Did Trump’s out-of-patience assault deal the final blow to Iranian ambitions?
Did the attack, dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, deal the final blow to Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions? As we went to print on Monday evening, Jerusalem time, intelligence assessments were still being received and were likely to change in the coming days. There are many directions the conflict could take, including some best-case scenarios, some less favorable, and some in between.
While President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu exchanged compliments and congratulations after the groundbreaking US aerial attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, Iran responded rapidly with an intense missile barrage targeting Israeli cities, resulting in significant property damage.
All parties involved in the conflict prepared for the brinkmanship that was sure to follow. Iran remains defiant, insisting that the war will enter a new phase with irreversible consequences, making it highly unlikely that it will surrender as President Trump demanded late last week. It was also unclear at press time whether Trump’s Saturday night attacks on Iran were a one-time event or if he would order further US strikes.
The Israeli government, emboldened by Trump’s intervention, continues its attacks on Iranian military and economic infrastructure. However, Israel hinders itself with its perceived need to minimize civilian casualties, similar to its approach in Gaza and Lebanon. It will therefore not unleash all of its military capabilities to bring Iran to its knees.
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