US Joins the Fire: Iran-Israel War Goes Nuclear

June 2025, What began as a series of tactical skirmishes and covert operations has spiraled into full-blown warfare: Israel and Iran are now engaged in direct military exchanges, including strategic air and missile strikes targeting each other’s territory. This marks a dramatic intensification of a conflict that has simmered for decades.

Operation Rising Lion: Shadow War Goes Public

On June 13, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, deploying over 200 warplanes to strike 100 sites across Iran—ranging from nuclear facilities at Natanz and Fordow to military leadership compounds and ballistic missile infrastructure

The offensive employed Mossad-planted drones and saboteurs to compromise surface-to-surface missile (SSM) facilities, paving the way for aerial bombardments deep inside Iran

Nuclear Flashpoint: Hitting Iran’s Bomb-Making Capabilities

Israel struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear program—hitting uranium enrichment plants in Natanz and Fordow, centrifuge production units in Isfahan, and allegedly killing several nuclear scientists and IRGC commanders

Although the IAEA reports no radiological leaks, the strategic impact is undeniable: Iran's capacity to produce near-weapons-grade uranium (around 60 %) has been severely disrupted

Iran’s Response: Kheibar‑Shekan and Beyond

Tehran retaliated with hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones—reportedly including its advanced Kheibar Shekan (Khorramshahr‑4) multi-warhead missile

Despite claims of up to 450 projectiles launched, Israel's Iron Dome and other missile-defense systems intercepted most strikes—but not all . Casualties in Israel stand at 24 dead and “hundreds wounded,” with significant damage in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and at least one U.S. embassy installation

U.S. Enters the Fray: Midnight Hammer

In a striking escalation on June 22, U.S. forces—under “Operation Midnight Hammer”—launched precision strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites using B‑2 bombers and submarine-launched Tomahawks

President Trump declared these sites "completely and totally obliterated", praising the operation as “very successful,” while U.S. military officials highlighted the unprecedented reach of the mission. Tehran remains defiant, warning of “everlasting consequences”

Humanitarian Toll & Civilian Impact

Iranian sources report over 600 killed and more than 1,300 injured—with many being civilians in Tehran and surrounding areas . In Israel, civilian areas in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Petah Tikva faced damage, causing anxiety and disrupted daily life.

Airspaces across the region are shuttered, flights are canceled, and international advisories are in effect. This overt targeting of civilian infrastructure has triggered accusations of war crimes and violations of international law

Diplomatic Fallout & Global Alarm

The UN Security Council has convened multiple emergency sessions; UN Sec‑Gen António Guterres has called for maximum restraint.

The G7, meeting in Canada, reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense while labeling Iran the main source of instability and urging de-escalation. The IAEA voiced alarm over the targeting of nuclear sites and warned of the grave implications for nuclear safety

European diplomats are scrambling to re-open dialogue with Tehran, even as Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said diplomacy can only proceed once Israeli strikes stop. Meanwhile, Russia has criticized U.S. involvement as a “blatant violation of international law” .

Wider Regional Implications

Proxy exhaustion: One reason Iran opted for direct strikes appears to be the dwindling capacity of its proxies (Hezbollah, Hamas) to respond meaningfully .

Oil markets: Global energy markets spiked as Gulf shipping lanes and airspace closures escalated the risk premium .

Risk of wider war: With U.S. involvement now overt, the likelihood of regional expansion—drawing in Saudi Arabia, Gulf states, and non-state actors—has increased dramatically.

Challenges to De-escalation

Animosity & objectives: Israel seeks to dismantle Iran’s nuclear ambitions and ballistic programs; Iran insists on retaliation and nuclear sovereignty. Neither side shows readiness to yield.

Information warfare: Iran has severely restricted internal access to information. Journalists and the IAEA report no significant radiation leaks, though verifying on-the-ground effects remains difficult .

Domestic pressures: In Iran, nationalistic public rallies support a hard line; in Israel and the U.S., political polarization over continued action may shape future decisions.

Conclusion: A Region at a Crossroads

The transformation from covert "shadow war" to an overt, U.S.-backed military campaign marks a perilous turning point in Middle Eastern geopolitics. With nuclear facilities targeted and civilian casualties mounting, the risk of uncontrolled escalation is immense. Diplomatic lanes are strained, U.N. institutions are urging calm, and allies are walking a tightrope between deterrence and de-escalation.

We stand at a critical juncture. The world now watches: Will diplomacy find a back-channel to halt the spiral, or is the door to a wider regional conflagration opening—against the backdrop of shattered diplomacy and shattered infrastructure? Only time (and tense diplomacy) will tell.