Iranian barrages test allied interceptor reserves as US sounds alarm for Americans in region
Iran is continuing a steady stream of missile attacks against U.S.-allied nations in the region as Operation Epic Fury enters its fourth day on Tuesday. President Donald Trump has vowed to continue with "ferocious" resolve.
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Israel warns Iran’s next supreme leader will be ‘target for elimination’
Israel’s defense minister warned Wednesday that whoever is chosen to replace slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will be considered “a target for elimination” if they continue policies threatening Israel, the United States and regional allies.
The statement comes as Iran’s Assembly of Experts moves to select a successor following Khamenei’s death in an Israeli strike at the outset of the war. Israeli forces have already targeted locations tied to Iran’s clerical leadership structure, signaling the campaign is aimed not only at degrading military capabilities but also at preventing the reconstitution of regime leadership.
The warning marks a dramatic escalation in rhetoric, underscoring Israel’s position that any future Iranian leader who maintains Tehran’s hostile posture could face direct military action. Iranian officials have not publicly responded to the threat.
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Israel says F-35 shot down Iranian fighter jet over Tehran in first reported air-to-air kill
Israel’s military said Wednesday that one of its F-35 stealth fighter jets shot down a piloted Iranian Air Force aircraft over Tehran, marking the first reported air-to-air combat kill of a manned Iranian jet since the war began.
The Israeli military identified the aircraft as a YAK-130 fighter and said the engagement took place inside Iranian airspace as Israeli forces continued what they described as broad-scale strikes across the capital.
The incident would represent a significant escalation in the conflict, signaling that Iran has deployed piloted combat aircraft in response to ongoing U.S.-Israeli operations. It also marks the first shootdown in history of a manned fighter aircraft by an F-35 fighter jet.
Iran missile strikes Al-Udeid base hosting US forces in Qatar, no injuries reported
Iran struck Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar with a missile Wednesday, Qatari defense officials confirmed, escalating Tehran’s campaign against U.S.-linked military sites across the Gulf.
No casualties were reported, and U.S. personnel assigned to the installation were accounted for, according to Qatari authorities. The extent of damage has not yet been disclosed.
Al-Udeid serves as a central hub for American air operations in the Middle East and houses forward elements of U.S. Central Command. The base has played a key role in coordinating air defenses and strike missions since the launch of Operation Epic Fury.
The strike comes amid a widening pattern of Iranian retaliation that has included missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, Gulf partners and diplomatic compounds in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
U.S. officials have not yet detailed whether additional defensive or retaliatory measures are being considered.
State Department orders evacuation of non-emergency government personnel from Pakistan
The U.S. State Department on Wednesday ordered non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members of government personnel in Pakistan to evacuate due to ongoing security risks amid the conflict with Iran.
"The State Department updated the Travel Advisory for Pakistan to reflect the ordered departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members of government personnel from U.S. Consulates Lahore and Karachi," the department wrote in a post on X.
There is no change to the status of Embassy Islamabad, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan said in a travel advisory.
The travel advisory also cautioned about terrorism and armed conflict in the region.
Pope again criticizes US-Israeli military campaign in Iran: 'Find solutions without weapons'
Pope Leo XIV continues to speak out against the U.S.-Israeli joint military operation in Iran, calling for peace and to find ways to resolve problems "without weapons."
"Pray for peace, work for peace, less hatred. Hatred keeps growing in the world," Leo, the first American-born pope, said while speaking to reporters.
"Find solutions, without weapons, to resolve problems," he continued.
The pontiff has repeatedly criticized the military strikes against Iran since U.S. and Israeli forces began their attacks over the weekend.
"I am following with deep concern what is happening in the Middle East and in Iran during this tumultuous time," he said on Sunday. "Stability and peace are not achieved through mutual threats, nor through the use of weapons, which sow destruction, suffering, and death, but only through reasonable, sincere, and responsible dialogue."
"Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of immense proportions, I make a heartfelt appeal to all the parties involved to assume the moral responsibility of halting the spiral of violence before it becomes an unbridgeable chasm," the pope added. "May diplomacy regain its proper role, and may the well-being of peoples, who yearn for peaceful existence founded on justice, be upheld. And let us continue to pray for peace."
State Department raises security threat for multiple countries, urging people to reconsider travel
The U.S. State Department on Tuesday issued updated travel guidance for Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The advisories for these four countries were increased to a "Level 3: Reconsider Travel."
Egypt remains at "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution," reflecting that the department's "overall assessment of the security situation there has not changed at this time," the department said on X.
"The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans worldwide," the post reads.
State Department authorizes evacuation of non-emergency government personnel from Oman, Saudi Arabia
The U.S. State Department on Tuesday authorized non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members of government personnel in Oman and Saudi Arabia to evacuate amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
"The State Department updated the Travel Advisory for [these countries] to reflect the authorized departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members of government personnel," the State Department wrote on X.
The U.S. embassies in both countries also urged people to reconsider travel to those regions due to the risk of armed conflict and terrorism.
IDF says Iran launches missiles toward Israel as air defenses activate
The Israeli military said Tuesday that missiles were launched from Iran toward Israeli territory, triggering air defense responses and emergency alerts for civilians.
In a statement posted on social media, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its defense systems were working to intercept the incoming missiles.
Israel’s Home Front Command also issued emergency alerts directly to mobile phones in affected areas, warning residents to enter protected spaces immediately and remain there until further instructions.
“Exit from the protected space will be permitted only after receiving an explicit directive,” the IDF said.
Officials urged the public to follow Home Front Command guidance, saying the instructions are critical for civilian safety during missile attacks.
The latest launches come as Iran continues retaliatory strikes across the region following ongoing U.S. and Israeli military operations targeting Iranian missile and military infrastructure.
Kuwaiti jet shot down 3 US F-15s in mistaken friendly fire incident, Fox News confirms
A Kuwaiti fighter jet accidentally shot down three U.S. F-15 aircraft during a chaotic response to Iranian drone attacks earlier this week, according to a report first published by The Wall Street Journal and confirmed by Fox News.
The Journal reported that a Kuwaiti F/A-18 pilot fired three missiles at the American jets, bringing down all three aircraft. The U.S. pilots safely ejected, according to officials familiar with the early findings.
The incident occurred shortly after Iranian drones penetrated Kuwaiti air defenses, with one drone striking a tactical operations center at a commercial port in Port Shuaiba, killing six U.S. service members.
Officials said Kuwaiti forces were on high alert when radar detected incoming aircraft and mistakenly targeted the American jets.
Fox News' Jennifer Griffin contributed to this reporting.
Former TOPGUN pilot declares Iran military 'over with' amid US air superiority, warns of danger
Decorated Navy TOPGUN graduate and F/A-18 fighter pilot Matthew "Whiz" Buckley said Tuesday that Iran has "zero" options as U.S. and Israeli strikes continue in Operation Epic Fury — but warned the biggest danger now may be friendly fire amid a complex battle environment.
Given U.S. air superiority, Buckley said on "Fox & Friends First" the Iranian government is backed into a corner.
"They really don't have any options. When you have command of the sky, you can do whatever you want... We have free flow over the airspace, which means we can pick and choose targets at will and not worry about any ground fire," he said, but added that, "the only ground fire we have to worry about is friendly fire."
Buckley said he was grateful for the safety of the U.S. airmen who had to eject themselves from their F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft after they were mistakenly engaged by allied Kuwaiti air defenses.
"I'm more worried about our own forces than I am the Iranians at this point. It's over with. As far as their air, sea and mainly land powers as well," he said.
Three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were shot down in a friendly fire incident over Kuwait late Sunday during active combat operations tied to Operation Epic Fury, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
The aircraft were taken down by Kuwait amid a complex battle environment that included attacks by Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones.
All six aircrew members safely ejected, were quickly recovered, and are reported to be in stable condition.
This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News Digital's Max Bacall.
