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US-Israel Attack on Iran 'Operation Great Fury' Escalates, War Tensions Rise Across Middle East
US-Israel Strikes on Iran Expand Across Middle East
The US-Israel operation against Iran, 'Operation Great Fury' ('Lion's Roar'), is showing signs of escalating across the Middle East. Iran has launched retaliatory attacks against 13 neighboring Arab nations, while Israel has begun striking southern Lebanon, a stronghold of the Iranian-backed Shiite militant group Hezbollah. As a result, the front lines are gradually widening.
Iran Conflict Shows Signs of Prolongation Amid Strong Resistance
President Trump initially boasted that the operation would end within days, but on March 2nd, he stated it "could be four to five weeks or longer," indicating a potential for a drawn-out operation. This is due to unexpected and varied counterattacks from the Iranian side. Following the assassination of Supreme Leader Khamenei, Iran demonstrated a resolute will to resist by electing his second son, Mojtaba, as his successor on March 8th. This has led to concerns about a prolonged war and a potential stalemate.
Background of the War and the Complexity of the Middle East Situation
The current attack on Iran is reportedly instigated by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who urged President Trump to act. Israel had devised attack plans after the discovery of Iran's nuclear development facilities in the early 2000s, but its intentions were curbed by opposition from the Obama administration and the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Despite the understanding that regime change is difficult through airstrikes alone, similar to the experience of the Iraq War 23 years ago, the US and Israel are now facing the uncertainty of a prolonged conflict. Concerns are being raised that 'peace through strength' could, in fact, exacerbate chaos in the Middle East, a region where ethnic, religious, and cultural factors are intricately intertwined.
*Source: Wedge ONLINE (2026-03-12)*
