Death toll continues to rise after US and Israel struck Iran

The death toll continues to climb after theUnited States and Israel began striking Iran, and airstrikes continue in the Middle East.

President Donald Trumpwarned that airstrikes targeting Iran's ballistic missile program and navy could continue for weeks, and more American casualties are to be expected.

"Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends," Trump said about U.S. troop deaths. "That's the way it is."

Since the strikes began on Saturday, Feb. 28, Iran launched attacks on 27 U.S. bases and other targets across nine countries,Al Jazeerareported. Counterattacks occurred in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

As of Monday, March 2, the deaths of four U.S. service personnel were confirmed, according to a statement released by the Pentagon.

A U.K. base in Cyprus was also struck by Iran, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting.

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Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Smoke rises following an explosion after the U.S. and Israel reportedly launched an attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026, in this screen grab taken from video.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.

Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 27, 2026. Hours later, Trump made live comments about the military strikes he launched against Iran.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Buildings inin Tehran stand after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, February 28, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Latest photos capture US and Israeli strikes against Iran

Smoke rises following an explosion,after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026.

Live updates on Iran:US fighter jets crash in Kuwait as Iran conflict continues.

How many US service members have been killed?

So far, four U.S. service members have been killed, according to the Pentagon. The identities of the deceased have not been released.

What is the death toll in other countries?

The following casualties have been reported in the Middle East, according toAl Jazeera, citing aid organizations, government officials and local media outlets:

• Iran - 555 killed, hundreds injured

• Israel - 10 killed, hundreds injured

• The United Arab Emirates - 3 killed, 58 injured

• Bahrain - 1 killed, 4 injured

• Iraq - 2 killed, 5 injured

• Kuwait - 1 killed, 32 injured

• Lebanon - 31 killed, 149 injured

• Qatar -16 injured, no deaths reported

• Oman - 5 injured, no deaths reported

• Saudi Arabia - No deaths or injuries reported

Additionally, 23 protestors were killed in Pakistan after demonstrations against the airstrikes turned violent, according toReuters.In the Pakistani city Karachi, 10 people were killed after guards at the U.S. consulate fired on demonstrators who breached an outer wall; 11 people in the northern city of Skardu were killed after a crowd set fire to a U.N. office; and two more people were killed in Islamabad.

One Chinese citizen was also killed in the US-Israeli strikes that hit Tehran, the capital of Iran, according toReuters.

Contributing: Reuters;Zac Anderson,Kim Hjelmgaard, andBrieAnna J. Frank, USA TODAY

Julia Gomez is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers popular toys, scientific studies, natural disasters, holidays, and trending news. Connect with her onLinkedIn,X,Instagram, andTikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:How many have died after US and Israel struck Iran?

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March 02, 2026

Death toll continues to rise after US and Israel struck Iran

The death toll continues to climb after theUnited States and Israel began striking Iran, and airstrikes continue in th...

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Tennis stars in Dubai among athletes facing travel issues as Middle East war continues

LONDON (AP) — Former U.S. Open tennis champion Daniil Medvedev has indicated he's one of what the ATP Tour calls "a small number of players and team members" it is trying to help leave Dubai as thewar in the Middle Eastcauses awidespread travel shutdown.

Medvedev's Instagram account reposted on Monday a report from a Russian-language tennis outlet, Bolshe, which said he was safe and staying at a friend's apartment in Dubai, amid flight cancellations after winning the ATP event there last week.

"The health, safety and wellbeing of our players, staff and tournament personnel is our priority. We can confirm that a small number of players and team members remain in Dubai following the conclusion of the recent ATP 500 event," the ATP Tour said in a statement Monday.

"They and their teams are being accommodated in the tournament's official hotels, where their immediate needs are being fully supported."

Medvedev and others are due to play at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California, where main-draw matches start Wednesday.

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"We are in direct communication with those affected, as well as with tournament organizers and security advisors," the ATP said. "At this stage, travel assessments remain subject to ongoing assessment in line with airline operations and official guidance. We will continue to provide appropriate support to ensure players and their teams can depart safely when conditions allow."

