Iran Launches Retaliatory Strikes Across Middle East, Targeting Israel, Gulf US Bases, Strait of Hormuz

Iran launched a coordinated campaign of retaliatory strikes across the Middle East after recent US and Israeli bombardment, a move that analysts told SBS was aimed more at ensuring "regime survival" than at decisively defeating its foes militarily.

“Iran is causing widespread disruption across the Middle East in what experts describe as a bid for "regime survival", with retaliatory strikes fuelling "massive instability" in the region”

SBS

Experts framed these attacks as strategic and political, intended to signal resilience and deter further pressure rather than to achieve outright battlefield victories.

SBS

This framing emphasises Tehran's calculation to change the strategic costs and narratives surrounding the conflict rather than undertaking a conventional military advance.

Tehran relied on asymmetric tactics — limited but targeted missile and drone strikes — to hit Israel and Gulf states that host US bases, a pattern SBS described as creating "massive instability."

The reported strikes extended to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, illustrating a wide geographic spread designed to pressure both regional adversaries and their external backers while avoiding full-scale conventional war.

SBS

According to SBS, the strikes "effectively choked the Strait of Hormuz", disrupted international flights, and damaged oil facilities, leading some producers to cut exports.

“Iran is causing widespread disruption across the Middle East in what experts describe as a bid for "regime survival", with retaliatory strikes fuelling "massive instability" in the region”

SBS

Those supply disruptions sent oil markets into turmoil and risked higher petrol prices globally, with SBS specifically noting potential effects for consumers in Australia.

SBS cited analysts warning that a diplomatic solution looked unlikely amid the escalation, and raised concerns about internal consequences for Iranians should the strikes lead to regime consolidation.

Those experts cautioned that a post-conflict Iranian government could impose "severe crackdowns on civilians," suggesting the campaign’s domestic political aim could include tightening control at home.

SBS

SBS portrayed Iran’s operations as a deliberate, asymmetric campaign.

“Iran is causing widespread disruption across the Middle East in what experts describe as a bid for "regime survival", with retaliatory strikes fuelling "massive instability" in the region”

SBS

The campaign widened the conflict’s geography.

SBS

It disrupted global energy flows by affecting the Strait of Hormuz and oil exports.

It heightened regional instability across multiple Gulf states.

It diminished prospects for diplomatic de-escalation.

SBS said the operations carried the risk of harsher domestic repression should the leadership seek to shore up power after the strikes.