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Islamic militants attacked a town in northeastern Nigeria on Friday, abducting more than 300 people, including women and children, local officials said. The attack occurred in Ngoshe town in Borno state, according to Bulama Sawa, an official from the Gwoza area. He told The Associated Press that the assault was likely carried out in retaliation for a recent military operation that killed three commanders of the militant group Boko Haram. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Nigeria is facing a complex security crisis involving multiple armed groups. The United States has also deployed troops to the West African country to advise and support its military in tackling the growing insecurity. 50 killed, many abducted in armed attack in Nigeria Separate attacks were also reported earlier this week in the communities of Konduga, Marte, Jakana and Mainok between Wednesday and early Friday, a military spokesperson said. Spokesperson Uba Sani said troops managed to repel the attacks in those communities, but noted that “a number of brave soldiers paid the supreme price in the line of duty,” including a senior officer. He did not provide details on the number of military casualties. Sani described the incidents as “failed attacks” and said they reflected the “increasing desperation of terrorist elements under sustained operational pressure” from the military. Ulf Laessing of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation said the attack on Ngoshe highlighted the Nigerian army’s challenges in controlling vast areas where jihadist groups operate. He said militants are also benefiting from stronger cross-border cooperation and the use of drones to identify targets before launching attacks. “The army is fighting a ghost — fighters descending with motorbikes on villages and disappearing into the bush before the army can respond in time,” Laessing said. Among the most prominent militant groups operating in Nigeria are Boko Haram and its breakaway faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province, which is affiliated with the Islamic State group. Other groups include the IS-linked Lakurawa as well as criminal “bandit” groups known for kidnapping for ransom and illegal mining. The security crisis has recently expanded with the involvement of militants from the neighbouring Sahel region, including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which claimed its first attack inside Nigeria last year. According to United Nations data, several thousand people have been killed in the violence in Nigeria. Analysts say the government is still not doing enough to protect civilians.

