"Two months ago I gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum to 'make a deal.' They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldn't get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!" Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social on 13th June 2025, and it happened. At 3:30 a.m. on June 13 Israel carried out "Operation Rising Lion"- targeted airstrikes on Iran's military and nuclear facilities, deploying 200 fighter jets to strike over 100 targets across the country. Israel hit Iran's main uranium enrichment facilities in Bushehr, Fordow,Natanz. However, the IAEA confirmed that there was no increase of radiation levels in the areas.
The attacks resulted in massive casualties consisting of Iran's nuclear scientists and military commanders. It comprised key personnel including Major General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of the Iranian armed forces' general staff, Major General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the IRGC's Air Defense and central to Iran's drone and missile development, FereydounAbbasi, former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranci, theoretical physicist and former university president involved in Iran's scientific development and Ali Shamkhani the Iranian Supreme Leader's assistant.
Iran has promised a "harsh response" and "bitter and painful fate" for Israel. The Iranian responses accounted for strikes by drones, ballistic and cruise missiles fired.
The world had mixed reactions to the Israeli attack on Iran. Numerous World leaders including the UN Secretary General called for restraint. The Saudi and Qatari Governments strongly denounced it, accompanied by Turkey.The IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi strongly opposes against striking Iran's nuclear facilities. The US supported the act, but denied any involvements. However, President Trump warned Iran to agree to a nuclear deal "before there is nothing left."Ned Price, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department labeled the strike "premature" and brandedsuch an action closing the window for diplomacy that could have remained open until the negotiations with Iran in September. If no agreement had been reached then, the matter would have been referred to the Security Council. The UK Premierexclaimed that the UK did not assist Israel in the attack but supported Israeli rightsforself-defense.Iraq filed a complaint on Friday with the UN Security Council over Israel's "violation of Iraqi airspace" in a major attack on Iran. Pakistan stated condemnation and China expressed concerns, while Russia expressed concerns and condemnations. The EU urged for restraints.
The Gulf Monarchies (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain) would benefit quietly from Iran's ruin, while they may form some kind of security convergence with Israel. The vaunted Russia-China-Iran "Eurasian triangle" to counterbalance Western power has revealed its limitations in supporting Iran.Iran's deterrence appears to be eroding due to decades of economic sanctions, internal unrest and overextension in proxy conflicts. Israel supported by the US demonstrated strategic outreach, deterrence and operational overmatch.Ongoing Israeli strikes against Iran even raised the specter of an Israeli effort of forced regime change in Iran, according to certain top Western officials. Iran may eventually plunge into the abyss of a Syria like situation - anopulent source of economic exploitation. The weakening of Iran would degrade BRICS+ stance for economic-strategic global alternative, reaffirming the petrodollar's dominance. This might push global economies further into the Western orbit and reshape global strategic orientation. To reaffirm its domestic and global importance, Chinese CCP may hasten its promised actions against Taiwan or the South China Sea (SCS) areas. The world is truly on the brink of mega uncertainty.
The writer is an International Relations (IR) student at the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) and a multiple award winner of "Model UnitedNations (MUN)" competition sessions
