Washington denies involvement, but Trump praises attack; risk of climbing with American participation increases
The world woke up last Friday, June 13, under the shadow of a military attack that can redefine the direction of the Middle East. Israel has launched a massive air offensive against Iran, reaching more than 100 targets, including nuclear facilities, military bases and key figures of the Iranian government. Among the dead are the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, the Revolutionary Guard Commander and several scientists linked to the country’s nuclear program.
The attack occurred in an especially delicate moment: two days before the resumption of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States, scheduled for Sunday, June 15. The sudden climb rekindled fears of a broader regional war, with unpredictable consequences for global geopolitics.
The attack and its consequences
According to Iranian military sources, bombings were performed with high precision missiles, many of them reaching fortified underground structures. In addition to the military casualties, at least 14 nuclear scientists were killed in later attacks, some of them in bomb car blasts.
The Iranian government has classified the action as an “unnquated act of war” and promised immediate retaliation. Hours later, Iranian rockets and drones hit Tel Aviv and Haifa, overloading the Israeli defense system known as the Iron Dome. For the first time in decades, warning sirens sounded mass in Israel, with millions of civilians running to anti -aircraft shelters.
The geopolitical game behind the attacks
The Israeli attack was not an isolated action. Reports indicate that the United States had prior knowledge of the operation, although the White House denied direct participation. Former President Donald Trump, who returned to power in January this year, publicly praised the attacks, calling them “successful” and claiming that Washington “knew everything” before they happened.
Analysts believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks to drag the US to an open conflict with Iran in an attempt to ensure total military support to destroy the Iranian nuclear program and possibly overthrow the government of Tehran.
However, the strategy can come out of the Culatra. Iran, unlike other countries in the region, has a resilient political structure that can resist decades of sanctions and external pressure. In addition, its allied network – including groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and militias in Iraq and Yemen – means that any war would have branches on multiple fronts.
The ghost of a greater war
The international community reacts with apprehension. Russia and China condemned Israeli attacks, while European powers called for moderation. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of the risk of a “humanitarian catastrophe” if tensions get worse.
Meanwhile, the global oil market already feels the impact. With the Strait of Ormuz – where 21% of the world’s oil supply – under threat, barrel prices are over, feeding fears of a global economic crisis.
What to expect now?
Three scenarios worry experts:
- Prolonged war: Israel and Iran go into a conflict of wear and tear, with mutual attacks without a clear victory anywhere.
- American intervention: The US is dragged to the conflict, leading to an even more dangerous climb.
- Regional conflagration: The conflict spreads, involving multiple countries and possibly triggering a war of global proportions.
While the world watches with nervousness, one thing is certain: the next few weeks can define the future of the Middle East – and perhaps the world. As an anonymous diplomat in Geneva recalled: “When the Middle East catches fire, the whole world risks burning together.”
With information from Sami al-Aian, for Middle East Eye*
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/06/18/entenda-a-guerra-que-netanyahu-quer-vender-aos-eua/
