War

A war has broken out between Iran and, reportedly, the US and Israel, beginning in early March 2026. The conflict is impacting Iranian civilians, with reports of school attacks and damage to UNESCO-listed sites. A grieving Iranian mother addressed the UN Human Rights Council about children killed in a school attack. Many Iranians are considering fleeing the country. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil supply, is at the center of the conflict, with the US vowing to keep it open. Former US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta has expressed skepticism that military action can resolve the underlying issues. The war is also affecting global energy markets, causing price increases in electricity and gas. Separately, Ukrainian President Zelensky is seeking a leaders' meeting with Russia and the US to discuss a war settlement, though the connection to the Iran conflict is not explicitly stated in the provided articles.