US and Israel Launch 'Major Combat Operations' in Iran

The current joint military campaign follows a tense recent history, including a 12-day war in June 2025. During that conflict, Israel also struck Iranian nuclear and military sites, leading to retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran. The current offensive was preceded by weeks of failed diplomatic negotiations and a significant U.S. military buildup in the region. The U.S. component of the attack is named "Operation Epic Fury," while Israel's is codenamed "Operation Roaring Lion." Initial Israeli strikes reportedly targeted senior Iranian leadership, including the residences of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran. U.S. forces are focusing on military targets and ballistic missile sites. In a significant escalation of cyber warfare, a massive cyberattack was launched in conjunction with the military strikes, plunging Iran into an "almost complete digital fog." The attack crippled critical infrastructure, official news websites, and security communications systems, creating a communications blackout for the Iranian leadership. Internet connectivity in Iran reportedly dropped to just 4% of normal levels. Iran has a history of attempting to control the narrative and organize through social media during times of unrest, often leading to government-imposed internet shutdowns. The current cyberattack appears to be a strategic move to disrupt the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' ability to coordinate counterattacks and launch their own cyber and drone responses. This follows a pattern of both state-sponsored and dissident use of social media in previous Iranian protest movements. Key figures in this conflict include U.S. President Donald Trump, who has called for the Iranian people to "take over your government," and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On the Iranian side, 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has long been the face of defiance against the U.S. and Israel. Meanwhile, Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah, has been advocating from the U.S. for international support to oust the current regime. In retaliation for the strikes, Iran has launched ballistic missiles at Israel and U.S. military bases across the Middle East. Targets have included U.S. installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. This response signals a willingness from Tehran to engage in direct, widespread regional conflict, a departure from previous, more symbolic actions. The conflict poses a significant threat to global supply chains, with Iran threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz. This narrow waterway is a critical chokepoint for about 20-30% of the world's oil and a significant portion of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade. Any disruption could lead to a sharp increase in fuel prices and shipping delays, as carriers are forced to take longer and more expensive routes.