Strategic Distance
The renewed war between the United States and Iran has again placed American and Israeli military interests on apparently common ground.
The renewed war between the United States and Iran has again placed American and Israeli military interests on apparently common ground.
Fresh statements from Tehran and Washington point to deepening confrontation, with both sides hardening their public positions even as the US says it remains open to diplomacy.
The Pentagon told lawmakers the conflict has already cost $37.5 billion and warned of readiness shortfalls without additional funding, while also alleging Russia and China are enabling Iran's military operations.
Explosions were reported across southern and central Iran after the US announced a new military offensive, while Kuwait activated air defences and regional tensions continued to spread.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed it received intelligence from individuals in Jordan to strike US military targets, as Washington continued air strikes and regional tensions spread across the Gulf.
The US military has released operational footage of strikes on Iranian radar facilities, offering a closer look at the latest confrontation around the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The latest sanctions also target an Iranian exchange house and financial operators accused of helping sanctioned banks move foreign currency through overseas shell entities.
On 28 February 2026, the war that diplomats had spent two years rehearsing began. American and Israeli aircraft struck Iranian nuclear and missile installations; Iran’s Supreme Leader was killed, and by 2 March the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had formally closed the Strait of Hormuz to merchant traffic, laying mines and warning off shipping.
A House-backed effort to limit Donald Trump's military authority over Iran has intensified political tensions as negotiations over Tehran's nuclear programme continue.
A diplomatic row has erupted after Kuwait blamed Iran for a deadly airport strike, while Tehran insists the damage was caused by a malfunctioning US-made defence system.
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