Iran and Israel on High Alert: A Decade of Tensions Escalate After Missile Attack

For over four decades, Iran and Israel have been at odds. Tensions between the two countries escalated after Iran launched a missile and drone attack on Israel in response to the bombing of its consulate in Damascus on April 1. The attack resulted in the deaths of seven members of the Revolutionary Guard, prompting Israel to vow to respond.

According to a senior US official, the Israeli response occurred on April 19. Reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan and the suspension of flights over Tehran and other cities were noted following the Israeli response. In anticipation of further attacks, Iran activated its air defense systems in several cities.

Prior to the Israeli response, tensions had been rising when Iran declared that it may reconsider its nuclear doctrine and policy if Israel threatened to attack its atomic centers. The commander responsible for safeguarding Iranian atomic facilities warned that Tehran would retaliate by attacking Israeli nuclear facilities if Israel initiated a similar attack. Following the attack, Iran temporarily closed its nuclear facilities for security reasons, as reported by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Despite collapsing the 2015 nuclear agreement with six major powers, Iran has made significant progress in its nuclear program. According to reports, Iran produces highly enriched uranium up to 60%, which has potential military uses. However, amidst international condemnation and coordinated sanctions by the US and UK, the effectiveness of sanctions as a tool for inducing behavioral changes by government actors remains in question. With tensions continuing to rise between Iran and Israel, the international community closely monitors the situation.

In conclusion, tensions between Iran and Israel have been escalating since April when Iran launched a missile and drone attack against Israel in retaliation for a bombing at an embassy in Damascus that killed seven members of their revolutionary guard. Despite efforts to negotiate with other countries through diplomatic means such as sanctions, tensions remain high with no clear end in sight.