On Feb. 28, 2026, the United States and Israel collaborated on a joint attack against Iran, sending multiple drones and missiles to Iranian officials as well as an elementary school, killing over 100 children, according to Iranian authorities. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and various other Iranian officials have been killed in the strikes, causing retaliation and potentially sparking an illegal war. Six U.S. service members have also been killed in the Iran conflict so far.
Congress is the only branch of government that is legally able to declare war, yet President Trump sent the missiles out without permission from this branch. The reasonings for the attack may differ depending on perspective. Initially, Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, suggested that the United States launched the strikes because of pressure from Israel, who was preparing their own attack. Rubio later withdrew his statement, clarifying that the strike was not forced by Israel, but was made by President Trump, who openly called for a regime change in Iran.
According to the Israeli Defense Minister Katz, the attacks on Saturday were a preemptive strike to “remove the threats against the state of Israel.” The United States has had a tense relationship with Iran since the Iran hostage crisis of 1979, where Iranian students detained more than 50 Americans after seizing the embassy. The Americans were held hostage for over 400 days, significantly changing the view Americans had on Iran. The alleged threat of Iran has been on President Trump’s radar dating back to 2025, when the United States Air Force and Navy attacked nuclear facilities in Iran during the Twelve-Day War between Iran and Israel.
Many Americans correlate Iran with negative connotations, suggesting a regime change would be successful. “I support that decision. Though I acknowledge Trump should have gone through congress, as I and many others have critiqued Trump on that in the previous months, especially regarding Venezuela. But I think this was the right decision, primarily due to the humanitarian factor,” David Assouline said, a second-year majoring in Communications and Media Studies.
There have been controversial ideas behind the legality of this attack. Because Congress did not approve of the missile strike, Congress discussed invoking a provision of the War Powers Resolution that would require President Trump to end any unauthorized use of force in Iran if the Senate and House of Representatives declare it. However as of March 5, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 219-212 against a resolution requiring Congress’ approval for further military action, signifying that congress will not halt the attacks on Iran. The U.S. also did not seek approval of the U.N. Security Council before using force, although it is necessary even as a means of defense.
Polls showed that as of March 1, 2026, 43 percent of Americans disapproved of the U.S strikes on Iran, with 56 percent believing that Trump was too willing to use military force, afraid of casualties. Americans are also worried about the rise of fuel prices in the country. 45 percent of poll respondents said they would be less likely to support the campaign against Iran if fuel prices increased. Students at the University had varying opinions on whether this war should be supported or not.
“I think it is such a stress on the people in the U.S. who are not politically aware, or aware of what’s going on in the military. There is so much going on in this country that’s beyond us as citizens, we should not be concerned about a war happening across the world that the president is starting. He’s doing things without the thought of the millions of people that cannot think about the prejudices he has…He’s kinda just pressing buttons he does not need to press,” said a University acting major who wished to remain anonymous.
Analysts are keeping a close eye on escalating effects around the world such as a global rise in fuel and food prices, high civilian deaths in the Middle East and tens of thousands of refugees being forced to flee their homes.
The ongoing situation between the U.S., Israel and Iran remains uncertain, while civilians and political figures continue to debate whether or not this attack was necessary, and what it might signify moving forward.
