The President's Daily Brief - March 2nd, 2026: Jets Flying Over Tehran Unchallenged & Global Leaders React

Episode Date: March 2, 2026

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: First up — just days into Operation Epic Fury, Israel says it now controls Iran’s airspace and is operating directly over Tehran after dismantling key air defense systems and missile infrastructure. We break down what aerial supremacy means strategically — and why Iran, though wounded, remains dangerous. Later in the show — the world reacts. From the United Nations to Brussels, from Moscow to Beijing, global leaders weigh in as the conflict reshapes diplomatic alignments and raises fears of broader escalation. Plus — while the war rages abroad, the FBI shifts into a heightened defensive posture at home. Director Kash Patel orders counterterrorism teams onto high alert as intelligence officials monitor for potential asymmetric blowback inside the United States. And in today’s Back of the Brief — a mass shooting in Austin leaves three dead and more than a dozen injured. We bring you the latest details as authorities investigate the motive and whether terrorism may be a factor. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President’s Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com . Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Ethos Life Insurance: Protect your family’s future with fast, online life insurance from Ethos—get your free quote in minutes at https://Ethos.com/PDB  American Financing: Call American Financing today to find out how customers are saving an avg of $800/mo. NMLS 182334, http://nmlsconsumeraccess.org -. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1881 for details about credit costs and terms. Visit http://www.AmericanFinancing.net/PDB DeleteMe: Get 20% off your DeleteMe plan when you go to https://joindeleteme.com/PDB and use promocode PDB at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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First up, just days into Operation Epic Fury, Israel says it controls Iran's airspace and is now operating with impunity over Iran. I'll have the latest details. Later in the show, the world reacts to the conflict. From the United Nations to Brussels, from Moscow to Beijing, global leaders are weighing in. Plus, while the war rages on, the FBI secures the home front. Director Kash Patel orders counterterrorism teams into a heightened posture, as intelligence

officials watch for signs of asymmetric retaliation from the Iranian regime. And in today's back of the brief, a mass shooting in Austin, Texas leaves three dead and over a dozen injured, we'll bring you the latest on what's known about that attack. But first, today's PDB spotlight. We are now at day three of Operation Epic Fury, the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign that began early Saturday morning Tecran time, and the scale of what is unfolded over the past 72 hours is definitely worth reviewing. According to reports, Israel and the U.S. have struck roughly 2,000 targets across Iran since the start of the operation. The Israeli Air Force alone has flown more than 700 sordies and fired thousands of munitions. U.S. Central Command says its forces have targeted

Iranian integrated air defense systems, naval vessels and submarines, anti-ship missile sites, underground missile infrastructure, and military communication centers. Israeli officials say dozens of command centers tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including IRGC headquarters, intelligence facilities, Air Force command hubs, and internal security structures have been hit, along with ballistic missile arrays and aerial defense systems. Perhaps most consequential development so far is Israel's assertion that it has achieved aerial superiority within 24 hours of the operation's start.

Now, according to reporting from the Times of Israel, Israeli fighter jets are now employing what are known as, quote, stand-in munitions over Tehran. Bombs drop directly over their targets rather than launched from long-range standoff distances. In practical terms, that means a Ron's ability to defense. the airspace over its own capital has been severely compromised. Air defenses that once deterred direct overflight are no longer doing their job. Achieving air superiority that quickly suggests

one of two things. Either Iran's integrated air defense network was weaker than many analysts believed, or it was systematically compromised in advance of open hostilities, likely still degraded from Israel's air campaign back in 2025. In either case, control of the skies allows Israeli and U.S. forces to dictate tempo, choose targets with greater flexibility, and apply sustained pressure on critical infrastructure. At the same time, Iran's most potent conventional tools, ballistic missiles and armed drones, do remain in play. The Israeli military says roughly half of Iran's ballistic missile launchers have been destroyed, though, over the past 48 hours, with hundreds of missiles dismantled and around 200 launchers, either eliminated or rendered inoperable. In addition, Iran's

