Selected War Updates Mar 8 Updated

21:41 – Seventh US soldier dies from wounds after strike in Saudi Arabia

A seventh U.S. service member succumbed to wounds sustained in an Iranian strike in Saudi Arabia, U.S. Central Command announced.

“Last night, a U.S. service member passed away from injuries received during the Iranian regime’s initial attacks across the Middle East. The service member was seriously wounded at the scene of an attack on U.S. troops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on March 1.”

“This is the seventh service member killed in action during Operation Epic Fury. Major combat operations continue. The identity of the fallen warrior will be withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification.”

 

21:01 – IDF reveals: Airstrikes destroyed IRGC Air Force HQ that managed missile fire

Israeli airstrikes hit the IRGC Air Force Headquarters amid wide-scale IDF strikes on dozens of Iranian terror regime targets, IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin revealed.

“The site was the main command-and-control center used to direct the regime’s air force activity. The Iranian terror regime’s ballistic missile command, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) array, and other air force units all operated in the headquarters.”

“The Air Force Headquarters was also responsible for producing a situational picture and for planning missile attacks on the State of Israel and the countries in the region. The strike on the Iranian terror regime’s air force is part of the concentrated effort to dismantle the Iranian ballistic missile array while impairing its ability to synchronize and coordinate attacks on the State of Israel,” the IDF said.

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20:02 – IDF kills five senior IRGC Quds Force commanders in Beirut hotel strike

Five senior officers of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) Quds Force were eliminated in a rare strike by the Israeli Navy overnight, the IDF announced.

The strike came as commanders of the Lebanon Corps and Palestine Corps were meeting at a hotel in the Lebanese capital of Beirut.

“The Quds Force’s Lebanon Corps serves as a central liaison between the Hezbollah terrorist organization and the Iranian terrorist regime. Its senior officials synchronize activities across the various terrorist organizations operating in Lebanon,” the IDF explained.

The killed officers included Majid Hassini, responsible for transferring funds to Iranian proxies in Lebanon, including Quds Force units, Hezbollah, Hamas and others; Ali Reza Bi-Azar, Head of the Intelligence Branch of the Quds Force’s Lebanon Corps; and Ahmad Rasouli, Intelligence Officer of the Quds Force’s Palestine Corps, who lead intelligence gathering for Palestinian terrorist organizations in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

The IDF noted that the assassinations follow the killing of the Quds Force’s Lebanon Corps commander last week, and constitute “a significant and necessary blow to the Iranian presence in Lebanon and to the Hezbollah terrorist organization.”

19:14 – Trump warns: Next Iranian leader ‘won’t last long’ without his approval

Amid reports that Iran’s Assembly of Experts is close to choosing a new Supreme Leader, President Donald Trump warned that he “is not going to last long” if he doesn’t get his approval first.

“He’s going to have to get approval from us,” the president told ABC News. “If he doesn’t get approval from us he’s not going to last long. We want to make sure that we don’t have to go back every 10 years, when you don’t have a president like me that’s not going to do it.”

“I don’t want people to have to go back in five years and have to do the same thing again or worse let them have a nuclear weapon,” he added.

Trump also explained that he would approve a new leader with ties to the old regime. “I would, in order to choose a good leader I would, yeah, I would. There are numerous people that could qualify.”

 

18:54 – IDF eliminates newly appointed Head of the Military Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader

The IDF killed the Head of the Military Office of the Supreme Leader and the Chief of Staff of the Emergency Command of Headquarters (Khatam al-Anbiya) in a recent strike in Tehran, the military said.

Abolqassem Baba’iyan was “responsible for coordinating between the Iranian terror regime’s various force employment organizations to execute operations” against Israel as well as “emergency operations,” the IDF explained.

He was recently appointed the new head of the military office after his predecessor Mohammad Shirazi was killed in the opening strike of the war, and had begun serving as Chief of Staff of the Emergency Headquarters after his predecessor, Ali Shadmani, was eliminated during last year’s 12-Day War.

“As part of his role, he maintained close ties with senior Iranian military and political leadership. His elimination joins a series of eliminations of senior figures in the Iranian terror regime conducted by the IDF since the beginning of Operation Roaring Lion and constitutes the degradation in the Iranian leadership to advance military activities,” the IDF noted.

 

18:29 – Iranian strike kills 2 civilians in Saudi Arabia

An Iranian projectile killed two people and wounded 12 others in a strike on central Saudi Arabia’s al-Kharj Governorate, some 107 km (66 miles) southeast of the capital Riyadh, according to the kingdom’s Civil Defense.

