War is always framed as necessary. Leaders always justify the cost of human life, and the 2026 Iran War is no different. Understanding the basics is crucial to preventing censorship and public misinformation.
I’m currently traveling abroad and have been in Vietnam for the past two weeks. It’s given me a unique perspective on being an American versus “the other side” on how current US-Iran tensions echo the previous conflict.
2026 Iran War Explained
The United States and Israel initiated conflict on February 28th, 2026, against Iran to assassinate Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, injured, or killed already. The United States has labeled the Iran War “Operation Epic Fury,” stating that the central purpose is to degrade Iran’s nuclear program.
The United States has been actively involved in the Middle East since 1949, when the Truman administration backed a military coup in Syria to dismantle the democratically elected government. Husni al-Za’im forced his way into the Syrian presidency and made numerous decisions to benefit his American supporters – like approving the Trans-Arabian Pipeline.
The Israel-Hamas War and the 12-Day War have diminished Iran and its allies, which is why the US and Israel determined that military action was optimal now versus diplomacy. Civilians have also been targeted during the current conflict, such as the strike against a girls’ school in Bandar Abbas. Trump stated that he plans for the United States to be an active participant in choosing Iran’s next leader, hoping to achieve similar results in Iran as previously in Venezuela.
Iran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes on US embassies and military bases in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan. They have also targeted infrastructure in the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for 20% of global oil shipping.
At the time of this publication, the United States and Israel report casualties:
- 15 US and Israeli soldiers killed
- 214 US and Israeli soldiers injured
- 19 US and Israeli civilians killed
- 3530 US and Israeli civilians injured
- 6000+ Iranian soldiers killed
- 15000 Iranian military personnel killed
- 350 Hezbollah fighters killed
- 65 PMF fighters killed
Iran reports casualties as:
- 1444+ Iranians killed and 19324 wounded, soldiers versus civilian status unknown
The Human Rights Activists in Iran, a non-profit non-governmental organization, reports the following:
- 1138 Iranian soldiers killed
- 1354 Iranian civilians killed
- 622 Iranians killed, military status unknown
It is confirmed that the United States attacked a girl’s elementary school in Minab due to the use of outdated targeting data, according to the New York Times. Iranian media reports 180 people died and another 95 were wounded, mostly consisting of young school children. The United Nations has already begun to characterize the strike as a potential war crime under the Rome Statute.
The Iranian Red Crescent Society has reported that 6668 civilian units have been targeted by US-Israeli strikes, including schools, residential homes, commercial buildings, medical centers, and humanitarian buildings associated with the Red Crescent.
UNESCO has stated concern regarding war damage to World Heritage Sites such as Golestan Palace, Azadi Sport Complex, Falak-ol-Aflak, Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Chehel Sotoun, Ali Qapu, the Shah Mosque, Jameh Mosque, and Teymouri Hall.
Why War Is Always Framed as Necessary
On its own, war is always unpopular to the general public. It kills our friends and family, uproots the economy, and destroys the environment for future generations. Even when we are not directly affected, people can see war’s long-lasting effects and the cost of human suffering.
Political leaders must frame war as necessary, defensive, temporary, or justified to rally public support. Since 2001, military action in the Middle East has been framed as all four. George W. Bush promised the Global War on Terrorism would be a “swift victory,” which wouldn’t be formally withdrawn until 2011 under Barack Obama. Three years later, Obama dispatched airstrikes that weren’t concluded until 2021.
Action against Iran has been framed as necessary to defend against its growing nuclear program and military power. It’s been promised to be quick and humane – as long as the US gets what it wants. None of this is true.
Regardless of whether it is framed as against terrorism or nuclear warfare, US involvement in the Middle East has always been obsessed with the oil trade. American corporations desperately want control over Iranian resources, prompting them to lobby political leaders into military action using taxpayer funds.
This isn’t isolated to the US and the Middle East, either. Always ask why a conflict is incited and who benefits.
While traveling in Japan, I learnt that the Japanese are taught their involvement in World War II is overwhelming because they wanted to rebuke American imperialism in Asia, but the reality is that Japanese leaders cared more about access to natural resources in China and Korea.
The United States declared the official reason for the Banana Wars and American intervention in Central America was to stabilize volatile local politics and protect the Panama Canal. Instead of resolving conflict, the United States intensified instability to promote the interests of private fruit corporations lobbying for the interventions.
Israel publicly states that the Palestine Genocide is self-defense against Hamas and Hezbollah. However, significant civilian casualties point to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict being centered on land sovereignty after the United Kingdom redrew territories.
The United States openly reported that the reason for initiating the Vietnam War was to “prevent the spread of communism” as South Vietnamese began to rebel against corrupt leadership under Ngô Đình Diệm. In reality, an American victory was more about private financial interests. The fall of capitalist South Vietnam meant the United States would have one less territory/ally in Asia.
Who Benefits from War? Following the Money and Power
Question who benefits and suffers in conflict. It’s easy to believe we are immune to propaganda since the United States is the “land of the free” with ingrained First Amendment freedoms. However, it is those freedoms that allow both the media and government to invent their own version of current events.
I’m not saying the First Amendment isn’t important. It is. But its existence isn’t enough when nearly all Americans lack media literacy and don’t genuinely question authority. Question leaders in power, both those aligned with your party and against it. Don’t blindly follow their promises.
