by Rocheford T. Gardiner
TEHRAN / WASHINGTON – The conflict in the Middle East has entered a volatile new phase as the United States and Israel intensify their joint military operation, “Epic Fury,” while Iran signals a long-term commitment to the war with the appointment of a new Supreme Leader.
US Claims Strategic Gains; Markets React
In a series of recent statements, President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. and Israeli forces have significantly “degraded” Iran’s military and naval capabilities. According to the President, the coalition has successfully targeted key infrastructure, leading him to suggest that offensive operations may soon “round up” or transition to a new phase.
This rhetoric has had a notable impact on global financial centers. While initial reports of the conflict sent oil prices soaring past $113 a barrel, the President’s claims of military dominance and his announcement that OPEC is releasing more crude to stabilize the world market have provided a brief, albeit cautious, boost to stock markets.
Iran Defies “End Date” with New Leadership
Despite the heavy bombardment, Tehran remains defiant. In a historic move following the reported death of Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Assembly of Experts has elected his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader. The selection of Mojtaba, a figure with deep ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), is seen by analysts as a move to ensure regime continuity and military resolve.
Iranian officials have dismissed the U.S. timeline for the war’s conclusion, stating that Tehran alone will determine when the conflict ends.
A War of Attrition and Contradiction
The battlefield reality remains grim and complex. While Israel maintains it is “not done yet” with its strikes on Iranian missile sites and nuclear infrastructure, the exchange of fire has become a daily occurrence.
- The Air War: Both Israel and the U.S. have continued trading heavy missile fire with Iran and its regional proxies, including Hezbollah.
- Contradicting Reports: While the U.S. and Israel project an image of total upper-hand, widespread reports suggest that Iran has successfully struck back, damaging several U.S. military assets and equipment across the region, costing hundreds of billions.
The persistence of Iranian strikes—reaching as far as Tel Aviv and various U.S. bases—has raised urgent questions among military analysts: If Iran’s military is as “destroyed” as the coalition claims, how is the Islamic Republic still able to coordinate such sophisticated and damaging counter-attacks?
As the “Epic Fury” operation continues, the world watches the Strait of Hormuz, where the threat of a total shipping blockade looms, potentially undoing any recent stability in the global energy markets.
Trump had earlier promised to escort ships through the strait but no one has dared to take up the offer.