Only Trump can turn the tide of the Israel-Iran War: Here's what to know

In a daring pre-dawn assault, Israel launched Operation "Like a Lion," a meticulously planned offensive that dealt a severe blow to Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. The strikes, executed by the Israeli Air Force and Mossad operatives, targeted critical facilities in Natanz and Isfahan, eliminated key nuclear scientists, and destroyed ballistic missile launchers. The operation’s primary goal: to eliminate the immediate threat of Iran developing a nuclear weapon and to push its program back years.

Yet, the triumph came at a heavy price. Iran retaliated with three waves of ballistic missile attacks overnight, killing three Israelis, injuring dozens, and leaving neighborhoods in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and Rishon Lezion in ruins. A three-month-old baby was among those rescued from the debris. “The whole building teetered,” said Tali Horesh, a Tel Aviv resident trapped in her safe room for two hours amid smoke and chaos.

The most significant strike hit Isfahan’s uranium conversion facility, a linchpin in Iran’s nuclear ambitions. By targeting this site, Israel disrupted Tehran’s ability to transform its stockpile of 450 kg of 60% enriched uranium, enough for 12-15 Hiroshima-scale warheads, into weapons-grade material. “This is a fateful campaign,” declared IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. “We cannot miss this strategic opportunity to neutralize Iran’s nuclear threat.”

The operation also took out key figures, including nuclear scientist Mansour Asgari, and crippled missile launchers poised for counterattacks. While the IDF intercepted most of Iran’s estimated 200 ballistic missiles and 100 drones, some heavy warheads penetrated defenses, exposing the challenge of countering Iran’s mobile and underground launch systems.

Israel’s air superiority was another triumph. By dismantling Iran’s air defenses, Israeli jets now operate freely over Tehran, shaking the regime’s confidence. “The path to Tehran is open,” said Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, head of the Israeli Air Force. This not only bolsters Israel’s operational edge but also undermines the morale of Iran’s leadership, as their capital lies vulnerable.

The strikes aim to destabilize Iran’s regime and create an opening for U.S.-led diplomacy to negotiate a nuclear deal acceptable to Israel. However, three critical questions loom: How can Israel avoid a drawn-out air war? How can it permanently halt Iran’s nuclear program? And how can it neutralize Tehran’s vast missile and drone capabilities without devastating civilian losses?

The answer hinges on U.S. President Donald Trump. With Israel having secured an air corridor over Iran, American forces could join the offensive with minimal risk, hastening the end of kinetic operations and shifting the conflict to the diplomatic arena. As the UN Security Council prepares to meet tonight, the region braces for what comes next in this high-stakes confrontation.