Powerful explosions were reported in the Iranian capital, Tehran, early Saturday, sending thick smoke into the sky. In response, Iran launched missiles toward Israel, while the United States warned that an even larger bombing campaign could soon take place as the weeklong conflict escalates. There were no clear signs that the fighting would end soon. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump approved a new $151 million weapons sale to Israel after Trump reiterated that negotiations with Iran would only happen if Tehran agreed to an “unconditional surrender.” Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations said the country would take all necessary actions to defend itself. Video obtained by the Associated Press showed flashes from explosions and rising smoke across western parts of Tehran as Israel confirmed it had launched a broad round of strikes. At the same time, Israel’s military said it was working to intercept a fresh wave of Iranian missiles. The conflict appeared to be expanding across the region. Early Saturday, warning sirens sounded in Bahrain after an Iranian attack targeted the island nation. Saudi Arabia reported destroying drones headed toward its Shaybah oil field and intercepting a ballistic missile aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base, where U.S. forces are stationed. Over the past week, the United States and Israel have carried out repeated strikes on Iran, targeting its military infrastructure, leadership and nuclear facilities. However, the war’s objectives have shifted over time, with some U.S. officials suggesting the possibility of overthrowing Iran’s government or encouraging new leadership within the country. Meanwhile, two U.S. officials familiar with intelligence assessments said Russia had provided Iran with information that could help it target American military assets in the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday to offer condolences following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, according to the Kremlin. Concerns over deadly school explosionNew evidence has also suggested that a deadly explosion at a school in the city of Minab may have been caused by U.S. airstrikes that struck a nearby facility connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iranian state media reported that more than 165 people, most of them children, were killed in the blast. Iran has blamed both Israel and the United States for the incident, although neither country has confirmed responsibility. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the matter was under investigation. Global economic concerns growSaad al-Kaabi warned that the war could have severe economic consequences worldwide. In an interview with the Financial Times, he said the conflict could disrupt Gulf energy exports and push oil prices to as high as $150 per barrel. Benchmark U.S. crude already climbed above $90 on Friday, the highest level in more than two years. Possible Russian involvementOfficials also said Russia had supplied Iran with intelligence that might help it target American ships, aircraft and other assets in the region. Although there is no indication Moscow is directing how the information should be used, it may represent the first sign of Russia becoming involved in the conflict. Trump outlines conditions for Iran’s futureIn a social media message, Trump stated that the only possible agreement with Iran would require unconditional surrender. He added that once Iran chooses “acceptable” leadership, the United States and its allies could help rebuild the country and strengthen its economy. The comments have raised questions about the ultimate goal of the war. According to officials, the conflict has already killed at least 1,230 people in Iran, more than 200 in Lebanon and about a dozen in Israel. Six U.S. troops have also died. President Pezeshkian said on social media that several countries had begun mediation efforts, though he did not provide details. Trump has also suggested he should play a role in choosing a successor to Khamenei. He dismissed Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is considered a leading candidate to replace his father, calling him politically weak. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, condemned Trump’s remarks and insisted that Iran would never allow foreign powers to interfere in its internal affairs. Iranian state television reported that officials had begun discussions about convening the Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for selecting the country’s next supreme leader. Warning of more intense bombingU.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a television interview that the most extensive bombing campaign of the war may still lie ahead. Israel also said it had heavily targeted an underground bunker believed to have been prepared for Iranian leadership during the conflict. Fighting spreads into LebanonIn eastern Lebanon, the state news agency reported that local fighters clashed with Israeli troops who landed near the town of Nabi Chit, an area known as a stronghold of Hezbollah. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Israel has also conducted multiple airstrikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut, where Hezbollah has a significant presence but which is also home to large civilian populations. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that Israeli strikes since Monday have killed 217 people and injured 798 others. Heavy traffic clogged the streets of Beirut as residents tried to flee, while smoke rose from the southern districts of the city. Two hospitals evacuated their patients and staff amid the attacks. One displaced resident, Jihan Shehadeh, said many families were forced to sleep in their cars because they had nowhere else to go.  

Iranian officials say an elementary school in the capital, Tehran, was hit during attacks carried out by the United States and Israel. Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, posted a video on the social platform X on Friday that he said showed the damage to Shahid Hamedani School, located near Niloufar Square in Tehran. The video appeared to display the school before and after the strike, though Baghaei did not provide details about casualties or the exact circumstances of the attack. If confirmed, it would mark the fourth school in Iran struck since the war began. The first reported case occurred when the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school in the southern city of Minab was hit on the opening day of U.S. and Israeli strikes. According to United Nations experts, that attack killed 160 children and five staff members. Some Israeli-linked online accounts claimed the school was part of a facility associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. However, an investigation by Al Jazeera using satellite imagery and other records found the school had been clearly separate from a nearby military compound for at least a decade. The analysis also suggested that the strike pattern raised serious questions about the intelligence used in the attack and whether the school might have been intentionally targeted. Amid growing scrutiny, the United States said its military was examining the incident. According to Reuters, two U.S. officials said investigators believe American forces may have carried out the strike, though no final determination has been made. Volker Turk urged Washington to quickly conduct a transparent investigation. Speaking in Geneva, he said the United Nations had requested a prompt, impartial inquiry and stressed the importance of accountability and compensation for victims. Additional attacks on schools were reported earlier in the week. Iranian state media said missiles fired by U.S. and Israeli forces struck two schools in the town of Parand on Thursday. Photos released by the Fars News Agency showed damaged classrooms and debris, while nearby residential buildings were also reportedly affected. The children’s agency UNICEF said Friday that at least 181 children were among more than 1,300 people killed in the strikes across Iran so far. Under international law, intentionally targeting a school would constitute a war crime. If U.S. involvement in such an attack were confirmed, it could become one of the most serious cases of civilian casualties linked to U.S. military actions in the Middle East in decades. Source AL Jazeera

