{"id":1804602,"date":"2026-03-03T03:19:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T00:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1804602"},"modified":"2026-03-03T03:19:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T00:19:08","slug":"iran-faces-an-existential-crisis-professor-fawaz-gerges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1804602","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Iran faces an existential crisis&#8217;: Professor Fawaz Gerges"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76192676_6.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"s1sfzv1a sk6xmai\">\n<div class=\"content-area sa7l9jt s9mg977\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"sharing-icons-inline\" class=\"c75t7t0 hh5424a in-line closed\">\n<div class=\"copy-button-wrapper closed\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59gst<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"s4bcs45\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76192676_800.webp 50w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76192676_801.webp 129w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76192676_802.webp 352w, https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76192676_803.webp 575w\" media=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 575px)\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" \/><figcaption class=\"c1oedowi lofg86o m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Israel says it hit Hezbollah sites in Beirut on Tuesday morning<small class=\"copyright c19ed66t ihwmx5 idu7i8u lxmvniw icns9en rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Image: AFP\/Getty Images<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-live-blog-rich-text-overview\" id=\"live-blog-rich-text-overview\" class=\"c1800ln sq3xutt atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483#post-live-blog-rich-text-overview\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section What you need to know<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"c2fyhwl ctymiyf content-block i1if36d6 i1ytahzz\">\n<h2 class=\"cp7bjxx h1du6kc5 lt5vbch pohyj9x s16w0xvi m1u0isv1 b1fzgn0z\">What you need to know<\/h2>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/israel\/t-19067044\">Israel<\/a> launches fresh strikes on Beirut and Tehran<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a> hits\u00a0several Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia<\/li>\n<li>US embassy in the Saudi capital Riyadh\u00a0hit by drone attack<\/li>\n<li>US President <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-president-donald-trump-russia-ukraine-israel-gaza-tariffs-trade-war\/t-19434433\">Donald Trump<\/a> vows response will come\u00a0&#8216;soon&#8217;<\/li>\n<li>US evacuates non-emergency workers from 6 embassies in the region<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Here are the latest developments from the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US-Israeli attack and Iran&#8217;s response<\/a> on Tuesday, March 3:<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"s1ogwy7c ev9ivjh\">\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76202880\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483#post-liveblog-post-76202880\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section WATCH \u2014 &#8216;Iran faces an existential crisis&#8217;: Professor Fawaz Gerges<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/03\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 3, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">WATCH \u2014 &#8216;Iran faces an existential crisis&#8217;: Professor Fawaz Gerges<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>On day four of the war, Iran expert Fawaz Gerges explains how the conflict is widening, with growing uncertainty over possible further US military action.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 'Iran faces an existential crisis': Professor Fawaz Gerges\" class=\"headline\">&#8216;Iran faces an existential crisis&#8217;: Professor Fawaz Gerges<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76198852\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76198852\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76202520_605.webp\" data-duration=\"19:38\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je260303_FawazAGerges_1_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59jqi<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76203643\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483#post-liveblog-post-76203643\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section US: Beirut embassy will remain closed &#8216;until further notice&#8217; <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/03\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 3, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">US: Beirut embassy will remain closed &#8216;until further notice&#8217; <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The US Embassy in Beirut has announced that it will remain closed until further notice, in the aftermath of the strikes on Iran, and as <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/lebanon-israel-trades-fire-with-hezbollah-in-south-and-east\/a-76183883\">Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah also exchange fire<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Due to ongoing regional tensions, US Embassy Beirut will be closed until further notice,&#8221; the embassy said on X on Tuesday, a day after it renewed calls for US citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59k31<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76202894\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483#post-liveblog-post-76202894\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section WATCH \u2014 US, Israel and Iran: What are their next moves?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/03\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 3, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">WATCH \u2014 US, Israel and Iran: What are their next moves?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>While the exact fallout of US\u2011Israeli strikes on Iran remains uncertain, DW&#8217;s Richard Walker and Iran expert Nicole Grajewski examine what each actor wants \u2014 and the obstacles standing in their way.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 US, Israel and Iran: What are their next moves?\" class=\"headline\">US, Israel and Iran: What are their next moves?<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76191257\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76191257\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76194170_605.webp\" data-duration=\"31:02\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/sonder\/sonder20260302_FocusSegmentGrajewski_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59jqw<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76202851\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483#post-liveblog-post-76202851\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Israel hits ballistic missile production across Iran \u2014 IDF<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/03\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 3, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Israel hits ballistic missile production across Iran \u2014 IDF<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The Israeli Air Force has struck sites &#8220;throughout Iran&#8221; that were used to manufacture weapons, including ballistic missiles, the Israeli Defense Forces said Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>The strikes on Tuesday come on the fourth day of the large-scale US-Israeli air attacks against Iran.