The week in photos: February 28 to March 6, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran named “Operation Epic Fury” on February 28, plunging the Middle East into a new conflict that President Donald Trump said would end a security threat to the United States and offer Iranians a chance to topple their rulers.

On March 1, Iranian state media announced that its supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, had been killed, and the body had been found after a strike. Iran called the attacks unprovoked and illegal and responded with missiles fired at Israel and at least seven other countries, including Gulf states that host US bases.

Israel launched new air strikes targeting Tehran and expanded its military campaign to include attacks on Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon on March 2 as Trump signaled the US-Israeli military assault on Iranian targets could continue for weeks.

In the Philippines, the House justice committee kicked off impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte on March 2. After deeming two petitions sufficient in form, on March 4, the committee voted 54-1 to declare the two complaints sufficient in substance.

Catch more stories in these photos from the week that was:

Harry Styles performs during the BRIT Awards at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, Britain, on February 28, 2026. PHOTO BY ISABEL INFANTES/REUTERS

A drag queen performs during the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade in Sydney, Australia, on February 28, 2026. PHOTO BY HOLLIE ADAMS/REUTERS

A young fan cries during Colombian singer Shakira’s ‘Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour’ concert, a free event organized by sponsors and the local government, at the Zocalo in Mexico City, Mexico, on March 1, 2026. PHOTO BY QUETZALLI NICTE-HA/REUTERS

Traditional boats with multicolored sails await the start of the 53rd Paraw Regatta Festival off the coast of the Arevalo district in Iloilo City on March 1, 2026. PHOTO BY ARNOLD ALMACEN

A woman cries as she holds a placard with an image of Iranian late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at a rally in solidarity with Iran after US and Israeli strikes killed Khamenei, in Beirut, Lebanon, on March 1, 2026. PHOTO BY MOHAMED AZAKIR/REUTERS

People carry coffins of victims who were killed after they breached an outer wall of the US Consulate General, during their funeral in Karachi, Pakistan, on March 1, 2026. PHOTO BY SHAKIL ADIL/REUTERS

Stranded passengers wait near the Emirates Airways customer service office at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport after flights to Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi were cancelled following strikes on Iran launched by the US and Israel, in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia, on March 1, 2026. PHOTO BY JOHANNES CHRISTO/REUTERS

Birds fly as smoke rises following an explosion after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, on March 2, 2026. PHOTO BY MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA VIA REUTERS

Police officers stand guard as protesters burn an American flag during a rally against the US and Israeli strikes on Iran, near the US Embassy in Manila, on March 3, 2026. PHOTO BY NOEL CELIS/REUTERS

Terry Almanza places a ‘MAGA Mom’ hat alongside a picture of her late daughter Sydney Schergen, who died from ecstasy (MDMA) overdose, next to US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem‘s name plate, ahead of Noem’s appearance before a Senate judiciary committee hearing on ‘oversight of the Department of Homeland Security,’ in Capitol Hill, Washington DC, on March 3, 2026. PHOTO BY KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS

Jewish children dressed in costumes celebrate the annual holiday of Purim in London, Britain, on March 3, 2026. PHOTO BY HANNAH MCKAY/REUTERS

The ‘blood moon’ or total lunar eclipse glows over Metro Manila on March 3, 2026. The rare occurrence, where the Earth is aligned with the sun and moon, is expected to be seen again in 2029. PHOTO BY RAPPLER

Members of the House justice committee raise their hands as they vote to declare the two active complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte sufficient in substance on March 4, 2026. COURTESY OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Attendants wear raincoats as they stand at Tiananmen Square ahead of the opening session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on March 4, 2026. PHOTO BY GO NAKAMURA/REUTERS

A model presents a creation by designer Stella McCartney as part of her Fall/Winter 2026/2027 Women’s ready-to-wear collection show during Paris Fashion Week in Paris on March 4, 2026. PHOTO BY STEPHANE MAHE/REUTERS

An owner grooms her Old English Sheepdog on the first day of Crufts dog show in Birmingham, Britain, on March 5, 2026. PHOTO BY HANNAH MCKAY/REUTERS

A traffic jam on a street, next to a mural depicting late Lebanese singer Sabah, after Israel’s military issued evacuation orders of entire neighborhoods in Beirut’s southern suburb, following an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, in Beirut, Lebanon, on March 5, 2026. PHOTO BY CLAUDIA GRECO/REUTERS

A woman stands next to portraits of Ukrainian prisoners of war, hoping they will be recognized by other prisoners of war, who return after a swap in an undisclosed location in Ukraine on March 5, 2026. PHOTO BY VALENTYN OGIRENKO/REUTERS

Members of the World March of Women-Pilipinas hold a protest at the Office of the Ombudsman as they file a complaint against Quezon City 4th District Representative Bong Suntay over alleged sexist remarks toward actress Anne Curtis during a congressional hearing, on March 6, 2026. PHOTO BY JIRE CARREON/RAPPLER

Marc Pingris makes a move against Arwind Santos during the Rookies/Sophomores vs Juniors Game of the PBA All-Star weekend at Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur on March 6, 2026. PHOTO COURTESY OF PBA MEDIA

– with reports from reuters/Rappler.com