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Time of India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Netanyahu's governing coalition is fracturing. Here's what it means for Israel and Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 's government suffered a serious blow on Tuesday when an ultra-Orthodox party announced it was bolting the coalition. While this doesn't immediately threaten Netanyahu 's rule, it could set in motion his government's demise, although that could still be months away. It also could complicate efforts to halt the war in Gaza. United Torah Judaism's two factions said they were leaving the government because of disagreements over a proposed law that would end broad exemptions for religious students from enlistment into the military. Military service is compulsory for most Jewish Israelis, and the issue of exemptions has long divided the country. Those rifts have only widened since the start of the war in Gaza as demand for military manpower has grown and hundreds of soldiers have been killed. The threat to the government "looks more serious than ever," said Shuki Friedman, vice president of the Jewish People Policy Institute , a Jerusalem think tank. Live Events Netanyahu is on trial for alleged corruption, and critics say he wants to hang on to power so that he can use his office as a bully pulpit to rally supporters and lash out against prosecutors and judges. That makes him all the more vulnerable to the whims of his coalition allies. Here is a look at Netanyahu's political predicament and some potential scenarios: The ultra-Orthodox are key partners Netanyahu, Israel 's longest serving leader, has long relied on the ultra-Orthodox parties to prop up his governments. Without UTJ, his coalition holds just 61 out of parliament's 120 seats. That means Netanyahu will be more susceptible to pressure from other elements within his government, especially far-right parties who strongly oppose ending the war in Gaza. The political shake up isn't likely to completely derail ceasefire talks, but it could complicate how flexible Netanyahu can be in his concessions to Hamas. A second ultra-Orthodox party is also considering bolting the government over the draft issue. That would give Netanyahu a minority in parliament and make governing almost impossible. The ultra-Orthodox military exemptions have divided Israel A decades-old arrangement by Israel's first prime minister granted hundreds of ultra-Orthodox men exemptions from compulsory Israeli service. Over the years, those exemptions ballooned into the thousands and created deep divisions in Israel. The ultra-Orthodox say their men are serving the country by studying sacred Jewish texts and preserving centuries' old tradition. They fear that mandatory enlistment will dilute adherents' connection to the faith. But most Jewish Israelis see the exemption as unfair, as well as the generous government stipends granted to many ultra-Orthodox men who study instead of work throughout adulthood. That bitterness has only worsened during nearly two years of war. The politically powerful ultra-Orthodox parties have long had outsize influence in Israel's fragmented political system and used that status to extract major concessions for their constituents. But a court last year ruled Netanyahu's government must enlist the ultra-Orthodox so long as there is no new law codifying the exemptions. Netanyahu's coalition has been trying to find a path forward on a new law. But his base is largely opposed to granting sweeping draft exemptions and a key lawmaker has stood in the way of giving the ultra-Orthodox a law they can get behind, prompting their exit. The political shake up comes during Gaza ceasefire talks The resignations don't take effect for 48 hours, so Netanyahu will likely spend the next two days seeking a compromise. But that won't be easy because the Supreme Court has said the old system of exemptions amounts to discrimination against the secular majority. That does not mean the government will collapse. Netanyahu's opponents cannot submit a motion to dissolve parliament until the end of the year because of procedural reasons. And with parliament's summer recess beginning later this month, the parties could use that time to find a compromise and return to the government. Cabinet Minister Miki Zohar, from Netanyahu's Likud party, said he was hopeful the religious party could be coaxed back to the coalition. "God willing, everything will be fine," he said. A Likud spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Once the departures become official, Netanyahu will have a razor-thin majority. The far-right parties within it could threaten to leave the coalition, further weakening him, if he gives in to too many of Hamas' demands. Hamas wants a permanent end to the war as part of any ceasefire deal. Netanyahu's hard-line partners are open to a temporary truce, but say the war cannot end until Hamas is destroyed. If they or any other party leave the coalition, Netanyahu will have a minority government, and that will make it almost impossible to govern and likely lead to its collapse. But he could still find ways to approve a ceasefire deal, including with support from the political opposition. Israel may be on the path toward early elections Netanyahu could seek to shore up his coalition by appeasing the far-right and agreeing for now to just a partial, 60-day ceasefire with Hamas, promising his governing partners that he can still resume the war once it expires. But Netanyahu is balancing those political constraints with pressure from the Trump administration, which is pressing Israel to wrap up the war. Gayil Talshir, a political scientist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem , said she expects Netanyahu to work during those 60 days to shift the narrative away from the draft exemptions and the war in Gaza, toward something that could potentially give him an electoral boost - like an expansion of U.S.-led normalization deals between Israel and Arab or Muslim countries. Once the 60-day ceasefire is up, Netanyahu could bend to U.S. pressure to end the war and bring home the remaining hostages in Gaza - a move most Israelis would support. Elections are currently scheduled for October 2026. But if Netanyahu feels like he has improved his political standing, he may want to call elections before then.
