The US-Israeli war on Iran reached a dramatic new escalation on Day 7 as Israel launched what its military called a “broad-scale wave” of strikes targeting regime infrastructure in Tehran — while simultaneously unleashing devastating bombardments on Beirut’s southern suburbs. The White House confirmed Friday that the military campaign could last four to six weeks, signaling this conflict is far from over.
Since the joint operation began on February 28, 2026 — codenamed Operation Epic Fury by the United States and Operation Roaring Lion by Israel — the allied forces have conducted over 2,500 strikes, neutralized an estimated 80% of Iran’s air defense systems, and sunk at least 11 ships in the Gulf of Oman, according to multiple defense analysts.
Israel’s ‘Next Phase’ Rocks Tehran and Beirut
Israel’s army chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, declared that the IDF had destroyed 80% of Iran’s air defenses and at least 60% of its missile launch capability. The announcement came alongside what the Israeli military described as a new “broad-scale wave” of strikes aimed at regime infrastructure deep inside Tehran.
Residents of Iran’s capital described the overnight bombardment as the worst since the war began. Messages from inside the city spoke of “sleeplessness, fear and exhaustion” as successive waves of strikes shook buildings across the metropolitan area.
But the escalation didn’t stop at Iran’s borders. Israel simultaneously launched massive strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs — a known Hezbollah stronghold — after issuing evacuation warnings that sent hundreds of thousands of civilians fleeing in panic. The United Nations human rights chief said he was “extremely concerned” that Lebanon was becoming a “key flashpoint” in the wider Middle East conflict.
Hezbollah had entered the war on March 2, launching rockets and drones into Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the opening hours of the campaign. Israel responded with wide-ranging airstrikes across Lebanon, targeting the southern suburbs of Beirut, southern Lebanon, and the eastern Bekaa Valley.
White House: Campaign Could Last 4 to 6 Weeks
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Friday that the US military campaign against Iran “may take as long as four to six weeks,” adding that American forces were “well on their way” toward controlling Iranian airspace.
The timeline puts the potential end of major combat operations somewhere in mid-April, though defense analysts warn the situation remains fluid. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) estimated that the first 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury alone cost approximately $3.7 billion — a figure that will balloon dramatically if the conflict stretches to the six-week mark.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, speaking alongside CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, declared the mission was “advancing decisively.” Cooper described Operation Epic Fury as “a historic mission to eliminate Iran’s ability to threaten Americans” and confirmed that America’s bomber force had hit nearly 200 targets in Iran — including around Tehran — during the previous 72 hours alone.
The US military also disclosed that it was targeting Iran’s space capabilities, including infrastructure that enables Tehran to move data and conduct warfare operations in space. CENTCOM confirmed it had struck an Iranian “drone carrier” at sea, leaving the vessel on fire.
Iran Fights Back on Multiple Fronts
Despite the punishing air campaign, Iran has not gone quietly. On Friday, Iran launched a fresh hybrid drone and missile attack targeting Tel Aviv, with CNN teams on the ground observing what appeared to be cluster warheads in the skies above central Israel.
The Iranian military’s retaliatory strikes have spread far beyond Israel. On Friday alone, the United Arab Emirates said it intercepted 109 drones and nine ballistic missiles fired from Iran. Seven attack drones targeted residential neighborhoods in Bahrain, with one intercepted near a tower housing Israel’s embassy. Qatar’s defense ministry said its forces intercepted a drone targeting Al-Udeid Air Base, one of the largest US military installations in the Middle East.
Iran also struck Iraq’s Erbil airport, and Azerbaijan accused Tehran of attacking an airport with drones. A British military base in Cyprus was hit by a drone, which the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed.
The Iranian death toll has continued to climb. As of March 6, at least 1,332 people have been killed in US-Israeli attacks on Iran, according to Iranian state media. The Iranian Red Crescent reported more than 1,300 deaths, including over 160 people killed in a devastating strike on a girls’ school — an incident the US said it was investigating.
Russia Enters the Intelligence War
In a development that has alarmed Western intelligence agencies, CBS News reported that Russia has been providing Tehran with intelligence on US military positions. The revelation underscores the deepening geopolitical fault lines of this conflict, which is increasingly being viewed not just as a regional war but as a proxy struggle between major world powers.
President Trump responded by demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” stating there would be “no deal” and declaring his aim was to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction to “Make Iran Great Again.”
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has intensified direct diplomatic engagement with Iran through backchannel communications, with European officials telling Bloomberg that Saudi officials are working with “increased urgency” to keep the conflict from spiraling further.
Kurdish Forces: The Ground War Dimension
Reuters reported that Israel has been bombing parts of western Iran to support Iranian Kurdish militias who are attempting to seize towns near the frontier — adding a ground warfare dimension to what has so far been predominantly an air and naval campaign.
According to three sources familiar with Israel’s talks with Kurdish factions, these US and Israeli-backed Kurdish forces may become the first ground troops to officially enter the conflict inside Iran. The development represents a significant escalation and signals that the coalition may be preparing for a longer, more complex campaign than initially anticipated.
Congress Gives Green Light
On the domestic political front, both chambers of Congress have now failed to pass war powers resolutions that would have constrained the president’s authority. Senate Republicans blocked a war powers vote, and the House also voted to let Operation Epic Fury continue — giving Trump a full green light to prosecute the campaign without legislative restrictions.
The UN refugee agency reported that over 100,000 people fled Tehran in just the first two days of the attacks, with more than 330,000 displaced across the Middle East. Internet connectivity inside Iran has been almost entirely restricted, and the country’s airspace remains closed.
Oil Prices Surge, Global Markets Rattle
The economic fallout continues to ripple across global markets. Oil prices have surged to their highest level since September 2023, with the conflict threatening critical shipping lanes in the Gulf. The US temporarily allowed India to purchase Russian oil to help manage energy fears — a remarkable geopolitical concession that highlights the global economic stakes.
As the war enters its second week with no ceasefire in sight, the conflict has now spread to at least five countries beyond Iran — Lebanon, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, and multiple Gulf states. With the White House projecting a 4-6 week campaign, Kurdish forces potentially entering the ground war, and Russia providing intelligence support to Tehran, the crisis shows every sign of deepening before it begins to resolve.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as the situation evolves.