Here are today’s top headlines on the U.S.–Iran airstrikes: 🗞️ Headline

U.S. Launches Operation “Midnight Hammer” on Iran
B-2 bombers and cruise missiles struck three heavily fortified nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—using 14 GBU‑57 bunker-busters and Tomahawks, reportedly “levels of destruction not seen since 9/11” 


Trump Calls It a “Spectacular Military Success”
Declaring Iran’s enrichment capabilities “completely obliterated,” Trump emphasized precision over regime change and claimed readiness for diplomatic engagement 


Iran Responds with Warnings and Missile Retaliation
Tehran vows “everlasting consequences,” reportedly launched missiles at Israel, and is weighing an oil-tank closure in the Strait of Hormuz—raising global oil and economic stability concerns 


Global Leaders Call for De-escalation
United Nations Secretary-General Guterres, EU’s von der Leyen, and UK’s PM Starmer urged diplomatic resolution; Japan and other nations echoed similar caution 


U.S. Faces Domestic Backlash
Congressional Democrats and anti-interventionist Republicans question legality and strategy; public support is low (~25%) 

🔍 What This Could Mean Going Forward

1. Regional Military Escalation
Iran may intensify attacks on U.S. bases, targets linked to Israel, and shipping in the Gulf. Proxy groups like Hezbollah or Houthis could open additional fronts. Gulf states may take measures to fortify U.S. installations .

2. Energy Market Volatility
Threats to close the Strait of Hormuz could sharply spike oil prices and disrupt global markets 

3. Diplomatic Deadlock
Alarm among allies and international bodies could isolate the U.S. diplomatically. Iran has halted nuclear talks, meaning any chance to revive the JCPOA is now far off 

4. Long-Term Nuclear Proliferation Risk
Rather than deterring Iran’s nuclear efforts, the strikes may harden Tehran’s resolve to accelerate its program underground and seek nuclear weapons as a deterrent .

5. U.S. Credibility & Domestic Politics
Trump positions himself as decisive, but faces legal scrutiny and congressional pushback. A misstep could deepen U.S. involvement and erode the “peace through strength” claim .

6. Global Power Shift Dynamics
Beijing and Moscow may recalibrate: China will likely push for diplomacy but won’t militarily back Iran; Russia faces difficult balancing with Ukraine and Middle East ties 

🧭 Bottom Line

The U.S. airstrikes are a dramatic escalation with immediate military gains—but they come with substantial risks: escalating conflict, economic ripples, diplomatic fallout, and unintended empowerment of Iran’s nuclear intentions. The world now watches closely for Tehran’s next move.

news.com.au
'Gone': US move stopped world in its tracks
Today — ‘Gone’: US move stopped world in its tracks Date: Sun Jun 22 02:07:00 2025 UTC The three sites that were hit included Iran's mountain facility at Fordo, the heavily fortified underground facility in...
businessinsider.com
US warplanes bombed Iran's most protected nuclear site. Trump says it was 'totally obliterated.'
Today — A January 24, 2025 image of Natanz. Gen. Dan Caine, the top US general, said Sunday morning that B-2 stealth bombers struck Iranian nuclear sites with over a dozen powerful bunker-busters in a "high-...
reuters.com
World awaits Iran's response after Trump says US 'obliterates ...
Today — With the damage visible from space after 30,000-pound U.S. bunker-buster bombs ... Israel, which started the war with a surprise attack on Iran on ...
time.com
World Leaders React After U.S. Strikes Iran: Gravely Alarmed | TIME
Today — Von der Leyen maintained that “Iran must never acquire the bomb,” and said the Middle Eastern country should now “engage in a credible ...
apnews.com
Nations react to US strikes on Iran with many calling for diplomacy
Today
ft.com
The perils of war with Iran
Today — Going to war is always a gamble. Iran, Israel and now the US have all rolled the dice. In the short term, it looks as if Israel's gamble has succeeded. The government of Benjamin Netanyahu has manage...
reuters.com
Strikes on Iran mark Trump's biggest, and riskiest, foreign policy gamble
Today — With his unprecedented decision to bomb Iran's nuclear sites, directly joining Israel's air attack on its regional arch foe, U.S. President Donald Trump has done something he had long vowed to avoid...
en.wikipedia.org
American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites
Today — INTERNATIONAL * : A government spokesperson called for de-escalation while stating that "Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme has been a threat to international peace and security. We note...
atlanticcouncil.org
Experts react: The United States just bombed Iran's nuclear sites ...
Today — After today's attacks, Moscow is certainly worried about the ... The US attack on Iran sends a strong deterrent message to Beijing ...
More
washingtonpost.com
‘Severe damage’ at nuclear sites, Pentagon says; Iran warns U.S. to expect a response
Today
pbs.org
Nations around the world react to U.S. strikes on Iran, with ... - PBS
Today — He didn't specify which countries, but said the U.S. attack caused minimal damage and would not stop Tehran from pursuing nuclear weapons.
cbsnews.com
U.S. launches strikes on 3 Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump says
Today — Prior to his address, the president wrote on his Truth Social platform that a "full payload of BOMBS" was dropped on the "primary site" Fordo.
theguardian.com
How effective was the US attack on Iran's nuclear sites? A visual guide
Today — The bunker busting bombs ... The attack – codenamed Operation Midnight Hammer – was carried out by seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers flying from ...
aljazeera.com
US bombs Iran's nuclear sites: What we know so far - Al Jazeera
Today — US bombs Iran's nuclear sites: What we know so far. Trump has warned of more attacks on Iran after bombing some of its key nuclear energy sites, ...
aljazeera.com
LIVE: Iran says US strikes betrayed diplomacy, warns of ... - Al Jazeera
Today — Opinion: By bombing Iran, the US continues to make the world safe for war; Watch: US lawmakers condemn Trump for 'unconstitutional' attack on ...

In the wake of today's bombing of Iran by USA, what has brought us to this point since WW2

 The History of U.S.–Iran Relations Since World War II: From Allies to Adversaries

The relationship between the United States and Iran has undergone profound transformations since the end of World War II, shifting from cooperative alliance to entrenched hostility. This complex history is shaped by geopolitics, oil, ideology, and power struggles, both domestic and international.

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Post-War Alliance and the 1953 Coup

In the wake of World War II, Iran was strategically important to both the U.S. and the Soviet Union due to its oil reserves and geographic location. Initially, the U.S. supported Iran’s constitutional monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

However, tensions escalated when Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh nationalized the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now BP) in 1951, challenging Western economic interests. In 1953, the CIA and Britain’s MI6 orchestrated a coup (Operation Ajax) to remove Mossadegh, restoring the Shah’s power. This event marked the beginning of deep Iranian mistrust toward U.S. involvement in its affairs.

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The Shah’s Regime and U.S. Patronage (1953–1979)

Following the coup, the Shah became increasingly authoritarian, relying on U.S. military and economic support. The U.S. saw Iran as a bulwark against Soviet influence during the Cold War, and the Shah as a reliable regional partner. Iran purchased billions of dollars in American arms, and American advisors played a significant role in Iran’s governance and military.

While the Shah implemented modernization reforms—known as the White Revolution—they were top-down and repressive, alienating religious leaders, traditional merchants, and large segments of the population. The secret police, SAVAK, became infamous for torture and surveillance, much of it with U.S. training and funding.

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The 1979 Islamic Revolution

Public resentment exploded in 1979 with the Islamic Revolution, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The revolution deposed the Shah, who fled to the U.S. for medical treatment. Iranians, enraged by this, stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage for 444 days.

This crisis severed diplomatic relations between the two nations and reshaped American foreign policy in the Middle East. Iran was now officially an anti-American theocracy, while the U.S. began supporting Saddam Hussein’s Iraq during the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), further worsening ties.

