Iran War: US-Israel Strikes Continue; Iran Cyber/Conditional De-escalation; Trump Focus Shifts to Cartels/Cuba

The US and Israel continue Operation Epic Fury, targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites. Iran has offered a conditional halt to strikes on neighboring countries if those countries are not used for attacks against Iran. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is signaling a potential shift in focus towards Latin America, threatening military action against drug cartels and potentially increasing pressure on Cuba. The conflict is impacting global energy markets, with oil prices climbing. The war is also a key issue in the US midterm primary elections, with voters focused on national security and the handling of the conflict. ## Latest Update President Trump is set to witness the return of bodies of U.S. service members killed in Iran, signaling a sharp escalation in the conflict. Trump has also unveiled a military-backed hemispheric crackdown to take down cartels, rallying a 17-nation coalition behind a new security pact authorizing direct military action, though the Mexican President was notably absent. ## Timeline * **2026-02-11:** CISA warns critical infrastructure operators about insecure edge devices after a cyberattack on Poland's energy grid. * **2026-03-02:** Hackers breach Iranian app BadeSaba to send anti-government messages. * **2026-03-02:** Analysts warn of Iran's increasing use of AI in cyberattacks. * **2026-03-02:** Reports indicate Iran's Chinese HQ-9B air defense system failed during US-Israeli strikes. * **2026-03-03:** US-Israeli strikes target Iranian missile, nuclear, and leadership sites. * **2026-03-03:** US midterm primary season begins, with the Iran war a key issue for voters. * **2026-03-03:** Questions arise about the legality of the latest US attack on Iran. * **2026-03-04:** Germany and the US have sticking points over Ukraine and tariffs amid the Iran war. * **2026-03-05:** World shares advance as oil prices climb due to the Iran war. * **2026-03-05:** Ecopetrol considers boosting oil output as the Iran crisis pushes up prices. * **2026-03-05:** Speculation arises about potential US focus on Cuba after Iran and Venezuela. * **2026-03-06:** Trump hints at a potential focus on Cuba after the Iran war. * **2026-03-06:** The US pressures Latin American leaders to reduce ties with China. * **2026-03-07:** The 'Make America Healthy Again' movement calls for withdrawal from the Iran conflict. * **2026-03-07:** The US has hit hundreds of targets in Iran since the launch of Operation Epic Fury. * **2026-03-07:** Israel continues strikes in Lebanon, and Iran vows resistance. * **2026-03-07:** Iran offers a conditional halt to strikes on neighboring nations. * **2026-03-07:** Trump threatens cartels and Cuba at a Latin American summit. * **2026-03-07:** Trump vows US military power toward eradicating cartels. * **2026-03-07:** Trump is set to witness the return of bodies of U.S. service members killed in Iran. * **2026-03-07:** Trump unveils a military-backed hemispheric crackdown to take down cartels. ## What to Watch * Escalation of conflict in the Middle East, including potential for wider regional involvement. * Potential for US military intervention in Latin America targeting cartels and/or Cuba. * Cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, potentially leveraging AI.