Iranian attacks on Israel escalated suddenly, resulting in widespread strikes. Iranian missiles targeted a military base in Tel Aviv, causing dozens of military casualties.

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But there are also underlying reasons.

Israel and the US – its closest ally – have been arch-foes of Iran since the Islamic revolution in 1979. The Iranian leadership has consistently called for Israel’s elimination and denounced the US as its greatest enemy.

The two countries have led Western opposition to Iran’s nuclear programme, claiming Iran is seeking to develop a nuclear bomb – something Iran has vehemently denied.

They attacked Iranian nuclear and military sites in June 2025 in a 12-day war.

Since then, they have claimed Iran has been trying to rebuild its nuclear programme and develop missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

Israel considers Iran a threat to its existence and wants the complete removal of Iran’s nuclear and missile programme, as well as regime change.

The US first openly talked in January about potentially attacking Iran when its security forces cracked down on protesters with deadly force.

But the US and Iran began negotiations and appeared to be making progress until Trump said he was “not happy” with the way the talks were going on 27 February. Hours later, the US and Israel began attacking.