Why is News :
- The United States has conducted direct airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
- This marks the first formal military entry of the US into the ongoing Israel–Iran conflict.
Key Details of the Attack
- US used advanced B-2 Spirit stealth bombers.
- Deployed GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), a bunker-busting bomb.
- Fordow, a heavily fortified underground facility, was a major target.
- This is the first known combat use of the GBU-57 MOP.
Significance of the Strike
- Marks a transition from indirect support to active military involvement by the US in the Israel–Iran conflict.
- Demonstrates the US’s “iron-clad” commitment to Israeli security.
- Achieves a key Israeli objective by destroying a site it couldn’t target independently.
Shift in US Doctrine
- Contradicts former President Trump’s policy of avoiding foreign wars.
- Represents a significant shift from his promise of restraint in Middle Eastern conflicts.
- May signal a new era of direct US engagement in West Asian security affairs.
Strategic Blow to Iran
- Iran has suffered over 600 casualties in a week due to combined Israeli and US actions.
- Iranian proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah have been degraded.
- Iran’s nuclear deterrent capability and regional influence have been severely challenged.
Collapse of the ‘Axis of Resistance’
- Israel’s sustained offensive has weakened Iran’s regional network.
- The symbolic blow of strikes on Iranian soil, with little resistance, shows Tehran’s isolation.
- Iran’s long-standing posture as a regional power is under strain.
International Legal and Ethical Questions
- Iran has called the US strikes a violation of sovereignty and international law.
- Critics compare this to the 2003 Iraq invasion, questioning US credibility and motives.
- Concerns over pre-emptive use of force without UN approval have resurfaced.
Iran’s Nuclear Future
- The destruction of key nuclear facilities poses a dilemma for Iran’s scientific and strategic community
- The risk of future strikes may push Iran toward openly pursuing nuclear weapons.
- The global community is watching to see if Iran escalates or restrategizes.
Wider Regional Consequences
- Iran may retaliate using ballistic missiles or regional proxies.
- Potential disruption of trade routes in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea.
- Partial blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could cause oil supply shocks and price spikes.
- Any attack on US bases may drag Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Qatar into the conflict.
Implications for India
- India imports ~60% of its crude oil from the Middle East.
- Over 8 million Indian citizens live and work in the region.
- Escalation threatens energy security, inflation management, and evacuation logistics.
- The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) may be disrupted.
- India’s long-term strategic, trade, and diplomatic initiatives are at risk.
Technological Highlights
- GBU-57 MOP is a 13,000 kg bomb that can penetrate up to 60 meters underground.
- Designed for fortified nuclear and military sites.
- The B-2 Spirit bomber is a stealth, long-range aircraft designed for deep-penetration missions.
- Together, they represent cutting-edge non-nuclear offensive capabilities.
| UPSC Relevance GS2: International Relations, West Asia geopolitics, India’s foreign policy. GS3: Defence technology, energy security, maritime security. Possible Mains Questions How does the deepening US–Israel military partnership reshape regional power equations in West Asia? Evaluate with reference to India’s strategic interests. |