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US stock market opens in decline amid Middle East escalation

As of 17:30 Moscow time, the Dow Jones Industrial Average — the main indicator of business activity in the US — fell by 1.08% to 48,447.52 points

NEW YORK, March 2. /TASS/. The US stock market opened the main trading session on Monday with key indices falling by more than 1% amid the escalation in the Middle East.

As of 17:30 Moscow time, the Dow Jones Industrial Average — the main indicator of business activity in the US — fell by 1.08% to 48,447.52 points. The S&P 500, which includes the 500 largest US companies, fell by 1.07% to 6,805.31 points. The Nasdaq Composite, in turn, declined 1.34% and reached 24,625.08 points.

By 17:51 Moscow time, the Dow Jones had trimmed losses to 48,685.85 points (-0.6%), the S&P 500 stood at 6,844.8 points (-0.5%), and the Nasdaq was at 24,834.46 points (-0.5%).

The United States and Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran on February 28. Major Iranian cities, including Tehran, were struck. The White House justified the attack by citing alleged missile and nuclear threats from Iran. At the same time, US leadership openly called on the Iranian population to rise up against their government and seize power.

As a result of the strikes, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several other senior figures in the leadership of the Islamic Republic were killed.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a retaliatory operation, targeting sites in Israel. US military bases in Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia were also hit.

Flights to nine Middle East countries now suspended — Russian Transport Ministry

Russian air carriers worked out bypass routes in advance for safe flights to Persian Gulf countries

Special Russian emergencies ministry flight from Egypt arrives in Moscow

On board the aircraft are 84 Russian citizens, all of whom are diplomatic workers and members of their families

Diplomat compares West's tactics on Iran with its behavior over Minsk agreements

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says there is no information on Iran withdrawing from the negotiations

Iran’s MFA confirms defense chief, other senior generals were killed in US-Israeli attacks

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that these people were at the forefront of defending the country’s independence

Nuclear weapons are now only deterrent to world — top lawmaker

"The international institutions that were once established have been weakened," Vyacheslav Volodin said

US acknowledges there was no intelligence about Iran planning to attack first — Reuters

US President Donald Trump previously made this statement

Pro-Iranian group claims responsibility for attack on Erbil airport

The group announced a large-scale operation against US military facilities in Iraq to avenge the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran launches hypersonic missiles in response to US, Israeli strikes — news agency

The US and Israel earlier launched a military operation against Iran

Pentagon says operation against Iran not another US ‘endless war’

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine noted at the same press conference that the campaign is not a short one either

Five police officers killed in Ukrainian attack on Kherson Region

Another six policemen were wounded

New strikes, casualties on both sides: Middle East conflict

Iran used missiles and drones for new attacks on US military bases in the Middle East, Fars said

Iran's supreme leader now at headquarters — TV

According to the source, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is personally directing military operations

Russian embassy in Ankara reports attempted sabotage on TurkStream, Blue Stream

Earlier, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian intelligence services have information about the Kiev regime’s preparations for sabotage on the Black Sea gas pipelines

FACTBOX: Reports of injuries in Novorossiysk as 172 Ukrainian drones hit Russian regions

Five people were wounded in the attack on Novorossiysk in southern Russia, 17 residential buildings, including eight apartment buildings, and a daycare center were damaged

Durov’s fortune loses $2.24 bln in February 2026 — Bloomberg

It decreased to $12.1 bln

Enemy stands no chance of crossing to Dnieper’s left bank in Kherson region — governor

Despite the difficulties associated with the operational situation, the region continues to develop, Vladimir Saldo noted

US to continue operation against Iran until it achieves its objectives — Trump

The US leader emphasized that Washington "cannot allow" Iran to possess long-range missiles

Lavrov condemns US-Israeli aggression against Iran in phone call with his UAE counterpart

The two top diplomats "highlighted the destabilizing nature of the military escalation in the region that poses security threats to the Arab countries in the Persian Gulf"

Pro-Iranian group attacked US base in Iraq’s Erbil — Fars

The news agency reported a plume of smoke at the facility

Putin tells Bahrain's king ready to help stabilize Middle East situation — Kremlin

The current development of events "also threatens the security of many Arab states, with which Russia maintains friendly relations," according to the Russian side