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1980s–1990s: Mutual Hostility and Proxy Conflicts

During the Iran–Iraq War, the U.S. supplied intelligence and materials to Iraq, despite Saddam’s use of chemical weapons. In 1988, the U.S. Navy mistakenly shot down Iran Air Flight 655, killing all 290 civilians aboard—a wound that remains open in Iranian collective memory.

Meanwhile, Iran was accused of backing anti-U.S. militias, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, which was responsible for attacks on American military and diplomatic targets. Throughout the 1990s, U.S. policy became one of "dual containment" of both Iran and Iraq. Sanctions were imposed to curb Iran’s alleged support for terrorism and its nuclear ambitions.

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2000s: The Nuclear Crisis and Axis of Evil

In 2002, President George W. Bush labeled Iran part of the “Axis of Evil,” further isolating the country. The discovery of undeclared Iranian nuclear facilities intensified Western fears of weapon development. The U.S. led international efforts to limit Iran’s nuclear program through sanctions and diplomacy.

Yet during this period, Iran also played a complex role in Afghanistan and Iraq. Initially cooperating with the U.S. against the Taliban, Iran later supported Shi’a militias opposing U.S. forces in Iraq, deepening mutual suspicion.

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2015 Nuclear Deal and Its Collapse

After years of multilateral negotiations, Iran and six world powers (including the U.S.) reached the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. The deal limited Iran’s nuclear activity in exchange for sanctions relief. President Obama hailed it as a diplomatic breakthrough.

However, in 2018, President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal, calling it "fatally flawed," and re-imposed crippling sanctions. Iran responded by gradually exceeding JCPOA limits. Tensions reached a peak in 2020 when a U.S. drone strike killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on U.S. bases.

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Recent Years: Strategic Stalemate and Stalled Diplomacy

Under President Joe Biden, the U.S. sought to return to the nuclear deal, but negotiations have faced delays and stalemates. Iran’s domestic crackdowns, support for Russia in the Ukraine war, and regional activities—including backing proxy groups in Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon—have kept relations tense.

In 2023 and 2024, indirect talks continued, but hardliners in both governments have made compromise elusive. The emergence of regional conflicts, including escalations with Israel and proxy attacks on U.S. interests, has kept the U.S.–Iran relationship fraught and volatile.

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Conclusion: A Relationship Defined by Distrust

The U.S.–Iran relationship since World War II is one of the most consequential and troubled in modern history. What began as a Cold War-era alliance was upended by revolution, religious ideology, and geopolitical rivalry. Despite moments of potential cooperation, the legacy of intervention, sanctions, and violence has created a deeply entrenched mistrust.

While the future remains uncertain, any path forward will likely require mutual recognition of past grievances and an unprecedented willingness to engage beyond cycles of hostility and retaliation.

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Tags: #IranUSRelations #MiddleEastPolitics #NuclearDiplomacy #IranHistory #ForeignPolicy #ColdWarLegacy

Here are the latest updates on the situation between Iran and Israel

Israel has reportedly launched an attack on Iran in the latest escalation between the two states. 

This attack was confirmed by US officials and was reported by Iranian media as well.

The war between Israel and Iran has come out of the shadows2. The rules of engagement between the two countries have changed.

The UK has stated that Israel has a right to defend itself.

Earlier this month, Iran’s attack on Israel lasted about five hours.

This attack was a retaliation for a deadly Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria.

Israel carried out an operation in Iran. 

Israeli officials had notified U.S. officials that a response was coming.

Iran has warned Israel that any “reckless” retaliation to its unprecedented aerial attack would receive a "much stronger response".

International Headlines BBC

Here are some of today’s international headlines:

Iran-Israel Tensions:Israel’s military chief of staff warns that any attack by Iran “will be met with a response,” while allies urge restraint.
A 15-year-old boy is under arrest after a bishop and several churchgoers were injured in a stabbing incident at a Sydney church, which has been declared a "terrorist attack".
NASA seeks a cheaper, faster solution to bring Martian rocks to Earth for study.


