As the conflict marks a week, US President Donald Trump today claimed that the United States had wiped out the entire leadership in Iran and called the actions getting rid of a major ‘cancer’ off the face of the earth.
Trump said, “We’re winning the war by a lot. We’ve decimated their whole evil empire. It’ll continue I’m sure for a little while…The war itself is going unbelievably. It’s as good as it can be.”
He made the remarks aboard Air Force One en route to Miami.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has declared the commencement of its 27th offensive under Operation True Promise 4, targeting American and Israeli positions in response to a new wave of “unprovoked US-Israeli aggression towards the Islamic Republic,” reported the Iranian state broadcaster.
In a formal announcement, the elite military wing detailed the latest phase as a series of integrated drone and missile barrages. The operation specifically directed missile counter-offensives against Israeli military infrastructure located in the northern regions of the occupied territories.
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Indian among 2 killed in Iranian strikes in Saudi Arabia
At least two people, including an Indian, were killed and 12 others were injured in an Iranian strike on a residential location in Saudi Arabia's Al-Kharj city, the Saudi Civil Defence said.
The another deceased is a Bangladeshi national, the Saudi Civil Defence added. Earlier in the day, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said that they targeted radar systems in locations including Saudi Arabia's Al-Kharj.
Lebanon calls on Hezbollah to "surrender," condemns Iranian attack on Arab nations amid West Asia conflict
The Government of Lebanon on Sunday called on Hezbollah to 'surrender' its weapons and stop fighting Iran's war.
In a social media post on X, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lebanon, Youssef Raggi said, "I expressed my profound regret that Hezbollah has once again disregarded Lebanon's supreme interests to serve external agendas, engaged in defending Iran, and dragged Lebanon into a war in which it has no stake, thereby provoking harsh Israeli military operations against Lebanese areas."
"I affirmed that Hezbollah acts unilaterally, isolated from the Lebanese state and its legitimate institutions, and that the Lebanese government and the Lebanese people are innocent of these actions and their consequences," he added.
Nobody knows who next supreme leader will be': Iranian foreign minister
Amid reports that the Assembly of Experts in Iran has reached a majority consensus regarding the new Supreme Leader, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday said that “nobody knows” who next supreme leader will be.
“There are lots of rumors around, but we have to wait for the Assembly of Experts to convene and vote for the new Supreme Leader,” Araghchi told NBC News.
UAE shares update on Iranian strikes
1,422 drones had been detected, of which 80 got through Eight cruise missiles were detected and intercepted In all, 238 ballistic missiles were fired. Of those 15 landed in the sea, two managed to land and the rest were intercepted
Bahrain claims Iran struck water desalination plant
The Ministry of Interior of Bahrain on Sunday claimed that Iran attacked civilian targets in a water desalination plant after a drone attack.
In a post on X, Bahrain's Ministry of Interior said, "Iranian aggression indiscriminately attacked civilian targets and caused material damage to a water desalination plant following a drone attack."
The attack comes as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has clarified that his previous statements regarding regional military operations were "misinterpreted by the enemy that seeks to sow division with neighbours," according to state media reports cited by The Times of Israel.
The clarification follows a period of diplomatic confusion where earlier comments suggested a potential suspension of military actions against Gulf nations, even as regional strikes continued. Addressing these perceptions, Pezeshkian emphasised the importance of fraternal ties, stating, "It has repeatedly been said we are brothers and must have good relations with neighbours."
However, Pezeshkian maintained a stance of defensive necessity, noting that Tehran is "forced to retaliate to attacks" but clarified that this does not imply a dispute with neighbouring countries or a desire to "upset their people."
Bahrain claims Iran struck water desalination plant
The Ministry of Interior of Bahrain on Sunday claimed that Iran attacked civilian targets in a water desalination plant after a drone attack.
In a post on X, Bahrain's Ministry of Interior said, "Iranian aggression indiscriminately attacked civilian targets and caused material damage to a water desalination plant following a drone attack."
The attack comes as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has clarified that his previous statements regarding regional military operations were "misinterpreted by the enemy that seeks to sow division with neighbours," according to state media reports cited by The Times of Israel.
The clarification follows a period of diplomatic confusion where earlier comments suggested a potential suspension of military actions against Gulf nations, even as regional strikes continued. Addressing these perceptions, Pezeshkian emphasised the importance of fraternal ties, stating, "It has repeatedly been said we are brothers and must have good relations with neighbours."
However, Pezeshkian maintained a stance of defensive necessity, noting that Tehran is "forced to retaliate to attacks" but clarified that this does not imply a dispute with neighbouring countries or a desire to "upset their people."
