Iran in March 2026: the most important developments in society
In Iran, March 2026 began with the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, confirmed by state media on 1 March. Official mourning ceremonies were held in Iran, while videos showed parts of the Iranian diaspora celebrating in cities such as Milan, Sydney and Paris. Iran postponed the state funeral on 4 March, citing an expected unprecedented turnout. Mass funerals were held for 165 schoolgirls and staff killed in a strike on a school, which multiple headlines attributed to US and Israeli forces, and later for officials including Ali Larijani. When Mojtaba Khamenei was named as successor, videos showed crowds in Tehran chanting against him while other rallies expressed support.
The war's toll on civilians was the second theme. The UN said about 100,000 people fled Tehran in the first two days. The World Health Organization confirmed attacks on 13 medical facilities by 6 March and 21 by 28 March. Iran's Health Ministry reported 1,200 people killed by 8 March, and the Iranian Red Crescent reported over 18,000 civilians injured by 21 March. Iranian officials said 210 children had been killed and, by 25 March, 243 students and teachers. The governor of Isfahan province estimated $500 million in damage to 21 heritage sites. After a fire at an oil storage site in Tehran on 8 March, residents reported blackened rain and authorities warned of acid rain. The World Food Programme warned that 45 million more people could face acute hunger.
Australia granted humanitarian visas or asylum to five members of Iran's women's football team on 10 March, and demonstrators blocked a bus carrying the team. Three of the players later left Australia after reportedly rejecting asylum, and the team travelled from Malaysia to Oman.
Abroad, protests over the war took place in Pakistan, where the death toll from demonstrations reached 25, and in Spain, Greece and Israel. On 29 March millions took part in 'No Kings' rallies in the United States, with over 3,000 events reported. The Trump administration and the head of the Federal Communications Commission threatened broadcasters over their reporting on the war.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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