US & Israel Launch Major Strikes on Iran
The U.S. and Israel have launched a large-scale military operation against Iran, with explosions reported near Tehran. Israel called it a "preemptive strike," while President Trump addressed the U.S. saying forces are engaged in "major combat operations" and calling for regime change. Experts warn the situation could spiral into a broader war, as energy prices are already rising on fears of disruption.
The recent strikes follow warnings from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it could no longer provide assurance that Iran's nuclear program is exclusively peaceful. Prior to the military action, the IAEA estimated Iran possessed 440.9 kg of uranium enriched up to 60% purity, a quantity that, if further enriched, could be sufficient for multiple nuclear bombs. An Israeli military official stated the timing of the offensive was influenced by intelligence indicating an acceleration of Iran's ballistic missile program. Iran possesses the largest and most diverse missile arsenal in the Middle East, with some capable of reaching Israel and parts of southeastern Europe. This is not the first instance of Israel targeting a Middle Eastern nation's nuclear capabilities. In 1981, the Israeli Air Force destroyed the Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq to prevent Saddam Hussein's regime from acquiring nuclear weapons. A similar strike was conducted against a suspected Syrian nuclear facility in 2007. The economic stakes of a wider conflict are immense, as approximately 20% of the world's total daily oil consumption passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Oman and Iran. A closure of this critical chokepoint could cause Brent crude oil prices to surge to $130 per barrel. International reaction to the strikes has been swift, with Russia condemning the attack as a "pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression." French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, stating the "escalation is dangerous for everyone." The European Union has called for "maximum restraint," emphasizing the critical importance of ensuring nuclear safety. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign ministry condemned the strikes as a "gross violation of Iran's territorial integrity and national sovereignty," particularly as they occurred during a diplomatic process with the U.S. The United States has a history of military interventions in the Middle East, including the invasions of Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003 as part of the "war on terror." Iran's military doctrine is rooted in deterrence, utilizing its missile and drone capabilities to compensate for a weaker air force. It has supplied drone and missile technology to allied groups in the region, including Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen.
