In maps: Five days of strikes across the Middle East
In Maps: Five Days of Strikes Across the Middle East
Pete Hegseth, the US Defense Secretary, claimed a US submarine had destroyed an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, marking the fifth consecutive day of conflict between the US-Israeli alliance and Iran. The Iris Dena, an Iranian vessel near Sri Lankan waters, was struck by a torpedo, with reports suggesting up to 180 individuals aboard. Israel announced attacks on Tehran’s security headquarters, Basij paramilitary units, and missile sites, escalating its operations in Lebanon alongside the US.
Iranian Retaliation
The Iranian strikes targeted US facilities in Dubai and Qatar’s Al Udaid air base, the largest American military installation in the region. US Central Command confirmed six casualties among its personnel since the conflict began. Meanwhile, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported 1,097 civilian deaths in Iran since February 28, while BBC Verify documented strikes on 13 locations in Tehran and 12 other cities.
President Donald Trump previously warned the strikes could continue for four or five weeks, adding that the US has “capability to go far longer than that.”
Regional Escalation
Israel expanded its strikes to Lebanon, focusing on Hezbollah strongholds and defense infrastructure near Beirut. A hotel in the city was hit during attacks, while the IDF claimed to have seized strategic areas to safeguard border communities. The conflict began after Hezbollah launched missiles at Haifa, prompting joint operations with the US.
On Saturday, a girls’ school in Minab, southern Iran, suffered a missile strike, killing at least 153 people, including children. Iranian state media reported the incident, but BBC Verify could not independently confirm the toll. Additional targets included military sites in Kermanshah and Tabriz, as well as naval installations in Konarak and Bandar Abbas.
Satellite analysis revealed damage to three missile sites and the nuclear facility at Natanz. In Bahrain, four civilians were injured by Iranian attacks, while Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense stated two Iranian aircraft, seven missiles, and five drones had been shot down over its gas plant in Qatar. A luxury hotel in Dubai and Dubai International Airport were also hit, resulting in four injuries.
International Response
Kuwait’s military intercepted ballistic missiles targeting its Ali Al-Salem airbase, with all six crew members of US fighter jets safely ejected in an apparent friendly fire incident. The country’s health ministry reported one fatality from the attacks. In Iraq, three drones were downed over Irbil airport, which hosts US-led coalition troops. The ongoing conflict has led to widespread damage across multiple locations, with the Middle East witnessing intensified military activity.
A missile strike on Sunday in Beit Shemesh, Israel, left nine dead and 27 injured, underscoring the region’s escalating tensions. Iran has been accused of orchestrating air attacks on Gulf states, further complicating the situation. As operations persist, the scale of destruction and casualties continues to grow, with no signs of immediate de-escalation.
