After a series of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military facilities, Tehran declared it is “entitled and obliged to defend itself,” even as the U.S. and U.K. called for de-escalation. Israel’s operation, reportedly launched from Syrian and Iraqi airspace, targeted missile manufacturing sites and air defense arrays, striking over 20 sites. Iran, downplaying the damage, announced limited casualties but noted that four officers were killed. The attacks are seen as a precise response to Iran’s own missile strike on Israel earlier this month.
The Biden administration, privy to the operation’s planning, emphasized the importance of limiting the target scope to military installations and avoiding nuclear or oil sites—a line Israel respected. President Biden underscored the U.S. position by confirming the strike’s focus and expressing hopes for an end to the recent clashes. As the region waits for Iran’s response, both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have condemned the attack, urging restraint to prevent regional destabilization.
The escalating tit-for-tat actions between Israel and Iran have heightened fears of a broader Middle East conflict. While Iran weighs its next move, Israeli officials insist the operation was defensive, aiming to curtail Iran’s missile capability without triggering all-out war. For the U.S., balancing support for Israel while avoiding a destabilizing regional conflict presents a significant diplomatic challenge. Washington’s calls for restraint highlight the delicate maneuvering needed to keep the situation from spiraling into a broader conflict, with each side carefully navigating the line between deterrence and escalation.