Iran attacked more than 20 US bases — IRGC

The headquarters of the Israel Defense Forces and a defense complex in Tel Aviv were also among the targets, according to the IRGC

At least 172 Ukrainian drones shot down over Russian regions overnight — defense ministry

67 of them were destroyed over the Black Sea waters

Norden halted navigation across Strait of Hormuz — Reuters

The company is dealing with dry and liquid cargo transportation and has a fleet of about 500 vessels

US seeks to draw Middle Eastern countries into direct conflict with Iran — source

The source said that the strike on the Hyatt Regency hotel in Riyadh was a US provocation

British Akrotiri base in Cyprus damaged by drone strike — Cyprus Mail

According to the newspaper, a small drone had impacted the airfield of the base

Middle East on the brink of major war — Russian ambassador to Israel

"In Lebanon, Israeli authorities have not ceased their operations," Anatoly Viktorov said

Retaliatory Iranian strikes affect ten countries in Middle East

Namely, Bahrein, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, where US military bases are stationed, came under Iranian missile and drone attacks

Press review: Iran derails US‑Israeli plans while Middle East conflict boosts oil and gold

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, Match 2nd

US president tells NYT he sees three candidates for post of Iran's leader

Donald Trump declined to respond to a request to name specific names

Pentagon Chief says US didn't start the conflict with Iran

Washington will finish it, Pete Hegseth said

IRGC announces launch of 7th, 8th stages of Operation True Promise-2

It was to retaliate the Israeli and US aggression

Three officials to temporarily lead Iran

IRNA news agency did not disclose the length of the transitional period and the scope of the authorities of the officials

Escalation on Middle East can lead to the biggest gas market crisis since 2022 — Bloomberg

As noted, 20% of global LNG supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and after its closure, they were effectively blocked

Saudi Aramco refinery in Saudi Arabia halts operations after drone strike

"There's a small fire, described as isolated and under control, at Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura," journalist Matthew Martin said

Iran launches another attack on US bases in Middle East — news agency

According to the report, the attacks targeted Bahrain, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the UAE, as well as Doha in Qatar

Settling political scores and plans to destroy Iran: Russian diplomat’s statements

Russia "strongly and categorically condemns" the United States and Israel’s aggression against Iran, Russian Permanent Representative to the Vienna-based international organizations Mikhail Ulyanov said

Kallas announces reinforcement of EU naval mission Aspides — Reuters

EU foreign policy chief pointed out that additional ships will be supplied

Israel instructs to suspend gas production at Leviathan field

Qatar Energy also announced the suspension of liquefied natural gas production in connection with Iran’s air strikes

Damage to nuclear power plants in Iran, UAE to cause disaster — nuclear scientist

Damage to the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran and the Barakah nuclear power plant in the UAE during hostilities could have catastrophic consequences, including radiation contamination of the Persian Gulf, Alexander Uvarov, a nuclear industry expert and director of the AtomInfo-Center, said

US faces unprecedented scale of simultaneous attacks on overseas bases — WSJ

The source reported that Washington had been prepared for the attacks

US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln moved away from Iran after strike — IRGC

The US Central Command reported that the carrier came under fire but was not hit

US may attack Cuba following operations against Venezuela, Iran — Atlantic

According to the report, Donald Trump sees himself as the first modern American leader who could complete what others only flirted with

IN BRIEF: What is known about Israeli offensive in Lebanon

The Shia group Hezbollah will not leave the battlefield and will continue its resistance, the organization's Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said

Iranian strikes on US bases kill 200 servicemen — IRGC

The US and Israel earlier launched a military operation against Iran

Aggression against Iran may lead to escalation beyond region — Russian envoy

Vasily Nebenzya says it is unacceptable to use military force amid negotiations "in full swing"

No radiation threat, Bushehr plant stable — IAEA chief on situation around Iran

The IAEA has been unable to re-establish contact with Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities so far

Kaliningrad is one of Russia’s most vulnerable regions — Dzhabarov

Since 2022, NATO and EU countries have been pursuing a consistent policy of complicating the situation in the region and creating conditions for its blockade from the rest of Russia, Vladimir Dzhabarov said

Tanker under US flag attacked in Bahrain port — Reuters

The crew promptly left the ship and was not injured

At least 150 tankers drop anchor in Persian Gulf — agency

According to the agency, the tankers are clustered in open waters off the coasts of major Gulf countries

