Conflict Enters Day Nine, U.S. Embassy in Iraq Attacked, Trump Claims 42 Iranian Vessels Sunk in Three Days

The military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran entered their 9th day on the 8th. The U.S. Embassy in Iraq was attacked by rockets on the 7th. Iran stated that the Supreme Leader election meeting would be held "within 24 hours." U.S. President Trump said on the 7th that the U.S. military had sunk 42 Iranian naval vessels in 3 days and had crippled Iran's communication systems.

This is the thick smoke produced by an explosion captured in Tehran, Iran, on March 6. Xinhua News Agency reporter Shadati photo

U.S. Embassy in Iraq Attacked

According to sources from the Iraqi Ministry of Interior on the 7th, the U.S. Embassy in Iraq was attacked by rockets that evening, prompting the embassy's air defense system to activate for interception.

The spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, Sabah Numan, stated on the 7th that Iraqi Prime Minister Sudani had ordered the military and security agencies to investigate the perpetrators of the rocket attack on the U.S. Embassy in Iraq that night and bring them to justice.

The statement said that attacks on diplomatic missions and embassies in Iraq are unacceptable under any circumstances, as such actions undermine national security and overall stability.

Xinhua News Agency reporters heard explosions in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, that evening. Sources from the Iraqi Ministry of Interior told reporters that the U.S. Embassy in Iraq was attacked by rockets that night, prompting the embassy's air defense system to activate for interception, with no reports of casualties at that time.

Iran's Supreme Leader Election Meeting to be Held "Within 24 Hours"

According to a statement released by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the 7th, a member of the Iranian Assembly of Experts stated that the meeting to elect the Supreme Leader of Iran would be held within the next 24 hours.

Assembly member Ayatollah Muzafari stated that the members of the Assembly are currently waiting for conditions to mature in order to prudently elect a new Supreme Leader.

Muzafari said that as of now, the meeting and election have not been publicly held, urging the public not to believe rumors.

The Assembly of Experts is the highest authority responsible for electing, supervising, and dismissing the Supreme Leader of Iran.

Iranian Official: Seeking New U.S. Targets for Strikes

An unnamed senior Iranian official stated in an interview with CNN on the 7th that Iran is seeking new U.S. targets for strikes in response to President Trump's earlier threat that "Iran will face extremely severe strikes."

The official indicated that Iran would carefully review U.S.-related forces and affiliated agencies that have not yet been included in the Iranian armed forces' target list, and if the U.S. takes "unwise" actions, Iran will respond accordingly.

On the 7th, Trump posted on social media that Iran "will face extremely severe strikes today," and "some areas and populations that were not originally considered as targets may now face total destruction and death."

Iran: Strikes on Two U.S.-Israeli Targets

According to a report by the Iranian Fars News Agency on the 7th, the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched "Castle Destroyer" missiles that hit the Haifa oil refinery in Israel in response to earlier attacks by U.S. and Israeli aircraft on Tehran's oil facilities.

On February 28, in Tel Aviv, Israel, the military launched air defense interceptors (long exposure photo). Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Junqing photo

The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated on the 7th that it had launched missiles to strike the U.S. military base at Juffair in Bahrain in response to the U.S. attack on Iran's Qeshm desalination plant.

Trump: 42 Iranian Vessels Sunk and Communications Crippled

U.S. President Trump stated on the 7th that the U.S. military had sunk 42 Iranian naval vessels in 3 days and had crippled Iran's communication systems.

Trump made the remarks at a meeting in Miami, attended by leaders from 12 countries in the Western Hemisphere, stating that U.S. actions in Iran were "very successful," with the military sinking 42 Iranian naval vessels and crippling Iran's communication systems within 3 days.

Trump also announced the establishment of a "brand new military alliance" aimed at completely eliminating the "drug cartels and terrorist networks" that plague the Western Hemisphere.

On March 2, people participated in a rally in Los Angeles, California, protesting the U.S. military strikes against Iran. Xinhua News Agency photo

Israeli Military: Strikes on Aircraft Transporting Weapons to Hezbollah

The Israel Defense Forces stated on the 7th that the Israeli Air Force conducted large-scale airstrikes on multiple military targets in Tehran, "precisely striking" 16 aircraft used by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force to transport weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The statement said that the Israeli military carried out the operation based on intelligence, targeting locations including Mehrabad Airport in Tehran and related military infrastructure.

The Israeli military stated that the airport was used by the Quds Force to provide weapons and funding to proxy armed groups in the Middle East, with aircraft carrying weapons and cash having flown from the airport to multiple destinations in the region on numerous occasions.

The statement said that the Israeli military would continue to strike military infrastructure within Iran.

This is the thick smoke produced by an explosion captured in Tehran, Iran, on March 6. Xinhua News Agency reporter Shadati photo

UAE Intercepts Drones and Missiles, 1 Dead

The department responsible for media affairs in Dubai, UAE, stated on social media on the 7th that debris from an aerial interception operation that evening fell onto a car in the Al Barsha area, resulting in the death of one driver.

The UAE Ministry of Defense stated on social media on the 7th that the sounds heard in some areas of the country were due to the air defense system intercepting ballistic missiles and fighter jets intercepting drones and cruise missiles.

Earlier that day, the UAE Ministry of Interior sent alerts to residents via mobile emergency alert systems, warning of a potential missile threat and urging the public to immediately seek shelter in the nearest safe buildings, away from windows, doors, and open areas, and to await further instructions.

UAE President Mohammed stated on the 7th on social media that the UAE always prioritizes national security and the protection of all citizens and visitors, and is fully prepared to respond to the current threats. (Reporters: Li Jun, Duan Minfu, Wen Xinnian, Xia Xiao, Zhao Danliang, Zhou Haojin, Shadati, Huang Qiang, Xu Jianmei, Feng Guorui, Chen Junqing, Pang Xinyi, Zhou Xiaotian)