On February 28, 2026, Israel and the United States launched air strikes on Iran killing their supreme leader Ali Khamenei and numerous of their Iranian officials. Iran responded to this with missile and drone strikes against Israel, U.S. bases, and U.S. allied countries in the region.
Based on the early event in 2026, the U.S. is engaged in military action against Iran to eliminate alleged imminent threats, halt Iran’s nuclear program, and protect regional shipping lanes, specifically the strait of Hormuz. The U.S. and Israel have targeted nuclear and military sites, aiming to prevent the development of long-range missiles and the potential of nuclear weapons. Iran has been accused of backing attacks on U.S. bases and targeting ships in the Gulf, which affect the global oil supply.
March 2026, The U.S. has proposed a 15-point plan to end the ongoing war between Israel and Iran, but no formal agreements have been made. Iran has refused the propasal as “excessive” and not alighned with reality. The U.S. continues to try and push deals to stop Iran’s nuclear program and missle capabilities. While the U.S. claims they are negotiating with Iran, Iran and states they are not directly negotiating with the U.S., but communicate through intermediaries like Pakistan. Iran claims its nuclear work is peaceful and demands an end to the U.S. and Israel war on their own terms.
This is not the first time the US has had troubles with Iran. In the early-mid 20th century, the US and Iran had friendly relations, especially Iran’s monarch the Shah. The US helped support Iran’s government and economy, and even backed the Shah after a 1953 coup. However things started to change drastically. In the Iranian revolution, Iran overthrew the Shah and created an Islamic government that opposed US influence. Ever since, relationships have been mostly hostile. The United States government has imposed economic sanctions on Iran, while both countries have argued over issues like nuclear weapons, regional conflicts, and political influence in the Middle East.
The United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) also known as the “Iran Nuclear deal” or the “Iran deal,” on May 8, 2018. The JCPOA; an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. In Jul. 2025, an agreement was concluded with Iran, China, France, Germany, Russia, United Kingdom, United States, and the European Union. Iran’s nuclear activities would be limited in exchange for reduced sanctions. Donald Trump renegotiated the JCPOA and described the deal as a “disaster,” “the worst deal ever” and that it could lead to “a nuclear holocaust”.
Tension further escalated between Iran and the United States following the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel and the start of the Gaza War in 2023. Israel weakened Iranian-backed militias across the Middle East, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah, and others. Israel waged the twelve-day war in Jun. 2025, which included American airstrikes aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear facilities.
As of Mar. 2026, The situation is still volitile, with both sides conducting military operations while attempting to negotiate a potential end to the war.
