The war between the United States (US) and Israel against Iran has\nbeen ongoing for nearly two months. This conflict has not only triggered\ncasualties and disruptions to global energy supplies but has also given\nrise to various terms frequently appearing in news coverage.<\/p>\n
This conflict has even shaken vital global routes such as the Strait\nof Hormuz, which has long served as the passage for around 20% of the\nworld\u2019s oil supply. Threats to close this route by the warring parties\nhave caused turmoil in the global energy market and sparked surges in\nenergy prices in various countries.<\/p>\n
Here are 10 important terms commonly used in this conflict, along\nwith their meanings, as quoted from Al Jazeera on Monday\n(20\/4\/2026).<\/p>\n
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow sea passage between Iran and Oman\nthat connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea. This route is one\nof the world\u2019s most crucial energy chokepoints because it carries around\n20% of global oil distribution every day.<\/p>\n
Since the conflict erupted, access to the strait has been restricted\nseveral times, even nearly closed, triggering fears of a global energy\ncrisis. Historically, the name \u201cHormuz\u201d is believed to be related to\n\u201cAhura Mazda\u201d, the supreme deity in Zoroastrianism, meaning \u201cThe Wise\nLord\u201d.<\/p>\n
The Shahed drone is a low-cost cruise munition from Iran, often\nreferred to as a \u201ckamikaze drone\u201d. This drone carries explosives and is\ndesigned to strike targets directly.<\/p>\n
Its main advantage is its cheap production cost and the ability to be\nlaunched in large numbers simultaneously. This tactic overwhelms enemy\nair defence systems, which must intercept multiple targets at once.<\/p>\n
The term Tomahawk originally refers to the traditional axe used by\nNative American peoples in North America. In the modern context,\nTomahawk is a high-precision cruise missile from the US capable of\nstriking targets from over 1,600 kilometres away in various weather\nconditions.<\/p>\n
This missile is known for its high accuracy and is often used in\nstrategic military operations. However, its use has also drawn\ncriticism.<\/p>\n
Human rights groups have accused one Tomahawk strike of hitting a\nschool in Iran and killing nearly 170 children at the start of the\nconflict.<\/p>\n
Minab is a city in Iran located near the Strait of Hormuz and known\nas a fertile agricultural region or \u201coasis\u201d. The city is famous for its\nabundant production of oranges and dates.<\/p>\n
The name \u201cMinab\u201d is believed to come from Persian, meaning \u201cblue\nwater\u201d or \u201cclear water\u201d, reflecting the richness of water resources in\nthe area.<\/p>\n
However, in this conflict, Minab has come under the spotlight after\ncivilian facilities in the region were reported to have been affected by\nmilitary strikes.<\/p>\n
Bab al-Mandeb, meaning \u201cGate of Tears\u201d, is a strategic strait\nconnecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. This route is the main\ntrade link between Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal.<\/p>\n
In this war, the Houthi group in Yemen, allied with Iran, has several\ntimes threatened to close this route. These threats have heightened\nconcerns over disruptions to global supply chains.<\/p>\n
\u201cEpic Fury\u201d is the codename for the joint US and Israel military\noperation against Iran, launched on 28 February. This name frequently\nappears in official White House statements.<\/p>\n
Etymologically, \u201cepic\u201d means a grand or heroic tale, while \u201cfury\u201d\nmeans anger or rage. Combined, the term reflects the large scale and\nhigh intensity of the military operation.<\/p>\n
This term is also used to build a narrative of strength and\nlegitimacy in public communications.<\/p>\n
Ayatollah is a high title in Shia Islam given to scholars with deep\nexpertise in Islamic law, theology, and religious sciences. The term\nmeans \u201cSign of God\u201d.<\/p>\n
In the Iranian context, Ayatollahs play important roles not only in\nreligious affairs but also in politics.<\/p>\n
Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was reported killed in\nthe conflict on 28 February and replaced by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei.\nThis situation represents a major development that has shaken Iran\u2019s\npower structure.<\/p>\n
Kharg Island is Iran\u2019s main oil export centre located in the Persian\nGulf. The island serves as the backbone of the country\u2019s energy\ndistribution to global markets.<\/p>\n
Due to its vital role, Kharg has become a strategic target in the\nconflict. In March, a massive US air operation struck more than 90\nmilitary points on the island, though it was reported to have avoided\nmajor energy infrastructure.<\/p>\n
The word \u201ckafir\u201d comes from Arabic, literally meaning \u201cone who covers\nthe truth\u201d. In many contexts, the term is translated as\n\u201cunbeliever\u201d.<\/p>\n
This term has come back into the spotlight after the US Secretary of\nDefence was seen with an Arabic tattoo that sparked public debate. In\nthe conflict, the term is often used in ideological narratives that\nreinforce polarisation between the warring parties.<\/p>\n
Khatam al-Anbiya is the name of the headquarters of Iran\u2019s Islamic\nRevolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Literally meaning \u201cSeal of the\nProphets\u201d, it refers to Prophet Muhammad as the final prophet in\nIslam.<\/p>\n
This name reflects the strong religious dimension in Iran\u2019s military\nstructure. The IRGC spokesperson, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, once drew public\nattention with harsh rhetoric against the US, including mimicking the\ncommunication style of US President Donald Trump.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/must-know-10-key-terms-behind-the-us-israel-war-vs-iran-1776729046", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }