Iran's talking tough after US attack. But the regime has run out of options
In the end Israel's leader Benjamin Netanyahu got what he wanted – America involved in his aerial campaign against Iran. And in a timeframe determined by Israeli, rather than US, calculations.
It is an extraordinary turn of events. Neither the International Atomic Energy Agency nor his own Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard supported Netanyahu's claim about the 'golden information' possessed by Israel indicating an imminent threat posed by any weaponised nuclear program. Yet US President Donald Trump has variously told reporters not to listen to Gabbard, and later simply that 'she's wrong'. Once again, the White House has committed its forces to a conflict in the Middle East without making the case as to why it needed to.
The world now waits for Iran's response to the attacks by the United States. Its options are limited. It is relatively weak militarily and Israel has air supremacy. Iran's armed non-state supporting actors have either been degraded – as is the case with Lebanese Hezbollah – or internal political or broader national considerations have forced them to critically re-evaluate that support. A wariness about President Trump's unpredictability also makes support for Iran more challenging than was the case before October 7.
Iran's own conventional capabilities have taken a hit through Israel's military campaign and have been depleted as a result of Tehran's week-long response to those attacks. Their remaining stockpiles and what, if any, ability they have to replenish them, will be one of the pieces of intelligence most keenly sought by its adversaries. One can have the greatest intent to retaliate but, if you possess limited capabilities, then your military options remain constrained.
The regime's ultimate aim is, and always has been, survival. Their ambiguity regarding their nuclear program was a means to that end, not necessarily an end in itself. Suspicions about its nuclear capability or intent was seen as a way of securing the regime from direct attack, but the economic sanctions that secrecy over the program brought with it constrained its own economic development and put pressure on the regime. The nuclear program then became the means by which it could negotiate sanctions relief without entirely giving up its strategic ambiguity. The Iran Nuclear Deal (or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) was the result of this approach.
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Nuclear ambiguity worked as long as Iran's policy of 'forward defence' worked. Tehran's reliance on its so-called 'axis of resistance' – a network of armed non-state actors in the region – was ultimately a strategic miscalculation.
These groups destabilised the countries in which they operated. Iran's use of these affiliates made Gulf states suspicious of Tehran's motives in the region. When Israel degraded them as part of their post-October 7 response, few tears were shed in the region. Without them, and with a new and unpredictable president in the White House, Iran's strategic nuclear ambiguity quickly became a millstone around Tehran's neck.
The question now is, what Iran will do in response to the US attack? If regime survival remains the priority, it is quite possible that its best chance for achieving that comes from limiting and focusing – rather than broadening – their response. Tehran knows that Washington can deliver an overwhelming response to any Iranian retaliation, while any Iranian response against US interests is going to achieve limited results. A largely symbolic military response may be carried out, if only for appearance's sake.
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Perth Now
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Iran cannot return to diplomacy while under attack by Israel and the United States, its top diplomat says, and will consult with Russia. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said he will fly to Russia, with whom Iran has a strategic partnership, for talks with President Vladimir Putin on Monday. The United States intervened in the war against Iran alongside Israel during the night, attacking nuclear facilities including the well-fortified underground uranium enrichment facility Fordo. "The US showed they have no respect for international law. They only understand the language of threat and force," Araghchi said in Istanbul, adding that Tehran has to respond based on its rights before diplomacy can be reconsidered. Russia has "strongly condemned" the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. The "irresponsible decision" by the United States to bomb Iran violates international law and the United Nations Charter, the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow stated on Sunday. The UN Security Council must respond to this, it said, adding that the attack has also harmed nuclear non-proliferation. Moscow said it therefore expects a clear response from the International Atomic Energy Agency. Dmitry Medvedev, who serves as deputy head of President Vladimir Putin's Security Council, said several countries were prepared to supply Tehran with nuclear weapons. He didn't specify which countries, but said the US attack caused minimal damage and would not stop Tehran from pursuing nuclear weapons.
7NEWS
an hour ago
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Scott Morrison: Donald Trump's strikes on Iran a necessary measure to achieve peace, not war in Middle East
The recent strike by the United States on Iran's nuclear facilities marks a critical turning point in global security. It is not just a matter for the Middle East or for U.S. foreign policy. It is a test for all nations that rely on the strength and credibility of the international rules-based order and the western alliance for their security, Australia included. Let me be clear, this strike was not an act of provocation. It was a necessary measure, undertaken as a last resort by a President who wants peace, not war. The purpose was clear, to disrupt the capabilities of a brutal authoritarian regime that has openly defied international norms, supported terrorist proxies, and pursued nuclear weapons with increasing brazenness. In times of geopolitical crisis, clarity of purpose and principle is essential. That is why I was compelled to speak out following the U.S. operation. What we have seen instead from the Australian government is a concerning lack of clarity and a reluctance to define where Australia stands when it matters most. It is in times like this when allies look around to see who is with them. For a country like ours, deeply integrated into global economic and security networks, reliant on open trade routes and US led allied deterrence, strategic ambiguity is not a strength. It is a vulnerability. Throughout my time as Prime Minister, I took the view that Australia's interests are best served when we speak plainly and act decisively in defence of our values. That is why we stood firmly with our allies against China's economic coercion. It is why we invested in AUKUS, strengthening our sovereign defence capabilities and deepening our technological integration with the U.S. and UK. it is why we worked so closely with our Indo-Pacific partners through the Quad to uphold regional stability. 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It is whether diplomacy alone can halt a regime that has no intention of negotiating in good faith. At a certain point, the cost of inaction outweighs the risk of confrontation. That is precisely where the United States found itself. Given Iran's refusal to cooperate with international monitors and its aggressive posture across the region, including arming Hezbollah, enabling Hamas to commit atrocities on innocent Israelis, supporting Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, the Trump administration concluded that a targeted strike was the only viable option left. Only the US could have taken this step and President Trump should be commended for his courage and leadership, especially by allies. This was not a broad campaign. It was a calibrated operation aimed at degrading the most advanced elements of Iran's nuclear infrastructure specifically, targeting Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow. The objective was not regime change. It was to halt Iran's progression toward nuclear weapons capability and to send a clear message that the West's red lines still mean something. Yet here in Australia, the official response from the government has been muted. No strong statement of support for the United States. That silence is telling. It suggests a reluctance to confront difficult choices and to support our most important ally in the righteousness of the actions that have taken. I believe that such an approach is short-sighted and fundamentally misjudges the nature of the challenge we face. Australia cannot afford to be passive in moments like this. Our voice matters, not just because we are a U.S. ally, but because we are a middle power with global responsibilities. We sit at the intersection of East and West, of advanced democracies and rising developing powers. Our stance sends signals across the region, from Beijing to Moscow, Jakarta to Seoul. We must make the case for resistance against authoritarian arrogance. 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Damage seen at Iranian nuclear site after US strikes
Satellite images are showing damage to Iran's underground nuclear site at Fordo, one of three facilities targetted by US airstrikes, in alliance with Israel's mission to destroy its foe's nuclear program. The images by Planet Labs PBC showed damage to the site's entryways and also to the mountain that Fordo is under. Sealing those entry tunnels means that Iran would have to dig out the facility to reach anything inside. In an address to the nation from the White House, US President Donald Trump asserted that Iran's key nuclear sites had been "completely and fully obliterated". Trump warned there would be additional strikes if Tehran retaliated against US forces. "There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran," he said. The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran confirmed that attacks took place on its Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz sites, but insisted that its nuclear program will not be stopped. The International Atomic Energy Agency said there were no immediate signs of radioactive contamination at the three locations following the strikes. Chief Rafael Grossi, has convened an emergency meeting of the nuclear watchdog. Leaders and international organisations around the globe are appealing for diplomacy to de-escalate the conflict. But Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that the US strikes had 'launched a dangerous war' and blown up any possibility of diplomacy with the Americans or Europeans. "Last week, we were in negotiations with the US when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy. This week, we held talks with the E3/EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy," Araghchi wrote on X. "What conclusion would you draw?" Hours after the US attacks, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it launched a barrage of 40 missiles at Israel, including its Khorramshahr-4, which can carry multiple warheads. Israeli authorities reported that more than 80 people suffered mostly minor injuries, though one multi-storey building in Tel Aviv was significantly damaged, with its facade torn away exposing the apartments inside. Houses across the street were almost completely destroyed. Following the Iranian barrage, Israel's military said it had "swiftly neutralised" the Iranian missile launchers that had fired, and that it had begun a series of strikes toward military targets in western Iran. Iran has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. However, Trump and Israeli leaders have argued it could quickly assemble a nuclear weapon, making it an imminent threat. The decision to directly involve the US in the war comes after more than a week of Israeli strikes that significantly degraded Iran's air defences and offensive missile capabilities, and damaged its nuclear enrichment facilities. After the airstrikes the US president posted: "This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!" Israel announced Sunday that it had closed its airspace to both inbound and outbound flights in the wake of the US attacks. The attack used bunker-buster bombs on Iran's Fordo nuclear fuel enrichment plant built deep into a mountain, a US official said. In addition, US submarines launched about 30 Tomahawk missiles. The decision to attack, taken without congressional approval, was a risky one for Trump, who won the White House partially on the promise of keeping the US out of costly foreign conflicts. But Trump also vowed that he would not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. After Israel began striking Iran, Trump went from publicly expressing hope that the moment could be a "second chance" for Iran to make a deal to delivering explicit threats on Khamenei and making calls for Tehran's unconditional surrender. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump's decision saying the US "has done what no other country on earth could do." Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who had threatened to resume attacks on US vessels in the Red Sea if the Trump administration joined Israel's military campaign, called on other Muslim nations to form "one front against the Zionist-American arrogance." Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 865 people and wounded 3,396 others, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists. The group said of those dead, it identified 363 civilians and 215 security force personnel. Satellite images are showing damage to Iran's underground nuclear site at Fordo, one of three facilities targetted by US airstrikes, in alliance with Israel's mission to destroy its foe's nuclear program. The images by Planet Labs PBC showed damage to the site's entryways and also to the mountain that Fordo is under. Sealing those entry tunnels means that Iran would have to dig out the facility to reach anything inside. In an address to the nation from the White House, US President Donald Trump asserted that Iran's key nuclear sites had been "completely and fully obliterated". Trump warned there would be additional strikes if Tehran retaliated against US forces. "There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran," he said. The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran confirmed that attacks took place on its Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz sites, but insisted that its nuclear program will not be stopped. The International Atomic Energy Agency said there were no immediate signs of radioactive contamination at the three locations following the strikes. Chief Rafael Grossi, has convened an emergency meeting of the nuclear watchdog. Leaders and international organisations around the globe are appealing for diplomacy to de-escalate the conflict. But Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that the US strikes had 'launched a dangerous war' and blown up any possibility of diplomacy with the Americans or Europeans. "Last week, we were in negotiations with the US when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy. This week, we held talks with the E3/EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy," Araghchi wrote on X. "What conclusion would you draw?" Hours after the US attacks, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it launched a barrage of 40 missiles at Israel, including its Khorramshahr-4, which can carry multiple warheads. Israeli authorities reported that more than 80 people suffered mostly minor injuries, though one multi-storey building in Tel Aviv was significantly damaged, with its facade torn away exposing the apartments inside. Houses across the street were almost completely destroyed. Following the Iranian barrage, Israel's military said it had "swiftly neutralised" the Iranian missile launchers that had fired, and that it had begun a series of strikes toward military targets in western Iran. Iran has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. However, Trump and Israeli leaders have argued it could quickly assemble a nuclear weapon, making it an imminent threat. The decision to directly involve the US in the war comes after more than a week of Israeli strikes that significantly degraded Iran's air defences and offensive missile capabilities, and damaged its nuclear enrichment facilities. After the airstrikes the US president posted: "This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!" Israel announced Sunday that it had closed its airspace to both inbound and outbound flights in the wake of the US attacks. The attack used bunker-buster bombs on Iran's Fordo nuclear fuel enrichment plant built deep into a mountain, a US official said. In addition, US submarines launched about 30 Tomahawk missiles. The decision to attack, taken without congressional approval, was a risky one for Trump, who won the White House partially on the promise of keeping the US out of costly foreign conflicts. But Trump also vowed that he would not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. After Israel began striking Iran, Trump went from publicly expressing hope that the moment could be a "second chance" for Iran to make a deal to delivering explicit threats on Khamenei and making calls for Tehran's unconditional surrender. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump's decision saying the US "has done what no other country on earth could do." Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who had threatened to resume attacks on US vessels in the Red Sea if the Trump administration joined Israel's military campaign, called on other Muslim nations to form "one front against the Zionist-American arrogance." Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 865 people and wounded 3,396 others, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists. The group said of those dead, it identified 363 civilians and 215 security force personnel. Satellite images are showing damage to Iran's underground nuclear site at Fordo, one of three facilities targetted by US airstrikes, in alliance with Israel's mission to destroy its foe's nuclear program. The images by Planet Labs PBC showed damage to the site's entryways and also to the mountain that Fordo is under. Sealing those entry tunnels means that Iran would have to dig out the facility to reach anything inside. In an address to the nation from the White House, US President Donald Trump asserted that Iran's key nuclear sites had been "completely and fully obliterated". Trump warned there would be additional strikes if Tehran retaliated against US forces. "There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran," he said. The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran confirmed that attacks took place on its Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz sites, but insisted that its nuclear program will not be stopped. The International Atomic Energy Agency said there were no immediate signs of radioactive contamination at the three locations following the strikes. Chief Rafael Grossi, has convened an emergency meeting of the nuclear watchdog. Leaders and international organisations around the globe are appealing for diplomacy to de-escalate the conflict. But Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that the US strikes had 'launched a dangerous war' and blown up any possibility of diplomacy with the Americans or Europeans. "Last week, we were in negotiations with the US when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy. This week, we held talks with the