US-Israel Iran Conflict Explained: Operation Lion’s Roar, Regional War & Massive Airspace Disruption

Rising tensions in the Middle East after the United States and Israel launched a major military strike on Iran’s military and government targets on 28 February 2026. This strike, called Operation Lion’s Roar, has been recognized as the biggest direct attack. Additionally, it marks a major escalation in long-running tensions between the countries. 

As of now, Iran has vowed to avenge the death of its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed by Israeli strikes during the joint military operation. Amidst the tense situation, the Middle East countries, some of the world’s most congested airspace has been disrupted, leading to flight suspensions and delays. 

US-Israel Iran Conflict Highlights

A US-Israel military strike reportedly hit multiple locations across Iran, including military infrastructure. After the strikes, Iran fired missiles and drones back toward U.S. and Israeli locations and other parts of the region. This isn’t the usual war between two countries invading. Instead, the conflict is observed as an intense military showdown with airstrikes and missile exchanges that risk wider confrontation across the region. 

After confirming Khamenei’s death on Sunday, Iran carried out retaliatory strikes across the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, escalating West Asia tensions. As the war approaches the conditions of a full-out war, a conflict Iran warned the US and Israel of, US President Donald Trump stated that the bombing of Iran is expected to continue for at least another week. Since the conflict has escalated and the bombing continues, the death toll across West Asia is expected to increase.

US-Israel Iran Conflict Death Toll

In Iran, at least 201 people have been killed and over 700 injured in the ongoing strikes. Amongst were nearly 115 people were killed in Minab when a girls’ school was targeted by the US-Israel military strike. Moreover, three American service members were killed and five others seriously injured during the US attacks on Iran, the US military announced on Sunday.

In the UAE, one Pakistani, one Nepalese, and one Bangladeshi lost their lives in the attacks that took place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In Israel, around nine people were killed due to Iranian strikes across the region. In Iraq, two people have been killed, and one person died in Kuwait. As the conflict spreads and bombing continues, the death toll is expected to increase.

Airspace Closure and Disruption 

Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar have all closed their airspaces. Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest airport for international traffic, has suspended all flights until further notice. Data from the aviation analytics firm Cirium shows that about 1,600 of the roughly 4,000 scheduled flights to the region have been canceled. Here’s a quick glimpse at the list of countries that closed or restricted airspace.

Iran: It closed its skies to all civilian flights.

Israel: Shut down its civilian airspace.

Iraq: Closed its airspace.

United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain: Large parts of the airspace are restricted or closed.

Due to the US-Israel heating tensions against Iran, nearby Middle East countries rerouted flights, avoiding the region completely. While some international flights were delayed for an indefinite time. For the unversed, the three major Middle Eastern airlines, namely Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, and Emirates, operate as major hubs, connecting passengers to destinations around the world.