Central explosives production site used to create material for missiles and drones has reportedly been dismantled, and four key mixing facilities required for the manufacturing process have been struck. Now targeting explosives and missile fuel and engine manufacturing facilities suggest the campaign is not solely focused on suppressing current salvos, but on degrading Iran's capacity to regenerate missile stockpiles over the longer term. Even so, missiles and drones do continue to rain down on Israel and on Gulf nations that host U.S. bases. We've already seen three American service members killed and five seriously wounded in the conflict. Beyond the air and missile exchange is another front, is now drawing attention, and that would be the Strait of Hormuz. That's

the narrow waterway through which a significant portion of the world's oil supply transits. It's long been one of Tehran's preferred leverage points. According to reporting from the Wall Street Journal, three commercial vessels were attacked in or near the strait on Sunday. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, that's an outfit that monitors the waterway, said one ship caught fire after being struck by an unknown projectile northwest of the UAE, though the fire was extinguished. Another vessel was attacked near Oman, forcing its crew to evacuate, and earlier in the day, four sailors were wounded in an attack on a U.S. sanctioned oil tanker.

The IRGC later claimed responsibility for the three attacks. Now, the strait is not fully closed, but traffic has thinned, and several operators have announced that they will avoid passage there for now. Even without a formal blockade, constricted shipping lanes introduce volatility, of course, into global energy markets and increase the risk of direct naval confrontation. If Iran can't contest the skies effectively, it may seek to apply pressure through maritime harassment and economic disruption. Overlaying all of this is the political realities in Tehran.

With the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamani, now confirmed, and succession plans announced, Iran's leadership has moved to project defiance and continuity. Officials have outlined interim operating structures and a process for transition. However, the regime's senior leadership corps has been severely hit, and the question of who is actually directing Iran's military response and how, centralized that command remains, well, that's not yet fully clear. We do know that some elements of Iran's military are no longer operating under a tightly controlled centralized structure. As we reported yesterday in the PDB special bulletin, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbasaraji acknowledged that

many of the regime's missile units are acting on previously issued general instructions and striking predetermined targets rather than receiving real-time direction from a unified command. The Questions that loom over this conflict, though, even at this early stage, include just how resilient is the current regime, and how will the Iranian people respond? Will they view the death of Khomeini and the numerous senior leaders as their opportunity to rise up and successfully remove the repressive government of the Mullahs and the IRGC? Or will the dust settle and the Iranian population simply find that the regime's deck chairs have been reshuffled and the clerics in IRGC? G.C. Still remain in control. All right. Coming up next, global leaders react to Operation Epic Fury.

While back in the U.S., the FBI moves counterterrorism teams to high alert amid concerns of asymmetric retaliation. I'll be right back. Hey, Mike Baker here. Now, whether you're in a one or two-income household, if you're a breadwinner, you're carrying a lot of responsibility. You know that. Mortgage payments, tuition, everyday bills that don't just disappear, should something happen to you or your partner. Now, thinking about it, thinking about what ifs in life, right? It can be overwhelming, but I'm here to tell you that taking steps to protect your family financially is now a lot easier than it used to be. It's why I recommend ethos life insurance, right? It's fast, it's easy, and it's 100% online. You get a quote in seconds, apply in minutes, and you get same-day coverage, up to $3 million. And some policies are as low as $30 a month. Business insider named Ethos the number one non-medical exam instant life insurance provider,

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1-800 545-979. Welcome back to the PDB. We've been tracking Operation Epic Fury itself, but now I want to turn to the international response to the conflict, as governments react cautiously, unevenly, and in some cases, very predictably. The reactions are telling. While many capitals urge calm, the deeper divide centers on how to deal with a regime and crisis that has long pushed the limits of international tolerance. For some leaders, the greater risk here is escalation, but for others, the deeper concern has been what would happen if Tehran's nuclear program continued advancing unchecked. So let's start with the UN. Secretary General Antonio Gutierrez condemned what he described as the, quote,

use of force by the United States and Israel, as well as Iran's retaliation. He warned that the confrontation risks undermining international peace and security, really, and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Well, at least the UN is always consistent in its effectiveness. It's worth noting that the Security Council convened an emergency session over the weekend, which remains ongoing at this time. You know, what's also worth noting is that when talking about just how milk toast the UN is, Russia, despite its four-year invasion of Ukraine,

remains a permanent member of that UN Security Council. That posture is consistent with the UN's institutional reflex, prioritized restraint, the emphasis of international law, and the tendency to draw moral equivalency between players, whether involving the Iranian regime or Hamas or even Venezuela as recent examples. But what's largely absent from that framing is sustained focus on the underlying issue that Washington says drove the strikes, Iran's accelerating nuclear ambitions and reluctance to make a nuclear deal. And, of course, the UN's inability to fully monitor any past or potential future deals. Now, I want to shift to Brussels. European Commission President Ursula

