As of the 17th, the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has continued for 18 days with no signs of abating. On this day, the Israeli military officially announced the start of ground operations in southern Lebanon, specifically advancing towards the outskirts of the town of Aita al-Shaab near the Lebanese border. Previously, on the evening before this announcement, the Israeli military issued evacuation alerts to residents in seven areas of southern Beirut, indicating a significant escalation in military engagement in Lebanon. The Wall Street Journal noted that, similar to operations in Gaza, Israel might indefinitely occupy certain parts of Lebanese territory during this conflict.

In response to the ongoing assaults, Iran reported that the Israeli military launched large-scale airstrikes on Tehran, particularly targeting a power distribution center in the eastern region, which resulted in several hours of power outages before repairs were made. Reports from international news agencies detailed numerous explosions in Tehran throughout the night, signaling the intensity of the military actions being undertaken by both sides. The Iranian media has also confirmed the use of medium-range ballistic missiles against Israeli targets for the first time since the onset of hostilities, marking a significant escalation in their military strategy.

Iran's retaliatory actions also included missile strikes aimed at Tel Aviv, showcasing their determination to counteract Israeli operations in the region. Analysts suggest that the use of the Sejjil-2 missile, capable of reaching a distance of 2000 km, indicates a serious threat not only to Israel but also to major cities in neighboring countries. Furthermore, Iran's attacks have targeted energy infrastructures in the Persian Gulf region, responding to perceived cooperation between the U.S. and Arab countries in military actions against Iranian facilities, highlighting the broader geopolitical implications of this escalating conflict in the Middle East.