Iran–Israel war: Who is winning after a week of fighting in the Middle East? How long could it last?
The conflict has now spread to multiple fronts. While Iranian-backed groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthis launched attacks on Israel, Gulf countries also faced retaliation from Iran. Approximately 1,200 people have been killed in Iran so far, including 165 schoolgirls. In another dramatic incident, a US submarine sank an Iranian navy ship in the Indian Ocean, killing 87 sailors and bringing the conflict closer to India’s neighbours.
The crisis has also shaken global travel and energy markets. Thousands of flights were canceled and oil prices increased after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments.
Below is a quick look at how the battle has unfolded over the past seven days.
How did the Iran war escalate?
Iran war: Day 1
The conflict began with a coordinated US-Israeli military operation against Iran. The campaign, called Epic Rage by the US states and Roaring Lion by Israel, involved more than 100 aircraft and heavy missile attacks.
The attacks targeted several important locations, including government buildings, the President’s residence, and the Supreme Leader’s office. In one of the attacks, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed.
On the same day, one of the deadliest events of the war was witnessed. 165 girls lost their lives in a missile attack on a primary school in Minab, Iran.
Iran quickly responded by launching missiles and drones at Israel and US military facilities in the Gulf region. Some attacks also hit tourist areas in Dubai.
Iran war: Day 2
The conflicts escalated further with the US attack on the Iranian navy. Nine Iranian naval ships were sunk and the naval headquarters was partially destroyed.
The headquarters of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was also hit.
Iran responded the same day. Six American personnel were killed in a drone attack on a US military base in Kuwait. Nine people died when an Iranian missile hit the town of Beit Shemesh in Israel.
Iran war: Day 3
After Hezbollah launched a missile against Israel, the war spread to Lebanon. Israel responded with heavy air strikes on Beirut, killing 31 people.
Iran has also targeted energy infrastructure in the Gulf. A major attack focused on Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura refinery facility.
Meanwhile, the United States faces another setback after three military planes crashed in Kuwait in what officials described as an apparent “friendly fire” incident. The pilots were evacuated safely.
Iran war: Day 4
The US deployed B-2 bombers capable of carrying bunker-busting weapons. Israel continued its attacks on Iranian positions and Hezbollah targets.
Iran has taken the dramatic step of closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route for global oil supplies.
Iranian drones also targeted the US embassies in Riyadh and Kuwait, forcing the temporary closure of both diplomatic missions.
At the same time, air defense systems in Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Kuwait intercepted numerous incoming missiles, causing explosions throughout the region.
Iran war: Day 5
The ballistic missile launched by Iran against Türkiye was destroyed by NATO air defense systems. In another major incident, a US submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean.
The ship, IRIS Dena, was returning from a naval exercise in India when it was attacked. 87 Iranian sailors lost their lives in the attack.
Iran war: Day 6
The war saw the first aerial dogfight. Israeli F-35 fighter jet shot down an Iranian Su-35 over Tehran.
Iran retaliated by attacking a US tanker in the Persian Gulf following the sinking of IRIS Dena.
Azerbaijan was the first country affected by conflict in the Caucasus region. Four people were injured when a drone crashed into a building at an airport in Nakhchivan. Iran, on the other hand, distanced itself from the incident.
Iran war: Day 7
Missile and drone attacks continued in the Middle East.
Israel announced that it had launched a “large-scale wave of attacks” in Tehran as well as in Lebanon.
Iran responded with drone and missile attacks on targets in the “heart” of Tel Aviv, signaling that neither side is ready to back down.
Global impact of the US-Israel-Iran war
Within days, the war disrupted global travel and energy markets.
More than 11,000 flights have been reported canceled across the region since February 28, after many Gulf countries temporarily closed their airspace. The fact that cities such as Dubai are important transit hubs for international travel further increases the disruptions.
Some airlines in the Gulf have resumed limited flights in recent days, especially to evacuate stranded passengers.
Energy markets also reacted harshly. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one fifth of the world’s oil passes, caused an increase in oil prices.
Crude oil prices rose more than 10 percent, reaching their highest level since the summer of 2024. Natural gas prices in Europe and Asia have also increased as many countries rely on LNG shipments from the Middle East.
The United States has announced several steps to stabilize energy supplies. Trump gave India a 30-day exemption to buy Russian oil. He also said the United States would provide naval escorts to protect oil tankers and offer “political risk insurance” for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Who is winning the Iran-Israel war? Where does the conflict stand?
The conflict has expanded rapidly since it began on February 28 and now affects approximately 14 countries in the Middle East and nearby regions.
However, recent data shows that the pace of Iran’s attacks is slowing down.
According to CNN, US Central Command said Iran’s ballistic missile attacks have decreased by 90 percent and drone attacks by 83 percent.
Israel also said it had achieved “nearly complete air superiority” after destroying nearly 80 percent of Iran’s air defense systems.
Despite losing most of its political leadership, Iran continues to resist and retaliate on many fronts. A key part of his strategy was the use of low-cost drones and missiles to defeat Israel’s air defense network.
Shahed-136 ‘kamikaze’ unmanned aerial vehicle played a major role in these attacks.
Iran’s broader plan appears to aim to spread US and Israeli forces across various war fronts and increase economic pressure by disrupting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
How long can the Israel-Iran war last?
Neither Israel nor the United States has offered a clear timeline for the conflict.
Trump initially suggested the war could end two to three days after the initial attacks. A day later, he revised the forecast and said the conflict could continue for up to four weeks.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took a different view, warning that there may not be a fixed timeline for war.
For now, the biggest question remains unanswered: Which side will back down first, or will the conflict escalate into an even larger regional war?
