Iran and Israel Trade Retaliatory Strikes
Millions of Israelis are taking shelter after Iran launched missile and drone attacks in retaliation for the killing of its supreme leader. The U.S. and Israel have promised further strikes, escalating regional conflict. Meanwhile, conflicting diplomatic signals are emerging, with some U.S. officials suggesting Iran is open to talks, a claim Iranian figures have refuted.
The initial, coordinated U.S.-Israeli attack on February 28, codenamed Operation Roaring Lion by Israel and Epic Fury by the U.S., was designed as a decapitation strike. Intelligence gathered over months by the CIA, and shared with Israeli counterparts, pinpointed the location of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and approximately 40 other senior officials at his residential compound. The strikes targeted not only leadership but also command-and-control infrastructure, missile and drone sites, and radar installations. Beyond the Supreme Leader, the attacks killed a significant portion of Iran's military and intelligence leadership. Confirmed deaths include Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, IRGC commander Mohammad Pakpour, and Ali Shamkhani, the head of the Supreme National Security Council. This marks a significant escalation from the decades-long "shadow war," which primarily involved covert operations, cyberattacks, and support for proxy groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Iran's retaliation involved launching hundreds of missiles and drones, a far more extensive response than seen in past conflicts. The attacks utilized a variety of ballistic missiles, including the Emad, Ghadr, and potentially the Kheybar Shekan or Fatah-1. These strikes targeted not only Israel but also U.S. bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, a significant widening of the conflict. The conflict has had immediate and severe economic repercussions, particularly for global energy supplies. The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil passes, saw maritime traffic virtually halt as insurers withdrew coverage. Oil prices jumped roughly 8.5%, building on a 20% increase already seen this year, with analysts warning prices could exceed $100 a barrel if the strait's disruption continues. Iran's attacks have deliberately targeted the economic infrastructure of Gulf nations, including a drone strike that caused a fire at Saudi Aramco's major Ras Tanura refinery and strikes on the Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, the U.S. Navy's busiest foreign port. These actions have halted traffic at major aviation hubs in Dubai and Doha and led Turkey to cancel flights to several Middle Eastern capitals. The strikes have also opened a new front in Lebanon. In response to Khamenei's death, Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel. Israel retaliated with heavy airstrikes on Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut and other areas in southern Lebanon, killing at least 31 people and wounding 149. U.S. officials have stated the objective of the campaign is not just retaliation but creating the conditions for regime change, calling on the Iranian people to "take over your government." President Trump indicated the operation could continue for another four weeks, while the Pentagon has confirmed the first three U.S. service member fatalities at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait.
