Israel’s latest airstrikes on Iranian missile facilities have ignited a geopolitical firestorm, with Tehran accusing the US of betraying diplomacy
Operation Rising Lion: Middle East on the Brink
Middle East on the Brink – On June 21, 2025, Israel intensified its military campaign against Iran by launching Operation Rising Lion, a large-scale aerial assault targeting missile production sites, nuclear research facilities, and military command centers across Tehran and other strategic locations. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), over 60 fighter jets executed precision strikes on 120 targets, including the Spand nuclear R&D headquarters, a facility central to Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program.
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The IDF claimed the operation was based on “precise intelligence guidance” and aimed to dismantle Iran’s missile infrastructure, which it described as the “industrial center of gravity” for the Iranian Ministry of Defence. Among the targets was a facility producing raw materials for rocket engines, signaling Israel’s intent to cripple Iran’s long-range strike capabilities.
The strikes reportedly killed several senior Iranian officials, including high-ranking members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), although Tehran has not confirmed these casualties. The attack also damaged the Shahran oil depot and disrupted operations at the South Pars gas field, escalating the economic toll of the conflict.
Tehran’s Fury and the US Dilemma
Iran’s response was swift and scathing. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as a “betrayal to diplomacy”, accusing the United States of using peace talks as a smokescreen for Israeli aggression. Tehran has since refused to resume nuclear negotiations unless Israel halts its military operations.
The diplomatic fallout deepened as President Donald Trump gave Iran a two-week ultimatum to return to the negotiating table, warning that military intervention was “on the table” if diplomacy failed. Trump’s remarks, delivered via White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, signaled a narrowing window for peaceful resolution: “If it’s a choice between fighting and having a nuclear weapon, you have to do what you have to do.”
Meanwhile, Iran launched a retaliatory missile barrage, striking Israeli cities including Beersheba and Holon, where civilian casualties and infrastructure damage were reported. One missile, rigged with a cluster munition warhead, injured over 80 people at Soroka Medical Center, intensifying global concern over the use of banned weaponry.
Global Reactions and the Road Ahead
The international community has responded with alarm. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, have called for immediate de-escalation and a return to diplomacy. The United Nations Security Council is set to convene an emergency session at Iran’s request, with backing from Russia, China, and Pakistan.
Despite mounting pressure, both Israel and Iran remain defiant. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the strikes had “significantly set back Iran’s nuclear ambitions”, vowing to continue operations until the threat is neutralized. In contrast, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed revenge, stating, “We will not allow them to escape safely from this great crime they committed”.
The death toll continues to rise, with over 650 reported dead in Iran and dozens in Israel. Civilians across the region are bearing the brunt of the violence, with thousands displaced and critical infrastructure in ruins.
Conclusion:
The latest Israeli strikes on Iran mark a dangerous turning point in Middle Eastern geopolitics. With diplomacy hanging by a thread and military escalation accelerating, the world faces a stark choice: intervene to restore peace or risk a full-scale regional war. As Tehran and Tel Aviv trade fire and rhetoric, the coming days may determine not just the fate of two nations but the stability of an entire region.
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