The US–Israel war on Iran entered its eighth day on Saturday, March 7, and continues to intensify, with huge overnight explosions reported across several locations in Iran, including the capital Tehran. The Israeli military said it carried out “large-scale” strikes on Tehran, while also targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut.
US President Donald Trump reiterated that Washington would only accept Iran’s “unconditional surrender”, warning there would be no deal to end the war without it.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard continued intensive missile attacks on Israel, coinciding with rocket fire from Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia were also targeted by fresh Iranian missile and drone attacks, most of which were intercepted with no casualties reported.
The Iranian Red Crescent said at least 1,332 people have been killed in Iran since the US-Israeli attacks began. Trump also announced an agreement with arms companies to increase the production of precision-guided munitions as the conflict continues to escalate.
6:55 am IST: The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said Iran’s only athlete at the Winter Paralympics will not take part after being unable to travel due to the ongoing conflict.
Cross-country skier Aboulfazl Khatibi Mianaei, 23, was due to compete at the Games in Verona, Italy, but will miss the event after failing to reach the country. He had previously participated in the last two Winter Olympics and was scheduled to compete on Tuesday.
6:48 am IST: The official spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Defence said air defences intercepted and destroyed four drones in the Empty Quarter that were heading towards the Shaybah oil field in the southeast of the Kingdom.
6:40 am IST: Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior confirmed that warning sirens were activated in parts of the country as a precaution amid the ongoing regional escalation.
6:30 am IST: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that its air defences intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched towards Prince Sultan Air Base, located southeast of Al-Kharj city, with no casualties reported.
6:05 am IST: Israel’s military said it has begun a “broad-scale wave of strikes” targeting sites in the Iranian capital, Tehran. The announcement came as Iran’s state broadcaster reported an explosion in the western part of the city.
