02, 2026
In a video message, President Trump called for regime change and urged Iranians to take over their government. On Sunday, Trump confirmed reports that three U.S. service members had been killed, a toll that’s since risen to four. Trump said there would likely be more injuries and deaths ahead in an operation he said could last for weeks.
President Donald Trump: “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. 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.”
President Trump launched the attacks without congressional approval. They came shortly after Omani mediators hailed a “breakthrough” in indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran and Geneva, when Iran agreed to zero stockpiling of uranium as a guarantee that it would not pursue a nuclear weapon. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. for abandoning diplomacy.
Abbas Araghchi: “Contrary to Americans, that their record is very bad and very negative. You know, this is the second time that we negotiated with Americans and they decided to attack us right in the middle of negotiation.”
Iran Retaliates with Drone and Missile Strikes on Israel, Gulf Nations
Mar 02, 2026
In Israel, an Iranian ballistic missile struck a residential district of Beit Shemesh on Sunday, killing nine people and wounding 27 others. Another strike killed a woman in Tel Aviv. Other Iranian missiles were intercepted by Israeli air defenses, including one that crashed onto a street in Jerusalem, injuring several people.
Iran also launched retaliatory strikes against all Gulf Arab nations that host U.S. military bases, with the exception of Oman. Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia all were struck. One person was killed in Abu Dhabi. Another person was killed in Kuwait, where a Defense Ministry official reported three U.S. F-15 fighter jets were “mistakenly shot down” by Kuwaiti air defenses.
In Saudi Arabia, an oil refinery caught fire after it was struck by debris from an Iranian missile, closing a facility that processes over half a million barrels of crude oil a day. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has effectively come to a halt due to the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran. Oil prices have surged to a 52-week high, with many analysts predicting they could soon top $100 a barrel. Hundreds of thousands of travelers have been stranded as all flights through some of the world’s busiest international airports have been grounded. Stock markets across Asia opened sharply lower on fears the attack on Iran will slow the global economy.
Israel Bombs Beirut and Southern Lebanon, Killing at Least 31
Mar 02, 2026
Lebanon’s Health Ministry says at least 31 people have been killed and nearly 150 wounded since Israel launched renewed airstrikes on Beirut’s suburbs and other parts of Lebanon on Sunday. Tens of thousands of residents of southern and eastern Lebanon were seen fleeing their homes after Israel ordered people in nearly 50 villages to evacuate ahead of a planned bombing campaign. Israel’s military says its renewed war on Lebanon comes in response to missiles and drones fired by Hezbollah in retaliation for the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They were Hezbollah’s first major violations of a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024. During that time, the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, documented more than 15,000 ceasefire violations committed by Israel.
U.K.’s Starmer Approves U.S. Strikes from British Bases as Spain’s Sánchez Condemns Attack on Iran
Mar 02, 2026
Officials in the United Kingdom say an Iranian drone struck a British air base in Cyprus overnight, causing limited damage and no casualties. Iran’s attack came after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had agreed to the Pentagon’s request to use British military bases for what Starmer called “defensive” strikes on Iranian missile sites. Separately, France said it was sending two warships to the Red Sea to join a European naval mission. Meanwhile, Germany’s foreign minister denied reports that Berlin was “seriously considering” joining the war against Iran. In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the U.S.-Israeli strikes as a breach of international law.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez: “It is possible to be against a hateful regime, as Spanish society as a whole is against the Iranian regime, and at the same time be against an unjustified, dangerous military intervention that’s outside international law. One must be against a war that was started without the authorization of the United States Congress or the United Nations Security Council.”
Russia, China Condemn Iran Strikes in Emergency Meeting of U.N. Security Council
Mar 02, 2026
On Saturday, Russia and China requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, where China’s foreign minister called for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of talks. Russia condemned the U.S.-Israeli attacks as “another unprovoked act of armed aggression.” Today, U.S. first lady Melania Trump is presiding over a U.N. Security Council meeting titled “Children, Technology, and Education in Conflict.” It’s the first time a spouse of a world leader has chaired such a session, and comes just days after U.S.-Israeli strikes killed scores of Iranian schoolchildren.
Congress Moves to Take Up War Powers Resolution After Trump Begins Bombing Iran
Mar 02, 2026
The White House says top Trump administration officials will brief both chambers of Congress on Tuesday about the U.S. strikes on Iran. President Trump launched the attacks without congressional authorization, which is required under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. On Saturday, Democratic Congressmember Ro Khanna of California and Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky demanded swift action on a War Powers Resolution that would rein in Trump’s attack unless Congress approves military action.
