March 8, 2026
Iran's President Pezeshkian asserts the nation will not bow to foreign pressures, as tensions escalate with the US and Israel. Casualties rise amid ongoing strikes.
President Pezeshkian says Iran will not target neighbours unless attacked first
IRGC warns all US-Israel bases in region are ‘primary targets’ if hostilities continue
At least 41 killed in Israeli raids on Lebanon’s Nabi Chit; Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles and drones
Iranian missiles and drones strike northern Israel, Haifa hit with Kheibar Shekan guided missiles
Turkiye, Organisation of Turkic States call for de-escalation and regional stability
UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed assures nation is prepared, vows protection of all residents
TEHRAN/WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV: TEHRAN/WASHINGTON/TEL AVIV: As the war launched by the United States and Israel enters its second week, tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate with no signs of abating. US President Donald Trump has threatened “very hard” strikes on Iran, while Iran maintains it will never surrender to foreign pressures.
President Masoud Pezeshkian stressed that Iran will not target neighbouring countries unless attacks originate from there, rejecting Trump’s demand for “unconditional surrender” as Tehran continues drone and missile strikes on targets in Israel and the Gulf region.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that all US and Israeli military bases and interests in the region would be considered primary targets should attacks on Iran continue.
Casualties and regional strikes
At least 41 people have been killed in Israeli air and ground raids on the Lebanese town of Nabi Chit in the eastern Bekaa Valley. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles aimed at Prince Sultan airbase, as well as drones targeting the Shaybah oilfield.
المتحدث الرسمي لـ #وزارة_الدفاع: سقوط صاروخ باليستي في منطقة غير مأهولة أُطلق باتجاه قاعدة الأمير سلطان الجوية. pic.twitter.com/SbujnGQFHH — وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) March 7, 2026
President Pezeshkian confirmed that Iran’s interim leadership council had approved stopping strikes on neighbouring nations and issued apologies for any recent collateral effects. “Iran’s actions target US military bases, facilities, and installations, not neighbouring countries,” he clarified on X.
جمهوری اسلامی ایران بر حفظ و تداوم روابط دوستانه با دولت های منطقه بر مبنای حسن همجواری و احترام متقابل به حاکمیت ملی و تمامیت س
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