BBC News Briefing

2 March, 2026

Sofia has shoulder-length light brown hair and brown eyes and wears a green blouse.

Sofia Lotto Persio

Hello. The US and Israeli strikes on Iran have sparked a wave of attacks across the Middle East and killed Iran's supreme leader. My colleagues have the latest. Also, correspondents Jake Kwon and Leehyun Choi look at whether North Korea's Kim Jong Un might anoint his daughter as his heir. And finally, the Princess of Wales delivers a special message for St David's Day.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Lebanon pulled into widening conflict

Protesters in Iran hold up flags and banners with Khamenei's picture on them. A woman in a black burqa hold her hand in the air and aother lady isclutching an image of Khamenei to her chest

The Islamic Republic faces its most precarious moment since 1979 following the killing of its supreme leader. Credit: Getty Images

After a weekend of US and Israeli strikes on Iran, leading to the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, our security analyst Gordon Corera explains how the operation unfolded. For the Iranian regime, writes BBC Persian's Amir Azimi, the next few days will show if it can remain intact as the process of electing Khamenei's successor begins amid continued air strikes. As chief international editor Lyse Doucet notes, whoever emerges as Iran's next leader, their goal will be retaining "an order that keeps the clerics and its powerful security forces in power." Iran's retaliatory strikes have hit US allies, including the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Israel, while Israel has launched an attack on Hezbollah, pulling Lebanon into the widening conflict.

Follow real-time updates

Southern Iran: At least 153 people, including children, have died after a reported strike hit a girls' school, according to Iranian officials.

Watch: US President Donald Trump has warned "there will likely be more" US deaths after three service members were killed.

In maps: What you need to know about the location of strikes the US and Israel launched against Iran, and Iran's retaliatory action.

WORLD HEADLINES

A blue and red vessel anchors off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates on 1 March following a joint Israel-US military operation targeting multiple locations across Iran in the early hours of 28 February 2026

Oil prices jump and shares fall as conflict escalates

Gold, which is seen as a safe-haven asset during periods of uncertainty, has added 2.3% to its price of $5,395.99 an ounce.

Read more >

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney shakes hands with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, before their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, March 2, 2026.

Carney and Modi reset ties in Delhi

India and Canada's prime ministers have agreed a number of accords, including a long-term deal to supply uranium to India.

What to know >

Police tape cordons off the area around Buford's bar in Austin, Texas

FBI investigates deadly Texas bar shooting

Two people have been killed and over a dozen injured in an incident the FBI said may be related to terrorism.

What happened >

Actor Michael B Jordan smiles as he holds a statuette in each of his hands. He has brown eyes, short brown hair and a short beard. He is wearing a white shirt, a blue tie and a grey blazer.

Sinners wins big at Actor Awards

Michael B Jordan won best actor for his role in vampire horror Sinners, in a surge of momentum ahead of the Oscars.

More on the winners >

NEWS FROM THE UK

Cyprus base: No casualties and "minimal damage" occurred at RAF Akrotiri after it was hit by an Iranian drone, officials have said.

A&E: More than 52,000 patients waited longer than 24 hours to be admitted to hospitals across north-west England last year, the BBC has found.

Paul Conroy: The war photographer, who was wounded in the 2012 Syrian army attack that killed his colleague Marie Colvin, has died aged 61.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES

Who will be Kim Jong Un's heir?

This picture taken on February 16, 2026 and released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on February 17, 2026 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) and his daughter Ju Ae (L) waving and applauding a crowd. She has long dark hair and brown eyes and is wearing a long leather trench coat. Her father is wearing a black leader jacker and has short dark hair and brown eyes.

Since its formation, North Korea has only been ruled by male members of the Kim family. Credit: KCNA via KNS via AFP

After North Korea's ruler Kim Jong Un was first pictured with his daughter in official state media in 2022, speculation has been growing as to whether the teenager will be anointed his heir. The 13-year-old girl, thought to be called Kim Ju Ae, would become the first female ruler the country if she was to succeed his father. But how likely is this to happen?

Read now