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The expenses linked to any conflict—loss of life, financial resources, and security—are inevitable. These are visible in the excessive and large-scale U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran, which has been conducted without a defined goal or strategic aim. Although it’s still too soon to predict its outcome, initial indications of the war’s impact and repercussions are alarming.

The quantities of arms that the United States and Israel have deployed against Iranian targets have caused severe damage to Iran’s populace, its infrastructure, and natural resources. This condition is unlikely to improve in the near future. Consequently, Iran, which is already facing a declining economy and a population that is reform-oriented and restless, is expected to experience prolonged political instability accompanied by significant suppression.

Previously subjected to illegal attacks by the US and Israel, Iran did not turn to nearby Arab nations for assistance, but rather retaliated fiercely, damaging infrastructure and economic assets. Although the Arab Gulf states may bounce back, their delicate reconciliation with Iran has been broken and will not be quickly restored.

A disruption in the supply of oil and gas has occurred due to Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz and bombings of oil and gas facilities by both Israel and Iran on either side of the Gulf. The effects include a significant increase in fuel costs, a sharp drop in the stock market, and the loss of hundreds of billions of dollars from investments and pension funds. The economic consequences of the conflict will keep affecting the global economy.

In the meantime, the large quantities of weapons used during the conflict have led to reported shortages in the United States and Israel, with President Trump requesting Congress to authorize an extra $200 billion for the Department of Defense and a significant rise in military support for Israel. Similar to the situations in Ukraine and Gaza, the sole beneficiaries of this war seem to be American arms manufacturers.

The harm caused extends beyond that. The Lebanese Hizbollah overlooked the fact that Israel does not abide by the rules. They retaliated against Israel’s killing of Iran’s Ayatollah, a spiritual figure for numerous Shi’a Muslims, by launching a few shells over the border. Even though Israel has consistently violated its five-month-old ceasefire with Lebanon, it used Hizbollah’s shelling as a pretext to initiate a prolonged and excessive attack on Lebanon. Up to now, Israel has killed more than one thousand Lebanese, destroyed entire neighborhoods in Beirut, and forced almost a quarter of Lebanon’s population to leave their homes, worsening sectarian tensions within the country. Israeli forces seem to be getting ready for a long-term occupation of southern Lebanon—which is expected to perform no better than the previous attempt by Israel from the late 1970s until 2000.

In addition, Israel’s right-wing administration has taken advantage of the war to advance the annexation of the West Bank. Efforts have been sped up to relocate and demolish Palestinian settlements in the Jordan Valley in order to construct a ‘security barrier’. The frequency of attacks by settlers (with backing from Israeli soldiers) on Palestinian villages has sharply risen, currently averaging 10 per day. These military and unofficial operations have resulted in fatalities and injuries, land seizures, and the destruction of homes and assets (including orchards and livestock). Although Israel’s aim to fully control Palestine has gradually moved forward in recent years, the events of the past few weeks have made it nearly irreversible.

In the meantime, the genocide in Gaza persists. Although global focus might be elsewhere, nearly two million Palestinians in this ruined area continue to endure food shortages, inadequate housing, poor sanitation, and a lack of medical and other vital services. The lasting effects of this ‘hell on earth’ situation on Gaza’s children are beyond comprehension.

In the meantime, Israel’s Netanyahu is acting as if he is the ‘overlord of the Middle East’. We are hearing contradictory reports suggesting that the US is either trying to ‘reduce the conflict’ or sending ground forces to Iran to ‘complete the task’. Both claims are baseless. Regardless of Trump’s goals, it is a futile effort. This war will not be easily concluded. The harm caused to Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine will affect us for many years. As has happened before, Israel and the US will evaluate their actions in these nations and consider them ‘done’, only to discover that the severe consequences they caused and the displacement they created have led to a deep-seated resentment that will not fade away. Be cautious of the consequences.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).