The United States and Israel have launched coordinated large-scale strikes on Iran under what officials are calling “Operation Roaring Lion,” targeting key nuclear facilities and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) installations in a dramatic escalation that threatens to ignite a broader regional conflict.
Israeli forces struck first, followed by US operations involving long-range bombers and bunker-buster munitions, according to Pentagon officials. Targets reportedly included sites in Tehran as well as the nuclear facilities at Natanz and Fordow, alongside missile production factories and IRGC bases. Explosions were reported across the Iranian capital, with early reports indicating senior IRGC commanders were among those killed. Casualty figures remain unclear.
US President Donald Trump described the assault as “major combat operations,” framing it as a decisive move against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Israeli leadership has not released full operational details but signaled the strikes were preemptive and coordinated closely with Washington.
Tehran swiftly retaliated, launching drones toward US military positions in Iraq and Syria. Initial reports indicate American personnel were injured. Iran-aligned militias, including Kataib Hezbollah, have threatened further escalation. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei labeled the strikes an “act of war,” vowing that Iran would respond forcefully.
Oil markets reacted immediately, with crude prices surging roughly 8% amid fears of supply disruptions across the Gulf. Global equities fell sharply as investors assessed the risk of a wider regional confrontation. Iraq appears increasingly vulnerable, caught between US assets and Iran-backed groups operating within its borders, with several bases reportedly struck in the crossfire.
Diplomatic efforts appear to have collapsed, with nuclear negotiations effectively frozen. US allies in Europe and parts of the Gulf are urging restraint, warning that continued escalation could destabilize energy markets and redraw the region’s security landscape overnight.
