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The war between the US, Israel and Iran is about to enter its third week with no signs of de-escalation as missile strikes, drone attacks and airstrikes continue across the Middle East.US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran is “on the verge of surrender” in a virtual meeting, Reuters reported, citing Axios. He also told the G7 leaders that the conflict was going in Washington’s favor. Despite his statements, the war has escalated across multiple fronts, with mounting human casualties and global markets reacting to increasing instability.Nearly two weeks after the conflict began, oil prices rose, shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was disrupted, and regional powers were drawn into the fighting.
The exchange of missiles between Israel and Iran continues, while allied groups and regional states increasingly become part of the conflict.
The first week: The war begins with the killing of the Supreme Leader of Iran
The war began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes inside Iran as part of “Operation Epic Fury” targeting military infrastructure and missile systems.The opening attack killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei along with several senior leaders, sparking immediate retaliation from Tehran.
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Iranian forces have launched missiles and drones toward Israel and U.S. military installations across the region, marking the beginning of a rapidly escalating conflict.
Day 2: Iran launches major retaliatory operations
On the second day of the conflict, Iran responded with large waves of ballistic missiles and drones that targeted Israeli cities and military infrastructure. Meanwhile, US forces expanded their air campaign against Iranian missile launch sites and Revolutionary Guard facilities.
Iran has also begun directing attacks toward US bases and allied countries across the Middle East, signaling that the conflict will not remain confined to Iranian and Israeli territory.
Day three: Hezbollah opens a northern front
The Lebanese Hezbollah group joined the conflict, firing rockets into northern Israel. Israel responded with air strikes on Hezbollah positions in the southern suburbs of Beirut and other parts of Lebanon.Among the deadliest attacks were overnight air strikes on the eastern town of Nabi Sheet, where at least 16 people were killed and 35 wounded, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health.
Officials warned that the death toll could rise further as rescue efforts continue.
Day 4: Gulf Tensions escalate
Missiles and drones began to appear over Gulf states that host US military bases, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
The attacks that occurred near the Strait of Hormuz disrupted maritime traffic and raised fears of a global energy crisis. Oil markets reacted sharply, with traders concerned that the conflict could significantly impact global supplies.
Day 5: The Gulf countries are increasingly attracted
Iranian drones and missiles targeted several countries in the region. UAE air defenses intercepted projectiles near Dubai International Airport and coastal areas.In Bahrain, a missile hit a state-run oil refinery, causing a fire, authorities later said. Saudi Arabia also intercepted drones near key energy infrastructure.
Day Six: The widespread strike campaign intensifies
The United States and Israel expanded their attacks inside Iran, striking hundreds of targets over several days. Officials said the strikes destroyed large parts of Iran’s air defense network and missile systems. Israeli authorities claimed to have destroyed nearly 80 percent of Iran’s air defense systems. Iranian authorities said that the death toll from the attacks had risen to more than 1,300 people across the country. Several cities reported severe damage to buildings and infrastructure, including government facilities, hospitals and residential areas.
Day 7: The war spreads throughout the region
Clashes spread on multiple fronts, including Lebanon, Iraq, and the Gulf.
Explosions were reported in Dubai and Bahrain as air defense systems intercepted incoming projectiles. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, affecting global trade routes.Trump called on Iran to “unconditionally surrender” while ruling out immediate negotiations, indicating that the war may continue to expand throughout the region.
Week 2: The conflict expands throughout the Middle East
Day 8: Heavy bombardment and regional attacks
After a week of war, intense air strikes hit Tehran while Iranian missiles targeted Israel and the Gulf states.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates announced that they had intercepted drones and missiles.Western countries began to strengthen their military assets in the region as the number of casualties rose sharply. At least 1,332 people were killed in US-Israeli attacks with a new wave of intense bombing on Tehran, Al Jazeera reported.
Day 9: The spread of attacks in the Gulf region and Iraq
Missile and drone strikes were reported across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq. A missile fell inside the US Embassy compound in Baghdad, but no casualties were reported.
Israel also bombed fuel storage facilities in Tehran, causing major fires.
Trump said Washington is not interested in negotiating with Iran despite the ongoing hostilities. “We are not looking for compromise,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “They want to settle. We’re not looking to settle.”Trump claimed that the United States and Israel have severely weakened Iran’s military capabilities, including its naval, air and missile infrastructure.
Day 10: Iran appoints the new Supreme Leader
Iran appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme guide after the death of his father. The cleric, known for his close ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, took command as Iran continued missile and drone attacks across the region.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a drone targeting the Shaybah oil field and warned Iran it would be the “biggest loser” if the attacks continued. The United States has also begun withdrawing its non-essential diplomatic personnel and their families from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states due to increasing security risks.
Day eleven: intense bombing and protests
Violent air strikes continued across Iran, with explosions in Tehran and other cities.Thousands of Iranians rallied in support of Mojtaba Khamenei, while the government pledged to continue the fight. Iranian forces also launched drone attacks targeting Israeli infrastructure, including energy facilities in Haifa.Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran would continue fighting as long as necessary, casting doubt on Trump’s insistence that the conflict would end “soon.”
Day 12: The largest wave of American attacks
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that US forces carried out the largest wave of strikes since the start of the war. Tehran reported heavy bombardment across the capital while thousands of civilians fled major cities.The United States also destroyed several Iranian naval vessels near the Strait of Hormuz amid concerns that Tehran may try to block the shipping route.
Day Thirteen: The war disrupts global energy markets
The conflict has increasingly affected global energy supplies.
The International Energy Agency announced the release of 400 million barrels of emergency reserves to stabilize markets with tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz almost halted.Missile strikes and drone attacks continued across the Gulf while Israel expanded its operations against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.Casualties mounted throughout the region. Iranian authorities say that more than 1,200 people were killed in Iran, while hundreds were killed in Lebanon and dozens in Israel and other countries.United Nations estimates indicate the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, especially in Lebanon, where continuous bombing has forced residents to flee their homes.Children were among the most affected, with humanitarian agencies warning that thousands had been injured or killed since the war began.
Day 14: Explosions in Tehran as the war approaches its third week; US plane crash increases tensions
As the war entered its 14th day, severe explosions were reported across Tehran, according to Iranian state media.
Explosions were heard near a large pro-government demonstration in Tehran’s central square, where large crowds gathered to celebrate Jerusalem Day, the annual event held on the last Friday of Ramadan in support of the Palestinian cause.
Today also witnessed a major aviation accident over Iraq. The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker operated by the US Air Force crashed in western Iraq during the afternoon. The United States Central Command confirmed that four of the six crew members on board the plane were killed, while rescue operations for the remaining individuals continued.
Global economic impact and energy crisis
The conflict led to major disruptions in global energy markets. Oil prices rose above $100 per barrel amid concerns that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could be blocked.The waterway typically carries about a fifth of the world’s oil supplies, making it one of the world’s most important energy corridors.Many Gulf countries also reduced oil production as storage facilities became full due to shipping disruptions. World leaders held emergency talks to stabilize markets and prevent a broader economic shock.