The United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28. In the days since the fighting began, the conflict has spread at a blistering pace across the region—and beyond.
While the war in Gaza and related hostilities between Israel and Iran had already fomented a regional conflict in many respects, what’s happening now is even more widespread. Countries in the Middle East that were untouched by previous exchanges of fire between Israel and Iran, including during the 12-day war last June that culminated in U.S. strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites, have faced attacks in recent days.
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed surprise that Iran’s retaliatory attacks have hit so many neighboring Arab countries, though Tehran had explicitly warned that an attack would result in U.S. bases across the region being targeted. Iran’s proxies have also conducted attacks on Israel, U.S. forces in the region, and U.S. allies.
So far, strikes conducted by the United States and Israel or Iran and its proxies have affected more than a dozen countries. From Cyprus to international waters near Sri Lanka, the reverberating consequences of this war are swiftly being felt across a significant chunk of the globe.
To get a better picture of how expansive this war has become in a little over a week, here’s a breakdown of all the places impacted by the fighting so far.
The United States and Israel have conducted strikes across Iran, hitting thousands of targets—largely focusing on key military and nuclear facilities but also the Iranian leadership. The United States has also made destroying Iran’s navy and ballistic missile capabilities a top priority. Top Iranian officials have been killed, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
More than 1,200 Iranian civilians have also been killed since the war began, according to data from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. At least 175 were killed in a strike on an elementary school, including children. Reports from the Washington Post and New York Times—based on analysis of satellite imagery and other evidence—suggest the strike was likely conducted by the United States.
An aerial photo released by the Iranian Press Center shows workers digging graves during a funeral for children killed in a reported strike on a primary school in Iran’s Hormozgan province on March 3. Iranian Press Center/AFP via Getty Images
The Pentagon and White House have said the matter is being investigated, though Trump—without providing evidence—on Saturday suggested that Iran was responsible. “In my opinion, based on what I’ve seen, that was done by Iran,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One.
Satellite imagery shows that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) buildings near the school were also struck. Bellingcat, an investigative journalism group, has uncovered video footage that appears to show a U.S. Tomahawk missile hitting the IRGC facility next to the school—seemingly undermining Trump’s claim, as the United States is the only combatant in the war known to have Tomahawks. The footage shows smoke rising from the vicinity of the school as well.
Members of Iran’s Red Crescent Society stand near smoke plumes from an ongoing fire following an overnight airstrike on the Shahran oil refinery in northwestern Tehran on March 8.AFP via Getty Images
Israel has also targeted oil facilities in Iran, which has alarmed even some of Israel’s most vocal supporters in Washington, who worry about the long-term impact of damaging key civilian infrastructure in the country.
Israel
Iran has attacked Israel with waves of missiles and drones, targeting places such as Haifa, Tel Aviv, and a suburb near Jerusalem. At least 11 people have been killed in Israel so far. Israel has accused Iran of repeatedly firing cluster munitions, or weapons that open in the air and scatter submunitions (or bomblets) across a large area, at densely populated civilian areas.
An incoming projectile explodes over the water in the Bay of Haifa off the northern coast of Israel on Feb. 28. Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images
The West Bank
Missile shrapnel has fallen in more than 100 locations in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, according to the Palestinian Authority, and two people have been injured. While Israeli settlements in the West Bank tend to have bomb shelters, Palestinian neighborhoods often do not have such protections.
Lebanon
Following Khamenei’s killing, the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon fired rockets at Israel as “revenge.” Israel responded by launching a new offensive in Lebanon, sending more troops into the country. The Israeli military has issued evacuation orders in southern Lebanon and Beirut and has pounded the Lebanese capital with strikes in recent days.
Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike in the southern suburbs of Beirut’s Haret Hreik neighborhood on March 4. Ibrahim Amro/AFP via Getty Images
Israel already had a military presence at five locations in southern Lebanon due to a conflict with Hezbollah that was linked to the war in Gaza and continued to regularly target the group with strikes in the south and east of the country even after a November 2024 cease-fire. But in the last week, Beirut—and particularly a Hezbollah stronghold on the city’s southern outskirts—has been hit with Israeli strikes on a scale not seen since the 2024 truce.
Syria
An Iranian missile hit a building in the southern city of Sweida on Feb. 28, killing four people. The missile may have been intended for Israel, whose border is not far from Sweida.
A boy holds his livestock next to an unexploded missile that landed in an open field on the outskirts of Qamishli, eastern Syria, on March 5. Delil Souleiman/ AFP via Getty Images
People in northeastern Syria last week were also seen gathering around an unexploded Iranian missile that fell into a field after being intercepted.
Jordan
Jordan’s military has intercepted Iranian missiles, and U.S. military assets in the country have been targeted by Iran and its proxies. Satellite imagery has shown damage at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, where the United States moved dozens of attack aircraft to in the lead-up to the war.
Iraq
Iran has targeted pro-U.S. Kurdish forces in Iraq, and its proxies have targeted U.S. bases in the country.
