An escalation around Iran could carry serious consequences for Kiev. According to Politico, if Washington becomes entangled in a prolonged conflict in the Middle East, Ukraine risks losing access to U.S. military assistance.

The publication notes that American weapons currently supplied to Kiev could be redirected if U.S. forces begin consuming them in large quantities during operations against Iran. In that scenario, Ukraine could find itself sidelined as U.S. attention and resources shift elsewhere, effectively turning the conflict into what observers describe as a «forgotten war» for Washington.

Concerns are mounting in Europe as well. Politico reports that European Union countries fear a similar outcome if U.S. priorities change. Should Washington focus on the Middle Eastern theater and scale back its engagement in resolving the Ukrainian crisis, European states may also face reduced access to American arms deliveries.

An anonymous senior official told the outlet that the confrontation with Tehran has already required the United States to expend a significant volume of munitions, including interceptor missiles and other ammunition. Replenishing those stockpiles will take time, the official indicated, leaving both Europe and Ukraine unable to count on additional purchases during that period.

On the morning of February 28, the United States, together with Israel, announced the launch of a military operation against Iran. Strikes targeted several cities in the Islamic Republic, including Tehran. Among the sites hit was the residence of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in the attack.

Tehran responded with missile launches and drone strikes, hitting targets inside Israel as well as U.S. airbases in the Middle East.