Why did US and Israel attack Iran and how long could the war last?
Why did US and Israel attack Iran and how long could the war last?
Escalation of Conflict in the Middle East
The Middle Eastern conflict has intensified following the US and Israel’s coordinated assaults on Iran, which resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader on 28 February. In response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israeli and US-backed targets across the Gulf, extending the violence to Lebanon and raising concerns about the war’s duration.
Initial US and Israeli Strikes
The US and Israel’s initial campaign focused on Iran’s missile capabilities, military installations, and key leadership figures. The first wave of attacks targeted Tehran and other regions, eliminating prominent Iranian officials, including Ali Larijani, Esmail Khatib, and Gholamreza Soleimani, who headed the Basij paramilitary force. The death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s leader since 1989, marked a pivotal moment in the conflict.
Iran’s Retaliatory Measures
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared the strikes “unprovoked” and “illegitimate,” launching missile and drone attacks on Israeli military and government sites in Tel Aviv. On 8 March, Mojtaba Khamenei was confirmed as the new leader. Meanwhile, a US F-15 fighter jet was shot down over western Iran on 3 April, with the pilot rescued and a search operation underway for a second crew member.
“The targeting of civilians and of countries not directly involved in the conflict is unacceptable,” stated the US and its Arab allies in response to Iran’s attacks.
Casualty Reports and Regional Impact
According to HRANA, 3,530 individuals have perished in Iran since the conflict began, with 1,606 civilians—244 of whom are children—among the victims. Israel’s ambulance service reported 19 deaths from missile fire as of 29 March. The attacks have also reached neighboring states, with at least 24 fatalities recorded in the Gulf. The UAE reported 13 deaths, including a civilian contractor in Bahrain, while Kuwait and Saudi Arabia each saw two casualties.
Targeting Strategic Infrastructure
Strikes included Iran’s nuclear facilities and energy infrastructure. The US and Israel focused on Kharg Island, a vital oil hub, and the South Pars gas field, which is part of the world’s largest natural gas reserve. On 4 March, a US submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, claiming 87 lives. Experts confirmed a US Tomahawk missile hit a military base near a girls’ school in southern Iran on 28 February, though both the US and Israel denied direct involvement in the area.
Spreading Beyond the Gulf
The conflict extended into northern Iraq, where a French soldier was killed by an Iranian drone at a Kurdish military base. Additionally, seven Iraqi soldiers were struck in an Anbar province airstrike on 25 March. The Popular Mobilization Forces, formed to combat Islamic State, also reported 27 of their members killed. In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, four Palestinian women were killed in an Iranian missile attack at a beauty salon.
International Accusations and Response
Turkey claimed its air defenses downed three Iranian missiles over its territory. Azerbaijan accused Iran of attacking an airport with drones. The US and its Arab allies have criticized Iran’s actions, emphasizing the humanitarian toll and the broader regional consequences. As Iran’s internet access and media freedoms have been curtailed, the situation remains fluid, with further developments anticipated.
