ACLED’s CEO Prof. Clionadh Raleigh on how Iran is striking back

ACLED CEO, Prof. Clionadh Raleigh said: 
 

"Iran has retaliated to the US-Israeli strikes with the most geographically expansive attacks the region has witnessed in decades. Iran’s missiles and drones have thus far targeted 11 countries from the Arabian Sea to the eastern Mediterranean. ACLED records at least 78 instances of impact resulting in six reported fatalities, including at least three American soldiers. 

Tehran moved quickly to strike Israel and US bases in the region, only a few hours after the initial Israeli strikes around 7:30 CET on 28 February. More notably, and at a far earlier stage than anticipated, Iran has also targeted civilian and economic infrastructure in Gulf states, including the Dubai International Airport and Oman’s Port of Duqm on 1 March, as well as a Saudi Aramco facility on 2 March. This was a calculated gamble. The attacks are an attempt to impose direct economic and security costs on Gulf states, which are hosting US interests.

Yet this approach carries significant risks. It is rapidly damaging Iran’s relations with regional neighbors that had previously advocated for de-escalation and diplomacy. Instead, it will push countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates closer to US and Israeli efforts aimed at regime change, or even toward direct military involvement to deter further aggression."