War with Iran enters fourth day as more countries are drawn in

Summary

Podcast Summary: Apple News Today – "War with Iran enters fourth day as more countries are drawn in"

Date: March 3, 2026
Host: Cecilia Ley

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Overview

This episode delves into the rapidly escalating war between the US (under President Trump) and Iran, now entering its fourth day. With violence spreading beyond the initial belligerents and drawing in multiple Middle Eastern countries, the episode examines the military strategies, political responses, impact on civilians, and uncertainty about what comes next. It features insights from key political figures, defense officials, national security reporters, and on-the-ground perspectives from Iran.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scope and Expansion of the Conflict

• Escalation & New Fronts:

  • Israeli retaliatory strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon following rocket attacks.
  • Iranian strikes reported in the UAE and a US Embassy in Saudi Arabia hit by drones.
  • Strikes from Iran now reported in at least eight Middle Eastern countries.
  • The US State Department warned its citizens to "depart now" from much of the region.
    (01:00-01:50)

• Casualties:

  • 11 Israeli deaths (AP).
  • Over 500 Iranians killed (Iranian Red Crescent).
  • 6 American service members killed in Kuwait; friendly fire from Kuwaiti air defenses downed US jets, three pilots ejected safely.
    (01:50-02:00)

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2. US War Aims and Rationale

• President Trump’s Objectives:
  (02:07-02:37)

  “First, we’re destroying Iran’s missile capabilities... Second, we’re annihilating their navy. ... Third, we’re ensuring that the world’s number one sponsor of terror can never obtain a nuclear weapon.”
  — President Trump (02:07)

• Preemptive Logic:

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US attacked in anticipation of imminent Israeli action, aiming to protect American forces.

  “We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action...if we didn’t preemptively go after them, before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties.”
  — Marco Rubio (02:50)

• Debate Over Justification:

  • Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the administration for launching a "war of choice, not necessity," questioning the plan and strategy.
    (03:28)

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3. Escalating Regional & Global Risks

• Iran's Warning and Retaliatory Threats:

  • Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takhtarvanchi told CNN:

  “If America or Israel engages in animosity against Iran, definitely we will be in self-defense mode and we will target the American assets, the American military bases in the region, wherever they are located.”
  — Majid Takhtarvanchi (03:45-04:10)

• Energy Markets & Civilian Impact:

  • Iran threatens oil tankers crossing the Strait of Hormuz, spiking concerns over global energy prices.
  • Dubai’s airport only just resumes limited flights after a three-day full closure, leaving hundreds of thousands stranded.
    (04:15-04:45)

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4. The Pentagon’s Outlook and Uncertainty

• Role of Regime Change & Mission Focus:

  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed back on historical comparisons:

  “This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change and the world is better off for it. ... The mission is laser focused: destroy Iranian offensive missiles, destroy their navy...This is not Iraq. This is not endless. I was there for both.”
  — Pete Hegseth (05:09)

• Analysis by Alex Ward, Wall Street Journal:

  • The administration is improvising strategy:

  “It’s pretty clear they’re flying this plane as they’re building it.”
  — Alex Ward (05:43)

  • Multiple shifting rationales, unclear objectives, possible long-term quagmire:

  “We’ve had multiple shifting rationales of what they’re aiming to achieve. So there’s just nothing normal or consistent about what’s going on here.”
  — Alex Ward (05:58)

  • Uncertainty on duration:

  “I would not be surprised if this war ended in the next 24 hours...if it extended for four to five weeks...if this war grew into a global quagmire. … anything and everything is possible.”
  — Alex Ward (06:59)

• Pentagon Tension:

  • General Dan Kaine, Joint Chiefs of Staff, had warned about possible munitions and troop shortfalls, lack of ally support, but now describes ongoing operation as "historic in scope.”
    (07:19-07:42)

  “This is not a single overnight operation...will take some time to achieve and ... will be difficult and gritty work.”
  — General Dan Kaine (07:42-08:16)

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5. Inside Iran: Civil Response and Political Upheaval

• Mixed Reactions Among Iranians:

  • Some celebratory gatherings after Ayatollah Khamenei’s death, but also large mourning crowds—reflecting Iran’s divided public.

  • Severe internet blackout since the attacks, information blackout continues.
    (08:37-08:59)

  • Many Iranians were caught off guard, not expecting the war to start so swiftly.

  “A lot of people were saying that they were shocked that it happened. … it was all quite sudden.”
  — Jane Araf (09:19)

• Opposition Weakness:

  • The opposition is highly fragmented; no clear leadership or unity.