President Donald Trump said Friday that dealing with the war in Iran was “easy” compared with the complicated challenge of regulating college sports and controlling the rising salaries of football players — a remark he later appeared to reconsider. Trump hosted a roundtable discussion with several sports figures, including former Nick Saban, commissioner Greg Sankey, and Pete Bevacqua. During the meeting, participants spent more than an hour discussing how large payments to top athletes, along with newer developments like the transfer portal, have disrupted college athletics. US looking at potential leaders for Iran: White House Presidents often have to deal with numerous complex issues at the same time. However, the timing of this discussion stood out because the United States and Israel had launched military strikes on Iran just a week earlier. When a reporter began asking about Iran at the end of the event, Trump interrupted, saying the situation there was “an easy problem compared to what we’re doing here.” Another journalist asked about Trump’s decision to dismiss Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem the previous day. Trump responded with frustration, asking reporters to stay focused on the topic of college sports. Later, he acknowledged that the issue might seem minor compared with global conflicts. Nevertheless, he said college athletics mattered greatly to him and that he wanted to resolve its problems if possible. Trump says US evacuating ‘thousands’ from Middle East Trump briefly addressed the Iran situation later, rating U.S. military actions there extremely highly, saying they scored between “12 and 15” on a scale of 1 to 10. College athletics—especially football—remains hugely popular in the United States, but managing the system has become increasingly complicated. Trump has repeatedly criticized the growing salaries athletes receive under the NCAA’s name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules, arguing that the changes have harmed the traditional structure of college sports. According to Trump, major revenue sports such as football are putting pressure on smaller programs and women’s athletics. He also claimed that some universities are paying athletes so much that it could push institutions toward financial trouble. The roundtable followed several hours of private meetings with senior officials, during which Trump likely discussed Iran and other major matters. He later announced he had also met with defense contractors who agreed to expand weapons production. Despite those pressing global concerns, Trump — alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles — devoted considerable time to the college sports debate. During the meeting, Saban jokingly downplayed his role by saying he was “just a football coach.” Other participants, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Ron DeSantis, expressed their passion for college football and concern about its future. Former Urban Meyer and Randy Levine also contributed to the discussion, though no current college athletes were present. Trump assured attendees he was willing to spend as much time as necessary on the issue. The group also included former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who once served on the College Football Playoff Selection Committee. Ultimately, Trump urged lawmakers to pass the SCORE Act or similar legislation to impose new regulations on college sports. Critics argue the proposal mainly benefits the National Collegiate Athletic Association and its most powerful programs. When told the bill was unlikely to pass Congress, Trump said he might instead issue an executive order on college sports. “If this doesn’t work, colleges are going to be destroyed,” he warned. It remains unclear how such an order would differ from one he signed in July directing federal authorities to clarify whether college athletes should be classified as university employees. Trump also expressed nostalgia for the system that existed before NIL rules were introduced. At one point he asked whether it might be possible to return to the earlier scholarship-based model, while still allowing athletes to receive smaller forms of compensation.