Global News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Netanyahu's governing coalition is fracturing. What does it mean for Gaza?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government suffered a serious blow on Tuesday when an ultra-Orthodox party announced it was bolting the coalition. While this doesn't immediately threaten Netanyahu's rule, it could set in motion his government's demise, although that could still be months away. It also could complicate efforts to halt the conflict in Gaza. United Torah Judaism's two factions said they were leaving the government because of disagreements over a proposed law that would end broad exemptions for religious students from enlistment into the military. Military service is compulsory for most Jewish Israelis, and the issue of exemptions has long divided the country. Those rifts have only widened since the start of the conflict in Gaza as demand for military manpower has grown and hundreds of soldiers have been killed. The threat to the government 'looks more serious than ever,' said Shuki Friedman, vice president of the Jewish People Policy Institute, a Jerusalem think tank. Story continues below advertisement Netanyahu is on trial for alleged corruption, and critics say he wants to hang on to power so that he can use his office as a bully pulpit to rally supporters and lash out against prosecutors and judges. That makes him all the more vulnerable to the whims of his coalition allies. Here is a look at Netanyahu's political predicament and some potential scenarios: The ultra-Orthodox are key partners Netanyahu, Israel's longest serving leader, has long relied on the ultra-Orthodox parties to prop up his governments. Without UTJ, his coalition holds just 61 out of parliament's 120 seats. That means Netanyahu will be more susceptible to pressure from other elements within his government, especially far-right parties who strongly oppose ending the conflict in Gaza. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The political shake up isn't likely to completely derail ceasefire talks, but it could complicate how flexible Netanyahu can be in his concessions to Hamas. Story continues below advertisement A second ultra-Orthodox party is also considering bolting the government over the draft issue. That would give Netanyahu a minority in parliament and make governing almost impossible. Israel divided A decades-old arrangement by Israel's first prime minister granted hundreds of ultra-Orthodox men exemptions from compulsory Israeli service. Over the years, those exemptions ballooned into the thousands and created deep divisions in Israel. The ultra-Orthodox say their men are serving the country by studying sacred Jewish texts and preserving centuries' old tradition. They fear that mandatory enlistment will dilute adherents' connection to the faith. But most Jewish Israelis see the exemption as unfair, as well as the generous government stipends granted to many ultra-Orthodox men who study instead of work throughout adulthood. That bitterness has only worsened during nearly two years of conflict. Story continues below advertisement The politically powerful ultra-Orthodox parties have long had outsize influence in Israel's fragmented political system and used that status to extract major concessions for their constituents. But a court last year ruled Netanyahu's government must enlist the ultra-Orthodox so long as there is no new law codifying the exemptions. Netanyahu's coalition has been trying to find a path forward on a new law. But his base is largely opposed to granting sweeping draft exemptions and a key lawmaker has stood in the way of giving the ultra-Orthodox a law they can get behind, prompting their exit. The resignations don't take effect for 48 hours, so Netanyahu will likely spend the next two days seeking a compromise. But that won't be easy because the Supreme Court has said the old system of exemptions amounts to discrimination against the secular majority. That does not mean the government will collapse. Netanyahu's opponents cannot submit a motion to dissolve parliament until the end of the year because of procedural reasons. And with parliament's summer recess beginning later this month, the parties could use that time to find a compromise and return to the government. Cabinet Minister Miki Zohar, from Netanyahu's Likud party, said he was hopeful the religious party could be coaxed back to the coalition. 