Iran has unleashed thousands of drones and ballistic missiles across the Middle East since the US and Israel killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, targeting Israel, American bases, embassies, and energy facilities in the Persian Gulf. The attacks have extended to Turkey, Azerbaijan, and even Oman, which had mediated nuclear talks.
The strategy aims to instil fear of a widening war, hoping that US allies will pressure Washington to halt its campaign. Ellie Geranmayeh of the European Council on Foreign Relations said Iran is “upping the costs” from the start, seeking a diplomatic off-ramp by outlasting US President Donald Trump through casualties and disrupted energy production.
However, the barrage risks backfiring. Iran has finite missile stocks, and Gulf Arab states, the US, and Israel have limited interceptors. Despite being outgunned, Iran has killed 11 in Israel and more in Gulf states, while US-Israeli strikes have killed 1,045 in Iran. The campaign includes hundreds of airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites.
US President Donald Trump outlined four objectives: destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, wipe out its navy, prevent a nuclear weapon, and end support for allied armed groups. Iran maintains its nuclear programme is peaceful, though it had enriched uranium to near-weapons-grade.
Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE have been repeatedly targeted, straining their ties with Iran and Washington. Oman’s port and ships were hit after it hosted US carrier logistics. The conflict shifted from Gaza, where the Israeli public has little appetite for extended war, and US polls show wariness of a long conflict.
