A report published on March 8, 2026, outlines the long history of United States involvement in regime change operations across multiple countries, from the Cold War to recent years. According to a 2019 study cited in the report, the US attempted 72 foreign interventions between 1947 and 1989, 64 of which were covert operations with a success rate of about 40 percent. Examples include the 1953 CIA-backed overthrow of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh and the 2011 NATO-led intervention in Libya that resulted in the death of Muammar Gaddafi.

The report also recounts US actions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Panama, Grenada, and the Dominican Republic, describing how each intervention aimed to reshape political systems in line with Washington’s interests. It notes that many of these countries remain unstable or divided long after the interventions.

Most recently, in January 2026, US President Donald Trump reportedly ordered the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, marking the latest in a series of American-led regime change efforts. The long-term consequences of this action remain undetermined.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for a drone and missile attack targeting Kuwait’s Al-Adiri air base. According to a report by Fars News Agency, the IRGC stated that the strike destroyed a U.S. helicopter maintenance center, fuel tanks, and a command center located at the base.

Kuwait’s armed forces earlier reported that the country’s air defense systems had responded to incoming missile and drone attacks. Fars News further reported that a large fire broke out at the base following the assault, producing thick black smoke visible from a distance.

The incident marks a significant escalation in regional tensions, though no independent confirmation of the reported damage or casualties was provided in the source.

US and Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes in Iran’s Isfahan province, targeting several factories and a horse-riding club, resulting in at least 11 deaths. The semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported that several others were injured in the attacks, which struck at least eight cities including Isfahan, Najafabad, Aran, Bidgol, Barkhar, Khomeini Shahr, Shahreza, Falavarjan, and Mobarakeh.

According to the Iranian Red Crescent, the strikes are part of an eight-day conflict during which nearly 7,000 facilities across Iran have been attacked, including schools and hospitals, leaving around 1,500 people dead. In response, Tehran has continued retaliatory strikes on Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv, reportedly using advanced hypersonic missiles and drones, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The escalation marks a severe intensification of hostilities between Iran and the US-Israel alliance, with widespread civilian and infrastructural damage reported across multiple provinces.

The United States and Israel are reportedly discussing the possibility of deploying special forces to seize Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, according to a report by Axios citing four sources familiar with the matter. The report states that former President Donald Trump’s war objective includes preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and capturing approximately 450 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent.

Axios further reported that the operation would likely take place in a later phase of the conflict, once Iran’s military loses its ability to maintain strong defensive positions. The report also recalled that in June, the United States and Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and infrastructure.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that Iran did not grant inspectors access to the bombed sites and that the agency found no evidence of a coordinated program to produce nuclear weapons.

Iran has launched a series of missile attacks across Israel, according to reports published on March 8, 2026. The Israeli military confirmed that it detected missiles fired from Tehran and is actively working to intercept them through its defense systems. Israel’s Home Front Command issued mobile alerts to residents in affected areas, urging them to act responsibly and follow safety instructions to protect their lives.

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesperson Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naini stated that Iran’s armed forces are capable of sustaining intense combat for at least six months at the current pace. This claim was reported by Iran’s semi-official news agency. The situation marks a sharp escalation in hostilities between the two countries, with both sides signaling readiness for prolonged confrontation.

The ongoing missile exchanges have raised concerns about regional stability, though the immediate impact and potential diplomatic responses remain unclear.

Italy has announced the deployment of a naval frigate to Cyprus following the island’s involvement in the ongoing Middle East conflict. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made the announcement on Saturday, stating that the move aims to ensure the security of the European Union’s borders. She described the deployment as an act of European solidarity but emphasized that Italy is not and does not wish to become a party to the conflict.

According to media reports, the missile-equipped frigate Federico Martinengo, carrying more than 160 crew members, departed from Taranto in southern Italy on Friday afternoon. Meloni also said that Italy, along with Britain, France, and Germany, is engaged in regular diplomatic discussions to prevent further escalation in the Middle East. She added that Italy is playing an active role in reducing tensions and providing air defense assistance in coordination with international allies.

Earlier, Meloni mentioned plans to send air defense support to Gulf countries affected by Iranian attacks carried out in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli strikes.

Human Rights Watch has called for an investigation into a deadly attack on a girls’ primary school in southern Iran that killed at least 160 people. The organization’s Digital Investigation Lab researcher, Sophia Jones, said those responsible for the unlawful assault should be held accountable, including through possible war crimes charges. She emphasized the need for a swift and comprehensive investigation, particularly if the attackers knew the school was occupied by children and teachers before noon.

According to the report, the February 28 attack occurred on the first day of a broader campaign involving hundreds of strikes across Iran by U.S. and Israeli forces. Al Jazeera’s investigation found that the school had been deliberately targeted, while The New York Times reported that the strike was likely carried out by the United States.

The call for accountability underscores growing international concern over civilian casualties in the escalating conflict, with rights groups demanding transparency and justice for the victims.

