U.S.-Israeli War Against Iran Rapidly Expanding Across Region

Gulf allies, European countries, and Iranian proxies are being drawn into the conflict as Tehran retaliates with drone and missile strikes.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran is rapidly expanding across the Middle East, with Tehran retaliating against Israel and U.S. interests in Gulf states by firing thousands of drones and missiles. Gulf countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia have intercepted hundreds of Iranian strikes, while European nations have dispatched additional military assets to the region. The conflict is also radiating beyond the Middle East, with incidents reported in Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Sri Lanka. The U.S. and Israel are working to degrade Iran's missile and drone capabilities, but the question remains whether other countries will join the fight against Iran.

Why it matters

The rapidly expanding U.S.-Israeli war against Iran has the potential to draw in more regional and global players, further destabilizing the Middle East. The conflict could disrupt energy supplies, increase the risk of miscalculation, and lead to a wider regional conflagration. The willingness of Gulf states and European countries to join the fight or remain on the sidelines will be a key factor in how the conflict evolves.

The details

Since the joint U.S.-Israeli operation was launched over the weekend, Tehran has retaliated by firing thousands of drones and missiles against Israel and U.S. interests in Gulf states. Gulf countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia have intercepted hundreds of these strikes, warning they could retaliate against Iran. The conflict has also spread beyond the Middle East, with incidents reported in Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Sri Lanka. The U.S. and Israel are working to degrade Iran's missile and drone capabilities, but the question remains whether other countries will join the fight against Iran.

  • The joint U.S.-Israeli operation was launched over the weekend.
  • On Thursday, President Trump encouraged Kurdish forces in Iraq to invade Iran.
  • On Wednesday, NATO shot down an Iranian missile that entered Turkey's airspace.
  • On Wednesday, a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship with a torpedo near the coast of Sri Lanka.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who encouraged Kurdish forces in Iraq to invade Iran.

Pete Hegseth

The U.S. Defense Secretary who said the notion of the war expanding could not be "further from the truth."

Gregory Brew

The Eurasia Group's senior Iran analyst who said Gulf states are likely to want to "manage their own defense, rather than join the U.S. and Israel in hitting Iran directly."

Yossi Kuperwasser

A former head of the Israel Defense Forces' military intelligence research who said all of the Gulf states could join the U.S. and Israel in attacking Iran, but they have legitimate reasons to primarily focus on defending their airspaces.

David Schenker

A former assistant secretary of State for Near Eastern affairs who said the question of whether the war would continue expanding would mostly depend "on the U.S. and Israel's ability to suppress and degrade Iran's ability to fire missiles."

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.