US-Israel Iran war enters third day: All you need to know

US-Israel Iran war escalated rapidly following the killing of Tehran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and on the third day of the conflict, the tensions spread deeper into the Middle East, Lebanon and has posed a threat of global economic recovery. Tehran lost at least 555 people while Lebanon lost at least 31 people in Israeli attacks, as per Al Jazeera.

Here’s what happened so far:

• 01Operation Epic Fury focused on destroying Iranian missiles, says Pete HegsethReiterating US President Donald Trump's stance, American Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in a press conference at the Pentagon, urged people of Iran to take advantage of what he described as an “incredible opportunity”. Describing it as an "endless war", Hegseth acknowledged that the operation would involve casualties while addressing reports that four US service members were killed. In a stark warning, Hegseth said Washington will pursue and kill those responsible for the deaths of US citizens. Tracing back the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated under former US President Barack Obama, Hegseth called it as a failed deal and said the current campaign, “Operation Epic Fury”, is focused on destroying Iranian missiles, missile production facilities, naval assets and other security infrastructure.

Operation Epic Fury focused on destroying Iranian missiles, says Pete Hegseth

Reiterating US President Donald Trump's stance, American Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in a press conference at the Pentagon, urged people of Iran to take advantage of what he described as an “incredible opportunity”. Describing it as an "endless war", Hegseth acknowledged that the operation would involve casualties while addressing reports that four US service members were killed. In a stark warning, Hegseth said Washington will pursue and kill those responsible for the deaths of US citizens. Tracing back the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated under former US President Barack Obama, Hegseth called it as a failed deal and said the current campaign, “Operation Epic Fury”, is focused on destroying Iranian missiles, missile production facilities, naval assets and other security infrastructure.

• 02Three American F-153 fighter jets shot mistakenly by KuwaitAs many as three US F-15 fighter jets were mistakenly shot by Kuwait's air defence in an apparent friendly-fire incident, US Central Command said. All six crew members ejected from the aircraft safely, were recovered and are in stable condition, CENTCOM said. The incident was the first downing of US aircraft since the war began. The CENTCOM added that a probe has begun into the incident and video images showed a U.S. warplane falling out of the sky over ⁠Kuwait early on Monday, while a person could be seen parachuting, Reuters reported.

Three American F-153 fighter jets shot mistakenly by Kuwait

As many as three US F-15 fighter jets were mistakenly shot by Kuwait's air defence in an apparent friendly-fire incident, US Central Command said. All six crew members ejected from the aircraft safely, were recovered and are in stable condition, CENTCOM said. The incident was the first downing of US aircraft since the war began. The CENTCOM added that a probe has begun into the incident and video images showed a U.S. warplane falling out of the sky over ⁠Kuwait early on Monday, while a person could be seen parachuting, Reuters reported.

• 03Conflict spreads to LebanonThe tensions spread to Lebanon when Hezbollah, one of Tehran's key allies in the Middle East launched air strikes against Israel. Lebanese state news agency NNA said an initial tally showed 31 people had ⁠been killed and 149 injured. However, in retaliation, Israel said it targeted the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut and struck senior militants. Israel declared Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem a "target for elimination".

Conflict spreads to Lebanon

The tensions spread to Lebanon when Hezbollah, one of Tehran's key allies in the Middle East launched air strikes against Israel. Lebanese state news agency NNA said an initial tally showed 31 people had ⁠been killed and 149 injured. However, in retaliation, Israel said it targeted the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut and struck senior militants. Israel declared Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem a "target for elimination".

• 04Gulf nations hit ‌The war had adverse impacts in the Gulf as its nations came under renewed attack from Iranian missiles and drones. Loud explosions continued to rock as interception of missiles went on in Dubai, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar. Qatar’s Defence Ministry was quoted as saying by Reuters that two drones struck energy facilities in the industrial city of Ras Laffan and Mesaieed with no reported casualties.

Gulf nations hit ‌

The war had adverse impacts in the Gulf as its nations came under renewed attack from Iranian missiles and drones. Loud explosions continued to rock as interception of missiles went on in Dubai, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar. Qatar’s Defence Ministry was quoted as saying by Reuters that two drones struck energy facilities in the industrial city of Ras Laffan and Mesaieed with no reported casualties.

• 05Saudi’s Aramco shuts Ras Tanura refineryQatar has halted the production of liquefied natural gas and Saudi Arabia shut its biggest domestic oil refinery. The development followed a drone strike and is a precautionary measure adopted across oil and gas facilities in the Middle East. Apart from that, oil production has been halted in Iraqi Kurdistan and several major Israeli gas fields, putting exports to Egypt to a standstill. Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Aramco’s Ras Tanura refinery has been shut while companies including DNO, Gulf Keystone Petroleum, Dana Gas and HKN Energy have halted their production in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Saudi’s Aramco shuts Ras Tanura refinery

Qatar has halted the production of liquefied natural gas and Saudi Arabia shut its biggest domestic oil refinery. The development followed a drone strike and is a precautionary measure adopted across oil and gas facilities in the Middle East. Apart from that, oil production has been halted in Iraqi Kurdistan and several major Israeli gas fields, putting exports to Egypt to a standstill. Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Aramco’s Ras Tanura refinery has been shut while companies including DNO, Gulf Keystone Petroleum, Dana Gas and HKN Energy have halted their production in Iraqi Kurdistan.

• 06Drone hits Britian's Akrotiri air base in CyprusA drone hit Britian's Akrotiri air base in Cyprus overnight and there were no casualties.UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that British bases will be used for “defensive purposes” and that the country won’t join “US-Israeli offensive”. Starmer added that the UK government is taking all possible measures to bring back British citizens from the disturbed areas.

Drone hits Britian's Akrotiri air base in Cyprus

A drone hit Britian's Akrotiri air base in Cyprus overnight and there were no casualties.UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that British bases will be used for “defensive purposes” and that the country won’t join “US-Israeli offensive”. Starmer added that the UK government is taking all possible measures to bring back British citizens from the disturbed areas.

• 07Oil price surgesOil and gas prices spiked, the dollar gained and stock indexes fell around the world while safe-haven gold rallied. The conflict has posed a threat to upend a global economic recovery and may reignite inflation. The disruption of shipping in the crucial Strait of Hormuz has led to skyrocketing of oil and gas prices with US crude rising 6.86% to $71.62 a barrel and Brent rose to $78.74 ⁠per barrel, ​up 8.07%.

Oil price surges

Oil and gas prices spiked, the dollar gained and stock indexes fell around the world while safe-haven gold rallied. The conflict has posed a threat to upend a global economic recovery and may reignite inflation. The disruption of shipping in the crucial Strait of Hormuz has led to skyrocketing of oil and gas prices with US crude rising 6.86% to $71.62 a barrel and Brent rose to $78.74 ⁠per barrel, ​up 8.07%.

• 08Global air travel disruptionsGlobal air travel suffered disruptions as the war in Iran led to the closure of key Middle Eastern hubs including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, stranding tens of thousands of passengers in different parts of the world. Across the Middle East, global airlines cancelled flights.

Global air travel disruptions

Global air travel suffered disruptions as the war in Iran led to the closure of key Middle Eastern hubs including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, stranding tens of thousands of passengers in different parts of the world. Across the Middle East, global airlines cancelled flights.

The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram