US-Israeli War with Iran Enters Sixth Day Amidst Iranian Resilience
The conflict between Iran and the United States, alongside Israel, has entered its sixth day, with Tehran demonstrating continued resistance despite facing a large-scale offensive. While Iran has launched retaliatory attacks targeting US military sites in allied countries across the Middle East, the US and its allies have largely intercepted these attacks, though some damage has occurred.
Iranian Counterattacks and Regional Impact
Despite successful interceptions by US and Arab defense systems, several Iranian missiles and drones have evaded defenses, causing damage and fires at strategic locations in the region. Countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Cyprus, which host US military bases, have been affected by Iran’s retaliatory strikes. This escalation follows the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several military commanders in the initial US-Israel attacks on February 28, 2026.
US Miscalculations and Iranian Strength
Experts suggest that the United States may have underestimated Iran’s capabilities and resilience. Yon Machmudi, Head of the Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies Program at the University of Indonesia, believes that President Donald Trump underestimated Iran’s true strength, particularly its concealed defense infrastructure. Much of Iran’s defense equipment is reportedly located underground, making it difficult to fully assess its extent.
Trump had reportedly hoped that Khamenei’s death would incite popular unrest and a change in government in Iran, but this did not materialize. Instead, the death of the Supreme Leader strengthened the resolve of the Iranian people to retaliate.
Self-Sufficiency in Defense Production
International relations expert Sya’roni Rofii argues that decades of sanctions and international isolation have paradoxically fostered Iran’s self-reliance in defense production. Iran has adapted a strategy to circumvent restrictions and prioritize independence, developing a domestic defense industry capable of producing missiles and drones. In February 2025, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard claimed that Iran produces over 90% of its own combat equipment, no longer requiring foreign acquisitions.
A Resilient Political Structure
Analysts believe that Iran’s political structure is robust and resistant to shocks, even in the face of leadership losses. Iran has experience with assassination attempts on key figures and has developed contingency mechanisms to maintain stability. The death of Khamenei is not expected to significantly disrupt the functioning of the Iranian government.
Support from Russia and China
While Russia and China have not explicitly offered military support to Iran, they have condemned the US-Israel attacks and continue to provide indirect assistance. Moscow and Beijing have become key “technological anchors” for Tehran, supplying strategic assets such as surveillance technology, advanced missile guidance systems, and components for defense systems. Russia has provided heavy military hardware, including the Khayyam spy satellite, Su-35 fighter jets, and the S-400 air defense system. China supplies intelligence and guidance technologies, including the BeiDou-3 navigation system and advanced radar systems.
Despite not openly declaring support, the technological assistance from Russia and China is considered crucial to Iran’s continued resistance.