March 8, 2026 marked the ninth day of the escalating military conflict between the Iranian regime, Israel, and the United States. On the eighth day of the war, 80 Israeli fighter jets carried out massive overnight bombardments targeting military sites across Tehran.

While the regime’s President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an apology to neighboring countries regarding missile strikes originating from Iran, other regime entities and officials quickly contradicted his statements. US President Donald Trump warned of “complete destruction” if the regime did not alter its behavior. Concurrently, the regime has been grappling with a severe internal power vacuum following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, prompting emergency meetings of the Assembly of Experts.

Roundup of today’s key events

New regime leader reportedly selected: Members of the Assembly of Experts claim a successor to Ali Khamenei has been chosen, though the regime’s foreign minister publicly contradicted this, stating no one knows the successor yet.

Oil facilities bombarded: Israeli airstrikes hit multiple fuel storage and distribution sites in Tehran and Alborz provinces, causing blackened skies, “oil rain,” and leaving four dead.

Gulf nations targeted: The regime launched fresh drone and missile attacks on Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE, resulting in structural damage and civilian casualties, including the first reported deaths in Saudi Arabia.

US warns Iranian civilians: US Central Command urged civilians to stay away from military launch sites in densely populated cities like Dezful, Isfahan, and Shiraz, which the regime is using as human shields.

Trump dismisses regime threats: US President Donald Trump brushed off threats from the Iranian regime, signaling that strikes will intensify.

Massive strikes on oil infrastructure and ‘black rain’ in Tehran

Over the weekend, Israel launched a fresh wave of attacks specifically targeting the Iranian regime’s energy resources. According to Vis Karami, the managing director of the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company, all distribution and transfer facilities in the Tehran and Alborz provinces were targeted and damaged, including sites in Shahran, Aghdasieh, and Fardis, Karaj. The state-run Student News Network (SNN) reported that four people were killed during the bombardment of the refineries and oil depots in Tehran and Alborz.

The heavy bombardment resulted in massive plumes of smoke visible from miles away, completely darkening the skies over the capital on Sunday morning, March 8. CNN correspondents in Tehran reported the phenomenon of “oil rain,” as blackened rainwater covered the city in soot.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified that the United States has “no plans” to target the regime’s oil or natural gas industries, noting that the strikes on local fuel depots were conducted solely by Israel.

Internal crisis and contradictory claims over leadership succession

Following the death of supreme leader Ali Khamenei, the regime’s internal factions are showing deep fragmentation over his succession. Ahmad Alamolhoda, the regime’s Friday prayer leader in Mashhad, stated that the election for the leadership has been completed and the new leader has been determined, adding that Hosseini Bushehri is responsible for making the public announcement. Heidari, another member of the Assembly of Experts, echoed this, telling state-run Khabar Online that the “most qualified option” has been chosen and that “the enemy has mentioned his name.”

However, the regime’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi contradicted these statements on Sunday. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet The Press,” Araghchi claimed “nobody knows” who the next supreme leader will be and dismissed the claims as rumors, stating the 88-member Assembly of Experts must still convene to vote. Araghchi also responded to US President Donald Trump, rejecting any interference or demands for unconditional surrender, claiming the regime will continue to act in “self-defense.”

Regime’s strikes on Gulf nations cause casualties and destruction

Despite Pezeshkian’s recent apologies, the Iranian regime continues to terrorize neighboring countries in the Persian Gulf. Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that 234 missiles and 422 drones have been detected since the outbreak of the conflict last week. Drone strikes caused fires at a government tower and Kuwait International Airport over the past 24 hours. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior reported casualties including a young girl, two military personnel, and two border guards.

Saudi Arabia reported its first deaths since the war began after a military projectile hit a residential compound in the Al-Kharj governorate, killing an Indian and a Bangladeshi national, and injuring 12 others.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates asserted its right to self-defense against “brutal and unjustified Iranian aggression.” The UAE’s Ministry of Defense reported intercepting a massive barrage over the past week, including 1,422 drones, 8 cruise missiles, and 238 ballistic missiles from Iran. In Bahrain, a drone attack damaged a desalination plant, and previous reports indicated a worker was killed by falling debris.

US military warns civilians as regime uses populated areas for attacks

As the war rages, US Central Command (CENTCOM) issued an urgent warning to the Iranian people, urging them to stay home and away from military installations. The US military accused the Iranian regime of knowingly putting its citizens at risk by using heavily populated civilian areas—specifically naming Dezful, Isfahan, and Shiraz—to launch attack drones and ballistic missiles.

CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper stated, “Iran’s terrorist regime is blatantly disregarding civilian lives.” US officials stressed that locations used for military purposes lose their protected status under international law and become legitimate military targets.

Regional fallout and regime’s defiant rhetoric

Regime President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed on Sunday, “We stand with power against those who attack our country, and we will respond with power,” adding that the enemy has “naive” misconceptions.

Internationally, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, calling for de-escalation “at any cost” to prevent further disruption to global trade and to restore a ceasefire. The human cost across the region continues to climb; the Lebanese Health Ministry reported today that nearly 400 people have been killed in Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah since the campaign began.

© Eurasia Review