U.S. and Israel Launch Strikes on Iran

The operation follows President Trump's weeks-long ultimatum to Iran to accept a new nuclear deal and a violent crackdown on anti-government protests in January. The U.S. had been visibly amassing military power in the region, moving over a dozen naval ships and aircraft into the Middle East, the most significant buildup since the Iraq War. This is the second major strike on Iranian nuclear infrastructure in less than a year; President Trump previously ordered airstrikes on key nuclear facilities in June 2025. That 12-day conflict ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire after Iran retaliated for an Israeli strike by firing missiles at U.S. bases. The U.S. has named its mission "Operation Epic Fury," while Israel's complementary operation is dubbed "Operation Roaring Lion." The stated U.S. objectives include destroying Iran's missile production capabilities and its navy. Israeli officials said the strikes were a response to intelligence indicating an acceleration of Iran's ballistic missile program. The assault involves dozens of fighter jets, including U.S. F-22s and Israeli F-35s and F-15s. The strikes began in the morning, a tactical choice meant to preserve an element of surprise. In a video on Truth Social, President Trump urged Iran's military to lay down their arms and for civilians to "take over your government." Iran's foreign ministry condemned the attacks as a "gross violation of Iran's territorial integrity and national sovereignty," claiming both defense and civilian sites were hit. In retaliation, Iran has launched multiple rounds of missiles at Israel and targeted U.S. military bases across the region, with attacks reported in Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. International reaction has been swift, with French President Emmanuel Macron warning of "grave consequences" and calling for a halt to the escalation. Russia's foreign ministry condemned the strikes as a "pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression" and has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The European Union described the situation as "perilous." The attacks have caused widespread disruption to air travel throughout the Middle East, with several countries closing their airspace. Shrapnel from an Iranian missile killed one person in the United Arab Emirates, the first known fatality in the counterattack. This conflict follows the collapse of the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal, from which the U.S. withdrew during President Trump's first term. Subsequent efforts to revive the agreement stalled, and Iran has since ramped up uranium enrichment to levels close to weapons-grade.