'God willing, everything will be fine,' he said. A Likud spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Story continues below advertisement Once the departures become official, Netanyahu will have a razor-thin majority. The far-right parties within it could threaten to leave the coalition, further weakening him, if he gives in to too many of Hamas' demands. Hamas wants a permanent end to the conflict as part of any ceasefire deal. Netanyahu's hard-line partners are open to a temporary truce, but say the conflict cannot end until Hamas is destroyed. If they or any other party leave the coalition, Netanyahu will have a minority government, and that will make it almost impossible to govern and likely lead to its collapse. But he could still find ways to approve a ceasefire deal, including with support from the political opposition. Early elections? Netanyahu could seek to shore up his coalition by appeasing the far-right and agreeing for now to just a partial, 60-day ceasefire with Hamas, promising his governing partners that he can still resume the conflict once it expires. Story continues below advertisement But Netanyahu is balancing those political constraints with pressure from the Trump administration, which is pressing Israel to wrap up the conflict. Gayil Talshir, a political scientist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said she expects Netanyahu to work during those 60 days to shift the narrative away from the draft exemptions and the conflict in Gaza, toward something that could potentially give him an electoral boost – like an expansion of U.S.-led normalization deals between Israel and Arab or Muslim countries. Once the 60-day ceasefire is up, Netanyahu could bend to U.S. pressure to end the conflict and bring home the remaining hostages in Gaza — a move most Israelis would support. Elections are currently scheduled for October 2026. But if Netanyahu feels like he has improved his political standing, he may want to call elections before then.
Miami Herald
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
The Plane and the Bomb That Could Draw America Into a War With Iran
Located deep below a mountain, Iran's Fordow nuclear site was always going to be a tough target for Israel. Israeli weapons would struggle to reach it-but the U.S.'s arsenal can. American B-2 Spirit bombers, equipped with one of the world's heaviest non-nuclear bombs, are thought to be the only aircraft-and-bomb pairing able to destroy a target like the nuclear plant at Fordow. The 30,000 pound GBU-57/B bunker buster, also known as the Massive Ordinance Penetrator (MOP), would very likely be the weapon of choice if President Donald Trump gave the green light to U.S. involvement in Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear program. So far, the White House has signaled a reluctance to wade into the fighting in the Middle East, now entering its fifth day. The U.S. administration appears to be 'keeping its options open' as of early morning on the east coast, Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the U.S., told Newsweek. But Israeli sources say the mood in the country has changed overnight. It seems 'more and more tangible' that the U.S. could become involved in targeting Iran's nuclear sites, said Shuki Friedman, director-general at the Jewish People Policy Institute, an Israeli think tank. Israel early on Friday local time launched 'preemptive' strikes on Iran's nuclear program, its ballistic missile sites and other military facilities. Israel has continued to strike across the country as Iran targeted Israel with drones and missiles, some of which evaded Israel's extensive air defenses. 'It's possible we could get involved,' Trump told ABC on Sunday. 'But we are not at this moment involved.' To embroil the U.S. in the conflict would be a significant step. Trump has warned Iran-which has cast the U.S. as already involved-that Tehran would face 'the full strength and might' of the U.S. military on 'levels you've never seen before' if Iran attacked the U.S. in any way. Trump left the G7 summit in Canada on Monday, but said his early departure from the major meeting was not related to a deal to stop the fighting between Iran and Israel. French President Emmanuel Macron had told reporters there was an 'offer' on the table for a ceasefire. Trump, referencing the comments on his Truth Social platform, called the French president 'publicity seeking,' adding: 'He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire.' 'Much bigger than that,' Trump added. In a later post, the president called for residents of Iran's capital to 'immediately evacuate.' Fordow is roughly 100 miles from Tehran. Trump separately told reporters on Monday he wanted a 'real end' to discussions over nuclear capabilities with Tehran, with the country 'giving up entirely' on nuclear weapons, according to a CBS reporter. 'I didn't say I was looking for a ceasefire,' Trump told the journalist. Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesperson, said U.S. forces had 'not changed' their 'defensive posture.' But everything is 'in place' for a U.S. entry into the Israeli strike campaign, Friedman told Newsweek. The U.S. is moving its USS Nimitz aircraft carrier toward the Middle East, and Israel's air force has worked hard to wipe out Iranian air defenses that could threaten both its advanced aircraft and, theoretically, U.S. bombers. Israel targeted part of a Russian-made S-300 air defense system around the central Iranian city of Isfahan in April. Wider attacks in October then destroyed the remaining S-300s at Iran's disposal, Israel said. This left Iran 'vulnerable' to additional strikes and to Israeli F-35s, said Daniel Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel now at the Atlantic Council. It will be unable to replace these losses in the short-term, he told Newsweek on Monday. Israel also targeted air defenses in Syria at the end of 2024 after the country's regime, led by former leader Bashar al-Assad, collapsed. Israel has an advanced air force, kitted out with fifth-generation F-35i stealth fighters that targeted many of Iran's air defenses, plus the F-15 and F-16 jets that then swooped in with bombs and missiles. But it does not have any bombers capable of ferrying the likes of the GBU-57/B. The B-2 is the only aircraft cleared to carry the bunker buster in combat, although the B-52 has tested the MOP. The distinctively designed and stealthy B-2 Spirit has a crew of two and is able to launch conventional or nuclear weapons. The U.S. Air Force has 19 operational B-2A aircraft, according to the U.K.-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), which publishes annual counts of the world's armed forces. The B-2 was designed to skirt the Soviet Union's air defenses and deliver nuclear strikes, said William Alberque, a visiting fellow at the Henry L. Stimson Center and a former director of NATO's Arms Control, Disarmament and WMD Non-Proliferation Center. The stealth bombers, able to cover enormous distances without stopping to refuel, were adapted to carry large conventional bombs, he told Newsweek. The MOP is a descent of the weapon nicknamed the 'mother of all bombs' in the Iraq war era, Alberque said, but was upgraded to be smaller and able to penetrate further into hardened targets. Israel, without the B-2 and the MOP, could still strike Fordow, analysts say. But it would take a huge amount of Israel's much smaller bombs, across many, many strikes, to hit deep into Fordow, and could expose aircraft targeting the nuclear site to Iran's remaining air defenses and mobile equipment. Even the American B-2 would need to strike Fordow more than once to collapse more than the entrance and damage the centrifuge hall, Alberque said. But without knocking out Fordow, Alberque said, Israel cannot credibly say it has destroyed Iran's ability to build a nuclear bomb. It is also not clear, at least in the public domain, how much of Iran's highly enriched uranium remains and how many centrifuges the regime actually has. Experts say there is no visible damage at Fordow since Israel started its strike campaign last week. The United Nations' nuclear watchdog assessed on Monday that Israel had 'severely damaged if not destroyed' centrifuges at the underground facility in Natanz, one of the three major nuclear sites in Iran. Centrifuges enrich uranium. The below-ground centrifuges were not hit directly, but Israeli strikes caused power cuts and 'completely destroyed' the above-ground Natanz site, Rafael Grossi, the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told the BBC. In separate remarks, the IAEA chief said the watchdog had not seen any fresh damage to Natanz since Friday. Satellite imagery published by Maxar on Monday showed vehicle tracks over the same areas where craters were visible the previous day. Four buildings were damaged at Isfahan, another major nuclear site in central Iran, Grossi said. The U.S. and Israel have repeatedly said it would be unacceptable for Iran to get hold of a nuclear weapon. 'Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON,' Trump said on Monday. The IAEA has warned for months Iran was producing uranium enriched up to 60 percent. The higher the percentage, the more efficient a nuclear weapon would be. Uranium enriched to 60 percent could theoretically be used for a nuclear weapon, albeit an inefficient one by most standards. Weapons-grade enriched uranium is considered to be 90 percent. The IAEA said last week Iran was not cooperating with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years. Tehran said it would get a new enrichment site in a 'secure location' up and running. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful. But senior officials have publicly debated developing a nuclear weapon. A 2015 agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or simply as the Iran nuclear deal, relieved sanctions leveled against Iran in exchange for new limits on Tehran's nuclear program. Also, the powers involved at the time tried to limit weapons sales to and from Iran, as well as the country's ballistic missile development. However, Iran has openly said it has abandoned parts of the JCPOA since Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal during his first time in office. Trump, since returning to the White House in January, has threatened to unleash 'bombing the likes of which they have never seen' on Iran if it doesn't ink a deal to limit its nuclear program. Iran says it will not enter discussions on a deal while under Israeli attack. Related Articles Mike Lindell Suffers Major $2.3 Million Legal BlowThe 1600: On the BrinkElon Musk Shares Apparent Results of Urinary Drugs Test: 'Lol'Nuclear Bomb Map Shows Impact of US Weapons on Iran 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
