March 14, 2026 — Washington, D.C. — The United States and Israel continued airstrikes on Iran as the Iran war entered its third week, with the U.S. having expended more than $10 billion and over 2,000 people killed in Iran and Lebanon alone since the conflict began on March 1.
The Iran war was triggered by a joint U.S.-Israeli assault that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his family members, defense minister, and other top officials, prompting Iranian missile and drone retaliation against Israel and U.S. bases in Gulf states. President Trump justified the strikes, stating:
“For almost 50 years, these wicked extremists have been attacking the United States while chanting the slogan ‘Death to America’ or ‘Death to Israel,’ or both. They are the world’s number one state sponsor of terror.”
Origins of the Iran War
The initial daytime attack targeted Khamenei’s compound and military sites in southern Iranian cities like Minab and Lamerd, killing over 550 initially, including civilians in school bombings. Iran responded with strikes on Israeli cities and Gulf nations, while Hezbollah fired on Israel and Israel bombed Lebanon. Trump called for regime change without congressional approval, despite prior U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva.
Casualties and Controversies
By March 13, the Iran war had claimed more than 1,000 Iranian lives and seven U.S. service members, per NPR. A Pentagon probe suggested U.S. responsibility for a missile strike on an Iranian girls’ school killing 175. President Trump denied U.S. fault for the incident (Democracy Now! March 10). Six more U.S. personnel died in an Iraq plane crash unrelated to combat (CNN).
Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed.
Recent Military Developments
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported Iran’s missile and drone capabilities reduced by 90-95%. Israel struck Tehran security sites, while Iran launched missiles at northern Israel. Hezbollah attacks from Lebanon prompted Israeli evacuations potentially displacing 1 million. The U.S. deployed a Marine unit and bombed Iran’s Kharg Island oil facilities. Trump claimed the U.S. is “way ahead of schedule” and Iran “decimated” (Al Jazeera).
Economic and International Fallout
The Iran war disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, with 16 vessels attacked, surging oil prices and U.S. gas to $3.63/gallon—a 22-month high. A U.S. $10 million bounty targets Iranian leaders. Russia and China condemned the strikes as aggression; the UK aided U.S. operations.
A U.S. Senate hearing on the Iran war is set, amid calls for a War Powers Resolution. (Institute for the Study of War)