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 09, 2026, 6:39 AM GMT

Israel says its working to intercept Iranian missiles

Iran on Monday launched missiles toward Israel, which the country’s defenses were working to intercept, the Israel Defense Forces said.

Rocket trails are seen in the sky above the Israeli center coastal city of Netanya amid a fresh barrage of Iranian missile attacks on March 9, 2026.
Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images

"The IDF has identified that missiles were launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel a short while ago," the IDF said. "Defense systems are operating to intercept the threat."

Mar 09, 2026, 6:13 AM GMT

Iranian missiles, drones targeting UAE, ministry says

Iranian missiles and drones were targeting the United Arab Emirates on Monday, the country’s Ministry of Defense said.

"UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran," the ministry said on social media. "MOD asserts that the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence."

Mar 09, 2026, 2:00 AM GMT

US orders evacuation of non-emergency government employees from Saudi Arabia

The State Department on Sunday ordered the evacuation of non-emergency government employees and their families from Saudi Arabia, updating earlier guidance that authorized them to depart due to safety risks. Saudi Arabia remains a Level 3 "Reconsider Travel" country for U.S. citizens.

The U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia remains operational with core staff in place, according to the State Department.

-ABC News' Chris Boccia

Mar 09, 2026, 1:38 AM GMT

More missile and drone attacks reported in the region

Continued missile and drone strikes were reported across the Middle East in the early hours of Monday morning.

The Qatari Ministry of Defense said that armed forces intercepted a missile attack.

Emergency management in the UAE released a statement saying air defenses were dealing with a missile threat.

The Ministry of Defense in Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed two drones heading toward the Shaybah field.

The Bahrain Interior Ministry said in a statement that warning sirens were sounding, writing, "citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place."

The Kuwait Army said air defenses were confronting hostile missile and drone attacks.

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