CENTCOM says nearly 2,000 targets hit in Iran during Operation Epic Fury: 'Ahead of our game plan'
The commander of U.S. Central Command said Tuesday that American and Israeli forces have struck nearly 2,000 targets in Iran as Operation Epic Fury enters its fourth day.
In a video update posted to social media, CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said more than 50,000 U.S. troops, 200 fighter aircraft, two aircraft carriers and long-range bombers are now participating in the operation.
Cooper described the deployment as the largest U.S. military buildup in the Middle East in a generation. He said coalition forces have severely degraded Iran’s air defenses and destroyed hundreds of ballistic missiles, launchers and drones.
U.S. forces have also destroyed 17 Iranian naval vessels, Cooper said, adding that no Iranian ships are currently operating in the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz or Gulf of Oman.
Iran has retaliated by launching more than 500 ballistic missiles and over 2,000 drones, according to CENTCOM, though Cooper said Tehran’s ability to strike U.S. forces and partners is declining.
“My overall operational assessment is that we are ahead of our game plan,” Cooper said.
Fox News Poll: Views are divided on US action against Iran
Voters are divided on U.S. military action against Iran, even as a majority sees the country as a security risk.
A new Fox News national survey finds 61% think Iran poses "a real national security threat" to the United States. That view is similar to most previous Fox News surveys since 2006. The notable exception was when concern hit 73% last June, right before the U.S. military mission against Iranian nuclear facilities called Operation Midnight Hammer.
Even though a majority views Iran as a danger to the country, that concern does not translate into majority support for the current U.S. military action, as 50% approve and 50% disapprove.
In addition, 51% think President Trump’s handling of Iran has made the U.S. less safe, up from 43% last July. Twenty-nine percent say he’s made the U.S. safer. By comparison, when the same question was asked about former President Biden in 2023, 50% said his handling of Iran had made the U.S. less safe, while 12% said safer.
Among Republicans, more than 8 in 10 approve of the current U.S. use of force, while only 6 in 10 say the president’s actions on Iran are making the U.S. safer.
Nearly 8 in 10 Democrats disapprove of the U.S. strikes and think things are less safe because of Trump’s performance, while 6 in 10 or more independents think the same on both counts.Among voters who have served in the military, 59% approve of the U.S. strikes on Iran (39% disapprove).
Compared to voters overall, who say the U.S. is less safe by a wide margin, veterans are more closely divided on the question of whether Trump’s actions have made the country safer (37%) or less safe (44%).
In a joint effort with Israel, the United States started launching strikes on Iran on Saturday morning as part of a mission called "Operation Epic Fury." All survey interviews were conducted after the bombings began, from Saturday through Monday.
This is an excerpt of an article by Fox News' Dana Blanton.
Pentagon identifies 4 of 6 US service members killed in Kuwait drone attack
The Department of War (DOW) on Tuesday identified four of the six U.S. service members killed in a drone attack in Kuwait earlier this week.
Officials said Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida; Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; and Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa, died March 1 in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, during an unmanned aircraft system attack while supporting Operation Epic Fury.
All four soldiers were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, Iowa, according to the Army.
Officials said the incident remains under investigation. Two additional service members killed in the attack have not yet been publicly identified pending notification of their families.
Macron orders France’s aircraft carrier to Mediterranean as Middle East war widens
French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday ordered France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to move from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean as the war in the Middle East expands.
The carrier will deploy with frigates and its air wing, Macron said in a televised address, adding that Rafale fighter jets, air-defense systems and airborne radar assets have already been sent to the region.
“And we will continue this effort as much as necessary,” Macron said.
Macron also revealed that French forces shot down drones early in the conflict while defending allied airspace.
France is not directly participating in the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, Macron said, but French forces are prepared to take defensive action against missiles and drones threatening allies.
The deployment comes as the conflict spreads across the region, including recent strikes on a British air base in Cyprus, which Macron cited as a reason for strengthening the military posture.
The Associated Press contributed to this reporting.
