Timeline
March 1, 2026 — March 6, 2026
World
Timeline: How the U.S.-Israel Conflict with Iran Escalated Over Six Days
Following a joint U.S.-Israeli aerial assault that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28-March 1, 2026, the Middle East erupted into a rapidly escalating regional conflict. This timeline traces the dramatic six-day period from the initial strikes through Iran's retaliatory attacks, the succession crisis in Tehran, and the expansion of hostilities across multiple countries.
12 events · 5 days · 30 source articles
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Killed in Joint U.S.-Israeli Strike
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, was killed in a major joint U.S.-Israeli aerial bombardment targeting Iranian military and governmental sites. President Trump announced the death hours before Iranian state media confirmed it, saying it gave Iranians their 'greatest chance' to 'take back' their country. Trump indicated the 'heavy and pinpoint bombing' would continue through the week or longer.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
U.S.-Israeli Strikes Continue for Second Day as Iran Forms Interim Leadership
Strikes on Iran continued for a second day with explosions in Tehran as Israel said it was taking attacks to the 'heart' of Iran's capital. Iran selected a 66-year-old cleric to join a three-member leadership council to govern until a successor to Khamenei could be chosen. Ali Larijani, Iran's top national security official, announced the formation of this interim committee.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
Iran Launches Widespread Retaliatory Strikes Across Region
Iran's Revolutionary Guard launched its threatened 'most intense offensive operation,' firing missiles and drones at Israel, U.S. military installations around the Gulf, and striking the Saudi capital and Dubai. At least nine people were killed in Israel, and at least four people died in attacks across the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Three U.S. troops were killed in action, marking the first American casualties in the conflict.
Tue, Mar 3, 2026
Major
Israel Strikes Iranian Leadership Meeting on Supreme Council Succession
Israeli forces struck a gathering of Iran's Supreme Council as members were meeting to choose Khamenei's successor. The strike targeted the high-level meeting at a moment when Iran's leadership was most vulnerable, threatening to throw the succession process into chaos. The Assembly of Experts had been expecting a swift appointment of a new supreme leader.
Wed, Mar 4, 2026
Major
U.S. Sinks Iranian Warship with Submarine Torpedo
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the U.S. sank an Iranian warship, the IRIS Dena, in international waters with a torpedo fired from an American submarine. Hegseth stated, 'We are just accelerating, not decelerating.' The bodies of Iranian sailors were later recovered in Sri Lanka. Iran claimed the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier was struck by IRGC Navy drones and fled the area.
Thu, Mar 5, 2026
Moderate
Iranian Foreign Minister Defends Strikes as Defensive Measures
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in a phone call with Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan that Iran's retaliatory strikes were defensive in nature, directed only against U.S. and Israeli targets used to launch attacks on Iran. Araghchi claimed this was fully consistent with international law and accused the U.S. Navy of committing war crimes.
Thu, Mar 5, 2026
Moderate
War Enters Sixth Day with New Iranian Missile Attacks on Israel and U.S. Bases
Iran launched more missiles at Israel and U.S. bases as the conflict entered its sixth day. Israel announced multiple incoming attacks and said it was intercepting missiles. The war had killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, more than 70 in Lebanon, and around a dozen in Israel by this point. Oil prices resumed their ascent as financial markets remained rattled.
Thu, Mar 5, 2026
Moderate
Israel Intensifies Strikes on Lebanon's Hezbollah
Israel launched new strikes against Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, with at least eight people killed late Wednesday into Thursday according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Israeli tanks maneuvered near the Israel-Lebanon border. Israel reported striking 80 Hezbollah-linked targets in Lebanon over a 24-hour period.
Thu, Mar 5, 2026
Minor
More Than 20,000 Israelis Begin Returning as Airspace Partially Reopens
Israel's Transportation Ministry reported that more than 20,000 Israelis had returned to the country since the war began. Israel started opening its airspace, allowing a handful of flights to land at Ben Gurion International Airport. The ministry estimated that 120,000 Israelis abroad wished to return, requiring seven to ten days to complete the repatriation operation.
Fri, Mar 6, 2026
Moderate
Conflict Expands to Cyprus, Azerbaijan, and Turkey
The Middle East war swelled outwards to affect Cyprus, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Azerbaijan. Two people were injured in a drone attack at an airport in Azerbaijan, for which Tehran denied responsibility. A strike sparked a refinery blaze in Bahrain. Bahrain authorities arrested four people for filming Iranian strikes and expressing sympathy for Iran.
Fri, Mar 6, 2026
Major
Iran Declares Readiness for U.S. Ground Invasion as Conflict Enters Seventh Day
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated Iran was 'waiting for' and prepared to counter any ground invasion by U.S. military forces. President Trump claimed Iran's air force and navy were 'gone,' while U.S. Central Command reported sinking over 30 Iranian ships. Israel announced it was moving into 'the next phase' of war, intensifying strikes on Lebanon.
Fri, Mar 6, 2026
Major
U.S. Warns Bombardment to 'Surge Dramatically' as Strikes Intensify
Intense Israeli airstrikes pounded the capitals of Iran and Lebanon early Friday as the U.S. apparently struck an Iranian drone carrier at sea. U.S. Defense Secretary warned that American firepower would 'surge dramatically' in the coming days. Iran announced new waves of strikes across central Tel Aviv, while the UK announced it would send four additional Typhoon jets to Qatar.
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