  “Certainly they’re not in any position to overthrow the government now. ... Iranian opposition groups ... don’t have a lot of support within Iran.”
  — Jane Araf (09:50)

  • Regional countries fear US-induced regime change will lead to further chaos and regional destabilization.

• Transition Leadership Claim:

  • Reza Pahlavi, Iran's exiled Crown Prince, asserts a transitional role:

  “Millions of Iranians ... recognize in me the person uniquely placed to play a role of transitional leadership. ... to be a bridge to that destiny.”
  — Reza Pahlavi (10:40)

  • Constitutionally, post-ayatollah power rests with a three-person panel until a new Supreme Leader is declared.

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Notable Quotes

• President Trump:

  “An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be an intolerable threat...” (00:09)
  “First, we’re destroying Iran’s missile capabilities...” (02:07)

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio:

  “We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action...if we didn’t preemptively go after them...” (02:50)
  “The hardest hits are yet to come.” (03:08)

• Chuck Schumer:

  “This is a war of choice, not necessity.” (03:28)

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth:

  “This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change...” (05:09)

• Alex Ward:

  “It’s pretty clear they’re flying this plane as they’re building it.” (05:43)
  “There’s just nothing normal or consistent about what’s going on here.” (05:58)
  “I would not be surprised if this war ended in the next 24 hours...or grew into a global quagmire.” (06:59)

• Jane Araf:

  “Certainly they’re not in any position to overthrow the government now.” (09:50)

• Reza Pahlavi:

  “...recognize in me the person uniquely placed to play a role of transitional leadership.” (10:40)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:05-01:50: Rapid summary of recent strikes, regional involvement, civilian advisories, and casualty figures
• 02:07-03:08: Trump and Rubio lay out US war goals and rationale for preemptive action
• 03:28: Chuck Schumer’s criticism and bipartisan exhaustion with Middle Eastern conflicts
• 03:45-04:10: Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister issues threats against US assets
• 04:15-04:45: Oil market risks and regional civilian disruption
• 05:09-05:36: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth differentiates this war from previous regime-change efforts
• 05:43-07:19: Alex Ward analyzes uncertain US goals and unpredictable war duration
• 07:42-08:16: General Dan Kaine on long-term nature of military objectives
• 08:37-09:50: NPR’s Jane Araf reports mixed Iranian reactions and internal challenges
• 10:40: Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi pitches himself as a potential transitional figure

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Conclusion

This episode paints a picture of a swiftly escalating, regionally entangling war, fueled by ambiguous American objectives and shifting Pentagon strategies. On-the-ground realities in Iran suggest deep internal divisions, with little sign of a cohesive uprising or stable transition. The uncertainty—military, political, and humanitarian—pervades, with global economic consequences looming and traditional US allies hesitant to engage fully. The outcome, as emphasized by experts, is unpredictable.

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For more detailed coverage and related stories, visit the Apple News app. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation evolves.

Transcript

[Cecilia Ley]

Good morning. President Trump lays out his case for war.

[President Trump]

An Iranian regime armed with long range missiles and nuclear weapons would be an intolerable threat to the Middle east, but also to the American people.

[Cecilia Ley]

We'll bring you the latest and the Wall Street Journal explores what's driving the Pentagon's strategy. And NPR looks at how Iranians on the ground are react Wednesday, March 3rd. I'm Cecilia Ley and this is Apple News. Today, As the war with Iran enters its fourth day, the scale of the conflict has intensified and spread, pulling in more countries, bringing more casualties and raising many more questions. Monday saw a new wave of strikes on both sides and fighting that spread across the Middle East. Israel shook southern Beirut with retaliatory strikes aimed at Hezbollah and Lebanon yesterday after they had sent rockets into Israel. Iranian strikes, meanwhile, were reported in the United Arab Emirates and the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia was hit by drones. Beyond Israel, eight countries in the Middle east have now reported strikes by Iran. The State Department warned U.S. citizens still in large parts of the Middle east to quote, depart now. Meanwhile, the death toll rose on all sides. AP reported 11 Israeli deaths while over 500 people in Iran had been killed so far, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society. And six American service members have now died following Iranian strikes at a military base in Kuwait. Three more ejected safely after Kuwaiti air defenses mistakenly shot down US Jets. Yesterday, the Trump administration shared details on its war aims and rationale. Speaking from the White House, Trump indic that the conflict would go on for as long as necessary.

[President Trump]

Our objectives are clear. First, we're destroying Iran's missile capabilities and you see that happening on an hourly basis and their capacity to produce brand new ones and pretty good ones they make. Second, we're annihilating their navy. We've knocked out already 10 ships. They're at the bottom of the sea. Third, we're ensuring that the world's number one sponsor of terror can never obtain a nuclear weapon.