Iran targets German bases in Jordan, Iraq — magazine

While all projectiles and drones were neutralized by air defense systems, one US soldier was affected by falling debris, Der Spiegel reported

Twenty-four Pakistanis killed during protests against US strikes on Iran - news agency

Protests took place near US consulates in the country on March 1

IRGC announces launch of another series of attacks on Israeli, US targets

The strikes target all US and Israeli facilities in the Middle East

Russia appreciates US mediation on Ukraine but relies on itself only — Kremlin

Dmitry Peskov commented on Washington’s mediation toward resolving the Ukraine conflict amid the US attack on Iran

Russia ready to mediate in defusing tensions in Middle East — ambassador to Israel

Anatoly Viktorov also recalled that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has already engaged in several telephone conversations with regional counterparts

Brent crude oil price rises by 12.2% amid escalation in the Middle East — trading data

According to Rystad Energy analysis, continued conflict in Iran and a halt of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could lead to a 20% price increase

No plans to close Strait of Hormuz at this stage, Iran’s top diplomat says

Iran has no intention to block navigation there, Abbas Araghchi said

Battlegroup North drones destroy more than 30 Ukrainian personnel in past day

The chief of the battlegroup’s fire control, call sign "Karta," said that unmanned systems crews of the Battlegroup North’s 11th Corps also destroyed communications centers, Starlink satellite stations, and signal amplifier antennas for controlling drones of Ukrainian forces

Iran claims to have destroyed US naval base in Kuwait

Three other US naval infrastructure facilities in Kuwait were also destroyed, IRGC said

Putin, Emir of Qatar express hope for de-escalation of conflict in Middle East

The sides also agreed to continue contacts between the two countries through various channels

Trump allows for lifting of sanctions if new Iranian leadership proves pragmatic — NYT

At the same time, the US leader refused to clarify whether the US would in any way support those attempting to overthrow the current Iranian authorities

IRGC say disabled air defense radar in UAE, US ship

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps noted that Iranian forces "continue targeting the US fleet deployed to the region"

In Russia’s Novorossiysk, 4 apartment buildings damaged in UAV attack, 1 person injured

Emergency services are working on site

Number of US, Israel targets in Iran tops 2,000 — WSJ

According to the publication, the American and Israeli military leaderships have been preparing a list of potential targets over the past few months

Epic Fury timing, US goals in Iran: statements by Pentagon

When conducting a military operation against Iran, the United States is ready to go "as far as we need to advance American interests," Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth said

Operation against Iran unlikely to affect Russia-US talks on Ukraine — expert

According to Mark Episkopos, "compartmentalization of other regional issues has served both sides well, with steady progress toward a diplomatic solution in Ukraine"

Israeli army to call up 100,000 reservists amid situation around Iran

The Israel Defense Forces is preparing to increase readiness across multiple fronts in Operation Roaring Lion targeting Iran

US missile defense systems fail to secure airspace from Iranian strikes — expert

Alexander Stepanov noted that the destruction of any system or a strike on a high-tech facility would entail the loss of personnel operating them, in this case, US military personnel

‘Black swan’ events that could change situation may emerge in the Middle East — expert

According to Anna Fedyunina, these include the direct involvement of new states in the conflict, as well as attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in Persian Gulf countries

Lavrov, Wang Yi express readiness to promote stabilization in Middle East

The two top diplomats condemned the United States and Israel’s massive strikes on the Iranian territory carried out despite Tehran’s openness to dialogue, the Russian foreign ministry said

Kiev’s losses amount to 119,500 soldiers, mercenaries this winter — expert

According to Andrey Marochko, Kiev lost around 16,300 drones and 1,400 tanks and other armored vehicles in combat operations between December and February

Russia calls for urgent ceasefire by all parties in conflict around Iran — MFA

The ministry emphasized that "attacks on civilian targets, whether in Iran or in Arab states, are unacceptable and must be completely ruled out"

Iran’s missile attack target CIA headquarters in Dubai — Fars

Information was received earlier about four people injured after Iran’s attack against the Dubai International Airport

Remote detonation of explosive devices kills three police officers in late 2025, 2026

Russian Interior Ministry Spokeswoman Irina Volk explained that mobile communications, social networks, and messengers are actively used by Ukrainian security services to recruit Russians to commit various crimes

