Abid Abbasi
The war involving the United States, Israel and Iran entered its seventh day, with continued airstrikes across Iranian territory and retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting US and Israeli interests across the Middle East.
Military officials and independent analysts say the conflict has rapidly expanded beyond Iran and Israel, affecting several Gulf countries and raising concerns about regional stability and global economic repercussions.
Ongoing Strikes Inside Iran
The United States and Israel continued a sustained air campaign against Iranian targets, which Washington and Tel Aviv say aims to degrade Tehran’s military capabilities.
According to Israeli military claims, more than 2,500 strikes have been carried out since the conflict began, destroying an estimated 80 percent of Iran’s air defence systems and establishing what Israeli officials describe as “near-complete air superiority.”
Reports indicate that more than 1,230 people have been killed in Iran since the attacks began last Saturday. Independent verification of casualty figures remains difficult amid ongoing fighting.
The campaign, reportedly operating under the codename Operation Epic Fury, has already incurred significant costs. Estimates by the Center for Strategic and International Studies suggest the first 100 hours of the operation cost approximately $3.7 billion, most of which had not been included in the original US defence budget.
Leadership Crisis in Tehran
The conflict intensified following a strike in Tehran that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
The development has triggered uncertainty over Iran’s leadership succession. Reports suggest his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, could emerge as a potential successor.
However, US President Donald Trump said he intends to play a role in shaping Iran’s political future and described Mojtaba Khamenei as an “unacceptable” choice, a statement that has drawn criticism from several international observers.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected the possibility of negotiations with Washington, saying there was “no reason” to trust the United States.
Iranian Retaliation Across the Gulf
Iran has responded with a series of missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli territory and US-linked military assets in the region.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its retaliatory campaign, named Operation True Promise 4, has targeted military infrastructure used by US and Israeli forces.
Satellite imagery circulating among defence analysts suggests several radar installations supporting THAAD missile defence systems in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan sustained damage during the attacks. These radars are considered essential for detecting and tracking incoming ballistic missiles.
Iranian military officials also claim to have intercepted and destroyed several Israeli drones and aircraft over Iranian territory. Independent confirmation of these claims remains limited.
Iranian missile and drone strikes have also targeted sites in Israel. The Revolutionary Guard announced a combined drone and missile attack on Tel Aviv and surrounding areas.
Attacks and Tensions Across the Region
The conflict has increasingly spread across neighbouring countries.
- Kuwait: The United States temporarily suspended operations at its embassy after Iranian strikes triggered missile interceptions over Kuwait City.
- Bahrain: A missile strike hit a state-run oil refinery in an industrial town, though authorities said the resulting fire was contained.
- United Arab Emirates: Officials reported intercepting several Iranian missiles and more than 120 drones.
- Qatar: Loud explosions were reported in Doha following missile interceptions by air defence systems.
The United States Department of State said roughly 20,000 American citizens have left the Middle East since the conflict began, with evacuation flights continuing.
In Iraq, security forces shot down a drone approaching a military installation near Baghdad International Airport that houses US assets.
Meanwhile, Israel has intensified strikes in Lebanon, issuing evacuation warnings for areas in Beirut’s southern suburbs and the Bekaa Valley.
US Military Operations and Domestic Reaction
The United States Central Command reported that American forces struck approximately 200 targets in Iran over the past 72 hours, including ballistic missile launchers and naval vessels.
President Donald Trump said Iran’s military infrastructure was being “demolished” and claimed the country had effectively lost its air force and air defence capabilities.
In Washington, the United States House of Representatives voted 219 to 212 against a proposal that would have required congressional authorisation for military action against Iran.
Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell sharply earlier in the week, dropping more than 1,000 points as rising oil prices and geopolitical uncertainty rattled financial markets.
European and International Response
European governments remain divided on how to respond to the conflict.
The United Kingdom and France have deployed naval and air defence assets to the eastern Mediterranean to protect allied interests. A drone attack earlier this week targeted the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus.
Other European countries, including Germany, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands, have so far emphasised diplomatic solutions rather than direct military involvement.
In the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan halted cross-border truck traffic with Iran after a drone strike injured civilians in the Nakhchivan region.
Economic Concerns and Regional Stability
Regional leaders have warned the war could have serious economic consequences.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said the country was facing a “near-emergency” economic situation as energy prices and trade disruptions threaten regional economies.
Iranian officials also warned that instability in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, could persist while hostilities continue.
Outlook
With military operations continuing on multiple fronts and diplomatic channels largely stalled, analysts warn the conflict risks evolving into a prolonged regional war.
Both sides have signalled readiness for further escalation, while international actors continue to call for restraint and renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider confrontation across the Middle East.
