Mojtaba Khamenei chosen as Iran's next supreme leader, Iranian state media reports

He is the son of assassinated Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Feb. 28, with massive joint U.S.-Israel strikes attack targeting military and government sites, officials said.

Iranian state television confirmed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among those killed by airstrikes in Tehran on the first day of strikes. His successor is yet to be named.

Iran is responding to the operation with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, regional U.S. bases and multiple Gulf nations. Israel is also intensifying its long-running strike campaign against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.

(Read previous Iran live updates here.)

Watch special coverage on Nightline, "War with Iran," each night on ABC and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.

Mar 08, 2026, 2:54 PM GMT

Explosion damages US embassy in Norway

The Norwegian police said an explosion at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo early Sunday morning damaged the building, but no injuries were reported.

The incident occurred around 1 a.m. "at one of the entrances" to the embassy, the Norwegian police said in a statement.

Police officers and technicians inspect the American embassy after a loud bang was reported at the site, in Oslo, Norway, March 8, 2026.
Hans O. Torgersen/Ntb via Reuters

The cause of the explosion remained under investigation.

Damages at the U.S. Embassy after a loud bang was reported at the site, in Oslo, Norway, March 8, 2026.
Fredrik Varfjell/Ntb via Reuters

"The police take such incidents in public spaces very seriously, and are investigating the case with large resources and high priority," the police said. "Investigations have been carried out at the scene and with both dogs, drones and helicopters looking for one or more potential perpetrators."

-ABC News' Victoria Beaule

Mar 08, 2026, 1:38 PM GMT

Pope Leo warns the conflict in Iran is fueling fear and hatred

In his Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, Pope Leo warned that the conflict in Iran was fueling fear and hatred and raised concerns that it could spread further as fighting escalates.

"We raise our humble prayer to the Lord that the clamor of bombs may cease, that weapons may fall silent, and that a space for dialogue may open up in which the voice of the peoples can be heard," Leo said.

-ABC News' Joe Simonetti

Mar 08, 2026, 1:06 PM GMT

Injuries reported in central Israel from 'projectile fragments'

Israeli police said on Sunday that they are responding to "several impact sites involving projectile fragments" within the Central and Tel Aviv districts.

Israeli emergency services said they were transferring at least six injured people to a hospital, including one man in serious condition.

Property damage has also been reported, according to the police.

"A short time ago, the Israel Police received reports regarding the fall of projectile fragments. Police officers and police bomb disposal units are currently operating at the scenes to isolate and secure the impact sites," the police said in a statement.

-ABC News Jordana Miller

Mar 08, 2026, 11:12 AM GMT

Assembly said to be nearing decision on new Iranian leader

One of the members of the Assembly of Experts -- the body that chooses the leader of the Islamic Republic -- said that the assembly has reached a "firm opinion," about the next leader that represents the view of majority of its members.

“An almost final decision has been reached,” Mohammad Mehdi Mirbagheri said in a video published by the semi-official Fars News Agency.

Spelling did not reveal who the assembly’s candidate is. Mirbagheri said members of the Assembly of Experts have been working hard on their task, but added that there are "obstacles" due to the "difficult circumstances."

-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian

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