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Where things stand after another weekend of war

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Where things stand after another weekend of war
News

News

Where things stand after another weekend of war

2026-03-09 11:59 Last Updated At:12:21

Iran has named a son of its late supreme leader as his successor. U.S. President Donald Trump already had expressed disdain for Mojtaba Khamenei, calling him “unacceptable.” The Islamic Republic's war strategy now has a new commander, and the powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard has pledged allegiance.

Oil prices shot above $100 a barrel. Both sides in the war struck new targets over the weekend, including civilian ones. Bahrain accused Iran of hitting one of the desalination plants that are crucial for drinking water in Gulf countries. Israel struck oil depots in Tehran, sending up thick smoke and causing environmental alerts.

The U.S. announced another soldier's death. Saudi Arabia announced the first deaths there. Anger grew in Arab countries over Iran’s launching of hundreds of missiles and drones around the region. The Israeli military’s chief of staff warned that the war “will take a long time.”

Here’s where things stand as the war enters its 10th day.

Iran’s announcement of a new supreme leader came after the country's remaining leadership appeared to show a rift. President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized for attacks on neighboring countries, but hard-liners criticized that and said the war strategy would continue.

The new supreme leader had not been seen or heard from publicly since the war began. He has not made a statement in his new role. The younger Khamenei inherits both the war and domestic unrest after Iran earlier this year cracked down on some of its largest protests in half a century.

Iran did not publicly update its death toll over the weekend from the over 1,200 previously reported. Some Iranians continued to flee the country.

Israel attacked both Iran and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group in neighboring Lebanon, where authorities say over a half-million people have been displaced and over 300 killed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed “many surprises” in the next phase of the war. Israel said it destroyed the headquarters of the Revolutionary Guard Air Force, which operated the ballistic missile command, and struck ballistic missile launchers and missile production facilities.

Eleven people have died in Israel since the war began. Multiple alerts continued to sound per day across Israel about incoming projectiles, almost all of them intercepted.

The U.S. military warned Iranians to stay indoors, asserting that Iran was launching attacks from densely populated areas. Evidence mounted indicating that the U.S. was behind the deadly strike on a girls’ school in Iran on the first day of the war, but Trump suggested Iran was to blame.

Trump also attended the return of the remains of U.S. soldiers killed in the war. Seven have been killed.

Families of U.S. detainees in Iran worried their loved ones are at risk.

The U.S. military did not give an update over the weekend on the number of missiles and drones that Iran has fired in recent days, after saying the rate had gone down sharply. Experts said it's possible that Iran is holding back some missiles in reserve.

The head of the Arab League called Iran’s war strategy “reckless” as Gulf and other nations reported intercepting Iranian missiles and drones in areas of their countries with no U.S. military presence.

No country other than the U.S. and Israel has said it is attacking Iran. Some countries in the region host U.S. military facilities or troops. Iran has urged countries not to allow the U.S. to attack it from their territories. A missile hit a helicopter landing pad in the U.S. Embassy complex in Iraq.

More deaths were reported. Saudi Arabia said a falling military projectile killed an Indian citizen and a Bangladeshi one. Kuwait said two border guards were killed, and the United Arab Emirates reported a driver killed.

Foreign residents and workers have made up most of the reported deaths in the Gulf. Over a dozen people have been killed there in all.

The U.S. sought to assure Americans that surging fuel prices are a short-term problem. Russia is profiting from the surge.

Many travelers and pilgrims remain stranded in the Middle East. The U.S. State Department said over 32,000 Americans have left the region since the war began.

Nervousness remained around some of the world’s busiest air hubs. Passengers waiting for flights at Dubai International Airport were ushered into train tunnels after several blasts were heard. Kuwait said fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport were targeted by drones.

More states are becoming involved. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his country will send experts to advise the U.S. and Middle Eastern allies on repelling Iranian drone attacks next week.

A man carries shoes from his destroyed house that was hit by Israeli airstrikes hit several houses in Sir al-Gharbiyeh village south Lebanon, Sunday, March, 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

A man carries shoes from his destroyed house that was hit by Israeli airstrikes hit several houses in Sir al-Gharbiyeh village south Lebanon, Sunday, March, 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

An Army carry team moves a flag-draped transfer case with the remains of U.S. Army Reserve soldier Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, of White Bear Lake, Minn., who was killed in a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait after the U.S. and Israel launched its military campaign against Iran, past President Donald Trump during a casualty return, Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

An Army carry team moves a flag-draped transfer case with the remains of U.S. Army Reserve soldier Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, of White Bear Lake, Minn., who was killed in a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait after the U.S. and Israel launched its military campaign against Iran, past President Donald Trump during a casualty return, Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Residents look on and take pictures as flames and smoke rise from an oil storage facility struck as attacks hit the city during the U.S.–Israeli military campaign in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Alireza Sotakbar/ISNA via AP)

Residents look on and take pictures as flames and smoke rise from an oil storage facility struck as attacks hit the city during the U.S.–Israeli military campaign in Tehran, Iran, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (Alireza Sotakbar/ISNA via AP)

VANCOUVER (AP) — South Africa has joined Fiji atop the World Rugby Sevens Series men's standings after beating Spain 38-12 on Sunday in the final of the Vancouver Sevens.

