02/03/2026
๐๐ก๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐๐ ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ | World on Edge: US, Israel Launch Attacks on Tehran
On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel initiated a coordinated military offensive against the Islamic Republic of Iran, dramatically intensifying an already volatile standoff that has dominated Middle Eastern geopolitics. The joint operation, described by U.S. and Israeli officials as pre-emptive and aimed at eliminating perceived existential threats from Iranโs missile and nuclear capabilities, marks one of the most significant escalations in regional hostilities in years (Al Jazeera, 2026; Reuters, 2026).
In the early hours of Saturday, explosions were reported across Tehran and multiple Iranian cities as U.S. and Israeli forces struck military installations, strategic infrastructure, and nuclear-linked facilities (Al Jazeera Staff et al., 2026). Israel closed its airspace and declared a nationwide state of emergency, while Iranโs airspace was simultaneously shut down amid rising tensions (Daily Pakistan, 2026).
U.S. President Donald Trump characterized the operation as โmajor combat operationsโ intended to eliminate imminent threats posed by Iranโs ballistic missile and nuclear programs, while Israeli leaders framed the strikes as a defense of national and regional security (The Friday Times, 2026).
Iran responded rapidly, launching missile salvos towards Israel and targeting U.S. military bases in the Gulf region, including in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, expanding the confrontation into a broader regional crisis (The Friday Times, 2026). Explosions were also reported in the greater Tel Aviv region, stressing the conflictโs immediate spill-over effects.
The strikes resulted in military and civilian consequences. Iranian authorities reported widespread damage across several provinces and substantial casualties, including at least 108 fatalities at a girlsโ primary school in Minab, which Iranian officials attributed to a missile strike amid the broader offensive (Financial Times, 2026). The U.S. military acknowledged civilian casualties and stated that investigations were underway.
International reactions were swift and sharply divided. Russia condemned the U.S.โIsraeli strikes as an โunprovoked act of armed aggressionโ, urging an immediate halt to hostilities and warning of broader humanitarian and economic fallout, while some Western allies expressed concern about the operationโs legality and its repercussions for diplomatic efforts to constrain Iranโs nuclear ambitions (AP News, 2026; Business Standard, 2026).
The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session in response to the deepening conflict, as global leaders called for de-escalation and a return to diplomatic avenues. Despite these calls, Tehran vowed to continue its defense and explore all options to resist what its officials described as unlawful military aggression (The Guardian, 2026; Business Standard, 2026).
Beyond security concerns, energy markets reacted immediately to the heightened instability. As S&P Global (2026) noted, the conflict amplified risks surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which a substantial share of the worldโs oil supply transits. Oil benchmarks surged to multi-month highs as traders priced in potential supply disruptions (Reuters, 2026). Analysts cited Khaleej Times (2026) projected that while prices could stabilize if hostilities remain contained, prolonged or expanded conflict could push crude toward or beyond $100 per barrel. Reuters (2026) further reported that OPEC+ members were considering output adjustments to mitigate market volatility. Economists caution that sustained oil price spikes may fuel global inflation, increase transportation and manufacturing costs, and slow economic growth, particularly in oil-importing nations, thereby compounding the broader geopolitical strain already affecting international peace and stability.
Written by Al-Mamzer A. Badua
References:
Al Jazeera Staff, Reuters, & The Associated Press. (2026, February 28). Why are the US and Israel attacking Iran? What we know so far. Al Jazeera. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/28/us-and-israel-attack-iran-what-we-know-so-far
AP News. (2026, February 28). Russia condemns US-Israel strikes on Iran as โunprovoked act of armed aggressionโ. Associated Press. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/578a5791e81493edd09951898ae6f712
Business Standard. (2026, February 28). World leaders urge de-escalation as US-Israel war against Iran intensifies. Business Standard. Retrieved from https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/world-leaders-de-escalation-us-israel-war-against-iran-intensifies-126022800784_1.html
Daily Pakistan. (2026, February 28). LIVE UPDATES: USโIsrael joint attacks on Iran. Daily Pakistan. Retrieved from https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/28-Feb-2026/live-updates-us-israel-joint-attacks-on-iran
Financial Times. (2026, February 28). Strike on Iranian primary school kills 108, authorities say. Financial Times. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/055d7ee1-0002-4d86-931f-18f4687d4f8b
Khaleej Times. (2026, February 28). Economic impact of US-Israel-Iran war depends on duration of the conflict, says economist. Khaleej Times. https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/economic-impact-of-us-israel-iran-war
Reuters. (2026, February 28). Iranian leader Khamenei killed in air strikes as U.S., Israel launch attacks. Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/israel-us-launch-strikes-iran-2026-02-28/
The Friday Times. (2026, February 28). US and Israel strike Iran, sparking retaliation and regional crisis. The Friday Times. Retrieved from https://www.thefridaytimes.com/28-Feb-2026/us-israel-strike-iran-sparking-retaliation-regional-crisis
The Guardian. (2026, February 28). US and Israel strike Iran as Netanyahu says โmany signsโ Khamenei โno longer aliveโ. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/28/israel-launches-attack-on-iran-as-explosions-heard-in-tehran