The recent joint military strikes by the United States and Israel against targets in Iran followed months of escalating tensions rooted in domestic unrest, stalled diplomatic negotiations, and longstanding disputes over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and regional influence.
The developments unfolded against the backdrop of violent protests within Iran, renewed disagreements over uranium enrichment, disputes over ballistic missile capabilities, and growing concerns about Iranian-backed armed groups operating across the Middle East.
Protest Crackdown
Nationwide protests first erupted in Tehran in late December over worsening economic conditions before spreading to other cities and transforming into a broader anti-government movement. Demonstrations peaked on January 8 and 9.
Iranian authorities responded with a sweeping crackdown. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that more than 7,000 people were killed, mostly protesters, while noting that the actual death toll could be significantly higher. The agency also estimated that more than 53,000 people have been arrested since January.
US President Donald Trump cited figures of up to 32,000 deaths, referencing reports from Persian-language media operating outside Iran.
Iranian officials, however, acknowledged more than 3,000 deaths and attributed the violence to what they described as “terrorist acts” allegedly orchestrated by the United States and Israel.
Amid the unrest, President Trump initially expressed support for the Iranian people, stating on January 13 that “help is on its way.” He subsequently ordered one of the largest US military deployments to the Middle East in decades.
Nuclear Programme Dispute
While the protests initially dominated Washington’s rhetoric, attention soon shifted to Iran’s nuclear programme — a source of friction between Tehran and Western powers for years.
The United States and its allies have long accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons capability, a claim Tehran consistently denies, insisting its programme is solely for peaceful civilian purposes.
However, Iran has enriched uranium to levels of up to 60 percent purity — significantly above what is typically required for civilian energy production — raising concerns in Washington and other Western capitals.
In an effort to revive diplomacy, US and Iranian officials held indirect talks in Geneva aimed at restoring a nuclear agreement. Speaking during his State of the Union address, President Trump warned of Iran’s “sinister nuclear ambitions,” alleging that Tehran was seeking weapons capable of striking the United States.
Negotiations ended without a breakthrough, with reports indicating that Washington sought to expand discussions beyond nuclear activities to include Iran’s ballistic missile programme and its support for regional armed groups.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, warned that the United States would need to abandon what he described as “excessive demands” if a deal were to be reached.
Ballistic Missile Tensions
A major sticking point in the talks was Iran’s ballistic missile programme. President Trump expressed frustration after Tehran declined to negotiate on the issue.
Israel has repeatedly argued that Iran’s short- and medium-range missile stockpiles pose a direct security threat. US officials have also claimed that Iran is developing longer-range missiles capable of reaching Europe and potentially the United States.
Tehran maintains that its missile programme is non-negotiable, describing it as a legitimate component of its national defence strategy.
Iranian-Backed Regional Proxies
Beyond nuclear and missile concerns, Washington and Tel Aviv have intensified criticism of Iran’s regional influence through allied armed groups often referred to as the “axis of resistance.”
These groups include Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in the Palestinian territories, the Houthis in Yemen, and several militias operating in Iraq and Syria.
President Trump accused Iran of arming, training and funding militant organisations responsible for attacks across the region, including strikes on Israel and assaults on US personnel and assets.
He referenced the October 7 attacks carried out by Hamas against Israel and cited what he described as repeated assaults on US forces, naval vessels, commercial ships and international shipping routes in the Middle East.
Hezbollah and the Houthis have also launched attacks targeting Israel in recent months, further heightening regional instability.
Escalating Confrontation
With diplomatic efforts stalled and tensions mounting over domestic repression, nuclear enrichment, missile capabilities and regional militancy, the joint US-Israeli strikes mark a significant escalation in the confrontation with Tehran.
The situation continues to evolve, with global powers closely monitoring developments amid fears of a broader regional conflict.
What Triggered the US-Israeli Strikes on Iran: Protests, Nuclear Tensions and Regional Militias
