President Donald Trump’s policies and their geopolitical fallout have sent shockwaves throughout the world, shaking up the international order, shifting economic, political and security dynamics and driving the Middle East into renewed military confrontation, culminating in the launch of Operation Epic Furyon February 28, 2026.

The US has been increasing its military deployments and articulated the red line: an Iranian nuclear program. He signalled that the US forces must strike Iran if Tehran fails to satisfy its concerns on uranium enrichment. Tehran negotiators expressed preparedness to make necessary concessions on nuclear enrichment, including shipping out its 60% enriched uranium. However, they insisted on the “right to enrich” for civilian nuclear activities under the IAEA safeguards. Trump desires regime change in the country and rolling back Iran’s ballistic missile program—a threat to regional stability. For Iran, the missiles were the last credible pillar of deterrence. Therefore, it refused to discuss any matters apart from the nuclear agreement and sanctions relief. The late Khamenei was not willing to capitulate on Iran’s missile program. He believed that it was riskier to dismantle its missile capabilities than suffer a military strike.

Despite the........

© Pakistan Observer