Washington/Tel Aviv, 07 March (H.S.): The US-Israel alliance intensified its assault on Iran Saturday, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launching a broad-scale wave of strikes on government targets in Tehran, amid escalating retaliatory barrages from the Islamic Republic across the Gulf.

Explosions rocked the Iranian capital's western districts, as reported by state media, while Iranian missiles triggered air raid sirens in Tel Aviv, though no casualties were confirmed.

Conflict Ignites Over Khamenei's Demise

The war erupted on February 28 when US and Israeli forces executed coordinated strikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, aged 86, shattering his 36-year grip on power. Tehran responded with missile salvos at Israel and US bases in Gulf states, drawing in regional players and claiming over 1,300 civilian lives, according to Iran's UN ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani.

President Donald Trump, ruling out diplomacy, demanded Iran's unconditional surrender on Truth Social, vowing to install great and acceptable leaders before rebuilding the nation under the banner Make Iran Great Again.

Gulf States Under Siege

Saudi Arabia intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base—housing US personnel—and thwarted drone assaults on the Shaybah oil field near the UAE border. Qatar repelled nine of ten Iranian drones, with the tenth impacting an empty area, while Bahrain reported strikes on a hotel and residences in Manama, igniting fires but causing no deaths.

The UAE downed over 100 drones and nine missiles Friday, amid a death toll of three.

Economic Shockwaves and Global Ripples

US West Texas Intermediate crude surged over 10% to $89.62 per barrel, with Brent topping $91—its highest in nearly two years—fueled by Trump’s rhetoric and Hormuz Strait disruptions, where only nine commercial vessels transited since Monday.

Wall Street tumbled, the Dow dropping 1.8% amid weak jobs data.Russia has reportedly supplied Iran with real-time intelligence on US warships and aircraft, marking Moscow's indirect entry.

Israel expanded operations, assassinating Hezbollah commander Zaid Ali Jumaa in Beirut—dragging Lebanon into the fray—and claiming to crush Iran's regime. The US acknowledged striking over 3,000 targets in the first week, including command centers and naval assets. UN chief Antonio Guterres decried unlawful attacks, warning of uncontrollable escalation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar