By Success Benjamin
A coordinated military campaign by the United States and Israel against Iran entered its fourth day on Tuesday, with sustained airstrikes reported across several Iranian cities and strategic installations.
The joint offensive, launched on February 28 under the code names “Operation Epic Fury” and “Lion’s Roar,” is aimed at degrading Iran’s nuclear, missile and military infrastructure. Officials in Washington and Tel Aviv say the operation seeks to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and weaken its long-range ballistic missile capabilities.
Initial strikes targeted sites in the capital, Tehran, as well as areas surrounding Natanz, home to key nuclear facilities. Iranian authorities claim the bombardments have resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties and significant damage to military and nuclear infrastructure. Tehran has condemned the attacks as unlawful and called on international bodies to intervene.
Speaking on Monday, former U.S. President Donald Trump said the objective of the military action was not regime change but to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon — an allegation Tehran continues to deny. He also cited concerns over Iran’s expanding ballistic missile programme.
Israel, widely believed to be the only Middle Eastern country possessing nuclear weapons, has maintained that the strikes are necessary for its national security. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the conflict as a potential opportunity to reshape regional dynamics and advance prospects for broader peace in the Middle East, including improved ties with Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, domestic reaction in the United States appears divided. A recent Reuters poll conducted over the weekend indicates that only about one in four Americans approve of the U.S. strikes on Iran, reflecting lingering public skepticism following prolonged military engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As the bombardment continues, global leaders have urged restraint amid growing concerns that the conflict could spiral into a wider regional war.
