US strikes on Iran 'ahead of game plan' but global markets rattled, energy prices soar

Air raid sirens sounded warnings and buildings shook as incoming Iranian missiles were intercepted inside Israel, witnesses said.

This satellite image provided by Vantor shows the Judiciary complex damaged after airstrikes, in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Satellite image ©2026 Vantor via AP)

US forces continued a round-the-clock assault on Iran and Israel mounted a "broad wave" of strikes on Wednesday targeting Iranian missile sites and air defence systems in a campaign that a ​top American commander said is ahead of the "game plan".

Despite initial US hope for a swift and decisive ouster of Tehran's clerical leadership, Iran kept up retaliatory strikes against Israel and ‌around the Gulf, and vowed to select a new supreme leader to succeed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the opening salvos on Saturday.