Good evening. We lead with the first American deaths since the U.S. and Israel began strikes on Iran. Three U.S. service members based in Kuwait were killed and at least five others were seriously wounded — the first U.S. combat fatalities since the joint campaign, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, began. President Trump posted a video honoring the fallen, saying the campaign would continue until its objectives are met and noting the operation had always been planned as a “four‑week process.”
The air campaign has intensified across the region. Israeli and American strikes have hit targets inside Iran; Israel released footage it said showed regime headquarters struck. Iran responded with waves of missiles and drones aimed at Israel and at Gulf states that host U.S. forces, with some impacts reported near the Strait of Hormuz. Attacks struck facilities in Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman. Tankers were hit off Oman’s coast, and widespread airspace closures grounded flights across the region. Dozens were injured and at least four people were reported killed in the strikes on Gulf nations, and commercial shipping and aviation have been severely disrupted.
Israeli authorities say a high percentage of incoming missiles and drones were intercepted, but several penetrations caused damage and casualties. Among the reported strikes: a shelter at a synagogue west of Jerusalem was hit and a residential neighborhood in Tel Aviv suffered heavy damage. Air‑raid sirens and sheltering have become routine for many Israelis as Tehran vows further reprisals. CBS teams in Tel Aviv and the Gulf describe people taking cover and relying on shelters across affected communities.
President Trump vowed the U.S. would avenge the deaths of the service members. Some Republican senators, including Tom Cotton, have backed continued strikes while stopping short of calling for a large U.S. ground invasion of Iran. Democrats in Congress have demanded details about the legal authority for the strikes and whether lawmakers were consulted; briefings for members of Congress are scheduled.
Iran’s retaliation and the reported death of its supreme leader have raised urgent questions about succession and the country’s political future. State media announced the leader’s death and Iran entered a period of official mourning even as pro‑regime and pro‑government demonstrations continued. Israeli officials told reporters they view their operations in part as an effort to speed a change in Iran’s leadership before any U.S. reconsideration or renewed negotiations.
The wider region has seen protests and violence amid fears of broader conflict. In Karachi, Pakistan, pro‑regime demonstrators attempted to storm the U.S. consulate. In Iraq, crowds approached Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone. Analysts say Iran’s strikes on neighboring Gulf states may be intended to pressure Arab leaders into pushing for an end to the campaign, but that objective has not yet been achieved.
Domestic U.S. coverage this weekend includes an FBI investigation of a mass shooting in Austin, Texas. Early‑morning gunfire in a busy entertainment district wounded multiple people and left two dead. Video shows a gunman firing from a vehicle and then with a rifle before patrolling officers shot and killed him within about a minute. Nineteen people were shot; three remained in critical condition and two died. Authorities identified the shooter as a naturalized U.S. citizen from Senegal. Investigators reported he wore a shirt reading “property of Allah,” and agents found a Koran, an Iranian flag and photos of Iranian leaders at his home. Officials said there were signs the attack may have been inspired by or connected to extremist causes and noted the shooter had a history of mental‑health issues.
Back in Washington, lawmakers remain split over the administration’s decision to strike Iran. Some members insist Congress must authorize acts of war, while others defend the strikes as necessary to protect U.S. forces and allies. Administration officials contend Iran intended to use ballistic missiles against U.S. and allied forces and say combat operations will continue until mission goals are achieved.
Americans traveling or living in the Middle East are scrambling to get home as much regional airspace is closed or restricted. Dubai, Doha and Kuwait airports experienced major disruptions after the attacks, forcing travelers to reroute, sleep in terminals or cross land borders into Jordan or Egypt to find international flights. The U.S. embassy in Israel temporarily closed and the State Department urged U.S. citizens abroad to make their own departure plans and not rely solely on government evacuation assistance.
Other weekend headlines: In East Texas, a hot‑air balloon collided with a cell tower, leaving two people stranded near the top of the 925‑foot structure. Rescue crews climbed the tower in high winds and brought the pair down safely; both were taken to the hospital. In California’s Big Bear Valley, an eagle pair nicknamed Jackie and Shadow laid a second egg this week, delighting viewers of the local live cam; experts say a third egg may still be coming after the pair previously lost two eggs to predation.
Weekend Journal: As winter lingers, some outdoor enthusiasts are finding new ways to enjoy frozen lakes. In Wisconsin, iceboat racers and cruisers take advantage of hard, windy surfaces; three‑skated iceboats can reach speeds many times the wind speed, sometimes topping 70 knots, offering a unique rush to participants.
On this day in history, March 1 events and notable past stories were remembered.
That’s the CBS Weekend News summary for Sunday. I’m Jericka Duncan in New York. Tomorrow night on the CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil: a report from the Middle East. Have a good night.