What the Iran war means for the Middle East — and the world

In February 2026, the United States and Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran, killing former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and triggering a wider conflict that now involves most of the Middle East. Missile strikes have killed hundreds of civilians across the region. The crisis has also caused severe economic disruption, with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz driving up consumer prices globally. Governments around the world, including Australia, are now grappling with navigating one of the region's most destructive conflicts in years — and how its effects could reverberate across the Indo-Pacific.What does this mean for the Iranian people?What are the key US objectives and how may this end?What are the implications for Australia and the Indo-Pacific?To answer these questions, USSC hosted a panel discussion with CEO Dr Michael Green, Founding Director of Australian United Solidarity for Iran Dr Rana Dadpour, and Barrister and member of the National Assembly of Iranian Jurists Faraz Maghami, in conversation with USSC Director of Research Jared Mondschein.