Across the Atlantic Ocean, 7,000 miles away, a war has broken out between two of the world’s military powerhouses, the United States and Iran. 

The conflict began on February 28, 2026, when the US and Israeli military carried out over 900 strikes targeting Iranian missile sites, leadership, and military bases. 

These strikes resulted in the death of many Iranians, most notably Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

His death led to retaliation from Iran on military bases in US-allied Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Israel. 

The war has also resulted in the closure and attacks on the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway between Iran and Oman that transports over 20% of the world’s total oil consumption. 

While the conflict is an ocean away from the city of El Paso, the effects of the war are being felt by the Loretto community in everyday life. 

With more than one month into the war and no end in sight, the question remains: what will the war ultimately cost the people, and when will it finally end?

A brief overview 

Since the launch of “Operation Epic Fury,” attacks have escalated as talks of a ceasefire remain uncertain. 

The motive behind the US-Israeli strike on Iran, according to President Trump, was to destroy any capability of the country to build a nuclear weapon that could have potentially been a threat to both countries and alter the delicate balance of power in the Middle East between Israel and Iran.

Another motive was to replace the Iranian government under Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with a new one curated by President Trump. 

This effort ultimately failed: after the death of the supreme leader, Iran appointed his son, Mojtaba Khamenei, to lead the country against the United States. 

The war has since resulted in the deaths of 1,500 Iranian civilians and an estimated 15 US soldiers. 

The potential threat of drone strikes, nuclear bombs, and sleeper cells on major United States cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago has sent shockwaves of fear into the American people. 

In addition, due to the attacks on the Strait of Hormuz, gas prices in America have skyrocketed up by 34%, averaging at $3.98 per gallon. 

Effect on the Loretto community

With gas prices as high as they are now, Americans of all ages and in all regions are struggling to afford necessities and are feeling the impact of the war in their daily lives. 

At Loretto, many upperclassmen students need their cars to drive to school, extracurricular activities, and other important events they could not otherwise attend. 

To further grasp the severity of this situation, a Google form addressing the issue was sent to the student body, and it received a variety of responses. 

Reflecting on their recent gas expenses, one student’s response said, “My gas tank used to be $25, and as of today it was $40.” 

The Google form also asked students to write what concerns them about the US-Iran war, and if they agreed with President Trump’s decision to carry out the strike. 

The poll addressing agreement revealed that 100% of the total responders did not agree with the decision.  

Reflecting on their greatest concern with the conflict, one anonymous response said, “What concerns me the most is the abuse of executive power and the manipulation that Israel played in all this. This is their war, not ours, and we got dragged into it. There isn’t a plan; this was impulsive and unnecessary.”

Other concerns students expressed included perception of the American people as instigators, the effect on the economy, division within the country, and the effect of gas prices. 

A divided war and country

Although the president has stated that the war is already won, no successful ceasefire or improvements in gas prices have been made.

While President Trump has promised a two-week ceasefire, the threat of “wiping out a whole civilization” is very alarming, as the war has already resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1,500 Iranian civilians and an estimated 15 US soldiers. 

Just as President Trump did not warn US allies of his and Israel’s plan, the American people were thrown into a conflict many do not even agree with, as shown through the results of the Google form. 

As the war drags on with the endpoint unclear, its impact reaches beyond the borders and into the grounds of Iran and into the Loretto community, where everyday life is becoming difficult for students, reminding us that global conflicts impact us all.