For example, the majority of current media coverage on Iran is fearmongering and focuses on Iran’s potential nuclear danger – if they even have a viable nuclear program. They’re not talking about civilian losses, public support, or economic interests. Mainstream media outlets are funded by private sponsors and corporations, no matter how unbiased they promise to be.
And of course, American leadership is obsessed with Iran’s potential for danger, too. Trump is a notorious liar and has misrepresented reality in official statements during both terms – but he’s hardly the only president to publicly bend the truth for morality.
Media, Propaganda, and Misinformation
You must be a critical media consumer to actively prevent future atrocities. We live in the here and now, and you’re only able to move to action if you’re informed. Even decades later, propaganda will still teach future generations an “acceptable” version of history unless countered.
What Americans Aren’t Taught About War
I grew up under the American public education system. While our official state curriculum was liberal, our local area was rural and conservative, leading to wide discrepancies in teaching. This led to my biology teachers always giving disclaimers that they “didn’t believe” in our evolution units, or peers in my health class being told during class that queer people are all going to get HIV and go to Hell. The Civil War wasn’t about states’ rights to hold certain races as slaves; it was just about state versus federal rights.
We were taught a surprising lack of anything regarding Vietnam and the Vietnam War. We were informed about its controversy, how the youth activism rebelled against the draft, and led to the later hippie movement. It was always grouped with our segment on Tiananmen Square, focusing on counterculture and the importance of protest.
We were not taught the official reason the United States went to war with Vietnam, nor were we taught any underlying motives. There wasn’t a discussion on the mass amount of civilian casualties and the extent of war crimes carried out by the US military. We weren’t told about the use of chemical warfare, Agent Orange, and the generational deformities and health consequences of our actions. We weren’t even told that the United States lost the Vietnam War.
If Americans can be misinformed and taught modified history forty years afterwards, what are you doing to prevent misinformation now?
How to Take Action
Everyone can do something. Even if you lead a busy life or are unable to participate in larger action, movement can always be made. Here are some simple actions to take.
Stay Informed. Interrogate Your Education.
Education is lifelong. We are always living through history, so take active steps to be informed, regardless of financial or political bias. Don’t assume the version of history you were taught is perfect.
Don’t know where to start? Use this online tool to compare major media outlets for bias and reliability, or watch the following video for info on media literacy. And if you prefer reading, here are some book recommendations.
Challenge and Normalize Conversations.
When people around you make statements based on misinformation and myths, challenge them. You don’t have to win arguments – debating is unproductive since people dig in their heels when confronted. Plant seeds for them to consider later and slowly open to change.
Normalize these discussions. There is an assumption that these ideas have to happen in academic settings or underground clubs. Anyone can be an activist.
No matter how much boot licking they do, conservatives and leftists have more in common with each other than the rich and poor do. Get rid of the partisan language, and you’ll find most Americans want similar things.
Call Your Representatives.
It’s easy to be overwhelmed with life and too socially awkward to call elected officials. No matter your social skills, you’re entitled to be heard because your representatives work for you.
Emails, written letters, and petitions get dumped directly into the trash unread. Some officials are better than others at reading these, but they’re commonly disregarded unless they’re presented in a remarkable way.
Phone calls are hard to ignore. That’s why Republicans call representatives a LOT. On an average day, right-wingers call their elected officials four times compared to other demographics. When specific issues come up, like queer rights being included on an upcoming bill, that number skyrockets 11:1.
Unlike unread emails and letters, representatives have to listen to phone calls. Officials assign staff to listen to all callers every day and report on the top issues via a summary. When a topic gets enough attention, that representative will be pushed to take a stance based on the views of their callers – even if that view contradicts their party platform.
Phone numbers to all elected officials in Congress are publicly available. If you don’t know who represents you in Congress, usa.gov/elected-officials will give you current information based on your address to direct you.
Take the information there and insert it into house.gov and senate.gov to get the contact details of your officials. You will likely be sent to their personal website, which you will need to navigate to find their phone number – most ‘contact’ forms will try to force you to stop at an email, so look for something like ‘offices.’
When calling, make sure you have a script. It’s easy to stumble over your words, especially as you’re calling about issues that matter deeply to you. After enough practice, you’ll be able to call without a script – but there’s no rush. I have a practice script previously focused on DOGE, but it’s not hard to write one. Keep it simple.
Support Humanitarian Organizations.
If you’re unable to attend protests, financial support goes a long way to aid human rights. As mentioned previously, the United States and Israel are intentionally targeting civilian institutions crucial to communities, such as hospitals and schools. Israel did the same thing to Gaza last year. These organizations support regular civilians in Iran, regardless of partisan lines.
Refuse Apathy. Never Comply in Advance
Law does not decide morality. Something being legal does not make it okay. Fascism relies on obedience and thrives best when individuals obey in advance.
Most of the power of authoritarianism is freely given. In times like these, individuals think ahead about what a more repressive government will want, and then offer themselves without being asked. A citizen who adapts in this way is teaching power what it can do.
Refuse to Repeat History
Don’t allow yourself to view other human lives as less. Keep talking about others’ right to thrive, whether it’s Palestine, Vietnam, or Iran.