In a joint U.S.-Israeli operation, known as Operation “Epic Fury,” the Islamic Republic of Iran was struck on Feb. 28. As tensions keep rising, Americans are now questioning the rationale behind the conflict and the impact it will have on the U.S. economy.
What is the U.S.’s conflict with Iran?
In 2013, President Barack Obama called newly elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani to discuss Iran’s nuclear program, marking the first direct contact between the U.S. and Iran since 1979. Two years later, Obama and P5+1 (the five permanent members of the UN Security Council) reached the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran, aiming to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanction relief. The deal was implemented in January 2016. Following his 2016 election victory, President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the JCPOA, claiming the deal failed to limit Iran’s missile program. Iran began to abandon the deal’s restrictions a year later and exceeded uranium enrichment limits.
In 2020, the U.S. assassinated Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, which further heightened tensions with Iran. Trump claimed that the reason for the assassination was to prevent an escalating series of attacks and to protect U.S. personnel in Iraq and across the region. Iran viewed the attack as brutal terrorism, ultimately vowing to retaliate.
The Twelve Day War, also known as Operation “Midnight Hammer,” which took place in June 2025, was a conflict between Iran and Israel, with the U.S. involving itself to support Israel. In retaliation, Iran launched missiles and drones at U.S. military bases across the Middle East. Tensions reached a peak in 2026 during Operation “Epic Fury.”
Why did the U.S. and Israel strike Iran?
Rooted in the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Israel and Iran have been engaged in a long-standing conflict for over 40 years. After former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini rose to power in ’78, he criticized Israel for its occupation of Palestinian territories. Iran has since adopted an anti-Israel position, turning the former allies into enemies, with the aim of expanding its regional influence. Following his predecessor, Iranian Supreme Leader Seyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei intensified his anti-Israel stance and became more willing to pursue military confrontation.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said that the U.S.’s role is to “defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime.” Trump announced the death of Khamenei, saying that Khamenei was “unable to avoid the U.S.’s intelligence and highly sophisticated tracking system.” According to NPR, a source briefed on the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran informed the publication that an Israeli airstrike killed Khamenei.
However, questions still exist regarding the U.S. and Israel’s strategic goals for the war.
How has Iran retaliated against the U.S.?
Iran has launched several drone and missile strikes, targeting U.S. military bases in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. On Tuesday, the Pentagon announced the death of at least six U.S. service members.
How long is the conflict expected to last?
At a White House press conference, Trump initially projected the conflict to last four to five weeks, stating that the U.S. military has the “capabilities to go far longer than that.” In comparison, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the war “may take some time,” but not years.
How will the conflict affect the U.S. economy?
Economists have said that if the war continues to escalate, U.S. consumers will start to see higher energy prices, like a jump in gas and oil costs. On Feb. 28, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important oil route, as a retaliatory response to the U.S. and Israel.
ESSENCE GU will keep updating readers on the U.S.-Israel war on Iran.