The Plane and the Bomb That Could Draw America Into a War With Iran
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Located deep below a mountain, Iran's Fordow nuclear site was always going to be a tough target for Israel. Israeli weapons would struggle to reach it—but the U.S.'s arsenal can. American B-2 Spirit bombers, equipped with one of the world's heaviest non-nuclear bombs, are thought to be the only aircraft-and-bomb pairing able to destroy a target like the nuclear plant at Fordow. The 30,000 pound GBU-57/B bunker buster, also known as the Massive Ordinance Penetrator (MOP), would very likely be the weapon of choice if President Donald Trump gave the green light to U.S. involvement in Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear program. So far, the White House has signaled a reluctance to wade into the fighting in the Middle East, now entering its fifth day. A B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber proceeds to an undisclosed location after completing a mission over Iraq on March 27, 2003. A B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber proceeds to an undisclosed location after completing a mission over Iraq on March 27, 2003. Cherie A. Thurlby/ U.S. administration appears to be "keeping its options open" as of early morning on the east coast, Michael Oren, former Israeli ambassador to the U.S., told Newsweek. But Israeli sources say the mood in the country has changed overnight. It seems "more and more tangible" that the U.S. could become involved in targeting Iran's nuclear sites, said Shuki Friedman, director-general at the Jewish People Policy Institute, an Israeli think tank. Israel early on Friday local time launched "preemptive" strikes on Iran's nuclear program, its ballistic missile sites and other military facilities. Israel has continued to strike across the country as Iran targeted Israel with drones and missiles, some of which evaded Israel's extensive air defenses. "It's possible we could get involved," Trump told ABC on Sunday. "But we are not at this moment involved." What Has Trump Done So Far? To embroil the U.S. in the conflict would be a significant step. Trump has warned Iran—which has cast the U.S. as already involved—that Tehran would face "the full strength and might" of the U.S. military on "levels you've never seen before" if Iran attacked the U.S. in any way. Trump left the G7 summit in Canada on Monday, but said his early departure from the major meeting was not related to a deal to stop the fighting between Iran and Israel. French President Emmanuel Macron had told reporters there was an "offer" on the table for a ceasefire. Trump, referencing the comments on his Truth Social platform, called the French president "publicity seeking," adding: "He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire." "Much bigger than that," Trump added. In a later post, the president called for residents of Iran's capital to "immediately evacuate." Fordow is roughly 100 miles from Tehran. Trump separately told reporters on Monday he wanted a "real end" to discussions over nuclear capabilities with Tehran, with the country "giving up entirely" on nuclear weapons, according to a CBS reporter. "I didn't say I was looking for a ceasefire," Trump told the journalist. Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesperson, said U.S. forces had "not changed" their "defensive posture." But everything is "in place" for a U.S. entry into the Israeli strike campaign, Friedman told Newsweek. The U.S. is moving its USS Nimitz aircraft carrier toward the Middle East, and Israel's air force has worked hard to wipe out Iranian air defenses that could threaten both its advanced aircraft and, theoretically, U.S. bombers. Israel targeted part of a Russian-made S-300 air defense system around the central Iranian city of Isfahan in April. Wider attacks in October then destroyed the remaining S-300s at Iran's disposal, Israel said. This left Iran "vulnerable" to additional strikes and to Israeli F-35s, said Daniel Shapiro, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel now at the Atlantic Council. It will be unable to replace these