U.S.-Iran Conflict Escalates Amid War Crime Allegations and Continued Strikes

The conflict between the United States and Iran has intensified as it enters its second month, with President Donald Trump announcing on April 2 that Operations 'Epic Fury' and 'Rising Lion' will likely continue for another two to three weeks. These operations are targeting Iran’s naval and air forces, missile sites, and nuclear infrastructure. However, the campaign faces mounting international scrutiny following reports of significant civilian casualties, including a February 28 strike on a girls' school that killed 175 people. Over 100 international law experts have signed a statement accusing the U.S. of potential war crimes, citing damage to non-military targets such as health facilities and residential homes. On the diplomatic front, the UN Security Council remains deeply polarized. During an April 3 session, Russian and Chinese representatives demanded an immediate cessation of U.S.-Israeli military actions, with Russia’s Vassily Nebenzia warning of a broader regional conflagration. The U.S. has maintained its position, defending its Gulf allies and rejecting resolutions that would restrict its use of force. Meanwhile, Iran has retaliated with fresh missile strikes against Israel, and reports indicate that Iranian defense capabilities—aided by Russian ties and commercial satellite data—have successfully challenged U.S.-Israeli air defenses, including the loss of a Boeing E-3G Sentry. The humanitarian crisis continues to expand, with millions displaced across Iran and Lebanon. Concerns are growing over President Trump’s rhetoric regarding civilian infrastructure, including threats to power and desalination plants. Energy markets have mirrored this volatility; while markets were closed for Good Friday on April 3, oil prices surged earlier in the week following the President's speech, even as U.S. domestic inventories showed a rise in Midwest and Gulf Coast stocks.