Nine months after a 12-day war ended with a truce, Iran is again under attack from both Israel and the United States. The new assault, launched on Saturday, targets Iranian officials, missile sites, and nuclear facilities, with both governments stating their goal of regime change in Tehran. The strikes come as nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US were showing progress in Geneva, where Omani mediator Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi announced that Iran had agreed to give up its enriched material stockpile and allow full IAEA verification.

Iran, which maintains its nuclear programme is for civilian use, retaliated by striking Israeli targets and US military bases across the Gulf region. The escalation follows years of Israeli opposition to Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal under President Trump. Netanyahu, backed by Washington, launched the June 13, 2025, attack amid Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.

US officials have expressed concern about being drawn into a prolonged conflict, while Vice President JD Vance said there is “no chance” of a long-term Middle Eastern war. The situation remains volatile as talks are set to resume in Geneva.