War Hits Iran
War Hits Iran: The US and Israel have been at war with Iran for two weeks. The attacks have caused massive destruction in the region. Despite constant bombings of military and civilian targets, Iran has not surrendered. The country lost top leaders and military assets, yet it fights back fiercely.
Iran’s New Leader
President Donald Trump hoped air strikes would force Iran to change its government. His plan failed. Iran appointed Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the assassinated former supreme leader, as the new leader. His appointment shows both continuity and defiance. Many analysts say someone who lost family to US and Israeli attacks will not surrender. The death of his father has strengthened public support. Hundreds of thousands of people celebrated in Tehran and other cities, ignoring ongoing bombings.
Oil Facility Attacks
The US and Israel have increased attacks on Iran’s military and civilian targets. Israel targeted Iran’s oil facilities, causing long-term environmental damage. An oil depot outside Tehran continues to burn even as people celebrated in the streets. The World Health Organization warned that damaged petroleum facilities could contaminate food, water, and air.
Prolonged Conflict
The US underestimated Iran’s ability to resist. Trump once claimed the war would end “very soon,” but Iran controls the timing. This raises questions about what Trump and Israel will do next. Although the US promised a short-term mission, the war shows no signs of ending. The longer it continues, the harder it will be for the US to withdraw safely.
Economic Fallout
Sending ground troops would have disastrous consequences. Political and economic costs would rise too high, especially for America’s Gulf allies. Gulf countries hosting US bases already feel the war’s impact. Iran’s missile and drone strikes have shut down oil and gas facilities. Desalination plants supplying drinking water now face risks. The war has thrown the region into chaos and threatens the global economy. Rising oil and gas prices hurt countries worldwide.
Trump has dismissed these concerns. He posted on Truth Social that short-term oil price increases are “a very small price to pay for USA, and World, Safety and Peace.” He claimed prices would drop once the Iran nuclear threat ends. Even America’s allies have expressed shock at this attitude.
War and Religion
Trump’s aides link the war to religion. Senator Lindsey Graham often uses religious terms. He calls the war a civilizational clash. This messaging seeks evangelical support and justifies military action. Critics say it dangerously combines war with religious arguments.
The war raises questions about Trump’s Board of Peace. Just days after its summit in Washington, the US and Israel attacked Iran. The war plan existed even as the summit discussed postwar Gaza restoration. The Board’s credibility is now under question. Analysts say it acts like the UN but serves Trump’s personal agenda. Pakistan and other members risk becoming part of this conflict.
Caught in Conflict
Pakistan tried to improve relations with Trump, even nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize. Headlines praised Trump. Now Pakistan risks being drawn into the war. The country faces economic and political crises at home and a war on its western border. These challenges highlight the urgent need to review foreign and security policies, including Pakistan’s role in the Board of Peace.
Published in Dawn,11th March 2026
