It is Day 5 of the Iranian conflict that has expanded across the Middle East since the early Saturday morning US-Israeli joint strike that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran retaliated against Israel and multiple Gulf states, creating further chaos in the region.
Countries Involved
United Arab Emirates: U.S. ally has absorbed 800 projectiles from Iran since the war began. Drones launched by Iran hit a luxury hotel in Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, which started fires at Jebel Ali Port, a critical commercial hub in the region.
The UAE closed its embassy in Tehran and is considering military action.
Qatar: Historically, this small Gulf nation has had friendly ties with the U.S. and Iran. Qatar has suspended most of its natural gas production after two of its energy facilities were struck by Iranian drones. Additionally, the shot down two Iranian Su-24 fighter jets.
Kuwait: On Saturday, Iran attacked Kuwait, which led to the first American deaths.
According to U.S. officials, American fighter jets were mistakenly downed by friendly fire from Kuwait on Monday. All six were ejected and are in stable condition.
Bahrain: U.S. bases in Bahrain were targeted by Iran. Videos showed smoke rising near the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in Manama.
Additionally, several residential buildings were struck in Bahrain’s capital.
Oman: On Day 2, Iran struck U.S. bases in Oman, which has been mediating indirect nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran.
Saudi Arabia: Iran targeted U.S. bases in Saudi Arabia on Day 2 of the conflict.
On Monday, Iran attacked the U.S. embassy in Riyadh. Iranian drones also struck one of the world’s largest oil refineries in Saudi Arabia, Ras Tanura. Axios reports the country may respond with military action.
Jordan: Iran fired missiles and drones at U.S. military installations in Jordan.
Lebanon: Hezbollah launched missiles and drones at Israel on Monday in defense of Iran, breaking a ceasefire put in place in November 2024.
In response, Israel launched heavy airstrikes across Lebanon, killing 40 people, including Hezbollah leaders. Additionally, Israel launched an incursion into southern Lebanon.
Iraq: Iran launched a strike on the Kurdish region of Iraq, which it believes is closely aligned with the U.S.
Pro-Iranian militias attacked U.S. bases in Iraq, and supporters attempted to storm the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
Cyprus: The British Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by drones. The Cypriot press reported the strikes likely came from Hezbollah.
United Kingdom: After the strike on the U.K. base in Cyprus, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized the U.S. to use British air bases to strike Iranian missile sites and dispatched a Royal Navy destroyer and counter-drone helicopters.
Starmer said the U.K. “will not join offensive action.”
France and Germany: Initially, both countries called for the return to negotiations, but after Iranian strikes hit their personnel, they are considering retaliation.
On Tuesday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the White House and discussed the conflict with Trump.
Iranian Conflict Events
Thus far, the Iranian conflict has produced multiple combat firsts, including performances of drones, missiles, and fighters.
The conflict has also supercharged debates concerning war powers and congressional oversight.
For the first time, the U.S. used LUCAS attack drones modeled after Iran’s delta-winged Shahed. Additionally, the U.S. fired the new Precision Strike Missile, or PrSM, from a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.
Reportedly, the U.S. has used “tens of thousands” of pieces of ordinancein the Iranian conflict, according to Caine.
Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles were part of the opening salvo. One photograph showed the munition with an unusual glossy-black scheme, which could be a measure to reduce detection.
Trump stated that American forces sank nine Iranian warships and are in the process of finishing off the rest of its navy.
Sources:
Axios: New weapons and war power worries emerge in Iran conflict; Here are all the countries involved in the Iran conflict
WSJ: Iran Conflict: Five Things to Know
Featured Image Courtesy of doctress neutopia’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
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