West Asia: The West Asia region is back on the brink of war. Even as officials insist peace talks are under way, the US military has carried out limited strikes on Iran, targeting the country’s air defense systems. Iranian sources said powerful explosions were heard in the Suza area of Qeshm Island, a location critical to oil tanker traffic. US President Donald Trump described the operation as a minor action that lasted just five minutes. The strikes came while Iran, Qatar and the United States are engaged in negotiations, deepening concern among governments worldwide.
US Central Command has reportedly drawn up extensive plans to resume full-scale attacks on Iran and is prepared to act as soon as the White House gives approval. Tehran responded by announcing that it is scrapping its self-imposed 2,000-kilometer limit on the range of its ballistic missiles. It warned that it would develop more powerful, longer-range weapons.
In a social media post, Trump said that had he not stopped Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, Israel and the entire West Asia region would by now have been wiped off the map.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi spoke with Trump by phone and firmly told him that US forces must not use Iraqi territory to launch attacks on neighboring countries. Baghdad said the stance was aimed at preserving regional stability.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have joined the confrontation, claiming attacks on Riyadh airport, Aramco oil facilities and Saudi military bases. The group said the strikes were retaliation for recent airstrikes that killed 27 people near the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, and 30 more in an attack on a market in southern Yemen. A Houthi military spokesperson blamed Saudi Arabia for both incidents.
Separately, the US government has announced a reward of up to $20 million for accurate information on Iran’s nuclear programs, facilities, equipment, scientists and key personnel. Under the “Rewards for Justice” program, informants will also be offered relocation to safe locations. With diplomacy, military action and intelligence operations all intensifying at once, tensions in West Asia have reached a new peak.