US & Israel launch strikes on Iran
The U.S. and Israel have launched coordinated military strikes against Iran under codenames like "Epic Fury" and "Roaring Lion," with explosions reported in Tehran. President Trump announced the start of "major combat operations" and called on the Iranian people to overthrow their government. Iran quickly retaliated with missile strikes toward Israel, dramatically escalating the risk of a wider regional war.
These strikes follow the collapse of nuclear negotiations which began in April 2025 after a letter from President Trump to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. A previous 12-day war was waged by the US and Israel against Iran eight months ago, which included airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025. The latest round of talks in Geneva, mediated by Oman, had reportedly seen Iran agree to zero uranium stockpiling before the attacks commenced. International inspectors found Iran non-compliant with its nuclear obligations in June 2025 for the first time in 20 years. By February 2026, Iran had increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity—a level considered to have no credible civilian justification—to an amount sufficient for multiple nuclear weapons if enriched further to 90%. President Trump has stated the strikes' objective is to ensure Iran can "never have a nuclear weapon." The attacks occur as Iran's government faces significant internal pressure. Massive nationwide anti-government protests, the largest since the 1979 revolution, began in late December 2025, fueled by a severe economic crisis. The government responded with violent repression that led to thousands of deaths. The U.S. and Israel share a deep military alliance, with Israel designated a "Major Non-NATO Ally." The U.S. provides Israel with $3.3 billion in military financing annually, plus $500 million for cooperative missile defense programs, under a 10-year agreement. A U.S. official indicated the current joint campaign against Iran is planned as a "multiday operation." Explosions have been reported in multiple Iranian cities beyond the capital, including Isfahan, Qom, and Kermanshah. In retaliation, Iran has launched missiles at Israel and targeted U.S. military installations in the region. The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain announced its closure due to ongoing missile strikes targeting the country, which hosts the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters. Iran's military, the largest in the Middle East by active troops, relies on a strategy of deterrence through its substantial ballistic missile arsenal and asymmetric tactics, including the use of regional proxies. Lacking a modern air force, its naval forces are designed to threaten shipping in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. International reaction has been swift, with French President Emmanuel Macron warning of "grave consequences for international peace and security." Russia criticized the U.S. and Israel for embarking on a "dangerously irresponsible attack." A wider conflict risks severe economic disruption for neighboring countries and could impact global trade and energy markets.
