The United States and Israel have initiated aggressive actions against Iran based on unfounded claims. The world now treads into new, unanticipated territory. The long-feared event, the repercussions of which could send shock-waves throughout the Middle East, finally took place in the wee hours of June 22. American stealth bombers, carrying heavy-duty bunker busters, targeted Iran’s nuclear plants, leading us into mysterious and uncertain areas.
The action was the culmination of situations many had anticipated—a conflict sparked by Israel and leading to the US’s involvement. The gradual escalation of regional conflict over the past years, from the Gaza crisis backed by the US to Israel’s strikes on various neighboring nations, has trampled over previously recognized laws of war, boundaries and rational discourses that had been safeguarding the region from absolute destruction.
The likelihood of a hefty US offensive on Iranian soil, especially after the US’s clear act of deception during supposed nuclear discussions, should have been considered unavoidable. Iran does not possess a nuclear armament program. It was engaged in talks with the US and Israel when the two nations instigated this confrontation.
However, following the US’s attack, the country’s ability to manipulate reality was fully exhibited. When the national intelligence director concurred with the intelligence community’s assessments, the president dismissed those findings, stating that he ‘didn’t care.’ He then hypocritically suggested, even after launching an unauthorized attack on another nation, that ‘NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!’
Iran was expected to relinquish its lawful, internationally recognized rights to uranium enrichment, with no sanctions relief offered through these so-called ‘negotiations.’ Iran rejected this demand. Post bombings and assaults, Iran was once again put in a position to surrender. Yet again, it denied.
The country’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has noted Iran’s right to a ‘legitimate response in self-defense.’ Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has relocated to a covert site to evade potential strikes, is yet to share his thoughts but is expected to stand firm. Despite this, the Iranian leadership’s unanimous agreement on the nation’s right to react to such assaults doesn’t offer a clear path forward, leaving the nation on ambiguous grounds.
The situation in Iran is undeniably challenging. The announcement of retaliation after losing four of their soldiers might come across more as an instinctual response than a commitment. The potential outcomes of such large-scale engagement are much more significant in this context.
There have been a significant number of casualties among Iranians, and violent exchanges between Israel and Iran persist. Iran’s nuclear plants in Fordow and Natanz have been heavily damaged, although not entirely ‘annihilated’ as initially claimed by the president.
The country now faces the daunting task of confronting two powerful nuclear-armed nations without possessing nuclear capabilities itself. Entering a prolonged conflict with the US presents a considerable risk. Regardless of the coming developments, the landscape has irreversibly changed.