The war between the United States, Israel and Iran is now in its fifth week and shows no sign of stopping. In just the last two days, the fighting has got worse on several fronts.
Nuclear sites have been hit and American soldiers have been hurt at a bombed airbase in Saudi Arabia.
On Friday, more than 50 Israeli Air Force jets hit Iranian nuclear sites in three places at once. The Israeli military said it struck the Khondab heavy water reactor near Arak and a uranium enrichment facility in Ardakan, Yazd province.
The Ardakan site produces yellowcake, a concentrated uranium powder used in the early stages of making nuclear fuel.
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation confirmed the strikes but said no one was killed and there were no radiation leaks. A projectile also landed near the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant though Iranian officials said it caused no technical damage.
Hours later, Iran hit back at American forces in Saudi Arabia. At least 15 US service members were wounded when Iran fired at least six ballistic missiles and 29 drones at Prince Sultan Air Base outside Riyadh.
Five of those hurt are in serious condition. The strike also damaged several US refueling aircraft at the base. Since the conflict started on 28 February, 13 American service members have been killed and more than 300 wounded.
The International Maritime Organisation has confirmed that around 20,000 seafarers are stuck in the Persian Gulf. They are dealing with mental strain, exhaustion and shrinking supplies.
Between 1 and 25 March, only 142 ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz. In the same period last year, that number was 2,652. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has set up what amounts to a tollbooth system.
Ships that want to pass must send paperwork for approval and then travel through Iranian waters around Larak Island.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said strikes on Iran would escalate and expand as long as missile fire towards Israel kept going.
The IRGC’s aerospace commander hit back on social media, warning that future retaliation would no longer be an eye for an eye.
Behind the scenes, diplomats are working to find a way forward. Pakistan is set to host talks between Saudi, Turkish and Egyptian foreign ministers next week. But one month into this war, the human and economic cost keeps growing with no end in sight.
