By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
In a joint US-Israeli operation, the Israel Defense Forces announced on Sunday, March 8, 2026, that the Israeli Air Force has completed a massive wave of strikes against military infrastructure across western and central Iran. The operation targeted more than 400 sites as part of an ongoing campaign to neutralize immediate threats to Israeli territory.
Military officials stated that the IAF dropped “numerous munitions” during the recent sorties. These strikes specifically focused on “ballistic missile launchers and additional weapons production sites” to degrade the Iranian regime’s offensive capabilities. The military confirmed it successfully struck the Shahr Rey, Shahran, and Nobonyad oil depots, while also destroying 16 cargo aircraft at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport.
The escalation comes as part of Operation Roaring Lion, a large-scale military offensive launched in late February alongside U.S.-led operations. The IDF confirmed that “since the beginning of Operation Roaring Lion, the IAF carried out ~190 strike sorties.” These missions have systematically hit a wide array of high-value assets, including approximately 50 ammunition bunkers and the IRGC aerospace force headquarters in Tehran.
The humanitarian toll continues to mount. Human rights monitors report that at least 1,205 civilians have been killed in Iran since the conflict began. In Tehran, residents describe a “suffocating” environment as smoke from burning fuel depots saturates the air, causing “oily rainfall” across the capital. The Iranian Red Crescent has warned the public to avoid this toxic precipitation as black smoke smothers large portions of the city.
Tehran has condemned the incursions as a violation of national sovereignty and a provocation that threatens regional stability. While Iranian state media reported that several incoming projectiles were intercepted by domestic air defense systems, officials in the capital warned of a proportionate response. The IRGC claimed that 60% of its
current offensive firepower is now directed at United States interests and bases throughout the region.
This regional volatility has prompted a global exodus. Thousands of foreign nationals from the U.S., U.K., and Europe have been evacuated via repatriation flights from hubs like Dubai and Muscat. The conflict is also being felt at the pump, with U.S. gas prices surging to a national average of $3.45 per gallon. White House officials have characterized the economic spike as a “short-term disruption for long-term gain.”
According to a military spokesperson, the air campaign is “targeting launchers, air defense systems, weapons storage facilities and more.” The objective remains the removal of existential threats and the disruption of Iranian missile production processes. However, the conflict faces growing domestic scrutiny in Washington, where some lawmakers have signaled they may block further Pentagon funding.
Strategic analysts noted that the intensity of the strikes suggests a significant shift in the regional security landscape. The Iranian Assembly of Experts announced on Sunday that a successor to the late Supreme Leader has been officially selected, with a formal name expected shortly. Israeli officials have issued a stern warning that they will continue to pursue any individual appointed to the position.
As the conflict enters this high-stakes phase, the international community has intensified calls for a cessation of hostilities. UN Secretary-General António Guterres and heads of global agencies have condemned the military escalation, warning that the “roar of the bombs” risks a regional war with “unimaginable” consequences for global stability. While world powers remain deeply divided, with some providing defensive support and others calling the strikes a violation of international law, the focus of global diplomacy has shifted toward opening a space for dialogue to prevent a further humanitarian catastrophe.
