Conflict Escalates: 3 US Troops Killed as Iran Strikes Military Bases Across 9 Countries
New Delhi / Tehran, March 2, 2026 — The conflict in West Asia has drastically escalated into a regional war following massive, coordinated airstrikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. In fierce retaliation, Tehran has launched unprecedented missile and drone attacks targeting US military installations, commercial airports, and allied assets across the Gulf region.
The rapid escalation comes after a joint US-Israeli military campaign—which US officials have dubbed “Operation Epic Fury”—reportedly resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, alongside top Iranian defense officials over the weekend.
The US-Israeli Offensive
According to military officials, the Israeli Air Force and the US military have dropped over 1,200 munitions across 24 of Iran’s 31 provinces over the past 48 hours. The US military heavily utilized B-2 stealth bombers to strike Iran’s deep-underground ballistic missile facilities and nuclear sites with 2,000-pound bombs.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the scale of the operations in a social media address, stating that the US military effectively destroyed the headquarters of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and sank nine Iranian naval warships. “We are going after the remaining naval ships of Iran, and they will also be floating soon at the bottom of the sea,” Trump stated.
Iran’s Multi-Front Retaliation
In response to the unprecedented assault, Iran’s IRGC launched “Operation Truthful Promise 4,” firing hundreds of ballistic missiles and explosive-laden drones at US and Israeli targets across nine countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Jordan.
The Iranian counter-offensive has triggered widespread disruption, structural damage, and casualties across the Gulf:
Kuwait: The US Central Command confirmed that three US service members were killed in action and five were seriously wounded. In a separate incident during the chaotic airspace combat, three US F-15E Strike Eagles were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses in a friendly fire incident.
United Arab Emirates: While most projectiles were intercepted, debris from intercepted missiles killed three expatriate workers (from Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh) and injured 58 others near Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. Dubai International Airport sustained damage, halting operations. The UAE has immediately closed its embassy in Tehran.
Bahrain & Saudi Arabia: Iranian munitions struck the naval base housing the US Navy’s 5th Fleet in Manama, Bahrain. Meanwhile, Saudi authorities had to temporarily shut down the massive Ras Tanura oil refinery following a targeted drone attack.
Israel: Hezbollah opened a simultaneous front, launching a heavy barrage of rockets from Lebanon into northern Israel, while Iranian ballistic missiles struck central Israel, causing multiple casualties in Beit Shemesh and Tel Aviv.
Indian Government Response
The unfolding war has sent shockwaves through global aviation and oil markets. In New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an urgent meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to assess the geopolitical and economic impact of the Iran-Israel-US conflict.
Following the escalating risks, Air India has officially extended the suspension of all flights to and from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar until further notice.
Additionally, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a cautionary directive to all Indian states and Union Territories. The Centre has urged local police forces to intensify intelligence sharing and monitor pro-Iran radical preachers to prevent any localized protests, violence, or law-and-order breakdowns stemming from the overseas conflict.
