Conflict across the Middle East continues to intensify after the United States and Israel carried out large-scale strikes on Iran on 28 February, an operation that killed the country’s supreme leader.
Iran has since retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US-allied countries across the Gulf, further widening the conflict.
The violence has escalated rapidly, spreading into Lebanon and other parts of the region, with casualties rising and damage increasing on all sides.
The United States and Israel launched their initial strikes on Iran on 28 February, targeting missile infrastructure, military facilities, and senior leadership in Tehran and other parts of the country.
During the first wave of attacks, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei — who had ruled since 1989 — was killed. Israel’s military also reported that dozens of high-ranking members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were among those killed.
Following his death, Mojtaba Khamenei was appointed as his successor on 8 March.
The US and Israel have also carried out strikes on key facilities linked to Iran’s nuclear programme — which Tehran maintains is for peaceful purposes — as well as oil refineries. Particular focus has been placed on Kharg Island, a major export hub considered vital to the country’s economy.
On 17 March, the US-based group Human Rights Activists in Iran reported that 3,114 people had been killed in Iran, including 1,138 military personnel and 1,354 civilians — among them at least 207 children. A further 622 deaths could not be classified as civilian or military.
Iran accused the United States and Israel of carrying out a strike on a girls’ school near a base of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in southern Iran on 28 February, claiming 168 people were killed, including around 110 children.
The US said it was investigating the incident, while Israel stated it was “not aware” of any military operations in that area.
According to BBC Verify, expert video analysis indicated that a Tomahawk missile struck a military base located near the school.
Access for international journalists inside Iran remains limited, with internet connectivity across the country largely restricted.
Beyond Iran’s borders, an Iranian warship was sunk by a US submarine in the Indian Ocean near the coast of Sri Lanka on 4 March, resulting in at least 87 deaths.
Where has Iran attacked?
Iran has condemned the US and Israeli strikes as “unprovoked, illegal and illegitimate,” and has responded with widespread missile and drone attacks.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted Israeli government and military sites in Tel Aviv and other locations.
As of 18 March, authorities in Israel reported that 14 civilians had been killed by missile attacks since the conflict began.
Strikes have also hit countries hosting US military bases, including Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, as well as US-aligned nations such as Oman and Saudi Arabia.
By 13 March, 13 US service members had reportedly been killed.
Iran has also been accused of targeting oil facilities, shipping routes, and civilian locations, including hotels in Dubai.
Across the Gulf region, at least 20 people have been killed so far, most of them security personnel or foreign workers. Reported fatalities include eight in the UAE and six in Kuwait, while Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain have each confirmed two deaths.
In northern Iraq, a French soldier was killed in a drone strike on a Kurdish military base. Meanwhile, the Popular Mobilization Forces said 27 of its members had been killed. Iran is known to support militias operating under the umbrella of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which are linked to the PMF.
Another fatality was reported near the Iraqi port of Umm Qasr after an explosion struck a foreign fuel tanker.
Turkey said NATO air defence systems intercepted three Iranian missiles over its airspace, while Azerbaijan accused Iran of launching drone attacks on an airport.
The United States and several Arab allies released a joint statement denouncing Iran’s attacks, calling the targeting of civilians and nations not involved in the conflict “reckless and destabilising.”
Elsewhere, a British military base was reportedly hit by a drone, according to the UK Ministry of Defence. Western officials later stated that the drone had not been launched from Iran.
On 7 March, Masoud Pezeshkian appeared in a video broadcast on Iranian state television, apologising to neighbouring countries affected by the strikes. He stated that Iran’s leadership had issued an order that “from now on,” the military should not target neighbouring nations “unless attacked first.”
A new front in the conflict opened in Lebanon on 2 March, when the Iran-backed group Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli positions, claiming it was seeking to avenge the assassination of Ali Khamenei.
In retaliation, Israel launched strikes on southern and central Beirut, as well as parts of southern and eastern Lebanon.
On 3 March, Israel’s defence minister stated that ground forces would “advance and seize additional strategic areas in Lebanon” to prevent further attacks from Hezbollah.
As of 18 March, Lebanon Ministry of Health reported that Israeli attacks had killed 912 people, including 111 children.
Lebanon’s government also said that more than one million people — roughly one in six of the population — had been displaced from their homes.
The Israeli military reported that two of its soldiers had been killed as of 8 March.
Why have the US and Israel attacked Iran?
Israel Katz described the initial strikes on 28 February as a “pre-emptive strike” aimed at “removing threats against the state of Israel,” though he did not elaborate on why military action was deemed necessary at that specific time.
Marco Rubio said on 2 March that the US was aware of the impending Israeli operations, which prompted America to act “pre-emptively” against expected Iranian attacks on American forces.
Underlying the immediate triggers, Israel and the United States — its closest ally — have been long-standing adversaries of Iran since the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Iran’s leadership has repeatedly called for the elimination of Israel and consistently denounced the US as its main enemy.
Both countries have led Western opposition to Iran’s nuclear programme, claiming Tehran aims to develop nuclear weapons — a charge Iran strongly denies. In June 2025, Israel and the US launched strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, a conflict that lasted 12 days.
Since then, Israel and the US have accused Iran of attempting to rebuild its nuclear programme and develop missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads. Israel views Iran as an existential threat and seeks the complete dismantling of its nuclear and missile capabilities, along with a regime change.
The US first publicly raised the possibility of attacking Iran in January, following Iranian security crackdowns on protesters. Talks between the US and Iran showed some progress, but on 27 February, former President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the negotiations. Hours later, the US and Israel launched military strikes.
How is the war affecting the economy and energy prices?
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is starting to impact the global economy.
Iran has been accused of targeting ships in the Gulf, effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz — a vital shipping route responsible for roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply.
Strikes have also hit major oil and gas facilities, prompting some of the largest producers to temporarily suspend production. These disruptions have contributed to a surge in global oil prices.
Is it safe to travel to the region, and how long could the war last?
On 9 March, former President Donald Trump described the war as “very complete, pretty much,” adding that the US was “very far ahead of schedule,” though he later indicated that operations could “go further.”
Trump outlined a broad objective for the conflict: to prevent Iran from developing weapons capable of targeting the US, Israel, or American allies “for a very long time.”
Karoline Leavitt previously suggested that the war could last up to six weeks, while Benjamin Netanyahu said at the outset that the campaign would “continue as long as it is needed.”
The conflict has caused one of the most significant disruptions to global travel since the Covid-19 pandemic. Some airlines continue to operate or have resumed limited flights.
The UK Foreign Office advises anyone planning travel to the Middle East to check its website for up-to-date guidance for their destination.
Additional reporting by ist”,”Mallory Moench”,”BBC reporter”], Raffi Berg reporter”], kinson”,”BBC reporter”], “,”BBC reporter”], “,”Robert Greenall”,”BBC reporter”], ist”,”Hafsa Khalil”,”BBC reporter”], Gabriela PomeroyBBC reporter”], and BBC Persian.
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