🌏 POLITICA UK NEWS & 📰 COMMENTARY at the TTC

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-i...

  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. 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 ...

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 shadows 2 . 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" .

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 war 1 . 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...

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 att...

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 humanita...

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 ...