The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has now reached its fifth day, and violence has spread across the Middle East. The military campaign carried out by both the United States and Israel has already resulted in over 1,000 deaths in Iran, while Iran has launched counterattacks on Israel and the Gulf States. With each passing day, new military actions and reactions by countries and economies continue to emerge.
Major military developments
One of the big moments came when US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced that an American submarine had sunk an Iranian war vessel in international waters off the coast of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan navy said it recovered "several bodies" at the scene of the attack, but the number of casualties is not known.
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At the same time, NATO air defense systems have reportedly intercepted an Iranian missile that was headed towards Turkish airspace, according to the Turkish presidency, reported CNN. It is believed that this could be the first time that NATO forces have shot down an Iranian missile that was headed towards one of the countries in the alliance since the war began.
Israel has also continued its operations inside Iran. The Israeli military confirmed it carried out another wave of strikes on Tehran, marking the tenth round of attacks since the fighting began. US President Donald Trump praised the joint operation, saying Iran’s military capabilities, including parts of its navy and air force, had been largely neutralised. However, US officials indicated the operation is still in its early phase and further strikes could follow.
Situation inside Iran
Residents of Tehran reported heavy strikes overnight, with one local describing it as a particularly difficult night, reported CNN. The Israeli military also said one of its jets shot down an Iranian aircraft, calling it the first air-to-air combat kill involving piloted aircraft during the conflict.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency, a US-based monitoring group, reported that more than 1,000 people, including children, have died in Iran since the conflict began on Saturday. The organisation noted that the figures are preliminary and could rise.
Iran has also experienced an internet blackout lasting more than 100 hours, making communication with the outside world difficult.
At the same time, Iranian officials have reportedly begun discussions about selecting a new supreme leader following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the initial strikes. Among the potential successors is his son Mojtaba Khamenei, though no timeline for the selection has been announced.
Wider regional impact
The conflict is also affecting neighbouring countries. Israel has carried out strikes in Lebanon targeting the Iran-backed group Hezbollah. According to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health, at least 74 people have been killed and more than 437 injured since the attacks began on Monday.
Iran has launched missiles and drones toward several Gulf countries, including Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. According to US General Dan Caine, the volume of Iran’s attacks has dropped significantly since the first day of the conflict, with missile launches down by 86 percent and drone strikes reduced by 73 percent.
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Several US facilities in the region have also been hit. Embassies in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Lebanon have been closed after strikes in the area. A CIA station in Saudi Arabia and a major US military base in Qatar were also targeted.
Global reaction and economic impact
The fighting has begun to affect global markets. Asian stocks fell sharply amid concerns about rising oil prices, especially with the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global oil transit route, effectively closed.
China has called for an immediate halt to the US and Israeli operations, while France has deployed Rafale fighter jets over the United Arab Emirates to protect its military bases.
US and Israeli officials have offered varying explanations for launching the strikes on Iran. These include claims that the operation was necessary to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons or to prevent possible Iranian attacks.
However, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog has said Iran was not close to producing an atomic weapon. When questioned further, the White House said President Trump believed Iran was preparing to attack US assets in the region and that waiting would have been unacceptable.
