What Is Happening In Iran Right Now?

A Guide to Understanding the Iran–Israel–U.S. Conflict

By Rania Meroua Kamel

WE'VE ALL seen what's been going on in Iran, but what's really behind it?

To understand what is happening right now in the Middle East, we have to go back in time a little bit.

In 1979, Ruhollah Khomeini came to power during the Iranian Islamic Revolution, which overthrew Iran’s monarchy. Many Iranians hoped the new government would be less oppressive, but those hopes quickly faded. After Khomeini’s death in 1989, his successor, Ali Khamenei, became the Supreme Leader. Since then, Iran has continued to be governed by an Islamic regime that has drawn criticism and attention from many countries around the world.

Iran has been involved in numerous international conflicts and has faced sanctions from the United Nations and other countries over its nuclear program. Tensions in the Middle East have existed for centuries, but the current situation has drawn particularly intense global attention.

Here is a brief timeline of some key events involving Iran, Israel, and the United States during 2025 and early 2026:

June 13, 2025: Start of the 12 day war

Israel launches an airstrike to an Iranian nuclear site, resulting in many casualties.

June 14, 2025

Iran retaliates against Israel.

June 21, 2025

The United States bombs nuclear facilities in Iran.

June 23, 2025

Iran retaliates against the United States by launching missiles at a U.S. base in

Qatar.

Donald Trump announces a ceasefire.

Tensions between Iran and Israel go back long before this timeline. However, these events help explain what is happening today.

The conflict between Israel and Iran is rooted in several major factors. Iran refuses to recognize Israel as a legitimate state and views it as a major threat. Israel, meanwhile, condemns Iran’s nuclear program and also views Iran as a significant security threat.

On February 28 of 2026, in the middle of the night (PST), Donald Trump announced that the United States would enter war with Iran without approval from Congress.

Iran retaliated by launching missiles across the Middle East, including in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

In a joint airstrike by Israel and the United States, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed.

March 1, 2026

Iran vowed retaliation and entered a national period of mourning for the Supreme Leader.

Meanwhile, some Iranians around the world celebrated his death, viewing it as the end of an oppressive era.

March 2, 2026

Iran launches strikes on Abu Dhabi, Doha and Dubai.

The United States and Israel responded by attacking additional Iranian nuclear facilities.

Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel.

Cyprus was also struck by a joint drone attack from Iran and Hezbollah, targeting a British military base on the island.

In response, the Greek government announced it would defend Cyprus if further attacks occurred.

This situation is confusing and unprecedented, and people around the world are trying to understand it as events continue to unfold. Leaders from many countries have released statements taking different positions.

For now, the situation appears to be escalating, and tensions in the Middle East remain extremely high.

What happens next will likely depend not only on military actions, but also on diplomacy, international pressure, and how leaders choose to respond in the coming weeks and months.