15 people killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon, incuding on hotel in Beirut
Lebanon on Sunday said that Israeli overnight airstrikes on its capital, Beirut and places in southern Lebanon killed at least 15 people and wounded another 15, the country's National News Agency reported, adding that US -designated terror group Hezbollah has announced retaliatory attacks against Israeli targets. Meanwhile, LBCI Lebanon News, the leading TV station and news website in Beirut, reported, citing sources, that Russian aircraft departed from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport shortly after midnight between Saturday and Sunday carrying 117 Iranian nationals. The LBCI report quoted the sources as saying that the flight also transported the bodies of five members of an Iranian family.
BREAKING NEWS: New Iranian supreme leader picked, name to be announced later
Iran's Assembly of Experts have picked the country's new Supreme Leader. However, the clerical body is yet to announce the name of the leader, who will replace deceased Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“The vote to appoint the leader has taken place and the leader has been chosen,” Ahmad Alamolhoda, a member of the Assembly of Experts, was quoted as saying by Iran’s Mehr news agency.
The US Embassy in Jerusalem releases fresh security alert saying the security of Americans is the US government's top priority.
It posted on X: "The U.S. government cares about your safety. There is no higher priority than the security of American citizens for President Trump, Secretary of State Rubio, and the entire Department of State. In addition to commercial departure options, please note that the Department is coordinating flights out of the region and can manifest Americans who have completed the Crisis Intake Form as space is available."
An Iranian drone attack caused material damage to a desalination plant, Bahrain said on Sunday morning. It was the first time an Arab country had reported Iran targeting a desalination plant during the nine-day war, as per media reports.
According to the Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Bahrain, three people were injured and material damage was inflicted on a university building in the Muharraq area after missile fragments fell, following an attack by Iran.
"If you kill Americans, if you threaten Americans anywhere on earth, we will hunt you down without apology and without hesitation and we will kill you," threatens US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
The U.S. Central Command releases fresh video from the ongoing military operation against Iran.
"If you kill Americans, if you threaten Americans anywhere on earth, we will hunt you down without apology and without hesitation and we will kill you." - Secretary of War Pete Hegseth pic.twitter.com/l0jkXxI74y
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 8, 2026
President Donald Trump has asked Kurdish forces from Iraq not to join the war against Iran as the US and Israel continue strikes on Tehran.
He said, "We're very friendly with the Kurds, as you know, but we don't want to make the war any more complex than it already is. I don't want the Kurds going in. I don’t want to see the Kurds get hurt or killed. They're willing to go in, but I've told them I don’t want them to go in."
US can't keep hiding truth about its captured forces: Iran
Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, posted on X on Sunday, saying, “It has been reported to me that several American soldiers have been taken prisoner."
"But the Americans claim that they have been killed in action. Despite their futile efforts, the truth is not something they can hide for too long,” he added.
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) today conducted targeted strikes against multiple Iranian military assets in the capital city. In a post on X, the military official account stated: "STRUCK: Several Fuel Storage Complexes Belonging to the IRGC in Tehran."
US President Donald Trump today attended the transfer of six American soldiers at the Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. The six American soldiers lost their lives in the US military 'Operation Epic Fury' against Iran.
First Lady Melania Trump, US Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine, Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll and other officials were present at the venue.
Today, Usha and I joined President Trump and the First Lady in honoring the ultimate sacrifice made by six American heroes who were returned to their families at Dover.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) March 8, 2026
We owe our eternal gratitude to the men and women of our Armed Forces. Please keep them all in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/oaQLBitZAb
US President Donald Trump today attended the transfer of six American soldiers at the Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. The six American soldiers lost their lives in the US military 'Operation Epic Fury' against Iran.
First Lady Melania Trump, US Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine, Army Chief of Staff General Randy George, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll and other officials were present at the venue.
Today, Usha and I joined President Trump and the First Lady in honoring the ultimate sacrifice made by six American heroes who were returned to their families at Dover.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) March 8, 2026
We owe our eternal gratitude to the men and women of our Armed Forces. Please keep them all in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/oaQLBitZAb
Over 1,300 killed and 100,000 displaced in Iran
More than a week into the conflict, the humanitarian toll in Iran continues to rise. According to media reports, more than 1,300 people have been killed and over 100,000 have been displaced since the violence began.
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) today conducted targeted strikes against multiple Iranian military assets in the capital city. In a post on X, the military official account stated: "STRUCK: Several Fuel Storage Complexes Belonging to the IRGC in Tehran."