Iran War Grows Into 16-Nation Mini World War – Experts
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“Just a few weeks.” That was President Donald Trump’s original estimate for the duration of the war launched alongside Israel against Iran.
That prediction is long gone. The conflict has now entered its sixth month, with no end in sight. Instead, the Iran War Grows across the Middle East and increasingly overlaps with the war in Ukraine.
At least 15 countries have been directly affected by attacks, military operations or serious security threats. Beyond the principal combatants—the United States, Israel and Iran—the conflict has reached Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Ukraine.
Iran War Grows Across the Region
Iranian retaliation has placed American bases throughout the Gulf under fire. Tehran has claimed attacks against U.S. military assets in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Jordan and Syria. Several Gulf countries have been forced to activate their air defenses against incoming Iranian missiles and drones.
The deadliest recent attack occurred at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan on July 17. Three U.S. soldiers were killed or are believed to have been killed in the Iranian assault, according to official Army statements.
Israel’s parallel war against the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia has devastated parts of Lebanon. Syria has also been drawn into the confrontation after Iran claimed an attack against the former U.S. position at al-Tanf, although U.S. Central Command disputed Tehran’s account.
Ukraine Opens a New Front
In another dramatic expansion, Ukraine has now appeared on the Iran war map.
Kyiv confirmed attacks against vessels in the Caspian Sea that it said were transporting Iran-linked military cargo to Russia. Iran said an Iranian commercial ship was struck, killing one sailor and injuring another. Tehran condemned the incident as a “hostile and criminal” act and summoned Ukraine’s senior diplomatic representative.
The incident raises the danger that the wars in Ukraine and Iran could begin to merge.
The Moscow-Tehran partnership already connects both conflicts. Iran has supplied Russia with weapons used against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Moscow of providing Iran with satellite imagery of U.S. and Gulf military installations in Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait to improve Tehran’s targeting.
Trump has said he wants to question Russian President Vladimir Putin directly about the allegations.
New War Coalitions Take Shape
As the Iran War Grows, new military coalitions are also emerging.
For the first time, American and Saudi forces jointly attacked Iran-backed militia positions in Iraq. The coordinated strikes targeted weapons and logistics sites connected to factions within Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces. At least 20 PMF members were reportedly killed, while Baghdad condemned the operation as a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.
Saudi Arabia is now confronting Iran directly while also fighting the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.
The most dangerous front may remain the battle over global oil routes. Iran continues to challenge shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while Houthi attacks threaten vessels around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab—the narrow “Gate of Tears” connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
Oil Situation Becoming Dire
The result is pressure on two of the world’s most important energy corridors at the same time. And therefore the oil situation is becoming increasingly dire. With shipping through the Strait of Hormuz disrupted and Houthi attacks threatening the Bab al-Mandab route into the Red Sea, two of the world’s most important energy corridors are under pressure at the same time. Tanker traffic has slowed, insurance and transport costs are rising, and any further escalation could push global oil prices sharply higher—fueling inflation and deepening the economic pressure on the Trump administration.
For Trump, the economic and military risks are mounting.
“The U.S. economy cannot withstand permanently high oil prices, while the military is warning about shortages of important weapons systems,” U.S. political scientist Scott Erb told America Report.
After five months, the Iran War Grows wider, more expensive and increasingly difficult for Washington to control.
