Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the United States for "betraying diplomacy" and warned of "everlasting consequences" after U.S. forces joined Israel in airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear facilities at Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. President Donald Trump hailed the attacks as "very successful," claiming they crippled Iran's nuclear program, and cautioned Iran against retaliation, noting, "There are many targets left."
Key Developments
- Israeli Casualties: Israel's Magen David Adom reported 24 deaths and 1,213 injuries, including 16 in serious condition, from Iranian attacks since the conflict began 10 days ago. Iranian strikes have killed over 400 people.
- Tehran Protests: Thousands rallied in Tehran's Enghelab Square, waving national flags in defiance of the U.S. attacks, as state-imposed internet restrictions limited online reactions.
- Global Condemnation: Pakistan, which nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize just a day earlier, condemned the strikes as a violation of international law. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) denounced Israel's "aggression" and expressed concern over U.S. actions, calling for de-escalation.
- Hague Protest: An anti-NATO demonstration in The Hague, attended by 5,000 people, shifted focus to condemn the U.S. strikes, with banners demanding "No Iran War" and "Hands off Iran."
- UN Response: Iran urged the UN Security Council to hold an emergency session to condemn the U.S. "brutal military aggression" as a violation of the UN Charter. The International Atomic Energy Agency's Rafael Grossi said damage at Fordow remains unclear, with inspectors unable to access sites since June 13.
Analysis
- Israeli Euphoria: Meron Rapoport, an Israeli editor, described a "euphoric, almost biblical" sentiment in Israel, though fears persist due to Iranian retaliatory strikes damaging Tel Aviv and other areas.
- Iran's Options: Al Jazeera's Marwan Bishara advised Iran against opening a second front with the U.S., suggesting strategic restraint to avoid playing into Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's hands. Security expert Jean-Marc Rickli noted Iran's weakened position, with degraded missile capabilities and proxies, but warned a U.S. response to any escalation could be "much more violent."
- Trump-Netanyahu Dynamics: Despite a historically warm relationship, Trump and Netanyahu have had tense moments, notably when Trump criticized Netanyahu for congratulating Joe Biden in 2020. Trump praised their "teamwork" in the strikes, claiming they erased a "horrible threat" to Israel.
Military Details
The U.S. strikes involved "massive military coordination," including 14 bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles. Initial claims by Trump of "complete obliteration" were tempered by Senators Rubio and Vance, who said the attacks set Iran's nuclear program back significantly, though damage assessments continue.
Regional and Global Implications
- Nuclear Double Standards: Analysts highlight Western support for Israel, the region's only nuclear-armed state, while portraying Iran, which has no nuclear weapons, as a threat, fueling regional instability.
- U.S. Security Measures: The U.S. raised its terrorism threat alert, citing potential Iranian cyberattacks, and ordered non-emergency personnel to leave Lebanon due to regional volatility.
- Diplomatic Prospects: Former U.S. diplomat Barbara Leaf suggested Iran's leadership prioritizes regime survival and may avoid a direct U.S. confrontation, leaving room for negotiations if tensions de-escalate.
Voices from Iran
Despite internet restrictions, Iranians expressed fury online, with one X user lamenting, "Thirty years of oil money turned into three deep pits." State media and hardline politicians led a fierce response, vowing to defend Iran's sovereignty.
What's Next?
The strikes have heightened fears of a broader conflict, with Iran weighing retaliation options, including missile strikes on U.S. Gulf bases or disrupting oil routes like the Strait of Hormuz. The international community faces pressure to curb escalation, as the U.S. and Israel's actions risk plunging the region into chaos.
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