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On March 5, Moscow accused both Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to drag Arab countries into a drawn-out, violent war. Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the US and Israel goaded Iran into striking targets across the Middle East, thus forcing the attacked countries to get involved in the Western-manufactured conflict. According to Putin, the US, ‘deliberately provoked' Iran into striking American military installations across the Middle East, knowing they wouldn't strike American soil.
Purposeful installations
While Putin's theories may have some validity, this has long been America's strategy in the Middle East. As long as military engagements do not threaten US soil, the American military can undertake violent operations overseas without invoking a state of war in the US Congress. By setting up massive military bases across the Middle East, the US provides targets for afflicted countries that are both closer and lower-risk. The consequences of striking US soil are far greater than striking US installations in countries like Kuwait or the UAE.
If Iran were to strike US soil, not only would the US declare a formal war on the country, but it would also turn to allies for direct military support. The United States is already calling on allies across Europe and the Middle East to allow American forces to use airstrips and bases. If Trump were to declare war on Iran, those demands would increase to include troops and military infrastructure. US soil has not been attacked since September 11, 2001, and before that, in 1945, with a Japanese bomb exploding in Oregon.
US, Israel attack Iran
On February 28, 2026, the US government and Israel undertook a joint operation in Iran, with some US officials subsequently declaring it was at war with the country. The attacks triggered retaliatory strikes from Iran, targeting US and Israeli military bases across the Middle East. According to Donald Trump, there is no timeline for this war, and the US will continue its operations in the country until it sees a significant regime change, as well as an end to Iran's supposed nuclear program. US and Israeli strikes killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, on Day One of the war, accomplishing Trump's so-called goal. Khamenei has been using deadly violence against civilian protesters in Tehran, and his killing has been the only positive piece of Donald Trump's illegal intervention.
Since February 28, the US and Israel have been conducting daily strikes on Iran and on Lebanon. More than 1,000 civilians have been killed in Iran, and more than 100 in Lebanon. Included in the US and Israeli targets was an Iranian all-girls school. Nearly 200 children were killed in the blast that flattened the school. Neither Israel nor the US has taken credit for the strike. Donald Trump claims the US is only attacking military infrastructure, and Netanyahu continues to claim his army is ‘the most moral' in the world. The United Nations, and every other major human rights organization, has called Israel's war on Gaza a genocide.
Now Lebanon and the rest of the Gulf countries have been sucked into the conflict. Iran has struck US infrastructure in nine different nations. Donald Trump's war on Iran has threatened global trade routes and sunk the global stock markets as important Middle Eastern energy hubs are threatened. With Donald Trump maintaining that there is no timeline for this war, stock markets will continue to suffer, and the price of oil will continue to climb. Already, Americans are paying nearly 15 cents more at the pump, and Wall Street has reported losses for two consecutive days.
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