A missile strike on a girls’ school in Iran has raised the death toll to 165, state media reported Monday, as the conflict between Iran and Israel, with support from the United States, entered its third day. The attacks follow the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, in a joint US-Israeli operation on Saturday.
The attacks have triggered a widespread escalation of hostilities across the Middle East. Iranian missiles and drones targeted Israel and four Gulf Arab states hosting US military bases, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar. Explosions were reported in Dubai, Doha, and Manama, while sirens sounded repeatedly across Israel.
US President Donald Trump has called for Iranian forces to lay down their arms and for the Iranian public to overthrow the clerical establishment, stating the current military campaign could last for weeks. He urged the Iranian people to “seize control of your destiny,” echoing similar calls made following previous military actions against Iran.
Israel has simultaneously targeted targets in Lebanon linked to Hizbullah, a Shia militia and key Iranian proxy. The Israel Defense Forces have directed residents of over 50 Lebanese villages to evacuate, anticipating further offensives. At least 31 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry.
The conflict has caused significant disruption to global air travel, with hundreds of flights cancelled and thousands of passengers stranded. Dublin Airport estimates between 5,000 and 6,000 passengers are affected, with all flights to and from the Middle East cancelled on Monday. Major Middle Eastern airports, including Dubai, remain closed, representing the most acute aviation crisis since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global oil and gas prices surged on Monday, with Brent crude rising as much as 13 percent and European gas prices jumping 24 percent, as the conflict threatens energy supplies from the region. Gold prices also rose, while global stock markets fell, reflecting investor concerns about the economic impact of the escalating conflict.
The Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland has issued updated advice to Irish citizens in the Middle East, urging them to register their presence with the department. A limited number of commercial flights are scheduled to depart Abu Dhabi Zayed Airport on Monday afternoon.
According to physicist Dr. Patricia Lewis, Iran’s enrichment of uranium to 60 percent has no peaceful justification. She estimates Iran possesses up to 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to this level, sufficient to produce approximately ten nuclear weapons.
An Iranian drone struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on Sunday night, causing minimal damage and no casualties. The attack, occurring while Cyprus holds the EU presidency, highlights the potential for the conflict to spread beyond the immediate region. A scheduled meeting of European Affairs Ministers in Cyprus has been cancelled as a result.
Political scientist Prof. Robert Pape argues that the US-Israeli strategy of targeting Iranian leadership has proven ineffective, stating that Iran is a deeply embedded state with a vast network of security forces and state-linked institutions. He contends that removing a limited number of leaders will not dismantle the governing structure.
The United States, Israel, and their allies are engaged in a race against time to destroy Iran’s missile-launching capabilities before their own interceptor supplies are depleted, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. Iran’s ability to produce cheaper drones and missiles at a greater volume poses a significant challenge, as the cost of interception for its adversaries exceeds the cost of launch for Iran.
