Iran’s War Spreads Across the Gulf
As Operation Epic Fury grinds into its third week, the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran is no longer contained to Iranian soil. On Sunday, March 15, Gulf countries reported fresh waves of attacks, rockets slammed into Baghdad International Airport injuring five people, and Iran issued chilling evacuation warnings to three major ports in the United Arab Emirates.
The war that began on February 28 with massive coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iranian military and government targets has now metastasized into a regional crisis threatening global energy markets, commercial aviation, and the stability of America’s closest Gulf allies.
Rockets Strike Baghdad Airport, Five Injured
Iraq’s Security Media Cell confirmed Sunday that five rockets targeted Baghdad International Airport, injuring five people — including four airport staff and security personnel, plus an engineer. The rockets struck multiple areas including the grounds of Baghdad Central Prison, located near the former American base Camp Victory on the airport grounds.
This attack came just days after a missile struck a helipad inside the US Embassy compound in Baghdad, sending smoke billowing over the Green Zone. The US has since deployed a Marine Expeditionary Unit to reinforce embassy security.
The escalating attacks on Iraqi soil highlight how Iran’s proxy networks and allied militias are opening secondary fronts far beyond Iran’s borders, stretching US forces across the entire region.
Iran Threatens Major UAE Ports
In a dramatic escalation, Iran called for the evacuation of three major ports in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday — the first time Tehran has directly threatened a neighboring country’s non-military assets. Gulf countries reported new attacks Sunday morning following the warning, according to the Associated Press.
The UAE’s defense ministry reported engaging four ballistic missiles and six drones on Sunday, though officials noted this represented a “sharp drop” from previous days’ attack volumes. Financial institutions including Citi, Deloitte, and PwC have closed their Middle Eastern offices, while HSBC shuttered all branches in Qatar until further notice. Businesses across Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have also temporarily closed.
Perhaps most alarming: four people were injured when two Iranian drones fell near Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs. Dubai’s attempts to restore normal flight operations have been repeatedly disrupted.
CENTCOM Fires Back at Iranian Propaganda
US Central Command took the unusual step Sunday of directly calling out Iranian disinformation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had claimed that the United States was using drones similar to Iran’s Shahed design — called LUCAS (Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System) — to attack Gulf countries and blame Iran.
“The Iranian regime’s foreign minister claims that the United States is using one-way attack drones to attack Gulf countries and shifting the blame to Iran. LIE,” CENTCOM posted on X.
CENTCOM acknowledged the existence of LUCAS drones but clarified their purpose: “U.S. attack drones are only targeting Iranian military capabilities to eliminate threats posed to the region. TRUTH.”
The command pointed out that Iranian forces “have launched thousands of drones AND missiles at its neighbors, indiscriminately targeting civilian hotels, commercial airports, residential communities and economic infrastructure.”
Iran Denies Ceasefire as Trump Claims Tehran Wants a Deal
A bizarre diplomatic back-and-forth played out Sunday as Iran flatly denied Trump’s claims that Tehran was seeking negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stated that Iran “never asked even for negotiation,” directly contradicting Trump’s earlier assertion that Iran wanted to make a deal but that the US was “not ready.”
Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Chris Wright told ABC News’ “This Week” that the war would “certainly come to an end in the next few weeks — could be sooner than that.” Wright’s comments came as Americans face surging gas prices driven by Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply flows.
Iran has attacked ships and laid mines in the strait, effectively shutting it to marine traffic. Trump has urged allies to deploy warships to keep the critical waterway open, while India has reportedly held talks with Iran about reopening the passage.
IRGC Vows to Hunt Netanyahu
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a chilling statement Sunday declaring it would “continue to pursue and kill” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The threat prompted Netanyahu to release a lighthearted video from a Jerusalem cafe, mockingly sipping coffee and telling conspiracy theorists, “I’m dead for coffee” — using Hebrew slang — before holding up his hands to disprove deepfake allegations.
Netanyahu’s video was a direct response to viral social media rumors, reportedly originating from Iranian state media, that he had been killed. The Israeli leader has maintained a visible public presence throughout the conflict while Israel continues its intensive strike campaigns against both Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The Human Cost Mounts
As the conflict enters week three, the toll continues to rise on all sides:
- US casualties: At least six American service members have been killed in action, according to CENTCOM’s latest update. A KC-135 refueling aircraft went down over Iraq on March 12 during the operation, with search and rescue efforts ongoing.
- Iranian casualties: At least 15 people were killed when a US-Israeli strike hit a factory in the central Iranian city of Isfahan. Iran’s original supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the opening strikes on February 28. His son Mojtaba Khamenei has been chosen as his successor, though Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has suggested the new leader was “likely disfigured” in subsequent strikes.
- Regional impact: The WHO has released $2 million in emergency funds for health responses in Lebanon, Iraq, and Syria. Iranian authorities have launched sweeping arrests of 18 alleged spies and tightened domestic repression.
What Happens Next?
The war’s trajectory remains deeply uncertain despite Secretary Wright’s optimistic timeline. Several critical factors will shape the coming days:
The Strait of Hormuz remains the biggest wildcard. Iran’s mine-laying and ship attacks have effectively closed the world’s most important oil chokepoint. CENTCOM reported on March 10 that US forces had destroyed 16 Iranian minelayers near the strait, but Iran has continued deploying naval mines. Trump has threatened to target oil infrastructure on Kharg Island — Iran’s primary oil export hub — if Tehran continues interfering with shipping.
The Gulf state front is expanding. Iran’s threats against UAE ports and continued attacks on Gulf nations risk drawing more countries into active participation. Germany has expressed skepticism about expanding the EU’s Operation Aspides naval mission to cover the Strait of Hormuz.
The economic pressure is intensifying. With crude oil prices skyrocketing and recession fears mounting globally, the economic fallout may ultimately determine how long this conflict lasts. Pope Leo XIV has escalated Vatican calls for an immediate ceasefire.
The Bottom Line
Two weeks and two days into Operation Epic Fury, this is no longer just a US-Israeli operation against Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. It’s a regional war that has engulfed the Persian Gulf, shut down the world’s most critical oil waterway, sent global markets into turmoil, and forced multinational corporations to evacuate the Middle East.
The Trump administration says it will be over in weeks. Iran says it never asked for peace. And the Gulf states caught in the middle are counting missiles and closing airports.
This story is developing. Check back for updates as the situation unfolds.
Sources: ABC News, The Guardian, Associated Press, Reuters, NBC News, CENTCOM, Fox News, ISW