A mourner holds a portrait of slain Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during a funeral procession for members of the Iraqi pro-Iran paramilitary group Hezbollah Brigades who were killed in a strike in Baghdad the previous day, seen on March 5.Ahmad al-Rubaye/AFP via Getty Images
Kuwait
Six U.S. service members were killed by an Iranian drone attack in Kuwait on March 1, and the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City was closed after an area nearby was hit by Iranian drones.
Mourners and military personnel take part in a funeral ceremony in Kuwait City on March 3 for soldiers killed in Iran’s retaliatory attacks. Jaber Abdulkhaleq/Anadolu via Getty Images
Kuwait has intercepted Iranian missiles targeting Ali Al-Salem Air Base, which hosts the U.S. Air Force, and drone attacks damaged Kuwait International Airport last weekend. On Monday, Kuwait held a funeral for two Interior Ministry officials who the country said were killed “while performing their duty.” Kuwaiti authorities have said five people have been killed since the Iran war began and dozens have been wounded, per Reuters.
Bahrain
Residential buildings in Bahrain have been hit by Iranian drones. Iran also targeted the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet headquarters in Manama, damaging facilities. Oil facilities have also been targeted.
A fire burns in a building targeted by Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles in Manama, Bahrain, on Feb. 28. Anadolu via Getty Images
The United Arab Emirates
The UAE has intercepted hundreds of Iranian missiles and more than 1,300 drones since the war began, according to its defense ministry. Iran has targeted Al Dhafra Air Base, which is close to Abu Dhabi and hosts U.S. forces. Civilian areas have also been impacted by Iran’s retaliatory attacks, including luxury hotels and oil facilities. At least four people have been killed by the attacks.
An intercepted projectile falls into the sea near Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah archipelago on March 1. Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images
Qatar
Al Udeid—the U.S. military’s largest base in the Middle East—is roughly 40 miles southwest from Doha, the capital of Qatar. Iran has targeted the base with missile and drone attacks. A ballistic missile hit the base on March 3, but there were no reported casualties.
Motorists drive past a plume of smoke rising from a reported Iranian strike in the industrial district of Doha on March 1. Mahmud Hams/AFP via Getty Images
Qatar’s air force also intercepted and brought down two Iranian Su-24 fighter jets on March 2.
Oman
Despite its role as a mediator in nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, Oman has also been subjected to attacks. Iranian drones have reportedly struck at least two ports in Oman over the past week.
Azerbaijan
Four people were injured by an Iranian drone attack in Azerbaijan that hit an airport and other civilian infrastructure on March 5, according to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.
“These acts of aggression will not remain unanswered,” the ministry warned. Iran has denied responsibility for the attacks.
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia has been targeted by Iranian drones and missiles, with attacks focused on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, U.S. bases, and oil infrastructure.
The CIA’s station at the embassy was reportedly hit in the process, though none of the agency’s personnel were wounded. The Saudi Defense Ministry has reported intercepting both drones and missiles.
A U.S. service member who was seriously wounded in an Iranian attack in Saudi Arabia on March 1 died on Saturday—marking the seventh U.S. death in the war so far.
Two Bangladeshi nationals were killed in Saudi Arabia when a projectile hit a residential building on Sunday. A dozen people were also wounded.
Cyprus
The British Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit with an Iranian-made drone on March 2. According to the BBC, Western officials do not believe the drone was fired from Iran but have not said where it originated; “British military officials’ current best assessment is the drone was launched by Hezbollah in Lebanon,” the BBC reported.
A handout photo provided by the U.K. Defence Ministry shows a Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon aircraft taking off for operations across the Middle East, at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on March 3.Sgt. Lee Goddard/MoD Crown Copyright via Getty Images
Turkey
NATO air defenses took down a ballistic missile over the Mediterranean that was heading toward Turkey on March 4. The Turkish defense ministry said the missile was detected to have been fired from Iran, though Tehran denied responsibility. This was among the more significant spillover events in the war so far, given Turkey is a member of NATO.
The missile was likely targeting Incirlik Air Base, which hosts U.S. troops. The base is also reportedly where roughly 50 of the United States’ tactical nuclear weapons are stored.
Turkey on Monday said a second Iranian missile had been intercepted by NATO air defenses, in this instance over the Sahinbey district of Gaziantep. No casualties have been reported. All “necessary measures will be taken decisively and without hesitation against any threat directed at our country’s territory and airspace,” the Turkish defense ministry said.
Sri Lanka
An Iranian warship, the IRIS Dena, was sunk by a torpedo fired by a U.S. submarine in international waters off the coast of Sri Lanka on March 4. This marked the first time since World War II that a U.S. submarine had sunk an enemy warship. The Dena had just finished participating in a multinational Indian Navy exercise when it was hit, killing more than 80 of its crew.
Health care workers carry the bodies of Iranian sailors who died in a U.S. torpedo attack on the Iranian warship IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka’s southern coast, at the mortuary of Karapitiya Hospital in Galle, Sri Lanka, on March 4. Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images
Regional Shipping
Oil tankers and other vessels have faced attacks in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman. Iran has vowed to attack any ship passing through the strait, through which roughly 20 percent of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas travels. Tanker traffic through the area has come to a virtual standstill as a result, driving up oil prices.
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