The ongoing military campaign involving the United States and Israel against Iran has entered its fourth week, three weeks after US President Donald Trump initially suggested the conflict could last four to five weeks.
The joint operation, which began on 28 February, has seen more than 1,700 strikes carried out on Iranian targets. In response, Iran has launched over 900 retaliatory strikes against Israel and its Gulf neighbours, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).
Trump has previously stated that the offensive was aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, vowing to continue military action for as long as necessary.
However, on Saturday, he indicated that the United States may begin “winding down” its operations, as growing tensions around the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz raise concerns about disruptions to global energy supplies.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with more than 2,000 people reported killed in Iran since the start of the campaign.
Meanwhile, there are signs of rising unease among American voters, amid fears that the conflict could escalate further. The United States has deployed additional Marines to the region, while Trump has also issued threats targeting Iran’s power infrastructure.
The situation remains volatile, with international observers closely monitoring developments for signs of further escalation or de-escalation.