 "Birds fly as smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, on March 2. Reuters")
It’s Day 9 of the fast-expanding conflict in West Asia. The war between the US-Israel and Iran has dragged in the Gulf nations, Europe, and even Asia.
It all started on February 28, after the United States and Israel targeted Tehran and other Iranian cities, eliminating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top commanders. The Islamic Republic’s response came quickly and as a surprise. It is not only hitting Israel but also Gulf nations like the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, among others, that host American bases. However, the attacks are not restricted to military infrastructure; airports, hotels and embassies are also struck. Iran’s neighbours are seething, and so far, they have only played a defensive role, intercepting and bringing down drones and missiles.
Europe is not insulated from the conflict. Iran has targeted Cyprus, with a drone striking a British Royal Air Force base on the island. Britain, France, and Greece are deploying their armed forces to the region, with Tehran threatening to retaliate against these countries with attacks on European soil.
Even the Indian subcontinent is embroiled in the conflict. An Iranian ship was torpedoed by the US in the Indian Ocean, killing 87 sailors. The vessel was returning from India, where it was part of the International Fleet Review (IFR) Milan 2026 naval exercise. While the Indian Navy responded to the Iranian vessel’s SOS, Sri Lanka is treating the injured sailors, and it also evacuated the crew of a second ship near its waters.
In over a week, more than 15 nations have been dragged into the conflict. It’s a situation that evolves hour by hour. In our weekly roundup, we explain and analyse all that is going on.
1. The killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the US and Israel air strikes was unprecedented. The most powerful man in the Islamic Republic, Khamenei, was at the helm for more than 36 years. Tracking him down was one of the most covert operations conducted in intelligence history. Israel reportedly hacked into Tehran’s extensive traffic network to keep an eye on the bodyguards of the ayatollah and other top Iranian officials. Here is how Mossad hacked into the cameras believed to be part of Iran’s surveillance apparatus.
2. Khamenei has been Israel’s Enemy No 1 for decades. So, how did the Jewish nation finally eliminate him? Reports say that Israel used an advanced jet-launched ballistic weapon known as the Blue Sparrow . It is often described as a “missile from space" because of the trajectory it follows before striking its target.
3. Iran was prepared for a war that was looming for weeks. However, its quick and devastating response has taken the world by surprise. Soon after the Israel and US attacks, the Islamic Republic struck back, firing missiles not only at the Jewish nation but also at America’s Gulf allies – Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, among others. Here’s why .
4. Dubai was considered a haven despite years of turmoil in West Asia. However, the Iran war changed that. The emirate has been bombarded with missiles and drones from the Islamic Republic. The strikes, which began last Saturday, brought the world’s busiest airports to a standstill. Hotels and plush locales have been targeted. We tell you how the emirate has been facing Iran’s wrath .
5. Modern warfare is all about the game of drones. Iran has launched more than 2,000 low-cost drones in West Asia, overwhelming defences and triggering chaos in the region. The US is also using repurposed Iranian drone technology to attack the Islamic Republic. But is Tehran winning this battle?
6. The death of Khamenei has created a power vacuum in Iran. Even as the country is at war, there is increased speculation about the next Supreme Leader. Reports suggest that Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a frontrunner. The 56-year-old has kept a low profile over the years, but he has built a £100-million global property empire , which expands from Dubai to London.
7. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been in focus. Its chief, Mohammad Pakpour, was also killed during the opening phase of the joint Israeli-US attacks on February 28. Now the group has a new head, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi. This is one of the most influential jobs in Iran. But what is the IRGC that Trump is demanding should surrender?
8. The West Asia war has been deepening. With each passing day, more and more nations find themselves embroiled in the conflict. In one of the most shocking attacks since the fighting began, the US torpedoed an Iranian warship, the IRIS Dena, in the Indian Ocean near Sri Lanka, killing 87 crew. The vessel was returning from Visakhapatnam. But what was it doing in India?
9. As the conflict escalates, India will be impacted by its fallout. There is a possibility that Iran could shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route. But that’s not all. A long-drawn war means that daily essentials such as cooking oil and medicines are likely to become expensive .
That’s all from us this week. We hope our reading list helps you understand the West Asia conflict. You will find more such explainers here .