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;During strikes conducted throughout Iran, the IDF targeted industrial sites used by the Iranian regime to produce weapons, particularly ballistic missiles,&#8221; the IDF said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>The strikes were mostly concentrated on the capital, Tehran, and the central city of Isfahan, the IDF added, although targets in western Iran were also hit.<\/p>\n<p>In Isfahan, the IDF hit &#8220;dozens of targets&#8221; related to ballistic missiles, &#8221; including launchers and missile storage sites,&#8221; the statement said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59jqF<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76201011\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483#post-liveblog-post-76201011\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Assembly of Experts office building destroyed \u2014 Iran state media<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/03\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 3, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Assembly of Experts office building destroyed \u2014 Iran state media<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Iranian state media are reporting that the office building of the Assembly of Experts in Qom was severely damaged in an air strike on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>Reports in Iran also suggest an air strike had targeted a session of the Assembly of Experts, which was convened to choose the country&#8217;s next supreme leader.<\/p>\n<p>The Assembly of Experts is made up of clerics who are responsible for appointing and overseeing the supreme leader.<\/p>\n<p>The former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed on Saturday in an Israeli air strike.<\/p>\n<p>Tasnim, an official news agency with ties to Iran&#8217;s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,\u00a0reported that the Assembly of Experts building in Tehran was also hit overnight.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian officials have said the process of choosing Khamenei&#8217;s successor is already underway.<\/p>\n<p>Many members of that body have reportedly been killed or wounded.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59jMZ<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76199848\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483#post-liveblog-post-76199848\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section IN PICTURES \u2014 Tehran rocked by air strikes<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/03\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 3, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">IN PICTURES \u2014 Tehran rocked by air strikes<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76196098\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76196098_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Debris lies scattered in the aftermath of an Israeli and U.S. strike on a police station, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Iran state media said &#8216;a number of citizens were martyred and some were trapped under the rubble&#8217; of a police station on the outskirts of the city that was struck<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Majid Asgaripour\/WANA\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76198087\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76198087_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Iran Teheran 2026 | Besch\u00e4digte Polizeistation nach US-israelischem Milit\u00e4rschlag\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Buildings nearby were also damaged in the strike on the police station<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Vahid Salemi\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76198117\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76198117_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A woman walks past a heavily-damaged building near Ferdowsi square in Tehran on March 3, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">This building near Tehran&#8217;s central Ferdowsi square sustained severe damage<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Atta Kenare\/AFP<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76198021\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76198021_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A view of debris following an Israeli and US strike on Gandhi Hotel Hospital\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">A hospital in the north of Tehran was also hit, according to state media<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Majid Asgaripour\/WANA\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76193319\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76193319_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"The Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, suffers damage from US-Israeli military strikes\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was damaged when a bomb hit  Arag Square near the palace on Monday<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Tasnimnews\/ZUMA Press\/IMAGO<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59j3o<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76200481\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483#post-liveblog-post-76200481\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Israel expects Saudi Arabia to attack Iran &#8216;soon&#8217; \u2014 report<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/03\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 3, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Israel expects Saudi Arabia to attack Iran &#8216;soon&#8217; \u2014 report<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76194808\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76194808_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"The US embassy headquarters in Riyadh is pictured on March 3, 2026, after it was hit by drone strikes earlier\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The US embassy headquarters in Riyadh is pictured on March 3, 2026, after it was hit by drone strikes earlier.<small class=\"copyright\">Image: AFP<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Israeli officials expect Saudi Arabia to attack Iran imminently, a senior official told Israeli outlet <em>Haaretz<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Iran has been retaliating against US-Israeli air attacks by targeting several countries in the Gulf region.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian drones hit the US embassy in Riyadh as well as an oil refinery on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have no doubt that Saudi Arabia will attack Iran soon after they were attacked yesterday,&#8221; the unnamed official said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59jE1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76199008\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483#post-liveblog-post-76199008\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Germany summons Iranian ambassador over Middle East strikes<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/03\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 3, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Germany summons Iranian ambassador over Middle East strikes<\/h2>\n<div class=\"a9wq4ao author-details\"><span><span class=\"extra-info lxmvniw m4xla6a s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"> Editor<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Germany&#8217;s Foreign Office has summoned Iran&#8217;s ambassador in the wake of Tehran&#8217;s strikes against Israel and several other countries in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>In a post on X, the ministry said German authorities had &#8220;unequivocally called on the Iranian regime to immediately cease its reckless attacks on countries in the region.