By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tensions in the Middle East are boiling over after a dramatic escalation Thursday night.
Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Iranian targets on Thursday, taking out senior military officials and nuclear scientists. The retaliation from Iran is unfolding in real time.
“As many days as it takes” — that’s how long Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a targeted military attack, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” will take.
“This is a clear and present danger to Israel’s very survival,” Netanyahu said.
Israel claims new intelligence regarding Iran’s nuclear capabilities and the possibility of a surprise nuclear attack left them no choice.
“Israel could not and would not wait for that moment to arrive,” said Danny Danon, Israeli ambassador to the U.N.
“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement Thursday. “President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”
Iran quickly responded—launching more than 100 drones Thursday and roughly 100 ballistic missiles as of Friday afternoon. Between five and seven reportedly got through Israel’s missile defense shield. Populated cities, including Tel Aviv, are bracing for the worst.
The escalation threatens to derail months of diplomacy. The U.S. had been engaged in nuclear negotiations with Iran, completing five rounds with a sixth planned for Sunday—now canceled.
President Trump said Friday, “I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal… Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.” Trump had previously commented on Israel’s plans before Thursday’s strikes.
“I want to have an agreement with Iran. We’re fairly close to an agreement,” Trump said Thursday before the strikes. “I don’t want them [Israel] going in because I think it would blow it—might help it actually—but it also could blow it.”
“And we saw the consequences. Iran had the chance to negotiate a deal, they did not,” said Blaise Misztal, vice president for policy at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America. “They were working on a nuclear bomb. They were hiding the fact that they were working on a nuclear bomb, and simply put, time ran out. Israel could not wait any longer.”
Misztal said Israel is also looking to create an off-ramp for the Iranians with the latest attacks.
“There’s an opportunity here. They demonstrated their capabilities. They demonstrated what they could do. And they showed the Iranians—you have a chance, as President Trump said, take the deal or else much worse is coming,” said Misztal. “This strike package that happened last night was an opening salvo designed to either allow Israel to keep coming back until Iran has no more nuclear program or to push Iran into a diplomatic deal with President Trump.”
As of Friday afternoon, the U.S. military is reportedly helping intercept missiles that Iran fired at Israel in retaliation, according to a U.S. official.
Members of Congress weighed in Thursday night and Friday.
“Iran has fired ballistic missiles at U.S. bases and Israel for years, and I have seen up close how Iran’s proxy forces have been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans across the Middle East, and countless civilians,” said Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) in a statement. “But here’s the thing: as with all conflicts, there’s serious danger of a spiral of violence that leads to real consequences for the U.S., and people in the region. Addressing that risk typically takes professionals with a depth of experience. It’s essential that the administration manage the situation — and that’s the point that concerns me most.”
“Iran has been a destabilizing threat to security in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, and around the world, and has the blood of Americans on its hands. Preventing Iran from having a nuclear bomb is in the interest of the civilized world,” said Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) on social media.
“Our commitment to Israel must be absolute and I fully support this attack. Keep wiping out Iranian leadership and the nuclear personnel. We must provide whatever is necessary—military, intelligence, weaponry—to fully back Israel in striking Iran,” said Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) on social media Thursday.
