President Donald Trump has warned of imminent large-scale strikes against Iran. Crédit : NYT
The conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran has entered its second week, marked by escalating rhetoric and military action. President Trump stated on Saturday, March 7, 2026, that Iran would be “very hard hit” in the coming day, indicating that previously spared regions and groups could now become targets. On his Truth Social platform, the President also reiterated his demand for “unconditional surrender” from the Iranian regime, asserting that Tehran is now “the loser of the Middle East” and could remain weakened for decades, or even collapse.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian offered apologies to neighboring countries for Iranian strikes carried out since the beginning of the war, while firmly rejecting any prospect of surrender. He warned that Iran reserves the right to retaliate against any country from which it is attacked, implicitly referencing Gulf states that host American military bases. Shortly after his address, air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain and Qatar, signaling the continuation of hostilities.
On the ground, the Israeli military claims to have conducted a widespread wave of strikes against Tehran and central Iran overnight, reportedly targeting Mehrabad Airport. Simultaneously, Israel has intensified its operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, repeatedly bombing the southern suburbs of Beirut and conducting a special forces raid in the east of the country, which Lebanese authorities say resulted in at least 41 deaths.
After just over a week of war, the human cost has already reached several hundred deaths in Iran and more than 200 in Lebanon, with hundreds of thousands displaced. The United Nations is warning of a potential humanitarian crisis. The escalating conflict raises concerns about broader regional instability and the potential for wider involvement.
The conflict is also beginning to produce global economic and logistical effects. The price of American oil has jumped approximately $10 in a single day reaching nearly $91 a barrel, its highest level since 2023, while gasoline in the United States has increased by around 14%. Disruptions are also impacting air travel: Dubai International Airport suspended and then partially resumed operations following what appears to have been a drone strike in the vicinity.
The United States’ strategy in this situation remains unclear. The Trump administration is oscillating between limited military objectives and the broader idea of regime change in Iran, as the war continues to draw in new regional actors and fuel tensions throughout the Middle East.
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