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0&#8220;We condemn the Iranian regime&#8217;s arbitrary and disproportionate missile and drone attacks, including on civilian targets,&#8221; the statement continued. &#8220;The attacks threaten our allies, our military personnel and our nationals in the region.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Tehran&#8217;s attacks are in retaliation for the major offensive launched by Israel and the United States on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Iran has been targeting Israel as well as US bases and interests in several Gulf and Arab countries.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nWhile Germany has been swift and unequivocal in condemning Iran, the German government has not denounced the US-Israeli strike and assassination of Iran&#8217;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Chancellor Friedrich Merz <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germanys-chancellor-strikes-a-cautious-tone\/a-76180922\">declined to condemn his Israeli and American allies<\/a> over the strikes, amid widespread debate over whether the attacks on Iran were justified.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This is not the moment to lecture our partners and allies. Despite our reservations, we share many of their objectives,&#8221; Merz said Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59iqG<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76198393\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483#post-liveblog-post-76198393\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section READ MORE: US-Israeli war casts doubt on Iran&#8217;s World Cup participation<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/03\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 3, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">READ MORE: US-Israeli war casts doubt on Iran&#8217;s World Cup participation<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>With just 100 days before the football World Cup kicks off in the US, many concerns still hover over the event, with the current Middle East war not the least of them.<\/p>\n<p>Alongside worries about high ticket prices,\u00a0security and the official treatment of visitors to the country under an administration that has frequently voiced hostile attitudes to members other nations, it now appears more than likely that Iran, which qualified to contend a year ago, might not be able to take part.<\/p>\n<p>You can read more in this DW article:\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/world-cup-2026-us-iran-war-adds-to-list-of-concerns\/a-76182083\">World Cup 2026: US-Iran war adds to list of concerns<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59igL<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76197304\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483#post-liveblog-post-76197304\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section UN calls on warring parties to &#8216;come to their senses&#8217;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/03\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 3, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">UN calls on warring parties to &#8216;come to their senses&#8217;<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/united-nations-un\/t-17440154\">United Nations<\/a> on Tuesday urged all parties to &#8220;come to their senses&#8221; and end the war in the Middle East, with human rights chief Volker Turk saying\u00a0he was &#8220;deeply shocked&#8221; at the impact of the fighting on civilians.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The fear, the panic, the anxiety experienced by millions of people in the Middle East and beyond is palpable \u2014\u00a0and was entirely avoidable,&#8221; Turk&#8217;s spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a press conference in Geneva.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The situation is worsening and widening by the hour, playing out our worst fears,&#8221; she added.<\/p>\n<p>She said that Turk\u00a0&#8220;implores all parties to come to their senses, and to end this violence.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>This comes as Iran urged the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/un-security-council\/t-63264650\">United Nations Security Council<\/a> to take action to stop the war.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The United Nations Security Council has a duty &#8230; if it wishes, it can certainly act, because there is no obstacle to its action except its own will,&#8221; said Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei during a briefing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59iOm<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76197108\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483#post-liveblog-post-76197108\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section BEFORE AND AFTER \u2014 The attack on the residence of Iran&#8217;s Supreme Leader<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/03\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 3, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">BEFORE AND AFTER \u2014 The attack on the residence of Iran&#8217;s Supreme Leader<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Use the slider to reveal the extent of the damage to the compound of <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/ayatollah-ali-khamenei-the-man-who-wanted-to-destroy-israel\/a-76169184\">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei<\/a>, who was <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/irans-supreme-leader-khamenei-is-dead-state-media-confirms\/live-76161011\">killed in US-Israeli strikes on Saturday.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59iLc<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76195828\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483#post-liveblog-post-76195828\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section WATCH \u2014 Iran&#8217;s opposition: United, divided, ready to take over? <\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/03\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 3, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">WATCH \u2014 Iran&#8217;s opposition: United, divided, ready to take over? <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>US President Donald Trump called on Iranians to seize a &#8220;glorious future.&#8221; But who is he talking to? Is there a real opposition or a leaderless uprising?