Why did US and Israel attack Iran and how long could the war last?
Why Did US and Israel Attack Iran and How Long Could the War Last?
Recent hostilities in the Middle East have escalated rapidly after the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iran. The attacks, which began on 28 February, targeted Iran’s military installations, missile systems, and key leadership figures, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the initial phase. This marked the first time in nearly four decades that Iran’s top spiritual and political authority had been eliminated in an armed assault.
Iran’s Retaliatory Response
In retaliation, Iran launched a series of missile and drone strikes against Israeli and U.S.-backed targets in the Gulf. The conflict spread to Lebanon, causing additional casualties and infrastructure damage. The IRGC claimed responsibility for hitting Israeli government and military sites in Tel Aviv, while also attacking U.S. allies such as Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and the UAE.
“The targeting of civilians and of countries not directly involved is a clear violation of international law,” stated a U.S. official in response to Iran’s attacks.
The strikes included assaults on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which the country insists are purely civilian, and oil and gas infrastructure, disrupting its energy sector. Kharg Island, a vital hub for Iran’s oil exports, was among the sites hit. Meanwhile, a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, resulting in 87 fatalities.
Human Toll and Global Impact
By 2 April, Iran’s HRANA organization reported 3,530 deaths since the conflict began, with 1,606 being civilians and 244 children. The U.S. military acknowledged that its Tomahawk missile strike near a girls’ school in southern Iran, which Iran claimed killed 168 people, was likely responsible for the casualties. The U.S. has since confirmed its involvement in the attack, though it initially stated it was unaware of operations in the area.
“This was an unprovoked and illegitimate assault on our people,” said an Iranian government spokesperson, condemning the strikes as disproportionate.
The war has also spilled beyond Iran’s borders. In northern Iraq, a French soldier was killed by an Iranian drone at a Kurdish military base. Seven Iraqi troops were later reported dead in an airstrike in Anbar province, though the perpetrator remained unspecified. Meanwhile, the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a militia formed to combat ISIS, confirmed the deaths of 27 of its members in the region.
Regional and Global Escalation
Iran’s attacks extended to countries hosting U.S. military bases, including Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and the UAE. Thirteen American service members were killed in these strikes, while civilian contractors and foreign workers also faced danger. The UAE reported 13 fatalities, with one death in Bahrain. Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia each documented two casualties.
“We are not aware of any military operations in the area,” claimed an Israeli military official regarding the initial attack on the girls’ school.
In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, four Palestinian women were killed at a beauty salon during an Iranian missile strike. Turkey reported that three Iranian missiles were intercepted by NATO defenses within its airspace. Azerbaijan accused Iran of attacking an airport with drones, further complicating the regional dynamics.
As of 29 March, Israel’s ambulance service noted 19 deaths from Iranian missile fire. The conflict’s duration remains uncertain, with tensions poised to intensify as both sides prepare for further retaliation. Analysts warn the war could stretch into weeks, depending on the scale of subsequent strikes and international mediation efforts.
