America & Israel's New War in Iran
On the 28th of February, the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran, with U.S. President Trump saying they had to strike because Iran was “going to attack first.” But the reasons for the attacks vary, including within the Trump administration. Many wonder if this is America’s war, or if it’s Israel’s war, and America has lent a helping hand. As the days have gone on, the war has expanded across the Southwest Asian region. Iran has launched retaliatory attacks, hitting Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Israel, and other neighboring countries. The U.S. and Israeli militaries continue to launch strikes on Iran, with many worrying that this could quickly become a large-scale regional war.
[As of 4 March 2026]
Beginning with the supposed justification for launching this war, the U.S. administration seems to not have a collective reasoning for the strikes on Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Israel had plans to attack Iran, which would have led Iran to retaliate against American allies in the region, which is why the U.S. had to pre-emptively attack. This statement builds on growing concern that the U.S. is not acting in the interest of their country and citizens, but is acting in the best interest of Israel. Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu stated “This coalition of forces allows us to do what I have yearned to do for 40 years.” It appears that this war with Iran is Israeli-led, with the U.S. providing assistance in their assault as they’ve done for decades.
On the first day of the strikes, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed. Reactions to his death have varied; some celebrate, some critique. Khamenei served as President of Iran from 1981 until 1989, when he was elected as the supreme ruler. He was credited with expanding the force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) which led to the growth of Iran’s influence in the region. Critical of the West, Khamenei often urged for self-reliance and less engagement with Western powers. Many critiqued this policy because they viewed it as blocking reforms that people believed were needed. There was a growing movement among some elected officials to re-engage with the international community as Iran was still recovering from the war with Iraq. In 2009, an uprising erupted after the election, with many protesting in support of the defeated reformist candidate, and alleging the election was rigged. As a result, thousands were arrested with many killed.
In 2015, in response to ongoing international sanctions, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was signed by Iran and other world leaders. The agreement laid out that Iran would halt their development of nuclear weapons in exchange for a lift on the sanctions. Just 3 years after the agreement, Trump pulled the U.S. out of it and imposed heavier sanctions on Iran. With these new sanctions, Iranian citizens protested hiking prices, and the crackdown on these uprisings were nothing short of violent. Over 100 people were killed, and Khamenei accused them of being “thugs” and foreign enemies. More protests grew as the years went on. In 2022, the killing of Masha Amini kicked off another set of protests, many led by women. Amini was killed in police custody after being accused of violating the compulsory hijab law. Many women were fed up with the violent control over them. These protests were met with brutal crackdowns by the security forces, with over 500 killed.
As the war goes on, the death toll rises. An Israeli strike hit a girls school, killing close to 180. More reports of civilian casualties have spread throughout the country. The U.S. and Israel claim they are only targeting the military, so how does a precision strike from two of the strongest militaries in the world accidentally hit a school? It is a long-used defense that the U.S. goes into these countries to also help “liberate women” but it is too often that in “liberating women” they kill them. Civilians always pay the ultimate price in war. Reporting shows that Iran’s retaliatory attacks throughout the Gulf region have hit civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings and hotels. The risks to civilians grow, especially with the U.S. and Israel targeting the facilities that hold nuclear materials in Iran. The attacks haven’t resulted in damage, but if they do, there is a dangerous likelihood that it could cause a radiation threat. The ones who would face this threat are the people on the ground in the region.
There are hardly ever winners in a war. Infrastructure is destroyed, impacting the lives of those who rely on it. Civilians are injured or killed, at a time when their safety is meant to be prioritized. The U.S. is igniting yet another war in the region. During the war in Iraq, millions of Iraqis died. With the war in Afghanistan, almost a quarter of a million people died. What will the count be for Iran? So far almost 800 Iranians have been killed. There is no movement for peace when the U.S. and Israel are involved. Trump himself said this war could go on for another 4-5 weeks. How many more schools will be hit? How many more people will be killed? The reactions to this war vary, but what is certain is that civilians will lose their lives while being told they are being liberated.
Sources:
https://www.npr.org/2026/03/03/nx-s1-5732601/trump-maga-iran-war-israel
