US, Israel Launch 'Operation Epic Fury' in Iran

Watch on YouTube ↗  |  February 28, 2026 at 13:11  |  7:35  |  Bloomberg Markets
Speakers

Summary

  • The US and Israel have launched a joint military campaign named "Operation Epic Fury" targeting Iran, with President Trump explicitly calling for regime change and warning of a "longer war."
  • Unlike previous conflicts, Iran's retaliation was immediate, targeting US bases in Gulf nations (Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi) rather than just Israel, significantly widening the conflict zone.
  • Israel (Tel Aviv) is currently under siren alerts with approximately 40 missiles confirmed landed; the US is facing political friction with a War Powers Resolution vote imminent in Congress.
Trade Ideas
Joumanna Bercetche Middle East Correspondent (Dubai)
Iran "fired back at U.S. bases dotted around the Gulf... Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi." The conflict has spilled over from a bilateral Israel-Iran spat to a regional war involving major energy exporters (Gulf states). Attacks on infrastructure in Qatar (LNG) and UAE/Kuwait (Oil) threaten immediate global energy supply chains. Long Energy and Oil Futures due to supply disruption risk in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf infrastructure. De-escalation or evidence that energy infrastructure was missed/spared by the attacks.
XLE WTI
Joumanna Bercetche Middle East Correspondent (Dubai)
"This was never going to be a just US Iran war. There was always going to be the risk of a broader regional involvement. And we're very much in the middle of that right now." The confirmation of a "broader regional involvement" triggers a classic "Flight to Safety." When geopolitical uncertainty spikes, capital flees risk assets and moves into Gold, US Treasuries, and the US Dollar. Long Safe Haven assets to hedge against broader market volatility. If the conflict is contained quickly, risk-on sentiment will return, causing safe havens to sell off.
GLD TLT UUP
The President is "preparing the United States for a longer war" and explicitly "calling for regime change." The correspondent notes this is a "major military operation." A shift from surgical strikes to a "longer war" aimed at regime change implies a sustained, high-volume expenditure of munitions and military hardware. This guarantees long-term government contracts for defense primes. Long Defense Prime Contractors as the conflict duration expands. A swift diplomatic resolution or Congress passing the War Powers Resolution to limit military action.
ITA RTX NOC GD LMT
Ethan Middle East Correspondent (Tel Aviv)
"Sirens going off here in Tel Aviv... they have only about 40 missiles that have landed here... It's going to get rough." The confirmation of missiles landing in Tel Aviv (the economic hub) and the expectation that it will "get rough" implies significant economic disruption, business closures, and potential capital flight from Israeli equities. Short Israeli Equities via ETF due to direct kinetic risk to the domestic economy. Iron Dome success rate improves significantly or US intervention neutralizes the threat quickly.
EIS
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This Bloomberg Markets video, published February 28, 2026, features Joumanna Bercetche, Ethan discussing XLE, WTI, GLD, TLT, UUP, ITA, RTX, NOC, GD, LMT, EIS. 4 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.

Speakers: Joumanna Bercetche, Ethan  · Tickers: XLE, WTI, GLD, TLT, UUP, ITA, RTX, NOC, GD, LMT, EIS