US and Allies Respond to Iran’s Attacks:Israel says 99% of projectiles fired at it by Iran overnight were intercepted by it and its allies.
World leaders are scrambling to prevent the Middle East from sliding into all-out war1.
The US tells Israel it won’t join any Iran retaliation, urging careful consideration before launching a response.


Other Notable News:A scuffle erupted in Georgia’s parliament as the leader of the opposition punched an MP.
Pro-Palestinian protesters blocked San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge during a demonstration.

An escalating conflict between Iran and Israel has captured global attention. Here are the latest developments:

Imminent Israeli Response: A source indicates that an Israeli response to Iran’s recent attack may be imminent. 

Israel is carefully considering its next steps after Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles towards Israel.

The two countries engaged in a heated emergency meeting at the United Nations Security Council. While Tehran claims it does not seek further escalation, it warns of more “decisive” strikes if Israel counterattacks.

World leaders, including U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, are urging restraint, emphasizing the need to step back from the brink of a wider war.


U.S. Expectations:U.S. officials anticipate that Israel’s response to Iran’s strikes will likely be limited in scope. It may involve targeted strikes against Iranian military forces and proxies outside Iran 2.
These assessments are based on prior conversations between American and Israeli officials. However, the exact timing and nature of Israel’s response remain uncertain.


Background:Iran’s attack on Israel comes in retaliation for a deadly strike on its consulate in Damascus, Syria. Although Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the consulate strike, it is widely believed to be behind it.

Additionally, a mysterious explosion at Iran’s uranium enrichment facility in Natanz has further heightened tensions. While Israel has not publicly acknowledged involvement, reports suggest it was carried out by Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad.

The situation remains highly sensitive, with regional and international implications. World leaders are closely monitoring developments, hoping to prevent further escalation. 

The Toll on Mothers and Children in Gaza since October 2023

Since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, the impact on civilians in Gaza has been devastating. Here are some figures that highlight the immense toll on women and children:

Women Killed: Over 9,000 women have reportedly lost their lives due to Israeli forces’ actions in Gaza.

Women Injured: More than 19,000 women have been injured during this period.

Widows and New Heads of Households: An estimated 3,000+ women may have become widows and

 new heads of households after losing their male partners.

Children Affected: Over 10,000 children have lost their fathers.

Mothers Killed: Shockingly, 37 mothers are killed every day in Gaza.

Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women: Approximately 155,000 women in Gaza are pregnant or breastfeeding, with around 5,500 expected to deliver in the next month.

These numbers represent the immense human cost of the conflict, and the suffering endured by women and children in Gaza is heartbreaking. 

UN Women continues to advocate for a humanitarian ceasefire, the release of hostages, and unrestricted access to essential supplies for those affected in the Gaza Strip. 

The situation remains dire, and urgent action is needed to alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians.


Learn more

unwomen.org

yenisafak.com

ilkha.com

muslimnews.co.uk

news.sky.com

Oil Prices Surge Amid Tensions: Iran’s Attack on Israel Sparks Concerns Around the UK Economy

As we start the week, oil prices are expected to rise due to recent events in the Middle East. Here’s what happened:

• Iran’s Move: Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel from its own territory.  The Israeli Defense Forces managed to repel most of them with help from the U.S., France, Jordan, and the United Kingdom. Only a few missiles and drones caused minor damage at the Nevatim Airbase in Israel.

• First-Ever Strikes: Surprisingly, this is the first time Iran has directly attacked Israel, despite decades of tension between the two countries. Just weeks ago, Iran blamed Israel for an attack on its consulate in Syria, which resulted in the death of a top commander from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ overseas Quds Force.

• Oil Prices React: Worries about further conflict led to a surge in oil prices. The global benchmark Brent crude oil reached $92.18 a barrel on Friday, the highest since October. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures also rose, settling at $85.66 a barrel.

As tensions remain high, the world watches closely. The impact on oil prices could have broader implications.

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