As well as tennis players, cricketers from England and Pakistan's men's developmental cricket teams were in the United Arab Emirates at the weekend ahead of a game which was cancelled on Sunday.

Youth basketball players alsofaced travel issueswhen a EuroLeague tournament there was canceled at the weekend.

Numerous sports events in the region have shut down, withAsian Champions League soccer gamesand the Qatari league on hold. The governing body which oversees Formula 1 said Monday it will focus on "safety and wellbeing" as itconsidersupcoming races in the region.

AP tennis:https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

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in

March 02, 2026

Tennis stars in Dubai among athletes facing travel issues as Middle East war continues

LONDON (AP) — Former U.S. Open tennis champion Daniil Medvedev has indicated he's one of what the ATP Tour calls ...

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Browns reportedly acquire Tytus Howard in trade with Texans, sign him to 3-year, $63 million extension

With the Cleveland Browns trying to decide on their quarterback of the future, the team made a move Monday aimed at helping whoever winds up getting the job heading into 2026. The team reportedly acquired right tackle Tytus Howard in a trade with the Houston Texans and immediately signed Howard to a three-year, $63 million extension, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Howard, 29, has started 93 games over his seven-year career. In exchange for Howard, the Texans are reportedly receiving a fifth-round pick.

A former first-round pick by the Texans, Howard showed strong skills as a rookie, starting every game in which he was healthy before an injury ended his season. He performed well enough that he was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.

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Howard has served as a consistent starter with the Texans since then. While he's dealt with various injuries, he hasn't missed a ton of time, starting at least 14 games in five of his seven seasons in the NFL.

Howard didn't grade out particularly well in Pro Football Focus' metrics in 2025. The offensive lineman ranked 58th at his position. Notably, however, he also did not allow a sack, per PFF's numbers.

The Browns could use more help on their offensive line. With the team likely to start either a new rookie or a developing, second-year player, Cleveland has every incentive to build its offensive line to give its young quarterback more time to see the field. The team allowed 51 sacks in 2025, which ranked as the eighth worst in the NFL.

After parting ways with Kevin Stefanski in the offseason, the Browns hired former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken as their new head coach. The 60-year-old Monken hasn't indicated which player will start at quarterback in 2026. If the team doesn't draft a prospect in the early rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft, Monken could go with second-year players Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel, or turn to veteran Deshaun Watson under center.

byNeo

in

March 02, 2026

Browns reportedly acquire Tytus Howard in trade with Texans, sign him to 3-year, $63 million extension

With the Cleveland Browns trying to decide on their quarterback of the future, the team made a move Monday aimed at he...

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World hurries to respond to rapidly changing war around Iran

TOKYO (AP) — A shaken world reacted with anger and confusion — and more involvement than expected, in some cases — Monday as the coordinated U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran over the weekend sprawled into a regional war.

Britain Politics

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The first details of possible effects on Iran's nuclear program, the issue at the center of the escalating conflict, began to emerge. More allies of the U.S. and Israel engaged, as did Iran's armed proxies. And countries from the Gulf to Cyprus found themselves in the line of fire.

Fast-paced diplomacy was required as the missiles and drones kept coming. Borders closed, embassies emptied and allies sent military reinforcements.

