Iran-Israel Conflict Escalates Further
The US is reportedly planning a six-week strike against Iran as tensions escalate, with Iranian missiles hitting central Israel and causing two deaths [https://x.com/NoaLevi07102023/status/2030962562578206844]. Meanwhile, Israel is expanding its front in Lebanon amid Hezbollah fires, and the US is warning Americans in Lebanon to seek shelter due to Israeli strikes that have killed 486 in a week [https://x.com/IndianExpress/status/2031254747672621089]. Is a full-scale war inevitable?
The current conflict is rooted in the long-standing Iran-Israel proxy war, which began in 1985, but has seen direct confrontations since 2024. This includes the 12-day war in June 2025 and the ongoing joint US-Israeli airstrikes that began on February 28, 2026. The US military has significantly increased its presence in the Middle East since late January 2026, deploying air, naval, and missile defense assets. The current escalation began with the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israeli strike on February 28. Operation Epic Fury, the US code name for the joint military operation, launched nearly 900 strikes in the first 12 hours, targeting Iranian missiles, air defenses, military infrastructure, and leadership. Iran retaliated with ballistic missiles targeting Israel and US facilities across the Middle East. Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed proxy in Lebanon, initiated attacks on Israel in response to Khamenei's death, marking the first time since the 2024 ceasefire. Israel has responded with intense airstrikes, hitting over 500 Hezbollah targets and issuing evacuation orders in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese government has condemned Hezbollah's actions and ordered them to disarm, though enforcement remains sporadic. The conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands in Southern Lebanon. As of March 9, Hezbollah has launched 269 attack waves toward Israeli territory since joining the war on March 2. The US military campaign, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, is expected to continue, with potential for further casualties and escalation.