US President Donald Trump said Friday that he would only consider an agreement with Iran if the country agreed to an “unconditional surrender.” His statement came as Washington warned that a massive bombing campaign could soon escalate the weeklong conflict. Meanwhile, Israel announced that it had launched a large wave of airstrikes on the Iranian capital, Tehran, early Saturday. Footage captured by the Associated Press showed powerful explosions and thick clouds of smoke rising over western areas of the city. As Israeli fighter jets struck both Tehran and the Lebanese capital Beirut, Iran responded with additional missile attacks targeting Israel and countries in the Gulf region. Late-night explosions echoed across Jerusalem as Israel’s defense systems attempted to intercept missiles fired from Iran. Over the past week, U.S. and Israeli forces have launched numerous strikes on Iran aimed at weakening its military strength, leadership structure and nuclear facilities. However, the long-term objectives of the war have appeared to shift, with U.S. officials sometimes suggesting that the conflict could even lead to the fall of Iran’s current government or the rise of new leadership. At the same time, two officials familiar with U.S. intelligence said Russia had shared information with Iran that could potentially help Tehran target American military assets in the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday, offering condolences following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to the Kremlin. Additional reports suggested that a deadly explosion at a school in Iran, which killed many students, may have been caused by U.S. airstrikes that also targeted a nearby facility linked to the country’s Revolutionary Guard. Meanwhile, Saad al-Kaabi warned that the war could severely damage the global economy. In an interview with the Financial Times, he said the conflict might disrupt Gulf energy exports and potentially drive oil prices as high as $150 per barrel. Benchmark U.S. crude already climbed above $90 on Friday for the first time in more than two years. Russia’s alleged involvementU.S. intelligence officials said Russia had provided Iran with information that could assist it in targeting American warships, aircraft and other military assets in the region. However, the officials stressed that there is no evidence Russia has directed Iran on how to use the information. If confirmed, it would mark Moscow’s first clear sign of involvement in the conflict. Trump outlines postwar visionIn a social media message, Trump stated that there would be no negotiations with Iran unless it first surrendered unconditionally. He added that once Iran selects “acceptable” new leadership, the United States and its allies would help rebuild the country and strengthen its economy. The remarks raised questions about the ultimate goal of the conflict. According to officials in Iran, Lebanon and Israel, the war has already caused significant casualties — at least 1,230 deaths in Iran, more than 200 in Lebanon and about a dozen in Israel. Six U.S. service members have also been killed. President Pezeshkian said on social media that several countries had begun efforts to mediate the conflict, though he did not name them. Trump has also suggested he should play a role in selecting Iran’s next leader following the death of Khamenei. He dismissed Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who is seen as a possible successor, describing him as politically weak. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, strongly criticized Trump’s comments, insisting that Iran would never allow foreign interference in its internal political affairs. Iranian state media reported that officials had begun discussions about convening the country’s Assembly of Experts, the body responsible for appointing the next supreme leader. Intensifying attacks and retaliationIsrael’s military said it had begun a “large-scale” bombing campaign in Tehran. Over the past week, it has targeted underground bunkers believed to have been prepared for Iranian leaders during wartime. Residents reported powerful explosions shaking homes and sending smoke into the sky. Other blasts were reported near the Iranian city of Kermanshah, which hosts several missile bases. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a television interview that the war’s most intense bombing operations had not yet occurred. In Israel, explosions were heard across Tel Aviv as Iranian missiles approached and air defense systems attempted to intercept them. Israel’s military also reported that five soldiers were injured during clashes with Hezbollah. The conflict continued to widen. Early Saturday, warning sirens sounded in Bahrain after Iran launched an attack targeting the island nation. Investigations also suggested that a deadly Feb. 28 explosion at a school in the Iranian city of Minab may have been caused by U.S. airstrikes hitting a nearby military facility. Iranian media said more than 165 people — most of them children — were killed in the blast. Iran has blamed both Israel and the United States for the incident, though neither country has accepted responsibility. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said earlier that the United States was investigating the matter. Escalation in LebanonIsrael has also carried out repeated airstrikes on southern neighborhoods of Beirut, areas where Hezbollah has a strong presence but also where large numbers of civilians live. According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since Monday have killed 217 people and wounded nearly 800 others. Heavy traffic filled Beirut’s roads as residents tried to flee while smoke rose over the city’s southern districts. Two hospitals evacuated their patients and staff. One displaced resident, Jihan Shehadeh, said thousands of people had nowhere safe to stay and were forced to sleep in their cars overnight. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that one Israeli strike landed near the Iranian Embassy in Beirut, though Israel’s military did not immediately comment. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s leadership urged its fighters to continue resisting and defend the country, framing the conflict in religious terms and calling on them to intensify their attacks.

