WASHINGTON D.C. / TEHRAN — As the joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran intensifies, top American officials are framing the offensive as a “defensive necessity” to preempt inevitable retaliatory strikes. While Washington claims strategic successes, the conflict has ignited a wave of violent protests across the Middle East and triggered urgent citizen evacuations.

Strategic Rationalization: A Difficult Choice

On March 2, U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson described the military operation as a “defensive campaign,” born out of a strategic dilemma faced by President Donald Trump. According to Johnson, intelligence reports indicated that Israel was determined to act against Iran independently. White House officials concluded that should Israel strike alone, U.S. personnel and assets in the region would inevitably become targets of Iranian retaliation regardless of Washington’s direct involvement.

This assessment was echoed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated that a preemptive strike was the only way to minimize heavy U.S. casualties. While Speaker Johnson suggested the campaign would be “limited in scope” and aimed at a quick resolution, President Trump offered a more sobering timeline, estimating the operation could last between four to five weeks, or potentially much longer.

Technical Might: Decimating Iran’s Infrastructure

The scale of the offensive, involving a massive concentration of firepower, has aimed at systematically dismantling Iran’s military capability. In the first 36 hours alone, the Israeli Air Force deployed a volume of ordnance equivalent to half of their entire 12-day conflict in June 2025.

Key technical highlights of the assault include:

• Stealth Dominance: The U.S. deployed B-2 Spirit stealth bombers from the mainland to strike hardened underground missile facilities with 900kg precision bombs.

• UAV Combat Debut: The “Lucas” drone, a cost-effective ($35,000/unit) one-way attack UAV inspired by Iranian designs, made its operational debut.

• Precision Munitions: Extensive use of Tomahawk cruise missiles, F-35 Lightning II stealth fighters, and F/A-18 Super Hornets were reported by CENTCOM to blind enemy radar and destroy command centers.

Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) claimed to have achieved air superiority over Tehran within 24 hours, shifting from long-range missile strikes to direct aerial bombardment of strategic targets within the capital.

A Region in Turmoil

The military success on the ground has been met with significant civilian and diplomatic unrest. Violent protests erupted in Pakistan, Iraq, and Greece. In Karachi, Pakistan, security forces opened fire on protesters who stormed the U.S. Consulate, resulting in at least 10 deaths and dozens of injuries. Similar clashes were reported in Baghdad’s Green Zone as supporters attempted to breach the U.S. Embassy.

Inside Iran, the atmosphere remains tense. Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Luong Ngoc reported chaotic traffic and internet outages in Tehran as authorities ordered evacuations from the capital to safer northern regions. The Vietnamese embassy successfully evacuated 19 staff members to a remote rural area 400km north of Tehran on February 26 to ensure their safety.

Domestic Dissent and International Condemnation

The strikes have faced sharp criticism from within the U.S. political establishment. Senator Mark Warner and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer dismissed the administration’s briefings as “unsatisfactory,” arguing there was no imminent threat directly targeting the United States prior to the escalation.

Internationally, China described the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader as a “serious violation of sovereignty,” while North Korea and Pakistan condemned the strikes as a breach of international law. As anti-war protests reach New York’s Times Square, the world remains on edge, watching whether this “defensive” campaign will achieve its limited goals or spiral into a broader regional catastrophe.