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US–Israel war with Iran (2026)
Since Feb 28, 2026; truces in Apr and Jun broke down in Jul· Conflict or rivalry
FactTreaties, membership, measured data, events.
The war the United States and Israel launched on Iran on February 28, 2026, which killed its supreme leader and choked Gulf shipping.
See it on the Geopolitics map →The picture
Opening strikes, about 900 in 12 hours, killed Ali Khamenei and dozens of officials; the US said it aimed to destroy Iran's missiles, navy and nuclear program. Iran fired missiles and drones, mostly at Gulf states hosting US forces, and restricted the Strait of Hormuz; Hezbollah and the Houthis joined. A Pakistan-mediated ceasefire in April and a June memorandum both broke down by July 8. Regional deaths: roughly 8,000–10,600 (estimates vary). As of October 2026, talks continue without a settlement.
Why it matters
It is the largest Middle East war in decades, sent Brent crude toward $120, and put the world's most important energy chokepoint under Iranian pressure.
Key facts and numbers
US Central Command and Israeli military statements, Iranian state media, ship-tracking data, and casualty counts from Iranian and Lebanese authorities, HRANA and UN agencies.
What to watch
Disputed: the US and Israel call it preemptive self-defense; Iran and many states call it illegal aggression launched during negotiations. The endgame, and the regime's stability, remain unclear.
Connections (9)
▸US–Israel war with Iran (2026) killed Ali KhameneiFact
The relationship
The war's opening wave on February 28, 2026 hit Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, 86, who had ruled Iran since 1989, killing him and dozens of senior officials. Israel and the US targeted him as the man with final say over war, the nuclear program and the Revolutionary Guards.
Since when and why
Tehran, February 28, 2026; an Israeli official said his body was identified that day, and Iran confirmed his death and declared mourning.
How we know
Official Iranian confirmation, funeral arrangements, Israeli and US statements, and the Assembly of Experts' move to choose a successor.
What to watch
How he was located, and whether killing him weakened the regime or rallied hard-liners around his son; analysts disagree.
▸United States struck Iran in US–Israel war with Iran (2026)Fact
The relationship
In Operation Epic Fury, US bombers, warships and aircraft joined Israel in striking Iran from February 28, 2026. Trump said the aim was to destroy Iran's missiles, navy and nuclear program. US forces have since fought to reopen Hormuz; at least 19 US service members have been killed, per Central Command.
Since when and why
Ordered by Trump and launched February 28, 2026 from regional bases and carriers. The main operation formally ended May 5; clashes in Hormuz resumed after July.
How we know
White House and Pentagon statements, Central Command releases, and congressional war-powers debates.
What to watch
Disputed: supporters call it necessary to stop an Iranian bomb; critics, including some in Congress, say it lacked authorization and drifted toward regime change.
▸Israel struck Iran in US–Israel war with Iran (2026)Fact
The relationship
Israel planned the February 28, 2026 attack for months with Washington, saying Iran was rebuilding missile and nuclear capacity after the 2025 war. Its jets struck leaders, missile factories and air defenses. Iranian missiles killed about 72 people in Israel, and fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon resumed.
Since when and why
Launched February 28, 2026 by Netanyahu's government in coordination with the US; strikes reached across Iran while Hezbollah reopened the Lebanon front.
How we know
Israeli military and government statements, Iranian casualty reports, and Israeli health-ministry and emergency-service figures.
What to watch
Whether Israel sought regime change, as some officials hinted, or only to degrade capabilities, and how the war affects Netanyahu's October 2026 election.
▸US–Israel war with Iran (2026) choked shipping through Strait of HormuzFact
The relationship
Iran answered the war by blocking ships without its approval and attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of world oil passes. Insurers pulled cover and tanker traffic collapsed; Brent crude rose from about $72 to nearly $120. A June deal to reopen it collapsed in July.
Since when and why
From early March 2026; Iranian attacks on ships off Oman on July 6–8 ended the June memorandum, and US and Iranian forces traded strikes there in September.
