US and Israel carry out airstrikes against Iranian targets in coordinated operation

US and Israel Launch Strikes in Iran Amid Ongoing Talks

The United States and Israel have conducted strikes on Iranian targets, marking a significant escalation of tensions between the two countries. The attacks occurred despite ongoing indirect talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program.

Iran responded to the strikes with missile and air strikes across the region, including in Israel, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Iraq. Israeli officials stated that their targets were Iran’s military and nuclear-related infrastructure. Airspace across Israel was closed, and emergency measures were imposed. Several other countries in the region also announced the closure of their airspace.

President Donald Trump described the US operation as a “major combat operation” aimed at eliminating threats from the Iranian regime. He stated that the US Armed Forces would not be challenged by any nation.

The strikes came just two days after high-stakes US-Iran nuclear negotiations in Geneva, mediated by Oman, ended without a breakthrough. The June 2025 war between Israel and Iran was the most intense escalation prior to this incident.

A timeline of events leading up to Saturday’s strikes includes:

• June 13, 2025: Israel launched major air strikes against Iranian nuclear and military facilities.
• June 22, 2025: The US struck Iranian nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.
• July 2, 2025: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed legislation halting cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• August 12, 2025: Iranian police arrested as many as 21,000 people related to the war with Israel.
• November 1, 2025: Oman urged both the US and Iran to return to negotiating talks.

The situation remains fluid, with ongoing developments in the region.

Source: Al Jazeera