What sparked the Iran–US–Israel conflict? Here are its triggers
The Middle East conflict has flared anew after rising tensions between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other. Military strikes in recent days have sparked global concern as they involve major powers and threaten to widen the conflict across the region. The situation has led many to question what exactly triggers the war.
According to Al Jazeera, the armed confrontation between the United States, Israel, and Iran has entered its seventh day since the large-scale military operation launched by the two sides. Air strikes and military operations continue with the main targets being various Iranian military facilities, air defences, and strategic infrastructure.
The Israeli military claims to have carried out thousands of air strikes against targets across Iran. They say they have destroyed a large portion of Iran’s air defence system and achieved near-complete air superiority in certain areas. In the conflict, thousands of targets have reportedly been hit, including military installations and missile launch sites.
On the other side, Iran has launched retaliatory strikes with ballistic missiles and drones against various locations, including targets in Israel and American military bases in the Middle East. Several Gulf states such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain have also reported missile or drone attacks linked to the conflict.
The impact of the war is not limited to Iran or Israel but has spread regionally. Middle Eastern countries are upgrading their air defences, while tens of thousands of foreign nationals have reportedly left the region amid rising security threats.
Main Triggers of the Iran–US–Israel War
Summarised from the Global Conflict Tracker of the Council on Foreign Relations, one of the main triggers of the conflict is the worry of the United States and Israel about Iran’s nuclear programme. Both sides consider the programme developments could potentially enable Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon in the future.
The Iranian nuclear programme has been ongoing for decades and has become a source of international tension. Iran states the programme is for energy and civilian research, but the United States and its allies view uranium enrichment activities as potentially leading toward a nuclear weapon.
Besides the nuclear issue, other factors that complicate relations include Iran’s geopolitical competition in the Middle East. Iran has long had a network of allies and groups supported by it in various countries, including Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. The United States and Israel see this support as a threat to regional stability.
Adapted from the House of Commons Library, the military operation that began in late February 2026 targeted a number of strategic Iranian facilities, including the nuclear programme, ballistic missile systems, and the country’s military structures. The United States and Israel have said the moves were aimed at preventing Iran from developing military capabilities considered a threat to regional security.
Additionally, the failure of diplomatic talks on curbing Iran’s nuclear programme earlier in 2026 is cited as a factor accelerating military escalation. Negotiations previously mediated by other countries did not yield a satisfactory agreement for both sides, raising tensions to the level of potential warfare.
The death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, following attacks by the US and Israel, adds a sharp twist to Iran’s relations with both. The