Germany World Cup Alpine Skiing

United States' Ryan Cochran Siegle reacts at the finish area, during a men's World Cup downhill race, in Garmisch Partenkirchen , Germany, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

US-Israel Attack Live Updates: The Middle East faces significant escalation as the U.S. and Israel launch coordinated military strikes against Iran, targeting key infrastructure and missile sites, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israeli territory and U.S. bases, causing substantial casualties on all sides.

Global concerns over energy supply and international diplomatic efforts intensify, as both sides prepare for continued military action despite calls for dialogue. Stay tuned to republicworld.com for real-time updates

No Sign Iran Planned To Attack US First, Pentagon Tells Congress

Israel-Iran War LIVE: Trump administration officials told the US Congress that there was no intelligence suggesting Iran planned to attack US forces first, before US, and Israel jointly launched airstrikes on Iran, sources said. 

Sunday's remarks to Congress appeared to undercut one of the key arguments for the war made by senior administration officials. They told reporters the day before that President Donald Trump decided to launch the attacks in part because of indicators that Iranians might strike U.S. forces in the Middle East “perhaps preemptively.” Trump, one of the officials said, was not going to "sit back and allow American forces in the region to absorb attacks."

Pentagon officials briefed Democratic and Republican staff of several national security committees in both the Senate and the House of Representatives for more than 90 minutes on the unfolding U.S. attack in Iran, White House spokesperson Dylan Johnson said earlier.