June 16th 2025.
For years, Benjamin Netanyahu, the current Prime Minister of Israel, has been sounding the alarm about the potential threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran. He has consistently advocated for military action as the only effective means of countering this danger. Throughout his 17-year tenure as the leader of Israel, Netanyahu has contemplated and planned a full-scale attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, but never acted on it until the early hours of June 13, 2025, when Israel launched a strike that resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian generals and nuclear scientists.
It's not hard to understand why Netanyahu chose to take action at this particular moment. In recent statements, he has invoked the darkest moments of Jewish history to emphasize that Israel will never allow itself to be vulnerable to a "nuclear holocaust." Even Yael Lapir, Netanyahu's rival and former Prime Minister, has acknowledged that his decision to strike was justified and timely.
The timing of the attack was also influenced by the current state of affairs in Iran. The country's power and influence in the region have traditionally relied on its allies and proxies, who have formed a "ring of fire" around Israel. This network included the Assad regime in Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen. However, with Assad no longer in power and Syria's new leader aligning with US President Donald Trump, the country's focus has shifted away from Tehran. Additionally, the other members of this network are weakened and struggling, making it the perfect opportunity for Israel to take on its sworn enemy.
The extent and targets of Israel's attack, as well as statements from its politicians, suggest that their objective was not just to cripple Iran's nuclear program but also to overthrow the Islamic regime. In a video message to the Iranian people, Netanyahu claimed that their actions were not just for their own security but also to pave the way for the people of Iran to achieve their freedom. This message was a clear indication of their goal to remove the current regime from power.
It would be naive to think that Israel acted unilaterally, despite claims from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Trump that they had no involvement. Israel is a known proxy of the US in the Middle East, and any action they take in the region is with the approval of the US. With their hold on post-Assad Syria and a weakened Iran, the US will only strengthen its position in the region, especially in relation to Russia.
Iran, on the other hand, has allies like Russia and China who are not keen to see them humiliated. However, neither country is willing to engage in the conflict, and Iran's proxies, such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, are in no position to join the fight. This leaves Iran in a difficult spot as they try to figure out how to respond.
In a surprising turn of events, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, on June 15, calling for a truce between Israel and Iran. He urged both sides to make a deal, using his success in bringing India and Pakistan to the negotiating table as an example. He believes that trade deals with the US can help bring peace and stability to the region, just as it did between India and Pakistan. If Trump succeeds in making a deal between these two adversaries, not only will the Middle East benefit, but the entire world will breathe a sigh of relief.
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