The recent United States and Israel strikes on Iran come amid a backdrop of domestic unrest, stalled diplomacy, and concerns over Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs. Analysts say the military action is tied to Iran’s violent suppression of nationwide protests and ongoing disputes over its nuclear ambitions and regional proxies.
Protests erupted in Tehran in late December over economic hardship, spreading across the country and peaking on January 8 and 9. The US based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported more than 7,000 deaths, mostly among protesters, while over 53,000 people have been arrested since January. Iranian authorities acknowledge over 3,000 deaths but blamed “terrorist acts” they allege were orchestrated by the United States and Israel.
While initial US attention focused on the crackdown, President Donald Trump soon shifted focus to Iran’s nuclear program, which Washington claims has military potential despite Tehran asserting its nuclear activities are strictly civilian. Negotiations in Geneva earlier this week failed to reach an agreement, as the US demanded discussions include Iran’s ballistic missile program and its network of regional proxy militias.
Tehran insists it will not negotiate over its missile arsenal, citing self defence, while the US and Israel warn the missiles threaten regional and global security. Beyond nuclear and missile issues, Washington has vowed to dismantle Iran’s “axis of resistance,” which includes Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and various Iraqi militias, citing repeated attacks on US forces and international shipping lanes.
Trump described these groups as mass terror networks destabilizing the region, adding that US action aims to prevent further attacks on Israel and US assets while responding to Tehran’s refusal to curb its missile development or proxies.
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