Israel and Iran launch escalating attacks amid growing tensions

In the latest and most dangerous exchange in the conflict between Israel and Iran, strikes resulting in significant destruction were launched across the region. This ongoing conflict raises fears of a larger war that may draw in other countries. Israel attacked Iran due to its nuclear program.

The attacks began on Friday, June 12, when Israeli jets struck Iranian nuclear and military sites. Iran struck back with more than 1,000 missiles and drones that landed on Israeli cities over the weekend. On early Saturday morning, a large fire broke out at one of Tehran’s main fuel depots. The fire was reportedly caused by an Israeli missile strike. Hours later, Iran retaliated by launching hundreds of missiles into Israeli territory, overwhelming parts of Israel’s aerial defense systems. According to CBS News, “Iran said Israel struck its oil refineries, killed the intelligence chief of its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and hit population centers in intensive aerial attacks that raised the death toll in the country since Israel launched its major campaign Friday to 224 people.” While destroying Iran’s nuclear program, Israel has also targeted specific leaders and scientists.

Israel’s first strike was called “Operation Rising Lion.” According to The Independent, “Israel said on Friday it had launched ‘Operation Rising Lion‘ in response to intelligence it claimed showed that Iran was ‘approaching the point of no return’ in the development of a nuclear weapon.” Iranian leaders deny that accusation and stated that Israel’s attack was “a declaration of war.” Israel’s military was always thought to have superiority, but the speed, scale, and effectiveness of its strikes caught many off guard. According to Reuters, “Andreas Krieg, a senior lecturer at the School of Security Studies at King’s College London, said Israel had achieved ‘quite a lot of operational and tactical successes … But translating that into a strategic success will require more than what air power can deliver.’” If Israel is to destroy all of Iran’s nuclear Iran’s nuclear program, it requires more than just air superiority.

Diplomats fear that there may be a wider war if foreign powers such as the US join the fight. For now, Israel and Iran both say that they will keep attacking until the other backs down.