U.S. & Israel Launch Strikes on Iran
The U.S. and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against Iran overnight in an operation dubbed "Epic Fury," with explosions reported in Tehran. President Trump called for Iranians to "take back their country," framing the attack as a response to missile threats — a claim U.S. intelligence sources say isn't backed by evidence. The escalation immediately hit global markets, with oil prices surging on fears of a wider conflict.
This recent escalation follows decades of fraught history between the nations. U.S. sanctions against Iran began after the 1979 embassy seizure, freezing billions in assets. They have since been expanded multiple times in response to Iran's nuclear program, support for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, and human rights abuses. The strikes also come after years of stalled nuclear diplomacy. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) limited Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. After the U.S. withdrew in 2018, Iran began violating the agreement's terms, and as of early 2023, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported the discovery of uranium particles enriched to 83.7%, nearing weapons-grade. Iran possesses the largest and most diverse ballistic missile arsenal in the Middle East, with many capable of reaching Israel and parts of Europe. Its arsenal includes the Shahab-3, with a range of about 1,300 kilometers, and the Ghadr-1, which can reach nearly 2,000 kilometers. Iran has also unveiled what it claims to be its first domestically-made hypersonic ballistic missile. The specter of a wider conflict has immediate economic consequences, largely due to the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz. Located between Oman and Iran, the strait is the world's most critical oil chokepoint, with 21 million barrels of oil passing through daily in 2022, representing about 21% of global consumption. International reaction to the strikes has been divided. Russia and Norway condemned the action, with Norway stating it is not in line with international law. The European Union described the situation as "perilous," while China has urged its citizens in the region to strengthen safety precautions. Meanwhile, several Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, reported being hit by Iranian retaliatory missile strikes. The attacks land amidst significant internal unrest within Iran. The country has faced waves of mass protests, initially sparked by economic hardship and expanding to include calls for regime change. The government has responded with widespread crackdowns, mass arrests, and internet blackouts.