[Cecilia Ley]

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed lawmakers on Monday that the strikes were intended to address an imminent threat from Iran. He also told reporters that the US had gone to war in anticipation of an Israeli attack.

[Marco Rubio]

We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action. We knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces. And we knew that if we didn't preemptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties and perhaps even higher those killed. And then we would all be here answering questions about why we knew that and didn't act.

[Cecilia Ley]

Rubio echoed the President's message about the days ahead, warning that, quote, the hardest hits are yet to come. But his classified briefing left Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer unimpressed. He said it had raised more questions than answers. On the Senate floor, Schumer said that Trump had launched a conflict without a plan.

[President Trump]

This is a war of choice, not necessity.

[Cecilia Ley]

And regardless of whether you're a Democrat or a Republican or an independent or

[Marco Rubio]

even if you don't pay attention to

[Cecilia Ley]

politics, there's one thing almost everyone agrees on. We are sick and tired of endless

[President Trump]

wars in the Middle East.

[Cecilia Ley]

Speaking to cnn, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Majid Takhtarvanchi said the US had betrayed diplomacy and defended their decision to target nearby Middle east countries.

[President Trump]

We informed our neighbors that if the America or Israel engages in animosity against

[Pete Hegseth]

Iran, definitely we will be in self

[President Trump]

defense mode and we will target the American assets, the American military bases in the region, wherever they are located.

[Cecilia Ley]

The conflict now risks causing spikes to the global energy market. Iran has threatened to fire at any tankers looking to cross the Strait of Hormuz, a critical choke point for oil traders. And across the Gulf, hundreds of thousands of people hoping to flee the region have been left stranded as airports grounded flights. Yesterday, Dubai's airport, the world's busiest for international travel, began resuming a limited number of flights after three days of closure. As the administration signaled a willingness to step up its campaign, others raised concerns about starting a conflict without a clear end, the kind of war that Trump has long campaigned against. Speaking yesterday at a press briefing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed those looking to make historical comparisons.

[Pete Hegseth]

This is not a so called regime change war, but the regime sure did change and the world is better off for it. The mission of Operation Epic Fury is laser focused. Destroy Iranian offensive missiles, destroy Iranian missile production, destroy their navy and other security infrastructure, and they will never have nuclear weapons. This is not Iraq. This is not endless. I was there for both.

[Cecilia Ley]

To get a sense of what the Pentagon's strategy might be, we spoke to Alex Ward, a national security reporter with the Wall Street Journal.

[Alex Ward]

It's pretty clear they're flying this plane as they're building it.

[Cecilia Ley]

Ward explained that Trump had demonstrated again that the US Military was capable of carrying out extraordinary operations abroad, but that his longer term goals for Iran less clear.

[Alex Ward]

It is a war that has removed the leadership of Iran. So by definition there has been a regime change. The question is, does it exist in some sort of other mode or does it get pushed out or do protesters go back out there and the US Gets deeper in, we don't know and frankly doesn't seem like the president does either. So at the get go, we've had multiple shifting rationales for war, and since it's begun, we've had multiple shifting rationales of what they're aiming to achieve. So there's just nothing normal or, or consistent about what's going on here.

[Cecilia Ley]

Ward reports that the war's length would depend on the objectives. If it's about dismantling all of Iran's missile capabilities, that might mean a shorter campaign, potentially similar in scope to the US Israeli strikes last year. But if it's about a regime change, inspiring an entirely new form of government would be a much longer and far more difficult undertaking, especially if the security apparatus remains intact and the opposition lacks unity or military force. Ward says predicting a timeline might be futile in either scenario.

[Alex Ward]

I would not be surprised if this war ended in the next 24 hours with a deal of some sort. I would not be surprised if this war extended for four to five weeks. I would not be surprised if this war grew into a global quagmire like anything and everything is possible and granted. I mean, even with the best laid plans, that would probably still be true. But there are no plans, best or otherwise, in this case.

[Cecilia Ley]

About a week ago, Ward reported that Dan Kaine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had offered Trump some pretty serious warning about an attack on Iran. General Kaine was said to have cautioned that the US could face munitions shortfalls, troop casualties, and a lack of support from allies. But in a rare on camera briefing yesterday, General Kaine described the operation as historic in scope.

[President Trump]

This is not a single overnight operation. The military objectives at CENTCOM and the Joint Force have been tasked with will take some time to achieve and in some cases will be difficult and gritty work. We expect to take additional losses and as always, we will work to minimize US Losses. But as the secretary said, this is major combat operations.

