2026 Iran Conflict — Live Updates
By Muhammad MubashirPublished On 09 Mar 2026
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced a first wave of missile and drone attacks against Israel in retaliation for the strikes, according to the Tasnim news agency.
Israel’s military said it had protectively sounded air raid sirens in areas across the country “to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward Israel” in retaliation.
“We have started an extensive military operation in Iran; we will destroy the threat from the cruel Iranian regime,” the US President said in a video statement.
[01: 10PM] Bahrain’s Babpco declares force majeure after refinery hit
Bapco Energies declared force majeure on its group operations on Monday following a recent attack on its refinery complex, the company said.
Earlier, we brought you initial reports of a fire at Bahrain’s main oil refinery.
Bapco said on Monday that all domestic market needs remain fully secured and supplies will continue without disruption, supported by proactive plans in place.
[12: 52PM] Saudi Aramco offers crude in rare tenders, traders say
Saudi Aramco has offered more than 2 million barrels of Saudi crude in rare tenders as the U.S.-Iran conflict disrupted exports from the Middle East, trade sources said.
The state company offered 2 million barrels of Arab Heavy crude for March loading in one of the tenders it issued last week. It also offered 650,000 barrels of Arab Light crude in a separate tender, the people said.
[10: 22 AM] US orders diplomats out of Saudi Arabia
The US State Department has ordered non-essential U.S. diplomats and U.S. government employee family members to leave Saudi Arabia due to safety risks.
The decision was announced on Sunday night from Washington.
The United States began to pull out non-essential staff from Gulf Arab countries last Monday, three days into the war.
The U.S. embassy in Riyadh last week was struck by Iranian drones that led to a fire that damaged the mission’s facilities.
[09 : 10 AM]: Two more US soldiers killed in Iran war, death toll rises to 8: CENTCOM
Two more US soldiers have been killed in the retaliatory strikes of Iran. Death toll has jumped to eight so far, confirmed US CENTCOM.
[ 08-10 AM ] Revolutionary Guards swear allegiance to new supreme leader
Iranian state media said the leadership of Iran’s armed forces had pledged allegiance to Mojtaba Khamenei.
The powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also said in a statement they are ready to follow the new supreme leader.
[03:50 A.M] Iran defies Trump, elevates Khamenei’s son Mojtaba as Supreme Leader
Iran’s clerical leadership appointed Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father, Ali Khamenei, a move regional officials say is a direct rebuke to U.S. President Donald Trump, who had declared the son “unacceptable”.
[10:50] At least 104 killed in US attack on Iranian warship last week
The Iranian army said on Sunday that at least 104 people were killed and 32 were wounded in an attack by the U.S. on an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka’s coast last week.
A U.S. submarine sank the frigate Dena in the Indian Ocean about 19 nautical miles off Sri Lanka’s southern port city of Galle on Wednesday, killing dozens of sailors and dramatically widening Washington’s pursuit of the Iranian navy.
[06:20] Iran’s Assembly of Experts moves toward selecting next supreme leader
The clerical body that will choose Iran’s next supreme leader, succeeding the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has more or less reached a majority consensus, Assembly of Experts member Ayatollah Mohammadmehdi Mirbaqeri said on Sunday.
The Mehr news agency quoted him as saying “some obstacles” still needed to be resolved regarding the process.
On Saturday, a senior cleric in the Assembly of Experts said its members would meet “within one day” to choose the leader.
[04:44 PM] At least 394, including 83 children, killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon: Health Ministry
We have an update from the Lebanese Health Ministry about the casualties in Israeli attacks on the country.
It said the number of people killed has risen to at least 394, including 83 children.
At least 1,130 others have been wounded, it added.
[04:42 PM] IRGC Aerospace Force to intensify offensive operations tonight
An informed official told Fars News that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force will significantly increase its operational capabilities starting tonight.
According to the official, the IRGC will boost the volume of its drone operations by up to 20% in order to “counter the savagery of Trump and the White House.”
Furthermore, the deployment of ultra-heavy and strategic missiles is set to double, marking a 100% increase in their use.
[03:45 PM] Iranian President Pezeshkian visits airstrike victims in hospitals
Iranian President Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian visited several hospitals today to meet with wounded victims of the recent US and Israeli airstrikes. Pezeshkian, who previously served as a combat physician during the Iran–Iraq War, was seen personally supervising the medical services and care being provided to the victims.
[03:38 PM] At least six killed in attack on oil depot in Iran’s Karaj city
The US-Israeli attack on the Fardis oil depot in the city of Karaj, Alborz province, has killed at least six people and injured 21 others. The Tasnim news agency, quoting a local security official, reported that the victims included residents of nearby houses.
[03:05 PM] Iran FM Araghchi saysTrump “killed” de-escalation efforts, warns of rising gas prices for Americans
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi strongly criticized US President Donald Trump for immediately “killing” President Masoud Pezeshkian’s recent offer of regional de-escalation.
In a statement on X, Araghchi warned that if the US seeks escalation, Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared to respond. He claimed that the ongoing US military “misadventure” has already cost $100 billion and warned that ordinary Americans will soon feel the financial impact at the gas pump.
Araghchi further accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of duping the US administration into fighting Israel’s wars, stating that an “Israel First” policy means “America Last.”
Concurrently, President Pezeshkian issued a defiant statement, declaring that enemies will “take the dream of Iran’s surrender to the grave.”
[02:52 PM] Double-tap missile attack kills over 20 in central Iran’s Najafabad
More than 20 people have been killed and 50 others injured in a US-Israeli double-tap missile attack in Iran’s central city of Najafabad, according to the Fars news agency.
An unnamed police officer reported that the second missile hit the exact same spot minutes after the first, striking just as rescue workers and local residents had gathered to assist the injured.
[02:24 PM] Photos: Protesters rally outside White House against US-Israeli attacks on Iran
[02:13 PM] Dark clouds and soot blanket Tehran following strikes on oil installations
Tehran is covered in dark clouds today following overnight US and Israeli strikes targeting nearby oil installations. The environmental fallout has left cars across the Iranian capital blackened by what is being described as “toxic particles and soot” raining down over the city.
[02:08 PM] China’s top diplomat condemns Middle East war, urges US to manage differences
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi strongly condemned the recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran, stating that the war “should never have happened” and warning that the “world cannot return to the law of the jungle.”
Speaking at the annual “Two Sessions” political gathering in Beijing, Wang specifically criticized the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Addressing broader geopolitical tensions, he urged the United States to manage existing differences and avoid destructive tariff barriers, which he likened to “trying to extinguish a fire with fuel.”
Furthermore, Wang reaffirmed Beijing’s “steadfast” relationship with Russia and invited European nations to turn away from protectionism and engage with the Chinese market as a global partner.
