After years of threatening to take military action to weaken Iran’s nuclear program, Trump authorized the U.S. to join Israel in major strikes on three key nuclear sites in June. Trump claimed the country’s nuclear enrichment facilities had been “completely and totally obliterated,” but questions remained about the survival of key components of the program.
The 12-day barrage came on the back of a series of setbacks for Iran’s leaders, including the crippling of its regional allies Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran’s leadership was left severely weakened following the attack, both regionally and domestically.
Following the attack, Trump threatened further action if Iran didn’t return to the negotiating table. “Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace,” he said. “If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.”
In the aftermath of the bombing campaign, Iranian authorities arrested thousands of people they suspected of being spies—including activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens. United Nations experts estimated that more than 1,000 people were executed between June and September alone.
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