On Feb. 28 the United States and Israel conducted military strikes on Iran ordered by the Trump administration. Students at Sacramento State expressed fear, concern and anger about the conflict.
The Trump administration and Iran previously tried to negotiate a deal around nuclear capabilities. Iran didn’t agree to end their enrichment of uranium. These ongoing interactions led to a claim from the Trump administration that there was indication of immediate threat that required action, that Iran would strike United States forces in the Middle East.
This kind of military force is only legal if authorized by United Nation security councils or if that immediate threat is true. Very shortly after they contradicted these claims when officials of the Trump administration said in briefings with congress that Iran was not actually planning to strike unless Israel acted first.
As a part of the initial airstrikes from Israel and the U.S., the supreme leader of Iran Ali Khamenei was killed. Iran has retaliated with drones and missiles targeting U.S. bases and international airports. Many airports, gas and oil facilities have been shut down. Neighboring states are facing threats, and as of March 6, over 1,000 deaths have been reported.
RELATED: Sac State political science experts analyze the US-Israeli conflict with Iran
Worry around lives lost, costs, leadership and what kind of future this could build are all top of mind for students. A senior economics major, Malachi Cox, stays up to date on the news and said that Feb. 28 was a difficult day to be informed.
“I woke up the morning of the U.S. bombing of Iran to a notification from the Wall Street Journal. I was saddened by the continued carnage of the U.S. government that leads to innocent lives ruined,” Cox said.
Cox said he believes there are more pressing worries than Congress’ bureaucracy.
“I’m concerned about additional deaths and escalating conflict in the area,” Cox said. “I think it’s shameful for those in government only to be upset that the president didn’t get permission.”
Information sourcing was a common note of concern among students. Some said they received their information through word of mouth by friends and family, as well as class conversations and mainstream media news, but the championing answer was social media.
R’kai Davis, a senior computer engineering major, and Skye Camacho, a senior health science major, said that Instagram and TikTok help keep them informed.
“It’s not always accurate, you’re not learning about it in depth, why this is happening, who’s involved, but it’s a good start to people getting informed,” Camacho said.
Davis agreed, explaining how when she gets news from social media it encourages beginning to think about certain issues.
“You see videos and maybe some people are inclined to actually do their own research.” Davis said.
As college students, they say they are constantly thinking about future careers and plans.
Chandler Miller, a junior biology major, echoes this sentiment as she says she is concerned about an unknown future for her and her friends. Her friend in the military may have to serve active duty.
“I was talking to my friend who goes to West Point, we were talking about our future plans, life after college, he doesn’t know if he’ll be able to do everything he wants to do,” Miller said.
Mara Vonnahme, a junior business major, Merle Weber, a freshman geography major and Charlotte Zeigermann, a freshman business major, are international students from different cities in Germany. They said they worry for their friends around the world, their own travel plans and desensitization to global conflict.
“My mom’s coworker has been stuck in Dubai, she went on a trip and was supposed to leave on Saturday but she’s still there. She said one of the hotels in Dubai burned down,” Vonnahme said.
Travel advisories have been instated, warning travellers that being in the Middle East right during these hostilities could pose “life-threatening risks.” U.S. citizens in the Middle East have been told to leave, yet the airport shutdowns may leave them without a plan. Weber says she has a friend in a similar situation, with airport shutdowns putting travel plans at risk and potential dangers threatening her peace of mind.
“I was kind of concerned about my friend’s safety because she was in Australia for a few months and she was supposed to fly back home [to Germany] and she had a layover in Dubai, she already packed her suitcase and drove to the airport but was sent away,” Weber said. “If she would’ve left a day earlier she could’ve been stuck in Dubai.”
Zeigermann has also felt the effects of the airport shutdowns. She shared her struggles in booking a flight home for the summer due to the changes in distribution of supplies affecting gas and travel costs.
“I was reading on NTV. That’s what I’m reading every day so I know what’s going on in the world,” Zeigermann said. “It’s getting more expensive because the gas is more expensive.”
Weber addressed how casual conversations can be around impactful conflicts and war. She said consuming so much news every day can be overwhelming and numbing.
“There’s so much going on in the world that it feels like as soon as you hear about something new you forget about other stuff,” Weber said. “There is so much happening you get desensitized.”
Joseph Kannathumadam, a junior political science major and member of Sac State College Democrats, shared the stress of the world events.
“Oh boy, here we go again,” Kannathumadam said, recalling his reaction to the U.S.’ actions in Iran.
Kannathumadam recognized the changes in economy and gas prices, but shared bigger concerns.
“My concerns are mainly centered around the unnecessary loss of life, especially civilian life in Iran and in surrounding countries,” Kannathumadam said. “On the first day of the bombings over a hundred children were killed in an airstrike. The effects on me and my fellow citizens will be relatively minimal compared to what is going on in Iran.”
Even with fear and restlessness, students have hope for peace.
“For my entire life, this country has been at war, and that is not an exaggeration,” Kannathumadam said. “I am tired of war and I hope we can somehow find peace.”