Chaos in the Middle East as Iran retaliates to US-Israeli strikes 

The Middle East has plunged into heightened instability after coordinated United States and Israeli strikes on targets in Iran, prompting a wave of retaliatory missile launches by Iran toward Israel and Gulf states hosting US forces, officials and analysts said. The conflict triggered widespread airspace closures and flight suspensions across the region as tensions soared.

Regional neighbours expressed concern over the potential for the crisis to spread beyond Iran, warning that further escalation could disrupt global markets and spark refugee flows if conflicts widen.

Diplomatic observers have called for urgent de-escalation and renewed talks to prevent the violence from deepening into a broader confrontation, noting that the situation remains volatile amid competing military and political objectives.