Middle East War: One Week In- Weekend Recap
By Sammy,
A Week of War: Where Things Stand Seven days after the US and Israel launched their assault on Iran, the conflict has spiraled far beyond its original boundaries - pulling in Lebanon, the Gulf states, Iraq, and beyond. Operation Epic Fury has struck over 3,000 targets in its first week, and the White House says it expects four to six more weeks of fighting. Iranian retaliatory ballistic missile strikes are down roughly 90% from the opening days, and Iran's navy has been declared "combat ineffective" after more than 40 vessels were sunk. Yet despite those losses, Iran continues to strike back across the region, and the war shows no signs of a near-term resolution.
Iran Strikes Back Across the Gulf As the first week closed, Iran launched waves of drones and missiles at Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar. The UAE alone was hit by 16 ballistic missiles and over 120 drones, briefly shutting down Dubai International Airport, with footage appearing to show an impact at the airport. Saudi Arabia intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base and destroyed drones heading toward the Shaybah oil field. The IRGC also claimed it targeted Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE using drones and precision missiles, alleging the base had been used as a launchpad for a strike on a girls' elementary school in southern Iran that Iranian authorities said killed over 150 people, including students. AFP was unable to independently verify the school strike or its toll.
Iran Apologizes - Then Keeps Firing Iranian President Pezeshkian issued a stunning public apology to neighboring countries mid-week, pledging no further strikes unless attacks originated from their territory. Yet strikes continued almost immediately after the statement, with fresh attacks on Gulf states following within the hour. Iran's deputy foreign minister also warned that any EU country joining the US-Israeli campaign would become a "legitimate target" for Iranian retaliation, as several European nations sent warships toward the region while stopping short of joining the offensive.
UAE President Speaks Out UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed made his first public remarks since the Iranian attacks began, acknowledging his nation was in a time of war but insisting it was holding firm. "The UAE has thick skin and bitter flesh - we are no easy prey," he said while visiting those wounded in the strikes, in comments aired on Abu Dhabi TV. He vowed to carry out his duty toward the country, its people, and its residents, whom he described as part of the national family, adding that the UAE - which comprises seven emirates including Dubai - would protect everyone within its borders.
Thousands of Israelis Stranded in UAE Around 4,000 Israelis remain stuck in the UAE after repatriation flights were canceled due to ongoing airport closures. About 1,600 had already made it home. Israel is now reportedly weighing a "military solution or special operation" to extract the remaining citizens, though no plan has been finalized.
IDF Strikes Deep Inside Iran Israeli jets conducted a major overnight wave of strikes in Tehran to close out the first week, deploying over 80 aircraft and dropping 230 bombs. Targets included an underground ballistic missile factory and storage site, a missile launch infrastructure complex, the IRGC military academy, and a key IRGC air force command center responsible for Iran's air defense operations. Additionally, 16 IRGC aircraft at Mehrabad Airport - used to ferry weapons and cash to Hezbollah and other proxies - were destroyed.
Iran Targets Shipping in the Gulf The IRGC claimed it struck a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Persian Gulf using a drone, describing the vessel as an American-linked asset. Iran's Revolutionary Guards also warned they are "waiting" for the US Navy to begin escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, invoking the 1987 mining of the American tanker Bridgeton as a warning. The US energy secretary said the Navy was preparing to resume escort operations when conditions allowed.
Hezbollah Opens a Second Front Now five days into renewed fighting, Israel continued its air and ground campaign against Hezbollah across southern Lebanon, the Beqaa Valley, and Beirut's southern suburbs. The IDF struck multiple Hezbollah headquarters including those of its naval force, executive council, and financial division, as well as an IRGC air force headquarters in Beirut. Radwan Force commanders were killed in a strike in the southern town of Majdal Selem. Thirteen IDF soldiers have been wounded since hostilities resumed, and over 420,000 Lebanese civilians have fled their homes.
