This airstrike campaign against Iranian targets has been ongoing for 12 days now, establishing itself as one of the most intense military operations in recent times. A US forces commander highlighted that the implementation of artificial intelligence has been crucial to operational success, enabling the military to identify and accurately target over 5,500 strategic objectives across the country.
The war, which erupted on February 28 with initial US and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory, has rapidly escalated to take on a regional dimension with serious consequences. In retaliation to the attacks, Iran launched an aggressive wave of offensives targeting the oil infrastructures of Gulf nations on Thursday, creating a climate of total uncertainty in the energy sector. Global supply security is in question, especially as maritime traffic has been virtually halted in the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
This geopolitical instability has had an immediate and severe impact on the global economy. The Brent crude oil barrel surpassed the $100 mark again on Thursday morning. Most concerning for international analysts is that this price surge occurs despite the unprecedented intervention of global powers, who just a day earlier had announced a historic release of their strategic reserves to try to stabilize the market.
In terms of domestic security, President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that he has domestic threats under control. According to the president, Iranian "sleeper cells" on US soil are under close surveillance amid concerns that Tehran may be attempting to activate them. Trump took the opportunity to harshly criticize former President Joe Biden, blaming his "stupid open borders policy" for allowing these individuals into the country. With artificial intelligence guiding the attacks and the global economy in turmoil, the conflict enters a phase of maximum tension.