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An explosion is seen during a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, June 15, 2025.
Collection

Israel-Iran Conflict

On June 12, 2025, Israel began carrying out a series of strikes against Iranian nuclear and military targets-- the day after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) declared that Iran had violated its obligations regarding nuclear proliferation. Iran responded in force with missile and drone strikes on Israel. 

Now, key questions dominate global foreign policy: how close is Iran to having nuclear weaponry of its own? How far will the U.S. go to support Israel, including intervention in the Middle East? And what are the chances of wider regional escalation, especially in the context of the war in Gaza? 

Belfer Center experts provide timely insight and analysis as the conflict goes on. 

Israel remains critically dependent on its American patron, which supplies most of the aircraft, bombs, and missiles it needs... A true regional hegemon doesn’t have to rely on others to dominate its neighborhood, but Israel does.

Stephen M. Walt
Washington Post
This photo released by the U.S. Air Force shows a B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, flying over the Middle East on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022. The United States military said Monday it flew a pair of nuclear-capable B-52 long-distance bombers over the Middle East in a show of force, the latest such mission in the region as tensions remain high between Washington and Tehran.
Collecting Perspectives

Israel Strikes Iran's Nuclear Program

Experts across nuclear, Middle East, foreign policy and domestic U.S. policy offer their quick take analysis as the conflict between Israel and Iran continues.

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