losses in the short-term, he told Newsweek on Monday. Israel also targeted air defenses in Syria at the end of 2024 after the country's regime, led by former leader Bashar al-Assad, collapsed. What Are the B-2 and the MOP? Israel has an advanced air force, kitted out with fifth-generation F-35i stealth fighters that targeted many of Iran's air defenses, plus the F-15 and F-16 jets that then swooped in with bombs and missiles. But it does not have any bombers capable of ferrying the likes of the GBU-57/B. The B-2 is the only aircraft cleared to carry the bunker buster in combat, although the B-52 has tested the MOP. The distinctively designed and stealthy B-2 Spirit has a crew of two and is able to launch conventional or nuclear weapons. The U.S. Air Force has 19 operational B-2A aircraft, according to the U.K.-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), which publishes annual counts of the world's armed forces. The B-2 was designed to skirt the Soviet Union's air defenses and deliver nuclear strikes, said William Alberque, a visiting fellow at the Henry L. Stimson Center and a former director of NATO's Arms Control, Disarmament and WMD Non-Proliferation Center. The stealth bombers, able to cover enormous distances without stopping to refuel, were adapted to carry large conventional bombs, he told Newsweek. The MOP is a descent of the weapon nicknamed the "mother of all bombs" in the Iraq war era, Alberque said, but was upgraded to be smaller and able to penetrate further into hardened targets. Israel, without the B-2 and the MOP, could still strike Fordow, analysts say. But it would take a huge amount of Israel's much smaller bombs, across many, many strikes, to hit deep into Fordow, and could expose aircraft targeting the nuclear site to Iran's remaining air defenses and mobile equipment. Even the American B-2 would need to strike Fordow more than once to collapse more than the entrance and damage the centrifuge hall, Alberque said. But without knocking out Fordow, Alberque said, Israel cannot credibly say it has destroyed Iran's ability to build a nuclear bomb. It is also not clear, at least in the public domain, how much of Iran's highly enriched uranium remains and how many centrifuges the regime actually has. Damage to Iran's Nuclear Sites Experts say there is no visible damage at Fordow since Israel started its strike campaign last week. The United Nations' nuclear watchdog assessed on Monday that Israel had "severely damaged if not destroyed" centrifuges at the underground facility in Natanz, one of the three major nuclear sites in Iran. Centrifuges enrich uranium. The below-ground centrifuges were not hit directly, but Israeli strikes caused power cuts and "completely destroyed" the above-ground Natanz site, Rafael Grossi, the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) told the BBC. In separate remarks, the IAEA chief said the watchdog had not seen any fresh damage to Natanz since Friday. Satellite imagery published by Maxar on Monday showed vehicle tracks over the same areas where craters were visible the previous day. Four buildings were damaged at Isfahan, another major nuclear site in central Iran, Grossi said. How Close Was Iran To a Nuclear Weapon? The U.S. and Israel have repeatedly said it would be unacceptable for Iran to get hold of a nuclear weapon. "Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON," Trump said on Monday. The IAEA has warned for months Iran was producing uranium enriched up to 60 percent. The higher the percentage, the more efficient a nuclear weapon would be. Uranium enriched to 60 percent could theoretically be used for a nuclear weapon, albeit an inefficient one by most standards. Weapons-grade enriched uranium is considered to be 90 percent. The IAEA said last week Iran was not cooperating with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years. Tehran said it would get a new enrichment site in a "secure location" up and running. Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful. But senior officials have publicly debated developing a nuclear weapon. A 2015 agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), or simply as the Iran nuclear deal, relieved sanctions leveled against Iran in exchange for new limits on Tehran's nuclear program. Also, the powers involved at the time tried to limit weapons sales to and from Iran, as well as the country's ballistic missile development. However, Iran has openly said it has abandoned parts of the JCPOA since Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal during his first time in office. Trump, since returning to the White House in January, has threatened to unleash "bombing the likes of which they have never seen" on Iran if it doesn't ink a deal to limit its nuclear program. Iran says it will not enter discussions on a deal while under Israeli attack.
San Francisco Chronicle
16-06-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
In this Israeli city hit by an Iranian missile, many people still support their military's operation
PETAH TIKVA, Israel (AP) — When an Iranian missile slammed into this central Israeli city, Miryam was huddled inside the concrete safe room in her family's apartment. Miryam was unscathed by the blast. But four people in the building next door were killed, and the explosion blew off the doors to the apartment and destroyed the kitchen and bathroom. 'This was the scariest thing I'd ever experienced,' said Miryam, who spoke to AP on condition that her last name not be used because she serves in the military. 'But the right thing is to attack Iran; I don't want them to have this power over us.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long identified Iran as Israel's greatest enemy, citing its hostile rhetoric and support for militant groups and accusing it of pursuing nuclear weapons — a charge Iran denies. After years of threats, Israel launched a surprise attack on Friday, killing Iranian military leaders and striking nuclear facilities in a blistering aerial assault. While no opinion polls have been released yet, the Israeli public — and even Netanyahu's rivals in the opposition – appears to be lining up behind the military operation in these early days. Such sentiment was evident in Petah Tikva, a middle-class city outside Tel Aviv where nearly a dozen residents said they support the operation, even after the deadly blast. The Iranian missiles appear to be the strongest assault on Israel's heartland since then-Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's Scud missile attacks during the first Gulf War in 1991. Residents in the area had packed suitcases, with some headed to stay with relatives and others to hotels paid for by the city. Idle teenagers sat among the wreckage staring at their ruined apartments. 'I still don't understand it,' said Eitan Tevel, 14, who spent an hour in the safe room of his sixth-floor apartment before emerging to see it damaged. Still, he said, he wants Israel to keep striking Iran. 'If we don't do it, many people will be destroyed,' he said. Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Iran. Officials say at least 224 people have been killed in Israel's air offensive and hundreds others wounded. On Monday, Israel ordered a neighborhood home to over 300,000 people in Tehran, the Iranian capital, to evacuate ahead of an expected bombing campaign. That has not halted the Iranian missile fire. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel and more than 500 injured, Israeli officials said, after Iran launched more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones. By mid-day, first responders in Petah Tikva were still assessing the damage and clearing buildings. Four complexes housing hundreds of families were impacted by the missile, which struck the side of one of the buildings and tore off the exterior. Windows and doors were blown off, with few cars in the vicinity unscathed. Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, visited the neighborhood, calling the attack 'pure evil.' Shmuel Rosner, a senior fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, said that as bad as the missile attacks have been, people had expected even worse. 'For many years we were told that when the day comes, we might have to spend days and weeks in bomb shelters and see thousands of buildings crash. That's not the case,' he said. But he warned that if there is a sense that Israel is failing to achieve its objectives, support could quickly dwindle. Older residents in this hard-hit neighborhood said the strikes reminded them of the first Gulf War over 30 years ago. Israel had limited air defenses, and people feared a chemical attack by the Iraqi leader. Many remember carrying gas masks and sealing windows with tape and plastic. People now feel protected by Israel's robust air defenses, but they also believe there's more at stake in this conflict. 'This is more scary,' said Nadav Shomron, 44, who remembers that war as a boy. 'If we have a nuclear Iran, Israel can't exist."
