Ali Larijani killed 17 March; IRGC introduces 'Haj Qassem' missile in 59th strike wave; CENTCOM employs 5,000lb bunker busters on Hormuz SSM sites; US announces Hormuz escort coalition with major allies declining; Mojtaba Khamenei's first speech establishes no-negotiation posture and warns regional countries to expel US forces.

The IRGC’s self-declared most intense operation struck five Gulf nations simultaneously, evacuating Bahraini airports and hitting U.S. bases across the region. A drone struck a Dubai high-rise, shattering the city’s image of neutrality. Iran’s stated war-termination condition — removal of the ‘shadow of war’ — remains structurally incompatible with any near-term U.S. negotiating position.

The U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran is on day 9. Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in the opening strike; Mojtaba Khamenei named successor. Iran has responded with broad regional missile and drone strikes. Preliminary death toll: 1,255 in Iran. An intra-alliance dispute over Israeli fuel depot strikes has emerged.