CAIRO, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The joint U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran, entering its fifth day, has triggered a sharp escalation across the Middle East, setting off waves of missile exchanges, mounting casualties, and far-reaching political, security, and economic repercussions.
As Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with some of the leader's family members, as well as several senior Iranian military commanders, was killed on Saturday, the first day of the joint operation, Iran has responded through waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. assets across the Middle East.
