Iran Claims Control of Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions with US
US Approves $151 Million Arms Sale to Israel as West Asia Conflict Intensifies
Mar 07, 2026The United States has approved a new 151-million-dollar arms sale to Israel as the escalating military conflict in West Asia entered its eighth day on Saturday. The region has witnessed a surge in airstrikes and drone attacks involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Tensions rose sharply after a joint US–Israel military strike on Iran on the 28th of last month reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with several senior military commanders. The attack triggered a strong retaliatory response from Tehran, further intensifying the conflict.
Fresh airstrikes were reported in Tehran in the early hours today. Videos circulating on social media showed a fire at Mehrabad International Airport following the strikes. Explosions were heard and smoke was seen rising from several parts of the Iranian capital shortly after the Israeli military announced a new wave of attacks.
Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani claimed that 1,332 Iranian civilians, including women and children, have been killed in US-Israeli airstrikes. He alleged that civilian infrastructure has been deliberately targeted and said Iran would continue to exercise its right to self-defence.
Meanwhile, the United States Central Command confirmed a significant escalation of its military campaign, stating that US forces have conducted over 3,000 strikes on targets inside Iran during the first week of an operation named Epic Fury.
US President Donald Trump ruled out any negotiations with Iran and called for its unconditional surrender. In a social media post, he said the United States and its allies would work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction and make it economically stronger.
Responding to the demand, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian said the call for unconditional surrender was unrealistic. He also apologised for Iran’s attacks on some regional countries, suggesting they may have been caused by miscommunication within military ranks.
In a related development, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with President Pezeshkian. According to the Kremlin, President Putin expressed condolences over the deaths of Iran’s supreme leader, senior officials, and civilians, and stressed the need for an immediate end to hostilities and a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact regarding the situation.
Most Recent
