Israel has carried out what are believed to be unilateral "preemptive strikes" on Iran in a major escalation of geopolitical trouble in the Middle East as a state of emergency was declared.
They are claiming self defense in part due to Iran’s nuclear weapons program. The implication being that there is an immediate threat.
First, [the Israeli official] alleged that the Iranian government is advancing a “secret program” to develop nuclear weapons. The U.S. intelligence community assesses that Iran is not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon. Secondly, the Israeli official said, Iran has thousands of ballistic missiles. Finally, he said Iran has been distributing weapons and arms to proxy groups across the region, like Hezbollah and Hamas.
As you said, the nuclear program is well documented. The very recent closure to UN inspections is a major concern, but it does not indicate some unknown breakthrough.
Israel literally informed the US prior to the strikes. Israeli intelligence and American intelligence is deeply intertwined. Israel struck known enrichment sites and headquarters in the capital city.
If they had identified and targetted an illegal development black site, they would have every reason to verify it themselves. They have not.
What do you mean by breakthrough? Iran has had the means and technology to enrich uranium for years. When they ended international transparency to their programs that already was a major red flag.
An Israeli official told the Post: “We presented the American administration with evidence of Iran’s breakthrough toward a nuclear bomb. There was full and complete coordination with the Americans.”
Important to note - again - that they have not disclosed this alleged breakthrough to the public.
Also important to note that this strike happened a day after the Israeli parliament nearly dissolved - specifically, they remained solvent because they codified an exemption for the Ultra-Orthodox from the military draft.
Almost as if they want to use the attack to solidify the war machine and distract their citizens from the fact the most conservative among them do not have to risk their lives in “defense” like the other 87% of the country.
So why did Iran shut the door to independent IAEA oversight if there’s nothing suspicious going on?
Not disputing the points you’re raising regarding Israel since they are obviously not to be trusted as well, but neither is Iran. I guess my “point” here is that there’s not really a good guy in this fight, both countries are run by religious extremist madmen.
Iran’s nuclear program is well documented though.
Their nuclear program is well documented. The allegation that they are imminently capable of producing or deploying a nuclear weapon is not.
I don’t think that allegation has been made, just that they have began the process of building a bomb.
They are claiming self defense in part due to Iran’s nuclear weapons program. The implication being that there is an immediate threat.
I don’t think that allegation is completely implausible. Although it will probably be impossible to independently verify for a number of years.
As you said, the nuclear program is well documented. The very recent closure to UN inspections is a major concern, but it does not indicate some unknown breakthrough.
Israel literally informed the US prior to the strikes. Israeli intelligence and American intelligence is deeply intertwined. Israel struck known enrichment sites and headquarters in the capital city.
If they had identified and targetted an illegal development black site, they would have every reason to verify it themselves. They have not.
What do you mean by breakthrough? Iran has had the means and technology to enrich uranium for years. When they ended international transparency to their programs that already was a major red flag.
Edit: One likely culprit was the IAEA report that went public a bit earlier this week - https://www.npr.org/2025/06/12/nx-s1-5431395/iran-nuclear-enrichment-un-compliance
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-857590
Important to note - again - that they have not disclosed this alleged breakthrough to the public.
Also important to note that this strike happened a day after the Israeli parliament nearly dissolved - specifically, they remained solvent because they codified an exemption for the Ultra-Orthodox from the military draft.
Almost as if they want to use the attack to solidify the war machine and distract their citizens from the fact the most conservative among them do not have to risk their lives in “defense” like the other 87% of the country.
So why did Iran shut the door to independent IAEA oversight if there’s nothing suspicious going on?
Not disputing the points you’re raising regarding Israel since they are obviously not to be trusted as well, but neither is Iran. I guess my “point” here is that there’s not really a good guy in this fight, both countries are run by religious extremist madmen.