Iran Claims 500 Strikes; US Says Iran Goals Will Take Time

TEHRAN: (Web Desk) – Middle East, March 2: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have carried out retaliatory strikes on over 500 sites linked to the United States and Israel, marking the third day of intense conflict, AFP reports. The Guards said more than 700 drones and hundreds of missiles were used to target strategic and military installations across the region.

U.S. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned that achieving U.S. military objectives in Iran will take time and may result in additional casualties. He said operations by Centcom and allied forces will be “difficult and gritty” and require careful execution. Despite a massive military buildup, the U.S. continues to deploy additional troops to the Middle East.

French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned that the war risks “possible conflagration” spreading instability to Europe’s borders. He noted that Iran’s nuclear and ballistic capabilities remain intact, emphasizing the need for caution amid the escalating crisis.

Germany is coordinating evacuation efforts for roughly 30,000 stranded citizens in the Gulf, with civilian aircraft being dispatched to Saudi Arabia and Oman to rescue vulnerable travelers. Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Lufthansa is assisting with the operations, prioritizing the safety of its nationals.

Earlier, U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeted hundreds of Iranian sites, including the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), while Israel expanded attacks into Lebanon targeting Hezbollah positions. Iranian forces retaliated with missiles and drones across the Gulf, striking Israel, the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, and causing casualties in multiple countries.

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Iran’s Guards stated that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office and the Israeli Air Force headquarters were deliberately targeted using Kheibar ballistic missiles. In Kuwait, several U.S. warplanes reportedly crashed, though crews survived, and the cause of the incidents remains under investigation.

A Saudi oil refinery at Ras Tanura was targeted by Iranian drones, briefly sparking a fire that was extinguished. The complex is a vital component of the kingdom’s energy infrastructure, with a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day.

Meanwhile, an Iranian drone struck the British military base in Akrotiri, Cyprus, causing minor material damage. The EU reaffirmed its support for member states’ security, and the UK authorized U.S. forces to use British bases for defensive strikes.

Missile attacks by Iran also hit Israeli cities including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and East Jerusalem, as well as the U.S. embassy in Kuwait City. Explosions have been reported in Gulf cities such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Manama, and Kuwait City.

Israel’s air campaign in Lebanon has killed at least 31 people and injured 149, while the UAE has closed its embassy in Tehran and recalled its ambassador in response to the escalating attacks.

Since the start of hostilities, Iranian and U.S.-Israeli operations have caused hundreds of casualties across the region, highlighting the intensifying risks of wider regional escalation.