The US and Israel’s war on Iran has entered its seventh day, setting the Middle East ablaze and endangering millions of lives and livelihoods as the violence spreads across a widening arc from Central Asia to the edge of Europe.
The joint operation, called “Epic Fury” by the US and “Roaring Lion” by Israel, has been presented as a powerful show of force. However, beyond the chaos and bloodshed, its broader impact remains unclear. What is certain is that warnings about this war destabilizing the region have quickly come true.
1. What is the background to this war?
For decades, Iran—a regional power that sees the US and Israel as its main enemies—has worked to expand its influence across the Middle East by supporting militant groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen. Iran has also developed a nuclear program, which it claims is for peaceful purposes. The US disputes this and was negotiating to limit Iran’s nuclear ambitions until last Saturday, when it abandoned talks and began bombing.
Israel’s long-standing policy in the region—especially toward Iran, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza, Yemen, and Syria—has been to keep enemy forces “weak” through frequent and overwhelming military strikes, including assassinations. This approach has resulted in tens of thousands of civilian deaths, a move away from diplomacy, and growing global anger toward Israel. Senior figures in armed groups that Israel kills are often quickly replaced, and targeted militant groups either rebuild or are succeeded by others.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged the US for years to seriously consider attacking Iran and has rejected international agreements to limit Iran’s nuclear program. Previous US administrations resisted this aggressive stance, with diplomats and Middle Eastern governments warning that bombing Iran would not only be a blunt and ineffective way to destroy a nuclear program but would also engulf the region in conflict. That is precisely what is happening now.
As Donald Trump has said, no other US president “was willing to do what I was willing to do.”
2. What are the objectives of Israel and the US in this war?
Various reasons have been given, including: countering broad threats from Iran and its allies; destroying Iran’s nuclear program (despite Trump claiming he had already “obliterated” it with strikes last summer); and attempting regime change through airstrikes. On Friday, Trump said he wanted an “unconditional surrender.”
Some in US Christian evangelical circles view the bombing as part of a holy war that will lead to Armageddon—an event they desire because they believe it will bring about the return of Jesus Christ.
Hours after the first strikes, Trump stated the “objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.” Netanyahu said his goal was to remove Iran’s missile and nuclear threat, but he also welcomed the “overthrow of the regime” if that occurs.
One notable goal that is emerging is that the US and Israel have encouraged anti-government groups inside and outside Iran, including Kurdish militants, to rise up and fight. If successful, this strategy could lead to an unpredictable civil war.
3. What do we know about civilian casualties so far?
According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, US and Israeli attacks have killed 1,230 people in Iran since the bombing began a week ago. One of the most shocking strikes was on a girls’ primary school in Minab, southern Iran, which killed dozens of children.A separate U.S. submarine torpedo attack on an Iranian warship off the south coast of Sri Lanka killed at least 87 sailors, though Sri Lankan authorities managed to rescue some from drowning.
Israel’s strikes on Lebanon—a country it has repeatedly bombed and invaded over decades—have displaced hundreds of thousands of people. The Lebanese health ministry reports that Israeli strikes have killed 217 people and wounded 798, and the government has warned of a humanitarian disaster due to the massive displacement.
Twelve Israelis have been killed by Iranian attacks, and six U.S. personnel have died. Iranian drones and missiles have also caused casualties in the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Other Iranian attacks have struck countries outside the region, including Azerbaijan and Cyprus.
4. Who is leading Iran now and what might come next?
On the first day of the war, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed. The regime immediately began considering a successor, with the late ayatollah’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, seen as a possible heir. No new leader has been announced yet, though an interim body is currently running affairs.
So far, the government remains in control of the country’s armed forces and police. The major danger is a total state collapse, with regional powers fearing Iran could fragment.
Recent history shows that U.S. military operations initially celebrated as successes—such as the 2001 war in Afghanistan and the 2003 Iraq war, which toppled the Taliban and Saddam Hussein respectively—later led to years of conflict and power vacuums.
5. How long can Iran afford to fight back?
Iran’s conventional military is no match for those of the U.S. and Israel, and it has limited supplies of missiles and drones. However, the state has a long history of asymmetric warfare, using paramilitary groups to conduct painful attacks against larger military powers.
By launching attacks into multiple neighboring countries, Tehran’s retaliation has already created geopolitical and economic chaos. It has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, choking global oil supplies, and its missiles and drones have disrupted world air travel.
6. Will the Gulf states remain neutral?
It is hard to tell. Tehran has repeatedly said that U.S. military bases and “interests” in the region are targets for its attacks. However, patience is wearing thin in the Gulf after strikes hit hotels, high-rise apartments, oil installations, and airports.
Several Gulf monarchies, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, view Iran as an adversary, but they also fear being dragged into a destructive war where all sides would suffer.
7. Is this war legal?
Many voices—including legal scholars, U.S. politicians, and some of Washington’s allies—argue this war is not legal under international or U.S. law.
The U.S. and Israel claim their strikes are acts of pre-emptive self-defense. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer refused to join the offensive, stating he would not commit UK forces to “unlawful action” and warning that “this government does not believe in regime change from the skies.”
One of the war’s most vocal critics, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, has described the growing conflict in the Middle East as playing “Russian roulette with the destiny of millions.” On Friday, Sánchez again criticized the U.S.-Israeli strikes, calling them an “extraordinary mistake” and “not in accordance with international law.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the recent USIsraeli conflict with Iran designed to be clear and accessible
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What actually happened Can you give me a simple summary
In midApril 2024 Iran launched a massive direct attack on Israel using hundreds of drones and missiles This was in retaliation for an earlier strike on an Iranian diplomatic building in Syria which Israel was widely believed to have carried out The US UK France and others helped Israel intercept nearly all the projectiles
2 Why are Iran and Israel in conflict Is this new
The conflict is not new its a decadeslong shadow war that has now become direct Core reasons include Irans ideological opposition to Israels existence Irans support for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas that fight Israel and a broader regional power struggle
3 What is the USs role in all of this
The US is Israels closest ally and has a mutual defense commitment During the attack US forces actively helped shoot down Iranian drones and missiles At the same time the US is urging Israel not to escalate further fearing a wider regional war and is leading diplomatic efforts to deescalate
4 Whats the big deal about this specific exchange Why is it different
For the first time Iran attacked Israel directly from its own territory instead of through proxies Israel then responded directly against targets inside Iran This shifts the conflict from a shadow war to a stateonstate military confrontation raising the risk of a much larger war
5 Could this turn into a bigger regional war
Yes that is the primary concern A major Israeli counterattack could drag in Iranian proxies across the region and potentially force the US into deeper military involvement All sides currently seem to be calibrating their responses to avoid this but the risk remains high
Advanced Strategic Questions
6 Both sides seem to be claiming victory and downplaying the damage Whats the strategy
This is a key part of deescalation Iran can claim it fulfilled its promise to retaliate saving face with its domestic audience Israel can showcase the success of
