A conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran began on February 28, 2026, with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian territory. The initial attacks, reported to have killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other senior officials, triggered a cycle of retaliatory strikes that expanded across the Middle East, disrupted global energy markets, and led to a fragile ceasefire in April.
Initiation of Hostilities
Operation Epic Fury and Roaring Lion
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against Iran. The U.S. designated its action as "Operation Epic Fury," while Israel called its operation "Roaring Lion." More than 100 aircraft, including B-2 stealth bombers and Tomahawk missiles, were involved in the initial wave of strikes according to U.S. officials.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that a "feeling" that Iran was preparing to attack the U.S. motivated the operation, a claim Pentagon officials reportedly told congressional staffers was not supported by U.S. intelligence. The stated objectives of the campaign evolved over time and included preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, destroying its ballistic missile infrastructure, eliminating its naval capabilities, and, at times, facilitating a change in the Iranian government.
Leadership Casualties
The initial strikes resulted in the reported deaths of several senior Iranian leaders. Iranian state media confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Other officials reported killed included the Minister of Defense, the head of the Armed Forces, and the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Reports from multiple sources indicated that Ayatollah Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was wounded in the attack.
"The initial attacks, reported to have killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other senior officials, triggered a cycle of retaliatory strikes that expanded across the Middle East."
Retaliation and Escalation
Iranian Counterstrikes
Within hours of the initial assault, Iran launched retaliatory strikes using ballistic missiles and drones. Targets included Israel and U.S. military installations in Gulf Arab states, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Some strikes impacted civilian areas and infrastructure, including a strike near Dubai International Airport that injured four people and a strike on a girls' school in Minab, southern Iran, which resulted in over 165 fatalities. The U.S. military confirmed it was investigating the school strike.
Expansion of the Conflict
The conflict quickly spread beyond Iran's borders. The Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah entered the fray, launching rockets and drones into northern Israel on March 2. This prompted retaliatory Israeli strikes across Lebanon. Yemen's Houthi rebels also joined the conflict, firing ballistic missiles at Israel on March 28, raising concerns about potential disruptions to Red Sea shipping lanes. The Houthis had previously targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea during the Gaza conflict.
Military operations expanded to other areas. Israel reported strikes on targets in Syria. Iran launched attacks on U.S. and allied assets across the region, including a strike on the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 14.
Human Toll
The conflict resulted in a significant and rising death toll. Iranian authorities reported over 1,900 fatalities in Iran. Lebanon's Health Ministry reported over 1,100 deaths, primarily from Israeli strikes. Israel reported 23 deaths from Iranian strikes. The U.S. military confirmed 13 service member deaths, with over 300 wounded. Casualties were also reported in Gulf Arab states, Iraq, and the occupied West Bank. Millions of people were displaced, including an estimated 3.2 million in Iran and over 1 million in Lebanon.
The Battle for the Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Blockade
A central component of the conflict was Iran's effective control and closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for approximately 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas. This strategic choke point was used by Tehran to disrupt global energy supplies and exert economic pressure on the U.S. and its allies.
Iranian forces attacked commercial shipping near the strait, resulting in at least seven mariner deaths and significant disruption. Iran also introduced a system demanding fees for safe passage, creating what analysts described as a de facto "toll booth" regime.
U.S. Naval Blockade
In response to the collapse of ceasefire talks in April, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a naval blockade of Iranian ports. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated the blockade would be enforced "impartially against vessels of all nations" entering or departing Iranian ports. U.S. forces reported forcing dozens of ships to turn around. Iran responded by threatening all ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The standoff effectively halted most commercial shipping in the region.
Economic Shock
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz sent global oil prices surging. Brent crude oil rose from approximately $70 per barrel before the war to over $100, at one point approaching $120 per barrel. This spike contributed to global inflation, increased gasoline prices in the U.S. to over $4 per gallon, and raised concerns about a global recession. The International Energy Agency (IEA) authorized the largest release of emergency oil reserves in history to stabilize markets.
"This spike contributed to global inflation, increased gasoline prices in the U.S. to over $4 per gallon, and raised concerns about a global recession."
Military Campaign and Infrastructure Damage
U.S.-Israeli Air Campaign
The U.S. and Israeli air forces conducted an extensive bombing campaign across Iran. CENTCOM reported striking over 12,000 targets by April, including command centers, IRGC posts, air defense systems, ballistic missile sites, naval vessels, and drone and weapon production facilities. The Pentagon reported that the campaign destroyed over 90% of Iran's "largest vessels" and significantly degraded its air force and air defense systems.
Iran's extensive network of underground tunnels and mobile launchers meant a significant portion of its missile and drone arsenal survived the strikes. U.S. intelligence assessed that roughly half of Iran's missile launchers remained operational.
Damage to Civilian Infrastructure
The conflict caused widespread damage to civilian and sensitive sites in Iran. Iranian officials reported that over 3,600 civilian sites, including homes, commercial centers, and medical facilities, were damaged. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed 13 attacks on Iran's health infrastructure. Strikes near the Bushehr nuclear power plant raised concerns about radiological safety. Historic sites, including the Golestan Palace, were also damaged. Israel struck Iran's oil and petrochemical infrastructure, including the South Pars gas field.
Diplomatic Efforts and Ceasefire
First Talks and Collapse
A framework for a ceasefire was agreed upon in early April, halting major combat operations. U.S. Vice President JD Vance led a delegation to Islamabad, Pakistan, for direct talks with an Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. The negotiations, which lasted approximately 21 hours, concluded on April 12 without an agreement. Vance stated the U.S. required an "affirmative commitment" from Iran that it would not seek a nuclear weapon.
Post-Ceasefire Tensions
Following the breakdown of talks, the U.S. implemented its naval blockade of Iranian ports. The ceasefire remained fragile, with both sides accusing each other of violations. Israel continued its operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, stating the ceasefire with Iran did not apply to that front. Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, stated Tehran would bring the management of the Strait of Hormuz into a "new phase" and called for the removal of U.S. bases from the region.
At the time of reporting, international efforts to secure a permanent ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz continued. Mediation efforts by Pakistan, the UK, and France were ongoing, with a focus on diplomatic and defensive maritime security missions.
Casualties and Regional Spread
Breakdown by Country
- Iran: Over 1,900 reported killed (Iranian Health Ministry/Human Rights Activists News Agency).
- Lebanon: Over 1,100 reported killed (Lebanese Health Ministry).
- Israel: 23 reported killed.
- Gulf Arab States: More than a dozen civilians killed.
- Iraq: 80 Iraqi security forces members reported killed.
- U.S. Military: 13 service members killed, over 300 wounded.
Key Incidents of Civilian Harm
- Minab School Strike (Feb 28): A strike on a girls' school in southern Iran killed at least 165 people, mostly children. The U.S. military initiated an investigation into the incident.
- Beit Shemesh Strike (Mar 1): An Iranian missile strike on the central Israeli city of Beit Shemesh killed nine people.
- Kuwait Drone Attack (Mar 1): An Iranian drone strike on a tactical operations center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, killed six U.S. service members and injured dozens more.