A coordinated US-Israel strike on Iran has decapitated its leadership, sending shockwaves through global markets and geopolitics.
On February 28, 2026, the US and Israel launched a massive joint military operation, “Operation Epic Fury” and “Operation Lion’s Roar,” targeting Iran’s leadership and military infrastructure. The strikes resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top officials, sparking waves of retaliatory attacks across the Middle East. The conflict has led to a surge in oil and gold prices, significant disruptions to global travel, and a profound shift in the geopolitical landscape. As the world grapples with the fallout, the potential for a more radicalized Iranian leadership and a prolonged regional conflict looms large, posing a significant threat to global stability and security.
Operation Epic Fury
The night of February 28, 2026, will be remembered as the moment the Middle East crossed a dangerous threshold. In an unprecedented joint operation, the United States and Israel unleashed “Operation Epic Fury” and “Operation Lion’s Roar,” striking at the core of the Iranian state. The primary objective — the elimination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — was achieved with chilling efficiency.
As smoke rose over Tehran, the world awakened to a geopolitical reality in which long-standing rules of engagement had collapsed. The operation was not merely tactical; it was seismic — a deliberate attempt to dismantle Iran’s command structure and foreclose its path to nuclear capability. In a video address, US President Donald Trump framed the strikes as the elimination of “imminent threats from the Iranian regime,” signaling a doctrine of pre-emptive force and a willingness to upend the regional status quo. This was less a battle than a declaration: the old Middle East order was over.
The Long Fuse to Detonation
The roots of the crisis lie in years of escalating confrontation over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional influence. Diplomatic channels — including recent indirect negotiations in Geneva mediated by Oman — failed to convince Washington and Jerusalem that Tehran had abandoned its weapons trajectory.
Tensions reached a breaking point after a 12-day conflict in June 2025 damaged key nuclear facilities but stopped short of regime collapse. “Operation Epic Fury” represented the culmination of that unfinished war: the largest military mobilization in the region since the Iraq invasion.
Targets extended far beyond nuclear infrastructure. The strikes aimed to cripple the entire Iranian security architecture — leadership compounds, missile forces, naval assets, and the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. It was regime decapitation as grand strategy.
The Night the Sky Fell
The offensive began at approximately 9:27 AM local time (06:27 GMT). Hundreds of aircraft, backed by naval forces in the Persian Gulf, unleashed a coordinated bombardment across Iran.
Khamenei’s residence in Tehran was among the primary targets. Satellite imagery later showed extensive damage, while Iranian state media confirmed the death of the 86-year-old leader. Additional strikes hit IRGC command centers, missile depots, drone bases, and airfields in Karaj, Isfahan, Qom, and Tabriz.
The Israel Defense Forces reported roughly 200 fighter jets in the opening wave alone. Civilian casualties mounted rapidly. Iran’s Red Crescent reported more than 200 dead and 700 injured on the first day. A strike on a girls’ school in Minab reportedly killed at least 153 people — a tragedy that underscored the human cost of strategic warfare. Trump described the campaign as “massive and ongoing,” intended to obliterate Iran’s missile capabilities and industrial base.
A Region in the Crosshairs
Iran’s response shattered previous escalation thresholds. Ballistic missiles and drones targeted US assets and allied states across the region, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. In Israel, a synagogue in Beit Shemesh was destroyed, killing nine and injuring hundreds. US bases were also struck, including Al Udeid Air Base and Al Dhafra Air Base. A drone attack on the US naval facility in Bahrain ignited a major fire.
The Pentagon confirmed three American service members killed in action. At sea, the conflict threatened global energy lifelines. Iran warned that “no ship is allowed to pass” the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil flows. Missile strikes reportedly hit three tankers, leaving them ablaze. Within hours, a localized strike had become a regional war.
Global Shockwaves
Financial markets reacted instantly. Oil prices surged more than 8 percent amid fears of supply disruption. In Indonesia, Antam gold climbed above Rp 3.1 million per gram (about SGD 238.70), reflecting a global flight to safety. Dow futures plunged 500 points. Diplomatically, the operation exposed widening fractures. Russia and China condemned the strikes, calling for respect for Iranian sovereignty. Yet analysts doubt either power will provide direct military support.
China, which purchased more than 80 percent of Iran’s oil in 2025, faces acute energy vulnerability — though a weakened Tehran could become even more dependent on Beijing. The possibility of reviving nuclear negotiations has effectively vanished.
Toward a More Radical Iran
Khamenei’s death has created a perilous vacuum. Cleric Alireza Arafi has been named interim leader, but the Assembly of Experts’ formal succession process may stall amid ongoing hostilities. Meanwhile, the IRGC has appointed Ahmad Vahidi as commander-in-chief — a signal that hardline forces are consolidating control.
Observers warn that Khamenei’s doctrine of “strategic patience” may give way to a siege mentality. A militarized “garrison state” could emerge, prioritizing survival over diplomacy. Whether internal dissent will produce reform, revolt, or repression remains unknowable.
Internet blackouts, panic migration from major cities, and pervasive uncertainty suggest a society in shock rather than mobilization.
Indonesia’s Response
In Indonesia, reaction has been sharply critical. Professor Nur Rachmat Yuliantoro of Gadjah Mada University urged Jakarta to withdraw from the US-led “Board of Peace,” arguing that the attack destroyed Washington’s credibility as a mediator.
Seventeen flights departing Jakarta for the Middle East were cancelled, while authorities advised citizens to postpone travel. Disruptions to Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages — vital religious journeys for millions — loom as a major concern.
Indonesia’s diplomatic balancing act, long rooted in non-alignment, now faces one of its sternest tests.
A World Rewritten Overnight
The US–Israel strike on Iran has not merely escalated tensions — it has redrawn the strategic map of the 21st century. Energy markets are volatile, air routes disrupted, and geopolitical alliances shifting in real time. Major hubs such as Dubai face operational uncertainty, leaving travelers and governments alike scrambling for contingency plans.
More ominously, the risk of a wider war — one that could pull in additional regional and global powers — is no longer theoretical. The collapse of deterrence frameworks raises the specter of prolonged instability across the Middle East and beyond.
Diplomacy now operates in the shadow of annihilation rather than prevention. The events of February 28, 2026, serve as a stark reminder that global peace is neither permanent nor self-sustaining. What happens next will shape not only the region but the architecture of international order for decades to come. For continuing analysis, breaking developments, and in-depth perspectives on this rapidly evolving crisis, visit our homepage.
Sources:
[1] Iran may ‘lash out harder’ as Khamenei’s death puts Tehran on a war footing, leaving the world bracing for what’s next
[2] What we know so far about the US-Israel attacks and Iran’s retaliation
[3] Why are the US and Israel attacking Iran? What we know so far
[4] A visual guide to US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s response
[5] Iran confirms Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dead after US-Israeli attacks
[6] Iran Diserang Habis-habisan oleh Israel-AS, Rusia & China Cuma Diam?
[7] Passengers flee smoke-filled Dubai airport as Iran attacks major Gulf travel hubs
[8] Why Indonesia Should Exit the Board of Peace
[9] Iran confirms Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei dead after US-Israeli attacks
[10] Harga Emas Antam (ANTM) Hari Ini, Senin 2 Maret 2026: Tembus Rp 3,1 Jutaan
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