CIA station at US Embassy in Riyadh hit in drone attack, source says
Fox News has confirmed that a CIA station inside the U.S. Embassy compound in Riyadh was hit during a drone attack, after the incident was first reported by The Washington Post.
Two drones struck the U.S. Embassy complex in the Saudi capital, according to U.S. and Saudi officials.
The attack caused structural damage to part of the embassy and smoke contamination inside the building, according to an internal State Department alert obtained by the Post.
There were no immediate reports of injuries, and embassy personnel were sheltering in place.
Fox News' Jennifer Griffin contributed to this reporting.
Sen Fetterman backs Trump's Iran strikes as Sen Graham predicts ‘overwhelming’ firepower coming
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., voiced support Tuesday for U.S. strikes against Iran, breaking with most Democrats following a classified Senate briefing on the ongoing conflict.
Fetterman argued the military action was justified if it prevents Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
“Why can’t we all just say the world is safer and it’s more just because of what has happened?” Fetterman told reporters.
He also dismissed concerns that the Trump administration violated the War Powers Resolution, noting presidents have up to 60 days of military action after notifying Congress.
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina struck a far more aggressive tone after the briefing, predicting much larger strikes against Iran in the coming days.
“The amount of firepower coming in the next day or two from us is going to be overwhelming,” Graham said.
Graham also said Arab countries and European partners are expected to join the effort against Iran, arguing Tehran miscalculated by attacking Gulf nations including Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
“Iran made a major miscalculation,” Graham said. “The ability to inflict harm on the regime is going to increase… because we’re going to have more partners.”
Graham predicted the Iranian regime could collapse, saying, “It’s not if they fall, it’s when they fall.”
Trump says US Navy could escort oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States could deploy the U.S. Navy to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as tensions with Iran threaten global shipping lanes.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he ordered the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide political risk insurance and financial guarantees for maritime trade traveling through the Persian Gulf, particularly energy shipments.
The coverage will be available to all shipping lines, Trump said.
“If necessary, the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible,” Trump wrote.
Trump said the move is intended to ensure the “free flow of energy to the world.”
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints, with roughly 20% of global petroleum shipments passing through the narrow waterway.
Qatar says it shot down 2 Iranian warplanes during attack on its territory
Qatar said its air defenses shot down two Iranian SU-24 fighter jets during an attack on its territory, according to a letter the country sent Tuesday to the United Nations (UN) and shared on X.
The Qatari Ministry of Defense said the Qatar Amiri Air Force intercepted the aircraft, along with seven ballistic missiles and five drones launched toward the country.
Some of the Iranian attacks targeted energy infrastructure, including water tanks at the Mesaieed Power Plant and facilities in the Ras Laffan Industrial City operated by QatarEnergy, the letter said.
Qatar said there were no reported casualties.
The government condemned the strikes as a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty and warned it reserves the right to respond under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows countries to act in self-defense.
Rubio says 9,000 Americans have left Middle East as evacuations continue amid Iran war
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that about 9,000 Americans have already left the Middle East since the war with Iran began, as the State Department ramps up evacuation efforts.
Rubio told reporters ahead of a classified Senate briefing that roughly 1,500 Americans are still requesting assistance to depart the region.
The State Department is working to move people out through a mix of charter flights, military aircraft and expanded commercial flights, Rubio said, though evacuations have been complicated by airspace closures and damaged airports.
“We’ve had a couple of instances in which we have planes in the air and on the way, and unfortunately the airspace gets closed and they have to turn back around,” Rubio said.
Rubio urged Americans still in the region to register with the State Department so officials can coordinate evacuation routes.
The secretary also confirmed that an Iranian drone struck a parking lot next to the U.S. consulate in Dubai, sparking a fire that has since been extinguished. All personnel were accounted for.
Rubio warned that the scope of the military campaign against Iran is likely to intensify in the coming days.
“You’re going to begin to perceive a change in the scope and intensity of these attacks,” Rubio said.
The Secretary urged Americans to contact the State Department for urgent assistance at +1-202-501-4444.