The war between the United States, Israel and Iran has entered its seventh day, with intense airstrikes, missile attacks and regional tensions continuing to escalate across the Middle East. Heavy bombardment has struck several Iranian cities, while Iran has expanded retaliatory attacks across Israel and Gulf countries. Casualties are rising across multiple countries and global markets are reacting to the growing instability.
In Iran
- Heavy US-Israeli bombardment continues: The US and Israel intensified airstrikes across Iran on the seventh day of the war, targeting missile bases, air-defence systems and command centres. Iranian cities including Tehran, Shiraz, Qom, Isfahan and Kermanshah reported explosions overnight.
- Rising casualties: Iranian authorities say at least 1,332 people have been killed and more than 2,000 injured since the conflict began. Among the dead are civilians, including children, after several schools and residential buildings were struck during the bombardment.
- Intensified strikes on missile infrastructure: US B-2 stealth bombers dropped heavy “penetrator” bombs on underground missile launch facilities and other strategic targets. US officials say these strikes are aimed at destroying Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and limiting its ability to retaliate.
- Iranian missile and drone retaliation: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard continues launching waves of missiles and drones toward Israel and US-aligned countries in the region. However, US officials claim Iranian ballistic missile launches have dropped significantly since the first days of the war due to damage to launch systems.
- Leadership uncertainty after the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader: Following the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier in the conflict, Iranian authorities are debating leadership succession. His son Mojtaba Khamenei has been mentioned as a potential successor, though the US has rejected the idea and suggested a role in shaping a future Iranian leadership.
- Threat of escalation: Iranian officials warned that any US ground invasion would lead to massive casualties among American forces, while Tehran said it is prepared to expand attacks against US and Israeli targets.
- Attack near Kuwait waters: Iranian military sources said they struck a US-owned oil tanker off the coast of Kuwait, setting the vessel on fire as part of expanded maritime operations.
In Gulf Nations:
The Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union held an extraordinary meeting on 5 March 2026 to discuss the escalation in the Middle East and Iran’s inexcusable attacks against the GCC countries. In a joint statement the GCC and EU Condemned Iran’s Attacks and called for immediate end to the hostilities
KUWAIT: Kuwaiti air-defence systems have intercepted hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones targeting the country’s airspace. Authorities reported 212 ballistic missiles and 394 drones detected and intercepted since the start of hostilities.
BAHRAIN: Iranian strikes hit a hotel and residential buildings in Manama, causing fires but reportedly no fatalities. Earlier attacks also targeted the country’s state-run oil refinery, raising concerns about energy infrastructure security.
UAE and QATAR: Both countries reported intercepting large numbers of Iranian missiles and drones aimed at military and civilian targets across the Gulf region.
Evacuations and foreign nationals leaving:
The United States said roughly 20,000 Americans have already left the Middle East, many departing independently as the security situation deteriorates.
Military redeployments: Some European countries have begun repositioning or withdrawing troops from Gulf bases due to the growing risk of Iranian retaliation.
Satellite imagery restrictions: Satellite imagery provider Planet Labs imposed a 96-hour delay on high-resolution images over Gulf states to prevent adversaries from using the data to identify sensitive military locations.
In Israel
Iranian missile and drone attacks: Iran launched new missile and drone strikes targeting Tel Aviv and central Israel, triggering air-raid sirens and interceptions by Israeli air-defence systems.
Escalation with Hezbollah in Lebanon: Israeli forces have intensified strikes on Hezbollah positions across Lebanon, particularly in Beirut’s southern suburbs and the Bekaa Valley. Evacuation warnings were issued to civilians living in areas suspected of hosting Hezbollah command centres.
Domestic security restrictions: Israeli authorities temporarily closed religious sites in Jerusalem’s Old City and cancelled major gatherings amid security concerns.
Rhetoric from officials: Israeli leaders warned that Hezbollah-controlled areas of Beirut could face destruction similar to
In the United States
Massive air campaign continues: US Central Command says it has struck around 200 Iranian targets in the past 72 hours, including missile launchers, naval vessels and command centres.
Major naval losses for Iran: The US claims to have destroyed over 30 Iranian naval vessels, including a large drone-launching ship described as similar in size to a World War II aircraft carrier.
Trump demands Iran’s surrender: US President Donald Trump said negotiations would only occur if Iran agrees to “unconditional surrender”
Congress backs the war effort: The US House of Representatives voted 219–212 against a resolution that would have forced the administration to seek congressional approval to continue the war.
Economic impact: Global markets reacted sharply to the conflict, with oil prices rising and the Dow Jones dropping more than 1,000 points earlier in the week due to fears of a prolonged regional war.
In Iraq, Lebanon and Egypt
Drone attack near Baghdad: Iraqi forces intercepted a drone targeting a military base near Baghdad International Airport that hosts US forces.
Iran strikes Kurdish groups: Iranian media reported attacks on Kurdish militant groups near the Iran–Iraq border, accusing them of cooperating with US operations.
Heavy fighting in Lebanon: Israel has conducted strikes on more than 500 targets in Lebanon this week, including facilities linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah.
Economic warning from Egypt: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi warned that the country’s economy is approaching a “near-emergency state” due to rising energy prices and disruptions to regional trade routes.
In Europe
Divisions among European governments: European countries remain divided on how to respond to the conflict, with some supporting military deployments while others call for diplomacy.
Military movements: The United Kingdom and France have moved naval and air-defence assets to the eastern Mediterranean to protect allied interests.
Regional fallout spreading: Azerbaijan halted cross-border truck traffic with Iran and is considering retaliatory measures after a drone attack injured civilians in its Nakhchivan region.
With inputs from The Guardian, AP News, New York Post, The Economic Times
