Democracy Now! 2026-03-02 Monday - democracy-now Recap

Podcast: democracy-now

Published: 2026-03-02

Duration: 59 minutes

Guests: Golnar Nikpur, Beiruz Gamari Tabrizi, Ori Goldberg, Reid Brody

Summary

Amid escalating tensions, the U.S. and Israel launched a controversial military offensive against Iran, drawing widespread condemnation and sparking regional conflict. Experts warn this could lead to significant geopolitical instability and potential violations of international law.

What Happened

Operation Epic Fury marked the onset of a significant military offensive as the U.S. and Israel launched attacks against Iran. This aggressive move led to the assassination of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and over 550 deaths in Iran were reported by the Iranian Red Crescent Society. Iran swiftly retaliated by targeting Israel and U.S. allies across the Middle East, escalating the conflict further.

The conflict has seen Israel mobilizing 100,000 reservists and threatening to re-invade Lebanon, with airstrikes already resulting in at least 31 deaths in Lebanon. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called for peace, emphasizing the risks of igniting uncontrollable events in the volatile region. Meanwhile, Hezbollah has retaliated against Israel, violating a ceasefire agreement.

President Trump initiated the attacks without congressional approval, sparking accusations of violating both international law and the U.S. Constitution. War Crimes Prosecutor Reed Brody highlighted the breach of the UN Charter's prohibition on the use of force. Despite this, Trump has expressed intentions to pursue regime change in Iran.

The broader regional impact includes a surge in oil prices, now potentially exceeding $100 a barrel, and expanded missile strikes from Iran targeting multiple countries like Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. This strategy seems aimed at creating a regional conflict that could disrupt oil supplies and draw in European nations.

International reactions have been mixed, with Russia and China requesting an emergency UN Security Council meeting. The U.S. population is largely disapproving of the strikes, with a Reuters-Ipsos poll showing only 25% support. Protests have erupted worldwide, including in Pakistan where 24 deaths were reported due to U.S.-Israeli attacks.

Prominent voices, such as Iranian-American scholars and political analysts, warn that efforts for regime change in Iran might backfire. Beiruz Gamari Tabrizi criticized the war as serving American and Israeli interests rather than the Iranian people. Meanwhile, Israeli analyst Ori Goldberg discussed Israel's intent to maintain the ability to strike any target anytime.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canal and other international figures have condemned the U.S.-Israeli actions. France has deployed warships to the Red Sea as part of a European naval mission, and Iranian drone strikes on a British base in Cyprus highlight the widening scope of the conflict. The situation in Iranian prisons and the cutting of internet access in Iran add to the complexity of the humanitarian crisis.

Key Insights

• Operation Epic Fury, a joint U.S.-Israel military offensive, resulted in the assassination of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leading to over 550 deaths reported by the Iranian Red Crescent Society. This aggressive move has escalated tensions and prompted swift retaliation from Iran against Israel and U.S. allies.
• President Trump bypassed congressional approval to initiate the attacks on Iran, raising accusations of violating international law and the U.S. Constitution. War Crimes Prosecutor Reed Brody points to the breach of the UN Charter's prohibition on the use of force, yet Trump remains focused on regime change in Iran.
• The conflict's ripple effects have sent oil prices soaring, potentially exceeding $100 a barrel, as Iran's expanded missile strikes target countries like Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. This strategy seems designed to disrupt oil supplies and draw European nations into the conflict.
• International condemnation grows as Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canal and others criticize U.S.-Israeli actions, while France sends warships to the Red Sea as part of a European naval mission. Iranian drone strikes on a British base in Cyprus further illustrate the conflict's widening scope.

Key Questions Answered

What is Operation Epic Fury?

Operation Epic Fury is a large-scale military offensive launched by the U.S. and its allies, primarily targeting Iran following the assassination of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

How has Iran retaliated against the U.S. and Israel?

Iran has retaliated by launching missile strikes targeting Israel and U.S.-aligned countries in the Middle East, including Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

What international laws are potentially violated by the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran?

The attacks are considered a violation of the UN Charter, specifically Article 2, Section 4, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.