The Iran-US War Explained: What Americans Need to Know in 2026
CONFLICT & FOREIGN POLICY · UPDATED MAY 2026 Breaking Analysis The Iran–US War : What Every American Needs to Know From decades of hostility to Operation Epic Fury — a complete, plain-English breakdown of the 2026 conflict reshaping the Middle East and America's role in the world. Staff Report May 13, 2026 15-min read Key Takeaways On February 28, 2026, the US and Israel launched nearly 900 strikes on Iran in 12 hours , codenamed Operation Epic Fury . The strikes killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and dozens of top Iranian officials. Iran retaliated with missiles and drones on US bases and allies — Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan . The operation formally concluded on May 5, 2026 , but regional instability continues. Root causes: Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and the collapse of the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal . Section 01 · Background Why Did the US and Iran End Up at...