Australia and the World Past and Present

On 28 February, the U.S. and Israel began attacking targets inside Iran.

They targeted missile bases and nuclear facilities.

The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a missile strike.

Other high-ranking officials of the Iranian regime were also killed.

Iran responded by launching missiles and drones at Israel and various targets in Gulf states.

Iran can’t strike the continental U.S. as it is too far away. Instead, it has focused on American facilities in the Middle East.

It is relatively easy for the U.S. military to take out military targets from the air.

But this doesn’t guarantee regime change.

Regime change would typically involve putting boots on the ground.

Most American presidents and administrations would be wary of doing this.

They would be wary of losing soldiers and a negative political reaction back home.

Trump also seems to be reticent about putting American troops on the ground.

He doesn’t want to the conflict to become a quagmire.

Israel would be content to see a weak Iran.

Israel wants to ensure that the Iranian regime never acquires nuclear weapons.

The Israelis see a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat to their country.

Israel has a zero-tolerance level on the matter.

Even one nuclear weapon could have a disastrous effect if it were to hit Israel. If Iran were to have a nuclear weapon, it would also act as a deterrent against Israeli strikes.

Furthermore, Israel wants to ensure also that Iran can no longer fund or arm its proxies in the region.

It is had to see fully what the consequences of this war will be. It is already drawing the Gulf states into a conflict they want no part in.