<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Iran's opposition: United, divided, ready to take over? \" class=\"headline\">Iran&#8217;s opposition: United, divided, ready to take over? <\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76189214\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76189214\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/75747646_605.webp\" data-duration=\"08:08\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260302_FocusSegmentIranOpp_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59i0y<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76196180\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483#post-liveblog-post-76196180\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section Natanz uranium enrichment facility damaged but no leaks \u2014 IAEA<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/03\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 3, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Natanz uranium enrichment facility damaged but no leaks \u2014 IAEA<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/international-atomic-energy-agency-iaea\/t-17449170\">International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)<\/a> said on Tuesday that Iran&#8217;s underground uranium enrichment facility in Natanz had sustained &#8220;some recent damage&#8221; but that there were no expected\u00a0radiological consequences.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It said the damage was focused on &#8220;entrance buildings&#8221;\u00a0to the underground portion of the atomic site.<\/p>\n<p>The assessment comes after IAEA head Rafael Grossi told a special meeting of the UN nuclear watchdog agency&#8217;s Board of Governors on Monday\u00a0that none of Iran&#8217;s nucler facilities showed signs of hits or damage amid <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">attacks by US and Israel.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tehran&#8217;s representative to the IAEA, in contrast,\u00a0spoke of an attack on the Natanz facility.<\/p>\n<p>Last June, Israel and the US carried out <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-strikes-on-irans-nuclear-sites-heighten-safety-fears\/a-73326007\">strikes on facilities linked to Iran&#8217;s nuclear program,<\/a> including <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-israel-air-strikes-attacks-nuclear-weapons-natanz-iaea-nuclear-program-v2\/a-70388202\">that in Natanz.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The technology in place\u00a0at the site can produce enriched uranium that can be used in reactor fuel or for nuclear weapons. Tehran has always denied that it is seeking to develop such weapons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59i6e<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76195830\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483#post-liveblog-post-76195830\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section WATCH \u2014 Iran war duration may be dictated by US ammunition stock<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/03\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 3, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">WATCH \u2014 Iran war duration may be dictated by US ammunition stock<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The Pentagon has reportedly expressed concern that a prolonged campaign against Iran could significantly deplete US ammunition stockpiles. We asked military analyst Marina Miron for her assessment.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Iran war duration may be dictated by US ammunition stock\" class=\"headline\">Iran war duration may be dictated by US ammunition stock<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76189564\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76189564\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/tvdownloaddw-a.akamaihd.net\/stills\/images\/je\/je20260302_MarinaYT_image_512x288_3.jpg\" data-duration=\"06:45\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260302_MarinaYT_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59i10<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section data-tracking-name=\"section-liveblog-post\" id=\"liveblog-post-76195790\" class=\"liveblog-post sh8w7rk atfzu66\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483#post-liveblog-post-76195790\" class=\"q1knotlb b14agbwd quick-item\"><span class=\"h1du6kc5 l1ozsu87 p1s74fjj s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">Skip next section FBI director Patel fires Iran experts ahead of US offensive \u2014 report<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"l3vczb5\"><span class=\"time-area s1i8qhb9 icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><span class=\"publication icns9en lofg86o m1u0isv1 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\"><time aria-hidden=\"true\">03\/03\/2026<\/time><span class=\"s28j2rd\">March 3, 2026<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pmcvy6l h1du6kc5 l1evdo4u p1y8x1v s16w0xvi sngcpkw b1fzgn0z\">FBI director Patel fires Iran experts ahead of US offensive \u2014 report<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The director of the US&#8217; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel, last week fired members of an elite counterespionage unit, CI-12, that specializes in Iran, sources cited by US cable news channel MS Now have said.<\/p>\n<p>The firings came just days before the US, with Israel, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">launched bombing strikes on Iran<\/a> that have triggered a widening regional conflict.<\/p>\n<p>The now depleted unit could be called upon to fend off the potential threat of Iranian operations on US soil targeting US President <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-president-donald-trump-russia-ukraine-israel-gaza-tariffs-trade-war\/t-19434433\">Donald Trump<\/a> and his aides like those that followed a previous bombing strike on Iran ordered by Trump in his first term.<\/p>\n<p>The dismissals by Patel came following his accusations\u00a0that the team of FBI agents that investigated the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-judge-denies-trumps-plea-in-mar-a-lago-documents-case\/a-68526299\">hoarding of top-secret records by Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida<\/a> had carried out improper steps in their probe.<\/p>\n<p>Patel, 46, was <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/donald-trump-nominates-loyalist-kash-patel-as-fbi-director\/a-70929760\">nominated to his position by Trump in late 2024<\/a> and was confirmed as FBI head in a narrow Senate vote in February 2025, with all Democratic senators voting against him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"bp605kw start\"><span class=\"svdcmki\">https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59i0M<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"bp605kw center\">\n<div role=\"button\" data-tracking-name=\"show-more\" class=\"show-more-button s1va3u11 t1y9040i m7i2pic e3w9kkf b19vsmfu cx4rgdt ih9bob8 sngcpkw w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">Show more posts<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/israel\/t-19067044\">Israel<\/a> launches fresh strikes on Beirut and Tehran<\/li>\n<li><a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran\/t-18996175\">Iran<\/a> hits\u00a0several Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia<\/li>\n<li>US embassy in the Saudi capital Riyadh\u00a0hit by drone attack<\/li>\n<li>US President <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-president-donald-trump-russia-ukraine-israel-gaza-tariffs-trade-war\/t-19434433\">Donald Trump<\/a> vows response will come\u00a0&#8216;soon&#8217;<\/li>\n<li>US evacuates non-emergency workers from 6 embassies in the region<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Here are the latest developments from the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US-Israeli attack and Iran&#8217;s response<\/a> on Tuesday, March 3:<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Here are the latest developments from the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">US-Israeli attack and Iran&#8217;s response<\/a> on Tuesday, March 3:<\/em><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>On day four of the war, Iran expert Fawaz Gerges explains how the conflict is widening, with growing uncertainty over possible further US military action.