The US-Israel coalition is currently engaged in an intense, sustained, and escalatory military campaign against Iran, described by some observers as an “existential war” or a “war of choice”. The US and Israel have launched intense bombardments targeting thousands of Iranian military targets and infrastructure, including locations in Tehran and nuclear facilities. Attacks have targeted the Iranian leadership, military infrastructure, and naval bases, with reports of over 10,000 damaged homes.

The current war follows a 12-day conflict in June 2025 and is part of a broader, long-term effort by the US and Israel to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes. Initiated on 28 February, the conflict is now in its third week, with no immediate signs of a ceasefire. Iran has responded with missile and drone strikes against Israel and US assets in the region, alongside accusations that Western forces are undermining regional security. President Donald Trump’s policy regarding Iran centres on a strategy of “maximum pressure” aiming for “strategic submission”.

This approach involves using intensified economic sanctions, coordinated military strikes with Israel, and a “divide and conquer” strategy targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to force Iran to halt nuclear development and reduce regional activity. The strategy is built in close cooperation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to coordinate military actions and intelligence gathering. The objective is to force the Iranian leadership to accept permanent constraints on its nuclear programme and regional influence through overwhelming pressure. While aiming for quick submission, the strategy carries the risk of a protracted, uncontrollable conflict if the regime remains resilient, and there is no guarantee of achieving long-term stability in the region.

Iran is utilizing a pre-planned “mosaic defence” structure, allowing provincial command centres to continue operating despite the loss of top-level leadership. It has warned that it will strike back against any attack on its energy infrastructure or ports, and has warned Gulf nations against aiding the U.S. and Israel. The conflict is threatening to disrupt global energy markets, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a spike in oil prices and has resulted in over 2,000 reported fatalities across the region. The current situation is defined by a “maximum pressure” campaign that has escalated into an active military conflict, making diplomatic solutions difficult to achieve.

The U.S. demand for “unconditional surrender” and total dismantling of Iran’s enrichment programme has led to a stalemate, with Iran showing defiance and capacity for sustained conflict. Trump has stated he is “not ready” to make a deal because current terms offered by Tehran are insufficient, while Iranian officials have dismissed the idea of a ceasefire. Analysts in the US are becoming increasingly critical of Trump, saying that the country is now trapped in a conflict with no clean exit. The war has pushed up global energy prices and caused significant economic disruption due to threats against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has........

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