- By Shibra Arshad
- Sat, 07 Mar 2026 05:05 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The US and Israel launched a joint military assault on Iran on February 28. In the period of one week, the conflict has transformed into a full-blown war with the exchange of missiles and drones between Iran and Israel. In the covert attack, which reportedly took years of preparation by hijacking and monitoring traffic CCTV cameras, the US and Israel killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, metaphorically injuring the Shia community across the globe. Responding to the attack, Iran targeted Israel, US assets and energy infrastructure in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain.
Amid the escalating cost of war and Trump ordering US defence to 'quadruple the production' of the weapons, the question of whether any side is winning or able to take an edge arises. While Iran has suffered more losses in terms of lives and infrastructure, Israel and the United States have suffered what Colonel Rajeev Agarwal (Retd) terms a loss of confidence, morale and their arrogance.
According to an analysis by Colonel Agarwal, the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran with an aim to dismantle its military powers, hitting nuclear enrichment facilities and orchestrating regime change by fuelling protests against the Islamic Republic. However, Iran's response turned the situation upside down for the US and Israel.
ALSO READ: Who Can Be Iran's Next Supreme Leader? Key Power Players To Watch After Ali Khamenei's Assassination
The American defence systems in the Gulf countries have been overwhelmed by Iran's retaliatory attacks. Agarwal, who is also a West Asia expert, says that "if the conflict prolongs, the tables can turn rapidly, leaving no 'safe exit' for the US and Israel." However, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the 'biggest bombing campaign' of the war was still to come.
The conflict, which has engulfed the entire West Asia, does not seem to be ending anytime soon, with Iran eyeing fierce revenge for Khamenei's killing and US President Donald Trump saying that he will accept nothing but Tehran's 'unconditional surrender'. "There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"After that, and the selection of a GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leader(s), we, and many of our wonderful and very brave allies and partners, will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction, making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before," he added.
But the question remains! Who stands where?
Iran Suffers Massive Loss
Since the start of the conflict on February 28, Iran has been facing relentless bombing from Israel and the US. Smoke billowed over parts of Tehran on Saturday. The US has claimed that almost 80 per cent of Iran's Air Defence system and 60 per cent of missile launchers have been destroyed in the US-Israeli strikes.
Iran's UN Ambassador, Amir Saedi Iravani, said that over 1300 people have been killed in the attacks so far, including 165 school girls in Minab. Iran has also suffered the biggest "spiritual" loss, with the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was not just the Supreme Leader, but also the highest authority for the Twelver Shias globally.
The US military’s Central Command said that it has hit over 3,000 sites in Iran since the beginning of the war on February 28, destroying 43 ships.
Where Does Israel Stand?
While Israel has allegedly suppressed actual losses, several media reports have claimed that northern Israel has been the worst-hit in Iran's retaliatory strikes. According to AFP, blasts were reported in Jerusalem on Saturday. According to Al-Jazeera, at least 11 deaths have been reported from Israel since the conflict began.
Lebanon, Iraq, Other Middle East Countries Bear Brunt
- Israel has killed 217 people and wounded 798 in Lebanon, the country’s health ministry said Friday. An estimated 95,000 people have been displaced. Israel ordered an unprecedented evacuation of Beirut’s southern suburb Yesterday as it pounded the city, and claimed to be attacking only Hezbollah-linked sites.
- 2 people were killed while 7 others were injured in Iraq after several US and Iranian missiles hit the country.
- In Kuwait, four were killed, and 35 were injured in Iran’s retaliatory attacks on US assets.
- The missiles and drones launched by Iran have killed one person in Bahrain, injuring four others.
- 16 people have sustained injuries in Qatar in a cross-border missile exchange.
- 3 people were killed, and 78 others were injured in the UAE. One person succumbed to Iran attack in Oman, and 5 others were injured.
Iran's President Apologise To Neighbour Countries
The President of Iran on Saturday apologised to the Gulf nations for the attacks launched by Iran, asserting that Tehran will no longer target establishments in the region, although not clear whether Iran will continue targeting US bases in the region or not. The statement by Iran’s President has heightened speculation about whether Tehran is struggling to stay on the battlefield.