The US-led military operation against Iran, launched on February 28, has entered its second week, prompting fluctuations in global oil prices and the exodus of thousands of Afghans and Pakistanis from the country. President Donald Trump described the conflict as ahead of schedule and largely complete, while Iranian officials issued mixed signals amid leadership fragmentation. Democrats and media outlets have labeled it a potential 'forever war,' calling for congressional approval.
The war began on February 28, 2026, with joint US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, triggering the current escalation. By March 8, the conflict marked its second week, with the US conducting over 3,000 strikes on Iranian targets, including the destruction or damage of at least 43 naval vessels, according to US Central Command. Trump, in a CBS News interview, stated the operation is 'very far ahead of schedule' compared to his initial four-to-five-week prediction, claiming Iran has 'no navy, no communications, they've got no air force' and that its missiles and drones are nearly eliminated. He added, 'If you look, they have nothing left. There's nothing left in a military sense.'
Trump also mentioned considering control of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil passes, noting that tankers are now moving again after a halt at the conflict's start. He warned that any threats to ships would lead to Iran's obliteration: 'If they do anything bad, that would be the end of Iran, and you'd never hear the name again.' The operation, dubbed 'Epic Fury,' has resulted in seven US troop deaths.
Economically, oil prices showed volatility. Brent crude reached nearly $120 per barrel on Monday morning before dropping below $90 in the afternoon following Trump's update, per market reports. Earlier, on Sunday, crude surged to $110, nearly 50% higher than pre-war levels, amid warnings of a severe energy crisis. US gas prices rose to a national average of $3.47 per gallon. Stock markets rebounded: the Dow Jones closed up 261 points after an early 900-point drop, and the S&P 500 gained nearly 1% after a 1.5% morning decline.
In Iran, leadership instability followed Khamenei's death, with an interim three-person council including President Masoud Pezeshkian overseeing affairs. Pezeshkian issued an apology to neighbors for missile strikes but later clarified that attacks targeted only US installations. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, threatened that Trump would 'pay the price,' a remark Trump dismissed: 'I couldn't care less.'
The United Arab Emirates joined US and Israeli strikes. Politically, Democrats like Senators Adam Schiff and Chris Murphy criticized the action as unconstitutional without congressional approval, dubbing it a 'forever war' akin to Iraq and Afghanistan. Retired Admiral Mike Mullen warned that 'wars expand, objectives change.'
Humanitarian impacts include thousands of Afghans and Pakistanis fleeing Iran. Pakistan reports 35,000 nationals there, with many returning via treacherous routes through Balochistan. Afghans, estimated at 6 million in Iran, face closed universities, internet cuts, and rising prices, prompting returns to cities like Herat despite ongoing instability in Afghanistan.
