France, March 2 -- The conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States widened sharply on Monday, with missile strikes, drone attacks and retaliatory bombardments rippling across the Middle East - raising fears that a regional war is no longer a distant possibility but an unfolding reality.

Iran and its allied militias launched missiles at Israel and several Arab states, with one apparent strike hitting the US Embassy compound in Kuwait City. Fire and smoke were seen rising from inside the complex as alarms sounded, though there were no immediate reports of casualties. The attack came shortly after US authorities warned Americans in Kuwait to take cover.

The escalation has quickly drawn in Western powers. Britain, France and Germany...