Vandavan called the developments of Operation Epic Fury, quote, greatly concerning, is taking a stand, stressing nuclear safety and the importance of preventing further escalation that would weaken the global nonproliferation order. That statement, all by itself, is impressive in its use of words without saying anything meaningful. Among the major Western governments, the language becomes more calibrated, if that's even possible. France, Germany and the UK, otherwise known as the E3, reiterated that they've long pressed Iran to end its nuclear program, halt destabilizing regional activity, and stop what they described as appalling repression against its own people. Yeah, I would say slaughtering thousands

of your own citizens. The definition of appalling probably holds there. They condemn the mulles retaliatory attacks in the strongest terms and warned Tehran against indiscriminate military action. But Spain, while this is interesting, took a different tact. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez rejected what he called, quote, unilateral military action, arguing that it contributes to a more unstable international order and urging an immediate return to diplomacy. Canada, however, they aligned more directly with Washington. Prime Minister Mark Carney said his government supports the U.S., acting to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, calling the Islamic Republic the principal source of instability

and terror throughout the Middle East. Well, I can't see any lies in that statement. He also made clear that Ottawa believes Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear arms. Now, it's worth pointing out that one of the strongest endorsements of the U.S. and Israeli strikes came from Kiev. In a video address, President Zelensky said it was important that the U.S. was acting decisively. He linked Iran's leadership directly to Russia's war effort, noting that Moscow's forces have launched more than 57,000 Iranian-designed shahed drones against Ukrainian targets. In his framing, Iran is an active accomplice in the Kremlin's aggression. Again, I can't spot the lie in that statement. And then there are the statements impostering from America's adversaries, and their reactions, as you would expect, are predictable.

Without any sense of irony, Russia condemned the strikes as a, quote, pre-planned and unprovoked act of aggression, accusing Washington and Jerusalem of exaggerating the nuclear threat to justify regime change. Moscow warned of the risk of, quote, uncontrolled escalation across the Middle East. Their lack of self-awareness and their lack of any sense of irony is always stunning. And China, which has grown to be a steady economic and strategic partner of Iran, expressed, quote, high concern, and emphasized that Tehran sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected. Beijing later called for an immediate halt to U.S. military operations. Now, as I mentioned, neither statement is surprising. Both Moscow and Beijing maintain deep ties with the Iranian regime and consistently

oppose Western pressure aimed at curbing the Mullah's nuclear program. Of course, both nations were silent over the Iranian regime's murdering of thousands of their own citizens. Apparently, both Putin and Xi Jinping felt a certain kinship with the brutal suppression of dissent and opposition. And then you look at the Middle East itself, where the stakes are most immediate. Oman's foreign minister, who, as our regular PDB listeners know, has been mediating nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, said he was, quote, dismayed by the attacks. He warned that the further escalation would not serve American interests and cautioned Washington, they, quote, this is not your war. Well, of course, someone should remind the foreign minister of Oman, of the thousands of U.S. personnel

killed and wounded over the years by Iranian-supported factions and IEDs. Lebanon's prime Minister described the moment as involving, quote, dangerous developments and stressed that his country would not allow itself to be dragged into a conflict that threatens its security. But taken together, the reactions reveal a fractured international response. It's a mixed bag of reactions, some cautious, some critical, and some supportive. Okay, now I want to shift focus to the U.S., where the ripple effects of American military action against Iran are already being felt inside the homeland security apparatus, with the FBI shifting its counterterrorism teams into a heightened defensive posture. Now, it's important to understand what the preparation actually looks like on the ground.

