War widens as Iran Israel US tensions escalate with blasts in Tehran and regional strikes intensify

The Iran–Israel–US conflict entered a more volatile phase on March 29, with multiple explosions reported in Tehran, fresh missile strikes across the region, and growing signs that the war could expand beyond its current theatres.

Explosions rocked northern parts of the Iranian capital early morning, with air defense systems activated amid uncertainty over targets. The escalation comes as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels formally entered the conflict, launching ballistic missiles towards southern Israel for the first time since hostilities began. Sirens blared in Beersheba and surrounding areas as Israeli defenses intercepted the incoming threats.

The widening conflict has drawn in multiple actors. Lebanon-based Hezbollah claimed a series of rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel, while Gulf nations including the United Arab Emirates activated air defense systems to intercept Iranian missiles and drones. Kuwait also reported shooting down multiple unmanned aerial vehicles.

On the ground, the United States signaled a calibrated military approach. According to reports, Donald Trump is considering limited ground operations involving Special Operations forces and conventional infantry, though not a full-scale invasion. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that Washington could achieve its objectives without deploying ground troops, suggesting the conflict could end in “weeks, not months.”

At the same time, diplomatic channels remain uncertain. Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff indicated potential talks with Iran, while Tehran has rejected any pause in hostilities. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Israel of targeting civilian infrastructure, including nuclear facilities, steel plants and power stations, warning of a “heavy price” for the strikes.

The conflict has already caused significant casualties and damage. Reports indicate deaths in Iranian provinces including Hormozgan and Gilan, while Israeli operations in Lebanon have killed over 1,100 people since early March. A strike on a Saudi airbase reportedly injured 10 US personnel, underscoring the growing regional spillover.

Meanwhile, the information war has intensified alongside military action. Iran’s Tehran Times issued a stark warning to US troops, declaring they would “leave only in a coffin” if deployed on Iranian soil, reflecting the heightened rhetoric on both sides.

In Iraq, air strikes targeted positions linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces in Mosul and Salah ad-Din, while a missile strike reportedly damaged a television office in Tehran, highlighting the expanding range of targets.

Despite the escalation, backchannel diplomacy continues. Talks involving Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and Turkey are scheduled in Islamabad, aimed at de-escalating tensions in a region increasingly on edge.

With additional US troops arriving in the Middle East and allied militias stepping up attacks, the conflict risks tipping into a broader regional war—one that could reshape geopolitical alignments and further destabilize global energy markets.