Over 1,300 Dead, 100,000 Displaced as US-Israel Strikes and Iranian Retaliation Intensify
Trump Claims Iran’s Military “Decimated” as Missile and Drone Attacks Continue Across West Asia
By International Desk | March 8, 2026
Tehran / Washington / Tel Aviv: The conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel entered its second week Sunday with mounting civilian casualties, mass displacement, and escalating military operations across West Asia.
According to reports cited by Al Jazeera, more than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran, while around 100,000 civilians have been displaced since the hostilities began. Thousands of families have fled their homes amid continuing airstrikes and missile exchanges.
Humanitarian agencies say relief systems are struggling to cope with the surge in displaced civilians, with the UN refugee agency reporting a rapid increase in emergency assistance requests.
Israeli Airstrikes Target IRGC Infrastructure
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) carried out targeted strikes on several fuel storage complexes belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran.
Israeli officials said the facilities served as distribution hubs supplying fuel to Iranian military units.
The operation, guided by Israeli intelligence, was designed to further weaken Iran’s military infrastructure and reduce its operational capacity.
Iran Launches ‘Operation True Promise 4’
In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the launch of Operation True Promise 4, marking a new phase of missile and drone strikes against American and Israeli targets.
Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported that the operation includes coordinated attacks using ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial systems.
The IRGC said its Aerospace Division deployed newly developed Kheibar-Shekan solid-fuel missiles, capable of terminal guidance until impact, striking Israeli military targets near Haifa.
Iran also claimed to have launched drone strikes on locations housing American personnel and attacked facilities associated with the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, including installations at Salman Port.
Since the beginning of the conflict, Iran says it has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles and suicide drones, targeting cities including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva.
Trump: Iran’s Military ‘Almost Nonexistent’
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling to Miami, US President Donald Trump said US military operations had severely crippled Iran’s military power.
“We’re winning the war by a lot. We’ve decimated their whole evil empire,” Trump said.
According to Trump, US forces have destroyed:
- 44 Iranian naval vessels
- The country’s operational air force
- Most missile stockpiles
- Around 70 percent of rocket launchers
- Key missile manufacturing facilities
- A large portion of Iran’s drone capability
“We’ve wiped out their navy, every plane in their air force, and most of their missiles,” Trump said, adding that operations would likely continue “for a little while.”
School Bombing Allegations Denied
Trump rejected allegations that US forces were responsible for bombing an elementary girls’ school in Iran.
“No, I don’t believe so. Based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran,” he said, suggesting the incident resulted from the inaccuracy of Iranian weapons.
Diplomatic Door Still Open
Despite the escalating military campaign, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said a diplomatic resolution remains possible.
“I think a deal is still possible,” Witkoff said, noting that previous negotiations faltered when Iranian officials insisted on maintaining uranium enrichment rights.
“They told us they would not give diplomatically what we could not take militarily,” he said.
WAR TIMELINE
Feb 28:
Joint US–Israel strike on Iran reportedly kills Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military figures.
Mar 1–2:
Iran launches widespread ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US positions in the Gulf.
Mar 3–6:
Airstrikes intensify across Iran as regional tensions escalate.
Mar 7:
Iran announces Operation True Promise 4 targeting Israeli and US facilities.
Mar 8:
Israeli airstrikes hit IRGC fuel storage sites in Tehran; civilian death toll surpasses 1,300.
FACT BOX: THE IRAN CONFLICT
Civilian Death Toll:
1,300+ killed
Displaced Civilians:
100,000+
Major Military Actions:
- US-Israel strikes on Iranian leadership and military infrastructure
- Iranian missile and drone attacks across Israel and Gulf states
- Israeli airstrikes on IRGC fuel facilities in Tehran
Countries Directly Affected:
Iran, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan
GLOBAL CONCERN RISES
British Member of Parliament Tom Tugendhat warned that the escalating conflict threatens stability across the Gulf region.
“A lot of people are very concerned—not just about Iran, but about what’s happening in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar,” he said.
He also highlighted risks to expatriate populations and global energy markets.
“Resolving this challenge quickly is important not only for the global economy but for families and homes across the world,” Tugendhat said. (ANI)
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