The US and Israeli attacks on Iran have dramatically escalated regional tensions, igniting a broader conflict that has resulted in widespread casualties and destruction across at least nine countries.

Legal experts largely agreed that the initial strikes were unlawful under international law, as justifications like Iran "planning a bomb" do not meet the criteria required by Article 51 of the UN Charter.

The legality of the UK's subsequent "defensive operation" remains unclear. The UK, which initially did not participate, later committed to action after one of its airbases in Cyprus was hit by a retaliatory Iranian missile.

Iran claimed self-defense in response to the attacks and struck US and Israeli military bases. However, international humanitarian law forbids deliberate attacks on civilian targets, such as the reported strikes on a hotel and airport in Dubai.

Over 500 people were killed in Iran, with major strikes on Tehran damaging hospitals and taking state television off the air.

The conflict spread across the region, with Lebanon reporting 52 deaths and four US service members also killed.

The economic repercussions were immediate and severe, with shipments through the Strait of Hormuz halted, causing oil prices to leap and stock markets to fall. Global air travel was heavily disrupted as major Middle Eastern airports closed their airspace.

The Trump administration outlined its objectives as destroying Iran's navy, ballistic missile production, and nuclear capabilities, with B-2 stealth bombers striking facilities using 2,000-pound bombs.

Trump declared the "big wave" of attacks was yet to come, while stressing the operation was not a "democracy-building exercise."

The joint US-Israeli strike killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah AliKhamenei. A provisional governing council temporarily assumed the duties of the supreme leader, while Iran's security chief rejected negotiations, stating the country was "prepared for a long war."

Spain explicitly condemned the US and Israeli military action as "unjustified and dangerous," refusing to allow the use of its jointly operated military bases for attacks on Iran.

Other European leaders largely called for a diplomatic solution rather than further escalation.

In the US, Washington state Democrats condemned Trump's action as unconstitutional, calling for a War Powers Resolution vote to halt further military engagement.

Many advocated for diplomatic engagement and rebuilding international coalitions like the 2015 JCPOA rather than military escalation.

The IAEA chief reported no indication that any nuclear installations had been damaged or hit, despite an Iranian envoy's claim to the contrary. Iran continues to insist its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.