WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST: IRAN, REGIONAL ESCALATION & THE NEXT PHASE OF THE CONFLICT

On February 28th, Israel and the United States launched coordinated strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran, hitting senior leadership, ballistic missile systems, and key military infrastructure, marking the start of a rapidly developing regional war.

In recent days, the situation has escalated further. The Tehran regime appointed Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of assassinated Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as the country’s new leader, signaling an intention to continue the confrontation rather than defuse tensions.

At the same time, Iranian missile and drone attacks have expanded beyond Israel to the Gulf states and even Cyprus, while U.S. and Israeli strikes continue to target Iranian capabilities.

The conflict is now affecting international energy markets and shipping routes, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, a key choke point for the world’s oil supply, raising concerns about global economic implications.