US-Iran War SITREP: Intense Strikes and Hormuz Crisis — March 10, 2026

The US-Israel campaign against Iran, now in its second week since commencing on 28 February 2026, has intensified with over 1,460 verified strikes targeting key infrastructure, including areas around Tehran and the Iraq border. The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian costs, with Iranian health authorities reporting over 15,000 wounded and 1,200 killed, including a controversial strike on a girls' school in Minab that killed 165 civilians and is linked to a US Tomahawk missile. Economically, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global oil and shipping routes, leading to production cuts by Gulf states totaling 6.7 million barrels per day and warnings of catastrophic market impacts from Aramco. Iranian retaliation includes missile and drone strikes on US assets in the Gulf, Israel, and proxies like Hezbollah in Lebanon, with IRGC announcing waves of attacks using heavy warheads. International involvement is growing, with Ukraine deploying air defense experts to Gulf states and Russia denying intelligence sharing with Iran amid diplomatic tensions. US leadership, under President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, signals no de-escalation, promising the 'most intense day' of strikes, while domestic US polls show majority opposition to the war. Sub-conflicts in Lebanon and Iraq risk broader regional escalation. Global responses include EU concerns over energy crises, IEA meetings on oil reserves, and UN Security Council calls for Lebanon. Proxy dynamics, such as MEK plotting from Albania and Iranian threats of 'eye for an eye' infrastructure attacks, underscore the strategic depth of the confrontation.