One of the biggest things in current events has been the eruption of a conflict in the Middle East. Just like last year, on one side are the United States and Israel, and they are fighting Iran. The conflict’s root is in the dispute over whether or not Iran should have restrictions on their nuclear program. Disagreements in the latest negotiation over restrictions have flared up into airstrikes.

The United States
  The first thing to know about the U.S’ perspective is that it is not a war. President Donald Trump doesn’t have congressional approval for war, which means that the conflict is considered a joint operation with Israel titled Epic Fury. The U.S has been feuding with Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, mostly over its budding nuclear program. In a series of posts and briefings, President Trump cited these conflicts as a reason for the strikes. The U.S also participated in strikes in the Twelve-Day War of June 2025. According to the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, the U.S possesses about 5,177 nuclear warheads. As of Mar. 10, seven American service members have been killed and around 140 wounded.

Israel

   Israel has also had a long history of conflict with Iran. One of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s foreign policy points is how Israel believes Iran is always very close to creating a nuclear weapon. They led the strikes against Iran in the Twelve-Day War for this reason. This time, Israel has gained air supremacy over Iran (according to them) and is also in conflict with other neighbors. Israel itself has a disputed number of nuclear weapons, but most sources agree they have around 90. 13 Israelis have died from Iranian strikes at the time of Mar. 10.

Iran

  The nuclear facilities in Iran were destroyed in the Twelve-Day War, and this time it was almost their whole chain of succession. The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed along with most of his entourage and succession chain. They have struck back across the region in retaliation for the Israeli-American strikes, and recently selected a new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. As far as we know, Iran hasn’t constructed a nuclear weapon. By Mar. 10, upwards of 1,200 people have died from the strikes in Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz

Located at the exit of the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz is part of Iran and Oman’s territorial waters. It is a very important location in the global economy, because one fifth of the world’s oil passes through. Thus, if the strait was closed or ships are stuck in the Persian Gulf, like many are now, oil and gas prices can skyrocket.

Timeline of Events

Feb. 17-27: The U.S and Iran engage in talks about a nuclear deal to place restrictions on Iran’s program. President Trump threatens Iran with military action if they don’t comply. Iran closes part of the Strait of Hormuz.

Feb. 28-Mar. 1: The U.S and Israel use hundreds of aircraft on a joint strike to hit over 1,000 Iranian targets. It is later revealed that one of these was the Iranian Supreme Leader’s compound, and that the Supreme Leader himself was killed. After getting this news, President Trump urged the Iranian people to rise up against their interim leadership. Also, another noteworthy strike was reported to hit a girls’ elementary school, killing 100+ people. 

Mar. 1-2: Iran strikes back, hitting targets in Israel as well as U.S bases or military installations among other targets in nine countries in the region. Most of the region’s airspace shuts down or closes to commercial flights, leaving many stranded. At this point, the Iranians also began to attack shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Mar. 2: The U.S shuts down its embassies in the region. Both sides trade strikes.

Mar. 3: The U.S State Department encourages citizens to leave the area as soon as possible. Many other governments do the same. Iran strikes U.S embassies across the Gulf region, but Israel claims it has full control of Iranian airspace. Hezbollah, one of the militias in Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” strikes Israel from Lebanon. Israel sends military forces into Lebanon despite the Lebanese government’s ban on militia activity in the country.

Mar. 4: U.S submarine confirmed to have sunk an Iranian ship in international waters, and the White House claims to have sunk 20 more. As of Mar. 4, marine traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has reduced by 90%. Another notable event is that Congress met about a resolution for stopping the conflict, which did not pass.

Mar. 5-6: There are only minimal strikes. Both sides exchange verbal blows and make it clear they aren’t ready to negotiate.

Mar. 8: Mojtaba Khamenei is named the new Supreme Leader of Iran. He is the son of the previous leader.

Mar. 9: The Group of Seven announces it will not use its strategic reserves to offset the lack of oil flowing into the global market. By this point, the death toll has risen well above 1,000.