Iran has indicated its willingness to continue missile strikes against its adversaries “as long as necessary,” signaling a continued escalation in regional tensions. The statement, made by an Iranian minister to PBS News, similarly dismissed the possibility of negotiations with Washington “for the foreseeable future.”
The conflict, which began with U.S.-Israel strikes on Iranian military and government sites on February 28, has rapidly expanded to include attacks and counterattacks across the Middle East. According to reports, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was among those killed in the initial strikes in Tehran, and his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, has since been chosen as his successor.
Overnight, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted strikes in southern and eastern Lebanon, targeting areas associated with the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement, the Lebanese National News Agency reported. The strikes targeted villages in the regions of Tyre and Jezzine, as well as areas in the western Bekaa Valley.
Further escalating the regional impact, the United Arab Emirates was reportedly targeted by Iranian drones and missiles, according to the country’s Ministry of Defense. Simultaneously, Syria accused Hezbollah of firing artillery towards its territory, adding another layer to the complex conflict.
The Syrian army stated that artillery shells fired from Lebanese territory landed near the town of Serghaya, west of Damascus, targeting Syrian army positions. Reports also indicate increased Hezbollah reinforcements along the Syrian-Lebanese border.
The conflict’s impact extended to global markets on March 10, 2026, as oil prices plummeted approximately 7% following statements by President Donald Trump suggesting the war with Iran was “virtually” over. This development spurred a rebound in Asian stock markets, including Tokyo and Seoul, despite ongoing volatility related to the conflict and the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asserted that it would “decide the conclude of the war,” responding to Trump’s claim that the conflict would soon conclude. A spokesperson for the IRGC stated, “The equation and the future status of the region are now in the hands of our armed forces. American forces will not end the war.”
Earlier reports indicated at least one fatality and multiple injuries in Bahrain following an Iranian attack. Trump stated an investigation was “underway” regarding a strike on an Iranian school that reportedly killed over 150 people, after initially attributing responsibility to Iran. He noted that the weapon used may have been a Tomahawk missile, sold to multiple countries, including Iran.
Israel announced it had launched a new wave of “large-scale” strikes against Tehran, marking the tenth day of the conflict in the Middle East. The IDF stated it was targeting “terrorist targets” in the Iranian capital.
The Turkish Defense Ministry reported that a second missile launched from Iran was intercepted by NATO in Turkish airspace, prompting the U.S. To urge its citizens residing in southeastern Turkey to depart the region. This follows a previous incident where an Iranian missile was intercepted over Turkey on March 9, 2026.
Australia announced plans to deploy a reconnaissance aircraft to the Gulf to protect civilians, while Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian proposed a “joint team” with Turkey to investigate alleged Iranian missile attacks on Turkish territory. The Iranian president stated a willingness to address “misunderstandings” regarding the alleged attacks.
