Middle East Conflict: Death Tolls Rise as US-Israel Strikes on Iran Continue

Scores of people have been killed across the Middle East since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, quickly drawing Gulf states hosting US military bases and personnel, as well as Lebanon, into the escalating conflict. As of March 5, the sixth day of hostilities, reported death tolls continue to climb.

Reported Death Tolls (as of March 5, 2026)

Iran

At least 1,230 people have been killed in Iran, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society. This figure includes 175 schoolgirls and staff who perished in a missile strike on a primary school in Minab, southern Iran, on the first day of the conflict. It remains unclear if the overall death toll encompasses casualties within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Israel

Ten civilians have been killed in Israel, including nine people who died in an Iranian missile strike on Beit Shemesh, near Jerusalem, on March 1, as reported by Israel’s ambulance service, Magen David Adom. The Israel Defense Forces have not reported any military casualties.

Lebanon

Israeli strikes have resulted in at least 77 deaths in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

Bahrain

One person was killed after a fire broke out in Bahrain’s Salman Industrial City following the interception of a missile, according to the interior ministry.

Kuwait

Three people, including two Kuwaiti soldiers, have been killed in Iranian attacks on Kuwait, as reported by Kuwait’s health and foreign ministries.

Oman

One person was killed when a projectile struck the Marshall Islands–flagged product tanker MKD VYOM off the coast of Muscat.

United Arab Emirates

Three people have been killed in the UAE, according to the UAE’s defense ministry.

United States

Six US service members were killed in a strike on a facility in Kuwait, according to US Central Command.

Syria

Four people were killed when an Iranian missile struck a building in the southern Syrian city of Sweida on Saturday, according to Syrian state news agency SANA.

Iraq

At least 13 people have been killed in Iraq, according to Iraqi health authorities. This includes 11 militiamen, one army soldier, and one civilian, based on health registration figures.

Escalation of Conflict

The conflict began with widespread US and Israeli strikes targeting Iran’s missile infrastructure, military sites, and leadership in Tehran and across the country on February 28. These strikes resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who had led the country since 1989, and reportedly dozens of senior figures within the IRGC. BBC News reports that Iran has continued to respond by launching attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf, extending to non-military targets, including civilian sites and energy facilities.

ABC News indicates that Iran is responding with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, regional US bases, and Gulf nations, with American diplomatic facilities also under attack. Israel is intensifying its strike campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Internet connectivity in Iran has been almost entirely restricted, and its airspace has been closed.