United States of America - February 2026

The United States and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February, conducting airstrikes and launching missiles at targets across the country. One of the early strikes killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, military leaders and civilians. In retaliation, Iran carried out multiple strikes across the Gulf region. Prior to the attack, the US government had been conducting diplomatic negotiations with Iran over a new nuclear deal. It offered several different justifications for the airstrikes, none of which addressed an imminent threat to the United States. Democratic party lawmakers criticized the strikes as being in contravention of the 1973 War Powers Resolution mandating congressional approval of military action in hostilities abroad. According to the Iranian Health Ministry, between the start of the war and 18 July, at least 3,500 people had been killed in Iran, including at least 383 children. By July, 17 US military personnel had also been killed.

Update: On 1 May, the conflict passed the 60-day threshold after which the President is required to halt the military’s participation in hostile activities unless Congress has declared war or authorized an extension. President Trump claimed that a ceasefire declared on 7 April meant no approval was needed, an interpretation that was disputed by experts.

Sources: CNN Guardian FT Politico BBC NBC, Al Jazeera