The United States is reviewing potential candidates who could lead Iran, the White House said, a day after President Donald Trump suggested Washington should be involved in selecting the country’s next leader. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that US intelligence agencies and government officials were assessing possible figures who could take leadership in Iran, reports Al Jazeera. “I know there’s a number of people that our intelligence agencies and the United States government are looking at, but I won’t get any further on that,” Leavitt said. Her remarks came after Trump stated that the United States should play a role in determining Iran’s future leadership following the recent escalation of conflict in the region. Leavitt also addressed Trump’s earlier statement that there would be no deal with Iran except “unconditional surrender.” She said the president meant that Iran would effectively reach a state of unconditional surrender once it no longer posed a threat to the United States and once the objectives of the US military operation, named “Operation Epic Fury,” were fully achieved. “When the president, as commander-in-chief of the US armed forces, determines that Iran no longer poses a threat to the United States of America and the goals of Operation Epic Fury have been fully realized, Iran will essentially be in a place of unconditional surrender, whether they say it themselves or not,” Leavitt added.

Indian authorities have provided refuge to 183 sailors aboard the Iranian warship IRIS Lavan after the vessel requested urgent assistance amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict. According to a Indian government official, the ship sent a distress call on February 28, the same day the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes on Iran, reports Al Jazeera. India approved the ship’s berthing in Kochi on March 1, and it has been docked there since March 4. The government has arranged accommodation for the sailors during their stay. The announcement comes amid criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government after an Iranian ship, IRIS Dena, which had participated in Indian-hosted naval exercises, was torpedoed by a U.S. submarine. The attack killed more than 80 sailors, rescued 32, and left hundreds missing. India has so far avoided publicly criticizing the U.S. over the incident. Officials stressed that the Lavan docking was granted due to urgent technical issues and was unrelated to the previous attack on the Dena.

Russia has expressed solidarity with Iran and condemned the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling it an act of “U.S.-Israeli aggression.” Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko visited the Iranian embassy in Moscow on Friday to offer condolences on behalf of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. During the visit, Rudenko signed a book of condolences for Khamenei’s family and for other officials killed in the attack, reports Al Jazeera. In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Rudenko denounced the assassination of senior officials of a sovereign nation and emphasized Moscow’s support for the Iranian people. Rudenko also met with Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, reaffirming Russia’s solidarity with Tehran amid the ongoing conflict in the region.

The European Union (EU) congratulated the interim government of Nepal and the electoral and security authorities for the peaceful and orderly manner in which they took place, said the EU Spokesperson in a statement on Friday. The EU said it looks forward to further deepening our longstanding partnership with Nepal and to advancing our shared priorities.

Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has long been considered a contender to succeed his father, despite never holding an elected or official government position. The 1969-born cleric has largely operated behind the scenes, building influence within Iran’s political and military structures and maintaining close ties to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. Last week, an Israeli airstrike targeting the supreme leader’s office killed Ayatollah Khamenei and Mojtaba’s wife, Zahra Haddad Adel. Mojtaba has not been seen publicly since and is believed to be in hiding as U.S. and Israeli strikes continue in Iran. Hard-liners in the 88-member Assembly of Experts, which selects the next supreme leader, may now view him more favorably, portraying his family’s deaths as martyrdom amid the ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. Mojtaba Khamenei has been described as the “power behind the robes,” serving as gatekeeper, advisor, and administrator in his father’s office. He oversaw internal operations, helped consolidate control over billions in state-run foundations, and influenced domestic politics, including support for hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during the 2005 election and the disputed 2009 re-election, which triggered the Green Movement protests. If appointed, Mojtaba would inherit control of Iran’s military, the Revolutionary Guard, its nuclear program, and the country’s ballistic missile arsenal—key instruments of power in the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized him as “a lightweight” and claimed he should have a role in selecting Iran’s next leader, highlighting the international stakes of the succession. Mojtaba Khamenei’s potential rise underscores the complex mix of hereditary influence, clerical authority, and military power that shapes the future of the Islamic Republic, as the country faces escalating regional tensions and global scrutiny.