US Strikes Hit 1,250 Iran Targets
The US and Israel have hit over 1,250 targets across Iran since Saturday, including strikes on the Natanz nuclear site and explosions in Tehran and Jask port that ignited 100 fishing boats. Iran's security chief Ali Larijani declared readiness for a "long war" while crowds chanted for revenge amid 3 US troop casualties. Saudi Arabia raised military readiness and China voiced support for Iran as the conflict escalates beyond the previous 12-Day War scope.
The Natanz nuclear facility, a primary target, is Iran's main uranium enrichment site and has been a point of international concern for decades. It includes underground facilities built to protect against aerial attacks and has been used to enrich uranium to 60% purity, close to weapons-grade. The site has been subject to previous sabotage, including explosions and the Stuxnet virus. The recent escalation surpasses the "12-Day War" in June 2025, which began with a surprise Israeli bombing of Iranian military and nuclear sites. That conflict saw Iran retaliate with over 550 ballistic missiles and more than 1,000 suicide drones before a US-brokered ceasefire. The current strikes represent a significant widening of direct military engagement between the nations. Iran's security chief, Ali Larijani, is a powerful figure within the regime, a former Revolutionary Guard commander, and a trusted advisor to the late Supreme Leader. He has previously overseen internal security, played a key role in nuclear negotiations, and was instrumental in negotiating a 25-year strategic cooperation agreement with China. His declaration suggests a shift to a more aggressive and long-term conflict posture. The conflict's roots trace back through decades of proxy wars, the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and the 1953 CIA-backed coup. Formal diplomatic relations between the US and Iran have been severed since 1980. This long history of mistrust is punctuated by events like the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing and the 2020 killing of General Qassem Soleimani. China's support for Iran is underpinned by a 25-year strategic agreement worth a potential $400 billion, giving Beijing access to Iranian oil in exchange for economic investment. This economic lifeline has become more critical to Iran amid international sanctions. In 2025, China purchased over 80% of Iran's shipped oil. Saudi Arabia's move to raise its military readiness comes after a series of recent attacks by Iran targeting its territory. The Kingdom, a major oil exporter with critical infrastructure along its Gulf coast, has previously seen its facilities targeted by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The current heightened alert signals deep concern over the widening regional conflict.
