It has been a week since the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran, triggering what many observers describe as the most serious crisis in the Middle East in decades. The joint operation, which began on February 28, targeted Iran’s political leadership, nuclear facilities and missile infrastructure. Among those killed in the attacks was Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
What began as a targeted military campaign quickly expanded into a wider regional confrontation. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks across the Gulf region, drawing several neighbouring countries into the crisis.
Over the past week, the conflict has spread across multiple fronts. Iran-backed groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthi movement have also carried out attacks on Israel. In response, Israeli forces have conducted airstrikes in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon.
According to early estimates, nearly 1,200 people have been killed in Iran so far, including 165 schoolgirls who died in a strike on a school in Minab. The conflict also spilled into the Indian Ocean after a US submarine torpedoed an Iranian warship, killing 87 sailors.
Economic impact of the conflict
Beyond the human toll, the war has also begun to affect global markets. One of the most significant developments has been the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway through which about 20 per cent of the world’s oil supply passes.
The closure of the strait has rattled energy markets, pushing crude oil prices sharply higher. Analysts say the situation could worsen if the conflict continues to intensify.
How the conflict escalated
Day 1:
The war began with a large-scale US–Israeli offensive against Iran. The operation, named Epic Fury by the US and Roaring Lion by Israel, involved more than 100 aircraft and a series of missile strikes targeting government buildings, military installations and key leadership locations.
Iran responded with missile and drone strikes on Israel and US military bases in the Gulf region.
Day 2:
The fighting widened as the US targeted Iran’s naval assets, sinking several vessels and striking facilities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Meanwhile, an Iranian drone strike on a US facility in Kuwait killed six American personnel.
Day 3:
The conflict expanded further after Hezbollah launched rockets across the Israel–Lebanon border. Israel retaliated with airstrikes on Beirut, while Iran targeted energy infrastructure in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura refinery.
Day 4:
The US intensified its operations using B-2 “bunker-buster” bombers. Iran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz and launching drone attacks on US diplomatic facilities in the region.
Day 5:
Tensions escalated further when a US submarine sank the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean, killing dozens of sailors. Several European countries began deploying military assets to the region.
Day 6:
The conflict saw its first reported air-to-air combat when an Israeli F-35 fighter jet shot down an Iranian Su-35 over Tehran. Iran retaliated by attacking a US tanker in the Persian Gulf.
Day 7:
Both sides continued launching missiles and drones. Israel reported conducting a new wave of strikes in Tehran and Lebanon, while Iran targeted sites in Tel Aviv.
Global fallout
The war has already disrupted global travel and trade. According to reports, more than 11,000 flights in the region have been cancelled since February 28 after several Gulf nations closed their airspace. Major transit hubs such as Dubai have been significantly affected.
Energy markets have also reacted sharply. Oil prices have surged more than 10 per cent, while natural gas prices in Europe and Asia have climbed amid fears of supply disruptions.
In response to the situation, US President Donald Trump announced several measures to stabilise the energy market. These include a temporary waiver allowing India to purchase Russian oil and plans to provide naval escorts for oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
What lies ahead
Seven days into the conflict, the fighting shows little sign of ending. While US officials say Iranian missile and drone attacks have slowed in recent days, the overall situation remains volatile.
Israel has claimed to have gained near-complete control of Iranian airspace after destroying much of Iran’s air defence network. Despite heavy losses, however, Iran continues to retaliate through missile strikes and drone attacks across the region.
Analysts say Tehran’s strategy appears to focus on prolonging the conflict and increasing economic pressure by disrupting global energy supplies.
Neither the US nor Israel has given a clear timeline for how long the war could continue. President Trump initially suggested the conflict might end within a few days, but later indicated it could last several weeks.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has since said that there is no fixed timeframe for the war, leaving the question of how and when it might end still uncertain.