E3/EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy," Araghchi wrote on X. "What conclusion would you draw?" Hours after the US attacks, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it launched a barrage of 40 missiles at Israel, including its Khorramshahr-4, which can carry multiple warheads. Israeli authorities reported that more than 80 people suffered mostly minor injuries, though one multi-storey building in Tel Aviv was significantly damaged, with its facade torn away exposing the apartments inside. Houses across the street were almost completely destroyed. Following the Iranian barrage, Israel's military said it had "swiftly neutralised" the Iranian missile launchers that had fired, and that it had begun a series of strikes toward military targets in western Iran. Iran has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. However, Trump and Israeli leaders have argued it could quickly assemble a nuclear weapon, making it an imminent threat. The decision to directly involve the US in the war comes after more than a week of Israeli strikes that significantly degraded Iran's air defences and offensive missile capabilities, and damaged its nuclear enrichment facilities. After the airstrikes the US president posted: "This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!" Israel announced Sunday that it had closed its airspace to both inbound and outbound flights in the wake of the US attacks. The attack used bunker-buster bombs on Iran's Fordo nuclear fuel enrichment plant built deep into a mountain, a US official said. In addition, US submarines launched about 30 Tomahawk missiles. The decision to attack, taken without congressional approval, was a risky one for Trump, who won the White House partially on the promise of keeping the US out of costly foreign conflicts. But Trump also vowed that he would not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. After Israel began striking Iran, Trump went from publicly expressing hope that the moment could be a "second chance" for Iran to make a deal to delivering explicit threats on Khamenei and making calls for Tehran's unconditional surrender. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump's decision saying the US "has done what no other country on earth could do." Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who had threatened to resume attacks on US vessels in the Red Sea if the Trump administration joined Israel's military campaign, called on other Muslim nations to form "one front against the Zionist-American arrogance." Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 865 people and wounded 3,396 others, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists. The group said of those dead, it identified 363 civilians and 215 security force personnel. Satellite images are showing damage to Iran's underground nuclear site at Fordo, one of three facilities targetted by US airstrikes, in alliance with Israel's mission to destroy its foe's nuclear program. The images by Planet Labs PBC showed damage to the site's entryways and also to the mountain that Fordo is under. Sealing those entry tunnels means that Iran would have to dig out the facility to reach anything inside. In an address to the nation from the White House, US President Donald Trump asserted that Iran's key nuclear sites had been "completely and fully obliterated". Trump warned there would be additional strikes if Tehran retaliated against US forces. "There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran," he said. The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran confirmed that attacks took place on its Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz sites, but insisted that its nuclear program will not be stopped. The International Atomic Energy Agency said there were no immediate signs of radioactive contamination at the three locations following the strikes. Chief Rafael Grossi, has convened an emergency meeting of the nuclear watchdog. Leaders and international organisations around the globe are appealing for diplomacy to de-escalate the conflict. But Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that the US strikes had 'launched a dangerous war' and blown up any possibility of diplomacy with the Americans or Europeans. "Last week, we were in negotiations with the US when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy. This week, we held talks with the E3/EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy," Araghchi wrote on X. "What conclusion would you draw?" Hours after the US attacks, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said it launched a barrage of 40 missiles at Israel, including its Khorramshahr-4, which can carry multiple warheads. Israeli authorities reported that more than 80 people suffered mostly minor injuries, though one multi-storey building in Tel Aviv was significantly damaged, with its facade torn away exposing the apartments inside. Houses across the street were almost completely destroyed. Following the Iranian barrage, Israel's military said it had "swiftly neutralised" the Iranian missile launchers that had fired, and that it had begun a series of strikes toward military targets in western Iran. Iran has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. However, Trump and Israeli leaders have argued it could quickly assemble a nuclear weapon, making it an imminent threat. The decision to directly involve the US in the war comes after more than a week of Israeli strikes that significantly degraded Iran's air defences and offensive missile capabilities, and damaged its nuclear enrichment facilities. After the airstrikes the US president posted: "This is an HISTORIC MOMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ISRAEL, AND THE WORLD. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR. THANK YOU!" Israel announced Sunday that it had closed its airspace to both inbound and outbound flights in the wake of the US attacks. The attack used bunker-buster bombs on Iran's Fordo nuclear fuel enrichment plant built deep into a mountain, a US official said. In addition, US submarines launched about 30 Tomahawk missiles. The decision to attack, taken without congressional approval, was a risky one for Trump, who won the White House partially on the promise of keeping the US out of costly foreign conflicts. But Trump also vowed that he would not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon. After Israel began striking Iran, Trump went from publicly expressing hope that the moment could be a "second chance" for Iran to make a deal to delivering explicit threats on Khamenei and making calls for Tehran's unconditional surrender. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump's decision saying the US "has done what no other country on earth could do." Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, who had threatened to resume attacks on US vessels in the Red Sea if the Trump administration joined Israel's military campaign, called on other Muslim nations to form "one front against the Zionist-American arrogance." Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 865 people and wounded 3,396 others, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists. The group said of those dead, it identified 363 civilians and 215 security force personnel.
