Israel, U.S., Iran Engage in 12-Day Nuclear Conflict

The 12-day conflict known as the "Twelve-Day War" involved Israel launching preemptive strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, killing key Iranian military leaders, with the United States directly supporting Israel through long-range bombings. Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Israeli targets, including Tel Aviv, amid escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, which Israel claimed violated the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Despite U.S. intelligence indicating Iran was not actively pursuing nuclear weapons, President Trump dismissed these assessments and threatened further military action. The conflict ended swiftly with a ceasefire mediated by the U.S., with all parties claiming victory but no clear winners emerging. Analysts noted the conflict’s theatrical nature, the damage to U.S. credibility as both player and referee, and the risks of renewed hostilities. President Trump’s handling of the conflict was characterized by erratic behavior and disregard for expert advice, relying instead on deference rather than informed counsel from his administration.