Reactions and statements from the international community
On March 8, the building of the IRGC intelligence unit on 22 Bahman Street in Esfahan was targeted and completely collapsed, according to images received from local sources.
IRGC Advisor Brigadier General Sardar Ebrahim Jabbari stated that Iran is prepared for at least ten years of war with the United States.
Iran's Larijani stated that security in the Strait of Hormuz is unlikely due to the ongoing regional conflicts ignited by the United States and Israel, particularly given the involvement of parties that have contributed to the conflict's escalation.
Ismail Baghaei stated in a press conference that the Islamic Republic of Iran has not attacked Turkey, Azerbaijan, or Cyprus. This statement follows an announcement by the Republic of Azerbaijan that it had foiled plans by the IRGC for terrorist attacks in the country.
A strike hit a safe house affiliated with the Islamic Republic regime in Tehran's Majidiyeh-ye Jonubi neighborhood around Akbar'i Alley at 14:36. At least seven bodies were carried out from the building, and Basij forces removed computers and documents after the explosion.
On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced during a trip to Cyprus that France is preparing a "defensive mission" to keep the Strait of Hormuz open in the Persian Gulf, to be executed after the "hottest phase of the war" in the Middle East. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had previously declared the strait closed to Western oil tankers due to joint U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iranian soil.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated that Europe must address the current realities of the conflict with the Islamic Republic, noting differing views but stressing that "no tears should be shed for the Iranian regime." She added that many Iranians both inside and outside the country welcome the death of Ali Khamenei and期盼欧洲不再做旧世界秩序的守护者。为了符合规则，只提供英文摘要： Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated that Europe must address the current realities of the conflict with the Islamic Republic, noting differing views but stressing that "no tears should be shed for the Iranian regime." She added that many Iranians both inside and outside the country welcome the death of Ali Khamenei and hope Europe will no longer uphold the old world order.
On March 8, Reuters reported, citing two sources, that Saudi Aramco has reduced production from two of its oil fields following a 90 percent drop in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz due to the US-Israel war against Iran.
Airstrikes targeted the IRGC command headquarters and Shahid Montazeri Camp in Tehran, with approximately 20 bombs hitting the complex, striking a significant blow to Iran’s security infrastructure.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the brother of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, reportedly owns two luxury apartments in London’s Kensington, worth approximately $67 million, according to property records cited by the Daily Mail. Additionally, Bloomberg reports that Khamenei may control 11 more properties in Hampstead valued at about $270 million.
The Israeli army announced in a statement that it has targeted missile facilities, launchers, and suppression bases, including IRGC centers, Basij, and police stations, in Isfahan Province.
In a telephone interview with The Times of Israel, former U.S. President Donald Trump responded to the news of Mojtaba Khamenei's selection as the new leader of Iran by saying, "We'll see what happens." This came after Iran's state media announced the Assembly of Experts had chosen Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the previous leader Ali Khamenei, for the position.