Israeli Raid to Recover Ron Arad In one of the most striking operations of the week, Israeli special forces conducted an overnight helicopter raid in the eastern Lebanese town of Nabi Chit, inserting troops from Syrian airspace in an attempt to locate the remains of navigator Ron Arad, missing since 1986. No remains were found, though the IDF said it could now rule out that location. Sixteen Lebanese civilians were killed in accompanying airstrikes. Hezbollah claimed its fighters engaged the troops, but the IDF denied any fire was directed at its soldiers. Arad's widow publicly requested that no further operations risking soldiers' lives be conducted on her family's behalf.
UN Peacekeepers and a Hospital Under Fire Two Ghanaian UNIFIL peacekeepers were critically wounded in a missile strike on their position in southern Lebanon, with their officers' mess facility destroyed. French President Macron condemned the attack and reaffirmed France's commitment to the mission, which includes around 700 French troops. Separately, a Hezbollah drone crashed in the parking lot of Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya, with a second drone shot down by local security forces. The downed device was found to contain cameras and explosive material. No injuries were reported in either incident.
UN Fuel Truck Hit in Gaza An IDF naval munition went off course and struck an empty UN fuel truck in Gaza, causing minor damage and no injuries. The truck had its movements pre-coordinated with Israeli authorities and was en route to the Kerem Shalom crossing. UNOPS called for a full investigation, and the IDF acknowledged the munition had deviated from its intended trajectory.
Drone Attacks Spread to Iraq A drone targeted the Erbil Arjaan by Rotana hotel in Iraqi Kurdistan, following a US Embassy warning that Iran-aligned militias may be seeking to strike hotels frequented by foreigners in the region. Separately, four drones targeted a military base at Baghdad airport hosting a US diplomatic facility, with at least two crashing inside the perimeter.
US Prepares for a Longer War As the first week closed, Trump has reportedly privately raised the idea of deploying a small number of US troops to Iran for specific strategic missions, though no decision has been made, according to NBC News. The Army canceled a major training exercise for the rapid-deployment 82nd Airborne Division, fueling speculation about a potential Middle East deployment. A third aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush, completed pre-deployment training and is expected to head to the eastern Mediterranean shortly, joining assets already stationed in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea.
Intelligence Report: Iran Regime Unlikely to Collapse A US National Intelligence Council report completed just before the war began assessed that even a large-scale assault was unlikely to topple the Iranian regime, with established succession protocols expected to keep the government functioning. The White House declined to confirm whether Trump received the assessment before launching the campaign.
India Shelters Iranian Warship India allowed an Iranian warship, the Lavan, to dock at the southern port of Kochi as a humanitarian gesture after receiving an urgent request from Tehran citing technical issues on board. Its 183 crew members were accommodated at naval facilities. Foreign Minister Jaishankar said India approached the situation "from the point of view of humanity."
Turkey Eyes F-16 Deployment to Northern Cyprus Turkey is considering sending F-16 jets to Northern Cyprus as a security measure after the island was struck by a drone earlier in the week. Several EU nations have already pledged air defense assistance to Cyprus, which holds the EU's rotating presidency.
Pakistan Man Convicted in Iran-Linked Assassination Plot A Pakistani man with alleged ties to Iran was found guilty of plotting to assassinate US officials, including Trump, in retaliation for the 2020 killing of IRGC Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani. Asif Raza Merchant was convicted on charges of transnational terrorism and murder for hire and faces a potential life sentence.
US Moves Against Iranian Oil Network The Justice Department filed civil forfeiture complaints for over $15.3 million allegedly used to fund an illicit Iranian oil distribution network tied to a son of a former top adviser to Iran's supreme leader, as Washington intensified financial pressure alongside its military campaign.
Diplomatic Maneuvering On the diplomatic front, Putin called for an immediate ceasefire in a conversation with Iran's president. Saudi Arabia intensified backchannel diplomacy with Tehran to help contain the conflict. Netanyahu held a rare call with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. Palestinian Authority President Abbas spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, condemning both Iranian strikes on Arab neighbors and Israeli operations in Lebanon. The UN's special coordinator for Lebanon urged both sides to enter negotiations, warning that "things are set to get even worse."
Topics: Iran, Strait of Hormuz, Lebanon & Hezbollah
Reported by Sammy for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.