FBI Director Cash Patel said that he instructed the Bureau to place its intelligence divisions on high alert and mobilize additional security assets as needed. He added that nationwide joint terrorism task forces are operating around the clock to detect and disrupt any potential threats to the country. In other words, while the Pentagon is focused on protecting U.S. personnel overseas, the FBI, of course, is focused on the home front. Director Patel emphasized that the Bureau remains responsible for deterring attacks and will continue working 24-7 to protect Americans. So you may be asking, what does high alert actually mean in practice? Well, according to a law enforcement source who spoke with Fox News, it typically involves increasing

surveillance of priority suspects, heightened use of confidential sources, and reviewing technical intelligence collection streams for early warning indicators. What that means is that this is about leaning forward, essentially identifying risks before they materialize. The move follows ongoing American strikes on Iranian targets as tensions escalate, of course, across the Middle East. Inside the intelligence community, there is a long-standing understanding that Tehran rarely responds to the U.S. military pressure through direct confrontation. Instead, the regime has typically turned to its proxy networks and to asymmetric tactics. Iran has historically relied on groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas-linked external networks and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard-Core-backed militias

to apply pressure indirectly. This way, it allows the regime to retaliate without engaging U.S. forces head-on. Homeland Security Secretary Christine Nome posted on X that she is coordinating directly with federal intelligence and law enforcement partners to monitor and counter potential threat. Other agencies are adjusting in parallel. The Secret Service said it's actively monitoring developments and coordinating with federal and local partners, noting that the public may see an increased law enforcement presence around protected sites. And in the nation's capital in Washington, D.C., the Metropolitan Police Department said it's closely tracking events and coordinating with those federal agencies. For now, federal officials emphasize that there are no known

threats to the homeland. Okay, coming up next in the back of the brief, as federal officials brace for asymmetric retaliation, a deadly mass shooting in Austin is now being examined for a potential terrorism nexus that may be connected to the fighting overseas. More on that when we come back. Hey, Mike Baker here. Let me ask you a question about your personal finances. Have you looked at your credit card statements lately? Look, you work hard. You have 40, 50, 60 hours a week, just to buy groceries and gas and things that you used to be able to afford. And meanwhile, the credit card companies out there are charging you over 20% interest rates. But there is a business out there working to help homeowners beat those high interest rates. And of course, I'm talking about

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Discover the euphoria elixir collection by Calvin Klein. In today's back of the brief, a deadly mass shooting in Austin, Texas, is now under investigation as a possible act of terrorism coming just 24 hours after the U.S. began strikes against Iran. The attack unfolded around 2 a.m. Sunday at a bar called Beaufort's backyard Beer, Garden on West 6th Street. That's a busy nightlife corridor near the University of Texas campus. Authorities say the suspect drove a large SUV around the block several times before opening fire from inside the vehicle with a pistol, striking patrons on the patio and along the street. He then parked, exited the vehicle armed with a rifle, and continued shooting at pedestrians

before being confronted and fatally shot by police. Three people were killed, 14 others were injured, several critically. The suspect is also dead. The gunman has been identified as 53-year-old in Jagajan, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal. Now, photos circulating from the scene show him wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the words, property of Allah across the chest. That could be a clue. Law enforcement say a Quran was recovered from his vehicle, possibly another clue, and investigators are examining additional materials that could point to ideological motivation, you think? The FBI is now working alongside Austin police.

At a press conference, acting special agent in charge, Alex Duran, said it's too early to determine the exact motive, well, that is true, but noted there are indicators suggesting a potential nexus to terrorism. The shooting came not long after the launch of Operation Epic Fury. While there's no evidence at this time that the Austin attack was directed by any foreign government, federal officials have long warned that heightened tensions abroad can increase the risk of inspired or lone wolf or retaliatory attacks at home. For now, what we know is this. A heavily armed individual, targeted civilians in a crowded public space displayed overt religious messaging

and struck during a period of elevated geopolitical tension. Again, there could be a clue, possibly hidden in there somewhere. Investigators are now combing through digital evidence, including the shooter's online activity and communications to determine motive. And that, my friends, is the President's Daily Brief from Monday the 2nd of March. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to me at PDB at thefirstTV.com. And I hope you were able to catch our PDB special bulletins, which we put out over the weekend of response to the fast-breaking events in the Middle East. Also, hopefully, you have the time to catch our extended weekend show.

That's the PDB Situation Report. Our guests this weekend included the four. former director of the UK's Intelligence Service, MI6, Sir Richard Deerlove, along with weapons analyst Ryan Macbeth. Now, Ryan proved to be rather prescient in predicting on our show that military action against Iran would kick off Friday night, early Saturday morning tech round time. You can catch it and past episodes on our YouTube channel at President's Daily Brief and, of course, on podcast platforms everywhere. I'm Mike Baker and I'll be back later today with the BDB afternoon bulletin.

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