Why the war with Iran is, and isn’t, like Iraq

An Iranian flag is placed amids rubble and debris next to a destroyed residential building near Ferdowsi square in Tehran on March 3, 2026. The United States and Israel started striking Iran on February 28, killing Iran's supreme leader and top military leaders, and prompting authorities to retaliate with strikes on Israel and across the Gulf. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP)