Retaliatory strikes have seen several nations, including Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Jordan, Oman, hit following the attacks, as Iran has threatened its “most intense offensive operation” against US bases. Civilian targets in the region, including hotels and airports, have also been hit.

A badly weakened Iran will no longer intimidate or threaten its neighbors in the same way. The regional impact could be comparable to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Three dozen people, including a woman from Missouri, touring Israel together. A 17-year-old, her father, and their members of their North Carolina church. A husband and wife from Pittsburgh. They're all among the unknown number of Americans who found themselves stranded in the Middle East this weekend.

Airspace over Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Israel, Bahrain, the UAE and Qatar remained virtually ​empty, maps by flight-tracking service Flightradar24 showed, and air strikes kept major Middle Eastern airports, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, shut or severely restricted.

Protesters in Central Florida voice differing opinions on US involvement in Middle Eastern conflict as bombings continue.

Just as it has a long history, the Middle East has experienced a long line of conflicts both within and outside the region. Key conflicts occurring in the area include the Israel-Palestinian conflict,

Australians stuck in Dubai have described being forced to shelter in bathrooms while alarms ring out as the Albanese Government urges thousands of travellers in the region to register with a crisis portal.

Producers' group reacts as the Middle East crisis threatens to fan a geopolitical risk driven oil price spike in a market that seemed pretty well supplied until now.