Israel’s attack on Iran’s nuclear installations and Iran’s retaliation could be detrimental to the world peace
In a dramatic escalation of long-standing tensions, Israel launched two massive waves of airstrikes on Iran, targeting key military and nuclear installations. In retaliation, Iran unleashed a barrage of ballistic missiles, marking the most intense direct military confrontation between the two nations in modern history. As both countries trade blows with unprecedented ferocity, fears are mounting of a full-scale war that could engulf the entire Middle East and destabilise the global geopolitical balance. The Israeli strikes — reportedly involving over 200 aircraft — targeted more than 200 Iranian sites, including major nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Fordow, as well as military command centres.
At least two high-ranking military officers and six nuclear scientists of Iran were killed, including Gen Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Gen Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s chief of staff.
Iran responded by launching hundreds of ballistic missiles, with explosions reported over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israeli air defences intercepted many of the projectiles, but the scale of the attack shook the nation. The risk of the conflict spiralling into a broader regional war is high. Iran’s allies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Assad regime in Syria, and various armed groups in Iraq and Yemen, are likely to jump into the fray. If they do, Israel could be forced to open multiple fronts, dragging other regional powers such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkey into a widening conflict. In such a scenario, oil shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz could be jeopardised, sending global energy markets into turmoil. Moreover, any direct or indirect involvement by the United States or NATO members could trigger a wider confrontation involving Russia and China, both of which maintain strategic ties with Tehran. The Middle East, already a fragile and volatile region, could become the epicentre of a new and devastating global conflict. US President Donald Trump has openly supporting Israel’s actions, though he declined to comment on US actively participating in the conflict — fuelling speculation about behind-the-scenes American support. Trump’s statements could embolden Israeli leadership while further alienating Iran, complicating any prospects for de-escalation.
This escalation occurs against the backdrop of ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza. With global attention now shifting to the Iran-Israel crisis, humanitarian issues in Gaza may receive less international scrutiny, potentially allowing Israel to intensify its campaign there with reduced diplomatic pressure. The Israel-Iran conflict has shifted from proxy skirmishes to direct confrontation, shaking the foundations of Middle Eastern stability. With powerful militaries on both sides and no signs of de-escalation, the potential for a regional or even global war looms large. World leaders must act swiftly and decisively to prevent a catastrophic war . Diplomatic channels must be reopened, ceasefires negotiated, and a broader vision for regional peace revisited. The world cannot afford to let the flames of war spread unchecked — too much is at stake, not just for the Middle East, but for humanity at large.
