The Middle East witnessed a sharp escalation in hostilities on February 28, 2026, as the United States joined Israel in launching air strikes on Iran, a campaign now being referred to by the Pentagon as “Operation Epic Fury.”
The strikes reportedly hit multiple Iranian locations, including areas around Tehran, raising significant concerns about stability in a region already weighed down by long-running rivalries. In response, Iranian forces have launched missiles and drones toward Israel and allied positions, signalling a dangerous upturn in direct military confrontation.
This joint action reflects deepening hostility toward Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and broader regional ambitions, with the United States framing the campaign as a necessary step to neutralise an “existential threat.”
Tehran Strikes Back
Following the strikes, Iranian authorities reported explosions within the capital and other urban centres. Tehran has retaliated with a barrage of missiles and drones aimed at Israeli territory, triggering emergency alerts and shelter directives in parts of the country.
Sirens have also sounded in neighbouring states such as Jordan and Bahrain, where U.S. military assets are stationed, highlighting how far the crisis may spread beyond the original conflict zone
The Western Flank: Pakistan’s “Open War”
While the global gaze is fixed on the Gulf, a separate, equally lethal fire has been lit on India’s western border. Just yesterday, February 27, Pakistan officially declared an “open war” against Afghanistan. This follows a series of deadly air strikes by the Pakistani military on Kabul and Kandahar, and a Taliban counter-offensive that reportedly overran several Pakistani border posts.
In a move that feels almost like a scripted reflex, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has already pointed the finger at New Delhi. By labeling the Taliban government an “Indian proxy” and a “colony of India,” Islamabad is attempting to frame its internal security failures as a grand external conspiracy. The “cup of patience” has not just overflowed; it has been shattered, ending the fragile ceasefire of 2025.
A Volatile Neighborhood
The atmosphere surrounding India has become exceptionally volatile. We are witnessing a rare and dangerous alignment where two major conflicts are peaking at the same time. To the west, a superpower-led regime-change operation is underway in Iran. Directly next door, a neighbor is embroiled in a hot war with its own former allies.
This is not just “regional tension” – it is a total breakdown of the status quo. The security architecture that held the region together for the last few years is gone, replaced by raw military force and a blame-game that seeks to drag India into the center of the chaos.
Also read: Pakistan Declares ‘Open War’ on Afghanistan
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