U.S. and Israel Strike Iran
The U.S. and Israel launched coordinated military strikes on Iran overnight, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” with explosions reported in Tehran. Both governments called it a preemptive measure against an “extremely serious” threat, while President Trump publicly called for the Iranian people to “take over their government.” The move, covered live by outlets like the BBC, has caused oil prices to climb and stocks to fall on fears of a wider conflict.
The military alliance between the U.S. and Israel is built on decades of close cooperation, formalized by agreements like the 1981 Strategic Cooperation Agreement and Israel's designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally. The two countries regularly conduct large-scale joint military exercises, such as "Juniper Oak," which in 2023 involved roughly 6,400 U.S. troops, over 1,500 Israeli troops, and more than 140 aircraft. This strike follows the recent collapse of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva, where U.S. demands reportedly included the complete dismantling of Iran's Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear facilities. Iran, which has been enriching uranium to 60% purity—a short step from weapons-grade—was unwilling to ship its existing stockpile out of the country or agree to a permanent deal. The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency estimated Iran could produce enough material for a nuclear bomb in less than a week. The attack comes as Iran's government, under the authority of 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, faces intense domestic pressure. The nation has been rocked by widespread protests across all 31 provinces, driven by a severe economic crisis that has seen the currency collapse and food price inflation exceed 70%. The government's response has been a violent crackdown, with reports of thousands killed and over 20,000 arrested. Fears of a wider conflict center on the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most important oil chokepoint. An average of 21 million barrels of oil per day, equivalent to about 21% of global petroleum consumption, passes through the strait. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the waterway in response to military attacks, a move that could create substantial supply delays and cause a severe spike in world energy prices. Prior to the strikes, the Trump administration had steadily escalated its "maximum pressure" campaign. This included recent sanctions targeting more than 30 entities and vessels in Iran's "shadow fleet" used for illicit oil sales. President Trump also signed an executive order in 2026 imposing a 25% tariff on Iran's trading partners to further isolate the country economically.
