International News: The recent 12-day war between Iran and Israel has once again pushed the Middle East to the edge of a major conflict. Although a ceasefire has now been implemented, tensions between the two countries remain far from resolved. On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a video statement asserting that the Israeli military had entirely destroyed Iran’s nuclear program during the recent conflict. He described this as "the greatest strategic victory in history."
Precision Strikes on Nuclear Facilities
In his address, Netanyahu claimed that Israel had not only targeted and destroyed key nuclear facilities like Natanz and Isfahan but also disabled the heavy water reactor located in Arak. “For decades, I’ve assured my citizens that Iran would never acquire nuclear weapons. Today, I can say with pride that we have dismantled their entire nuclear program,” he declared.
He further added that several of Iran’s top military commanders and nuclear scientists were also targeted during the operations. According to experts, the success of these strikes was largely due to the advanced planning and operational expertise of Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad.
Ceasefire Holds, But Uneasy Calm Prevails
Despite the ceasefire, isolated incidents of attacks are still being reported from several border areas. The war, which lasted for 12 days, saw intense use of advanced weaponry and military force on both sides. While Israel claims its actions were purely in self-defense, Iran has accused it of deliberately destabilizing the region.
U.S. Involvement and Trump’s Credit Game
The United States also played a significant role in the unfolding events. Netanyahu praised U.S. President Donald Trump, stating, “We’ve never had such a strong partnership against Iran as we did under Trump’s leadership.” He credited the success of the operation to joint strategic planning with U.S. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.
Meanwhile, Trump, true to his trademark style, took full credit for brokering the ceasefire. He asserted that it was due to his intervention that the hostilities were brought to a halt. However, the Qatari government has officially stated that it was responsible for mediating the ceasefire agreement. Trump has previously taken credit for resolving various international conflicts, including tensions between India and Pakistan.
Is this truly a Victory?
While Netanyahu's declaration may resonate strongly with the Israeli public, many political and strategic analysts remain skeptical. They argue that dismantling a nation’s nuclear ambitions—especially one as resilient and resourceful as Iran—is not a simple or swift task. The long-term impact of the conflict remains uncertain, and the durability of the current ceasefire is yet to be seen.
