Israel-Iran Airstrikes Intensify Amid Prolonged Regional Conflict

The conflict between Israel and Iran has escalated into a significant military confrontation, with Israel launching precise airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, military leaders, and state media, including Tehran's state television, while Iran retaliates with ballistic missile attacks on Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists the primary objective is to halt Iran's nuclear program, and U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledges Iran's interest in de-escalation but stresses it should have occurred earlier, noting that Iran is not winning the war. Israeli forces claim to have aerial control over Tehran and are conducting a targeted campaign against Iran's military and intelligence leaders, aiming to dismantle both Iran's nuclear capabilities and its regime's repressive power. Experts caution that the conflict could last weeks or longer, as Iran's nuclear program is deeply entrenched, with extensive knowledge and technology making total destruction unlikely, and the regime's will to pursue nuclear weapons remains critical. Meanwhile, the war is reshaping Middle Eastern geopolitics, notably sidelining the Palestinian issue, and market reactions include rising oil and gold prices alongside a tentative recovery in Wall Street stocks. Analysts like Columbia University's Richard Nephew emphasize that Iran's resistance is far from over, signaling a protracted conflict ahead.