Follow-up & Analysis | BETH News Agency

On the tenth day of the war that erupted on February 28 between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other, the confrontation appears to be entering a more complex phase, as military strikes continue and signs grow that the conflict may last longer.

While American and Israeli strikes continue inside Iran, the Iranian response against Israel appears limited in impact. At the same time, intensive attacks have been directed toward Gulf states, despite their repeated confirmation that they are not parties to the war.

This contradiction raises questions about the real motives behind Iranian attacks on the Gulf, and whether Tehran is attempting to expand regional pressure to compensate for the losses it is suffering internally.

New Strikes Inside Iran

The Israeli army renewed its raids deep inside Iran, as explosions were heard in the capital Tehran.

In a statement issued Monday, the Israeli army announced that it had begun an additional wave of strikes, targeting what it described as:

“the infrastructure of the Iranian regime.”

The statement said the attacks were concentrated in central Iran, as part of ongoing operations aimed at undermining the regime’s military and logistical capabilities.

Expansion of Operations to Lebanon

Alongside operations inside Iran, the Israeli army announced the start of a new wave of airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, issuing warnings that it would target facilities linked to the Al-Qard Al-Hassan institution.

This move suggests the possibility of expanding military operations to include financial and support networks linked to Hezbollah.

Fears of a Longer War

Amid these developments, estimates are increasing that the conflict may last longer than previously expected.

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported, citing military sources, that Israeli army assessments suggest the war could continue for at least a month.

These estimates come at a time when:

Oil prices have risen significantly

Air travel in the region has been disrupted

Concerns have grown about navigation in the Strait of Hormuz

These indicators reflect growing global concern that the conflict could turn into a broader regional crisis.

Another War on Social Media

Alongside the military confrontation, a parallel war is unfolding in the digital space.

A wave of misleading and fabricated videos has spread widely across social media platforms since the beginning of the war, in an attempt to influence public opinion and shape the narrative surrounding the conflict.

Trump’s Statements Stir Debate

Politically, statements by U.S. President Donald Trump have sparked wide controversy.

He said that Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei:

“will not last long without the approval of the United States.”

Trump also confirmed that the decision to end the war with Iran would be a joint decision between him and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He indicated that the war could last between four and six weeks, explaining that Washington and Tel Aviv are working together to prevent what he described as Iran’s attempts to destroy Israel.

Gulf Intercepts 94% of Attacks

Meanwhile, a military statistic revealed that Gulf states have intercepted and destroyed 94% of Iranian missiles and drones that targeted their territories since the escalation began.

This figure reflects the effectiveness of Gulf air defense systems, despite the continued attacks.

Saudi Position

For its part, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned against the expansion of escalation in the region, stating that Iran has not implemented in practice what it declared in its political statements.

The Saudi position reflects a clear effort to prevent the war from expanding regionally, despite the rising tensions.

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BETH Reading

The current scene reveals three key realities:

First: American and Israeli strikes inside Iran appear to be heading toward a prolonged war of attrition.

Second: The direct Iranian response against Israel appears militarily weaker than expected.

Third: The attacks on the Gulf may reflect an Iranian attempt to expand regional pressure and compensate for its weakness in direct confrontation.

As the conflict enters its second week, key questions remain open:

Will the war move toward a rapid resolution?
Or toward a prolonged attrition that could reshape the balance of power in the region?