[Cecilia Ley]

How those living in Iran responded to the strikes could shape where this conflict is heading. Trump has urged Iranians to see this as an opportunity to take over the country, but it's incredibly difficult to get an accurate picture for how people might respond in the coming days. Jane Araf is an international correspondent for NPR and spoke to us from Jordan.

[Jane Araf]

There have been scattered celebrations across the country after Khamenei, Iran's spiritual leader, was killed. But at the same time there are still a lot of people who support the regime. And we saw that with what seemed to be very large Crowds gathering to mourn the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei after he was killed in airstrikes on Saturday.

[Cecilia Ley]

Araf stressed that Iran is a vast and complicated place with huge restrictions. There's been almost a total Internet blackout since the attacks began. And in the last violent crackdown, the regime killed thousands to suppress dissent. But she did manage to make contact with a few people there who shared a feeling of surprise. Even with the military buildup these past

[Jane Araf]

few weeks in Iran, the government isn't going to say, take shelter or stock up on food. There might be a war coming that just doesn't happen. So for that reason, a lot of people were saying that they were shocked that it happened. Then they thought maybe it might happen, but maybe in a few days, a few weeks. But it was all quite sudden.

[Cecilia Ley]

Araf said that even if protesters wanted to follow Trump's urging, it's far from clear how it would happen or who in the scattered opposition would lead the effort.

[Jane Araf]

Certainly they're not in any position to overthrow the government now. There's no clear successor to the Iranian regime. Iranian opposition groups are very divided. They don't have a lot of support within Iran. And this is the thing that most countries that are now in the middle of this have been afraid of, that if there is regime change that's brought about through US Military means, that it will continue to be chaos and have an extremely destabilizing effect on the entire region.

[Cecilia Ley]

One person that is pitching himself to lead Iran, at least for the time being, is Reza Pahlavi. He is the son of Iran's last shah and has been living in exile in the US since the 1979 revolution that deposed his father. He spoke to 60 Minutes on Sunday.

[President Trump]

Millions of Iranians inside Iran and outside of Iran are calling my name. They recognize in me the person uniquely placed to play a role of transitional leadership. Not running for office because that's not what I'm doing, but to be a bridge to that destiny.

[Cecilia Ley]

In reality, it's unknown how easily Pahlavi could unite an opposition divided across ideological and ethnic lines. After the death of the ayatollah, Iran's constitution granted power to a three person panel until a new supreme leader is declared. And finally, a few other stories we're following. Texas voters head to the polls today for two unusually competitive primary races for the U.S. senate. Four term Republican Senator John Cornyn is facing a primary challenge from state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Representative Wesley Hunt. Political observers say the race has national implications. If Cornyn is ousted it could give Democrats a rare opening in the red state. A University of Texas poll last month showed that Paxton, a MAGA loyalist, is leading Cornyn slightly, despite Cornyn and other groups spending $69 million on ads, making it one of the priciest primaries on record. On the Democratic side, Representative Jasmine Crockett and State Representative James Talarico are facing off for their party's nomination, a showdown that's being watched closely as a test case of how Democrats can win in the upcoming midterms. And the last time a Democrat held a Senate seat in Texas was 1993. Video of depositions given last week by former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were released by the House Oversight Committee yesterday. The Clintons were deposed near their home in Chappaqua, New York, in the committee's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has maintained she never met Epstein or knew of his crimes. He she struck a defiant tone in more than six hours of questioning. If the majority was serious, it would not waste time on fishing expeditions. There is too much to be done. What is being held back? Who is being protected, and why the COVID up? Meanwhile, former President Clinton acknowledged a business relationship with Epstein, but denied any wrongdoing. He also defended his wife and questioned the way the committee had treated her.

[President Trump]

I do think you should be talking to me. I think you should have called me. I did take those plane trips with him and you have a right to ask those questions.

[Cecilia Ley]

President Clinton said he hoped the video of his testimony would compel the Justice Department to release the remaining Epstein files. The Clintons are the highest profile figures to testify publicly about Epstein. The couple gave their depositions after being threatened with contempt of Congress. You can find all these stories and more in the Apple News app. And if you're already listening in the news app right now, we've got a narrated article coming up next. The New Yorker reports on the trial of Giselle Pellicot, the woman at the center of France's largest rape trial. Her bravery brought over 50 men to justice, but caused fractures inside her own family. If you're listening in the podcast app, follow Apple News Narrated to find that story and and I'll be back with the news tomorrow.