Missiles, drone attacks escalate as US-Israel war with Iran spreads across Middle East

The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran intensified on March 9 with missile strikes, drone attacks and military operations reported across several parts of the Middle East. The widening hostilities have heightened fears of a broader regional war and triggered global economic concerns.

Air-raid sirens were triggered across northern Israel after Iran launched ballistic missiles, while rockets were also fired from Lebanon. The Israeli military said the attacks occurred around the same time, although there was no immediate evidence that the Iranian missile strike and Hezbollah rocket fire were coordinated.

The conflict has also spread to Gulf nations. The United Arab Emirates activated its air defence systems after detecting incoming missiles and drones targeting the country, highlighting the growing security threat to regional infrastructure and civilian areas.

Authorities in Iraq reported intercepting a drone approaching a US-operated military base near Baghdad International Airport. Security officials said the aircraft was shot down before it could reach the facility, though it remains unclear who was responsible for the attack.

The war escalated further after Iran appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, in Israeli strikes earlier in the conflict. The move has rallied Iran’s political and military establishment, with officials pledging loyalty to the new leadership during the ongoing war.

Meanwhile, the conflict has begun to affect global markets and energy supplies. Oil prices have surged sharply as concerns grow over disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments. Analysts warn that prolonged instability in the region could significantly impact global energy markets and inflation.

The conflict began on Feb 28 after coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Since then, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks across the region targeting Israeli cities, US facilities and energy infrastructure in Gulf countries.

International leaders have increasingly called for de-escalation and diplomatic efforts to prevent the crisis from spiralling into a wider regional war, as fighting continues across multiple fronts in the Middle East.