MyVoice: Views of our readers 23rd June 2025
A point of no return in West Asia
The Iran and Israel war has taken a dangerous turn with the US entering the war and straightaway destroying three nuclear facilities in Iran. This has pushed the war to a point of no return, especially for Tehran. In its desperation, Iran may contemplate blocking the strait of Hormuz as an effective measure to strangle vital fuel transports, apart from being engaged in a direct fight with Israel. The worsening situation in West Asia would cost the global economy dearly. Seemingly, India urging Iran for de-escalation may fall on deaf ears, given that America and Israel are responsible for the escalation.
Dr DVG Sankara Rao,Former MP, Vizianagaram
Trump has cheated his own people
Hours after Pakistan decided to nominate US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Prize for Peace, the White House dropped a 'full payload of bombs' on three key nuclear sites in Iran. The irony could not have been starker. US involvement in the war is noticeably evident. By 'substituting' Israel with the US in the war against Iran, Trump has dishonoured his election pledge of staying away from unending overseas wars and thereby betrayed the American voters. As POTUS, Trump has the 'luxury' of being able to launch bomb attacks on a sovereign nation and then triumphantly describe them as a 'spectacular success' and get away with the naked aggression. The blitzkrieg with state-of-the-art bombs targeting the nuclear facilities was an act of 'deception' in that it was carried out within two days of Trump's announcement of a two-week window to try diplomacy. Trump's claim that Iran's nuclear sites were 'completely and totally obliterated' by the bombs needs to be corroborated by an on-the-ground assessment of the extent of the damage. It is some consolation that there were no signs of radioactive contamination. Meanwhile, Tehran's determination to develop its nuclear programme does not seem to have been dented by the US strikes. Its resoluteness to defend itself remains unshaken as evidenced by the retaliatory missile attacks - despite Trump's warning of 'use of far greater force' and 'far worse tragedy'. How safe the world is during Trump's presidency remains a worrisome question.
G David Milton,Maruthancode (TN)
Flashpoint in West Asia
Although America has devastated Iran's nuclear installations, and thereby posing grave risk to Israel, Tehran apparently has not learnt any lessons as it belligerently continues to launch counter missile attacks. It is blocking Hormuz straits, which is the world's largest place for transporting crude oil. This step will result in a major shock to the global economy, vis-à-vis oil supply. The repercussions would be felt everywhere.
B. Veerakumaran Thampi.Thiruvananthapuram
Act of bravery or cowardness?
The USA has ultimately done what it has been saying, all along. Despite being the most powerful nation, both militarily and economically, Washington seems to be afraid of Iran. In fact, the US has failed to pressurise Israel. Today the fear of World War III haunts everyone, particularly after America's latest show of aggression. Will India react in a proper way and protest the onslaughts by Israel and the US, remains to be seen.
Kant S Deodhar,Hyderabad
On the brink of World War III
The world is on the edge of World War III if one goes by the US strikes against three nuclear enrichment sites in Iran—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. In effect, Washington entered Israel's war with Iran in the early hours of Sunday. US President Donald Trump has termed it a 'historic moment' for the US, Israel and the world, even as he blabbers about it being the 'time for peace'. All US planes outside of Iran air space have returned. A full payload of bombs was dropped on the primary site. A top official has asserted that several 30,000-pound bunker bombs were dropped on the underground nuclear facility in Fordow and that initial damage assessments indicated that the facility had been 'taken off the table'. The three attacks come a few days after Israel launched its operation in Iran, carrying out a series of strikes on nuclear facilities, key military personnel and nuclear scientists. With Iran talking of 'death to Israel' and 'death to the US', World War III appears imminent. The entire world, including India, must be prepared for such a catastrophic eventuality.
