What began as coordinated and carefully planned strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, targeting the regime of its longest-serving Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has now spiralled into a full-blown military crisis across the Middle East. The region’s skies are crowded with drones and missiles, with Tehran showcasing its ballistic capabilities by striking targets across the region, challenging both Israel and US President Donald Trump’s ambitious military posture alongside close ally Israel.
Following the death of Khamenei, Iran’s leadership moved swiftly to appoint his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader. Under his leadership, Tehran has intensified retaliatory strikes against American and Israeli military positions, expanding the conflict to countries such as the UAE and Bahrain. The attacks have shaken the region’s sense of security, with cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi seeing their image of safety come under strain.
