Why Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities

• Israel has been preparing for a direct attack on Iran for years, including clandestine attacks and bombing the Iranian embassy in Damascus.

• On June 13, Israel carried out a massive attack on Iran, targeting the country’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile sites, the residences of its top Generals, and over two dozen nuclear scientists.

• Israel has vetoed plans to attack Iranian nuclear facilities by past American Presidents who supported Israel’s militarism against Hamas or Hezbollah.

Rolling Back the Axis

• After the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, Israel launched a mini regional war against Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Bashar al Assad in Syria.

• The fall of Assad in Syria in December 2024 altered the balance of power in West Asia, hollowing out the axis of resistance, which has been Iran’s forward defense since the early 1980s.

• Israel saw this as a historic opportunity to act before Iran rebuilds its domestic and regional capabilities.

Trump’s Entry

• President Trump offered talks to the Iranians, but his plan was to force Iran to sign up on a deal proposed by Washington.

• The Iranians were ready to roll back the program, but not to give it up.

• Trump’s strategy seemed to emerge from his Truth Social post, giving Iran “chance after chance” to make a deal.

• Trump is using Israel’s attacks as an added layer of pressure on Iran.

Tough Choices

• Iran is in a difficult position: if it walks away from the talks and launches more attacks on Israel, further Israeli strikes, a humiliating surrender, or escalates the war dramatically to make the U.S. feel the pain, which could drag the U.S. directly into the war.