Introduction

The 2026 war between Iran and the United States did not begin suddenly. It was the result of decades of tension, failed diplomacy, and rising military conflict in the Middle East. The situation escalated rapidly in late February 2026 when direct military action triggered a full-scale confrontation.

The war officially began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched a large-scale military operation known as Operation Epic Fury.

The 2026 Iran–US war was not caused by a single event, but by a combination of:

• Nuclear tensions
• Military threats
• Failed diplomacy
• Regional power struggles
• Historical hostility

The immediate trigger was a large-scale military strike, but the real causes were years of unresolved conflict and geopolitical rivalry.