Iran live updates: 7th killed service member is identified

Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, was killed in Saudi Arabia.

ByDavid Brennan, Jon Haworth, Kevin Shalvey, Leah Sarnoff, Meredith Deliso, Nadine El-Bawab, and Bill Hutchinson ABCNews logo
Last updated: Monday, March 9, 2026 3:00PM GMT
ABC News Live

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 in Tehran on the first day of strikes. His son Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen on Sunday to succeed him.

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.

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Mar 02, 2026, 1:30 AM GMT

Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi says he wants to lead Iran in a transition to democracy

Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former crown prince of Iran, said in an interview with "60 Minutes" on Sunday that he wants to be a "transitional leader" in Iran -- not "the future king or future president."

"They trust me as a transitional leader, not as the future king or future president or future whatever. I'm totally focused on my mission in life, which is let me bring the country to a point that they can make that free choice. That would be enough for me having said mission accomplished," Pahlavi said.

He said that he imagines a future where Iran is at peace with Israel, saying, "The strategic importance of having a partnership with Israel is critical."

Pahlavi also said that the nation's nuclear program should be "totally dismantled."

Pahlavi's father, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was the last shah of Iran. In 1979, he left Iran amid rising political tension. Ayatollah Khomeini came to power in 1979, following the success of the Iranian Revolution.

ByJay O'Brien ABCNews logo
Mar 02, 2026, 1:00 AM GMT

Trump declines to answer questions about Iran

President Donald Trump returned to the White House on Sunday night from Mar-a-Lago, but he did not take questions from reporters about the operation in Iran or the recent U.S. casualties.

The president instead went to the Rose Garden to inspect newly installed statues of the Founding Fathers.

"Unbelievable statues. You'll see. Come and look at them," he told reporters.

ByRachel Scott and Lauren Peller ABCNews logo
Mar 02, 2026, 12:45 AM GMT

House likely to hold vote Thursday on resolution to restrain Trump's power

On a call with Republicans on Sunday, House Speaker Mike Johnson told lawmakers a vote on the war powers resolution will likely be held on Thursday, two sources told ABC News.

Democrats and a handful of Republicans have demanded a vote on the resolution, which would require Congressional approval before the president orders any further military action in Iran. The measure is sponsored by Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky.

ABC News has learned that Republican leadership is urging members to vote against it. Johnson also reminded Republicans on the call that attendance is important. With a razor-thin majority, Johnson can only afford to lose one vote if all members are voting and present.

While there is some bipartisan support for the war powers resolution, Republicans have the majority in the House and the president has veto power.

Johnson also told Republicans he plans to hold another vote this week on Dept. of Homeland Security funding, as the partial government shutdown continues.

ByJay O'Brien, Lauren Peller and Allison Pecorin ABCNews logo
Mar 02, 2026, 12:35 AM GMT

Gang of 8 to receive classified briefing on Monday afternoon: Sources

The Gang of 8 and key leaders of national security committees are expected to receive a classified briefing on Iran from Trump administration officials on Monday, multiple sources told ABC News.

Members of the Gang of 8 include the top bipartisan House and Senate leaders and the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate intelligence committees.

As ABC News previously reported, the House and Senate will receive a classified briefing from the administration on Tuesday.