US-Israel Strike Iran Nuclear Sites
The US and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iranian military and nuclear sites, described as the largest single-day assault on Iranian soil since the Iran-Iraq War. Oil prices are spiking as markets brace for potential disruption to Strait of Hormuz shipping routes. Iran's response is expected to be multi-phased and inevitable.
The current operation, dubbed "Epic Fury," follows a tense recent history, including a significant escalation in June 2025 known as the "Twelve-Day War." During that conflict, Israel launched major air strikes against Iranian nuclear and military facilities, and the US later struck three nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, with about 21% of the world's daily petroleum liquids consumption passing through it. At its narrowest, the shipping lane is only two miles wide in each direction, making it highly vulnerable to disruption. Any closure could severely impact major Asian economies like China, India, Japan, and South Korea, which are the top destinations for crude oil transiting the strait. A complete shutdown of the strait would not only affect global markets but also Iran's own economic lifelines, as its oil exports are entirely sea-based. However, it would also halt exports from regional rivals, including Iraq (4.5 million barrels daily), Saudi Arabia (12+ million daily), and the UAE (3+ million daily). While some pipeline alternatives exist, they cannot fully compensate for the massive volume of maritime transit. Iran's military strategy has long focused on asymmetric capabilities to counter more technologically advanced adversaries. This includes a large arsenal of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones designed to overwhelm air defense systems by attacking in coordinated waves. Following the 2025 conflict, which depleted some of its missile stocks, Iran has reportedly been working to replenish its inventory. In response to previous attacks, Iran has targeted US military installations in the region, including bases in Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Bahrain. Iranian military doctrine includes the use of proxy forces, cyberattacks, and the mining of strategic waterways as potential retaliatory measures. The current strikes appear to be more extensive than the 2025 operation, with reports indicating hundreds of targets have been hit across Iran, including government ministries and the compound of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has reportedly been killed in the assault. US officials have framed the operation's goal as eliminating imminent threats and preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
