Why did US and Israel attack Iran and how long could the war last?

Conflict across the Middle East has entered a fifth day after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, in which the country’s supreme leader was killed.

Iran has continued to respond by launching attacks on Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf, which have extended to non-military targets, including civilian sites and energy facilities.

The fighting has escalated quickly, pulling in Cyprus and Lebanon in recent days, with casualties and damage mounting on all sides.

What has been happening in Iran?

The US and Israel launched widespread strikes on 28 February, targeting Iran’s missile infrastructure, military sites and leadership in the capital, Tehran, and across the country.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who led the country since 1989, was killed during the first wave of strikes. Israel’s military said dozens more senior figures in the powerful Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) were also killed.

Since the weekend, the US and Israel have continued to target key sites. Israel said that included a covert nuclear compound. Iran has repeatedly insisted its nuclear programme is entirely peaceful.

As of 5 March, Iranian state-linked media Tasnim said 1,230 people had been killed, while the US-based Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA) group said 1,114 civilians had been killed and a further 926 reported deaths were under review.

Iran accused the US and Israel of launching an attack on a girls’ school near an IRGC base in southern Iran on Saturday, saying more than 160 people were killed.

The US said it was looking into reports of the incident, while Israel said it was “not aware” of any military operations in the area.