Open support, and some silence

Many nations refrained from commenting directly on the initial U.S.-Israeli joint strikes but condemned Tehran's retaliation, perhaps mindful of U.S. President Donald Trump.Other governments criticized Iran's strikes on Arab neighbors while staying silent on the U.S. and Israeli military action.Canada — not shy about its frustration with the Trump administration — expressed open support for the U.S. strikes, along with Australia.Russia, Chinaand Spain responded with sometimes sharp criticism. Russia's foreign ministry accused the U.S. and Israel of "hiding behind" concerns about Iran's nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change.India called for dialogue. "There will have to be a dialogue at some point," the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, said.With thousands of citizens of countries around the world stranded at airports or on cruise ships, and some from countries like the Philippines and China killed in the exchanges of fire, more nations have a stake in what comes next.All will have the chance for more say as international groups convene in urgent calls and meetings, after the U.N. Security Council gathered in emergency session on Saturday, hours after strikes began.Pitching in to stop IranIn a statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on the United States and Iran to resume talks over Iran's nuclear program and said they favored a negotiated settlement. Saturday's strikes began two days after the latest round of talks.The three countries haveled effortsto reach a negotiated solution over Iran's nuclear program.At the same time, Britain, France and Germany said they were ready to help with efforts to keep Iran from firing more missiles and drones.But countries tried to make clear how far they might go. Germany will not actively participate in military action against Iran but will consider defending its soldiers stationed on multinational military bases in Jordan and Iraq if they are attacked, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Monday.Britain stressed that it was "not at war," although it said it would now permit the U.S. to use joint bases to strike Iran, pointing to Iran's "scorched-earth strategy."Top diplomats of six Gulf states — Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain — after an emergency meeting called on Iran to immediately halt its attacks and asserted their right to self-defense.A plea for talks, tooOman, which was facilitating the nuclear talks and tried to keep the U.S. and Iran at the table as tensions soared, said the U.S. action "constitutes a violation of the rules of international law and the principle of settling disputes through peaceful means." Oman, too, like other Gulf nations reported attacks that came uncomfortably close to home.But Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said after the second full day of hostilities that "the door to diplomacy remains open."Meanwhile, some states were shaken into saying something different.The 22-nation Arab League, which has historically condemned both Israel and Iran for actions it says risk destabilizing the region, called the Iranian attacks "a blatant violation of the sovereignty of countries that advocate for peace and strive for stability."And Syria was among Iran'sclosest regional alliesand a staunch critic of Israel under former President Bashar Assad, yet its foreign ministry singularly condemned Iran, reflecting the new government's efforts to rebuild ties with regional economic heavyweights and the United States.Concerns about oil and nuclear assetsChina, a significant buyer of Iranian oil, said it was "highly concerned" about the U.S. and Israeli strikes called for an immediate halt to the military action and return to negotiations.But Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday played down growing worry about the economic impact on oil shipments from the Middle East, saying Japan has oil reserves at home that can last for several months.The Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons condemned the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. And European Union leaders in a joint statement called for restraint and diplomacy in hopes of "ensuring nuclear safety."___Associated Press writers around the world contributed.

Many nations refrained from commenting directly on the initial U.S.-Israeli joint strikes but condemned Tehran's retaliation, perhaps mindful of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Other governments criticized Iran's strikes on Arab neighbors while staying silent on the U.S. and Israeli military action.

Canada — not shy about its frustration with the Trump administration — expressed open support for the U.S. strikes, along with Australia.

Russia, Chinaand Spain responded with sometimes sharp criticism. Russia's foreign ministry accused the U.S. and Israel of "hiding behind" concerns about Iran's nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change.

India called for dialogue. "There will have to be a dialogue at some point," the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, said.

With thousands of citizens of countries around the world stranded at airports or on cruise ships, and some from countries like the Philippines and China killed in the exchanges of fire, more nations have a stake in what comes next.

All will have the chance for more say as international groups convene in urgent calls and meetings, after the U.N. Security Council gathered in emergency session on Saturday, hours after strikes began.

Pitching in to stop Iran

In a statement, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on the United States and Iran to resume talks over Iran's nuclear program and said they favored a negotiated settlement. Saturday's strikes began two days after the latest round of talks.

The three countries haveled effortsto reach a negotiated solution over Iran's nuclear program.

At the same time, Britain, France and Germany said they were ready to help with efforts to keep Iran from firing more missiles and drones.

But countries tried to make clear how far they might go. Germany will not actively participate in military action against Iran but will consider defending its soldiers stationed on multinational military bases in Jordan and Iraq if they are attacked, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Monday.

Britain stressed that it was "not at war," although it said it would now permit the U.S. to use joint bases to strike Iran, pointing to Iran's "scorched-earth strategy."

Top diplomats of six Gulf states — Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain — after an emergency meeting called on Iran to immediately halt its attacks and asserted their right to self-defense.

A plea for talks, too

Oman, which was facilitating the nuclear talks and tried to keep the U.S. and Iran at the table as tensions soared, said the U.S. action "constitutes a violation of the rules of international law and the principle of settling disputes through peaceful means." Oman, too, like other Gulf nations reported attacks that came uncomfortably close to home.

But Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi said after the second full day of hostilities that "the door to diplomacy remains open."

Meanwhile, some states were shaken into saying something different.

The 22-nation Arab League, which has historically condemned both Israel and Iran for actions it says risk destabilizing the region, called the Iranian attacks "a blatant violation of the sovereignty of countries that advocate for peace and strive for stability."

And Syria was among Iran'sclosest regional alliesand a staunch critic of Israel under former President Bashar Assad, yet its foreign ministry singularly condemned Iran, reflecting the new government's efforts to rebuild ties with regional economic heavyweights and the United States.

Concerns about oil and nuclear assets

China, a significant buyer of Iranian oil, said it was "highly concerned" about the U.S. and Israeli strikes called for an immediate halt to the military action and return to negotiations.

But Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday played down growing worry about the economic impact on oil shipments from the Middle East, saying Japan has oil reserves at home that can last for several months.

The Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons condemned the U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. And European Union leaders in a joint statement called for restraint and diplomacy in hopes of "ensuring nuclear safety."

Associated Press writers around the world contributed.

byNeo

in

March 02, 2026

World hurries to respond to rapidly changing war around Iran

TOKYO (AP) — A shaken world reacted with anger and confusion — and more involvement than expected, in some cases — Monday...

Read More

169 people killed after insurgents raid a village in a remote area of South Sudan

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — At least 169 people were killed after insurgents raided a village in a remote area ofSouth Sudan, a local official said Monday, It's the latest bout ofsporadic violencethat has left the country teetering on the verge of full-blown civil war.

The victims, including 90 civilians, were attacked on Sunday in Abiemnom county, said James Monyluak, information minister for the administrative area of Ruweng.

He said women and children were among the dead, in addition to dozens of combatants.

The U.N. Mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, said in a statement that 1,000 people sought shelter at its base after the attack.

"Such violence places civilians at grave risk and must stop immediately," Anita Kiki Gbeho, a UNMISS official, said in a statement. "I urge all involved to cease hostilities without delay and engage in constructive dialogue to address their grievances."

"Our peacekeepers will continue to do everything within their capabilities to protect civilians seeking refuge at our base," she added.

The UNMISS statement cited 23 wounded in the attack in Ruweng, as well as concern over "reports indicating that dozens of civilians and some local officials have lost their lives."

The killings are part of anescalating wave of violencegripping South Sudan as government forces loyal to President Salva Kiir battle armed men who are believed to be loyal to opposition leader Riek Machar.

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Stephano Wieu De Mialek, the chief administrator of Ruweng Administrative Area, said on Sunday that the assault was conducted by elements linked to the White Army militia alongside forces affiliated with Machar's Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition. Wieu described the attack as a coordinated and organized assault, calling it an act of rebellion.

In a statement, Machar's group denied responsibility for the attack and asserted that it "has no military presence in the area concerned."

Machar was Kiir's deputy until September, when he was removed after he faced criminal charges. He is under house arrest in Juba, the South Sudan capital, as his trial progresses.

The U.S. is urging talks between Kiir and Machar.

Ongoing violence threatens a fragile peace reached in 2018 after a five-year civil war. After that agreement, Machar was named South Sudan's first vice president in a government of national unity. A U.N. inquiry has found that South Sudan's leaders are "systematically dismantling" that agreement.

Machar's supporters say the charges against him for alleged subversion are politically motivated. His removal from office coincided with a sharp increase in violence.

The conflict escalated in December when opposition forces seized government outposts in the county of Jonglei, an opposition stronghold and a flashpoint in renewed fighting that the U.N. estimates has displaced 280,000 people.

Aid groups have warned thataccess restrictionsto opposition-held parts of the state are endangering civilian lives.

The government has conducted a counteroffensive since January with aerial bombardments and ground assaults, despite an official commitment to the peace agreement.

byNeo

in

March 02, 2026

169 people killed after insurgents raid a village in a remote area of South Sudan

JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — At least 169 people were killed after insurgents raided a village in a remote area ofSouth Sudan...

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