Daily brief about U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran: Day 10

CAIRO, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The Middle East is experiencing a major regional escalation on the 10th day of a widening conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States, as Tehran launched a new wave of attacks under the leadership of the new supreme leader and the total death toll in Israel climbed to 12.

Here's a quick overview of the latest developments and the impact of the retaliatory attacks on countries directly caught up in the regional crisis:

The United States

-- U.S. President Donald Trump told The New York Post on Monday that he is "nowhere near" sending ground troops to "safeguard" nuclear material at Iran's Isfahan nuclear facility, and "not happy" after Iran named the new supreme leader.

-- Trump told CBS News later on Monday that he believes the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is "very complete," claiming the U.S. military operation against Iran is "very far ahead of schedule."

-- The United States on Monday suspended consular services at its consulate in southern Türkiye and ordered non-emergency government personnel and their families to leave the post, citing safety concerns.

Israel

-- A missile attack from Iran killed a construction worker in Yehud, east of Tel Aviv, on Monday. A second person was killed later in an Iranian missile attack, bringing the total death toll from Iranian attacks in the country to 12.

-- The Israeli military said on Monday that warplanes began a new "wide-scale wave of strikes" on infrastructure across Tehran, Isfahan, and southern Iran.

-- Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin said on Monday that the military has killed about 1,900 Iranian soldiers and commanders since the start of the war.

-- The Israeli military said late Monday that it has begun a new "broad wave of strikes" in Tehran, targeting military targets.

Iran

-- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) on Monday launched the 32nd wave of Operation True Promise-4 against targets in the north and central parts of Israel using long-range ballistic Ghadr and Khorramshahr missiles.

The operation was codenamed "I hear and obey, Khamenei," referring to the election of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran's new supreme leader.

-- Iranians on Monday attended large gatherings across the country to pledge allegiance to Mojtaba Khamenei.

Bahrain

-- Bahrain's Public Prosecution on Monday sought the death penalty for individuals accused of spying for Iran during the Iranian attacks that the country has been experiencing since last week.

-- Statistics released by the Bahrain Defense Force on Monday showed air defense systems have intercepted and destroyed 102 missiles and 171 drones.

The United Arab Emirates

-- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) said on Monday that air defense systems destroyed 12 of 15 detected ballistic missiles and intercepted 17 of 18 drones. The attacks have resulted in four deaths and 117 minor injuries involving residents of multiple nationalities.

-- The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday strongly condemned an attempted Iranian ballistic missile attack targeting Türkiye, saying such actions represented a "dangerous escalation, a blatant violation of state sovereignty and a direct threat to regional security and stability."

-- The UAE's Ministry of Defense confirmed said two members of the armed forces were killed after a helicopter crashed due to a technical malfunction while carrying out duty in the country on Monday.

Saudi Arabia

-- Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the kingdom's firm condemnation of the Iranian attacks targeting the kingdom and several member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as several Arab, Islamic, and friendly countries.

Lebanon

-- One person was killed and 12 others injured in Israeli airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs on Monday.

-- The Lebanese Parliament voted on Monday to extend its mandate for two additional years, citing the impossibility of holding parliamentary elections amid the ongoing escalation between Hezbollah and Israel.

-- Lebanon's Hezbollah on Monday congratulated Iran on the election of Mojtaba Khamenei as the third leader of the Islamic Republic, praising late Ali Khamenei's "wise leadership" that preserved the course of the Islamic Revolution and strengthened the country's independence in the face of global powers.

-- Hezbollah continued on Monday its attacks against Israeli forces and positions, launching rockets at the Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona and the Za'if air defense base in Haifa.

-- Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health said on Monday that the death toll from Israeli attacks in Lebanon since March 2 has risen to 486, with 1,313 others injured.

-- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday called for direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel under international sponsorship as part of a new initiative aimed at ending the ongoing escalation.

Türkiye

-- Türkiye's Defense Ministry said on Monday that a missile launched from Iran was successfully intercepted over Türkiye's southeastern province of Gaziantep by NATO and missile defence assets deployed in the Eastern Mediterranean. There were no casualties or injuries.

-- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Türkiye is maintaining a high level of vigilance amid escalating regional tensions, warning that "provocative steps" could strain Ankara's relations with Tehran.

-- Türkiye's Foreign Ministry summoned Iran's ambassador on Monday over the issue of a ballistic missile fired from Iran toward Türkiye, the state-run TRT broadcaster reported.

Iraq

-- An Iraqi Interior Ministry source told Xinhua that three civilians were wounded early Monday after an unidentified drone fell into a house in southwestern Baghdad.

Egypt

-- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held phone calls on Monday with his counterparts from the UAE, Kuwait, Italy, Belgum and Luxembourg, urging coordinated regional and international efforts to prioritize political solutions, and to rely on dialogue and diplomacy to contain the situation. ■