Here are all the countries now involved in the Iran war
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Smoke rises over Tehran's skyline after reported explosions amid escalating military strikes on the Iranian capital during the widening Middle East conflict. Photo: Contributor/Getty Images
The war in Iran has rapidly expanded beyond the Middle East, pulling in U.S. allies and bystanders alike.
The big picture: Since the U.S. strikes began on Saturday, Iran has retaliated against Israel and multiple Gulf states, plunging the region further into chaos.
- U.S. embassies across the region remain on high alert, with the State Department urging Americans to leave immediately.
Here's what we know about the countries involved.
Countries involved with Iran war
United States: President Trump ignited the conflict last Saturday with a massive military operation aimed at destroying Iran's nuclear program, its missile arsenal and its proxy networks — and ultimately forcing regime change.
- At least six U.S. service members have died since the conflict began.
Israel: The U.S. and Israel coordinated the attack after months of failed negotiations over Iran's nuclear program.
- Israeli strikes killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with dozens of senior Iranian officials.
United Arab Emirates: The U.S. ally has absorbed some 800 projectiles from Iran since the war began.
- Iranian drones struck a luxury hotel on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah and ignited fires at Jebel Ali Port, one of the region's most critical commercial hubs.
- The UAE closed its embassy in Tehran and is now considering military action.
Qatar: The tiny Gulf nation, which has historically had friendly ties with both the U.S. and Iran, suspended most of its natural gas production after Iranian drones struck two of its energy facilities.
- Qatar's air force also shot down two Iranian Su-24 fighter jets.
Kuwait: Iran attacked Kuwait on the first day of war in an attack that led to the first American deaths.
- U.S. officials said American fighter jets were mistakenly downed by friendly Kuwaiti fire on Monday. All six members ejected and are in stable condition.
Bahrain: Iran targeted U.S. bases in Bahrain, with videos showing smoke rising from near the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters in Manama.
- Iranian drones also hit several residential buildings in Bahrain's capital.
Oman: Iran expanded its strikes to include U.S. bases in Oman on the second day of the war.
- Notably, Oman had been mediating indirect nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran.
Saudi Arabia: Iran targeted U.S. bases in Saudi Arabia on the second day of strikes.
- On Monday, Iran attacked the U.S. embassy in Riyadh.
- Iranian drones struck the Ras Tanura oil refinery — one of the world's largest — forcing a partial shutdown. Israeli officials believe Saudi Arabia may also take military action in response, Axios reports.
Jordan: Iran fired missiles and drones at U.S. military installations in the country.
Lebanon: Hezbollah entered the war on Iran's side, launching missiles and drones at Israel on Monday — breaking a ceasefire that had been in place since November 2024.
- Israel responded with heavy airstrikes across Lebanon, killing at least 40 people, including several Hezbollah commanders. Israel also launched an incursion into southern Lebanon.
Iraq: Iran struck the Kurdish region of Iraq, which it views as closely aligned with the U.S.
- Pro-Iranian militias also attacked U.S. bases in Iraq, and their supporters attempted to storm the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad.
Cyprus: Drones struck the British Royal Air Force base at Akrotiri in Cyprus, pulling the U.K. and the European Union into the conflict. Cypriot press reported the strikes likely came from Hezbollah.
Azerbaijan: Iranian drones hit a local airport and civilian areas in the country on Thursday, attacking, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said.
- Azerbaijan said it would prepare for "necessary retaliatory measures to defend the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty."
United Kingdom: After an Iranian drone struck the U.K base in Cyprus, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorized the U.S. to use British air bases to strike Iranian missile sites and dispatched a Royal Navy destroyer and counter-drone helicopters to the region.
France and Germany: Both EU powers initially called for a return to negotiations, but opened up to the possibility to striking Iran after Iranian strikes hit their personnel — including a German army camp in Jordan.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the White House on Tuesday and discussed the conflict with Trump.
More from Axios:
- How Trump's Iran gamble breaks from past regime overthrows
- Rubio's war remarks blow open MAGA's Israel divide
- Inside Democrats' long game on Iran
Editor's note: This story was updated with new developments.
