The Middle East has plunged into a dangerous new phase of conflict following reported joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, with retaliatory attacks now spreading across the Gulf.
Explosions were reported in Tehran on Friday after missiles hit key locations in the Iranian capital. In swift response, Iran launched counterstrikes, targeting US military bases in Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait.
The fast-moving escalation has raised fears of a full-scale regional war, with military activity intensifying across multiple fronts.
The current crisis is the culmination of months of rising hostilities between Washington, Tel Aviv and Tehran.
In June 2025, the United States reportedly carried out strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, significantly raising tensions. Iran was believed to have resumed aspects of its nuclear programme soon after.
Efforts to prevent escalation appeared to collapse on February 26, when high-stakes talks in Geneva ended without agreement.
A day later, Washington ordered the evacuation of some embassy staff from Israel — a move widely seen as a signal that military action was imminent.
The rhetoric surrounding the crisis intensified earlier in February when US President Donald Trump publicly called for regime change in Iran, drawing sharp condemnation from Tehran and further straining relations.
The escalation comes against the backdrop of reported domestic turmoil in Iran.
In December 2025, the country was said to have experienced a severe economic crisis that sparked widespread protests — described as the largest since the 1979 revolution. Authorities reportedly responded with a crackdown, though casualty figures remain unverified.
With missiles exchanged and military installations under attack, global attention is now fixed on the Middle East.
As of press time, officials from the countries involved have yet to provide full details of the operations or confirm casualty figures.
Security analysts warn that unless urgent diplomatic efforts resume, the conflict could widen rapidly, drawing in more nations and deepening instability across the region.
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