This comes as top Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, are under fire from antiwar groups, who note they oppose Trump’s attack on Iran on procedural grounds rather than opposition to war. A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted over the weekend found only one in four U.S. residents approves of the U.S. strikes on Iran.
24 Killed in Pakistan as Protesters Torch U.N. Offices and Attempt to Storm U.S. Consulate
Mar 02, 2026
In Pakistan, at least 24 people were killed Sunday as angry protests over the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran were met with violence. In Karachi, security guards at the U.S. Consulate fired on demonstrators who breached the outer wall, killing 10 people. At least 14 people were killed in northern Pakistan, where demonstrators vandalized several buildings and set fire to United Nations regional offices.
Meanwhile, Pakistan escalated its war on Afghanistan’s Taliban over the weekend, with an attempted strike on Bagram Air Base, the former U.S. military base north of Kabul. Hundreds of soldiers and scores of civilians have been killed in cross-border fighting since Pakistan announced a state of “open war” with Afghanistan last week.
FBI Opens Terrorism Investigation After Gunman Kills 2 and Wounds 14 at Austin, TX Bar
Mar 02, 2026
In Texas, at least two people were killed and 14 wounded early Sunday during a mass shooting at a bar in a busy nightlife district in Austin. This marked the 58th mass shooting in the U.S. so far in 2026, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The FBI is investigating the shooting as a possible act of terrorism after the suspect reportedly wore a shirt with an Iranian flag design and a hoodie with the words “Property of Allah” printed on it. The suspect was identified as 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Senegal. He was fatally shot by police. Trump’s Republican allies have manipulated the shooting to perpetuate anti-immigrant hate speech and policies, but have again refused to call for stricter gun reform laws. The identities of the victims have not been made public. At least three of those hospitalized were in critical condition.
Trump Says U.S. Might “Have a Friendly Takeover of Cuba” Amid U.S. Fuel Blockade
Mar 02, 2026
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has condemned the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran, saying, “The execrable act constitutes an unscrupulous violation of all norms of International Law and human dignity.” His remarks came as President Trump continued his threats against Cuba. On Friday, Trump said the United States may launch a so-called friendly takeover of the island.
President Donald Trump: “They’re in a big deal of trouble, as you know. They have no money. They have no anything right now. But they’re talking with us, and maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba.”
Bill Clinton Tells House Committee He Had No Knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein’s Crimes
Mar 02, 2026
Former President Bill Clinton denied having any knowledge of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes during a six-hour closed-door deposition Friday in front of the House Oversight Committee. Clinton’s sworn testimony marked the first time a former U.S. president has been compelled to testify before Congress. He’s also the most high-profile figure to respond to questioning following the release of the Epstein files. This is part of Clinton’s opening statement, which he shared on social media.
Bill Clinton: “I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong. As someone who grew up in a home with domestic violence, not only would I not have flown on his plane if I had any inkling of what he was doing, I would have turned him in myself and led the call for justice for his crimes, not the sweetheart deal he got.”
Clinton’s testimony came one day after his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, told the committee she didn’t know Epstein.
Bill Clinton flew on Epstein’s private jet several times in the early 2000s, and he also appears in a photo with Epstein and a woman, whose identity was redacted, sitting in a hot tub; Clinton adamantly denied knowing the woman in his congressional testimony.
North Dakota Judge Approves $345 Million Verdict Against Greenpeace over Pipeline Protests
Mar 02, 2026
A North Dakota judge has said he will order Greenpeace to pay damages estimated at $345 million — a move that could potentially bankrupt the environmental group. Last year, a jury sided with Energy Transfer, the corporation behind the Dakota Access Pipeline, in a closely watched trial and lawsuit by the Texas-based pipeline company, which accused Greenpeace of orchestrating criminal behavior by training and providing funds to the Indigenous-led protests at Standing Rock between 2016 and ’17. Greenpeace argued the lawsuit was part of a conspicuous attempt by corporations to destroy the right to free speech. Last March, Democracy Now! spoke to Deepa Padmanabha, senior legal adviser for Greenpeace USA.
Deepa Padmanabha: “What’s really important to know is that this case is not just an obvious and blatant erasure of Indigenous leadership, of Indigenous resistance, but this case is also so much bigger than just Greenpeace. It is an attack on the broader movement and all of our First Amendment rights to free speech and peaceful protest.”
Judge James Gion previously cut the jury award nearly in half, from more than $670 million to about $345 million. Greenpeace could appeal to the North Dakota Supreme Court.
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