2026 Iran war

An armed conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States that began in 2026. Its causes, course, and consequences depend on events unfolding during the conflict.

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Iran–Israel conflict: A long-running rivalry involving Iran and Israel, expressed through military operations, covert action, and regional competition. This rivalry forms the central bilateral backdrop to the 2026 fighting.
Ballistic missile: A missile that follows a ballistic trajectory for most of its flight after powered acceleration. Ballistic missiles are among the long-range weapons associated with Iran’s military posture.
Oil price: The market price of crude oil, shaped by supply, demand, expectations, and geopolitical risk. Fighting near major producers and shipping routes can unsettle oil markets.
Twelve-Day War: The June 2025 Israel–Iran conflict, a brief direct military confrontation involving Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian targets. It is a recent precedent for direct confrontation involving the same states.
Ceasefire: An agreement or arrangement that suspends fighting between parties to a conflict. A ceasefire would offer a route to halt hostilities, but its terms and durability are uncertain.
Iran–United States relations: The political and strategic relationship between Iran and the United States since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Decades of confrontation frame the U.S. role in the conflict.
Cruise missile: A powered, guided missile that flies through the atmosphere toward a target. Cruise missiles offer a distinct means of striking targets across the region.
Global energy security: The reliable, affordable availability of energy and the resilience of systems that supply it. Disruption risks link this regional war to energy access worldwide.
Iran–Iraq War: The 1980–1988 war between Iran and Iraq, marked by prolonged front-line combat and extensive casualties. Its duration and scale provide a contrast with a newer conflict involving Iran.
Nuclear proliferation: The spread of nuclear weapons, weapons technology, or the capacity to produce them. The conflict may affect incentives for Iran and other states to pursue nuclear deterrence.