ESCALATION OUT OF CONTROL As US Embassies BURN

Iran Prepared for a Long War. Vali Nasr on Trump’s Miscalculation

As Israel expands its war on Iran and U.S. officials float the possibility of American boots on the ground, what is really happening behind the headlines?

Iran expert at Johns Hopkins Vali Nasr joins Rania Khalek to explain:

Why Iran prepared for decapitation strikes
Why “regime collapse” is far from guaranteed
How global oil supplies “have become a battlefield”
Why Trump may already be looking for an off-ramp
The growing divide between U.S. and Israeli war goals
The chances this conflict could spiral into something far bigger

Nasr argues that Iran’s strategy isn’t to win quickly. It’s to make the war long, costly, and politically dangerous for Washington.

If this is the “last battle” for Iran’s leadership, what does that mean for the region — and for the global economy?

Human Rights Bulletin - (Reporting period 28 February – 3 March)

https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/human-rights-bulletin-reporting-period-28-february-3-march-enar

Since the onset of the regional escalation on 28 February, the UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OHCHR OPT) continues to document casualties resulting from Israeli military operations in Gaza and raids and attacks by Israeli security forces and settlers in the West Bank, amid sweeping movement restrictions in the West Bank and the closure of crossings to Gaza.

This ad-hoc bulletin offers an overview of developments in the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Gaza

killings and other violence

· Israeli military attacks continued during the reporting period, including gunfire, artillery shelling, airstrikes, UAV attacks, and naval shelling, both near and far from the “yellow line”, which remains unclear on the ground.

· Initial information indicates that a 15-year-old Palestinian boy was killed in an Israeli shelling in Um Nasser village in North Gaza, east of the so-called yellow line, on 28 February.

· A Palestinian man was reportedly shot dead by Israeli forces in Al Satr Al Sharqi, northern Khan Younis, in the vicinity of the so-called yellow line.

Since the ceasefire, 631 Palestinians were killed in Israeli military operations according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Between 10 October 2025 and 27 February 2026, OHCHR OPT recorded the killing of at least 224 Palestinians east or in the vicinity of the so-called yellow line and 347 Palestinians in attacks far from it.

Access restrictions

· On 28 February, Israel closed all crossings to Gaza halting the flow of humanitarian aid and commercial supplies, and once again interrupting medical evacuations.

· On 3 March, Israeli authorities announced the opening of one crossing to Gaza, Kerem Shalom, for humanitarian aid. Rafah and Zikim crossings remain closed. Medical evacuations remain suspended.

· UN and humanitarian partners called for opening more crossings and ensuring supplies can enter predictably and sustainably.

More than 18,000 critical patients, including 4,000 children, require medical evacuation abroad. Most Palestinians in Gaza, around 90% as of October 2025, remain displaced, and in need of humanitarian assistance.

The West Bank, including East Jerusalem

Killings and other violence

· On 28 February, Israeli security forces shot and killed 25-year-old Jihad Mohammed Masalmeh in Dura, Hebron. They reportedly kicked Masalmeh repeatedly after collapsing from his injury and delayed an ambulance for around ten minutes.

· On 2 March, an armed Israeli settler, reportedly identified as a reserve soldier, shot and killed two Palestinian brothers aged 48 and 52 identified as Mohammad Muammar and Faheem Muammar during an attack on Qaryut village, Nablus.

· Between 28 February and 3 March, settler attacks were recorded across the West Bank with settlers reportedly threatening residents to leave their homes, particularly in Nablus and the Northern Jordan Valley.

Since 7 October 2023, as of 3 March 2026, OHCHR OPT verified that 1061 Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces and/or settlers or died from previous injuries in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, including 231 children.

Movement restrictions

· On 28 February, Israeli authorities announced a closure across the entire occupied West Bank, prohibiting movement between governorates until further notice. Pamphlets were dropped in different parts of the West Bank to inform Palestinians of the ban.

· Iron gates and checkpoints across the West Bank are increasingly closed to Palestinian traffic, curtailing movement and isolating entire communities.

· On 28 February, Israeli security forces imposed a curfew on parts of Hebron H2, leaving 25-30 Palestinian families unable to leave their homes.

· On 1 March, Israeli security forces reportedly erected two new iron gates at the entrances of Deir Jarir village and Beitin village, both east of Ramallah.

There are at least 916 obstacles installed since October 2023 to restrict Palestinians’ movement across the occupied West Bank as of 28 February including checkpoints and 243 iron gates, according to the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission.

Trump faces ire of US lawmakers after impact of Iran’s retaliation hits home

Several US senators have reacted angrily as they lashed out at Donald Trump for his decision to launch strikes against Iran without any planning. The central theme of these senators' reaction was that they appeared worried about Iran's ability to retaliate and hurt US interests. Rifat Jawaid examines the development and highlights how Iran is changing the rules of the game. This came on the day Iran targeted the US consulate office in Dubai with drone strike.

Israel Erupts In Fiery Blitz, Explosions Shake Tel Aviv As Iranian Missiles 'BYPASS' Defences

Flashes lit up the skyline over Tel Aviv before thick smoke and flames followed. Visuals circulated by Iran’s state-linked Press TV claim ballistic missiles struck the city without interception by Israeli air defenses. The footage appears to show multiple impacts in densely populated areas, with vehicles burning and plumes rising into the night. Separately, Associated Press video from central Israel showed firefighters battling blazes after reported missile salvos. Israeli rescue services say at least 11 people have been killed since Sunday, though the full scale of the damage remains under assessment. 

Scott Horton: US Commanders Pushing END TIMES IDEOLOGY To Rally Troops