U.S.–Israel Strikes on Iran Shift Region From Diplomacy to Uncertainty

The United States, in a joint operation with Israel, has carried out military strikes against Iran following weeks of escalating tension and a significant American military buildup in the Gulf region — the largest since the Iraq War nearly 25 years ago.

The strikes come amid diplomatic efforts led by Badr Albusaidi, the foreign minister of Oman, who had been attempting to mediate discussions between Washington and Tehran. Just days before the operation, he publicly expressed optimism about the prospects for diplomacy.

However, frustration reportedly followed an eight-minute public message from Donald Trump, alongside the military action itself.

After weeks of global speculation about whether conflict would erupt, the focus now shifts to a critical question: how Iran will respond — and what that means for stability across the Middle East.