US Drops "Penetrator" Bombs on Buried Iranian Missile Sites. Israel Starts "New Phase." Death Toll Hits 1,332.

The war over Iran escalated sharply overnight. The United States used powerful "penetrator" bombs to hit missile launchers buried deep underground. Israel launched what it called a "new phase" of attacks on Tehran. And Iran struck an oil tanker off the coast of Kuwait.

All of this happened on Day 7 of the US-Israel war against Iran, which began on Saturday, February 28.

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The US "Penetrator" Bombs — Confirmed by AP News + Al Jazeera

Early Friday morning, US B-2 stealth bombers dropped dozens of 2,000-pound bombs on underground targets inside Iran. These are called "penetrator" bombs. They are designed to punch through thick concrete and dirt before exploding — destroying bunkers and tunnels that regular bombs cannot reach.

Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), confirmed the strikes. He said US forces hit Iran's buried ballistic missile launchers — the sites where Iran stores and fires its long-range missiles.

Cooper also said the US struck "Iran's equivalent of Space Command." He said this weakens Iran's ability to track and target US forces.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described what comes next. "It's more fighter squadrons, it's more capabilities, it's more defensive capabilities," he said. "And it's more bomber pulses, more frequently."

The US military posted on social media that Iranian targets are "being decimated by US forces."

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Israel's "New Phase" in Tehran — Confirmed by AP News + Al Jazeera

Friday morning, the Israeli military said it had started a new round of strikes on Tehran. The Israeli military said it was targeting "regime infrastructure" — government buildings and facilities linked to Iran's leadership.

Massive explosions hit areas near Pasteur Street in central Tehran. That is where Iran's key government offices are located. Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and several family members were killed there in the first days of the war.

An Al Jazeera reporter in Tehran described the bombing as the heaviest seen since the war began. He said shockwaves from the explosions could be felt inside the Al Jazeera bureau. Thick smoke rose over the city. Fighter jets flew overhead.

Israel said its air force destroyed six Iranian missile launchers overnight before they could fire, and also took out "three advanced Iranian defence systems."

The Israeli military also issued an evacuation warning for residents near the Shokouhiyeh industrial area of Qom — giving people hours to leave before strikes.

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Civilians Hit in Tehran and Shiraz — Confirmed by Al Jazeera

Iranian officials said strikes hit places beyond military targets. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said an elementary school in Tehran's Niloufar Square was hit. He posted footage of destroyed classrooms. Residential buildings, car parks, and petrol stations were also struck, according to Al Jazeera's correspondent on the ground.

A military academy in Tehran was struck while an Iranian state TV journalist was reporting live nearby.

Attacks also hit the city of Shiraz. A local official said 20 people were killed and 30 more were injured in the Zibashahr district. Two paramedics were also killed in the city, according to Iranian state media.

Strikes were also reported in Qom, Isfahan, and Kermanshah — an area home to multiple missile bases.

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Iran Fires on Oil Tanker off Kuwait — Unconfirmed (1 Source: Al Jazeera)

Iran's military said it attacked a "US-owned" oil tanker off the coast of Kuwait. Iranian state radio reported the vessel was hit and caught fire. This was announced by Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters — Iran's main wartime military command.

This has not yet been confirmed by a second independent source. RealWar.News is marking it as unconfirmed.

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What Iran Said — Confirmed by Al Jazeera

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian posted on social media Friday. He said he is committed to peace, but Iran will defend itself. He said anyone trying to mediate the conflict should be talking to the US and Israel — not Iran.

"We are committed to lasting peace in the region yet we have no hesitation in defending our nation's dignity and sovereignty," he wrote.

Iran's military also said it plans to expand its attacks in the coming days. It did not say where or how.

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What Trump Said — Confirmed by AP News

President Trump dismissed Iranian statements about fighting back. He told NBC News: "It's a waste of time. They've lost everything. They've lost their navy. They've lost everything they can lose."

Trump ruled out sending US ground troops for now. He called it "a waste of time" at this point in the conflict.

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Death Toll (as of Friday, March 6 — 6:44 AM PST)

• 🇮🇷 Iran: 1,332+ killed total (Iranian Red Crescent, confirmed by Al Jazeera)
• 👦 Children: at least 181 killed (UNICEF, reported by Al Jazeera)
• 🇺🇸 US troops: 6 confirmed dead (as of last report)
• 🇮🇱 Israel: approximately 11 killed (as of last report)

Several schools have been hit in Iran since the war began. The first day of strikes killed at least 165 schoolgirls and staff in the southern city of Minab. That attack drew widespread international condemnation.

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War Cost: $3.7 Billion in First 100 Hours

A defense research group estimated this week that the US has spent $3.7 billion in the first 100 hours of the war. Most of that money is not in the current Pentagon budget. That means the military will need Congress to approve more spending soon, researchers said.

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What Happens Next

Both sides say they are escalating. The US has promised more bomber strikes, more frequently. Israel has announced a new phase of attacks. Iran says it will expand its counterattacks.

Diplomacy is at a standstill. Iran refuses to talk to the US. Iran's president says any peace effort must first stop US and Israeli bombing. The US has not called for a ceasefire.

The war is now in its seventh day with no sign of slowing down.

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