The US/Israel strike against Iran aims at regime change in Tehran, control its energy resources and restructure the Middle East. But it will amplify risks, disrupt energy markets and could severely penalize global prospects. 

On February 28, 2026, President Trump announced the start of Operation Epic Fury. In a surreal twist, he described the mission’s primary objective as defending the American people by eliminating “imminent threats” from the Iranian regime. 

Trump specifically cited the need to eliminate Iran’s nuclear ambitions, destroy its military infrastructure and undermine Iranian-backed groups in the region. He delegated regime risk to the Iranian people urging them to “take over your government.”  

With Israel, the US hoped to “decapitate Iran’s leadership”, particularly Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, and President Masoud Pezeshkian. This has been the US/Israeli dream since the Islamic Revolution almost half a century ago: to rule and divide the polity and fragment the economy, to dominate the energy resources.

In the absence of the US/Israel escalation in the region since early 2025, the 86-year-old Khamenei would likely have retired. But that was no option to either the US or Israel. His death was deemed vital to serve as a demonstration effect. 

Masoud Pezeshkian was elected as a reformist in the July 2024 Iranian presidential election. The first reformist to hold the presidency in Iran in some two decades, he campaigned on a platform of moderation, pledging to relax the strict enforcement of hijab laws, improve relations with the West, restart nuclear negotiations to ease economic sanctions, and to end Iran’s international isolation.

In the US and Israel, Iranian reformism is seen as a threat. Development, women’s rights, Western ties, eased sanctions, international cooperation – it all worked against the goal to control Iran’s energy resources and restructure the Middle East. Hence, their preference for a pro-US Iranian proxy, including Raza Pahlavi, the son of the former Shah of Iran.

The strategic objective of Epic Fury is full counter-revolution, not peaceful reform and development.

Undermining diplomacy for (another) illegal war

Following joint military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian nuclear and military facilities on February 28, 2026, several countries officially urged the UN Security Council (UNSC) to convene for an emergency session. 

France was the first council member to request a Security Council meeting. President Emmanuel Macron warned of “grave consequences for international peace and security”. Jointly Russia and China requested a briefing, characterizing the strikes as an “unprovoked and reckless act of military aggression.” 

During the session, UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the escalation and called for an immediate ceasefire. 

In the Global South, many........

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