CNN 5 Things

Hey, from CNN, I'm Ifeoma Dike with the five things you need to know for Tuesday, March 3rd.

The grounds of the U.S. Consulate in Dubai were hit late Tuesday night by a suspected Iranian drone as the US Israeli war against Iran continues to escalate. That's according to a source in the region. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says all personnel were accounted for as many had left before the war began. Here's CNN's Nic Robertson.

The assessment here in Saudi Arabia is that Iran retains control, command and control of what it does militarily and it is systematically, carefully, in a calibrated and calculated way targeting things that it believes will cause maximum panic, maximum disruption and maximum pressure on the White House to end the war.

Earlier today, the U.S. closed three embassies in the Middle East, one in Saudi Arabia, which was struck by two suspected Iranian drones, one in Kuwait, and a third in Beirut, Lebanon. The Trump administration says it's working to secure military planes and charter flights to help stranded Americans. Today, President Donald Trump took questions from reporters for the first time in a public setting since the conflict began on Saturday. He disputed suggestions that Israel's plans to attack Iran prompted him to launch strikes.

Might have forced their hand. You see, we were having negotiations with these lunatics, and it was my opinion that they were gonna attack first. They were going to attack. If we didn't do it, they were going to attack first, I felt strongly about that.

At least 780 people have been killed by U.S. and Israeli bombings across Iran, according to the Iranian Red Crescent.

Still ahead, the verdict for a father on trial over his son's school shooting.

Here's the latest look at the markets as tensions flare in the Middle East. U.S. oil prices closed at their highest level in more than a year before coming down a bit after President Trump announced new steps designed to ease supply disruptions in the region. Trump said he ordered the federal government to provide insurance for tankers and, quote, "guarantees" for energy and other maritime trade through the Gulf. Meantime, all three major U.S. indexes closed in the red today over fears of a prolonged war with Iran. At one point earlier today, the Dow briefly tumbled more than 1,200 points. Economists warned that inflation could rise and economic growth could slow around the world if the conflict drags on.

'The father of a Georgia school shooter has been found guilty in a trial that's part of a broader push to hold more people accountable for school shootings. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before convicting Colin Gray on all 27 charges, including two counts of second-degree murder and two counts on involuntary manslaughter. He faces 10 to 30 years in prison on each murder charge and one to 10 years on each manslaughter charge. At the defense table, Gray did invisibly react to the verdict. He was taken from the courtroom in handcuffs. Prosecutors accused Gray of buying his son an AR-15 style rifle as a Christmas present despite warnings that his son was a danger to others. Colt Gray used that rifle to carry out a mass shooting at a high school in 2024, killing two teachers and two students and wounding nine others.

Now to the first state primaries of this year's midterm elections. Voters are casting their ballots in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas, with key races to watch in the Texas Senate primaries. Representative Jasmine Crockett has made a name for herself with viral appearances at congressional hearings, like this one with Pam Bondi regarding Trump's name appearing in the Epstein files last month.

The fact of the matter is that you will be remembered as one of the worst attorney generals in history.

Representative James Talarico is largely known as the rear Democrat who emphasizes his Christian faith.

My faith means more to me than anything. But if I'm being very honest, sometimes I hesitate for telling someone I'm a Christian.

Early voting turnout in their primary has been big. Bigger than for the Republicans.

Coming up, Target's turnaround plan.

The new Target CEO believes adding new buzzy brands will help win shoppers back. During an event for Investors Today, CEO Michael Fiddelke said the retailer will improve its products and redesign stores to draw consumers. That's what's worked in the past, selling affordable, trendy fashion and furnishings that helped it earn its Target reputation. This comes after Target sales have slumped and its stock drops nearly 30% over the last three years, with strategy mistakes and stiff competition from Walmart and Amazon.

That does it for us. We're back at 7 a.m. eastern.