Top news of the day: Over 780 killed in Iran so far in Iran-Israel war; PM Modi speaks with leaders of Oman and Kuwait, expresses concern over attacks, and more

Over 780 killed in Iran so far in Iran-Israel war

As the war in West Asia intensifies, more than 780 people have been killed in Iran so far since the United States and Israel began its strikes on February 27, 2026, the Iranian Red Crescent said. The latest toll comes even as fresh wave attacks were launched by Iran and Israel on Tuesday (March 3, 2026), including Israeli bombardment on Lebanon and a drone attack on the U.S. embassy in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh.

PM Modi speaks with leaders of Oman, Kuwait, expresses concern over attacks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) spoke with the Sultan of Oman and the Crown Prince of Kuwait, amid the ongoing conflict in the Gulf, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

Defence Ministry signs contract worth ₹5,083 crore with HAL for acquisition of military helicopters, surface-to-air missiles

The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) signed contracts worth a total of ₹5,083 crore for the acquisition of six Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mk-II (Maritime Role) for the Indian Coast Guard and Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch–Shtil missiles for the Indian Navy.

DMK plays hard, now it is for AICC high command to decide: TNCC leadership

With Congress veteran P. Chidambaram making a last ditch attempt to mend DMK-Congress relationship by meeting the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin personally to push through an acceptable solution on seat sharing for the upcoming Assembly polls, a source privy to the meeting said the DMK stuck to its guns, barely moving the needle by a few seats.

Iran-Israel war: India expresses ‘great anxiety’ over intensification of conflict in West Asia

As the conflict in West Asia intensifies, the Ministry of External Affairs, on Tuesday (March 3, 2026), said that India “strongly reiterates its call for dialogue and diplomacy”, and “urged all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritise the safety of civilians”.

Indian Embassy in Tehran issues fresh advisory, urges nationals in Iran to ‘remain indoors’

India on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) advised its nationals in Iran to exercise utmost caution and remain indoors as far as possible as the security situation in the Persian Gulf nation deteriorated in view of fresh military strikes by the U.S. and Israel.

‘What gave U.S., Israel right to do this’: J&K CM Omar Abdullah condemns killing of Khamenei

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) condemned the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and called on the people of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise restraint, not let their emotions control them and express their anger and grief through lawful and peaceful means.

IAEA confirms entrances to Iran’s Natanz enrichment plant were bombed

Entrances to Iran’s underground and ‌previously bombed uranium-enrichment plant at Natanz ​have been struck ⁠as part of the U.S.-Israeli military attacks on the country, the ‌UN nuclear watchdog confirmed on Tuesday (March 3, 2026). The underground Fuel ‌Enrichment Plant (FEP) is one ‌of ⁠Iran’s three uranium-enrichment plants that ⁠are known to have been operating when Israel and the United States ​carried out ‌strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last June.

Israel army says struck Iran’s presidential office, security council building

The Israeli military on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) said it had carried out air strikes on Iran’s presidential office and the National Security Council building in Tehran as part of its ongoing campaign against the Islamic Government. “The Israeli Air Force… struck and dismantled facilities within the leadership compound of the Iranian terrorist regime in the heart of Tehran” overnight, the military said.

Does PM Modi support head of state’s assassination as way to define world order, Rahul Gandhi asks

Condemning the unilateral attack on Iran as well as the retaliatory strikes by Iran in its neighbourhood, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) questioned India’s silence on the developments. In a post on social media platform X, Mr. Gandhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi must speak up.

Veena George assault case: Kerala Students Union activists denied bail

The Kannur Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) rejected the bail plea of Kerala Students Union (KSU) activists remanded in connection with the alleged attack on Health Minister Veena George during a protest at the Kannur railway station on February 25. The court dismissed the application after hearing detailed arguments from both sides. The accused will be produced before the court again on March 5.