From Operation Epic Fury to oil at $110, a day-by-day look at the conflict that killed Iran’s leader, widened the warfront and rattled global energy markets
The world was shaken to its core as news of the death of Iran’s leader, General Qasem Soleimani, spread like wildfire. The tension between the United States and Iran had been brewing for months, but it finally reached a boiling point on January 3rd, 2020, when the US military carried out a targeted strike on Soleimani’s convoy at Baghdad International Airport. This operation, codenamed “Epic Fury”, marked the beginning of a series of events that would have a massive impact on not just the two countries involved, but the entire world.
Day 1 – January 3rd, 2020
The news of Soleimani’s death sent shockwaves across the globe. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed to take revenge on the US, calling for “severe retaliation”. The US, on the other hand, defended their actions, stating that Soleimani was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American soldiers and was planning further attacks. Oil prices immediately spiked as fears of a full-blown war between the two nations rose.
Day 2 – January 4th, 2020
Iran announced that they would no longer abide by the limits set by the 2015 nuclear deal and would resume their nuclear program at full capacity. The US responded by sending an additional 3,000 troops to the Middle East, causing further escalation of tensions. The global energy market was in turmoil as investors feared the impact of a potential conflict on oil supply.
Day 3 – January 5th, 2020
Millions of Iranians took to the streets to mourn the death of their beloved leader and to show their support for the government. The funeral procession for Soleimani was a powerful display of national unity and strength. However, the US continued to stand firm in their decision, with President Trump stating that he had acted to “stop a war, not to start one”.
Day 4 – January 6th, 2020
In a surprising move, Iran announced that they had launched a dozen ballistic missiles at two US military bases in Iraq. This marked the first direct attack on US forces by Iran in decades. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and Iran claimed that the strikes were a “proportionate response” to Soleimani’s killing. The world held its breath, waiting for the US to retaliate.
Day 5 – January 7th, 2020
President Trump addressed the nation, stating that no American lives were lost in the Iranian missile attack and that the US would not be responding with military action. However, he did announce new economic sanctions on Iran, further intensifying the economic pressure on the already struggling nation. The global energy market continued to be volatile, with oil prices reaching a 7-month high.
Day 6 – January 8th, 2020
In a tragic turn of events, a Ukrainian passenger plane crashed near Tehran, killing all 176 people on board. Iran initially denied any involvement, but later admitted that the plane was mistakenly shot down by their air defense system. The incident sparked widespread outrage and protests in Iran, with citizens demanding accountability from their government.
Day 7 – January 9th, 2020
Amidst the chaos and tension, a glimmer of hope emerged as Iran and the US both expressed a desire to de-escalate the situation. The US announced that they were open to negotiations, while Iran stated that they would be willing to return to the negotiating table if the US lifted its economic sanctions. The global energy market finally showed signs of stabilization, with oil prices dropping slightly.
Day 8 – January 10th, 2020
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation between the US and Iran. The majority of the members urged both sides to exercise restraint and find a peaceful resolution. Meanwhile, the Iranian government faced intense backlash from its people, who were demanding justice for the victims of the plane crash.
Day 9 – January 11th, 2020
In a major development, the US announced that they would be imposing additional economic sanctions on Iran, targeting their construction, manufacturing, and mining sectors. This move was met with strong condemnation
