World News
Conflict between US-Israel coalition and Iran reaches six-month mark
The ongoing regional war has left thousands dead, disrupted global shipping, and driven US energy reserves to their lowest level in over four decades.
The short version
- At least 7,900 people have been killed across the region since the US and Israel launched initial strikes on Iran on February 28.
- The conflict has severely disrupted trade through the Strait of Hormuz, reducing shipping traffic by over 90 percent and contributing to a 22 percent increase in oil prices.
- A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to 33 percent, with 80 percent of Americans expecting prolonged US involvement.
Key facts
- The US and Israel launched initial strikes on Iran on February 28, assassinating Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and targeting nuclear and military sites.[Al Jazeera]
- Official figures record at least 4,350 deaths in Lebanon, 3,527 in Iran, 28 in Gulf states, 60 Israelis, and 18 US service members.[Al Jazeera]
- Daily shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped from an average of 100 ships before the war to seven vessels per day, with 70 confirmed attacks on vessels resulting in 19 seafarer deaths.[Al Jazeera]
- The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve has fallen to 290 million barrels, its lowest level since November 1982.[Al Jazeera]
- The price of Brent crude oil has risen 22 percent to $88.58 a barrel, after peaking at $120.88 on April 30.[Al Jazeera]
- Israeli forces continue to occupy a buffer zone encompassing approximately six percent of Lebanon's territory.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- The actual cost of the war to the United States remains unverified, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stating it has cost $37.5 billion, while internal Pentagon estimates reported by US media range from $80 billion to $100 billion.[Al Jazeera]