Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran’s attacks on US targets in the Middle East are a response to what he described as a war imposed on Iran. In an interview with NBC, he said Iran did not choose the conflict and is acting in self-defense, according to Al Jazeera.

Araghchi characterized the ongoing conflict as unprepared, irrational, and illegal, asserting that it was forced upon Iran by the United States and Israel. He explained that Iran’s retaliatory military actions have targeted US bases, installations, and assets in the region, even when those are located within neighboring countries’ territories.

The report also mentioned related developments in the region, including casualties in Saudi Arabia and statements from Oman condemning attacks on Iran as unethical and illegal.

China has issued a warning against any attempt to change Iran’s government amid ongoing US-Israeli attacks. Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of an annual meeting in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that any plan for a “color revolution” or regime change in Iran would not gain public support. He called for an immediate end to military operations in the Middle East to prevent further escalation and regional spillover.

Wang emphasized respect for the sovereignty of all nations, stating that force cannot provide solutions and that armed conflict only fuels hatred and new crises. He urged all parties to return to dialogue to resolve differences and ensure collective security. China, he said, is ready to work with regional countries to restore order and peace in the Middle East.

According to a classified US National Intelligence Council report cited by The Washington Post, large-scale US military strikes are unlikely to topple Iran’s political or religious power structure, undermining claims by President Donald Trump that he could replace Iran’s leadership with his preferred successor.

Lebanon’s armed group Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on Israeli military installations and several northern cities, including a strike on the Haifa naval base. The group announced the operations on March 8, 2026, stating that they targeted Israel’s Misgav base with rockets, describing it as a logistics facility. Hezbollah said the attacks were carried out in response to Israeli strikes on various Lebanese areas, particularly in Beirut’s southern suburbs.

In a separate statement, Hezbollah said its fighters launched advanced missiles at the Haifa naval base, marking the second such claim in two days. The group also reported two drone attacks on the northern Israeli city of Nahariya, which it described as part of a previously issued warning to the city.

The statements highlight the continued escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, with both sides trading attacks across the border. No independent confirmation of the claimed strikes or their impact was provided in the source.

Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani has warned U.S. President Donald Trump that the ongoing tensions in the Middle East could have dangerous consequences for international peace and security. According to Qatar’s state news agency, the two leaders held a telephone conversation on Saturday, March 7, to discuss the current regional situation.

Reports from Qatari and Saudi media said the discussion took place amid continued Iranian attacks in Qatar and other Gulf countries. During the call, the Emir emphasized the importance of controlling the crisis and intensifying diplomatic efforts to halt the conflict. He cautioned that prolonged tensions could threaten global stability.

Both leaders agreed on the need for joint initiatives to maintain regional and international stability. They also expressed support for political solutions aimed at reducing tensions and preventing further conflict.

The Israeli military reported that two of its soldiers were killed in Lebanon, according to a statement released on March 8, 2026. One of the deceased was identified as 38-year-old Maher Khattar, a resident of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and a member of the Combat Engineering Corps. The army did not disclose details about how Khattar or the second soldier were killed, and no further information about the second victim was made public.

The incident occurred as fighting continued along the Israel-Lebanon border amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah following a joint U.S.-Israeli strike in Iran. The Israeli Defense Forces have not provided additional operational details regarding the circumstances of the deaths or the ongoing clashes.

The continued hostilities underscore the fragile security situation along the border, with no indication from the source of any immediate de-escalation or ceasefire efforts.

Iran launched attacks targeting several Israeli cities in response to joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, according to Al Jazeera. Israeli rescue teams reported that three people were injured in the incidents, with one in critical condition. The attacks occurred on March 8, 2026, though the exact locations and circumstances were not disclosed.

Rescue officials stated that a 40-year-old man was critically wounded, a 25-year-old sustained moderate injuries, and a 56-year-old suffered minor wounds. All three were reportedly hurt by shrapnel from explosions caused by bombs, shells, mines, or grenades. No further details about the sites or the broader situation were available.

The report highlights the continuing cycle of retaliatory strikes between Iran and Israel, with civilian injuries underscoring the growing risks in the region.

The United Arab Emirates has activated its air defense systems to intercept missiles and drones launched from Iran, according to a statement from the UAE Ministry of Defense cited by Al Jazeera. The ministry said in a post on social media platform X that the explosions recently heard were the result of the defense systems intercepting incoming threats.

The report noted that Iran has been launching missiles and drones toward several Gulf countries as regional tensions continue to escalate. In response, these countries, including the UAE, have activated their air defense systems to counter potential attacks.

The situation underscores growing instability in the Gulf region, with multiple states taking precautionary defense measures as cross-border hostilities intensify.

Ongoing conflict in the Middle East has caused severe disruption to international air travel, leaving thousands of Muslim pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia. Many flights have been canceled due to unsafe airspace, creating uncertainty and distress among travelers trying to return home. Some have been forced to cancel their planned Umrah trips altogether.

Indonesian and Malaysian citizens are among the hardest hit. Indonesia’s Deputy Minister for Hajj and Umrah Affairs, Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak, said about 58,860 Indonesian pilgrims remain stranded, facing high accommodation and transport costs. The Indonesian government is negotiating with Saudi authorities and airlines to reduce hotel and ticket expenses and has asked around 60,000 more citizens to postpone their Umrah trips until April. Malaysia’s Consul General in Jeddah, Mohamad Zuraif Raja Abdul Kadir, reported that 1,600 Malaysians are stranded, with a 24-hour operations room set up to assist them.

The crisis has become both a humanitarian and logistical challenge, with pilgrims expressing financial and emotional strain. The war’s impact on the region’s air routes has also disrupted global connectivity and raised concerns over upcoming Hajj travel.

