The conflict, the most intense fighting between the two countries in decades, has been met in the United States with feelings of “frustration and helplessness,” as well as heartbreak.

As Israel is pursuing a multi-front war in West Asia with the offensive against Iran, there is no certainty about the direction that West Asia would take in the coming days. But one thing is sure that the regional balance of power would likely change.

Iran-aligned Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah warned on Sunday it would resume attacks on U.S. troops in the region if the United States intervenes in the conflict between Israel and Iran.

The recent escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran has signalled a shift from earlier, more calibrated exchanges to a broader and more sustained confrontation. Analysts at Capital Economics said this phase of the conflict appears far more intense than previous tit-for-tat strikes in April and October 2024,

Lapid made a speech last month to Israel’s parliament, which is called the Knesset, that marked 600 days since the start of the war in Gaza. Lapid slammed Netanyahu for bringing a conflict upon Israel that didn’t exist during his own brief time in office.

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah was long considered Iran’s first line of defense in case of a war with Israel.

Israel’s sudden attack on Iran has threatened to disrupt oil supplies in the Middle East, placing the Opec+ cartel’s recent decision to increase crude production into the spotlight. The Saudi Arabia-led producer group has surprised the oil market this year by fast-tracking the return of idled production even as crude prices fell.

Smoke and flames filled the sky over Tehran as Israel struck oil and gas facilities in the Iranian capital and targeted more nuclear facilities during attacks that carried on into Sunday morning.