The war got louder on Friday night. Israeli warplanes launched what Israel's military called a "broad-scale wave of strikes" on Tehran. AP reporters and local witnesses saw explosions and heavy smoke rising over the western part of the city. Homes shook. People ran for cover.
Witnesses also reported large explosions around Kermanshah, an Iranian city east of Iraq. Multiple missile bases are located there. They spoke without giving their names because they feared punishment.
Iran Strikes Back — Including Bahrain
Iran fired missiles and drones at Israel and at Gulf countries on Day 7 of the war. Air raid sirens went off in Bahrain — a small island kingdom in the Persian Gulf. It was the first time Iran targeted Bahrain since the war began.
In Israel, loud booms were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem just after midnight local time. Israel said it was working to shoot down incoming missiles from Iran. Five Israeli soldiers were wounded in fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israel's military said.
"The Biggest Bombing Is Still Coming"
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a TV interview that "the biggest bombing campaign" of the entire war had not happened yet. He said it was still ahead.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was asked about reports that Russia is feeding Iran intelligence to target US ships and aircraft. He said the US is "tracking everything" and factoring it into war plans. "The American people can rest assured," he said. He did not deny the reports.
The White House downplayed the Russia story. Spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said it is "clearly not making any difference" because the US is "completely decimating" Iran's forces.
Iran's Side
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian wrote on social media that "some countries" had begun reaching out as mediators, without naming them. He blamed the US and Israel for starting the conflict and said Iran would not stop defending itself.
A council in Iran began formal talks about how to pick a new supreme leader — the position left empty after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the opening strikes of the war, one week ago.
Iran's UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani condemned Trump's demand for "unconditional surrender," saying Iran "does not accept and will never allow any foreign power to interfere in its internal affairs."
Russia, Putin, and the Bigger Picture
Russian President Vladimir Putin called Iran's president Friday to offer his condolences over the killing of Khamenei. The Kremlin confirmed the call. Russia has not joined the war militarily, but two US officials separately told AP News and the Washington Post that Russia has provided Iran with intelligence that could help Tehran target American warships and aircraft. Both stories were confirmed by 2+ sources.
Ukraine's President Zelenskyy said US allies in the region — the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait — have asked Ukraine for help defending against Iran's Shahed drones. Ukraine has spent years learning how to shoot them down.
By the Numbers — Day 7
- Dead in Iran: 1,230+ (Iranian Red Crescent)
- Dead in Lebanon: 217+ (Lebanese Health Ministry)
- Dead in Israel: ~12
- US troops killed: 6 (all in Kuwait drone strike, March 1)
- Oil price: Above $90/barrel for first time in 2+ years
- Displaced in Lebanon: 95,000+
What Both Sides Said
US/Israel position: Trump posted on social media: "There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" He added that after surrender and "the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s)," the US and its allies will help rebuild Iran "bigger, better, and stronger than ever before."
Iran's position: Iran's UN ambassador said Trump's statement is unacceptable. Iran will choose its own leaders. Iran's president suggested mediators have made contact but gave no details.