TEL AVIV: The Middle East conflict expanded dramatically on Monday as Israel launched air strikes against Iran and Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, while Tehran reported renewed missile attacks on Israeli targets in an escalation that has drawn in regional actors and rattled global markets.
Israel said it targeted sites linked to the Iran-backed Hezbollah after the group launched missiles and drones toward Israeli territory, claiming retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Lebanese state media reported at least 31 deaths and 149 injuries in southern Beirut and surrounding areas, where Israel said it struck Hezbollah-controlled districts and senior militant commanders.
The strikes marked a significant widening of hostilities beyond the direct Israel-Iran confrontation that erupted after a major US-Israeli offensive on Iranian targets over the weekend. Tehran responded with a new barrage of missiles, saying the operation had “opened the great gates of fire” on Israel and warning that further attacks would follow.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps claimed missile strikes on Israeli government and military installations in Tel Aviv, Haifa and East Jerusalem, vowing continued operations. Air raid sirens sounded across Israel, including in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, as authorities warned of incoming rockets.
Israel reported continuing strikes on Iranian sites, with explosions in Tehran and western Kurdistan province. State media confirmed fatalities in the Kurdistan attack. The Israeli military said its air force had established aerial superiority over Tehran and targeted intelligence and security infrastructure.
US President Donald Trump indicated the military campaign against Iran could last weeks. A senior White House official told Reuters that while diplomatic talks might eventually occur, “Operation Epic Fury continues unabated.” American and Israeli forces have struck more than 1,000 Iranian targets since major operations began, according to US military sources.
The conflict has spread across the region. Drone strikes hit Britain’s Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri in Cyprus, causing limited damage but marking the first attack on the facility since 1986. Explosions were also reported near US installations in Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, prompting security alerts and shelter-in-place warnings.
Kuwaiti air defences intercepted drones, while witnesses in Doha and Dubai reported blasts and heavy security deployments. The US embassy in Kuwait advised staff and citizens to seek cover amid threats of missile and drone attacks.
The widening hostilities follow a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah brokered in 2024, which had temporarily reduced cross-border clashes. Israeli military officials warned of prolonged operations against Hezbollah, signalling readiness for days of sustained combat.
“This requires strong defensive readiness and sustained offensive operations,” said Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who predicted continuous waves of strikes.
The regional escalation has triggered economic and logistical disruptions. Oil prices surged on fears of supply constraints through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments. Shipping companies reported vessels anchoring in nearby waters, while air travel in the Middle East faced severe disruptions as major hubs, including Dubai International Airport, suspended operations.
Asian airline stocks fell sharply, reflecting investor concerns over prolonged instability and rising fuel costs.
The conflict has also resulted in the first confirmed US military casualties, with three service members reported killed at a base in Kuwait. President Trump described them as “true American patriots” and vowed to continue the operation, though he acknowledged the likelihood of further losses.
Explosions across Gulf cities as Iran retaliates to US-Israeli Assault
Public opinion in the United States remains divided. A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated only around one-quarter of Americans support the military campaign, raising political risks for the administration ahead of midterm elections.
Iran faces internal uncertainty following reports of a temporary leadership council assuming duties after Khamenei’s death. President Masoud Pezeshkian said the council would oversee governance, but analysts warned of potential power struggles within the country’s political and religious establishment.
Iranian officials rejected prospects for negotiations with Washington, with advisers describing US demands as unrealistic. “We will not negotiate with Trump,” said Ali Larijani, a senior political figure, accusing the US president of pursuing “delusional ambitions.”
The broader implications of the conflict remain unclear. Experts say Iran’s clerical system and the influence of the Revolutionary Guards could endure despite leadership losses, but the immediate risk of regional destabilisation is growing.
International leaders called for restraint. The United Nations urged urgent diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation, warning that civilian populations across the Middle East face increasing danger.
Global markets reacted sharply, with oil prices climbing and aviation stocks declining. Analysts warned that prolonged instability could disrupt energy supplies and economic activity far beyond the region.
As fighting continues, diplomatic channels remain open in principle, though both sides appear committed to military pressure. With no clear pathway to de-escalation, observers fear the conflict could expand further, drawing in additional regional actors and increasing humanitarian costs.