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 'Iran faces an existential crisis': Professor Fawaz Gerges\" class=\"headline\">&#8216;Iran faces an existential crisis&#8217;: Professor Fawaz Gerges<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76198852\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76198852\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76202520_605.webp\" data-duration=\"19:38\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je260303_FawazAGerges_1_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>On day four of the war, Iran expert Fawaz Gerges explains how the conflict is widening, with growing uncertainty over possible further US military action.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The US Embassy in Beirut has announced that it will remain closed until further notice, in the aftermath of the strikes on Iran, and as <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/lebanon-israel-trades-fire-with-hezbollah-in-south-and-east\/a-76183883\">Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah also exchange fire<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Due to ongoing regional tensions, US Embassy Beirut will be closed until further notice,&#8221; the embassy said on X on Tuesday, a day after it renewed calls for US citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The US Embassy in Beirut has announced that it will remain closed until further notice, in the aftermath of the strikes on Iran, and as <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/lebanon-israel-trades-fire-with-hezbollah-in-south-and-east\/a-76183883\">Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah also exchange fire<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Due to ongoing regional tensions, US Embassy Beirut will be closed until further notice,&#8221; the embassy said on X on Tuesday, a day after it renewed calls for US citizens to leave Lebanon immediately.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>While the exact fallout of US\u2011Israeli strikes on Iran remains uncertain, DW&#8217;s Richard Walker and Iran expert Nicole Grajewski examine what each actor wants \u2014 and the obstacles standing in their way.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 US, Israel and Iran: What are their next moves?\" class=\"headline\">US, Israel and Iran: What are their next moves?<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76191257\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76191257\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76194170_605.webp\" data-duration=\"31:02\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/sonder\/sonder20260302_FocusSegmentGrajewski_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>While the exact fallout of US\u2011Israeli strikes on Iran remains uncertain, DW&#8217;s Richard Walker and Iran expert Nicole Grajewski examine what each actor wants \u2014 and the obstacles standing in their way.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The Israeli Air Force has struck sites &#8220;throughout Iran&#8221; that were used to manufacture weapons, including ballistic missiles, the Israeli Defense Forces said Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>The strikes on Tuesday come on the fourth day of the large-scale US-Israeli air attacks against Iran.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;During strikes conducted throughout Iran, the IDF targeted industrial sites used by the Iranian regime to produce weapons, particularly ballistic missiles,&#8221; the IDF said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>The strikes were mostly concentrated on the capital, Tehran, and the central city of Isfahan, the IDF added, although targets in western Iran were also hit.<\/p>\n<p>In Isfahan, the IDF hit &#8220;dozens of targets&#8221; related to ballistic missiles, &#8221; including launchers and missile storage sites,&#8221; the statement said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Israeli Air Force has struck sites &#8220;throughout Iran&#8221; that were used to manufacture weapons, including ballistic missiles, the Israeli Defense Forces said Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>The strikes on Tuesday come on the fourth day of the large-scale US-Israeli air attacks against Iran.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;During strikes conducted throughout Iran, the IDF targeted industrial sites used by the Iranian regime to produce weapons, particularly ballistic missiles,&#8221; the IDF said in a statement.<\/p>\n<p>The strikes were mostly concentrated on the capital, Tehran, and the central city of Isfahan, the IDF added, although targets in western Iran were also hit.<\/p>\n<p>In Isfahan, the IDF hit &#8220;dozens of targets&#8221; related to ballistic missiles, &#8221; including launchers and missile storage sites,&#8221; the statement said.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Iranian state media are reporting that the office building of the Assembly of Experts in Qom was severely damaged in an air strike on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>Reports in Iran also suggest an air strike had targeted a session of the Assembly of Experts, which was convened to choose the country&#8217;s next supreme leader.<\/p>\n<p>The Assembly of Experts is made up of clerics who are responsible for appointing and overseeing the supreme leader.<\/p>\n<p>The former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed on Saturday in an Israeli air strike.<\/p>\n<p>Tasnim, an official news agency with ties to Iran&#8217;s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,\u00a0reported that the Assembly of Experts building in Tehran was also hit overnight.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian officials have said the process of choosing Khamenei&#8217;s successor is already underway.<\/p>\n<p>Many members of that body have reportedly been killed or wounded.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Iranian state media are reporting that the office building of the Assembly of Experts in Qom was severely damaged in an air strike on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>Reports in Iran also suggest an air strike had targeted a session of the Assembly of Experts, which was convened to choose the country&#8217;s next supreme leader.<\/p>\n<p>The Assembly of Experts is made up of clerics who are responsible for appointing and overseeing the supreme leader.<\/p>\n<p>The former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed on Saturday in an Israeli air strike.<\/p>\n<p>Tasnim, an official news agency with ties to Iran&#8217;s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,\u00a0reported that the Assembly of Experts building in Tehran was also hit overnight.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian officials have said the process of choosing Khamenei&#8217;s successor is already underway.<\/p>\n<p>Many members of that body have reportedly been killed or wounded.