Philip C. Johnson
June 12, 2025
On June 12, 2025, at approximately 7:00 PM EDT (3:30 AM Iran local time), Israel launched preemptive airstrikes on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities and military sites, including Parchin, Pasdaran, and Imam Khomeini Airport, in an operation named “Strength of a Lion.” The strikes aimed to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program, with the International Atomic Energy Agency reporting Iran has enriched 408.6 kilograms of uranium to 60% purity, which is enough for multiple nuclear weapons if further processed. And that processing might not take very long at all.
Israel’s government, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, defended the attack as essential for national security, citing Iran’s repeated threats to destroy Israel and its support for proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas. I believe Israel has a right to act decisively against such an existential threat, given Iran’s advanced nuclear capabilities and hostile rhetoric. No nation should wait for a nuclear-armed adversary to strike first.
The United States was not directly involved, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating, “The U.S. was not involved in the strikes, and our priority is protecting American forces.” However, U.S. intelligence may have supported Israel, and the U.S. evacuated nonessential personnel from Iraq, authorizing voluntary departures of military families from the Middle East due to fears of Iranian retaliation. No confirmed reports indicate Iranian bombings targeting U.S. interests in Iraq, though Iran has previously attacked U.S. bases, as in 2020 after General Qassem Soleimani’s killing.
As of now, Iran has not launched missiles or drones in direct response to the strikes. But this is an ongoing story. Israeli Defense Minister Ian Katz warned of an expected “missile and drone attack” soon. Iran reported activating air defenses, with explosions heard in Tehran, but no immediate counterattack has been confirmed. Iran’s foreign minister condemned the strikes, promising a “strong” response, potentially involving proxies or direct missile barrages, as seen in April and October 2024 when Iran fired over 350 projectiles at Israel.
What’s Next?
The Middle East teeters on the edge of wider conflict. Iran may retaliate with missile strikes or proxy attacks, risking escalation. Israel could target additional nuclear sites like Fordow, though its capacity to destroy deeply buried facilities without U.S. support is limited. The U.S. will likely focus on defending Israel and its assets while pushing diplomacy, but President Trump’s frustration with Iran’s stance in nuclear talks, set to resume in Oman, could lead to harsher sanctions or military action if negotiations fail. Israel’s strikes aim to delay Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but they may embolden Tehran to accelerate weaponization, making the coming days critical for regional stability. This is an active story, so expect fast-moving changes over the next few hours, or days.
The Global Nexter 