Russia launched extensive missile and drone attacks across Ukraine from Friday to Saturday, killing 12 people and injuring more than a dozen others, including children, according to AFP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia fired 29 missiles and 480 drones overnight, targeting the country’s energy sector and railway infrastructure. Residential areas and key facilities were also damaged, with Kharkiv suffering a deadly ballistic missile strike that destroyed a five-story building and killed at least 10 people.

Zelensky stated that Russia continues to attack residential zones and critical infrastructure, urging allied nations to provide faster and greater military assistance. In a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, he emphasized the need to swiftly implement the EU’s €90 billion aid package for Ukraine and new sanctions against Russia, which remain blocked by Hungary.

Moscow claimed its strikes targeted only military and energy facilities and denied hitting civilian areas. Meanwhile, Russian-installed authorities in occupied Kherson reported one death and four injuries from a Ukrainian drone strike.

The United Arab Emirates has activated its air defense systems in response to missile and drone threats originating from Iran. The UAE Ministry of Defense stated on Sunday that defense units are actively working to intercept potential attacks. Explosions heard in the air were attributed to the interception of incoming missiles and drones. The ministry assured citizens that all necessary measures have been taken to ensure national security and urged the public to remain calm and follow official instructions.

The ministry confirmed that the military and security agencies are on high alert to monitor the situation closely. The heightened vigilance comes amid growing regional tension in the Middle East, where security conditions around Iran have become increasingly complex in recent weeks.

Authorities reported no casualties so far and continue to observe developments closely as part of ongoing security measures.

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan declared that his country is prepared to confront any attacks. In a televised address on Saturday, he said the UAE is not an easy target, describing his nation as resilient. Al Nahyan also mentioned visiting hospitals to see those injured in Iranian attacks.

This was the first time the UAE leader publicly commented on the escalating conflict in the Middle East. He stated that the UAE is going through a period of war but will emerge stronger. Emphasizing national security, he affirmed that the country is ready to face threats to ensure the safety of all citizens.

The statement followed an apology from the Iranian president to Gulf nations for attacks on U.S. military bases, according to Al Jazeera.

Kuwait’s government reported that its air defense system recently detected and destroyed three ballistic missiles. The announcement came shortly before a drone attack struck Kuwait International Airport, setting fire to fuel tanks and the main building of the Public Institution for Social Security. Fire service teams are currently working to control and extinguish the fires at both locations.

According to a report by Qatar-based media outlet Al Jazeera, the incidents occurred on Sunday. The government’s statement did not specify the source of the missiles or the drones, but confirmed that emergency services were responding to the situation.

Authorities have not yet provided details on casualties or the extent of the damage, and investigations into the attacks are ongoing.

A US intelligence assessment has warned that even a large-scale ground military operation led by the United States may not succeed in toppling Iran’s current government. According to a Washington Post report, the evaluation by the US National Intelligence Council concluded that the likelihood of removing Iran’s ruling regime through such an offensive remains low.

The report also questioned earlier predictions from the Trump administration that a war could end within four to six weeks. Citing three sources familiar with the intelligence findings, the Washington Post said the assessment was prepared within a week of the joint US-Israeli attacks launched on February 28. It further noted that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the assault.

Additionally, the intelligence analysis found little chance that Iran’s fragmented opposition groups could seize power, describing that outcome as “unlikely.”

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that American forces are performing exceptionally well in the ongoing war against Iran. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Trump said the United States has destroyed Iran’s navy, air force, and missile capabilities, describing the progress as beyond imagination. He asserted that in just one week, U.S. forces achieved results no one could have expected.

Trump detailed that American strikes destroyed 44 Iranian ships and most of the country’s missiles, significantly reducing missile launches. He added that U.S. attacks also hit production areas where Iran manufactured large numbers of missiles, weakening its drone capabilities. According to Trump, all of Iran’s leadership has been eliminated.

When asked how long the war might continue, Trump responded that it would last “as long as necessary.” The remarks were reported by Al Jazeera and reflect the U.S. administration’s confidence in its military operations against Iran.

Iran has vowed to retaliate after Israel carried out severe attacks on its oil refinery and a water purification facility. The Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated on social media that the United States committed a serious crime by attacking a desalination plant on Qeshm Island, disrupting water supply to 30 villages. He warned that targeting Iran’s infrastructure is a dangerous move with grave consequences, asserting that the United States set this precedent, not Iran.

According to Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Tehran, Mohammad Vall, the attacks have caused widespread concern in Iran. He noted that when Iran speaks of setting a precedent, it may be considering a similar response. Tehran views Gulf countries as supporters and instigators of aggression against Iran, raising questions about whether Iran might target desalination facilities in the Gulf.

The report added that such an escalation could create a dangerous situation, as Gulf nations depend on desalination plants for about 90 percent of their water supply.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that the ongoing joint attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran 'should never have happened.' Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, he called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged all parties to return to the negotiating table.

Wang emphasized that the use of force will never resolve the current crisis, warning that 'a strong fist does not mean a strong argument' and that the world cannot revert to the law of the jungle. He also expressed his belief that there is no public support for regime change in Iran.

The remarks come amid escalating violence in the region, including reports of severe Israeli strikes in Tehran and Lebanon, as well as regional disruptions such as flight suspensions by Oman Air.