Can Operation Epic Fury Transform the Middle East for the Better?

The Iranian regime is in free fall, with the leadership devastated by targeted strikes and different security forces appearing to act without coordination. American and Israeli forces have dominated Iran’s airspace and decimated large parts of its missile program. Operation Epic Fury is moving at a rapid pace with surprisingly few casualties, as the Islamic Republic has desperately lashed out at its regional neighbors, almost indiscriminately. Tanker traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has mostly halted due to insurance issues, but the Trump administration is pursuing sovereign guarantees and U.S. Navy protection to restore the flow of oil.

On March 5, 2026, Center for the National Interest Senior Fellows Greg Priddy and Joshua Yaphe discussed the implications for Iran and the rest of the Middle East.

The current operations are likely to have long-lasting ramifications for Israel’s relationships with its neighbors, the future of Hizballah in Lebanon, security cooperation in the Gulf, the roles of China and Russia in the region, and the global economy. The discussion will weigh the potential for a true transformation of the region and ask to what extent these events represent a seismic shift.

Both Priddy and Yaphe are regular contributors to The National Interest website. Priddy’s most recent piece is “Why Another Iran Strike Would Not Serve U.S. Interests” and Yaphe’s is “How the Iran Strikes May Help Disarm Hezbollah.”

Jacob Heilbrunn, Editor of The National Interest, moderated the discussion.