Are the US and Iran heading towards a forever war?
News Source
β’Mon, 27 Jul 2026 18:40:34 +0000
π° What Happened
The US has bombed Iran's civilian infrastructure for 13 straight nights. Targets include bridges, airports, electrical plants, and a desalination plant. Iran has hit back by striking US allies in the Gulf. President Trump has threatened to increase the attacks even more. This raises the risk of a wider war that could pull in other countries. A new episode of Al Jazeera's UpFront program looks at whether the US and Iran are heading toward a forever war.
π The Backstory
The US and Iran have been enemies for decades. The tension started with the 1979 Iranian revolution and the US embassy hostage crisis. In recent years, the US pulled out of the nuclear deal with Iran and imposed harsh sanctions. Iran has built up its military power across the Middle East. It supports groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis. Experts worry that the current fighting could turn into a long, drawn-out conflict with no clear end, like the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
π― Why It Matters
A forever war between the US and Iran could affect oil prices, global security, and the safety of millions of people across the Middle East.
The US has bombed Iran's civilian infrastructure for 13 straight nights. Targets include bridges, airports, electrical plants, and a desalination plant. Iran has hit back by striking US allies in the Gulf. President Trump has threatened to increase the attacks even more. This raises the risk of a wider war that could pull in other countries. A new episode of Al Jazeera's UpFront program looks at whether the US and Iran are heading toward a forever war.
The US and Iran have been enemies for decades. The tension started with the 1979 Iranian revolution and the US embassy hostage crisis. In recent years, the US pulled out of the nuclear deal with Iran and imposed harsh sanctions. Iran has built up its military power across the Middle East. It supports groups like Hezbollah and the Houthis. Experts worry that the current fighting could turn into a long, drawn-out conflict with no clear end, like the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
A forever war between the US and Iran could affect oil prices, global security, and the safety of millions of people across the Middle East.