US–Iran War And Rising Middle East Crisis
US–Iran War And Rising Middle East Crisis: America’s president, Donald Trump, who called himself a “peace president,” started a major war against Iran even though Iran was not a direct threat to the United States. This is his second military action in less than six months, placing him among America’s war presidents. For several weeks, the US had been sending large naval forces to the Middle East while still holding nuclear talks with Iran. This was the biggest US military build-up in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Many people believed the negotiations were only a cover to prepare for war. Reports say Trump’s decision was influenced by pressure from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and by what he believed were his political successes elsewhere.
Attacks And Casualties
Reports say the US and Israel had agreed on a war plan months earlier that targeted military bases and important Iranian leaders. In the attacks, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of his family were killed. Israel also claimed that more than 40 senior Iranian officials died, including military commanders and government leaders. There were also reports of many civilian deaths. One strike reportedly hit a primary school and killed about 165 schoolgirls and staff. Such attacks on civilians are widely considered war crimes. Although the US carried out heavy air strikes, Iran still has strong missile power and continues to strike targets inside Israel and near US military bases.
Growing Regional Conflict
Iran has launched missiles and drones at US bases in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. A drone strike also reportedly hit the US embassy in Riyadh. Meanwhile, Israel has expanded the conflict to Lebanon by targeting the pro-Iran group Hezbollah. Trump first predicted the war would end quickly, but he has now admitted that it may last longer and has even talked about changing Iran’s government. The killing of Ayatollah Khamenei, whom millions of Shia Muslims respected, triggered protests in many countries, including Pakistan, Iraq, and Bahrain.
Global Economic Impact
The war is also affecting the world economy. Iran has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas passes. Many shipping companies have stopped services, causing oil and gas prices to rise. Airspace closures and trade disruptions are harming global business, and experts fear a worldwide economic recession. Countries like China and Russia have strongly criticized the US-Israel attacks, while many Western countries have avoided directly condemning them. The conflict could also affect Pakistan, which shares a border with Iran, as people have increased protests and political tensions in cities such as Karachi, Islamabad, and Skardu. Many experts believe the war may be difficult for the US to win and could make the Middle East even more unstable, creating serious political and economic problems for the whole world.
Published in Dawn, 4th March 2026
