Day 17 of US-Israel war on Iran: Middle East tensions spread across region

DOHA, Qatar (MNTV) — The United States-Israel war on Iran entered its 17th day Monday with new airstrikes on Tehran, missile launches toward Israel, and drone incidents across the Gulf, raising fears that the conflict could expand into a broader regional war.

Israeli forces carried out a fresh wave of attacks on targets in the Iranian capital overnight, prompting Iranian air defenses to respond to what authorities described as “hostile targets” in the skies above Tehran.

Iranian emergency officials said some of the strikes hit civilian facilities. The Iranian Red Crescent Society reported that one of its clinics and a relief post were damaged during the raids.

Iran’s Health Ministry says the war has killed at least 1,444 people and injured more than 18,500 others since fighting began on Feb. 28. Hospitals in several cities remain under pressure as casualties continue to rise.

Iranian authorities also announced the arrest of 18 people accused of collaborating with Iran International, a satellite television network Tehran alleges has links to Israel.

Missile alerts in Israel

In Israel, air raid sirens sounded in several areas early Monday after missiles were launched from Iran.

Israeli media reported that debris from an intercepted missile fell in multiple locations in central Israel, including Shoham, Rishon LeZion, Lod, and Ness Ziona, near Tel Aviv.

According to Israel’s Health Ministry, 3,369 people have been injured and hospitalized since the war began, including civilians and military personnel. The figure includes 142 people wounded in the past 24 hours alone.

Israeli authorities said most of the recent damage resulted from falling missile fragments after interception by air defense systems.

Iranian response and military claims

Iranian officials say their military capabilities remain largely intact despite ongoing strikes.

Brigadier-General Ali Mohammad Naini, spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, said most of the group’s missile arsenal remains untouched. He claimed the weapons used in the current conflict are largely older systems.

“The missiles currently being used are from a decade ago,” Naini said in comments broadcast by Iranian media. “The missiles produced since the last war with Israel have not yet been used.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also rejected claims from Washington that Tehran is seeking negotiations. In an interview with CBS News, Araghchi said Iran has not requested ceasefire talks.

“We never asked for a ceasefire, and we have never asked for negotiations,” he said. “We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes.”

US President Donald Trump said American forces were targeting Iran’s drone manufacturing facilities. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said the strikes had severely weakened Iran’s military capabilities.

“Iran has very little firepower left,” Trump said. “We have decimated their manufacturing capability.”

U.S. defense officials confirmed that several American bases in the region have come under drone and missile threats since the war began.

According to US military sources, more than two dozen American service members have been injured in various attacks on bases in Iraq, Syria, and the Gulf since the start of the conflict. Most injuries were linked to drone strikes and missile interceptions.

Fighting spreads to Lebanon

The conflict has increasingly spilled over into neighboring Lebanon, where Israeli forces intensified airstrikes against Hezbollah positions in the south.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry says the war has killed 850 people, including more than 100 children, and injured thousands more since cross-border hostilities escalated.

Israeli officials say their operations are aimed at preventing Hezbollah from opening a second major front against Israel.

The Israeli military confirmed it has begun limited ground operations in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said its patrols were fired upon by unidentified armed groups on Sunday, underscoring the deteriorating security environment in the area.

Gulf region on alert

The conflict has also spilled into the Gulf, where several countries reported drone and missile threats.

In the United Arab Emirates, a drone-related incident sparked a fire near Dubai International Airport, forcing authorities to temporarily suspend flights early Monday.

Officials said a fuel tank in the vicinity of the airport caught fire, but the blaze was quickly contained. Dubai airport later resumed limited operations, although several flights were canceled.

Another fire broke out in an industrial zone in Fujairah, also linked to a drone strike, according to local authorities. In Abu Dhabi, officials said a missile struck a car, killing a Palestinian resident.

Saudi Arabia reported intercepting at least 37 drones over its eastern region on Monday, while Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar also said their air defense systems had responded to aerial threats in recent days.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed the escalating situation during a phone call, according to Saudi state media. Both leaders reaffirmed the Gulf Cooperation Council’s commitment to defend their territories from attacks.

Strategic concerns over oil and shipping

The war has also raised concerns about global energy supplies and maritime security. The United States is reportedly working to assemble an international coalition to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, a vital shipping route through which nearly a fifth of the world’s oil passes.

Washington is also considering plans to seize Iran’s Kharg Island oil export terminal, according to media reports. Trump has urged allies to deploy naval forces to secure the strait.

At the same time, Japan has begun releasing oil from its strategic reserves in response to rising fuel prices linked to the war.

Environmental and humanitarian concerns

Iranian officials have accused Israel of causing environmental damage during strikes on fuel facilities in Tehran.

Foreign Minister Araghchi said the attacks could have serious ecological consequences. Humanitarian agencies are also warning about the growing toll on civilians.

The United Kingdom announced more than £5 million (about $6.6 million) in emergency funding to support humanitarian operations in Lebanon.

Aid organizations say hospitals and relief services across the region are struggling to cope with rising casualties. As the conflict enters its third week, analysts warn that the risk of further escalation remains high.

Drone incidents across the Gulf, continued strikes on Iran, and fighting in Lebanon suggest that the war is increasingly affecting multiple fronts across the Middle East. Diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions have so far produced little progress.

With thousands already killed or injured and military operations intensifying, the region appears poised for a prolonged and unpredictable confrontation.