Recently, while Kent School peacefully engaged in its usual routines, great turmoil upended the entire Middle East. The Iran War, whose cause dates back to the late 20th century, broke out on February 28 and continues now. As the conflict began, a salvo killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme religious leader of the Iranian regime. Retaliatory missiles and drones left thousands dead in Iran and Lebanon, and millions displaced.

The global economy also suffered from the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in fuel shortages. With increasingly expensive energy sources, the price of commodities, especially oil and plane tickets, spiked. People around the world felt this impact in their financial and social lives, from inflation to pricy products to social media platforms swarming with heartbreaking news of civilian victims. 

In history classes at Kent, students learn the roots of the Iran War. In the 1970s, Iranians had a revolution, where the Shah was overthrown by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The United States had facilitated the Shah, an act heavily denounced by the Ayatollah, who stressed the supremacy of the Islamic democracy. On the contrary, the United States emphasized its democratic ideals and the importance of spreading them around the world. The conflict between the Iranian and American ideologies laid the foundation for war.

According to the BBC, air fares increased by nearly 25%, as the Iran War drove oil prices up and forced flights to re-route. Jet fuel prices have also doubled, accounting for more expenses for airline companies. Apart from the increased prices, many flights have been canceled at the peak of the conflict, trapping travelers in countries including Dubai. Even now, after plane routes have been largely restored, people hesitate to purchase flights that pass over or layover in the Middle East.

Despite the ruthlessness of wartime, people, regardless of their nation’s stance, display compassion. Humanitarian aid and other forms of kindness serve as sources of comfort amid the missiles and drones, as they bring the world in the direction of inclusivity and peace.