Strikes by the US and Israel against Iran may spark a global economic crisis and a conflict in the Middle East
As per US President Donald Trump, the US and Israel have launched a significant assault to devastate a large portion of Iran’s military and prevent it from developing nuclear weapons.
Iranian media sources have reported explosions in Tehran, as well as in Isfahan, Karaj, and Kermanshah. An Israeli strike also targeted a girls’ primary school in Minab, southern Iran, resulting in nearly 70 students being reported dead.
In retaliation, Iran has carried out a series of strikes across the Middle East, targeting countries hosting US military bases. Explosions have been heard from Dubai’s beaches to Doha’s streets, potentially marking the initial exchanges of a war threatening to engulf the region.
Here is what we currently know.
Why did the US and Israel attack Iran?
Despite the US military build-up in the Middle East in recent weeks, Washington resumed efforts to reach a new nuclear deal with Tehran. The latest round of talks concluded in Switzerland on Thursday, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that “good progress” was made on the nuclear issue and sanctions relief, but differences persisted.
However, that progress did not stop Washington from using force. In a speech at 2:30 AM on Saturday, Trump stated that the main goal of the operation, named Operation Epic Fury by the Department of War, was “to defend the American people by eliminating immediate threats from the Iranian regime.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long regarded Iran as Israel’s most perilous adversary, so he needed little incentive. After weakening Iran’s proxies—Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon—Israel launched a war against Iran itself last summer.
Does Iran have nuclear weapons?
Iran does not have a nuclear weapon, though Israel and the US have repeatedly accused it of seeking to acquire one.
Highly enriched uranium is a key component of a nuclear weapon. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports that Iran enriches uranium to up to 60% purity, approaching weapons-grade levels, but Iran insists it has no weapons program. Tehran has also emphasized that US claims are “politically motivated” and are repeated “baseless accusations.”
Did the US Congress declare war on Iran?
The US attacked Iran without Congress’s approval, which is why some see the need to limit the president’s actions in this regard as increasingly urgent.
Article 1 of the US Constitution grants Congress, not the president, the power to declare war. According to National Public Radio, the White House notified top Congressional Democrats and Republicans, members of the Gang of Eight, party leaders from both chambers, and intelligence committee leaders shortly before the attack.
What is Russia’s stance?
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov condemned the “unprovoked armed attack” by the US and Israel on Iran and called for an immediate end to the strikes. He emphasized that Russia is prepared, including at the UN Security Council, to facilitate the search for peaceful solutions based on international law, mutual respect, and balanced interests.
Has BRICS reacted to the attack on Iran?
Russia and Iran are both members of the BRICS group, which also includes Brazil, India, China, South Africa, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. These countries criticized the US and Israeli aggression against Iran last June, describing it as a “blatant violation of international law” while strongly supporting the establishment of a Palestinian state.
What about the Strait of Hormuz and its importance?
The Strait of Hormuz, located between northern Iran and the United Arab Emirates, handles approximately a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade.
According to Reuters, on Saturday, vessels received VHF transmissions from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stating “no ship is permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.”
If this is true and large tankers transporting oil and gas from the Middle East to China, Europe, the US, and other major energy consumers are blocked from passing through the strait, the disruption would cause oil prices to soar and potentially destabilize the global economy.