The Israel-Iran conflict enters its fourth week, as the Iranians continue their blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil resources pass. It is a continuation of hostilities traced back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution during which a number of American hostages were taken.
This current iteration, known as “Operation Epic Fury,” started on Feb. 28, when the United States coordinated with the Israelis to launch airstrikes against strategic targets, resulting in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, according to NPR, as President Donald Trump proclaimed on his Truth Social networking platform.
“There was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do,” he said, before warning against efforts at retaliation.
“If they do, we will hit them with a force that has never been seen before!” he said.
Other notable casualties included National Security Council chief Ali Larijani, intelligence agency head Esmail Khatib, and Basij force leader Gholamreza Soleimani.
Thirteen American personnel have also been killed.
These hostilities, along with the obstruction of the Strait of Hormuz, have inhibited global shipping, and impacting food and fuel prices, as anyone frequenting local gas stations can attest.
In spite of this, dissent has manifested itself among the Trump faithful, as National Counter-terrorism Center director Joe Kent rendered his resignation on March 17 via social media.
“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” he wrote on the post, which was reprinted on NPR.
Meanwhile, the opposition remains defiant. Mojtaba Khamenei, supreme leader since his father was assassinated in February, continues to counter Trump’s proclamations of an easy victory.
“I assure everyone that we will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs,” he said in a post from the Associated Press.
“The retaliation we have in mind is not limited only to the martyrdom of the great leader of the Revolution; rather, every member of the nation who is martyred by the enemy constitutes a separate case in the file of revenge.”
He also plans to use the Strait as a bargaining chip, particularly in negotiations related to regional security and oil experts, which are critical to the nations economy.
“The lever of closing the Strait of Hormuz must certainly continue to be used as well.”
In spite of earlier proclamations of an early victory, the Department of Defense is seeking $200 billion to continue Operation Epic Fury. In accordance with this, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, headed up by the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, left Camp Pendleton, Calif. on March 20 with a contingent of 2,000 troops.
