The US-Israel military campaign, codenamed Operation Epic Fury, against Iran has rapidly escalated, plunging the Middle East into further turmoil and triggering widespread political and economic repercussions globally. The conflict, now in its third week, has seen substantial casualties, a significant financial outlay, and a deepening constitutional crisis in the United States regarding presidential war powers.

In the US Senate, a measure aimed at curbing President Donald Trump’s authority to wage war against Iran without congressional authorization was blocked by a 53-47 vote, largely along party lines. Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticized the lack of clarity on Trump's goals and timeline, urging support for a debate on the war. Senator Rand Paul was the sole Republican to support the measure, while Senator John Fetterman was the only Democrat to vote against it. Senator Cory Booker, who led the resolution, emphasized that the Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war, vowing to reintroduce such measures. Republican Senator Tom Cotton, however, defended the Trump administration’s actions, asserting that Iran had been prepared to attack the US first, leaving no choice but a swift response.

The war's economic fallout has been severe and immediate. Iran has threatened a 'full-scale economic war' by ramping up missile attacks on oil and gas plants, particularly after an Israeli air strike on the South Pars gas field, shared with Qatar. This has led to the evacuation of facilities in neighboring Gulf countries and a surge in oil prices, with Brent crude reaching $114 a barrel and threats of it rising to $200. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas, remains largely closed, exacerbating the energy crisis. US allies, including European nations, have rebuffed Trump’s demands for help in reopening the strait. President Trump, in an effort to mitigate the economic impact, authorized foreign-flagged ships to transport fuel to the US by pausing the Jones Act and called on allies to secure the waterway, even musing about abandoning its security to other countries.

The Pentagon has requested an additional $200 billion for the war, following an initial expenditure of $11 billion in the first week. The Trump administration is considering deploying thousands more troops to the region, exploring options such as securing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz primarily with air and naval forces. More significantly, discussions have included sending US ground troops to Iran’s shoreline, Kharg Island (the hub for 90% of Iran's oil exports), or to secure Iran's highly enriched uranium stockpiles. While no decision on ground troops has been made, the White House stated that all options are being considered to achieve Operation Epic Fury's objectives: destroying Iran's ballistic missile capacity, annihilating its navy, neutralizing terrorist proxies, and preventing a nuclear weapon. US Central Command reported over 7,800 strikes and damage to more than 120 Iranian vessels since the conflict began on February 28.

Internal dissent within the Trump administration has surfaced, most notably with the resignation of Joe Kent, the National Counterterrorism Center Director and a top aide to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Kent resigned in protest, stating that he could not support the war, believing Iran posed no imminent threat and that the conflict was initiated due to pressure from Israel and its American lobby. He is now reportedly under FBI investigation for leaking classified information, an accusation White House officials countered by branding him an 'egomaniac' responsible for 'national security leaks.' Trump, while acknowledging Kent's past, dismissed his claims about Iran not being a threat. Gabbard, despite selling