Syracuse Professor Warns of Domestic Impacts from Middle East Conflict

Escalating tensions between the U.S., Israel and Iran raise concerns over oil supplies, military vulnerabilities and economic consequences.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Dr. Osamah Khalil, a professor at Syracuse University, warned that the U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets alongside Israel have escalated tensions in the Middle East and raised concerns about potential retaliation against American forces, global oil supplies and the broader economy. Khalil said Iran could escalate the conflict if it perceives a regime change operation, and that the U.S. vessels and bases are highly vulnerable to Iranian drone attacks due to ammunition shortages from prior shipments to Ukraine and Israel.

Why it matters

The conflict in the Middle East has far-reaching implications for the U.S. domestic economy and national security. Disruptions to global oil supplies, vulnerabilities of U.S. military assets, and the potential for regional escalation all pose serious risks that could impact American citizens and businesses.

The details

The U.S. launched coordinated military strikes on Iranian targets alongside Israel, which Khalil said could prompt Iran to escalate the conflict if it perceives a regime change operation. The Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route, is under pressure, raising concerns about economic consequences for the U.S. and beyond. Khalil also noted that years of negotiations over Iran's nuclear program had shown signs of progress, but the U.S. walking away from potential solutions increased the risk of war.

  • The U.S. launched the coordinated military strikes on Iranian targets alongside Israel.
  • The conflict is already affecting global commerce, with the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route, under pressure.

The players

Dr. Osamah Khalil

A historian and professor of U.S. foreign relations and the modern Middle East at Syracuse University.

United States

Launched coordinated military strikes on Iranian targets alongside Israel.

Israel

Launched coordinated military strikes on Iranian targets alongside the United States.

Iran

Could escalate the conflict if it perceives a regime change operation.

Strait of Hormuz

A key oil shipping route that is under pressure, raising concerns about economic consequences.

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What they’re saying

“The Iranian regime is likely to fight to the bitter end if they feel this is a regime change operation.”

— Dr. Osamah Khalil, Professor of U.S. foreign relations and the modern Middle East (localsyr.com)

“The commercial tankers have halted… we could be looking at dire implications [for the] global economy, and there's another escalation beyond that that can be achieved.”

— Dr. Osamah Khalil, Professor of U.S. foreign relations and the modern Middle East (localsyr.com)

“They already had a date to strike, and it didn't matter if the Iranians had offered good concessions: the United States was going to hit.”

— Dr. Osamah Khalil, Professor of U.S. foreign relations and the modern Middle East (localsyr.com)

“The U.S. vessels and bases are highly vulnerable to Iranian drone attacks. There is an ammunition shortage because the U.S. has been sending a lot of ammunition to Ukraine for the Russian war, and funding Israel's anti-missile and anti-drone defense for the past two years.”

— Dr. Osamah Khalil, Professor of U.S. foreign relations and the modern Middle East (localsyr.com)

“This was completely avoidable. President Trump has decided to launch this war, and it was a war choice.”

— Dr. Osamah Khalil, Professor of U.S. foreign relations and the modern Middle East (localsyr.com)

What’s next

Khalil warned that the next 24 to 72 hours would be critical in determining the conflict's trajectory, with the potential for regional escalation involving Arab Gulf states and NATO allies.

The takeaway

The escalating tensions between the U.S., Israel and Iran pose significant risks to the American economy and national security, underscoring the need for diplomatic solutions to de-escalate the conflict and mitigate its domestic impacts.