Timeline
March 9, 2026 — March 18, 2026
Business
Timeline: How the U.S.-Israel War with Iran Unfolded Over Three Weeks
In late February 2026, the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, triggering a multi-week conflict that roiled global markets, disrupted oil supplies, and led to a leadership transition in Tehran. This timeline tracks the key developments from the initial attacks through three weeks of fighting, market volatility, and diplomatic uncertainty.
12 events · 9 days · 19 source articles
Sat, Feb 28, 2026
Major
U.S. and Israel Launch Military Strikes Against Iran
The United States and Israel initiated coordinated attacks on Iran, marking the beginning of open military conflict. The strikes targeted military bases, government buildings, oil and water installations, hotels, and at least one school. Iran immediately began retaliatory attacks against Israel, U.S. military assets in the Middle East, and Arab neighbors.
Sun, Mar 1, 2026
Major
Death of Iran's Supreme Leader Triggers Leadership Crisis
Iran's previous supreme leader died, creating a critical succession moment during the early days of the war. This leadership vacuum added uncertainty to the conflict's trajectory as the Assembly of Experts moved to select a successor amid ongoing military operations.
Mon, Mar 9, 2026
Major
Hard-liner Mojtaba Khamenei Named Iran's New Supreme Leader
Iran chose Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of the late supreme leader, as only the third supreme leader in the nation's history. The selection of the hard-line cleric with close ties to the Revolutionary Guard signaled Iran was digging in for continued conflict, ten days into the war.
Mon, Mar 9, 2026
Major
Oil Prices Surge to Highest Level Since 2022
Global oil markets reacted sharply to Iran's leadership change, with prices briefly shooting to their highest level since 2022. The war had choked off major supplies of oil and gas to world markets, raising concerns about long-term energy disruptions and potential economic stagflation.
Mon, Mar 9, 2026
Major
Trump Suggests War Could Be 'Short-Term Excursion'
President Donald Trump told lawmakers at his golf club near Miami that the U.S. took 'a little excursion' to the Middle East 'to get rid of some evil' and predicted it would be short-lived. However, he left open the possibility of escalation if global oil supplies were disrupted.
Mon, Mar 9, 2026
Moderate
Markets Rally as Oil Prices Fall on De-escalation Hopes
After initially surging, oil prices later fell and U.S. stocks closed higher on Monday amid hope that the war may not last long. World leaders discussed options for resolution, and investor sentiment improved following Trump's optimistic comments about a quick end to hostilities.
Tue, Mar 10, 2026
Moderate
G7 Finance Ministers Pledge Emergency Oil Reserves
G7 finance ministers signaled they were prepared to release emergency crude supplies to stabilize volatile markets. This intervention helped push benchmark Brent Crude down to around $90 a barrel, triggering a relief rally across global equities.
Tue, Mar 10, 2026
Moderate
Wall Street Calms as Markets Wait for Next Signal
U.S. stock markets showed more modest moves on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 adding 0.1% in morning trading. Oil market movements also became less volatile as Wall Street waited for the next signal on when the war with Iran might end. Brent crude settled at $90.75, down 8.3% from the previous day.
Mon, Mar 16, 2026
Moderate
Japan's Nikkei Falls Third Day on Stagflation Concerns
Japan's Nikkei share average slid for a third straight day as the Middle East crisis threatened longer-term economic damage through higher energy prices and a weaker yen. The Nikkei had fallen more than 9% since the start of the strikes over two weeks earlier, as the conflict spread into neighboring countries and paralyzed petroleum shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
Mon, Mar 16, 2026
Moderate
Trump Urges International Help to Safeguard Shipping Routes
With petroleum shipments through the Strait of Hormuz paralyzed, President Trump urged other countries to help safeguard shipping routes. Japanese shares briefly turned up following the announcement, though Japan indicated it did not currently plan to dispatch naval vessels to escort ships.
Mon, Mar 16, 2026
Moderate
Major Banks Remain Bullish on U.S. Stocks Despite War
Strategists at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley indicated their investment case for U.S. stocks remained intact despite risks posed by the Iran war. The upbeat assessment from Wall Street's biggest banks suggested confidence that the conflict's market impact would be contained.
Wed, Mar 18, 2026
Moderate
Investors Grow Optimistic That Worst May Be Over
After a volatile stretch for U.S. equities, investors became more sanguine about the stock market as the fighting entered its third week. Signs emerged that the worst market impacts may be over, with Wall Street gradually wrapping its arms around the ongoing conflict.
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