Hub Podcasts Why did Israel attack Iran?
Jun 18, 2025
Jack Cunningham, a writer for The Hub, delves into the motivations behind Israel's attacks on Iran. He dissects the implications of these military actions, particularly focusing on the strategic involvement of over 200 aircraft. The conversation also explores the geopolitical tensions resulting from Iran's nuclear ambitions and Israel's calculated military responses. Cunningham highlights the implications of U.S. foreign policy shifts on the region's stability and future nuclear negotiations.
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Strategic Window for Israeli Attack
- Israel's June 13 attack on Iran was scale and precision unprecedented, targeting nuclear sites and air defenses.
- The attack exploited a rare window with Iran's regional proxies weakened, reducing risk of retaliation.
Limits of Israel's Attack Precision
- Israel's strike disrupted Iranian nuclear supply chains but spared the deepest underground facilities like Fordo.
- Without U.S. bunker-buster bombs, Israel can't fully destroy Iran's enrichment capability alone.
Israel's Strategy to Force Negotiations
- Israel's attacks disrupted Iran's nuclear advances and derailed flawed negotiations.
- The strikes raise Iran's cost of nuclear pursuit, possibly forcing new talks or regime instability.