US and Israel Launch Major Strikes on Iran

The ongoing joint military operation is the culmination of a significant U.S. military buildup in the Middle East, described as the largest since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In the weeks leading up to the strikes, Washington deployed two aircraft carrier strike groups, the USS Gerald R. Ford and the USS Abraham Lincoln, along with F-35 and F-22 fighter jets and other warships to the region. This concentration of force was assembled as diplomatic talks over Iran's nuclear program faltered. A central justification for 'Operation Epic Fury' is Iran's expanding nuclear program. Following the U.S. withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, Tehran has steadily breached the deal's limits. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as of February 2026, Iran has amassed a stockpile of 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% purity—a short technical step from the 90% needed for a weapon. This stockpile is estimated to be enough material for as many as 10 nuclear bombs. The U.S. and Israeli strikes are targeting a wide range of sites, including military and naval facilities, missile production industries, and nuclear infrastructure. Notably, the operation also includes "decapitation" strikes aimed at key figures in Iran's political and military leadership. Israel's component of the mission has been codenamed 'Operation Roaring Lion'. Iran's retaliation was swift, launching missile and drone attacks against Israel and U.S. military installations across the Middle East. U.S. bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates were among the reported targets. This response marks a significant escalation from previous shadow conflicts to direct state-to-state military exchanges. This open conflict follows years of a covert war between Israel and Iran. This shadow war included targeted assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists, cyberattacks like the Stuxnet virus that damaged Iranian centrifuges, and sabotage operations against nuclear facilities. The current strikes represent a dramatic shift from clandestine operations to overt, large-scale military action. Global markets have reacted sharply to the outbreak of hostilities, with oil prices that were hovering around $72 per barrel before the attack expected to climb towards $80, with some analysts forecasting a potential spike to $100. The Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil passes, is a major point of concern, with fears that a prolonged conflict could severely disrupt global energy supplies. The international response has been divided. China and Russia have condemned the strikes, calling them an "unprovoked act of armed aggression" and urging an immediate halt to military action. European allies have called for restraint, fearing a wider regional war. The operation follows a previous direct confrontation in June 2025, a 12-day conflict that saw Israel and the U.S. attack Iranian nuclear sites. During that escalation, oil prices jumped by 15% before a ceasefire was reached, setting a precedent for the economic volatility that may lie ahead.