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76196098\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76196098_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Debris lies scattered in the aftermath of an Israeli and U.S. strike on a police station, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Iran state media said &#8216;a number of citizens were martyred and some were trapped under the rubble&#8217; of a police station on the outskirts of the city that was struck<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Majid Asgaripour\/WANA\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76198087\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76198087_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"Iran Teheran 2026 | Besch\u00e4digte Polizeistation nach US-israelischem Milit\u00e4rschlag\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">Buildings nearby were also damaged in the strike on the police station<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Vahid Salemi\/AP Photo\/picture alliance<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76198117\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76198117_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A woman walks past a heavily-damaged building near Ferdowsi square in Tehran on March 3, 2026\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">This building near Tehran&#8217;s central Ferdowsi square sustained severe damage<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Atta Kenare\/AFP<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76198021\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76198021_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"A view of debris following an Israeli and US strike on Gandhi Hotel Hospital\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">A hospital in the north of Tehran was also hit, according to state media<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Majid Asgaripour\/WANA\/REUTERS<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76193319\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76193319_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"The Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, suffers damage from US-Israeli military strikes\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was damaged when a bomb hit  Arag Square near the palace on Monday<small class=\"copyright\">Image: Tasnimnews\/ZUMA Press\/IMAGO<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<figure class=\"placeholder-image master_landscape big\"><img data-format=\"MASTER_LANDSCAPE\" data-id=\"76194808\" data-url=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76194808_${formatId}.jpg\" data-aspect-ratio=\"16\/9\" alt=\"The US embassy headquarters in Riyadh is pictured on March 3, 2026, after it was hit by drone strikes earlier\"><figcaption class=\"img-caption\">The US embassy headquarters in Riyadh is pictured on March 3, 2026, after it was hit by drone strikes earlier.<small class=\"copyright\">Image: AFP<\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Israeli officials expect Saudi Arabia to attack Iran imminently, a senior official told Israeli outlet <em>Haaretz<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Iran has been retaliating against US-Israeli air attacks by targeting several countries in the Gulf region.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian drones hit the US embassy in Riyadh as well as an oil refinery on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have no doubt that Saudi Arabia will attack Iran soon after they were attacked yesterday,&#8221; the unnamed official said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Israeli officials expect Saudi Arabia to attack Iran imminently, a senior official told Israeli outlet <em>Haaretz<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Iran has been retaliating against US-Israeli air attacks by targeting several countries in the Gulf region.<\/p>\n<p>Iranian drones hit the US embassy in Riyadh as well as an oil refinery on Monday.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have no doubt that Saudi Arabia will attack Iran soon after they were attacked yesterday,&#8221; the unnamed official said.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Germany&#8217;s Foreign Office has summoned Iran&#8217;s ambassador in the wake of Tehran&#8217;s strikes against Israel and several other countries in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>In a post on X, the ministry said German authorities had &#8220;unequivocally called on the Iranian regime to immediately cease its reckless attacks on countries in the region.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0&#8220;We condemn the Iranian regime&#8217;s arbitrary and disproportionate missile and drone attacks, including on civilian targets,&#8221; the statement continued. &#8220;The attacks threaten our allies, our military personnel and our nationals in the region.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Tehran&#8217;s attacks are in retaliation for the major offensive launched by Israel and the United States on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Iran has been targeting Israel as well as US bases and interests in several Gulf and Arab countries.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nWhile Germany has been swift and unequivocal in condemning Iran, the German government has not denounced the US-Israeli strike and assassination of Iran&#8217;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Chancellor Friedrich Merz <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germanys-chancellor-strikes-a-cautious-tone\/a-76180922\">declined to condemn his Israeli and American allies<\/a> over the strikes, amid widespread debate over whether the attacks on Iran were justified.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This is not the moment to lecture our partners and allies. Despite our reservations, we share many of their objectives,&#8221; Merz said Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Germany&#8217;s Foreign Office has summoned Iran&#8217;s ambassador in the wake of Tehran&#8217;s strikes against Israel and several other countries in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>In a post on X, the ministry said German authorities had &#8220;unequivocally called on the Iranian regime to immediately cease its reckless attacks on countries in the region.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0&#8220;We condemn the Iranian regime&#8217;s arbitrary and disproportionate missile and drone attacks, including on civilian targets,&#8221; the statement continued. &#8220;The attacks threaten our allies, our military personnel and our nationals in the region.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Tehran&#8217;s attacks are in retaliation for the major offensive launched by Israel and the United States on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Iran has been targeting Israel as well as US bases and interests in several Gulf and Arab countries.<br \/>\n\u00a0<br \/>\nWhile Germany has been swift and unequivocal in condemning Iran, the German government has not denounced the US-Israeli strike and assassination of Iran&#8217;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Chancellor Friedrich Merz <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-germanys-chancellor-strikes-a-cautious-tone\/a-76180922\">declined to condemn his Israeli and American allies<\/a> over the strikes, amid widespread debate over whether the attacks on Iran were justified.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;This is not the moment to lecture our partners and allies. Despite our reservations, we share many of their objectives,&#8221; Merz said Sunday.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>With just 100 days before the football World Cup kicks off in the US, many concerns still hover over the event, with the current Middle East war not the least of them.