The war on Iran is escalating rapidly, raising fears that it could evolve into a wide regional conflict as missile and air strikes intensify across the region. Over the past few days, the United States and the Israeli occupation have increased attacks targeting Iranian military sites and infrastructure, while Tehran has responded by launching hundreds of missiles and drones toward several countries, significantly expanding the scope of the confrontation.
In a report published by The Economist, the magazine stated that the war against Iran is quickly expanding into a regional conflict. It noted that the past three days have witnessed an unprecedented level of bombing and missile exchanges across the region.
During the first 48 hours alone, the United States and the Israeli occupation reportedly dropped thousands of bombs on Iran. Among the earliest strikes were those that led to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran responded by launching hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones toward nine countries.
On 2 March, General Dan Caine, Chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that achieving the objectives of the war would take “some time”. He explained that the targets identified by himself and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth were primarily focused on Iran’s missile capabilities rather than regime change.
Expanding Military Impact
The magazine reported that Iran has already used its capabilities in the conflict, with six American soldiers killed and British forces in Bahrain narrowly avoiding casualties. Iranian attacks also resulted in the deaths of eleven people in the Israeli occupation and five others across Gulf states.
Iran also targeted countries that had previously maintained relatively good relations with it, particularly Oman. The strikes even reached European territory when a drone hit the runway of the Royal Air Force’s Akrotiri base in Cyprus on 2 March.
The attacks have not been limited to American military bases. Cities, airports and energy networks have also been targeted, raising the possibility that the scope of the conflict could expand further.
The magazine suggested that attacks on energy networks on 2 March may have served as a warning. Iran reportedly used a relatively small number of drones against less critical targets, including a water tank at a power station in Qatar.
However, larger attacks could follow, potentially targeting more vital infrastructure such as desalination plants.
In the Gulf region, desalinated water is essential for drinking supplies. Kuwait depends on desalination for approximately 90 percent of its drinking water, Oman for 86 percent, Saudi Arabia for 70 percent and the United Arab Emirates for 42 percent.
The report also recalled leaked American diplomatic cables from 2009 which estimated that a successful attack on the Jubail desalination plant in Saudi Arabia, which at the time supplied 90 percent of Riyadh’s water, could force the evacuation of the capital within a week. Although Saudi Arabia has since increased its production capacity, desalination plants remain vulnerable to missile attacks.
Cyber Threats and Maritime Risks
The magazine added that Iran could attempt to plant naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, despite its naval fleet suffering devastating air strikes by the United States.
Tehran may also carry out attacks abroad or attempt to disrupt infrastructure through cyber operations, similar to those carried out in 2012 against Saudi Aramco and Qatar’s RasGas.
John Hultquist of Google’s Threat Intelligence Group told the magazine that cyber activist groups linked to the Revolutionary Guard had already threatened attacks. Basic distributed denial of service attacks have also been directed at infrastructure networks.
The continued Iranian bombardment has increased anger among neighbouring states, particularly as defensive interceptor aircraft become scarce.
On 28 February, Saudi Arabia announced its readiness to place all its capabilities at the disposal of neighbouring states to support any measures taken. Qatar said it reserved the full right to respond and two days later reportedly shot down two Iranian Su 24 aircraft.
On 2 March, United States President Donald Trump said: “Their role was supposed to be extremely limited, but now they insist on participating.”
Regional and International Calculations
The magazine reported that Gulf states have not yet reached a unified position on the next step, although there is a preference for acting collectively.
One of the simplest options would be to allow the United States to use regional airspace and air bases for its war operations. This would allow for increased air sorties and shorter distances for search and rescue missions.
However, this approach carries risks, including friendly fire incidents. On 2 March, Kuwaiti air defence batteries reportedly shot down three American aircraft. It would also place aircraft within range of Iranian ballistic missiles rather than launching operations from aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Oman or from more distant bases such as Ovda in the Israeli occupation or Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.
According to the magazine, Gulf states are unlikely to join the fighting directly unless significant casualties or major damage occur. Even in that case, any action would likely be framed as active defence against drones and missiles.
The report also suggested the possibility of European involvement after an Iranian strike targeted a French naval base in Abu Dhabi.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on 1 March that the United States would be permitted to use British air bases, stating that “the only way to stop this threat is to destroy the missiles at their source”.
For now, European countries are limiting their role to defensive measures, such as Greece sending two F 16 aircraft and a frigate to Cyprus.
The magazine concluded by warning that further escalation remains possible. The United States and the Israeli occupation have already used B 2 bombers to strike Iranian missile facilities, while Trump warned on 2 March: “We have not even begun hitting them hard yet. The big wave has not happened yet. It is coming soon.”
The report added that Washington or Tel Aviv could target Khamenei’s successors or Iran’s energy infrastructure, similar to Israeli strikes last year on a fuel depot, an oil refinery and the South Pars gas field.
It concluded by noting that wars in the Middle East often draw in multiple actors, citing the 1991 coalition of 34 countries as well as the Arab Israeli conflicts and the Syrian war. However, none of those conflicts saw such an intense use of bombs and missiles within such a short period as has occurred in recent days.
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