The war in Iran has now entered its second week.
It began on February 28 with the first wave of strikes targeting the country’s military infrastructure. In a joint operation, the United States and Israel carried out a coordinated attack that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei had long been accused by international critics of overseeing violent crackdowns against domestic protests. During previous demonstrations against the Iranian regime, more than 30,000 protesters were reportedly killed. Among them were over 17,000 young people.
“Make no mistake — there should be no tears shed over his death,” said Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union.
To understand how the conflict escalated to this point, it is necessary to examine the tensions that preceded the strike.
Over the past year, Iran’s nuclear program had accelerated significantly. Iranian officials had previously stated that the country possessed enough enriched material to build up to eleven nuclear weapons. The United States responded with a firm warning: Iran would never be allowed to obtain a nuclear bomb.
Three rounds of negotiations followed, but talks ultimately collapsed when Iran refused to make concessions. Frustration grew in Washington, and President Donald Trump signaled that diplomatic options were running out.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched what they called Operation Epic Fury. The strikes targeted senior leadership and key military sites across Iran, killing Khamenei and several top officials.
Supporters of the operation argue that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons is essential for global security. In their view, allowing the country to develop nuclear capability would not only threaten the United States and its allies, but potentially destabilize the entire world.