Just days into the escalating conflict between Iran and the US-Israel alliance, the death toll is increasing fast. Over 1,200 people have been killed in Iran from airstrikes and missile attacks, including hundreds of civilians, like the 175 schoolgirls and staff lost in a tragic hit on a primary school in Minab.
Across the region, at least 11 civilians in Israel, six US soldiers, and a handful in Gulf states have died, with thousands more injured. This war, sparked by the brutal assassination of Supreme Leader Syed Ali Khamenei, has turned into a brutal showdown. But Iran is not backing down. Instead, it is gearing up for a long fight to wear out its enemies.
Ali Larijani, the special security adviser to the late Supreme Leader and now a key figure in Iran’s leadership, has made it clear that Iran is ready for a prolonged war. In his recent statements, Larijani said, “Iran, unlike the United States, has prepared itself for a long war.” He means Iran will not rush into quick battles but will drag things out to test the limits of US resolve.
This strategy comes from lessons learned over years of tensions. Iran knows a short war might favour the high-tech weapons of the US and Israel, but a long one could break their economies and spirits.
One big reason Iran can afford a drawn-out conflict is its cheap but effective weapons. Take the Shahed drones: each costs about $30,000 to produce. That is nothing compared to the $4 million price tag for a single interceptor missile from the US “THAAD” defence system. Every time Iran sends a swarm of these drones or low-cost missiles, the US and its allies have to spend millions to shoot them down.
America has turned its focus to protecting Israel, leaving the Gulf states hosting its bases exposed to Iranian missiles and drones
This is not just a fight on the battlefield; it is an economic war. Iran’s arsenal puts huge pressure on US defence capabilities, forcing them to burn through expensive ammunition and resources. Over time, this could strain the US budget and make keeping up the fight too costly for American taxpayers.
The pressure is not just on the US; it is also hitting the Gulf countries hard. Right now, most flights in places like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar have been cancelled because of security fears. This chaos is putting a lot of stress on these nations, which host US bases but feel left out in the cold.
A Saudi analyst, Suleiman Al Aqili, put it bluntly in a recent interview: “America has turned its focus to protecting Israel, leaving the Gulf states hosting its bases exposed to Iranian missiles and drones.” His words show the surprise and frustration in the Gulf. While US systems like “THAAD” are activated to shield Israel, the Gulf countries are stuck under the threat of Iranian strikes. This mismatch is making some allies question whether relying on the US is worth it.
Inside Iran, the war has brought unexpected unity. Even groups that once fought against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), like some Baloch insurgents, are now joining the national effort against the US. The martyrdom of Supreme Leader Khamenei has rallied the whole nation. People from all walks of life — young reformers, hardliners, and even former critics — are standing together.
This solidarity is a big win for Iran, especially after billions of dollars from imperial states tried to stir up division through funding opposition and propaganda.
Iran believes this long war will flip the script by turning the tables on its foes. By prolonging the conflict, it aims to create maximum pressure on the US, draining resources and forcing negotiations for a better deal strictly on Iran’s terms. President Trump demands unconditional surrender, but that is impossible for a nation with thousands of years of history and unyielding pride.
As the war drags on, the mounting costs for the US and its allies will erode their resolve, allowing Iran to bet on patience and clever tactics for ultimate victory over hasty firepower.