Why did US and Israel attack Iran and how long could the war last?
US-Israel Strikes on Iran: Motives and Duration of the Conflict
The Middle Eastern tensions have intensified following U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, which resulted in the death of the country’s top leader on February 28. Iran retaliated by directing attacks at Israel and allied states in the Gulf, escalating the conflict rapidly. Casualties and damage have risen across all involved parties, with Lebanon also becoming a battleground.
Targeting Iran’s Infrastructure and Leadership
Initial strikes by the U.S. and Israel focused on Iran’s missile systems, military installations, and key leadership figures. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, was among those killed during the first wave of operations. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was announced as the new successor on March 8.
“The targeting of civilians and of countries not directly involved in the conflict is a clear escalation,” said a U.S. official in a statement.
Additional high-ranking Iranian officials, including security chief Ali Larijani, intelligence minister Esmail Khatib, and Basij force leader Gholamreza Soleimani, were also eliminated. Israel claimed these targets were hit via aerial assaults.
Escalation and Casualties
Amid the chaos, the U.S. and Israel expanded their focus to Iran’s nuclear program and energy sector, striking sites the country insists are peaceful. Kharg Island, a critical oil hub, and South Pars, part of the world’s largest gas field, were among the targets.
On March 4, a U.S. submarine in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka sank an Iranian warship, killing at least 87 individuals. The Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) reported by April 2 that over 3,500 people had perished in Iran since hostilities began, including 1,606 civilians, 244 of whom were children.
Iran accused the U.S. and Israel of bombing a girls’ school near an IRGC base, claiming 168 fatalities, predominantly children. The U.S. was investigating the incident, while Israel stated it was unaware of operations in the area. BBC Verify confirmed via video analysis that a U.S. Tomahawk missile struck the location.
Global Spread of the Conflict
Hostilities extended beyond Iran’s borders, with strikes reported in Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. Thirteen U.S. service members were killed, and at least 24 others perished in the Gulf.
In northern Iraq, a French soldier was killed by a drone attack at a Kurdish military base. The Iraqi Ministry of Defence noted seven soldiers died in an airstrike in Anbar province on March 25, though the perpetrator was not identified. The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) also reported 27 of their members lost in the fighting.
Regional Impact and Accusations
Iran’s retaliation included missile and drone attacks on Israeli-occupied territories, such as the West Bank, where four Palestinian women were killed at a beauty salon. Turkey claimed NATO defenses intercepted three Iranian missiles over its airspace. Azerbaijan alleged Iran targeted an airport with drones.
International journalists face restricted access in Iran, and internet connectivity has been largely cut off. Meanwhile, a U.S. F-15 fighter jet was shot down over western Iran on April 3, with the pilot rescued and a search-and-rescue mission facing additional fire. The pilot was later confirmed safe after a second crew member was recovered.
