The Middle East is on fire again. The attack on Iran is spearheaded by militaries of Israel and the United States of America. In retaliation, Iran has attacked a number of countries in the neighbourhood. Attacks by both sides have been geo-located and shared below.
On 28th February, the Israeli Air Force and the US military began an air campaign targeting the top echelon of the Iranian government in Tehran. The bombings led to the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as well as many top-level authorities in the country. The US forces are using a number of military bases (based in the Gulf countries) as well as its naval stronghold in the island of Diego Garcia for its aerial campaign in Iran. The bombing campaign has targeted mostly (speculated) nuclear-related installations, military locations, and government offices in Tehran, as well as some civilian sites. The attacking side has achieved significant air supremacy over Iran. However, there are no confirmed details regarding Iran’s capabilities.
According to figures mentioned by notable international humanitarian organizations, such as the Iranian Red Crescent Society, around twelve hundred Iranian civilians have lost their lives in this conflict as of Friday. Collateral losses include the ongoing investigations into a US airstrike on a school resulting in the killing of 150 girl students. Other such reports about bombing civilian sites are not confirmed with proof by Iran, which raises concerns about the accuracy of the information being disseminated amidst the ongoing conflict.
In retaliation, Iran has targeted various civilian and military locations across multiple countries using drones and missiles. These targets include Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Azerbaijan, and Cyprus. Additionally, Iran has attacked freight ships and oil tankers in the Arabian Sea, particularly near the Strait of Hormuz, through which more than three-fourths of global oil trade passes. Among Iran’s prominent targets are US bases in the Gulf, the US embassy in Iraq, and several sites in Israel, with a primary volley of missiles aimed at Israel. The attacks also include significant infrastructure like Amazon data centers, oil wells, and other facilities in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the UAE.
Official data on civilian casualties in the Gulf resulting from Iranian strikes indicate a dozen fatalities in Israel, three in the UAE, and three members of the US military killed. Most of the missiles and drones launched by Iran were intercepted by Western air defenses in the Gulf, according to public statements from the respective governments.
*Disclaimer: The exact figures may vary, as I have gathered data from prominent news sites. The war is ongoing, and the officially reported numbers can be misleading on both sides. Internet connectivity is fully restricted in Iran. Some Iranian news outlets, such as Fars and Mehr, have utilized social media for their posts.
Let us know what you think.