Operation “Epic Fury” Became a Major Regional War

A Month Since the Iran War Began

Mariela Quintana Melin

Published 18.35

It was going to be a quick war.

Iran’s nuclear program would be dismantled and the Iranian people would be freed, the US and Israel said.

But a month later, the bombs continue to fall in the Middle East – and the Iranian regime remains. 

Quick version

• The war between the US, Israel and Iran, which began on February 28, has led to intense fighting in the Middle East with extensive air and missile attacks from both sides.
• The offensive war has quickly developed into a regional war, involving several countries and resulting in large refugee flows and humanitarian crises in areas such as Lebanon and Iran.
• A month-long war has resulted in an estimated 2,700 deaths, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, while attempts at peace negotiations are underway against a backdrop of closed key shipping lanes and sharply increased oil prices.

On the morning of February 28, bombs began to fall on 

Iran. Israel and United States

 had launched their offensive war – Operation Epic Fury – with hundreds of air and missile strikes.

         

         US President Donald Trump. Photo: Matt Rourke /AP/TT

Iran responded immediately by sending hundreds of missiles and drones against Israel and US bases in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and US ally Saudi Arabia.

Air traffic was closed across the Middle East. Many Swedes were stranded and could not get home.

Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world's oil passes. "All ships that pass will be set on fire," said Iran's Revolutionary Guard in the first days of the war. Later, Iran mined the sea.

The Strait of Hormuz is closed. Photo: /AP/TT

Ayatollah dead – the new one missing

30 bombs were dropped on the first day of the war on Ayatollah Khamenei’s headquarters. The next morning, Iran confirmed that he was dead. News anchors cried in the studio — but around the world, Iranian exiles expressed their joy.

Just over a week later, Ali Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, was appointed Iran’s new ayatollah. He has not been seen since.

         

         Shia Muslims hold up pictures of Mojtaba Khamenei. Photo: Ali Raza /AP/TT

Israel enters Lebanon

The Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon quickly entered the war and began firing missiles at Israel. Heavy air bombing of the Lebanese capital Beirut was Israel’s revenge. Soon, Israel entered southern Lebanon with ground troops. In the weeks that followed, a million people would flee their homes and become internally displaced in Lebanon, prompting the UN to warn of a humanitarian disaster.

           

           Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Ronen Zvulun /AP/TT

The US president has wanted to use European military bases in the war. Many countries have said no. But Britain said yes and shortly afterwards a British air base in Cyprus was hit by a drone.

Regional war – more countries are attacked

The offensive war quickly developed into a regional war. Iraq, Jordan and Oman have also been attacked by Iran.

At the same time as Iran attacks neighboring countries that it sees as allies of Israel and the US continues its massive attack on Iran. 100,000 people are said to have fled Tehran. Reports indicate that thousands of people in the country have died. Few images are being disseminated from the country because the regime has shut down the internet.

Attempts at peace

Several attempts at mediation have been made. Among others, the foreign ministers of Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan have worked to prevent the war from escalating. Donald Trump has claimed that peace talks are underway, while Iran has called it “fake news” while the country said that they have received several points from mediators. In the past week, there have been

 

reports that peace talks between Iran and the United States could begin next week in Pakistan.

         

         

Houthi rebel General Yahya Saree. Photo: Osamah Abdulrahman / AP

A month later

As of March 28 – a month after the war started – an estimated 

2 700 people

 have been killed in the war. Most of them in Iran and Lebanon.

The Strait of Hormuz is still closed. Except for Thai ships, after Thailand signed an agreement with Iran. The world economy is affected by higher oil and gas prices.

Meanwhile, the Houthi rebels in Yemen confirm that they have entered the war and attacked Israel. A representative tells CNN that they are considering closing the Bab al-Mandab