U.S.-Iran Conflict Enters 12th Day with Shift toward Attrition Warfare

As the conflict between the United States and Iran enters its 12th day, Tehran has shifted its strategy to target U.S. radar and infrastructure across the Persian Gulf. Using low-cost drones and missiles, Iran aims to deplete American Patriot and THAAD interceptor stocks at bases in Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain while maintaining approximately 50% of its own missile arsenal. The Pentagon has confirmed that regional attacks have resulted in 140 U.S. injuries and seven fatalities. President Trump stated that the military campaign is likely to extend beyond the current week, noting that many targets remain despite what Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described as the most intense period of U.S. strikes to date. The humanitarian toll continues to rise, with Iranian UN Ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani reporting over 1,300 civilian deaths. Investigations have already linked a U.S. strike to a girls' school in the Manab region, which officials attributed to a targeting error. On the economic front, maritime security has deteriorated following an attack on a cargo ship north of Oman. Global energy markets are reacting to the instability, with airline industries in New Zealand and elsewhere warning of potential flight cuts due to surging jet fuel prices. Meanwhile, several Iranian-linked tankers have reportedly disabled their tracking systems to evade detection in the Strait of Hormuz. Regional allies hosting U.S. forces, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are facing increased vulnerability. These nations serve as geographical magnets for Iranian retaliatory strikes, leading to internal security concerns regarding U.S. prioritization in the region. In Washington, political figures including Senator Richard Blumenthal have raised alarms regarding the potential risks of deploying special forces for ground operations as the exchange of fire intensifies.