Player of the Tournament Tristan Leyds provided a series of try assists in the first half which allowed South Africa to take control of the final before halftime. It went on to win its 47th World Series tournament title while Spain remains without a title after three finals appearances.

Jorja Miller inspired New Zealand to a 24-17 win over Australia in the women's final, it's fifth-straight win in Vancouver and it's third win in five tournaments this season.

Australia rallied from 17-5 down just after halftime to level the match at 17-17 but New Zealand secured possession at the restart and Alena Saili scored the match-winning try.

New Zealand leads Australia by six points in the season standings with one tournament remaining in New York before the season finals. Australia and New Zealand have met in all five women's finals this season with New Zealand winning three and Australia two.

Spain reached its first men's final of the season after an outstanding tournament in which it beat New Zealand in pool play and two-time Olympic champion Fiji in the semifinals.

But it struggled against South Africa's physical style in the final. Leyds played a key role with assists which led to tries by Sebastian Jobb and Shilton van Wyk as South Africa led 17-0 by halftime. Ryan Oothuizen opened the scoring for South Africa.

Van Wyk's second try put South Africa in control at 24-0 and after tries for Spain by Jeremy Trevithick and Anton Legorburu Impi, Visser closed out the match for the South Africans.

“It's an amazing feeling,” Visser said. “It's such a privilege to play in finals and pull the jersey over our heads.

“Sometimes we take it for granted but it's really an amazing feeling and we're just really grateful for it. We have to keep on this momentum next week in New York.”

Miller was hugely influential in the women's final, winning turnovers as New Zealand pressured Australia on defense.

Jaymie Kolosi scored New Zealand's first try and Miller scored the second before a try for Australia to Maddison Levi made the score 12-5 at halftime.

Katelyn Vahaakolo scored from a break by Miller, expanding New Zealand's lead to 17-5 in the first minute of the second half.

Australia then began to find gaps in the New Zealand defense through which Levi slipped to score her second try. MacKenzie Davie came off the bench to score the try that leveled the scores.

New Zealand captain Risi Pouri Lane made space for Waaka who set up the winning try for Saili.

“I think when we've got a team that plays for more than just themselves there's always a greater purpose to it,” Pouri Lane said. “Cultural connection is a great part of it and when we work so hard to have a genuine connection off the field it does pay off on the field.”

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

South Africa's Sebastiaan Jobb (16) tackles Spain's Jeremy Trevithick (6) during a gold medal Vancouver Sevens rugby match, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

South Africa's Sebastiaan Jobb (16) tackles Spain's Jeremy Trevithick (6) during a gold medal Vancouver Sevens rugby match, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

New Zealand's Jorja Miller, left, prepares to pass the ball as she is tackled by Australia's Amahli Hala, back, and Faith Nathan (3) watches during gold medal Vancouver Sevens women's rugby action, in Vancouver, on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

New Zealand's Jorja Miller, left, prepares to pass the ball as she is tackled by Australia's Amahli Hala, back, and Faith Nathan (3) watches during gold medal Vancouver Sevens women's rugby action, in Vancouver, on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

New Zealand's Risi Pouri-Lane (7) leads her teammates in a haka after defeating Australia during gold medal Vancouver Sevens women's rugby action, in Vancouver, on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

New Zealand's Risi Pouri-Lane (7) leads her teammates in a haka after defeating Australia during gold medal Vancouver Sevens women's rugby action, in Vancouver, on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

South Africa's Gino Cupido (35) runs the ball to score a try against Spain during the gold medal Vancouver Sevens rugby match, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

South Africa's Gino Cupido (35) runs the ball to score a try against Spain during the gold medal Vancouver Sevens rugby match, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

New Zealand team, left, and South Africa's team lift the Champion's Cup during the gold medal Vancouver Sevens rugby match, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

New Zealand team, left, and South Africa's team lift the Champion's Cup during the gold medal Vancouver Sevens rugby match, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canada's Charity Williams (6) scores a try against Fiji during Vancouver Sevens women's rugby action, in Vancouver, on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canada's Charity Williams (6) scores a try against Fiji during Vancouver Sevens women's rugby action, in Vancouver, on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

Spain's Pol Pla, front center, is stopped by Fiji's Sevuloni Mocenacagi, centre, and Douglas Daveta, right, as Spain's Josep Serres (2) watches during Vancouver Sevens semifinal rugby action, in Vancouver, on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

Spain's Pol Pla, front center, is stopped by Fiji's Sevuloni Mocenacagi, centre, and Douglas Daveta, right, as Spain's Josep Serres (2) watches during Vancouver Sevens semifinal rugby action, in Vancouver, on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

New Zealand's Jorja Miller, left, runs the ball to score a try as USA's Ariana Ramsey, chases during Vancouver Sevens women's semifinal rugby action, in Vancouver, on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

New Zealand's Jorja Miller, left, runs the ball to score a try as USA's Ariana Ramsey, chases during Vancouver Sevens women's semifinal rugby action, in Vancouver, on Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

South Africa's Impi Visser (3) runs the ball to score a try against Spain during a gold medal Vancouver Sevens rugby match, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

South Africa's Impi Visser (3) runs the ball to score a try against Spain during a gold medal Vancouver Sevens rugby match, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)

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