Bhagwan Thadani,Mumbai
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Hindustan Times
33 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Los Angeles Police apologises for ‘offensive and embarrassing' post about US bombings on Iran; Full statement here
Los Angeles Police rushed to remove an odd social media post regarding the Iranian conflict after it was widely condemned as 'offensive' and 'embarrassing.' The tweet has since been deleted, but the LA County Sheriff's Department posted condolences for the 'tragic' US attack on three Iranian nuclear facilities on Sunday. A demonstrator holds a sign during a protest against war with Iran outside the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Sunday, June 22, 2025. The US carried out airstrikes on three nuclear sites in Iran overnight, directly entering Israel's war with Tehran despite President Donald Trump's longtime promises to avoid new foreign conflicts. Photographer: Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg(Bloomberg) 'Our hearts go out to the victims and families impacted by the recent bombings in Iran. While this tragic event happened overseas, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is closely monitoring the situation alongside our local, state and federal partners,' the post on X read. Social media users slam 'out of touch' post The bizarre post was heavily criticized as 'out of touch'. 'We sincerely hope your account was hacked,' Stop Antisemitism reacted to the post while notifying LA police. 'There were no victims in last night's successful targeting of Iran's nuclear sites.' Another person on X wrote, 'How is this even real??' while a third user blasted the post as 'pathetic.' The tweet comes following protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that started earlier this month in Los Angeles. As thousands hit the streets to oppose the Trump administration's clampdown on illegal immigration across the US, largely peaceful demonstrations quickly descended into violence. Many people asked why police officers in Los Angeles were making comments about global policy and national defense matters. LA County Sheriffs takes down the post, issues apology The police agency swiftly apologised and removed the message from X. 'This post was unacceptable, made in error, and does not reflect the views of Sheriff Robert G. Luna or the Department,' LA County Sheriffs said in a post. According to the department, they have started an internal investigation to find out how it was posted. Also Read: US Embassy in Qatar sends urgent email to American citizens, issues 'shelter in place' warning amid Iran-Israel tension UN calls for emergency session as US launches strikes on Iran President Donald Trump stunned the world on Saturday night by confirming that three Iranian nuclear sites—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—were destroyed. On Sunday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres started the Security Council's emergency session. The facilities were bombed, which Guterres called a 'perilous turn in a region that is already reeling from the outset of the crisis.'
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump joins Iran war: US bombs nuke sites-But did the Ayatollah just win?
AI image for representation only. At 2:00am Tehran time, American B-2 bombers unleashed the most direct attack on Iran since the Islamic Republic was founded in 1979. Three nuclear sites-Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan-were pummeled with over 75 precision-guided munitions and Tomahawk missiles in a campaign US President Donald Trump claimed 'completely and totally obliterated' Iran's nuclear infrastructure. But the impact wasn't only military. It was psychological. It was political. And it was, perhaps, paradoxical. Why it matters Trump's dramatic decision to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities may have delivered a powerful message to Tehran but also an unintended gift: strengthening Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his regime that was increasingly isolated, domestically unpopular, and weakened by years of internal dissent. Trump's move, aimed at crushing Iran's nuclear ambitions and demonstrating American might, also reshaped the internal dynamics of the Islamic Republic. In the face of foreign aggression, even Iranians who oppose the regime found themselves rallying behind the flag - handing Khamenei a rare nationalist boost at a time of political fragility. A group of prominent Iranian civil society figures - long-time critics of the regime - condemned the attacks, calling them 'detrimental to the human rights and democracy-seeking efforts of Iranian civil society.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Envie de tuer le temps sur l'ordinateur ? Ce jeu de l'an 2025 est un must ! Forge Of Empires Jouer Undo The big picture The US military, led by B-2 bombers and Tomahawk missiles, struck three major Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordo , Natanz, and Isfahan. These facilities were at the heart of Iran's uranium enrichment program. Trump declared 'monumental damage' to the sites, writing on Truth Social that the deepest damage occurred 'far below ground level. Bullseye!!!' Israel followed up with its own barrage, including strikes on missile sites and suspected command centers in Tehran, Kermanshah, and Bushehr. But satellite imagery and expert assessments tell a more complicated story: while Iran's nuclear infrastructure took a hit, much of its enriched uranium and centrifuges may have been relocated ahead of the attack. The road to Fordo The nuclear facility at Fordo was built deep in a mountain, out of reach of most conventional weapons-except America's 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs. Trump deployed them for the first time in combat, declaring the target a 'bullseye.' Satellite imagery showed gaping craters at the site. But what about what was inside? Iranian officials, including those from the Atomic Energy Organization, claimed their most enriched uranium had already been moved. Intelligence experts can't confirm the extent of underground damage, and some believe Iran's nuclear assets are now more dispersed-and harder to target-than ever. 