All articles tagged with #us israel strikes
Geopolitical tensions after the US and Israel struck Iran push gold higher, with spot gold above $5,278/oz and crude oil set for further gains on potential supply disruptions; analysts warn of a sustained rally if the conflict widens, as gold stays a safe haven and oil prices could spike if Hormuz shipping is disrupted, while China’s near-term oil supply impact is limited but higher prices could raise import costs.
Trump administration allies defended the US-Israel strikes on Iran as a necessary move to stop Tehran’s long-running campaign of violence, while Democrats argued it was a war of choice that requires public justification and congressional oversight. The debate touched on the need for a War Powers Act vote, concerns about escalation and accountability, and distinctions between calls for defense of bases and broader regime-change implications, with Republicans backing the president and some Democrats urging scrutiny.
CNN reports that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint US-Israeli strike, with nationwide reactions ranging from celebrations to pro-regime demonstrations. The same strikes hit a girls’ primary school in Minab, lifting the toll to about 148 dead and dozens wounded, and state media later confirmed the deaths of senior figures Ali Shamkhani and Mohammad Pakpour. The conflict triggered regional spillover with further attacks and counterstrikes across the Gulf, including Dubai and Doha, as governments reassess security and international responses.
A CFR-curated set of expert analyses argues that while the U.S.-Israel strikes may degrade Iran’s capabilities, toppling the Islamic Republic from air power alone is unlikely; diplomacy had been advancing before the attack, and Iran’s leadership may survive despite damage, risking a prolonged, costly regional war with unpredictable retaliation, Gulf-state hedging, and broader instability across the Middle East.
Airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air canceled or diverted flights to the Middle East after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, with Iran’s airspace closed and routes to Tel Aviv, Doha, Dubai and Amman disrupted; UK authorities urged nationals to shelter amid explosions and air raid alerts, as passengers face delays and rerouted flights.
President Trump claims the U.S. and Israeli strikes have completely destroyed Iran's nuclear facilities, contradicting early Pentagon reports suggesting limited damage, and emphasizes that Iran's nuclear program is effectively halted for years, while also dismissing the need for negotiations and highlighting ongoing tensions in the region.