Iran vows no surrender as air strikes hit Tehran airport
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed Saturday that his country would never surrender, as Israel launched a blitz of 80 fighter jets, setting Tehran's main airport on fire.
Israeli airstrikes targeted Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport on March 7, 2026, as part of the ongoing 2026 Iran war (Operation Epic Fury). The attacks involved explosions and fires at Iran's main domestic aviation hub, with eyewitness footage showing massive secondary blasts, thick black smoke, and flames verified by Reuters satellite imagery. Iranian state media confirmed loud blasts and missile strikes in the vicinity of the airport, which serves as a key IRGC logistical site.
The conflict began on February 28, 2026, with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iranian military, nuclear, and leadership sites across cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Qom, Karaj, and Kermanshah. The March 7 attacks marked the second week of the operation, with Israel confirming prior strikes on air force bases at Hamadan and Tabriz, air-defense networks, UAV hangars, missile launchers, and assassinations of senior nuclear scientists and military leaders.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian did not vow 'no surrender' as initially reported, but instead issued a public apology to neighboring Gulf states on March 7 for Iran's actions affecting them, urging them not to join US-Israeli attacks. He announced that Iran's temporary leadership council would suspend strikes on nearby states unless attacks on Iran originate from their territory. Newly appointed IRGC commander Ahmad Vahidi stated on television that 'Operation Reliable Promise 3 will continue as long as necessary,' signaling continued resistance.
The war has involved over 1,700 US strikes and 1,600 Israeli sorties since February 28, targeting Iran's ballistic missile capabilities, air defenses, and nuclear infrastructure. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated the operation would last 'several days at least,' potentially weeks. No full casualty or damage assessments from Iranian authorities have been released, though Israeli medics reported seven wounded from related Iranian salvos.
Philippine news sources including GMA, ABS-CBN, Inquirer, and Philstar have not reported specifically on the Tehran airport strikes, but have covered the broader Iran crisis with focus on OFW safety, evacuation efforts from danger areas in the Middle East, and impacts on global oil prices affecting the Philippines. President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. has discussed evacuating Filipinos from conflict zones and urged all parties to show restraint.
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