Ten Days into President Trump's Iran Campaign, the War has gone Global - At Least 20 Countries are now Militarily Involved
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A Group of Monkeys is Called A Congress
Global Conflict Escalates: Trump's Iran Campaign Enters Second Week as War Spreads to 20 Nations and Triggers Worldwide Energy Crisis
Washington, D.C. – March 10, 2026 — Ten days after U.S. and Israeli forces launched a major offensive against Iran, the conflict has rapidly transformed from a targeted campaign into a sprawling international crisis, with at least 20 countries now drawn into military roles ranging from direct combat to defensive shielding and covert logistical support.
The operation, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury" by U.S. officials, began on February 28 with joint airstrikes aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear facilities, missile capabilities, and senior leadership. Initial strikes reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top commanders, prompting Iran to unleash a barrage of retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the region.
What started as a U.S.-Israel-led effort against Tehran has since spilled far beyond Iran's borders. Iran has struck or targeted at least 10 countries, including U.S. and allied military bases, oil infrastructure, and civilian areas in the Persian Gulf and beyond. Nations such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Azerbaijan have faced direct Iranian missile and drone fire, with some sites—including luxury hotels and residential buildings in Dubai and Bahrain—hit in apparent attempts to inflict broad economic and psychological damage.
Allied nations have responded forcefully. U.S. partners in the Middle East, including Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Gulf states, have intercepted incoming threats with precision air defenses. European militaries have been pulled in, with reports of NATO forces shooting down Iranian missiles over allied territory for the first time in the alliance's history. Additional countries are providing quiet support through intelligence sharing, basing rights, or supply chains, pushing the total number of involved nations to at least 20.
The conflict's expansion has carried severe economic repercussions far from the front lines. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint for roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments—have caused tanker traffic to plummet, with around one-fifth of worldwide crude and gas supplies suspended. Oil prices have surged more than 25% since the war's onset, briefly topping $100 per barrel and in some cases reaching as high as $119, marking one of the largest energy supply shocks in decades.
The energy crisis has rippled globally, driving up fuel costs for consumers and businesses from California—where gasoline has exceeded $7 per gallon in places—to Europe and Asia. Analysts warn that prolonged closures or damage to Gulf infrastructure could push prices even higher, risking inflation spikes, stagflation concerns, and shifts in long-term energy geopolitics. Some experts suggest the turmoil could accelerate transitions to renewables in import-dependent nations, while potentially benefiting U.S. LNG exporters in the short term.
President Donald Trump has offered shifting assessments of the campaign's progress and goals. In recent statements, he described the operation as "very complete" and potentially ending "very soon," while also warning that the U.S. would strike "twenty times harder" if Iran attempted to block oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and others, have emphasized destroying Iran's military capabilities and preventing nuclear weapon development, though Trump has suggested interest in influencing Iran's future leadership.
Casualties continue to mount. The Pentagon reports approximately 140 U.S. service members wounded in the first 10 days, alongside confirmed losses among allied forces and civilians in targeted countries. Iran has vowed to sustain its "most intense offensive operations" against U.S. bases and allies, showing no immediate signs of de-escalation.
As the war enters its second week, international calls for restraint have intensified, with the United Nations and other bodies urging diplomacy amid fears that the conflict could draw in even more nations or trigger broader disruptions to global stability and energy security. The front lines stretch from Tehran to distant capitals, and the economic fallout shows no sign of abating.
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