West Asia War Day 8: US Strikes 3,000 Targets in Iran; Tehran Airport on Fire as Trump Demands Unconditional Surrender

The military conflict in West Asia has entered its eighth day with no signs of abatement, as the United States and Israel launched a new and intensified wave of airstrikes on the Iranian capital Tehran in the early hours of Friday — setting Mehrabad Airport ablaze and sending plumes of smoke rising from both the eastern and western parts of the city in what US Central Command confirmed was part of a campaign that has now struck over 3,000 targets inside Iran in the first week of Operation Epic Fury.

Videos circulating on social media showed Tehran's Mehrabad Airport engulfed in flames following the overnight Israeli strikes. The Israeli military confirmed it was conducting a fresh wave of attacks on the capital. Iran's UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani stated that 1,332 Iranian civilians — including women and children — have been killed in US-Israeli airstrikes since the conflict began on February 28, alleging that the two countries have deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure. Iran has reiterated its right to self-defence and vowed to continue resisting.

US President Donald Trump has categorically rejected any negotiated settlement, publicly calling for Iran's unconditional surrender. In a social media post on Thursday, Trump said the US and its allies would work to "bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before" — framing the military campaign as ultimately aimed at Iran's rehabilitation rather than its destruction, but only on Washington's terms.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was equally firm, dismissing the demand for unconditional surrender as "a dream." However, in a notable diplomatic signal, Pezeshkian apologised for Iran's missile and drone attacks on neighbouring Gulf states, suggesting the strikes on regional countries were the result of miscommunication within Iranian military ranks — an admission that may open a narrow diplomatic window.

Even as the conflict rages, the Trump administration approved a fresh $151 million arms sale to Israel — a move that underlines Washington's full-throated backing of the Israeli military campaign and is likely to draw sharp criticism from European and regional capitals already alarmed by the civilian toll.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Pezeshkian, during which the Kremlin said Putin expressed condolences over the deaths of Supreme Leader Khamenei, senior Iranian officials, and civilians. Putin reiterated Russia's position that hostilities must end immediately and that a diplomatic solution must be pursued. Both sides agreed to maintain close communication — signalling Moscow's intent to position itself as a potential mediator.

Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, following a meeting with Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, issued a pointed warning to Iran against what he called "misguided calculations." The caution comes as Iran has launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and thousands of drones toward Gulf states, targeting energy infrastructure, civilian locations, and US military bases. Saudi Arabia confirmed that a ballistic missile aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base was successfully intercepted and destroyed.

In Lebanon, local fighters clashed with an Israeli force that landed near Nabi Chit — a Hezbollah stronghold in eastern Lebanon — as Israel continues to expand its operational front beyond Iran's borders.