Iran's underground depots remain invulnerable to Israeli, US weapons — expert

Alexander Stepanov noted that Iran’s storage facilities were located in rock formations that were not inferior to fortified military infrastructure

Khamenei’s murder constitutes attack on core principles of international law — Araghchi

Iranian Foreign Minister stated that "the deliberate targeting of the Highest Official of the Islamic Republic of Iran, therefore, constitutes a grave and unprecedented breach of the most fundamental norms governing relations among states"

Russia draws its conclusions based on outcome of US-Iran talks — Kremlin

"We are continuing to work in our own interests," Dmitry Peskov stressed

Prospect for dialogue and assessment of situation: IAEA chief on situation around Iran

The agency continues attempts to resume contacts with Iran’s nuclear regulators, but so far without success

US shifts to attempt to dominate through pure force — political scientist

Washington has forgone any claim "to be a benevolent hegemon," the director of the Eurasia Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft says

Iran's ambassador to Astana says that conflict with US will be long

Iranian ambassador to Kazakhstan, Ali Akbar Jokar, has sharply criticized US President Donald Trump's advisers

Eight die, 28 wounded in Israel’s Beit Shemesh after Iranian shelling attack

According to the national ambulance service, two of those wounded people are in critical condition

Oil may climb to $100 per barrel amid Middle East conflict — experts

According to Alexey Mikheyev, investment strategist at VTB My Investments, if the conflict were suddenly resolved under current conditions, the global oil market balance would not be significantly affected

Explosion takes place at British Akrotiri air base in Cyprus — In-Cyprus portal

Aircraft began taking off from the base's airfield, the portal said

US mercenaries fabricate tall tales to join Ukrainian foreign legion

Americans claim fictitious participation in Operation Red Dawn and inflate their years of service

IDF detects rocket launches from Lebanon for first time since ceasefire — press service

A projectile that crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force

Strait of Hormuz open to tankers ‘until further notice’ — Iranian official

Former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps General Mohsen Rezaei said that the American military and their contingent in the region are now considered "legitimate targets" for Tehran

Impact on Russia from Middle East conflict depends on its duration — experts

In conditions of high uncertainty, one can only speak of a general increase in risks, Anton Tabakh, chief economist at rating agency Expert RA, emphasized

Kiev forces lose HIMARS launcher, Grad combat vehicle in Battlegroup North zone

The Ukrainian armed forces lost more than 200 servicemen, the Russian Defense Ministry reported

Iranian missiles hit targets in Gush Dan metropolitan area in central Israel — news agency

No additional details were provided

Trump asserts Iran eager for deal with US

The US president said that Iran should have made it a week ago

US possesses ammunition reserves to continue strikes on Iran — Trump

The US leader reportedly ignored "the Pentagon’s concerns that the conflict could further deplete reserves that military strategists have said are critical to" deterring threats in other regions

Iran vows retaliation after Khamenei’s death, dismisses US nuclear accusations as lies

Iranian permanent representative to international organizations in Vienna Reza Najafi condemned the US attack on Iran as a "crime and aggression"

Russian troops liberate three communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brass

According to the latest figures, the Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,260 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hours

Israel refutes reports about missile attack on Netanyahu’s office

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said earlier that Iran had delivered a missile strike on Benjamin Netanyahu’s office

West turns even obvious situation with attack on Iran upside down — Russian MFA

Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says that a public misunderstanding makes European representatives reiterate their position

UAE moves to close its embassy in Iran — foreign ministry

The move comes amid what the ministry called blatant Iranian missile attacks targeting Emirati soil

Iran attacks at least six US military bases in Middle East — NYT

Iran has targeted US bases in Bahrain, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait

Putin calls Khamenei's assassination ‘cynical violation of all moral and legal norms’

The Russian President has condemned the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader

FACTBOX: What is known about oil, gas prices amid Middle East tensions

Russia’s leading indices rose as the main trading session started

New Israeli attack on Beirut leaves Hezbollah commander dead — agency

Rockets were fired at a stadium, though no information has been released on the consequences of that strike

France ready to participate in defense of friendly countries following Iranian strikes

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Le Drian specifically named Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia

Gulf countries call on Iran to immediately cease aggression against them

According to the GCC declaration , "the Gulf countries will take all measures to ensure their own security"