US, Israel Intensify Covert Campaign Against Iran Nuclear Program

Tensions in the Middle East remain high following a 12-day war between Israel and Iran, with ongoing efforts toward a possible ceasefire in Gaza that could lead to a broader regional settlement involving expanded Abraham Accords including Syria, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming visit to Washington is expected to focus on these negotiations, with U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly linking aid to Israel with the handling of Netanyahu's corruption trial, indicating a close alignment on regional strategy. Israel’s covert operations, including the remote-controlled assassination of Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, exemplify the intense intelligence and military campaign to disrupt Iran’s nuclear ambitions, alongside diplomatic moves such as the IAEA’s finding of Iran’s non-compliance with nuclear obligations, which has been contested by Iran and criticized as potentially manipulated by U.S. and Israeli interests. The U.S. and Israel continue to pursue a strategy that involves both military actions—like targeted strikes and elimination of Iranian military leaders—and diplomatic pressure, but prospects for a durable resolution remain uncertain amidst deep mistrust, as Iran is seen as both a destabilizing force and a regime resistant to genuine diplomatic guarantees. President Trump’s unconventional use of social media as a tool of diplomacy and provocation further complicates the geopolitical landscape, creating unpredictability in the region’s future. Ultimately, the struggle involves balancing immediate security concerns with long-term efforts to redraw the strategic map of the Middle East amid ongoing proxy conflicts and challenges to Iran’s nuclear program.