Operation Epic Fury means new risks for markets
Thick plumes of smoke rise over the residential areas of the Iranian capital following airstrikes amid ongoing U.S.â”Israel attacks as multiple explosions are heard across the city in Tehran, Iran on March 01, 2026.
Fatemeh Bahrami/ | Anadolu | Getty Images
We hear it all the time on CNBC — markets hate uncertainty, and the events over the last 48 hours have changed the face of international politics in a way that will leave investors across the globe scrambling to understand the ramifications.
The coordinated strikes on Iran by U.S. and Israeli forces — Operation Epic Fury — have upended a global order in place since the end of World War II and triggered a new era of politics, not just in the Middle East, but between international allies and adversaries alike.
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Israel Defense Forces said they were retaliating against Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah for targeting Israeli civilians.
“In response to projectile fire toward northern Israel, the IDF is striking Hezbollah targets across Lebanon,” the IDF said in
“Hezbollah is operating on behalf of the Iranian regime, opening fire against the Israeli civilians, and bringing ruin to Lebanon. IDF troops have prepared for such a scenario as part of Operation ‘Roaring Lion’, and are prepared for an all-fronts scenario,” the statement read.
The IDF in 2024 killed Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah, who had led the Iran-backed militant group for more than three decades.
— Vinay Dwivedi