The statement comes from senior Israeli military officials, who said that despite striking thousands of targets since the start of the campaign, the armed forces have “thousands more” to hit and are prepared to maintain pressure on Tehran alongside U.S. forces.

Intensified Air Campaign Across Iran

Overnight, Israeli air forces launched fresh strikes across multiple Iranian cities, including Tehran, Shiraz and Tabriz, targeting what military officials described as command and control facilities, air defense batteries and missile production sites. The scale and frequency of these operations underline Israel’s commitment to degrading Iran’s military capability.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin emphasized that the operation is far from over, saying the military has plans extending through at least the next three weeks, with contingency plans for even longer if necessary.

The U.S. military has also supported many of the operations, though Washington has offered limited public detail on the extent of American involvement, and U.S. officials have been cautious in commenting directly on the duration of military engagements.

Iran and Allies Hit Back

Iranian forces have responded with a flurry of missile and drone attacks, not only aimed at Israeli territory but also directed at allied targets in the region, including U.S. installations and Gulf states’ infrastructure. In recent days, Iranian attacks have struck locations such as Dubai International Airport and ports in neighboring countries, highlighting the conflict’s widening scope.

Tehran has vowed to continue defending itself and denounced Israeli strikes as unlawful and devastating. Iranian government officials have also accused Israel of committing “ecocide” with attacks on civilian infrastructure like fuel depots, a charge that has drawn international condemnation and heightened fears of broader humanitarian impacts.

Global Impact and Geopolitical Ripples

The intensifying conflict has had major repercussions far beyond the battlefield. Global oil markets have been roiled by the uncertainty, with Brent crude prices climbing above $104.50 per barrel amid fears of disruptions to Middle Eastern energy supplies. The nearby Strait of Hormuz through which an estimated 20% of global oil passes was temporarily closed, prompting urgent calls from some world leaders for international efforts to keep the vital shipping lane open.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has been pushing for allied support to secure strategic maritime routes and urging a broader international response. Some key partners, however have been hesitant to commit military assets, leaving Washington and Israel to shoulder most of the immediate operational burden.

Civilian Toll and Humanitarian Concerns

The ongoing aerial bombardment and retaliatory strikes have taken a heavy toll on civilians across multiple countries. Casualty estimates continue to rise as health and aid agencies struggle to reach impacted areas. Infrastructure damage in both urban and rural regions has disrupted essential services, prompting urgent calls for humanitarian access and cease‑fire negotiations.

International figures, including Pope Leo, have condemned the violence and called for an immediate end to hostilities, stressing the immense suffering experienced by civilians and urging diplomatic avenues to be pursued.

What’s Next?

As Israel signals it is prepared to sustain operations for weeks to come, analysts warn that the conflict could enter a protracted phase, with shifting objectives and evolving military priorities on both sides.

The coming weeks are likely to be critical in determining whether diplomatic pressure, battlefield developments or global economic impacts will influence the trajectory of the war or whether the Middle East will face an even wider and more destructive conflagration.

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