Regional Security: Israel, the Gulf, and 2024–2026 Tensions (Developing/Contested) Iran's nuclear program is also framed through regional security: Israel has described it as an existential threat and some Gulf Arab states have voiced concern, while Iran frames it as peaceful and a sovereign right. On 13 June 2025 Israel launched an air campaign against Iranian nuclear and military facilities, and the US joined on 21 June with 'Operation Midnight Hammer,' striking Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks, and a US-brokered ceasefire took effect on 24 June after 12 days. Damage assessments are sharply contested — US officials spoke of the program being 'obliterated,' while some intelligence assessments estimated the setback at only a few months. On 28 February 2026 the United States and Israel launched a new round of attacks; according to the IAEA, the sites of several nuclear facilities were struck, and the entrance buildings of the Natanz enrichment plant, the Khondab heavy-water plant and a structure about 350 metres from the Bushehr reactor were damaged, although by the Agency's account no nuclear facility located on those sites was itself struck. The matter remains developing and highly contested.
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