War in Iran expands and affects practically all countries in the Middle East; see who are involved

Investigation shows that the US was responsible for an attack that killed 175 at a school in Iran Unlike recent conflicts in the region, such as the war between Iran and Israel in June 2025 and between Israel and Hamas, the current war in Iran went beyond the borders of the countries directly involved and spread across the Middle East. ✅ Follow the g1 international news channel on WhatsApp The fighting, which is now entering its second week, began on February 28 with joint US and Israeli bombings against Iranian territory, resulting in the death of the country’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. A school with students was also hit, among other targets. Iran launched retaliatory attacks shortly afterwards, not only against Israel, but also towards embassies, American bases spread across the region and also civilian targets, such as buildings that were supposed to house American employees. At the same time, Hezbollah and Israel intensified hostilities amid the conflict, drawing Lebanon, including its capital, Beirut, into the theater of operations. Countries involved in the War in Iran Editoria de Arte/g1 See below all the countries involved in the war: Iran The country had been under pressure, and opened new negotiations with the USA for an agreement that would limit its nuclear program. Even with negotiators addressing the issue, Iran was the target of a joint attack by the USA and Israel on February 28, an act that triggered the war. Its territory has been suffering bombings against military, political and civilian targets. Economic assets such as oil refineries were also hit. In response, Tehran launched retaliatory strikes and closed the Strait of Hormuz, an important oil outlet that the country effectively controls, to most traffic. The action involves attacking ships trying to leave the Persian Gulf. Destruction in Tehran Vahid Salemi/AP United States The main actor in the conflict outside the Middle East, the Americans mobilized a huge military force in the region, such as fighters and entire naval fleets that were made available to the Central Command (CentCom). Washington has bases in several countries, in addition to military cooperation agreements. Bahrain, for example, is the headquarters of the American Navy’s Fifth Fleet. Its largest air base in the region, Al Udeid, is in Qatar. Iran considers countries that host American facilities to be legitimate targets for attacks, even those that try to remain neutral in the war, such as Qatar and Oman. Israel Tel Aviv and Tehran have been enemies since the 1979 Revolution, when the Ayatollah regime was established in Iran. Israel has carried out daily attacks on Iranian territory – and has also been the constant target of Iranian bombings, including fragmentation missiles. With the start of the conflict, the extremist group Hezbollah, from Lebanon, once again attacked Israeli territory, opening yet another front for the country in the conflict. Lebanon Since the end of the last war between Israel and Hezbollah in November 2024, a ceasefire had been negotiated between the parties. Israel continued carrying out targeted bombings against Lebanon, under the justification of stopping the rearmament of the extremist group. With the return of attacks by Hezbollah, a traditional ally of Iran, Lebanon returned to the theater of operations, being targets of heavy bombing in several regions, such as the south, the Bekaa valley and the capital, Beirut. Lebanese authorities say that the number of people killed in the country by Israeli missiles has exceeded 700. Explosion of burning debris after alleged Israeli attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut, as a result of an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel, amid the conflict between the US and Israel with Iran, Lebanon, March 13, 2026. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh United Arab Emirates One of the US’s biggest allies in the region is also one of the main targets of Iran’s suicide drones in the first weeks of the conflict. Authorities in the country estimated more than 800 attacks from Tehran until the last update. Many of the targets were civilian installations, such as the Palm Jumeirah hotel and the world’s largest building, the Burj al-Khalifa, both in Dubai. Image shows walking through a burning luxury tower, in Dubai, on March 11, 2026 Reproduction/Isna Qatar Of all the Gulf countries, it is the one that tends to have the best relations with Iran, as both its government and its population have a Shiite majority. The country, however, is also home to the largest American air base in the region, attacked by Tehran. Doha has halted its natural gas production after two facilities were damaged by Iranian attacks. Two Iranian fighter jets were also shot down by the Qatari Air Force. Bahrain Another US ally, with a Shiite majority but controlled by a Sunni royal family, the country is a frequent destination for drones from Tehran – both the headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet and energy infrastructure, as well as civilian buildings, which Iran claims are used by the American military. Oman Oman’s diplomatic principle is neutrality, and for this reason it positions itself as a mediator in its neighbors’ conflicts: it was Muscat, for example, which mediated the negotiations between the USA and Iran for a nuclear agreement before the talks collapsed. Despite this, the US maintains bases in the country, attacked by drones throughout the war. Saudi Arabia Riyadh and Washington have historic ties, and Iran sought to bomb not only the American embassy in the country, but also the Ras Tanura refinery, one of the largest in the world and a centerpiece of the Saudi oil industry. Jordan Another country in the region with strong ties to eastern powers. Despite its airspace being constantly crossed by missiles aimed at Israel, there have been few attacks aimed at American bases on its territory compared to its neighbors. Iraq The country has been one of the most attacked by Tehran, given the huge number of large American bases, existing since the 2003 War on Terror. In addition to Baghdad, the biggest Iranian hotspots are in the north, around Erbil, where there is a strong Kurdish presence, hostile to Tehran. Americans have used the country for its strategic location, although most missions are classified. It was in Iraqi airspace that a US KC-135 refueling plane crashed in the middle of an operation. US plane crashes in Iraqi airspace Cyprus The island is home to a large British military base that was attacked by drones last week. No one claimed the attack, but the international press speculates that it came from Hezbollah. Azerbaijan Iranian suicide drones targeted an airport and civilian areas in the country, a major oil producer neighboring Iran. Authorities in Baku say they are considering retaliation. Other countries Without direct involvement, at least for now, other nations have had a marginal participation in the war: In Sri Lanka, an American submarine sank an Iranian military ship that was in the country to carry out an exercise. There are reports that the vessel was unarmed. It was the first kill of a ship by an American submarine since World War II. In Türkiye, NATO anti-aircraft batteries shot down missiles of Iranian origin. Another missile also fell in Syria without exploding. Following the drone attack on the base in Cyprus, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized the use of British air bases by the US. A destroyer was also sent to the Eastern Mediterranean. France, also afraid of supporting US and Israeli military action, decided to send an aircraft carrier, which did not actively participate in any mission.

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