As of mid-March 2026, a intense conflict involving Israel, the U.S., and Iran is unfolding, characterized by widespread airstrikes and drone attacks following a 2025 Twelve-Day War. Israel and the U.S. are targeting Iranian nuclear, military, and leadership sites, leading to high casualties and significant infrastructure damage, while Iran retaliates. 

Key Aspects of the 2025–2026 Conflict:

Timeline & Escalation: Following intense 2024 proxy exchanges, Israel (supported by the U.S.) launched a major 12-day offensive in June 2025, targeting key military and nuclear facilities. Direct hostilities resumed aggressively in early 2026, with major U.S.-Israeli strikes beginning February 28.

Key Targets & Damage: Strikes have targeted Iran's missile infrastructure, production facilities, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Major oil storage facilities in Tehran were hit, and significant damage to nuclear infrastructure was reported.

Leadership Changes: Reports indicate the death of longtime Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 2026 and the subsequent injury of his successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, though Tehran has downplayed the injury reports.

Regional Impact & Scope: The war has expanded beyond the two countries, affecting the Gulf region, with reported interceptions of drone/missile threats in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait. The conflict has heavily disrupted energy routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz.

Casualties & Displacement: Reports indicate hundreds killed and thousands injured in both countries, with over 830,000 displaced, particularly in regions involved in the fighting.

International Involvement: The United States is actively involved, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth identifying major strikes, and U.S. forces targeting critical Iranian infrastructure. 

This direct conflict marks a significant shift from decades of "proxy war" (since 1985), which involved Iran supporting groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, and Israel conducting shadow wars against Iranian targets in Syria and elsewhere.