Saudi Arabia plans to double down on oil reserves to outlast rivals

The war involving the United States, Israel and Iran is rapidly turning into one of the most technologically intense battles in modern military history. Since the start of hostilities on February 28, Iran has launched more than 500 ballistic missiles and over 1,000 drones across the Middle East, targeting US bases, oil infrastructure and key installations across the Gulf. In response, the United States and its allies have deployed stealth bombers, cruise missiles and layered missile defence systems to counter the attacks. From the swarming Shahed-136 and Shahed-131 drones to the long-range Shahab-3 and the controversial Fattah missile, the conflict highlights Iran’s strategy of using large numbers of low-cost weapons to overwhelm defences. On the other side, the US relies on advanced platforms like the B-2 Spirit capable of delivering the powerful GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, as well as precision strikes using the Tomahawk cruise missile. Defending against these attacks are layered systems such as the Patriot missile defence system and THAAD, while cheaper alternatives like the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System are increasingly used to counter drone swarms. In this explainer, we break down the 10 key weapons shaping the US-Iran conflict and how the battle between low-cost drones and high-tech defence systems could determine the future of warfare in the Middle East.