The incident marks the first deaths in the kingdom since the start of the war with Iran. The statement didn’t specify the type of munition but noted it impacted in a “residential location,” killing an Indian and a Bangladeshi civilian.

The strike came after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said earlier today that they targeted radar systems in several locations, including Al-Kharj.

17:38 – US CENTCOM warns: Iranian regime fires from civilian areas to avoid strikes

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a warning to Iranian civilians, stressing that the regime forces “blatantly disregards the safety of innocent people” by launching missile strikes from civilian areas.

“The Iranian regime is using heavily populated civilian areas to conduct military operations, including launching one-way attack drones and ballistic missiles. This dangerous decision risks the lives of all civilians in Iran since locations used for military purposes lose protected status and could become legitimate military targets under international law,” the U.S. military stated.

“Iranian forces are using crowded areas surrounded by civilians in cities such as Dezful, Esfahan and Shiraz to launch attack drones and ballistic missiles. U.S. forces strongly urge civilians in Iran to stay at home.”

“Additionally, Iranian forces are jeopardizing the safety of innocent people throughout the Middle East by deliberately and indiscriminately targeting civilian airports, hotels, and residential neighborhoods.”

“The U.S. military takes every feasible precaution to minimize harm to civilians but cannot guarantee civilian safety in or near facilities used by the Iranian regime for military purposes. Unlike the Iranian regime, U.S. forces do not target or intentionally risk the safety of civilians,” CENTCOM stated.

16:22 – WATCH: IDF hits IRGC Space HQ and 50 ammunition bunkers in latest wave of Tehran strikes

As part of the latest wave of airstrikes against Iranian targets in Tehran, the Israeli Air Force “targeted and dismantled the Iranian terror regime’s IRGC Space Force headquarters” and dozens of other sites.

“The headquarters served as a reception, transmission, and research center for the Iranian Space Agency, which is affiliated with the regime’s military. The site included research facilities as well as a command-and-control structure for the ‘Khayyam’ satellite, which was launched in August 2022 and was used by the IRGC to advance terrorist activities and monitor the State of Israel and its residents,” the IDF said.

Other targets that were struck included around 50 ammunition bunkers in an Internal Security base, a Basij militia base, an internal security command center, and a compound belonging to the IRGC’s Ground Forces.

“The Internal Security Forces and the Basij are part of the Iranian terrorist regime’s Armed Forces and have advanced terrorist activities for years. The forces are responsible for dispersing demonstrations, carrying out arrests, seizing control of transportation routes, and securing facilities,” the military explained.

“In addition, they serve as a central component of suppressing Iran’s civilian population, are responsible for the use of systematic and brutal violence against it, and have massacred protesters during the internal protests in recent months.”

 

15:54 – WATCH: IDF destroys Hezbollah rocket launchers that fired at Israel, hits other targets

“The IDF completed an additional wave of strikes in various areas across Lebanon, targeting rocket launchers that were fired toward the State of Israel,” the Israeli military stated.

“Yesterday (Saturday) during the afternoon a number of rocket launches were identified toward the area of Metula. Shortly after, the IDF dismantled the launcher that launched the rocket. Additionally, IDF troops identified a Hezbollah terrorist in an area where the troops were operating in a forward defensive posture. An Israeli Air Force aircraft guided by the forces on the ground eliminated the terrorist.”

The IDF added that Israeli troops have “assumed forward defensive positions” in southern Lebanon as “additional defensive layer to remove the threats to the residents of northern Israel.”

15:40 – UAE denies striking Iranian desalination plant

A United Arab Emirates senior official denied reports that his country had conducted a strike against an Iranian desalination facility, which had been reported in multiple Israeli news outlets.

“It is not appropriate for what is described as a ‘senior Israeli source’ to speak on our behalf or spread rumors about the actions of another sovereign state,” an Emirati source was quoted as saying by i24 News and The Jerusalem Post. “This is a sovereign state that makes its decisions independently.”

 

15:08 – Two IDF soldiers killed in combat in Lebanon; One named as Staff Sgt. Maher Khatar

Two IDF soldiers from the Combat Engineering Corps’ 601st Battalion were killed early Sunday in a Hezbollah attack on an IDF defensive position inside Lebanon, the military announced.

