NPR News Now - NPR News: 03-02-2026 2AM EST

Episode Date: March 2, 2026

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The U.S. launches a military operation against Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime. On State of the World, we'll bring you the latest on the operation, as well as reaction from the region and around the globe. Listen to State of the World on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts. Live from NPR News, I'm Dale Wilman. The Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon has begun fighting. rockets and drones at northern Israel, that's according to the Israeli military. Israel is firing back throughout Lebanon, and at least 31 people have been killed in those strikes so far.

M.PERS Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv on this latest escalation of the conflict in the region. The Iranian-backed militia Hezbollah says it's retaliating against the killing of Iran's supreme leader and responding to Israeli strikes on Hezbollah over the last 15 months. Israel says Hezbollah is firing rockets and drones toward Israel's north and. and near the city of Haifa. Israel's military has decided not to evacuate Israeli residents from the north and is beefing up troops along the border with Lebanon. Israel has ordered Lebanese civilians to evacuate southern Lebanon near Israel's border and is targeting senior Hezbollah figures. Israeli attacks on Iran and Iranian attacks on Israel continue. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

President Trump Sunday offered his condolences for the three service members killed during the Joint U.S. Israeli operation that is now underway in Iran. And he added that there will be likely more this before the operation ends. Trump's comments come from a video posted to social media, during which he said the operation is not finished. Combat operations continue at this time in full force, and they will continue until all of our objectives are achieved. We have very strong objectives. They could have done something two weeks ago, but they just couldn't get there. The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait, meanwhile, is warning Americans there to stay away from the embassy. In an announcement, they're citing the threat of missile and U.A.V attacks on the country from Iran.

As the fighting continues, satellite images are showing some of the damage caused by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes to military facilities around Iran. And pairs Jeff Brumfield has more on our story. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps have hidden missiles deep inside mountain tunnels. New satellite imagery from the commercial company planet shows that entrances to several tunnels were destroyed near the city of Tabriz. Other images by commercial company Vantor show Iranian warships ablaze at a naval base on the southern coast and a nearby drone base that's been destroyed. The U.S. and Israel say they've carried out air strikes across the country against Iranian military targets over the past 48 hours, but Iran continues to launch missiles and drones throughout the region. Jeff Brumfield, NPR News.

Demonstrators in Pakistan attempted to storm the U.S. consulate there on Sunday, while in the north of the country, other demonstrators attacked U.N. and government offices. Officials say at least 22 demonstrators have been killed and more than 120 others injured. The protesters are supportive of the run-in government and angry at the strikes on Iran by the U.S. and Israel. This is NPR News. Officials in Afghanistan say they used anti-aircraft fighters. and missile defense systems to stop a Pakistani air attack on an air base near Kabul Sunday. It's the latest fighting between the two nations since Afghanistan launched a cross-border raid on Thursday. Pakistan claims Afghanistan is providing safety for militants who attack Pakistan.

Belgium and France have intercepted a Russian oil tanker suspected of being part of Moscow's dark fleet. The tanker is accused of sailing under a false flag with improper documentation. As Terry Ashultz reports the ship is being detained in a Belgian port while further inspections are carried out. The Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office says it's opened an investigation into the oil tanker Ethera, which was boarded and seized by Belgian Defence Forces with the assistance of France Saturday night in the North Sea. It's the first time Belgium has intercepted a suspect ship. Belgian Defence Minister Teo Franken hailed Operation Blue Intruder as a, quote, remarkable job carried out by a team of soldiers of exemplary courage.

The ship was sailing under a Ginnian flag, but the prosecutor says an inspection found the registration and other documents are falsified. It was believed to be sailing to Russia as part of the shadow fleet, which transports Russian oil in violation of international sanctions imposed for Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. For NPR News, I'm Terry Schultz. Tyler Reddick became the first driver in NASCAR Cup Series History Sunday to win the first three races of the season. He held off Shane von Gisbergin to take the checkered front. flag at the Circuit of America's race in Austin. I'm Dale Wilman, NPR News. This message comes from Wise, the app for international people using money around the globe. You can send, spend, and receive and up to 40 currencies with only a few simple taps. Be smart, get Wise. Download the Wise app today,

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