Since the United States and Israel launched the latest operation against Iran on Feb. 28, the two sides have been relentlessly launching air strikes in the region. The U.S. and Israel have been striking military targets and energy sites such as oil fields, hoping to decapitate the regime. Iran has launched retaliatory attacks against Israel and other Gulf nations, hoping to build pressure from U.S. allies.
So far, Iran has launched drones and missiles at Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Lebanon, Cyprus, Oman, and Kuwait. It has targeted U.S. bases, cultural hubs, and cultural gathering points.
IRAN’S SPRAY-AND-PRAY STRATEGY AIMS TO WIDEN THE BATTLEFIELD AND SPREAD CONSEQUENCES
Where strikes are happening
Iran has targeted its neighbors, including some with which the Islamic Regime had diplomatic relationships, such as Oman. Oman had served as an intermediary between the U.S. and Iran during nuclear negotiations.
During the retaliatory strikes, Iran has targeted symbols of Westernization, including luxury hotels in Dubai and shopping centers. It has also targeted U.S. bases, including Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which is the U.S.’s largest base in the region. On Wednesday, Iran announced it would also be targeting banks and other financial institutions. HSBC Bank announced its branches in Qatar would be closed until further notice shortly after.
By the numbers: How many have died
So far, at least seven U.S. service members have been killed during the operation, and an eighth died from unrelated health complications, according to the Pentagon. In total, about 140 service members have been injured as of March 10. Iran’s Red Crescent, a nongovernmental humanitarian organization, has estimated the total number killed in Iran to be over 1,000.
THE US CONFLICT IN IRAN BY THE NUMBERS
WHY IRAN’S MAIN OIL TERMINAL AT KHARG ISLAND HAS BEEN SPARED
Oil industry faces massive downturn in production and shipments
The oil industry and gas prices are seeing some of the biggest effects since the beginning of the war on Feb. 28. Tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which typically accounts for moving 20% of the world’s oil, has ground to a halt after Iran threatened to strike ships passing through. Further, oil facilities in the Middle East have been a target of both sides of the war, with Israel launching strikes on 30 Iranian fuel deposits and Iran striking many neighbors’ oil sites. On March 10, Iran struck the largest oil refinery in the region, located in the UAE.
The cost of oil has fluctuated as a result, and Group of 7 countries are considering tapping into oil reserves to stabilize prices.
