The war in the Middle East has moved into a dangerous new stage. The United States and Israel have stepped up airstrikes against Iran, and Tehran has responded with attacks across the region. What started as a focused military operation has now expanded, pulling in Gulf nations and putting key global energy infrastructure at risk.
US President Donald Trump said Washington has “the capability to go far longer” than the originally expected four-to-five-week timeframe. His remarks suggest the confrontation may continue beyond initial projections.
The escalation followed the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Since then, US and Israeli forces have maintained strikes, while Iran and its regional allies have launched retaliatory attacks against Israel and Gulf countries.
The scale of the fighting and the absence of a clear exit strategy have increased fears that the conflict could turn into a prolonged regional war with global consequences.
Netanyahu Says War Will Not Be Endless
Benjamin Netanyahu said the war against Iran may take time but will not drag on for years. Speaking on Hannity, he described the campaign as potentially quick and decisive. He stressed that it would not become an endless war.
Netanyahu also said the conflict could reshape the Middle East. He suggested there may be a path toward lasting peace, including improved relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
US Embassy in Riyadh Targeted
The US Embassy in Riyadh was attacked by two drones as Iran intensified its retaliation. Saudi Ministry of Defense confirmed that the strike caused a limited fire and minor structural damage.
The US issued new shelter-in-place orders for Riyadh and Jeddah, while maintaining an earlier order for Dhahran. The State Department also advised Americans to leave several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia.
Over 100 Killed in Iran School Strike
Iran reported that more than 100 people were killed after strikes hit a school in the southern town of Minab. Iranian officials blamed hostile forces for the attack.
However, neither the US nor Israel confirmed carrying out such a strike. Israel said it had no knowledge of a US or Israeli attack on a school. Washington said it was reviewing the reports.
Travel Disruptions Across the Region
As the conflict spread, thousands of travellers were stranded. Some evacuation flights began departing from the United Arab Emirates, but most commercial air traffic in the region remains suspended.
Limited flights resumed from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Still, widespread airspace closures and cancellations continue to disrupt travel.
US Urges Americans to Leave Region
The US government asked its citizens to immediately leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon and Oman.
The advisory cited serious security risks due to expanding missile and drone attacks. The UAE condemned Iranian missile strikes as a dangerous escalation. It also announced the closure of its embassy in Tehran and withdrew its ambassador and staff.
Explosions Reported in Gulf Cities
Fresh blasts were heard in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Manama and Kuwait City as Iran continued its third day of retaliation. The explosions highlighted how far the conflict has spread geographically.
UAE and Kuwait Discuss Security
The UAE Ministry of Defence said the Crown Prince of Dubai, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, spoke with Kuwait’s Defence Ministry. Both sides discussed the fast-changing regional situation and agreed on the importance of coordination and security cooperation.
India Calls for Dialogue
Narendra Modi described the US-Iran-Israel conflict as a matter of serious concern for India. Speaking alongside Mark Carney, he said India supports resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.
Modi also spoke to Netanyahu and urged an early end to hostilities. He reaffirmed India’s consistent position in favour of peace and regional stability.
US Defends Military Campaign
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the operation would not become an endless war. “This is not Iraq. This is not endless,” he stated. However, he warned that more American casualties could occur in the coming weeks.
President Trump defended the strikes, arguing that Iran’s expanding missile programme posed a direct threat to US forces stationed overseas.
Conflict Spreads Further
The US and Israeli air campaign expanded to other fronts. Israel launched strikes in Lebanon in response to attacks by Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, Iran continued targeting Gulf countries that host US military bases. This raised fresh fears that the confrontation could turn into a full-scale regional war with no immediate resolution.
Overall, the crisis has grown wider and more complex. Military action continues on multiple fronts, diplomatic efforts remain limited, and uncertainty hangs over how and when the conflict will end.