A week into the U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran, the conflict spread across the Middle East with fresh airstrikes, missile and drone barrages, regional interceptions and mounting international concern.
Military strikes and exchanges
– Israel said it carried out a new wave of strikes, sending more than 80 fighter jets to hit Tehran and other western and central Iranian sites. Targets included Imam Hossein University — which Israel says trained Revolutionary Guard officers — ballistic missile storage facilities, an underground command center and multiple missile launch sites.
– Iran launched missile and drone salvos at Israel and U.S. positions across the region. Israel and Gulf partners reported repeated launches; Israel’s warning systems and missile defenses were active as the IDF reported intercept efforts.
– The U.S. Central Command said over the first seven days of Operation Epic Fury it had hit more than 3,000 targets and that 43 Iranian ships had been damaged or destroyed. CENTCOM posted video it said showed an Iranian drone carrier struck and ablaze; U.S. officials said operations have destroyed numerous Iranian naval vessels and a submarine.
– Israel said it had struck an underground bunker in Tehran used by Iranian leaders, and earlier said it had achieved “near-complete air superiority” over Iran, destroying more than 80% of its air defenses.
– Explosions were reported in Dubai and Bahrain; authorities said debris fell after interception of an Iranian missile strike and that no injuries were reported. Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait reported intercepting dozens or hundreds of missiles and drones in multiple waves, with varying numbers of weapons detected, intercepted and falling in territory or into the sea.
Casualties, displacement and humanitarian impact
– Iran’s health ministry reported more than 1,200 dead in Iran over the week of strikes. UNICEF said about 180 children have been killed across the fighting, warning of severe harm to children and essential civilian infrastructure.
– The Norwegian Refugee Council said Israeli strikes and evacuation orders in southern Lebanon displaced more than 300,000 people, with the potential figure exceeding one million if broader orders are carried out. Lebanon’s health ministry reported hundreds of deaths and injuries amid bombardment of southern Lebanon and suburbs of Beirut.
– The United Nations urged investigations into the legality of strikes and displacement orders in Lebanon and warned the situation could spiral beyond control. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomacy.
U.S. and allied operations, casualties and logistics
– The Trump administration said U.S. and Israeli strikes aim to degrade Iranian missile, drone and naval capabilities. President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have been in regular contact, according to Israeli officials.
– The White House announced President Trump will attend the dignified transfer for six U.S. service members killed abroad in the campaign.
– The U.S. State Department said it has “directly assisted” nearly 13,000 Americans in the Middle East and that almost 24,000 American citizens have returned to the U.S. since the war began. The State Department arranged charter flights and evacuations; a number of charter planes — including a jet associated with the New England Patriots aircraft management company — were used for evacuations paid for by the department.
– United Airlines canceled all flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai through at least March 21. Qatar partially reopened airspace for evacuation and cargo flights; some Gulf carriers operated at reduced capacity to move passengers.
Political messages, demands and diplomacy
– President Trump declared on social media and in interviews that there “will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER,” later clarifying in a phone interview that “unconditional surrender” might not require a formal Iranian declaration and could mean Iran is no longer able to fight. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt and other officials framed the end state as when U.S. objectives are met and Iran no longer poses a threat.
– Press officials and defense leaders stressed continued tracking of developments, including reports that Russia is providing intelligence to Iran on U.S. positions. Multiple sources, including a senior U.S. official, told CBS News that Russia had shared such intelligence; the Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and reaffirmed Russia’s stance favoring cessation of hostilities and diplomacy. Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said Russia was “in dialogue” with Iranian leaders and noted rising demand for Russian energy resources.
– Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed some countries had “begun mediation efforts,” though he did not identify them. Iranian officials and military commanders have signaled resistance to negotiation even as diplomatic channels and mediation reports surfaced.
Investigations, arrests and legal questions
– U.S. investigators are probing a deadly strike on a girls’ primary school in Iran last weekend; a source told CBS News investigators believe U.S. forces may have been responsible because U.S. forces were operating in the area while Israel was not. The investigation remains ongoing and no final conclusions have been released.
– Law enforcement in London arrested four men on suspicion of spying for Iran in connection with suspected surveillance of locations and individuals linked to the Jewish community; further arrests were reported related to the case.
Regional military and security developments
– Gulf states reported heavy interceptor use. The UAE said it detected and intercepted numerous ballistic missiles and more than a thousand drones since the attacks began, while Qatar reported intercepting drones targeting Al Udeid airbase. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted three Iranian drones east of Riyadh.
– NATO said it had bolstered alliance-wide ballistic missile defenses after a missile was intercepted that was launched toward Turkey; the alliance raised its missile defense posture in response to regional threats.
Economic effects
– Oil prices rose sharply: West Texas Intermediate traded near $90 per barrel and Brent near $92, the highest levels since April 2024, amid fears of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts warned of operational disruptions, refinery shutdowns and export constraints. Rising crude prices pushed up U.S. gas prices at the pump.
Domestic political reactions
– A group of Senate Democrats criticized President Trump for temporarily waiving sanctions to allow India easier access to Russian oil, arguing the move enriched Russia amid spikes in global energy prices and alleging it undercut efforts to punish Moscow.
– U.S. defense production and supply concerns were discussed at a White House meeting with major defense company CEOs; President Trump said contractors agreed to increase production of high-tier munitions and “exquisite class” weaponry.
Other notable developments
– Sri Lanka took custody of an Iranian vessel and brought hundreds of Iranian sailors ashore after a torpedo strike damaged another Iranian ship; the Sri Lankan president emphasized humanitarian values and nonalignment.
– Former Israeli military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin warned regime change in Iran through airstrikes alone is unlikely and that degrading Iran’s capabilities might buy limited quiet.
– Iranian public demonstrations continued in Tehran in shows of defiance; thousands marched after Friday prayers chanting against the U.S. and Israel.
– Humanitarian organizations urged protection for civilians. UNICEF and other agencies warned of mounting casualties among civilians and children and offered readiness to support humanitarian response.
What remains unclear
– The exact scope and impact of reported Russian intelligence sharing with Iran are being evaluated by U.S. officials. The succession and leadership dynamics in Iran remain in flux following the Feb. 28 killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei; Iran’s Assembly of Experts is charged with selecting his successor.
– Investigations into alleged strikes on civilian sites, including the girls’ school, are ongoing and no definitive attributions have been announced.
The situation remains highly fluid. World leaders, international organizations and regional governments continued calls for de-escalation even as military operations and counterstrikes persisted across the region.