US/Israel – Iran
(James Bikales – Politico) President Donald Trump’s joint military attack with Israel against Iran Saturday is the second time his administration has struck a major oil-producing country this year — and this time, the consequences for global markets could be far more severe. Iran, a member of the OPEC cartel, sits at a crucial chokepoint for global energy trade — the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas flows. – US attack in Iran poses bigger risk to energy market than Venezuela – POLITICO
(Giselle Ruhiyyih Ewing, Meredith Lee Hill and Jordain Carney – Politico) Some of President Donald Trump’s Capitol Hill critics were quick to condemn his administration’s military action against Iran early Saturday, criticizing what they described as an unjustified act of war that hadn’t been approved by Congress. Shortly after reports of the attack against Tehran emerged in the predawn hours, frequent Trump-basher Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) characterized the strikes on social media as “acts of war unauthorized by Congress.” – ‘Acts of war unauthorized by Congress’: Trump’s congressional critics denounce Iran strikes – POLITICO
(Eliza Gkritsi and Gabriel Gavin – Politico) The EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas called the situation in Iran “perilous” after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Tehran, while other EU leaders urged restraint so the conflict doesn’t escalate. The United States and Israel attacked Iran early Saturday, after talks between Tehran and Washington didn’t lead to a deal on the Iranian nuclear program. Iran has launched counterattacks. The developments are “greatly concerning,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the Council of the EU António Costa said in joint statement. They urged “maximum restraint” and said that “ensuring nuclear safety and preventing any actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance.” – Iran situation ‘perilous,’ says EU’s top diplomat – POLITICO
(Kian Sharifi – RFE RL) Weeks of tension with Iran and a rapid US military buildup have erupted into joint US-Israeli strikes on high-profile targets, including Iranian military sites and the residences of the country’s top brass. As the first wave of strikes shook major locations across the country, a central question looms amid the clouds of smoke billowing into Iranian skies: What is the ultimate objective of the Trump administration? While Donald Trump’s rhetoric has swung between calls for a “better deal” and hints of regime change, his February 28 address — combined with the nature of the current strikes — suggests a radical policy shift. – Trump’s Endgame In Iran: Strategic Submission Or Systemic Collapse?
(RFE RL) Iranian missiles have been launched at several countries in the Middle East, all of which host bases of US armed forces, triggering air raid sirens across the region. Explosions were reported in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia on February 28, just hours after President Donald Trump announced the United States — in tandem with Israel — had launched “major combat operations” against Iran. – Iran Targeting Mideast Countries That Host US Bases
(RFE RL) Iran has been plunged into a “near-total” Internet blackout as the United States and Israel carry out a massive, coordinated aerial bombing campaign across the country. According to the Internet watchdog NetBlocks, connectivity in the country plummeted to just 4 percent of ordinary levels on February 28, severely limiting the flow of information as military operations intensify. The digital shutdown began shortly after several Iranian news websites, including the official IRNA news agency, reported they had been targeted by sophisticated cyberattacks. – Iran Plunged Into Digital Darkness As Internet Blocked Amid US, Israeli Air Strikes
(Kate Tsurkan – The Kyiv Independent) Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry reaffirmed the country’s support for US-led strikes against Iran, saying on Feb. 28 that “the regime in Tehran had every opportunity to prevent a violent scenario.”. The U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran in the early hours of Feb. 28, with U.S. President Donald Trump calling for regime change in the country. Since the initial attack, Iran has launched retaliatory strikes against neighboring countries in the region which house U.S. military bases. – ‘Freedom to the Iranian people’ — Kyiv voices support for US-led strikes on Iran
