What is Iran, Israel, and the US's MENA war arsenal?

The US and Israel have launched a war against Iran following months of sabre-rattling and three rounds of negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme.

Following the initial strikes that hit targets across western Iran, including the capital Tehran, Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles and drones at Israel and US bases across the region.

But what equipment is at the disposal of the three countries as they fight this war? The New Arab takes a look.

US and Israeli aircraft, naval assets and air defences

During the months-long buildup, the US sent a host of different equipment it would need to wage war on Iran.

Several different types of fighter aircraft are currently in the region that can be used to conduct strikes on Iran, as well as defend against cruise missile and drone attacks.

This includes F-15Es as well as F-16s, as well as the stealth F-22 and F-35 aircraft. Likewise, A-10 Warthogs are also based in the region, although they're used for close air support.

Other strike aircraft accompanying the two US aircraft carriers, the USS Gerald R Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln, include F/A-18Es and F-35s.

Other aircraft include EA-18 Growlers used for electronic warfare, E-11 Battlefield Airborne Communications Nodes, P8A Poseidon and RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft, and E-3 early warning aircraft.

The US also has B2 stealth bombers that it can fly from the US to hit targets in Iran, doing so using aerial refuelling aircraft such as the KC-135 stationed in Europe and the Middle East.

Alongside the two carriers, US naval assets include Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers that carry Tomahawk cruise missiles, many of which were fired in the opening salvo.

Israel has much of the same aircraft that the US is using to strike Iran, including F-15Es, F-16s and F-35s.

With Iran's retaliation taking the form of drone strikes and ballistic missile strikes, air defences are key to the campaign, with the US sending batteries of Patriot air defence systems and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems needed to protect US bases in the region.

Israel has its own domestic anti-ballistic missile systems, including the Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 systems, as well as David's Sling.

Israel's Iron Dome, which is a cornerstone of Israel's air defence network, is unable to intercept ballistic missiles, and is used primarily for drones, rockets, and other projectiles.

Iranian drones, cruise and ballistic missiles

Iran, on the other hand, despite having a large conventional force, lacks a capable air force to launch strikes against the US and Israel.

Instead, Iran relies on a vast array of suicide drones, cruise missiles, and most importantly, ballistic missiles, to act as a deterrent and to be used against the US and Israel.

This includes the Shahed-136 suicide drones that have seen extensive use by Russia in its war in Ukraine, as well as in previous rounds of clashes prior to the outbreak of the war.

Iran has cruise missiles at its disposal, including the Soumar family of missiles that include the Hoveyzeh and Abu Mahdi, which have enough range to target US bases.

Iran's most dangerous capability is its ballistic missiles, however, which have been used extensively in previous rounds of confrontation, have a greater range that allows it to strike Israel, and have larger payloads, making them deadlier.

These include short-range ballistic missiles such as the older Shahab-1 and Shahab-2, and Fateh-110, as well as the newer Fateh-131, Zolfaghar and Qiam-1.

Medium-range ballistic missiles in Iran's disposal include the Haj Qassem, Kheibar, Emad, Ghadr, as well as the Sejil and Khorramshahr.

Hypersonic ballistic missiles, which are harder to intercept because of modifications to the re-entry vehicle that make it more manouvarble include the Fattah-1 and Fattah-2, as well as Khorramshahr-4.