★IRAN

1. Strikes Continue As Assembly Names Mojtaba Khamenei Supreme Leader

Iran’s Assembly of Experts selected Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in U.S.-Israeli strikes. Israeli forces continued airstrikes against Iranian military and infrastructure targets during the transition. Iranian forces simultaneously launched missile and drone attacks against Israel, U.S. bases, and regional states. Iranian military and political institutions issued rapid pledges of loyalty to Mojtaba Khamenei.

2. Iran Launches First Missile Wave Under New Supreme Leader

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the 30th wave of “Operation True Promise 4.” The attack used Khorramshahr, Fattah, and Kheibar missiles along with drones. Targets included Israel and U.S. bases in the region. Iranian officials described the strike as the first major operation conducted under Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.

3. Iranian Ships Depart Chinese Port Carrying Missile Fuel Chemical

Two sanctioned Iranian cargo vessels, the Shabdis and Barzin, departed the Chinese chemical export port of Gaolan in Zhuhai. Satellite imagery and ship tracking data indicate the vessels loaded sodium perchlorate. The chemical is a key ingredient used in solid ballistic missile fuel. The ships are reportedly bound for Iranian ports including Bandar Abbas or Chabahar.

4. Iran Claims Drone Strike On Tanker In Strait Of Hormuz

Iranian media and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said a drone struck the Malta-flagged chemical tanker Prima in or near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian outlets said the vessel ignored Iranian warnings about transit during the conflict. Maritime registries list Kyotonia Ltd. of Cyprus as the registered owner. The tanker is managed by ABC Maritime AG and linked to Seatrade Groningen.

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★UNITED STATES

5. Trump Says Iran’s New Leader Must Gain U.S. Approval

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran’s next supreme leader “is not going to last long” without approval from Washington. Trump said the United States must influence Iran’s future leadership. He argued this would prevent Tehran from rebuilding its nuclear weapons program.

6. Hegseth Says War With Iran “Not A Fair Fight”

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the United States and Israel hold overwhelming military superiority over Iran. He stated that “this is not a fair fight and that’s on purpose.” Hegseth said the campaign has only begun. He said Washington will set the terms of victory.

7. Seventh U.S. Service Member Dies From Earlier Iranian Attack

U.S. Central Command said a U.S. service member died from injuries sustained during Iran’s initial missile and drone attacks on American forces in Saudi Arabia on March 1. The death raises the number of U.S. troops killed in the conflict to seven. U.S. and Israeli operations against Iranian targets continue across the region.

8. U.S. Aircraft Deploy To British Air Base

Two U.S. Air Force C-17 transport aircraft landed at RAF Fairford in the United Kingdom. The flights followed the earlier arrival of a B-1 bomber. Reporting and flight tracking reviewed by The Guardian confirmed the aircraft movements. Britain granted permission for U.S. forces to use the base during operations against Iran.

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★GULF STATES

9. Iran Expands Missile And Drone Attacks Across Gulf

Iran launched missiles and drones toward several Gulf states including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar. Regional air defenses intercepted most projectiles. Debris damaged infrastructure in several locations. Civilians were injured in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia intercepted a drone near the Shaybah oil field.

10. UAE Receives Largest Share Of Iranian Drone Attacks

Reporting from Dubai indicated that more than 40 percent of Iranian drones in the regional campaign were aimed at the United Arab Emirates. The figure is roughly double the number directed toward Israel. The pattern suggests Iran may be prioritizing Gulf basing infrastructure and U.S.-linked facilities.

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★ISRAEL

11. Netanyahu Says Israel Still Holds “Many Surprises” For Iran

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel and the United States have achieved near total control of Iranian airspace. He said hundreds of Iranian military targets have been destroyed. Netanyahu warned Israeli forces still have “many surprises” prepared for Iran.

12. Israeli Strike Kills Iranian Quds Force Commanders In Beirut

Israeli forces struck a meeting in Beirut that included five senior Iranian Quds Force officers. Israeli officials said the commanders coordinated funding, intelligence, and operations between Iran and Hezbollah. Israel described the strike as part of a campaign targeting Iran’s regional command structure.

13. Israeli Helicopter Raid Targets Iran–Hezbollah Supply Corridor

Israeli forces launched a helicopter-borne operation near the Sargaya plain along the Syria–Lebanon border. About fifteen helicopters participated. Troops were inserted into a corridor linking Syria’s Qalamoun region with Hezbollah positions in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah fighters engaged the force with anti-aircraft weapons and small arms as Israeli aircraft conducted strikes during the clashes.

14. Iranian Missile Barrage Hits Central Israel

Israeli authorities reported ballistic missile impacts and interceptions across central Israel. Explosions were heard around Tel Aviv. Air raid sirens sounded across several cities. Emergency teams responded to debris and damage at residential sites. Rescue services reported injuries from missile fragments.

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★ Disclaimer: This publication is a digest of various news sources compiled by the Early Phoenix team and edited by Rania Kisar. The items are curated, concise summaries of news items hyperlinked within each story. The items and summaries presented do not necessarily represent the views of the American Center for Levant Studies.