Joint United States and Israeli military offensive enters second week as regional conflict reaches India backyard

The US-Israel-Iran conflict enters day seven with 1,200 dead, the Strait of Hormuz closed, and energy markets in turmoil as the war spreads across 14 nations.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 6:04 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from India Today

Initiation of Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion

The conflict began on February 28, 2026, with a massive coordinated offensive by the United States and Israel involving more than 100 aircraft. Targeted strikes focused on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, missile launchpads, and government centers, including the residence of the President and the office of the Supreme Leader. The initial wave resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. A significant mass casualty event occurred in Minab, where a strike on a primary school left 165 schoolgirls dead. In response, Iran launched drones and missiles at Israeli territory and United States military facilities across the Gulf, including tourist hubs in Dubai.

Escalation of Naval and Aerial Combat

On the second day of the war, the United States targeted the Iranian Navy, sinking nine vessels and striking the headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The conflict saw its first air-to-air kill on the sixth day when an Israeli F-35 downed an Iranian Su-35 over Tehran. Regional stability further declined as Iranian proxies, including Hezbollah and the Houthis, opened additional fronts. Israel responded with heavy bombardments in Beirut, Lebanon, which resulted in 31 deaths. The naval theater expanded to the Indian Ocean, where a United States submarine torpedoed the Iranian warship IRIS Dena as it returned from exercises in India, killing 87 sailors.

Economic Disruption and the Strait of Hormuz

The war has inflicted severe damage on global energy supplies following Iran's decision to close the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway responsible for 20 percent of global oil transit. Consequently, crude oil prices have surged by more than 10 percent, reaching their highest levels since mid-2024. Natural gas prices in Europe and Asia have also seen sharp increases. To mitigate the impact, the United States administration granted India a 30-day waiver to purchase Russian oil and announced plans to provide naval escorts and political risk insurance for tankers operating in the region.