When two countries are at a state of tension where there is use of weapons, that causes destruction of infrastructure and human life as well, is termed as an armed conflict. It includes airstrikes and ground invasion in rival state’s territory. In this era, airstrike is often more used tactic during armed conflict. During airstrikes, rival states target the institutions with more precision and more efficient results. As there is no need of invasion to cause destruction and weaken the enemy, airstrikes are the optimal options. Airstrikes are carried out by using military aircraft, that incudes, drones, missiles and fighter jets carrying bombs that hit various targets like buildings, troops, bridges and military bases. Due to advancement in technology in this era, concept of armed conflict has completely shifted from ground invasion to airstrikes majorly.
The ongoing armed conflict between Iran, US and Israel was started in June 2025 when Israel struck Iranian military and nuclear facilities in twelve-day war. After ceasefire between them, on 28th of February 2026 US and Israel started joint airstrikes on Iran, targeting it’s missile and nuclear programs. Iran retaliated those strikes by inducing airstrikes on Arab states having US military bases and hit Israel with it’s missiles causing the capital Tel Aviv to bun into ashes.
If we dig deep into the situation, we observe that, missiles and drones carry significant importance for airstrikes. To hit them on exact targeted locations, satellite images are also very essential. Iran domestically produces number of long range ballistic and cruise missiles. Iran’s aerospace industries organization and Islamic revolutionary guard corps (IRGC) make these missiles. Iran has the largest ballistic missile arsenal in Middle East and mass produces its own drones. According to the Arab media, Iran has mass produced “tens of thousands” of Shahed drones before the war.
According to sources, all missiles and drones used by Iran during this war are domestic, like Shahab, Fateh, Fattah and more. There are only the confirmed reports of the import of raw materials for the production of missiles. Sodium perchlorate and missile propellent are imported in tons by international suppliers, and so Iran is dependent on international supply. We also talked about the satellite images which are necessary for efficient delivery of missiles, to locate the target, and for the surveillance of enemy, to keep eye on the movements made by enemy. For this purpose Russia and China officially announced the help for Iran.
“Conflict creates opportunity”
The statement, conflict creates opportunity, is made by the analysis of conflicts and how they create room for economic benefits for the one, who identify the opportunity and avails it. Talking about the tension between Iran and US, Iran needed to produce more missiles and drones, and for that purpose more amount of raw material had to be imported. So, this creates economic benefit for the supplier (the supplier is kept confidential). The use of domestically produced missiles and drones by Iran, and Iran’s retaliation against so-called super power, has showcased its ability to produce efficient military armaments. This will trigger other states to buy armaments from Iran in future. Deals between Russia and Iran has already been signed. And Russia has already used Iranian drones in Ukraine. So, this showcase has created an opportunity for Iran, and the world has seen its military power.
The direct cost of fighting is paid by US and Gulf states. According to CNN, this conflict has cost about 891.4 million dollars per day to US. The total UAE expenditure on air defense has been so far estimated at 1.31-2.61 billion dollars, around 3 to 13 times the amount Iran spent on the attacks.
On the other hand, Iran has put the world into shock by closing the strait of Hormuz as a military strategy. Due to this closure, oil prices have been increasing on daily basis. US asked for help by other states to force Iran to open the strait. But due to the retaliation shown by Iran and its missile system, no one is ready to jump into this war. On the contrary, other states are forcing US to end this war.
It Is the fact that loss is paid by Iran. Destruction of infrastructure and more than all, human loss has been faced in great amount. But the power of Iranian people and its military is also shown to the world that a small state with too much sanctions has made the super power bow in front of it. There is chance that this retaliation will lead to the lift of sanctions, and Iran will emerge as a different and more strong state in near future.
