Less than a week after the United States and Israel launched military strikes on Iran, the conflict has sharply expanded, roping in several Middle Eastern nations and prompting some European countries to commit military support.
Hundreds of missiles have been fired and intercepted across more than half a dozen countries in the Persian Gulf. The war broadened in scope on March 4 after a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian navy ship in international waters, and NATO air defenses blocked an Iranian missile that was heading toward Turkey, one of the alliance's member states.
The United States and Israel say the war against Iran is necessary to end the country's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Opponents, including many members of the Democratic Party, have disputed those statements.
More than 1,200 Iranians, 10 Israelis and six U.S. troops have been killed in the conflict, and dozens more in several Middle Eastern nations have been caught up in retaliatory attacks. Other than Iran, Lebanon has suffered the next-largest brunt of casualties. The country's health ministry has reported more than 75 people have been killed and 500 wounded in Israeli attacks, launched in response to Hezbollah firing rockets into Israel on March 2.
