The United States and Israel launched a massive, coordinated military offensive against Iran on Feb. 28, 2026. The U.S. operation is codenamed Operation Epic Fury, while the Israeli operation is codenamed Operation Roaring Lion.
The conflict rapidly escalated into a full-scale regional war.
“The United States has had political and military tensions with Iran for a long, long time, predating the current presidency,” history teacher Ms Aditi Doshi said. “The fact that this attack was launched with little warning for neighboring countries or Americans in the Middle East reflects the style of the Trump Administration.”
Initial strikes from Feb. 28 killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, during a joint air strike conducted by the U.S. and Israel.
The United States’ motive was to end the rule of Khamenei and free the people of Iran from his control. Additionally, the U.S. government has claimed that the attack is aimed at stopping the Iranian regime from continuing to develop nuclear weapons.
According to PBS, Iran has retaliated by launching missile and drone strikes towards targets in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
Iran has also retailed by closing off the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf. Where a fifth of all oil and petroleum products traded passes through, spiking prices of oil prices across the globe. As well as attacking energy facilities in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
