Israel Strikes Iran, US Military Involvement Reported: Global Tensions Soar Amid Escalation Fears

It has been confirmed that Israel launched an attack against Iran, with multiple US media outlets reporting that the US military also participated in the operation. This development has sent shockwaves and deep concern across the international community, pushing the Middle East into a highly volatile state.

According to NHK News Flash and CNN reports, information indicates that "the US military also participated in Israel's attack on Iran." Following these reports, numerous alarmed reactions have emerged on social media, with comments such as "This is a completely different dimension from previous logistical support" and "February 2026, we might be witnessing the worst turning point in history." Reuters reported that this attack was planned over several months, with the exact date finalized weeks ago, suggesting close coordination between the US and Israel.

Immediate condemnation from the international community followed the attack. Russia, Saudi Arabia, China, and Brazil, among others, successively issued strong statements condemning Israel's attack on Iran and warning against further escalation of the situation.

The economic impact is also significant. Following news of the attack, crude oil prices surged by over 10% at one point. Concerns are mounting about the impact on gasoline prices, and some investors shared pessimistic outlooks, asking, "Which stocks will crash the hardest next Monday?" The cryptocurrency market, in particular, saw a massive plunge ahead of other markets, and significant impacts on stock markets and gold prices are also predicted.

The impact extends to civilian life as well; Japan Airlines (JAL) canceled its flight from Haneda to Doha following Israel's attack on Iran. Data from the flight tracking website Flightradar24 showed that Middle Eastern airspace became clear after the attack, forcing many civilian flights to divert or suspend operations.

On social media, comments like "I hope it doesn't lead to World War III" and "Trends like Israel's attack on Iran, preemptive strike, and World War III are too unsettling" have become frequent, reflecting widespread fear of a global conflict expansion. A political organization reportedly solidified its policy to issue its first "peace emergency declaration" depending on Iran's retaliation, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

Three explosions were reported in the capital, Tehran, and there is information that the Israeli Defense Minister acknowledged involvement. Additionally, approximately two hours after the attack, reports emerged of retaliatory missiles being launched from Iran towards Israel, though whether they landed has not yet been confirmed. Some speculate that this attack aims to bring down Iran's current regime, further elevating tensions in the Middle East to an unprecedented level.

The context

This article reports on a significant escalation in the long-standing shadow war between Israel and Iran. For decades, these two nations have been locked in a geopolitical struggle, primarily through proxies and covert operations, with Iran's nuclear program and its support for regional militant groups (like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza) being central points of contention for Israel. The United States, a staunch ally of Israel, often finds itself navigating a delicate balance between supporting its ally's security interests and preventing wider regional conflict.

This latest incident follows a direct missile and drone attack by Iran on Israel a few weeks prior, which itself was a retaliation for an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Damascus, Syria. That Iranian attack, while largely intercepted, marked a significant departure from previous proxy confrontations, as it was a direct assault from Iranian soil. The current Israeli counter-attack, reportedly with US military involvement, is seen as Israel's response to Iran's unprecedented direct assault. The involvement of the US military, even if limited to defensive measures or intelligence sharing, adds another layer of complexity and potential for direct confrontation between major powers, raising fears of a broader conflict in an already volatile region. The economic repercussions, particularly on global energy markets, and the disruption to civilian travel underscore the immediate worldwide impact of this escalation.