There’s a wild violence to Iran’s retaliation — and it has the firepower to do even worse

Sydney Morning Herald

by David Crowe

March 3, 2026

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There’s a wild violence to Iran’s retaliation — and it has the firepower to do even worse

Iran’s retaliation against U.S. and Israeli targets has been both violent and indiscriminate, raising concerns about further escalation in the region. The Islamic Republic possesses a significant arsenal of ballistic missiles and drones, allowing it to strike targets across the Middle East for weeks or even longer. While the U.S. and Israel have conducted airstrikes on Iranian military sites, they have not significantly degraded Iran’s ability to continue its attacks. This has led to increased involvement from Britain, France, and Germany, which are now prepared to assist in targeting Iranian missile and drone launchers. The conflict has expanded beyond traditional battlegrounds, with Iran launching strikes on civilian and military infrastructure such as airports, hotels, apartment buildings, and resorts. These attacks, often random and intended to instill fear, resemble tactics used by Russia in Ukraine, including the destruction of homes, hospitals, and public spaces. For instance, Iranian drones have targeted luxury resorts like Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah and apartment towers in Bahrain, causing widespread panic and casualties. Iran’s strategy appears to be one of escalation, aiming to widen the war beyond its borders. This approach has drawn in European powers, which are now deploying forces to counter Iranian threats. Britain, for example, responded after Iran fired missiles toward a British military base in Cyprus. The U.S. and its allies are framing these actions as defensive measures, but their combined efforts could significantly degrade Iran’s military capabilities. The situation is particularly concerning because it has united regional adversaries against a common threat. Iran has targeted numerous countries, including Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Cyprus, Dubai, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. This widespread aggression has prompted rare joint statements from Arab nations, signaling a potential shift in regional dynamics. The conflict’s escalation is not just a local issue but a global concern. The involvement of major powers like the U.S., Britain, France, and Germany highlights the stakes involved, as the war could draw in even more international actors. The chaos and violence unfolding in the Middle East underscore the

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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 3/3/2026