The name of one of the fallen soldiers has been cleared for publication: Staff Sgt. Maher Khatar, 38, from Majdal Shams, who served in Division 91 of the Combat Engineering Corps. The name of the second soldier has not yet been released. (KAN 11)

14:35 – 6 people wounded in latest Iranian missile barrage

Six people were wounded in the most recent missile barrage targeting Israel’s central area, Ynet reports. The injured were evacuated to Beilinson hospitals in Petah Tikva and Ichilov hospitals in Tel Aviv. Among the injured were a 40-year-old man in serious condition, a 25-year-old man in moderate condition, and three lightly wounded men.

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14:25 – DM Katz says new head of Iranian Supreme Leader’s military office killed

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz says Abolghasem Babaiyan, the new head of the Supreme Leader’s military office, has been eliminated. Babaiyan had been appointed only days ago after his predecessor was killed in the opening strike, which also killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Katz told the IAF to, “Keep hunting them all.”

13:33 – Over 390 killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon, health ministry claims

Accordiing to reports in Lebanese media, Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports that “394 people were killed in Israeli attacks in the country this week.”

Among the dead were 83 children, the ministry said.

Israel began conducting strikes in Lebanon following the decision of Hezbollah to join the war in suppport of its sponsor, Iran.

 

13:10 – Reports claim UAE conducted retaliatory strike on Iran

The United Arab Emirates conducted a strike on an Iranian desalination facility on Sunday..

This would make the country’s first retaliatory attack to repeated Iranian drone and missile fire after the start of Israel and the US’s war on the Islamic regime.

The UAE has been the target of more ballistic missile attacks since the start of the joint operation than Israel.

 

12:55 – UAE intercepts barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles and drones

The United Arab Emirate’s Defense Ministry reported that it intercepted 16 missiles fired at the country from Iran, while a 17th fell into the sea. It also aid that it intercepted 113 out of 117 drones, with four falling in UAE territory.

The ministry says it is ready to “firmly confront” the threats.

 

12:10 – IDF Strikes Over 400 Targets in Western and Central Iran

The Air Force completed a wave of extensive strikes over the past day in western and central Iran, the IDF announced on Sunday.

The military said that more than 400 targets were struck, including ballistic missile launchers and weapons production sites.

Since the start of “Operation Roaring Lion,” the Air Force has completed hundreds of strike sorties targeting launchers, defense systems, weapons storage facilities, and additional infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime, with the aim of reducing as much as possible the scale of fire toward the territory of the State of Israel, the IDF said.

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10:15 – Iranian President Pezeshkian threatens increased attacks

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian threatened to step up attacks on U.S. targets throughout the Middle East.

“When we are attacked, we have no choice but to respond. The more pressure they impose on us, the stronger our response will naturally be,” President Pezeshkian said in video comments released on Sunday. “Our Iran, our country, will not bow easily in the face of bullying, oppression or aggression — and it never has.”

On Saturday, Pezeshkian said that Iran was not trying to start a war with the Gulf states which have been repeatedly hit by Iranian attacks, saying, “They are our brothers.”

However, strikes against the Gulf states have continued despite Pezeshkian’s remarks.

 

09:45 – IDF investigating settler violence, which led to the death of 3 Palestinians last night

The military said it is investigating an incident in the village of Khirbet Abu Falah Saturday night, in which Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians, leading to the death of three people, two by gunshot, and one by suffocation.

“The incident was immediately investigated in the field by the commander of Central Command, Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, together with representatives from the Judea and Samaria District and the Border Guard,” the IDF said in a statement. “The IDF strongly condemns violence of any kind. In recent days, several unusual incidents have occurred in which Palestinians and Israeli civilians were harmed. The IDF views these incidents with great severity.”

 

09:35 – IDF Farsi threatens Iran’s Assembly of Experts

The IDF Farsi Spokesman’s office issued a warning to the Iranian Assembly of Experts, expected to meet again to announce the selection of the next Supreme Leader.

“Iran’s Assembly of Experts, which has not convened for decades, will soon gather in the city of Qom,” the IDF Persian Spokesman posted to X. “We want to tell you that the hand of the State of Israel will continue to pursue every successor and every person who seeks to appoint a successor. We warn all those who intend to participate in the successor selection meeting that we will not hesitate to target you either. This is a warning!”

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08:30 – IDF issues evacuation warning for villages in southern Lebanon

IDF Arabic Spokesman Col. Avichay Adraee issued a warning to four southern Lebanese villages: Arnoun, Yahmor, Zrarieh East, Zrarieh West.

“Hezbollah terrorist activities are forcing the IDF to act against it forcefully,” Adraee said. “The IDF does not intend to harm you or your families.”

“For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and head north of Nabatieh. Anyone present near Hezbollah elements, their facilities, and their combat means is endangering their life,” he continued. “Any home used by Hezbollah for military purposes may be subject to targeting. Save your lives and evacuate your homes immediately.”

