Iran war day 9: Strikes widen across Iran, Gulf region

The United States and Israel's war on Iran entered its ninth day today (8 March), with fighting expanding to energy infrastructure and several countries in the Persian Gulf reporting fresh security incidents.

According to CNN, Israel has begun targeting oil storage sites in Iran, while drone and missile activity has been reported across parts of the Gulf region.

Here are the key developments:

Oil facilities targeted in Iran

Israel has begun striking oil storage sites in Iran as part of what Israeli sources described as the next phase of the war.

The Israeli military said it hit fuel distribution sites in the capital Tehran on Saturday evening. The facilities supply fuel to various consumers, including military entities in Iran.

Israel claims control of Iranian skies

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel and the US have achieved "almost complete control" over Iranian airspace.

In a recorded statement, Netanyahu said there are "many more targets and surprises prepared," signalling that further operations could follow.

Drone and missile attacks reported in Gulf states

Several countries across the Persian Gulf reported airstrikes and interceptions heading into early Sunday morning.

The incidents come despite Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologising to Gulf nations for attacks during the past week that targeted US bases in the region. He said Iran would stop striking neighbouring states unless Iran itself came under attack.

However, drone and missile activity was still reported across the region overnight.

Signals of division within Iran's leadership

Conflicting statements from Iranian officials have raised questions about possible divisions within the leadership following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Reports suggest Tehran could select a new supreme leader within the next 24 hours. Khamenei had led Iran for nearly four decades before his assassination in the opening phase of the war.

While Pezeshkian suggested easing attacks on neighbouring countries, his office later clarified that Iran would continue targeting US assets in the region.

Iran criticises US strategy

Iranian political figure Ali Larijani said the United States had miscalculated in launching the war.

Speaking on Iranian state television, he said Washington believed it could replicate the Venezuela model in Iran but had instead become "stuck in the quagmire of its own miscalculations."

He said US strikes had failed to achieve their objectives.

Israeli strikes reported in Lebanon

Violence has also spread to Lebanon.

Lebanese authorities said dozens of people were killed during an Israeli commando raid near the border while searching for the remains of a long-missing airman.

Separately, Lebanon's health ministry said at least four people were killed and 10 wounded after an Israeli strike hit a hotel in central Beirut early Sunday.

Israel's military said the strike targeted commanders linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force.

Security incidents across the wider region

Military activity was reported across several countries in the region.

The Kuwaiti army said a wave of hostile drones targeted fuel storage at Kuwait International Airport. Saudi Arabia also reported drone attacks.

Buildings around Dubai Marina were evacuated after debris from intercepted projectiles damaged the facade of a high-rise building.

In northern Iraq, security sources said two explosive drones were shot down over the Kurdish city of Erbil late on Saturday night.

Trump raises possibility of US ground troops

US President Donald Trump said American ground forces could "possibly" be sent to Iran, but only if there were a "very good reason."

Trump also said the United States does not want Iranian Kurdish groups involved in the conflict, stating Washington does not want to make the war more complex.

The president also blamed Tehran for a strike on an Iranian elementary school that killed at least 168 children and 14 teachers, although analysis by CNN and experts suggested the US military was likely responsible.