<\/p>\n<p>Alongside worries about high ticket prices,\u00a0security and the official treatment of visitors to the country under an administration that has frequently voiced hostile attitudes to members other nations, it now appears more than likely that Iran, which qualified to contend a year ago, might not be able to take part.<\/p>\n<p>You can read more in this DW article:\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/world-cup-2026-us-iran-war-adds-to-list-of-concerns\/a-76182083\">World Cup 2026: US-Iran war adds to list of concerns<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>With just 100 days before the football World Cup kicks off in the US, many concerns still hover over the event, with the current Middle East war not the least of them.<\/p>\n<p>Alongside worries about high ticket prices,\u00a0security and the official treatment of visitors to the country under an administration that has frequently voiced hostile attitudes to members other nations, it now appears more than likely that Iran, which qualified to contend a year ago, might not be able to take part.<\/p>\n<p>You can read more in this DW article:\u00a0<a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/world-cup-2026-us-iran-war-adds-to-list-of-concerns\/a-76182083\">World Cup 2026: US-Iran war adds to list of concerns<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/united-nations-un\/t-17440154\">United Nations<\/a> on Tuesday urged all parties to &#8220;come to their senses&#8221; and end the war in the Middle East, with human rights chief Volker Turk saying\u00a0he was &#8220;deeply shocked&#8221; at the impact of the fighting on civilians.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The fear, the panic, the anxiety experienced by millions of people in the Middle East and beyond is palpable \u2014\u00a0and was entirely avoidable,&#8221; Turk&#8217;s spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a press conference in Geneva.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The situation is worsening and widening by the hour, playing out our worst fears,&#8221; she added.<\/p>\n<p>She said that Turk\u00a0&#8220;implores all parties to come to their senses, and to end this violence.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>This comes as Iran urged the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/un-security-council\/t-63264650\">United Nations Security Council<\/a> to take action to stop the war.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The United Nations Security Council has a duty &#8230; if it wishes, it can certainly act, because there is no obstacle to its action except its own will,&#8221; said Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei during a briefing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/united-nations-un\/t-17440154\">United Nations<\/a> on Tuesday urged all parties to &#8220;come to their senses&#8221; and end the war in the Middle East, with human rights chief Volker Turk saying\u00a0he was &#8220;deeply shocked&#8221; at the impact of the fighting on civilians.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The fear, the panic, the anxiety experienced by millions of people in the Middle East and beyond is palpable \u2014\u00a0and was entirely avoidable,&#8221; Turk&#8217;s spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told a press conference in Geneva.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The situation is worsening and widening by the hour, playing out our worst fears,&#8221; she added.<\/p>\n<p>She said that Turk\u00a0&#8220;implores all parties to come to their senses, and to end this violence.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>This comes as Iran urged the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/un-security-council\/t-63264650\">United Nations Security Council<\/a> to take action to stop the war.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The United Nations Security Council has a duty &#8230; if it wishes, it can certainly act, because there is no obstacle to its action except its own will,&#8221; said Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei during a briefing.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>Use the slider to reveal the extent of the damage to the compound of <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/ayatollah-ali-khamenei-the-man-who-wanted-to-destroy-israel\/a-76169184\">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei<\/a>, who was <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/irans-supreme-leader-khamenei-is-dead-state-media-confirms\/live-76161011\">killed in US-Israeli strikes on Saturday.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Use the slider to reveal the extent of the damage to the compound of <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/ayatollah-ali-khamenei-the-man-who-wanted-to-destroy-israel\/a-76169184\">Ayatollah Ali Khamenei<\/a>, who was <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/irans-supreme-leader-khamenei-is-dead-state-media-confirms\/live-76161011\">killed in US-Israeli strikes on Saturday.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>US President Donald Trump called on Iranians to seize a &#8220;glorious future.&#8221; But who is he talking to? Is there a real opposition or a leaderless uprising?<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Iran's opposition: United, divided, ready to take over? \" class=\"headline\">Iran&#8217;s opposition: United, divided, ready to take over? <\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76189214\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76189214\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/75747646_605.webp\" data-duration=\"08:08\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260302_FocusSegmentIranOpp_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>US President Donald Trump called on Iranians to seize a &#8220;glorious future.&#8221; But who is he talking to? Is there a real opposition or a leaderless uprising?<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/international-atomic-energy-agency-iaea\/t-17449170\">International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)<\/a> said on Tuesday that Iran&#8217;s underground uranium enrichment facility in Natanz had sustained &#8220;some recent damage&#8221; but that there were no expected\u00a0radiological consequences.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It said the damage was focused on &#8220;entrance buildings&#8221;\u00a0to the underground portion of the atomic site.<\/p>\n<p>The assessment comes after IAEA head Rafael Grossi told a special meeting of the UN nuclear watchdog agency&#8217;s Board of Governors on Monday\u00a0that none of Iran&#8217;s nucler facilities showed signs of hits or damage amid <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">attacks by US and Israel.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tehran&#8217;s representative to the IAEA, in contrast,\u00a0spoke of an attack on the Natanz facility.<\/p>\n<p>Last June, Israel and the US carried out <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-strikes-on-irans-nuclear-sites-heighten-safety-fears\/a-73326007\">strikes on facilities linked to Iran&#8217;s nuclear program,<\/a> including <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-israel-air-strikes-attacks-nuclear-weapons-natanz-iaea-nuclear-program-v2\/a-70388202\">that in Natanz.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The technology in place\u00a0at the site can produce enriched uranium that can be used in reactor fuel or for nuclear weapons. Tehran has always denied that it is seeking to develop such weapons.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/international-atomic-energy-agency-iaea\/t-17449170\">International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)<\/a> said on Tuesday that Iran&#8217;s underground uranium enrichment facility in Natanz had sustained &#8220;some recent damage&#8221; but that there were no expected\u00a0radiological consequences.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It said the damage was focused on &#8220;entrance buildings&#8221;\u00a0to the underground portion of the atomic site.<\/p>\n<p>The assessment comes after IAEA head Rafael Grossi told a special meeting of the UN nuclear watchdog agency&#8217;s Board of Governors on Monday\u00a0that none of Iran&#8217;s nucler facilities showed signs of hits or damage amid <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">attacks by US and Israel.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Tehran&#8217;s representative to the IAEA, in contrast,\u00a0spoke of an attack on the Natanz facility.<\/p>\n<p>Last June, Israel and the US carried out <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-strikes-on-irans-nuclear-sites-heighten-safety-fears\/a-73326007\">strikes on facilities linked to Iran&#8217;s nuclear program,<\/a> including <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-israel-air-strikes-attacks-nuclear-weapons-natanz-iaea-nuclear-program-v2\/a-70388202\">that in Natanz.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The technology in place\u00a0at the site can produce enriched uranium that can be used in reactor fuel or for nuclear weapons. Tehran has always denied that it is seeking to develop such weapons.<\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The Pentagon has reportedly expressed concern that a prolonged campaign against Iran could significantly deplete US ammunition stockpiles. We asked military analyst Marina Miron for her assessment.<\/p>\n<div class=\"vjs-wrapper embed big\">\n<h2 aria-label=\"Embedded video \u2014 Iran war duration may be dictated by US ammunition stock\" class=\"headline\">Iran war duration may be dictated by US ammunition stock<\/h2>\n<p><video id=\"video-76189564\" controls playsinline preload=\"none\" poster=\"image\/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=\" data-id=\"76189564\" data-posterurl=\"https:\/\/tvdownloaddw-a.akamaihd.net\/stills\/images\/je\/je20260302_MarinaYT_image_512x288_3.jpg\" data-duration=\"06:45\"><source src=\"https:\/\/hlsvod.dw.com\/i\/dwtv_video\/flv\/je\/je20260302_MarinaYT_,AVC_480x270,AVC_512x288,AVC_640x360,AVC_960x540,AVC_1280x720,AVC_1920x1080,.mp4.csmil\/master.m3u8\" type=\"application\/x-mpegURL\" \/><\/video><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Pentagon has reportedly expressed concern that a prolonged campaign against Iran could significantly deplete US ammunition stockpiles. We asked military analyst Marina Miron for her assessment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vjs-no-js\">To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that <a href=\"https:\/\/videojs.com\/html5-video-support\/\" target=\"_blank\">supports HTML5 video<\/a><\/p>\n<div data-tracking-skip=\"true\" data-tracking-name=\"rich-text\" class=\"post-rich-text c17j8gzx rc0m0op r1ebneao s198y7xq rich-text l1evdo4u blt0baw s16w0xvi rcjjkz7 w128axg5 b1fzgn0z\">\n<p>The director of the US&#8217; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel, last week fired members of an elite counterespionage unit, CI-12, that specializes in Iran, sources cited by US cable news channel MS Now have said.<\/p>\n<p>The firings came just days before the US, with Israel, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">launched bombing strikes on Iran<\/a> that have triggered a widening regional conflict.<\/p>\n<p>The now depleted unit could be called upon to fend off the potential threat of Iranian operations on US soil targeting US President <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-president-donald-trump-russia-ukraine-israel-gaza-tariffs-trade-war\/t-19434433\">Donald Trump<\/a> and his aides like those that followed a previous bombing strike on Iran ordered by Trump in his first term.<\/p>\n<p>The dismissals by Patel came following his accusations\u00a0that the team of FBI agents that investigated the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-judge-denies-trumps-plea-in-mar-a-lago-documents-case\/a-68526299\">hoarding of top-secret records by Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida<\/a> had carried out improper steps in their probe.<\/p>\n<p>Patel, 46, was <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/donald-trump-nominates-loyalist-kash-patel-as-fbi-director\/a-70929760\">nominated to his position by Trump in late 2024<\/a> and was confirmed as FBI head in a narrow Senate vote in February 2025, with all Democratic senators voting against him.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The director of the US&#8217; Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel, last week fired members of an elite counterespionage unit, CI-12, that specializes in Iran, sources cited by US cable news channel MS Now have said.<\/p>\n<p>The firings came just days before the US, with Israel, <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-israel-war-with-iran\/t-76168615\">launched bombing strikes on Iran<\/a> that have triggered a widening regional conflict.<\/p>\n<p>The now depleted unit could be called upon to fend off the potential threat of Iranian operations on US soil targeting US President <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-president-donald-trump-russia-ukraine-israel-gaza-tariffs-trade-war\/t-19434433\">Donald Trump<\/a> and his aides like those that followed a previous bombing strike on Iran ordered by Trump in his first term.<\/p>\n<p>The dismissals by Patel came following his accusations\u00a0that the team of FBI agents that investigated the <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/us-judge-denies-trumps-plea-in-mar-a-lago-documents-case\/a-68526299\">hoarding of top-secret records by Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida<\/a> had carried out improper steps in their probe.<\/p>\n<p>Patel, 46, was <a class=\"internal-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/donald-trump-nominates-loyalist-kash-patel-as-fbi-director\/a-70929760\">nominated to his position by Trump in late 2024<\/a> and was confirmed as FBI head in a narrow Senate vote in February 2025, with all Democratic senators voting against him.<\/p>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.dw.com\/en\/iran-war-us-embassy-riyadh-saudi-trump-response\/live-76191483&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/static.dw.com\/image\/76192676_6.jpg&#8221;] https:\/\/p.dw.com\/p\/59gst Israel says it hit Hezbollah sites in Beirut on Tuesday morningImage: AFP\/Getty Images Skip next section What you need to know What you need to know Israel launches fresh strikes on Beirut and Tehran Iran hits\u00a0several Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia US embassy in the Saudi capital Riyadh\u00a0hit by drone attack [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,74],"class_list":["post-1804602","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-dw-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1804602","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1804602"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1804602\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1804602"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1804602"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1804602"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}