Seven Days In: US-Israel Campaign on Iran Escalates Across the Middle East

Seven days into Operation Epic Fury, US-Israeli strikes on Iran continue as Tehran and allied forces retaliate with missiles and drones across the Gulf. Israel says it has achieved near-total air superiority after thousands of strikes, while the US reports hitting hundreds of Iranian targets; CSIS estimates the first 100 hours cost about $3.7 billion. Amid rumors about leadership succession after the alleged killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran warns of escalation and a possible ground invasion. The conflict has spilled over to Kuwait, Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar and Lebanon, prompting evacuations of about 20,000 Americans and drawing in European defense assets. Domestic U.S. politics show resistance to halting hostilities, while oil markets and regional security dynamics remain volatile.