Israel and the United States Strike Iran, Sharply Escalating Tensions in the Middle East

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Israel and the United States have carried out strikes on military targets in Iran, triggering a sharp escalation of tensions in the Middle East and an exchange of retaliatory attacks.

According to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces, Israel, together with U.S. armed forces, launched a large-scale operation against Iran on Saturday. Israeli officials said the strikes hit dozens of military targets as part of a “broad, coordinated, and joint operation” aimed at neutralizing threats to the security of the State of Israel.

In Tehran, the actions were described as an act of aggression. Iran’s Foreign Ministry formally accused the United States and Israel of violating international law, stating that the strikes targeted civilian and military infrastructure at a time when a diplomatic process between Tehran and Washington was ongoing. The statement stressed that the actions infringed upon Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is part of Iran’s armed forces, confirmed the start of retaliatory measures. In a statement, the IRGC said it had launched an initial wave of missile strikes and deployed drones toward Israel in response to what it called aggression against the Islamic Republic.

Iranian state media also reported that Tehran struck four U.S. military bases located in Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, as well as American bases in Jordan.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a forceful statement of his own. In a video address, he said the United States intended to destroy Iran’s missile industry and naval forces and prevent further destabilization of the region by groups aligned with Tehran. According to Trump, Washington would act to ensure that regional armed formations could no longer threaten Middle Eastern security or U.S. forces.

The exchange of strikes between Israel, the United States, and Iran has sharply increased the risk of further escalation, with consequences that could extend far beyond the region.