How we know
Ship-tracking data, insurers' war-risk notices, USNI and maritime-industry reporting, and benchmark oil prices.
What to watch
Whether Iran can keep controlling routes or charging fees, which most states reject under the law of the sea, and whether September's rebound in Gulf exports lasts.
▸US–Israel war with Iran (2026) brought Iranian missiles down on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)Fact
The relationship
Iran aimed most of its retaliation at Gulf monarchies hosting US forces. In the first month an estimated 80% of some 5,200 missiles and drones targeted GCC states: the UAE most, then Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar. Strikes and the blockade halted Qatar's LNG output and dented the Gulf's safe-haven image.
Since when and why
From February 28, 2026, in waves through March and later; Oman, a mediator, was also hit. Gulf states said they intercepted many projectiles with US help.
How we know
Gulf government statements, Saudi and Emirati condemnations, US military data and open-source tallies of launches; the 80% share is an estimate.
What to watch
Whether the war pushes Gulf states closer to the US and Israel or toward hedging and new pacts, such as Saudi Arabia's August 2026 defense deal with Turkey and Pakistan.
▸Twelve-Day War: Israel and the US strike Iran preceded US–Israel war with Iran (2026)Fact
The relationship
The 2025 war left key questions open: Iran's enriched uranium was unaccounted for, inspectors were largely barred and Iran rebuilt missile forces. UN sanctions returned in September 2025. When renewed talks with Washington in February 2026 failed to bridge the gap, the US and Israel struck again on a far larger scale.
Since when and why
Between the June 24, 2025 ceasefire and February 28, 2026, with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi leading diplomacy.
How we know
IAEA reports, the European 'snapback' notice at the UN, and US and Israeli statements citing Iranian rebuilding after 2025.
What to watch
Whether a deal was within reach in February 2026, as Iran and some mediators claim, or the attack would have come regardless.
▸Houthis (Ansar Allah, Yemen) joined US–Israel war with Iran (2026)Fact
The relationship
After a month of threats, the Houthis entered the war on March 28, 2026 by firing ballistic missiles at Israel. In July they resumed Red Sea attacks and declared a blockade of Saudi Arabia, ending their truce with Riyadh, so ships now face risk at both Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.
Since when and why
Yemen, from March 28, 2026; blockade declared July 20, 2026, with Saudi-linked tankers hit in July and August.
How we know
Announcements by Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree, Israeli interception reports and maritime-security incident records.
What to watch
Why they waited a month, possibly to avoid US strikes, and whether Saudi retaliation reignites Yemen's civil war.
▸US–Israel war with Iran (2026) caused 2026 oil price shockFact
The relationship
The war hit oil through Hormuz: Iran blocked ships without its approval and attacked vessels, cutting off much of the Gulf's exports, while strikes damaged Qatar's LNG plants. Saudi and UAE pipelines bypassed only part. Brent jumped from about $72 to nearly $120; prices eased with the April truce and June deal, then rose when they collapsed.
Since when and why
From February 28, 2026, peaking in March; truces in April and June broke down by July 8, followed by a renewed US blockade.
How we know
Brent futures moving with war news day by day, ship-tracking data showing collapsed tanker traffic, and IEA reports on lost supply.
What to watch
How much of the spike reflected lost barrels versus fear and insurance costs, and how fast Gulf exports recover once shipping resumes.
▸US–Israel war with Iran (2026) interrupted US-brokered Ukraine peace talksWidely agreed
The relationship
The same US envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, handled both files, so the Iran war pulled attention away. A Russia–Ukraine round planned for early March 2026 in Abu Dhabi was shelved, the Kremlin declared a pause, and US interceptor missiles grew scarce for Ukraine. Higher oil prices also eased Russia's budget.
Since when and why
From late February 2026; the last direct round had been held in Geneva that month. In April Zelensky said the US did not 'have time for Ukraine'.
How solid?
Statements by Zelensky and the Kremlin and wide press reporting; analysts broadly agree, though no one can prove talks would otherwise have succeeded.
What to watch
Whether talks would have stalled anyway over territory, and how much the oil windfall strengthened Moscow's hand.