The recent operation sanctioned by President Trump, targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructures, has certainly raised a question or two about its inherent risk and any immediate benefits. However, one matter seems unequivocally clear: it has decimated the painstaking efforts to curb nuclear proliferation, inflicting irreparable damage beyond estimation.
It is necessary to lay out a quick background to put this in context. In 1939, the foundation for the understanding of nuclear fission energy was presented to the world by two physicists, Lise Meitner and Otto Frisch, through their groundbreaking paper. During the timeline of the World War II, my father, a physicist in his own right, was assigned to deliver a special type of radiation-resistant glass, produced by Corning Glass, to the Manhattan Project’s classified location in Oak Ridge, Tenn.
His involvement always gave the sense of obvious inevitability, suggesting the evident purpose of this glass – a component required in the development of nuclear weapons. This advent of nuclear power, even so necessary at the time, subsequently led to an urgent focus on containment and control of the proliferation of this deadly force.
With the cessation of the World War II, the United States and other nations embarked on the challenging journey to restrict the expansion of nuclear weaponry. This was evident when the sudden dissolution of the Soviet Union called for an urgent clampdown on nuclear resources, a mission that proved successful.
Notably, this mission was also taken up by Iran’s diplomatic corps, who displayed undeniable courage in their efforts leading to the 2015 agreement aimed at restricting Iran’s nuclear explorations. Yet, this landmark agreement did not suffice for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, resulting in the onset of a reshaped era.
Ever since the second World War, the world has focused on a collective approach to stall nuclear proliferation, largely believing in voluntary cooperation among nations. However, President Trump’s recent strike has reset the board, placing the United States in a perceived conflict against all nations aspiring for nuclear capability.
A paradigm shift is manifest in making nuclear nonproliferation a question of military might, rather than the traditional means of diplomacy and incentives. This approach threatens to yield catastrophic consequences, far beyond the capacity of our basic comprehension.
The decision to attack Iran’s nuclear installations signifies the United States committing itself to an action that was perhaps both vital and unavoidable. This is not just a conflict involving Israel, but stretches far more, implicating various global powers.
For a span of 45 long years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has reportedly been involved in targeting the United States. Instances of these hostilities can be traced back to the killing of American troops in Beirut, support provided to Iraqi insurgents, orchestrated cyber-attacks on U.S. infrastructure, and several assassination plots on American soil.
It is important to understand that this war did not originate with the recent Israeli missile strike. The roots lie much deeper, beginning decades back with Iran’s apparent anti-Western campaign. The recent attacks may be understood as an extension of the conflict currently shackling the geopolitical climate.