Day 7 of the War in Iran: Tehran Under Fire, Navy Destroyed, Congress Gives Trump Free Rein

The war between the US, Israel and Iran has entered its seventh day. American and Israeli air forces continue massive strikes on both Iranian military and civilian targets, while Iran responds with missile and drone attacks on nine countries. The US Congress refused to limit President Trump's military powers. Al Jazeera ↗

NIGHT ATTACKS ON TEHRAN

On the night of March 5 to 6, another wave of Israeli and American strikes hit Tehran. The Israeli military announced the launch of a "broad wave of strikes" on key military infrastructure in the Iranian capital. According to CNN, two waves of sustained jet engine noise were heard over Tehran, followed by loud explosions in the central, eastern and western parts of the city. Jomhouri Street, one of the capital's main thoroughfares, was also hit. CNN ↗

According to American and Western officials, the US and Israel have achieved air superiority - their fighter jets can fly freely over Iranian territory without resistance. Since the start of the conflict, at least 11 waves of attacks have been carried out on more than 600 targets. Al Jazeera ↗

DESTRUCTION OF THE IRANIAN NAVY

One of the most notable successes of Operation Epic Fury is the systematic destruction of the Iranian navy. American forces sank or destroyed more than 30 Iranian military vessels, including the drone carrier IRIS Shahid Bagheri, which was comparable in size to a World War II-era aircraft carrier. The ship was hit in the port city of Bandar Abbas in the very first hours of the war on February 28. Naval News ↗

The US also sank an Iranian Jamaran-class frigate in the port of Chabahar. Iran, for its part, claims that its naval drone units struck the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Sea of Oman, which the American CENTCOM command categorically denies, stating that the Iranian missiles "did not even come close." Navy Times ↗

CONGRESS GIVES TRUMP FREE REIN

The US Congress this week twice refused to limit the president's military powers in Iran. The Senate voted on March 4 by a margin of 47:53 against the resolution, with Senator Rand Paul being the only Republican to vote for the limitation. A day later, the House of Representatives also rejected a similar resolution by a narrow margin of 212:219. Only two Republicans - Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Warren Davidson of Ohio - joined the Democrats. NPR ↗

The failure of both votes represents Congress's implicit consent to the continuation of military strikes, despite the fact that, according to polls, the majority of Americans reject the war. CBS News ↗

CASUALTIES ON ALL SIDES

The death toll continues to rise. According to the Iranian agency Tasnim, more than 1,230 people have already been killed in Iran. Among the deadliest attacks is the Israeli strike on a girls' school in the city of Minab, which, according to the Iranian Ministry of Health, killed approximately 180 children. On the American side, six soldiers lost their lives in a drone attack on a port in Kuwait. In Israel, 11 people were killed, including nine in an Iranian attack on a synagogue in the city of Beit Shemesh on March 1. Al Jazeera ↗

Iran accused the US and Israel of attacks on 33 civilian targets, including hospitals, schools, the Grand Bazaar in Tehran, and the historic Golestan Palace. UN News ↗

STRAIT OF HORMUZ - A GLOBAL ENERGY THREAT

The IRGC declared "full control" over the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil trade flows. In the first 36 hours of the conflict, tanker traffic dropped by 70 percent, and more than 150 ships anchored off the strait. Traffic subsequently came to a virtual complete standstill. Al Jazeera ↗

Trump responded with a promise that the US Navy would begin escorting tankers through the strait "as soon as possible" and ordered the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide political risk insurance for shipping in the Persian Gulf. The US also temporarily allowed India to purchase Russian oil to ease the global energy shock. CNBC ↗

IRANIAN RETALIATION - OPERATION TRUE PROMISE IV

Iran's response is named Operation True Promise IV. The IRGC fired missiles and drones at American military facilities and regional allies in at least nine countries: Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Israel and Cyprus. The United Arab Emirates suffered the highest number of attacks, followed by Kuwait and Bahrain, where American bases are located. CNN ↗

Iran also struck the American embassy in Kuwait, which was subsequently closed indefinitely. Two oil tankers were also hit - the American Stena Imperative and the Honduran Athe Nova. PBS ↗

TRUMP: CUBA IS NEXT AFTER IRAN

President Trump indicated on Friday that after the end of war operations in Iran, the United States could turn its attention to Cuba. He also stated that he wants to have a say in choosing Iran's future leader and that he is applying "no time limits" to the war. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth added that the campaign has "only just begun." CBS News ↗

Meanwhile, Europol warned of the war's possible impact on security in the European Union, pointing to the risk of terrorist attacks triggered by Iranian proxy groups on European territory.