As the United States prepares for another Trump administration to assume power in 2024, the nation faces significant political shifts.

On Oct. 26, Israeli missiles struck military bases in three Iranian provinces. To further prevent Iraq and Syria from intercepting the attacks, Israel’s missiles also targeted their air defense systems. Four Iranian soldiers were killed in midst of the strikes.

Lebanese militant group Hezbollah recently announced the election of 71-year-old Naim Qassem — Hezbollah’s long-time deputy secretary general — as the group’s new chief leader last week.

US investigators are inspecting how a pair of highly classified intelligence documents leaked online. The two documents that surfaced on the messaging platform Telegram last Friday purportedly detail a US assessment of Israel's plans to strike Iran.

Speculation of attacks on Iranian oil supplies have caused global oil prices to spike. Fears of disrupted supply have led to sharp price fluctuations, raising concerns of a direct impact on supply and consumer prices.

Tensions between Israel and Iran finally reached a tipping point on Tuesday Oct. 1, when the latter initiated a missile attack into Israeli territory. There has only been one confirmed death and a handful of minor injuries reported.