Javed Akhtar Brands Trump, Netanyahu ‘Bullies’ as the US-Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates across West Asia

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Lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has reacted strongly to the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. In a sharp social media post, the Sholay writer described US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as ‘bullies’.

US-Israel Strikes on Iran Trigger Retaliation

Tensions rose after the United States and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iran on Saturday, 28 February 2026. Iran responded with attacks targeting Israel and a US military facility in Bahrain. Explosions were later reported from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, and parts of Kuwait, fuelling fears of a wider regional conflict.

Taking to X on 2 March 2026, Akhtar wrote, “I think this time Trump and Israel have over played their hand because if they are allowed to get away with this audacity and do an Iraq to Iran, China will lose her total credibility in the world. Netanyahu and Trump are like all the bullies have pushed others to the wall and ultimately left no choice to others but to react in a decisive manner.”

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Javed Akhtar Terms Trump and Netanyahu ‘Bullies’ in Sharp Post

His remarks come as the human and military toll continues to rise. Iran has vowed to avenge the killing of its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died in Israeli strikes during last week’s joint operation.

Iranian state media, citing the Red Crescent, said at least 201 people have been killed and more than 700 injured. Around 115 of those killed were in Minab, where a girls’ school was hit in the strikes.

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Rising Casualties and Missile Strikes Deepen Fears of Wider West Asia War

The US military confirmed that three American service members were killed and five others seriously injured during the attacks.

In a social media post, Trump warned Iran against further escalation. He said any strong response would be met with “a force that has never been seen before”.

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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for missile and drone strikes on an American naval base in Kuwait’s Abdullah Mubarak area. It said the attack destroyed infrastructure and caused heavy casualties among US personnel.

With air defense systems activated and explosions reported across several countries, global concern is growing over the risk of a broader war in West Asia.