The conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran has escalated dramatically, with the Israeli military confirming a massive new wave of airstrikes deep inside Iran while Tehran’s forces continue retaliatory attacks across the Middle East, raising fears of a prolonged regional war.
Broad-Scale Israeli Strikes Target Iranian Military Infrastructure
In a significant escalation, the Israel Defense Forces stated that more than 80 of its fighter jets struck what it called “key Iranian regime military infrastructure” in Tehran and central Iran. According to an IDF post on X, the targets included the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Imam Hossein military university in the capital, described as an IRGC officer training and assembly compound. The military also said it hit ballistic missile storage facilities, underground missile command infrastructure, and launch sites in western and central Iran that it claimed were aimed at Israel.
“These strikes degrade the Iranian regime’s ability to fire at Israeli civilians,” the IDF statement said. This followed an earlier announcement on Saturday of fresh “broad-scale” strikes on targets in Tehran.
Iranian Retaliation and Regional Spillover
As Israel launched its attacks, Iran continued its own campaign of retaliatory strikes. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated it had targeted “three locations of separatist groups” in Iraq’s Kurdistan region, warning it would “crush them” if they threatened Iran’s territorial integrity.
More broadly, Iran has sustained attacks on Gulf states that host US forces. Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry reported it had intercepted a ballistic missile launched towards the Prince Sultan airbase southeast of Riyadh and blocked six drones targeting the Shaybah oil field in the Empty Quarter desert. The kingdom’s defence minister, Prince Khalid bin Salman, urged Iran to “avoid miscalculation,” stating such actions “undermine regional security and stability.”
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The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain have all reported fresh drone and missile attacks in recent days. On Saturday, explosions were heard in Dubai and Manama, with Bahrain’s interior ministry urging citizens to remain calm. Dubai authorities attributed a “minor incident” to falling debris from an interception.
Explosions were also reported in Jerusalem after air raid sirens warned of an incoming Iranian missile attack, with Israeli defences activating to intercept the threat.
Hezbollah Clashes and Lebanese Displacement
The conflict’s northern front has also intensified. Lebanese official media reported clashes along the Lebanon-Syria border as Israeli forces attempted a landing operation near Nabi Sheet in the Baalbek district. Hezbollah stated its fighters engaged Israeli troops who had landed from four helicopters. The Lebanese health ministry reported at least three people killed and 16 wounded in Israeli strikes on the area.
If confirmed, this would mark the deepest Israeli incursion into Lebanon since a special forces operation in November 2024. The humanitarian cost is mounting rapidly; the Norwegian Refugee Council estimates that 300,000 people have been displaced in Lebanon in recent days, with figures potentially exceeding one million, prompting urgent calls to reverse mass evacuation orders.
Diplomatic Deadlock and Arms Sales
The prospect of a swift diplomatic resolution appears remote. US President Donald Trump declared on social media that only the “unconditional surrender” of Iran would end the war, adding that the US would then work to bring Iran back from destruction and help select a “great and acceptable leader” for the country. This demand has been met with defiance from Tehran, with Iran’s foreign minister stating the country sees no reason to negotiate with the US.
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had earlier noted that “some countries” had initiated mediation efforts, but any talks, he insisted, must address those who started the conflict.
Amid the fighting, the US State Department approved an emergency sale of $151.8 million worth of munitions to Israel on Friday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a waiver to bypass the usual congressional review, approving 12,000 bomb casings to, as the department stated, “improve Israel’s capability to meet current and future threats.”
Civilian and Humanitarian Consequences
The escalating violence has placed vulnerable groups in acute danger. Advocates for Americans detained in Iran warn that at least six US citizens or permanent residents face “unprecedented danger,” at risk of becoming collateral damage or victims of retaliation. At least two are known to be held in Tehran’s Evin Prison, a facility previously targeted by Israeli bombardment.
“For Americans imprisoned in Iran, this is about as terrifying a moment as it gets,” said Siamak Namazi, an Iranian American detained for nearly eight years and released in 2023. The US government designates Iran as a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention.”
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Economic Shockwaves and Global Repercussions
The war is sending severe shockwaves through global markets. Crude oil prices have surged, with Brent North Sea crude jumping to $92.69 a barrel and the main US contract, West Texas Intermediate, soaring above $90. This represents the biggest weekly gain on record, driven by fears of supply disruption.
A critical factor is the near-total halt of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for a fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas. Analysts warn a prolonged conflict could push prices to $150 a barrel, stoking global inflation, widening trade deficits for energy-importing nations like India and China, and potentially causing economic stagflation.
International Dimensions and Intelligence
The conflict is drawing in other global powers indirectly. Reports indicate Russia has provided Iran with intelligence, including locations of American warships and aircraft, to aid in targeting US forces—marking the first known instance of Russia’s indirect participation. The White House has downplayed the impact, stating it is “tracking everything” and factoring it into plans.
Meanwhile, China, which has close ties with Iran, has been involved in diplomatic efforts to de-escalate, though officials say there is no indication Beijing is aiding Iran’s defence.
The human cost continues to rise. Citing the Iranian Red Crescent Society, Iranian officials state at least 1,332 people have been killed in Iran since the US-Israel strikes began on 28 February. In Lebanon, the health ministry reports 123 killed and 683 wounded from Israeli attacks.
