In maps: Five days of strikes across the Middle East
In Maps: Five Days of Strikes Across the Middle East
On the fifth day of escalating hostilities, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that a US submarine had destroyed an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean. The vessel, named Iris Dena, was reportedly near Sri Lankan waters when it was struck by a torpedo, with around 180 individuals aboard believed to have perished. This incident followed a series of military actions that have spanned multiple days, intensifying tensions between the US and Iran.
Israeli Strikes Target Tehran and Beyond
Israel’s military operations expanded on Wednesday, with strikes directed at security headquarters in Tehran, Basij paramilitary units, and missile installations across the Iranian capital. The IDF spokesperson stated that these attacks targeted dozens of locations, including critical defense systems. Earlier, the former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed during the initial wave of strikes in the city.
“The US has capability to go far longer than that,” said President Donald Trump, who had previously warned that the conflict could persist for weeks.
In addition to Tehran, Israel’s efforts reached Lebanon, where Hezbollah—a group backed by Iran—was under fire. The focus of strikes included strongholds in Beirut’s southern suburbs, areas near the city’s airport, and locations in southern Lebanon. A hotel in Beirut was among the structures damaged during the attacks. The incursion into Lebanon followed Hezbollah’s missile launch on Haifa earlier in the week, prompting a joint US-Israeli response.
Iranian Retaliation and Regional Impact
Iran responded with attacks on US and Israeli targets across the Middle East. The US consulate in Dubai and the Al Udaid air base in Qatar, which houses the largest American military presence in the region, were hit. Meanwhile, in the UAE, three casualties were reported from Sunday’s strikes, with additional injuries. A luxury hotel in Dubai and Dubai International Airport also sustained damage, leaving four people wounded.
Saudi officials confirmed on Tuesday night that two drones had struck the US Embassy in Riyadh, causing minor damage and a small fire. In Bahrain, four individuals were injured by Iranian attacks, while in Iraq, three drones were intercepted over Irbil airport, which hosts US coalition forces. Kuwait’s military reported downing three US fighter jets in an incident described as friendly fire, though all six crew members survived. The country’s health ministry noted one fatality from Sunday’s strikes.
Human Toll and Unverified Reports
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported 1,097 civilian deaths in Iran since February 28, according to its records. US Central Command confirmed six military personnel killed since the conflict began. However, in Minab, southern Iran, state media claimed at least 153 people—including children—were killed when a girls’ school was hit by three missiles on Saturday. The BBC has not independently verified this figure.
Satellite analysis revealed damage to three Iranian missile sites and the nuclear facility at Natanz. The Ministry of Defense in Qatar stated it had shot down two aircraft, seven missiles, and five drones during attacks on a major gas plant. These strikes underscore the growing scale of the conflict, with regional allies and adversaries caught in the crossfire.
