Iran-Israel War: Israel Moves into Final Phase of Military Operation Amid Growing Nuclear Tensions in Middle East

June 23, 2025 – The Middle East stands on the edge of a potentially catastrophic turning point as tensions between Israel and Iran intensify to levels not seen in decades. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a critical statement on Sunday, declared that Israel is now entering the final stage of its ongoing military campaign to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile infrastructure. The announcement comes just days after a high-impact U.S. airstrike damaged a key Iranian nuclear site, prompting fresh warnings of retaliation from Tehran and raising alarms about the prospect of a broader regional war — or worse, a nuclear confrontation.

Iran-Israel War

Netanyahu: “The Goal Has Been Set. The War Will Not Last Forever.”
Speaking in Jerusalem on June 22, Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the nation and the international community with a stark and unambiguous message. Israel, he stated, is not seeking to prolong its military offensive against Iran, but it also will not end operations until its primary objective — neutralizing Iran’s nuclear threat — has been fulfilled.

“The objective is clear, and we are nearing its completion,” Netanyahu said. “We are conducting our operations with precision, restraint, and resolve. This war will not be endless, but it will continue as long as necessary — no less, no more — until Israel’s security is no longer under direct threat.”

Iran Framed as Existential Threat
Netanyahu’s remarks reflect Israel’s long-standing view of Iran’s leadership as a direct threat to its existence. According to the Israeli Prime Minister, the regime in Tehran is actively pursuing capabilities that would allow it to produce nuclear weapons and deploy long-range ballistic missiles capable of striking Israeli territory. Israel’s campaign, he insisted, is a defensive response to these existential risks.

“We are advancing step by step,” Netanyahu said, “and we are now very close to eliminating the core threats.”

Israel began its strikes earlier this month, targeting Iranian nuclear enrichment facilities, including sites believed to be producing uranium at levels dangerously close to weapons-grade.

U.S. Strike on Fordow Nuclear Facility Escalates Conflict
In a dramatic development that further escalated tensions, the United States launched a precision strike on Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility last week. The strike reportedly involved bunker-buster munitions capable of penetrating deep underground. Fordow, buried beneath a mountain near the city of Qom, is one of Iran’s most heavily fortified nuclear sites and has been central to its uranium enrichment program.

While official damage assessments are still pending, Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, have indicated that the U.S. operation inflicted “severe damage” on the facility. The Fordow strike marks the most direct American military intervention in the conflict thus far and has significantly heightened the risk of Iranian retaliation.

Iran has responded with a stern warning, vowing to retaliate at a time and place of its choosing. Intelligence sources suggest Iran may seek asymmetric or indirect methods to strike back, potentially avoiding a direct missile confrontation while still inflicting significant damage.

Uranium Enrichment and the Shadow of a Nuclear Bomb
Israeli intelligence agencies are closely monitoring Iran’s uranium stockpile, especially enrichment levels reaching 60% purity. Though this is below the 90% threshold required for a nuclear bomb, it places Iran within striking distance of breakout capability — the point at which a country could produce a nuclear weapon in a short period.

“This quantity of uranium, though insufficient on its own to build a bomb, represents a critical component in the nuclear process,” Netanyahu warned. “We are aware of more than what we can publicly disclose, and that intelligence is driving our current actions.”

Israel’s actions are being framed as part of a broader strategic necessity rather than a political maneuver. However, analysts warn that any miscalculation could spiral into an uncontrollable escalation, potentially dragging in other regional players such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria, or even Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia.

JCPOA Collapse and the Road to the Current Crisis
The origins of the current standoff can be traced back to the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Under that agreement, Iran committed to limiting uranium enrichment to 3.67% and accepted strict international inspections in exchange for sanctions relief.

But in 2018, the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew the United States from the agreement, reimposing crippling sanctions on Iran. In response, Iran gradually ramped up its enrichment program and curtailed cooperation with international nuclear inspectors.

By June 2025, Iran was producing uranium enriched to 60% — a violation of the JCPOA and a red line for both Israel and the United States. This shift, according to Western officials, fundamentally altered the security equation in the region and paved the way for the current military operations.

Iran’s Unconventional Response Strategy in Motion
While a direct military confrontation remains a looming threat, Iranian leaders have hinted that they may pursue alternative methods to weaken Israel. According to unconfirmed reports from regional intelligence sources, Tehran is developing strategies aimed at cyberwarfare, economic disruption, and activation of proxy militias across the region. The aim: to damage Israeli interests without crossing red lines that could trigger a broader war.

The Israeli government, in turn, is preparing for possible retaliatory strikes not just from Iran, but from Hezbollah and Iranian-aligned militias in Syria and Iraq. Homeland defense forces have raised alert levels, and Iron Dome batteries have been repositioned in sensitive areas.

Global Reactions and Diplomatic Impasse
The international community has responded with a mixture of concern and paralysis. The United Nations has called for immediate de-escalation and renewed diplomatic efforts, while countries like France and Germany have urged a return to nuclear negotiations. However, with military operations intensifying and rhetoric hardening on both sides, the prospects for diplomacy appear increasingly slim.

U.S. President [Name] has defended the strike on Fordow as a “necessary action to prevent proliferation,” but also emphasized that Washington does not seek a broader conflict.

Conclusion: On the Brink of a Regional Inferno
As Israel moves deeper into its campaign and Iran weighs its next move, the risk of an all-out war — potentially involving nuclear assets — grows by the day. The coming weeks will likely determine whether this confrontation can be contained or whether the Middle East is about to be plunged into a far more dangerous chapter.