As missiles were flying between the US, Israel, and Iran, the internet chose its favorite coping mechanism to deal with a crisis: memes.
Tensions flared in the Middle East after the US and Israel carried out waves of airstrikes across Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate with drone and missile attacks against US-aligned Gulf countries like Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.
While missile alerts became breaking news, memes entered the group chat and conveyed the internet’s anxiety over a possible WWIII.
Netizens resorted to dark humor to joke about the surging oil prices, the spiraling stock market, and the emotional burnout of living through yet another unprecedented moment in history.
Even the Strait of Hormuz, which is a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, got a lot of screen time this week.
The Strait is the main route through which shipments from oil-rich countries like Kuwait and Saudi Arabia reach the rest of the world.
Image credits: United States Department of Energy
“I just wanted to check the weather and now I'm learning about regional airspace closures. 2026 is a lot,” one commenter wrote online, while another quipped, “God: Do whatever you want, I’m done.”
“Living in ‘breaking news’ mode 24/7,” another said.
“Can we just have one year of 'unprecedented' peace? Just one?” one asked.
Scroll on to find some of the best memes that reflect the collective existential dread online.
#1 Millennials Chilling Watching Their 173rd Historical Event In Real Time Wondering If They Should Make Their Car Payment
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38points
#11 When Everyone Is Bombing Each Other But No One Invites You
19points
#14 Me Trying To Figure Out The Best Country To Move To In The Current Situation Of The World
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15points
#18 An AI-Generated Trump Turned The Global Crisis Into A Chorus
11points
#19 Me Seeing Ww3 Memes Knowing I’m Actually Old Enough To Get Drafted This Time
8points
#20 Me Trying To Figure Out If I Should Be Getting Ready For WWIII
8points