The election of Iran's Supreme Leader is imminent; Trump states no plans to deploy ground troops. Latest summary

On the evening of the 7th, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesperson Naini stated that during the first week of the conflict, Iran’s armed forces implemented a multi-layered offensive strategy, conducting a total of 600 missile strikes using various solid and liquid fuel ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. Additionally, Iran also carried out 2,600 drone operations. Among these actions, more than 200 sensitive targets located at U.S. military bases and key Israeli facilities were precisely hit and destroyed.

Naini also mentioned that 17 ships belonging to the U.S., Israel, and their allies have been targeted so far. Moreover, U.S. military bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and other countries have been repeatedly struck by missiles and drones.

△Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesperson Naini

According to a statement released by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the 7th, a member of Iran’s Expert Council said that a meeting to select Iran’s Supreme Leader will be held within the next 24 hours. Ayatollah Mozafari, a member of Iran’s Expert Council, stated that the members are currently waiting for the right conditions to carefully elect the new Supreme Leader.

Trump: Hope to participate in selecting Iran’s next leader

On the 7th, local time, CCTV reporters learned that U.S. President Trump said he hopes to participate in the selection of Iran’s next leader and stated that he does not want the U.S. to face the same problem every five or ten years. Trump previously said on the 5th that he must be personally involved in choosing Iran’s next leader. Trump also stated that he would not accept the son of Iran’s late Supreme Leader Khamenei as Iran’s new leader.

Trump: No plans to deploy ground troops in Iran

Regarding military actions, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Miami, Florida, that the U.S. currently has no plans to deploy ground troops in Iran and that such issues are “not suitable for public discussion.” He said that if future ground operations are taken, there must be “very sufficient reasons,” and potential targets could include Iran’s nuclear facilities or energy infrastructure, but emphasized that the U.S. currently relies mainly on airstrikes to target Iran.

Iran: All U.S. and Israeli assets in the region are legitimate targets

On the 7th, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that they hit a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the central Persian Gulf, which is considered a “U.S. asset.” Iran declared that all Israeli and U.S. assets in the region are regarded as legitimate targets for Iran’s armed forces.

On the evening of the 7th, the IRGC announced that they launched the “Habar Shakan” missile to strike the Haifa oil refinery in northern Israel, and the missile hit the facility. This action was a response to previous attacks by U.S. and Israeli forces on the Tehran oil refinery. Iraq confirms attack on U.S. embassy

Iraq confirmed that on the evening of the 7th, the U.S. embassy in Iraq was attacked. CCTV reporters learned that the U.S. embassy in Baghdad’s Green Zone activated counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) defense systems, but a rocket hit the helicopter pad of the embassy, causing no casualties.

Additionally, explosions and air defense intercepts were reported in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region. It is understood that this is the first time in a week that missiles have fallen into the U.S. Baghdad embassy area since the start of U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran and the ensuing regional conflict.

Netanyahu: Will continue military operations against Iran until victory

On the evening of the 7th, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered a video speech stating that Israel will continue military operations against Iran until victory is achieved. He said that Israel’s military actions will thwart Iran’s threats and are changing the Middle East landscape.

Netanyahu also called on the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah, warning that otherwise Lebanon will face serious consequences, and that “Hezbollah’s actions will bring disaster to Lebanon.”

(Article source: CCTV News Client)