Donald Trump

Israel sees an opportunity to eliminate a strategic regional rival, but the future course of events primarily hinges on what Trump decides to do next

Years of painstaking intelligence work went into the operation that activated vast networks of operatives and involved multiple layers of subterfuge

De-escalation is in the overwhelming interest of most countries in the region and the world, and we could see many extend a hand to help bring the conflict to an end

Israel's strikes on Iran have turned a simmering rivalry into a volatile confrontation, fuelling fears of a wider regional war with unpredictable consequences

The Israeli strikes aren't about facilities or centrifuges, but regime change

His vocal criticism of Trump's immigration tactics has seen him emerge as one of the president's most prominent opponents, prompting speculation that he may have presidential ambitions

Trump and Netanyahu disagree on whether to use military force to stop Iran's nuclear programme, and Israel's punishing attack on Iran places the region on a worrisome trajectory

While Israel's attack dealt a severe blow to Iran's military and nuclear infrastructure, the long-term impact remains uncertain as Tehran's potential for retaliation introduces new risks

Each side's actions carry risks of misjudgment, miscalculation, and the possibility that the conflict could escalate beyond the planned declared limits

The attack comes after a frenzy of speculation that Israel was planning to take military action against Iran's nuclear facilities