Direct confrontation between the US and Israel with Iran and the collapse of the leadership network leading to turbulence in global markets

Recent developments show that during the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, from the killing of potential leaders to the rise in oil prices and the closure of borders, regional tensions have turned into a widespread regional war with profound geopolitical and economic consequences.

Tensions between Iran and Israel, which have been simmering at various levels for years, have reached an unprecedented level with direct US intervention. According to new reports, in recent operations described as a response to regional threats, the US and Israel have carried out massive airstrikes against Iran's military and leadership structures, leading to the deaths of Ali Khamenei and a number of senior officials.

The operation, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury" by the Pentagon, has struck more than 1,000 targets in Iran, and initial casualties among American forces have also been reported.

US President Donald Trump announced: "Individuals who were identified as possible candidates for the future leadership of Iran were also killed in the initial attack."

According to international sources, Ali Khamenei was also killed in one of these attacks, an action that could completely transform the power structure of the Islamic Republic.

Analysts emphasize that this approach by the United States and Israel, rather than targeting Iran's military power, has sought to collapse the country's decision-making chain and political leadership.

Reports indicate that the US and Israel initially planned to carry out the attack about a week earlier, but postponed the plan due to intelligence and operational reasons.

The delay altered diplomatic and intelligence opportunities and reflects the complexity of decision-making between military and diplomatic options in the White House.

In response to Israeli and American attacks, Iran has launched a massive wave of missiles and drones against Persian Gulf countries, including Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain. Of course, the official publication of this claim has not yet been independently confirmed in the international media, but regional media have covered it.

These developments have also caused neighboring countries to close their borders with Iran; according to reports, Türkiye has closed all three of its border crossings with Iran.

Iranian parliamentarians have announced that in the current situation, neither the commander-in-chief, nor the chief of staff, nor the commander of the IRGC, nor the minister of defense are at the helm, indicating a structural vacuum in military and political command. This situation could lead to the formation of temporary structures and decision-making challenges.

At the same time, some representatives have said that Iran has conducted defensive operations in several countries in the region, despite the lack of formal structures, which could indicate the government's efforts to maintain an authoritarian image.

One of the most prominent effects of the conflict has been a significant increase in oil prices on global markets. An increase of about 8 percent in oil prices, the largest increase in more than eight months, shows that the energy market is facing disruptions in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz and the risk of blocking vital oil supply routes.

Economic analysts have warned that continued tensions could lead to a prolonged rise in energy prices, rising inflation and intensifying pressure on oil-importing economies.

While Trump has emphasized in various statements the continuation of operations and even the possibility of negotiations, Iranian officials (including the Secretary of the National Security Council) have emphasized that Iran will not negotiate with the United States. Previous indirect negotiations have also ended without a clear result.

This conflict between military and diplomatic approaches is one of the most important obstacles to ending the crisis and could make complex scenarios such as a brokered ceasefire, regional negotiations, or further escalation of tensions possible.

The current crisis has rapidly escalated from a regional conflict to an all-out war with global and economic implications. The assassinations of senior Iranian leaders, the closure of borders, a wave of missile attacks on neighboring countries, and the rise in oil prices demonstrate the complexity of geopolitics and its pervasive risks.

The outlook for this crisis remains uncertain, but what is clear is that current tensions could not be defused for months or years, carrying the risk of spreading the conflict to other regions.

These attacks will have consequences, including political and military consequences that weaken the leadership structure and make it difficult to establish a unified command. They will also increase the influence of non-state actors, such as armed groups in Lebanon and Yemen. In addition, there is a high probability of retaliation and the escalation of the next round of conflict.

The economic consequences of these attacks also cause oil market developments and a significant increase in energy prices, investor concerns about disruptions in energy exports and imports, as well as increased geopolitical risk for investment in the region.

The consequences of these attacks in the international community have also led to pressure for a ceasefire and negotiations from the European Union and Asian countries, and will also lead to different interpretations of the role of the United States in the balance of power in the Middle East.