Israel-US Conduct 12-Day War Attacking Iran Nuclear Sites

In June 2025, Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, initiating a 12-day war marked by Israeli airstrikes on Iranian cities and Iranian missile and drone retaliations. The United States joined the conflict, employing advanced military assets to hinder Iran's nuclear ambitions, though the initial air superiority was achieved primarily through Israeli operations that dismantled Iran's air defenses and regional militias. This conflict exposed deeper structural shifts in Middle Eastern geopolitics, highlighting the dependencies and asymmetries between Israel, the U.S., and emerging regional powers like Iran, Russia, and China. President Donald Trump’s shifting Iran policy culminated in an unexpected call for ceasefire amid competing domestic pressures, while Israeli leadership insisted on maintaining military dominance and preventing Iran's nuclear development. Analysts suggest that while the airstrikes set back Iran’s nuclear program, the broader conflict reflects longstanding power dynamics and the evolving nature of warfare in the region. The war’s consequences remain uncertain, with continued tensions and strategic recalibrations shaping the future Middle Eastern chessboard.