Israel and Iran are locked in an increasingly lethal conflict. As we enter the sixth day of reciprocal bombardments, alarm is growing for the international community. These hostilities, which started last Friday, quickly led to hundreds of casualties on both sides. According to international reports, the continuing violence has killed at least 224 in Iran. Here in Israel, the death toll is currently at 24 and more than 647 people have been wounded. As the crisis deepens and demands for action grow, leaders around the world are scrambling to catch up.
New US President Donald Trump quickly raised the stakes when his administration demanded an “unconditional surrender” from Iran. His administration is, understandably, reacting cautiously. Trump determinedly spent more than an hour in the Situation Room, grilling his national security team on military options and diplomatic strategies. In advance of this meeting, Trump already had a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He reiterated the deep partnership among their countries, particularly during these hostile and combative times.
Israel has long sought an explicit U.S. commitment not only to its defense in the face of the ongoing war, but to its territorial integrity. Just yesterday, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced that Israel is prepared to hit “very high-quality targets in Tehran.” This statement indicates a possible further expansion of US military operations in hostility against Iranian assets. The Israeli air force has preemptively struck ballistic launching sites in Isfahan, attempting to take out threats from inbound Iranian missiles before they reach them.
Yet the ongoing conflict’s intensity is rattling global markets. Oil prices recently topped their highest levels in almost five months. This figure marks a $68 billion increase due to unexpected threats to regional stability and increased dangers of wider military engagement. The U.S. embassy in Israel has announced it will close from Wednesday to Friday. To protect them, it has ordered staff and their families to remain sheltered in place with the surrounding increase of violence.
According to eyewitness accounts, explosions from – incoming Iranian missiles – were audible over Tel Aviv, raising concerns of more retaliatory strikes. Shortly after the initial barrage, consisting of 20 missiles, Israel began to detect that more missiles were being launched from Iranian territory. This incident demonstrates the enduring danger of Iranian capabilities.
In response to the rising tensions, more than 30 U.S. aerial refueling tankers have been deployed to the Middle East. This military buildup is a dangerous, strategic ploy to continue to strengthen the president’s hand. It provides him multiple paths should mounting exigency make the case for greater U.S. engagement. U.S. leadership announcing it’s serious against the conflict by allowing these assets to be strategically positioned. This decision further reinforces its commitment to uphold regional stability.
Both countries are competing hard to get a leg up. The international community is looking on with great concern, fearing that this dangerous escalation of tension might create a broader war and further destabilize the Middle East. Continuing and increasing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation are key in the efforts to avoid a long, terrible war.