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07:45 – Israel assesses regime change in Iran will take time

Israeli officials assess that any significant change in Iran’s ruling regime will take time and will depend in part on future actions by Israel and the United States, according to a report aired on Kan News’ “This Morning” program on Reshet Bet.

The report also said Israeli officials believe that Iran’s missile fire toward Saudi Arabia could trigger further developments, including a possible response from Riyadh, potentially widening the regional confrontation.

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05:30 – Trump says not interested in negotiating with Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is not interested in negotiating with Iran, Reuters reports, indicating the Iran war would only end once there is no longer a functioning military or remaining leadership.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Trump said the U.S.-Israeli air campaign could make negotiations a moot point.

“At some point, I don’t think there will be anybody left maybe to say ‘We surrender,'” Trump said.

 

05:00 – IRGC says it can wage war for 6 months against U.S. and Israel

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini told the Fars News Agency that the organization can wage “at least six months of intense war” against Israel and the United States at the current pace of operations. He claimed that the IRGC has attacked over 200 American and Israeli targets in the region in the conflict so far.

 

04:50 – Firefighters working to control fire at Kuwait International Airport

Firefighters were combating fires on Sunday morning at fuel tanks in Kuwait International Airport as well as at a government high-rise building in Kuwait City, the Associated Press reports.

The fuel tanks at the airport were hit in a drone attack, the Kuwait’s Defense Ministry said.

A government building in the capital was also hit by a drone, authorities said.

 

03:35 – IDF says it struck Quds Force commanders in Beirut

The IDF struck “key commanders in the Quds Force’s Lebanon Corps of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who were operating in Beirut,” the military said regarding the strike on the hotel in Beirut.

“Commanders of the Quds Force’s Lebanon Corps operated to advance terror plots against the State of Israel and its citizens in Lebanese territory, in parallel with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ activities in Iran,” the IDF stated.

“The Iranian terror regime operates systematically in the heart of civilian populations in Iran and Lebanon, cynically exploiting the residents and using them as human shields to advance terror objectives.”

The military said that the Lebanon Corps serves as a liaison between Hezbollah and the Iranian regime.

 

03:15 – Qatar reports 12 missiles fired on its territory in past 24 hours

Qatar’s Ministry of Defense said that over the past 24 hours, 12 ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles were fired at its territory. It reported that eight of the missiles were intercepted, while the rest exploded in open areas.

 

03:08 – 1 killed in drone strikes on Irbil airport in Kurdish Iraq

A security officer was killed, and one other person was injured in a drone strike that targeted Irbil International Airport in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, the Associated Press reports.

Loud explosions were heard by AP journalists in Irbil, while smoke was seen rising from inside the airport. Authorities reported several drone or missile interceptions over the facility.

The incident is the latest in a series of drone and missile strikes linked to Iranian-backed Iraqi militias targeting Kurdish and U.S. forces in the region.

 

02:40 – Kuwait reports drone attack on fuel tanks at international airport

Drones struck fuel storage tanks at Kuwait International Airport. Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense said it responded early on Sunday to a wave of drones entering its airspace, including a direct attack on fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport.

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01:25 – Trump discusses possibility of U.S. ground forces in Iran

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday that U.S. ground troops are possible — but only “for a very good reason.”

“If we ever did that, they [the Iranians] would be so decimated that they wouldn’t be able to fight on the ground level,” he said.

Asked whether troops might go in to secure nuclear material, Trump didn’t rule out the possibility.

“At some point maybe we will,” Trump replied. “We haven’t gone after it. We wouldn’t do it now. Maybe we will do it later.”

 

00:35 – Iran claims that “American soldiers were taken prisoner,” the U.S. denied

The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, claimed on ? that Iran had taken several U.S. soldiers prisoner, saying “the Americans claim that they have been killed.”

“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,” Larijani wrote in English to his ? account.

United States Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesman, denied the claim in a statement. “The Iranian regime is doing everything it can to peddle lies and deceive. This is yet another clear example,” Hawkins said.

 

00:20 – Saudi Arabia reports destruction of 8 UAVs entering its airspace

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense announced that it had intercepted and destroyed 8 UAVs that entered its airspace.

 

00:05 – IDF confirms strike on fuel depots used by Iranian military in Tehran

The IDF confirmed that Israeli forces struck fuel depots in Tehran used by the Iranian regime’s military forces.

According to the military, the targets were part of infrastructure supporting Iran’s armed forces and operational capabilities.

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