Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has lashed out at the ongoing joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign, branding it an “Operation Epic Mistake” engineered by Israel and funded by American taxpayers. The statement comes as the conflict, which the U.S. has officially dubbed Operation Epic Fury, enters its eleventh day with no signs of a ceasefire.
The rhetoric from Tehran has intensified following the selection of Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader on March 8, succeeding his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the opening salvo of the war. Araghchi dismissed claims from the Trump administration that the strikes were a “preemptive” necessity, calling the narrative a “sheer lie” used to justify the invasion.
Despite the heavy bombardment of Iranian command centers and naval assets, Tehran remains defiant. High-ranking officials have warned of a total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz if the attacks continue. Meanwhile, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that the operation is successfully “breaking the bones” of the Iranian leadership, signaling that the offensive will continue until its objectives are met.
Live Updates Timeline
Six Ballistic Missiles Intercepted Over Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Ministry of Defense confirms that its air defense systems intercepted six ballistic missiles targeting the Prince Sultan Air Base. This follows a pattern of Iranian retaliation against regional neighbors suspected of hosting or supporting U.S. operations.
UAE Missile Interception
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense has just issued an emergency alert. Their air defense systems are currently engaging "incoming missile and drone threats" launched from Iranian territory. This marks a significant expansion of the evening's retaliatory wave.
Israel Issues Northern Alert
Following the sirens in Central Israel and Jerusalem, the IDF has now issued a fresh "Red Alert" for Northern Israel and Haifa. This follows reports of simultaneous rocket launches from southern Lebanon, suggesting a coordinated strike between Iran and its regional proxies.
U.S. Central Command released declassified thermal footage
U.S. Central Command has just released declassified thermal footage showing the precise moment 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels were neutralized in the Gulf of Oman. The footage confirms the vessels were actively maneuvering near international shipping lanes before they were struck.
U.S. forces eliminated multiple Iranian naval vessels, March 10, including 16 minelayers near the Strait of Hormuz. pic.twitter.com/371unKYiJs
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 10, 2026
Sirens in Central Israel
National alert systems have just been triggered across Tel Aviv and the central Gush Dan region. The IDF confirms that several long-range ballistic missiles were launched from western Iran in the last 10 minutes; interceptions are currently lighting up the night sky over central Israel.
Russian Consulate Damaged
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just confirmed that its consulate in Isfahan sustained structural damage during the latest round of aerial bombardments. Moscow has issued a "stern protest" but has yet to take military action in response.
Casualties Among U.S. Forces
The Pentagon disclosed today that approximately 140 U.S. service members have been wounded since the start of "Operation Epic Fury." While 90% of Iran’s missile launch capacity is reportedly degraded, retaliatory strikes continue, including a missile that struck a residential building in Manama, Bahrain, killing a 29-year-old woman.
Civilian Toll and Regional Alerts
The death toll in Iran has reportedly exceeded 1,300, according to local sources, following strikes in Tehran and Bandar Abbas. Simultaneously, the UAE issued a high-level alert early Wednesday (local time) after its air defence systems intercepted "incoming drone threats" launched from Iranian territory.
Strait of Hormuz Standoff
U.S. Central Command confirmed the destruction of 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels in the Gulf of Oman today. President Trump issued a stern warning, stating the U.S. would hit Iran "twenty times harder" if they successfully disrupted global energy shipments through the critical waterway.
U.S. Intensifies Air Campaign
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced that today marks the "most intense day of strikes" yet, with nearly 900 sorties flown in the last 24 hours. The Pentagon reports that while Iranian missile responses are "waning," the U.S. will maintain "unrelenting pressure" on remaining mobile launchers.