Italy has evacuated 20,000 of its citizens from the Middle East following the outbreak of war in the region, according to Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, as reported by Al Jazeera. The minister stated that the Gulf Task Force, comprising 200 officers, worked continuously to assist Italian nationals stranded in the Gulf area.

Tajani credited the coordinated efforts of the task force for enabling the safe return of Italians from various parts of the Middle East. The evacuation operation was part of Italy’s broader response to ensure the safety of its citizens amid escalating conflict conditions.

Evacuation efforts for foreign nationals from several Middle Eastern countries remain ongoing due to the continuing war situation, the report added.

Khalid Al-Jaber, Executive Director of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs in Doha, told Al Jazeera that Iranian officials have sent several conflicting messages to countries in the region. Referring to the attack on Bahrain’s water purification facility, he said it remains unclear which statements are true and expressed doubt that Iran would refrain from targeting Gulf infrastructure during wartime.

Al-Jaber noted that since the attack on Ayatollah Khamenei, there appears to be no clear institution or leadership in Iran with whom regional actors can communicate, making it difficult to understand Tehran’s current stance. He added that Iran’s recent actions have not benefited the country or the region, instead fueling frustration and damaging the economy.

He further stated that the current tension involves not only the United States and Israel but also parts of Europe, as all parties seek to protect their interests. While China and Russia appear to be signaling a desire to de-escalate, Al-Jaber said no one knows how to bring the situation under control.

At least three Palestinians were killed by Israeli settlers in separate attacks across the occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian news agency Wafa. Two men, Fare Jawdat Hamayel, 57, and Thaer Farouq Hamayel, 24, were shot dead in Khirbet Abu Falah, northeast of Ramallah, while a third, Muhammad Hassan Murrah, 55, died from tear gas inhalation after Israeli soldiers fired canisters during the incident. Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh condemned the attack, saying three were killed and seven others injured. The Israeli military confirmed reports of fatalities and said it was investigating.

Wafa later reported that 27-year-old Amir Muhammad Shanaran was killed by settlers in Masafer Yatta, south of Hebron, on Saturday night. The Palestinian Health Ministry and local officials said settlers had entered homes and attacked residents in the area. The Israeli military said soldiers and police were dispatched following reports of a violent confrontation.

According to Wafa, at least eight Palestinians have been killed by settlers in the West Bank since the start of the US-Israeli assault on Iran a week ago, amid escalating violence across the region.

Israel’s February 2026 assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, hailed domestically as a Mossad triumph, was in fact a joint US-Israeli operation, according to multiple analysts cited by Al Jazeera. The mission, which also killed senior Iranian military figures, depended heavily on CIA surveillance, US drones, and American missile and bomber support. Similar US-backed coordination was seen in earlier strikes against Hezbollah and Hamas leaders in 2024 and 2025. Experts from the International Institute for Strategic Studies said the CIA provided real-time intelligence that enabled the precision attack.

Analyst Mamoun Abu Amer described the operations as evidence of Israel’s dependence on Washington rather than proof of Mossad’s autonomy. He said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used the strikes to claim political victory by drawing the US into direct confrontation with Iran. Abu Amer also noted that Mossad’s success often stems from exploiting local collaborators and sociopolitical fractures within Iran and Lebanon, rather than purely technological superiority.

The report added that the joint strikes triggered environmental and humanitarian crises in Tehran and surrounding areas. Experts warned that despite their tactical success, these assassinations have failed to secure long-term stability, leaving the region mired in renewed conflict.

Switzerland has condemned the joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran, calling them a breach of international law. Swiss Defense Minister Martin Pfister said in an interview published Sunday by the newspaper Sonntags Zeitung that the Swiss Federal Council considers the attacks on Iran to be contrary to international law. He stated that, in Switzerland’s view, the strikes represent a violation of the prohibition on the use of force.

Pfister urged all parties involved to cease hostilities and protect civilians. He clarified that his remarks were directed at countries disregarding the ban on violence, explicitly naming the United States and Israel. According to him, both nations carried out airstrikes on Iran, prompting retaliatory actions by Tehran.

The statement follows widespread regional unrest after the US-Israel assault, which has drawn condemnation from several countries. Switzerland’s position adds another European voice opposing the escalation of violence in the Middle East.

Explosions were reported in Tel Aviv on March 8, 2026, following an Iranian missile strike on Israel. Smoke was seen rising from one location in the city after the Israeli military had earlier warned of a new wave of missiles launched from Iran. The military stated that its defense systems were operating to counter the threat, and air raid sirens were heard across several Israeli cities.

This was the second round of missile attacks on Israel that day. About an hour before the explosions, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had announced plans to target Beersheba and Tel Aviv. Israel’s emergency medical service later confirmed that three people were injured by metal fragments resulting from the attacks, though it did not specify the exact area where the incident occurred.

The situation underscored escalating hostilities between Iran and Israel, with both sides exchanging missile fire and warnings throughout the day, according to the report sourced from the BBC.

Israeli airstrikes on fuel depots in Tehran have caused widespread fires after leaked fuel entered the city’s sewage system, creating what residents described as a “river of fire.” Videos circulating on social media showed flames running through drainage channels along major roads. Iran’s Oil Ministry confirmed that three fuel depots, including one in Karaj city in Alborz province west of Tehran, were hit in the attacks.

Following the explosions, the Iranian Red Crescent Society issued an emergency warning over possible toxic rainfall caused by airborne chemicals released from the blasts. The agency advised residents to stay indoors during rain, avoid sheltering under trees, and wash any exposed skin with cold water if contact occurs. It also instructed people to seal contaminated clothing in bags to prevent further exposure.

In response to fuel supply disruptions, Tehran’s governor reduced the daily fuel quota from 30 to 20 liters per personal card but assured citizens that the restriction would last only a few days until the situation stabilizes.