'This is an incomplete strike,' Jeffrey Lewis, a weapons expert and professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, told AP. 'If this is all there is, here's what's left: the entire stockpile of 60% uranium, which was stored at Isfahan in tunnels that are untouched,' Lewis added. What they're saying 'Mr Trump, the gambler, you may start this war, but we will be the ones to end it,' declared Iranian military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaqari. Trump doubled down on social media: 'If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???' Richard Haass, president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations, told CNN: 'This never would have happened had they had nuclear weapons … They may now sprint toward one.' Zoom in The nationalist reflex Trump triggered is deeply rooted in Iran's modern history. Since the CIA-backed coup in 1953 that toppled a democratically elected government, suspicion of foreign interference - especially from the US - has been a defining theme in Iranian politics. Even during the recent mass protests against the clerical regime, few demonstrators called for Western intervention. That ethos flared again after the strikes. A mural in Tehran was repainted recently: the American flag, with stars replaced by skulls and stripes as falling bombs, towers over a main boulevard. The 'Death to America' slogan remains etched into public spaces. The result: a regime many Iranians despise was suddenly able to posture as the protector of the nation. Between the lines There's a profound irony in the timing. Before the attack, Tehran's regime faced growing unrest. The once-vibrant reform movement had long since faltered. Crackdowns on protests in cities and small towns had turned many Iranians against their rulers. Trust in the ballot box was gone. Ayatollah Khamenei - aging and reportedly nominating his own successors - was presiding over a brittle system. But by launching military strikes on Iranian soil, the US - and Israel - allowed the Islamic Republic to reclaim a narrative it had lost: that of resisting imperial aggression. This sentiment is not just theoretical. In practice, it has meant increased government control, tighter censorship, and the silencing of opposition voices - now easier to justify under the guise of national defense. The intrigue The attack has sparked geopolitical ripple effects far beyond Iran: Russia: Hosting Iranian officials, Moscow warned of 'Pandora's box' being opened by US aggression. The UN: Secretary-General António Guterres feared a 'rathole of retaliation.' Global oil markets: Prices surged to their highest levels since January amid fears of wider conflict. What Trump wanted vs. what he got: Trump aimed to eliminate Iran's nuclear capability, deter future threats, and perhaps even force a regime change. He invoked strength, promising peace through overwhelming power. But what he may have achieved Reigniting anti-American fervor inside Iran. Rallying Iranians around a regime they otherwise loathed. Escalating a conflict that could outlast his presidency - and potentially ensnare the US in another Middle East quagmire. Vice President JD Vance tried to reassure Americans that the US does not seek regime change. But Trump undercut that message himself, posting: 'Why wouldn't there be a Regime change???' What's next Iran's next steps could define the region's future - and Trump's legacy. The regime's military options: Missile retaliation: Already underway with strikes on Tel Aviv and threats against US bases. Strait of Hormuz closure: I ran could throttle one-fifth of the world's oil supply, sparking a global crisis. Proxy attacks: From Lebanon to Yemen, Iran's network of allies could be activated, though many have been degraded by Israel's recent offensives. But there's another, quieter possibility: a dash to the bomb. Experts fear that humiliation on the global stage may convince Iranian leaders that only a nuclear deterrent can ensure their survival. Darya Dolzikova, a nonproliferation expert at the Royal United Services Institute, warned that Iran may have 'already moved' critical nuclear materials to unknown sites. The IAEA has yet to inspect the bombed facilities to confirm the extent of the damage. The bottom line Trump's strikes may have damaged centrifuges, but they didn't decapitate the Iranian regime. Instead, they may have reinvigorated it - uniting a fractured society against a common foreign enemy and setting the stage for a prolonged and dangerous confrontation.
New Indian Express
36 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Israel-Iran conflict: Tel Aviv, Tehran trade heavy fire as Iran vows retaliation to US strikes
The US Embassy in Qatar issued an alert on its website Monday urging American citizens in the energy-rich nation to 'shelter in place until further notice,' reports The Associated Press. Qatar, across the Persian Gulf from Iran, is home to Al Udeid Air Base, which hosts the forward headquarters of the U.S. military's Central Command. Iran has threatened American forces at Al Udeid in the past, but not after Sunday's strike, though state television has mentioned American bases in its broadcasts. Qatar maintains diplomatic relations with Iran and shares a massive offshore natural gas field with Tehran. After the US strikes in Iran, security officers at all US embassies and consulates had been instructed to conduct reviews of their post's security posture and report back to the State Department by late Sunday. It wasn't immediately clear if that was connected to the alert.
