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News Editor John O’Connor examines the rapid escalation of the 2026 Iran conflict, as airstrikes, retaliation, and increase in oil costs push the region toward wider instability.
On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel launched a series of surprise airstrikes across Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and various other Iranian officials in Tehran. In retaliation, Iran responded with missile and drone strikes against Israel and US bases along with US-allied nations within the region.
The attacks came amid ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran over Iran’s nuclear program, as well as Iranian security forces killing thousands of protesters during the largest demonstrations since the Islamic Revolution. After weeks of escalating threats from President Trump, he publicly stressed the day before the US and Israeli strikes that he did not want to use military force against Iran, but acknowledged that sometimes “you have to.”
The decision to launch the attack has drawn international criticism, as the Trump administration has offered varied and at times conflicting explanations for the strikes. These have included pre-empting potential Iranian retaliation against US assets, pursuing regime change following the deaths of thousands of protesters by supporting opposition forces, and securing Iranian natural resources. The attack was carried out without approval from Congress in Washington, raising questions about attack’s legality under US law.
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-M) criticized the administration on 14 March, stating:
“We are well into the second week of this conflict, and it is still the case that the Trump administration cannot explain why we entered this war, what goals we are trying to accomplish, or how we plan to achieve them. What does seem clear is that, while there is no money for the fifteen million Americans who have lost their healthcare, there is a billion dollars a day for bombing Iran.”
Administration officials also claimed the attack was intended to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency stated that there was no evidence of a “structured plan by Iran to build a nuclear weapon,” but stated that the country did possess more than 970 pounds of uranium enriched to 60% purity, close to the 90% level typically classified as weapons-grade.
On the day of the attacks, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres criticized both sides of the conflict, stating:
“International law and international humanitarian law must always be respected. That is why, since this morning, I have condemned the massive military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. And I also condemn the subsequent attacks by Iran [...] Military action carries the risk of igniting a chain of events no one can control in the most volatile region in the world.”
Following the US–Israeli attacks on Iran, which caused significant damage to military bases and civilian infrastructure - including roads, schools, and hospitals - Iran launched drone and missile strikes against US-allied countries such as Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
The ongoing conflict has led to sharp increases in oil prices in Ireland and globally. Energy shipments from the Middle East have largely stalled following Iranian threats to target vessels passing through its waters - violating the Law of the Sea - as well as renewed threats from Trump to strike major Iranian gas fields.
The US President’s warning came a day after Israel targeted Iran’s South Pars field, one of the world’s largest natural gas reserves. Iran retaliated by striking an energy complex in Qatar, causing what officials described as “extensive damage.” President Trump has since threatened to destroy a major Iranian gas field if attacks on US ally Qatar continue.
On 13 March, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Iran is “totally defeated” and “wants a deal” with the US but defined the deal as “not a deal I would accept!” and advised that Iran “would be wise to lay down their arms, and save what’s left of their country.”
As of 20 March, no deal appears to be in sight, while tensions across the region continue to escalate and the risk of a broader conflict grows. With ongoing strikes, rising energy prices around the world, and increasing involvement from US-allied nations, fears are mounting that the conflict could expand beyond the region’s vast borders.