U.S.-Israel Strikes On Iran
On February 28, 2026, the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran, significantly escalating regional tensions. In response, Iran retaliated with missiles and drones aimed at Israel and U.S. military bases across the Middle East, including in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. By Saturday evening, reports indicated that Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader since 1989, had been killed in the strikes.
While the war is still ongoing, below are a number of Crown Center publications and recorded conversations that can help shed light on this evolving situation.
- “Iran After the Protests” (video), with Nader Habibi, Hadi Kahalzadeh, and Naghmeh Sohrabi
- “The United States and Iran: Decades of Misunderstanding?” (video) with Vali Nasr and Barbara A. Leaf
- "What's Next for Iran, Israel, and the U.S.", with Hadi Kahalzadeh, Gary Samore, and Naghmeh Sohrabi
- "IRGC and Terrorism-Related Sanctions: Why They Fail, What They Achieve" by Maryam Alemzadeh
- "How Sanctions Work: Iran and the Impact of Economic Warfare," (video), with Narges Bajoghli, Vali Nasr, and Naghmeh Sohrabi
- "Iran’s Eastward Turn to Russia and China" with Nicole Grajewski, Nader Habibi, and Gary Samore
- Beyond Israel: The Challenges Ahead for Iran" with Dina Esfandiary and Hadi Kahalzadeh
- "Iran's Nuclear Threat in the Biden Era: Israel's Response Options" by Shai Feldman
- "How Close Is Iran to the Bomb? The Limits of Nuclear Breakout" by Gary Samore
- “Order and Disorder: The Politics of Seminaries in Iran" by Mohammad Ataie
You can find the full roster of Crown Center publications on Iran here: https://www.brandeis.