The Rising Tensions: Iran, Israel, and the U.S.

The Rising Tensions: Iran, Israel, and the U.S.

Iran’s Nuclear Stance

    Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is solely for civilian energy purposes. This stance has been backed by a “fatwa” or formal religious ban on the acquisition, development, and use of nuclear weapons made by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, in the 1990s. However, recent threats from Israel against Iran’s nuclear facilities have led to a potential reconsideration of this policy. Major General Ahmad Haghtalab, a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander, suggested that Iran might change its formal nuclear doctrine if its nuclear facilities were directly attacked by Israel.

The Role of the U.S. and Sanctions

    In response to Iran’s missile and drone attack on Israel, the U.S. announced a fresh set of sanctions targeting the production of unarmed aerial vehicles and companies tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the defense ministry. The U.S. has designated the IRGC as a foreign terrorist organization. President Joe Biden stated that the U.S. was acting in concert with its allies to collectively increase economic pressure on Iran, with additional sanctions on the way from Group of Seven nations.

The UK’s Response and the G7 Meeting

    The UK also imposed sanctions on Iran’s drone and ballistic missile industries. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called Iran’s attack a “reckless act and a dangerous escalation” of the regional conflict. These sanctions were announced as foreign ministers from G7 nations, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, gathered in Italy.

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s Warning

    The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, has repeatedly said that Iran is enriching uranium at levels close to weapons grade that would enable it to build a nuclear bomb. Iran has repeatedly disputed this.

The Israeli Public’s Opinion

    Israelis are split over what is an appropriate response to Iran’s attack on April 13. According to a survey by researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, slightly more than half (52%) believe Israel shouldn’t respond, while 48% favor Israel responding even if it means extending the current round of the conflict with Iran.

 

 

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