President Donald Trump recently announced "massive, precision strikes" on three key Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. This decisive action, aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, with Trump declaring the operations a "spectacular military success."

The strikes were a direct response to Iran's four decades of anti-American and anti-Israeli rhetoric and actions, including deadly roadside bombings that have claimed countless lives. Trump thanked Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and the Israeli military for their collaboration, highlighting an unprecedented level of teamwork.

Looking ahead, Trump issued a stark warning to Iran: "There will be either peace, or there will be tragedy for Iran, far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days." He emphasized that many targets remain, capable of being neutralized swiftly if peace is not achieved.

International reactions have been swift and varied. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grave alarm, calling the strikes a "dangerous escalation" and a "direct threat to international peace and security," urging de-escalation and diplomacy.

Conversely, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded Trump's "bold decision," stating it would "change history" and reaffirming the strong US-Israel alliance. Many Republicans in Congress echoed this sentiment, praising Trump's decisive leadership.

However, the strikes have deepened political divides within the US. While some Democrats, like Senator John Fetterman, supported the action against Iran's alleged state sponsorship of terrorism, many progressives and some Republicans have criticized the unilateral nature of the strikes and called for congressional approval for military intervention.

Democrats are grappling with how to respond to the escalating conflict. Figures like Ro Khanna and Bernie Sanders advocate for a clear anti-war stance and greater congressional oversight, while more mainstream Democrats tread cautiously, emphasizing Israel's right to self-defense.

Meanwhile, prominent pro-Palestinian protest leader Mahmoud Khalil, recently released from US detention despite deportation threats, vowed to continue his activism. His case has become a symbol of the Trump administration's firm stance on campus protests and foreign policy implications.

The immediate and long-term consequences of these strikes on regional stability, global energy markets, and international relations remain uncertain, with calls for diplomacy against the backdrop of increased military readiness.

Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2605354/world