(Wang Wenwen, Liu Xuanzun and Liu Xin – Global Times) The US and Israel began a wave of strikes against Iran on Saturday morning, with Iran striking back at Israel and US military bases in the Middle East, according to media reports. Notably, the strikes came amid negotiations between the US and Iran over nuclear weapons. Why the US and Israel launched the strikes amid the negotiations? Militarily, how is the conflict unfolding? In interviews with the Global Times on Saturday, a Chinese international affairs expert said that the US and Israel’s intentions have always been regime change, and the negotiations were likely just a diplomatic cover. Meanwhile, a Chinese military affairs expert said that the US is likely focusing on air strikes instead of ground attacks at the current stage, while Iran will likely focus on deploying missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in retaliation against Israel and US bases in the region. – US, Israel attacks on Iran show intention for regime change with negotiations likely being ‘cover’; air strikes likely to be main focus at current stage: Chinese experts – Global Times
(Zhao Yipu, Xian Yifan and Zhao Yusha – Global Times) The Chinese Embassy in Iran told the Global Times on Saturday that it has so far received no reports of Chinese casualties after the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran. The Global Times also learned from the president of the Iran Federation of Chinese Organizations that, acting on instructions from the Chinese Embassy in Iran, the organization is making evacuation preparations and expects to carry out an orderly withdrawal from Iran via land border crossings once conditions permit. – GT Exclusive: No reports of Chinese causalities so far: Chinese Embassy; Chinese institutions prepare for ‘orderly’ withdrawal – Global Times
(Barak Ravid – Axios) The Israeli Air Force conducted numerous strikes across Iran Saturday morning in an attempt to assassinate Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior political and military leaders, Israeli and U.S. officials told Axios. Why it matters: The U.S. and Israel have launched a massive joint military operation in an effort to destabilize the Iranian regime, which has been in power since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. – Israel targets Khamenei, top leaders in bid to bring down Iran’s regime
(Ben Geman – Axios) The overnight military strikes on Iran will likely push up oil prices by creating new risks to supplies from the region that’s home to a large chunk of global output and transit. Why it matters: Americans are about to feel the impact of the joint military operation by the U.S. and Israel. State of play: Concrete signs of the market fallout will arrive when trading on Asian exchanges opens Sunday evening. – How the U.S. attack on Iran could shake energy markets and oil prices
(Lauren Floyd – Axios) The joint U.S.–Israel strikes on Iran Saturday drew mixed reactions from around the globe. The big picture: European leaders largely called for restraint and diplomacy to avoid further escalation, while U.S. adversaries condemned President Trump’s decision to pursue military action. What they’re saying: Ursula von der Leyen, the European Union’s chief executive, in a statement on X called on “all parties to exercise maximum restraint, to protect civilians, and to fully respect international law.” – How world leaders are reacting to U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran
(Kate Santaliz, Avery Lotz, Hans Nichols – Axios) Democrats called Saturday for Congress to act fast on war powers resolution votes after the Trump administration launched overnight strikes on Iran. Why it matters: President Trump launched the strikes without approval from Congress, triggering backlash from Democrats and one Republican. – Democrats demand war powers vote after U.S. strikes Iran
(Josephine Walker – Axios) The U.S. struck Iran overnight in the latest example of a president bypassing Congress to order military action. Why it matters: The Constitution says only Congress can declare war — but Democratic and Republican presidents alike have ordered military force without authorization for more than 75 years. Driving the news: The U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iranian senior commanders and political leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in an effort to destabilize the regime. – Trump strikes Iran again. Here’s why presidents skip Congress to use military force
(Julianna Bragg – Axios) Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former crown prince of Iran, is positioning himself as the “transitional” leader if the Islamic Republic collapses. The big picture: Pahlavi has voiced confidence in President Trump and previously met with administration officials to address unrest inside Iran — relationships that could bolster his standing after the U.S.-Israel strike on Iran on Saturday. – What to know about Iran’s exiled Crown Prince, Reza Pahlavi
(Josephine Walker – Axios) Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is the Middle East’s longest-serving autocrat, consolidating near-absolute control in his roughly 37-year reign. Why it matters: President Trump opted for military strikes in Iran after failing to reach a nuclear deal with Tehran, raising the risk that the administration will push for regime change. The first strike landed near Khamenei’s office, per AP. – What to know about Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader
