As the U.S.-Israel airstrike operation against Iran, "Epic Fury," enters its second week, neither Washington nor Tehran is showing signs of backing down, and the flames are spreading across the Middle East. With Kurds backed by U.S. support and European countries moving to aid Middle Eastern allies joining in, the clashes are expanding uncontrollably.
On the 5th (local time), the United States and Iran each expressed strong resolve to continue military action, suggesting the confrontation could drag on. Missile and drone attacks are causing mounting casualties in major cities in Iran and Israel, and Iran's attacks on U.S. bases are expanding the damage in nearby Gulf countries including Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
◇ U.S.: "Operation entering a new phase" vs. Iran: "No reason to negotiate"
On the day, Pete Hegseth, the Minister of the Ministry of National Defense (War Department), held a press conference at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, saying, "Our ammunition is full and our resolve is ironclad," and emphasized, "Stockpiles of defensive and offensive weapons will allow us to sustain operations as long as needed." With the ability to投入 more troops and resources, it was taken as underscoring that the initiative in the current situation rests with the United States.
Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command overseeing the operation, also said the United States is maintaining a high level of operational capability. According to Cooper, over the past 72 hours U.S. bombers have struck about 200 targets inside Iran, while Iran's ballistic missile attacks have fallen 90% compared with the first day of the operation on the 28th of last month. Washington says the operation has moved to a "next phase" beyond striking Iran's missile force to destroying its ability to reconstitute weapons and the production base itself.
Israel also declared that the military operation had entered a new phase. Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said, "At this stage we will further dismantle the Iranian regime and the regime's military capabilities," adding, "We have additional operations prepared that we have not yet disclosed." According to the Israeli military, by the day Iran's ballistic missile launchers and air defenses had been neutralized by more than 60% and 80%, respectively.
Iran, however, has flatly denied any possibility of negotiations with the United States so far and carried out what appeared to be a 20th attack targeting U.S.-related facilities of Israel and nearby Gulf countries on the day. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, "We are not asking for a cease-fire," and "We do not see any reason to negotiate with the United States."
◇ Middle East engulfed in flames… Fire spreads to Azerbaijan and the seas
In response, a civilian evacuation order was issued in Tel Aviv, Israel's largest city, and the Sarsang oil field operated by U.S. HKN Energy in Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan, came under a drone attack. Near Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), debris from drones injured more than six people, and after an evacuation order near the U.S. Embassy in Doha, Qatar, a missile strike followed. In Bahrain, a state-run refinery was also hit by an Iranian missile.
Iran has even carried out attacks as far as Azerbaijan in the Caucasus, appearing to widen the conflict zone. Drone attacks by Iran set off explosions across Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan's exclave, and drones crashed into an airport and schools, with more than four civilians believed injured. Earlier, Iran also launched missiles toward Türkiye, a NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member, and nearby northern Iraq, but Tehran strongly denied responsibility, saying, "We did not fire them."
Severe damage is also being reported inside Iran. According to the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs, the cumulative death toll in Iran stands at at least 1,230. Because the count is based on identified bodies, the actual number of dead is believed to be far higher. To date, 174 cities in Iran have been hit, and beyond missile facilities, 3,646 buildings—including hospitals, schools, and government offices—have been bombed, the Iranian Red Crescent said.
The front is also expanding to the seas. As Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatened to spike oil prices, the United States has been striking Iran's key naval assets to seize the upper hand in the area. According to U.S. Central Command, more than 20 Iranian vessels have been attacked or sunk by the U.S. Navy so far, including, reportedly, a Soleimani-class surface combatant, a mainstay ship of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
◇ Ground proxy war likely with Kurdish militias entering the fray
With Iranian Kurdish militias declaring their intention to join the fight, the risk is rising that the clashes will escalate into ground warfare. Earlier in Erbil, the Iraqi Kurdish autonomous region, Kurdish militias were spotted purchasing 50 Toyota Land Cruiser LC71 vehicles, prompting analysis that they bought the vehicles in bulk for combat use.
There are also indications that U.S. President Donald Trump pledged broad air support and other backing to them. According to the Washington Post (WP), Trump spoke with Kurdish leaders this week and expressed willingness to provide support. Trump had earlier publicly opposed the selection of Mojtaba, the second son of Ali Khamenei, as supreme leader and said he "fully supports" Kurdish attacks on Iran. It suggests Washington may wage war by fronting regional forces in a "proxy war" format.
The Middle East crisis is extending its reach to Europe. According to Reuters on the day, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said, "Like the United Kingdom, France and Germany, Italy also plans to support Gulf countries," adding, "We will focus support on defense, especially air defense."
Earlier, three European Union (EU) countries expressed "deep regret" immediately after Iran's initial missile attack, warned of "defensive and proportionate measures," and dispatched warships to the Mediterranean. Spain also sent a frigate to Cyprus to lead an air defense mission, and France allowed U.S. military aircraft not directly participating in strikes on Iran to use air bases on its mainland.