The initial phase of the war saw widespread attacks on Iran’s air defense systems, missile launch facilities and military installations. Iranian officials reported heavy damage in several cities, while the attacks also resulted in the assassination of the country’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. Following his death, Iran appointed his son Mojtaba Khamenei as the new supreme leader, signaling Tehran’s continued hardline response to the attacks.
Iran retaliated by firing ballistic missiles and drones at Israeli cities and US military facilities across the region. Many Gulf countries hosting US bases soon found themselves involved in the conflict as missiles and drones crossed their airspace or targeted infrastructure within their territory. Countries including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait reported interceptions of incoming drones and missile threats.
The conflict spread beyond the Gulf as the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah opened another front by launching rockets into northern Israel. Israeli forces launched airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, adding another layer to an already complex war.
A major strategic flashpoint in the crisis has been the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which much of the world’s oil supply passes. The conflict has disrupted shipping through the corridor, causing sharp volatility in global energy markets and raising fears of broader economic shocks.
Amid the ongoing hostilities, US President Donald Trump has said Washington is in discussions with Tehran, but he believes Iran is not ready to reach a deal yet. He has also claimed that American and Israeli operations have severely weakened Iran’s military capabilities, including its missile stockpile and drone production capacity.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said that nuclear material at Iranian facilities following the attacks is currently buried under debris, adding that any potential recovery would take place only under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
With missile exchanges continuing, regional states increasingly affected and global markets reacting volatilely, the conflict has raised serious concerns about a prolonged war and its impact on international security and energy supplies.