A sudden escalation. A daring military operation. The world holds its breath. The recent US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities has thrust a long-simmering conflict onto the global stage, leaving experts and everyday citizens alike asking: what happens next?
In a move that reverberated across the globe, the United States, in the early hours of Sunday, June 22, 2025, conducted a series of airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear sites. The operation, reportedly involving advanced bunker-busting munitions, targeted facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan – the heart of Iran's controversial nuclear program. The immediate aftermath has been a whirlwind of condemnations, justifications, and the looming threat of a wider, more devastating conflict.
This is not a story that began this week. To understand the gravity of the current situation, we must look back at a history fraught with mistrust, covert operations, and broken promises that have defined US-Iran relations for over seven decades.
A Legacy of Grievances
The seeds of this conflict were sown in 1953, when a CIA-backed coup overthrew Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mosaddegh, who had moved to nationalize the country's oil industry. This act installed a Western-friendly monarch, the Shah, whose authoritarian rule, supported by the US, bred deep-seated resentment among a large segment of the Iranian population.
The 1979 Islamic Revolution was a direct consequence of this simmering anger. The new theocratic regime, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, viewed the United States as the "Great Satan," an imperialist power that had propped up a repressive ruler. The subsequent 444-day hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran severed diplomatic ties and cemented an animosity that has ebbed and flowed, but never truly dissipated.
The ensuing decades saw a shadow war of proxy conflicts, economic sanctions, and clandestine operations. The US has consistently accused Iran of sponsoring terrorism, destabilizing the Middle East, and secretly pursuing nuclear weapons – a charge Tehran has always denied, insisting its nuclear program is for peaceful energy purposes.
The Nuclear Deal: A Glimmer of Hope, Dashed
A significant, albeit temporary, thaw came in 2015 with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), popularly known as the Iran nuclear deal. Brokered by the Obama administration and other world powers, the agreement lifted crippling economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for verifiable limits on its nuclear activities. For a moment, it seemed a new chapter of cautious engagement was possible.
However, in 2018, the Trump administration unilaterally withdrew the United States from the JCPOA, reimposing and intensifying sanctions. This move was celebrated by some who believed the deal was too lenient but criticized by others who warned it would only empower hardliners in Iran and push the country closer to developing a nuclear bomb.
The Path to the Precipice
In the years following the US withdrawal, tensions steadily mounted. Iran began to progressively breach the limits of the defunct nuclear deal, enriching uranium to higher levels and restricting international inspectors' access. A series of attacks on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, drone shoot-downs, and the US assassination of a top Iranian general in 2020 brought the two nations to the brink of open conflict on multiple occasions.
The recent bombing did not occur in a vacuum. It follows a period of heightened Israeli-Iranian hostilities, with both countries reportedly engaging in a covert war of sabotage and cyberattacks. For the United States, the decision to strike was framed as a necessary action to prevent an imminent nuclear threat.
The World on Edge: What Now?
The international reaction has been a mixture of alarm and appeals for de-escalation. Allies of the US have offered measured support, while nations like Russia and China have condemned the strikes as a violation of international law. The United Nations has called an emergency session, urging restraint from all parties.
The immediate consequences are already being felt. Global oil prices have surged on fears of disruptions to the crucial Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world's oil supplies pass. The global economy, already fragile, now faces the added strain of a potential major conflict in the Middle East.
Expert analysis paints a grim picture of the potential for further escalation. While the US insists it does not seek regime change, the strikes have likely backed Iranian leaders into a corner. Retaliation could come in various forms, from attacks on US troops and assets in the region to a full-blown assault on its adversaries.
India's Position
India's position is dictated by a complex web of strategic, economic, and diaspora interests:
Strategic Ties: India is a key partner of the United States, with deepening security and defense cooperation. Simultaneously, it shares a historical and civilizational connection with Iran, a crucial partner for regional connectivity, most notably through the Chabahar Port, which provides India with a strategic route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
Economic Imperatives: The stability of the Persian Gulf is paramount for India's energy security. Although India has diversified its oil import sources in recent years, a significant portion of its energy needs is still met by producers in the region. The potential for a conflict to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is a major concern for New Delhi, with experts warning of a surge in oil prices and a cascading impact on the Indian economy.
The Indian Diaspora: A large and vibrant Indian expatriate community lives and works across the Gulf region. The safety and security of these nationals is a top priority for the Indian government. In a proactive measure preceding the recent escalation, India had already launched "Operation Sindhu" to facilitate the evacuation of its citizens from Iran.
Reflecting the on-ground concerns, India's Press Information Bureau (PIB) was quick to debunk social media rumors alleging that US bombers had used Indian airspace to conduct the strikes on Iran. The swift clarification underscores New Delhi's sensitivity to being seen as taking a side in the conflict.
The View from New Delhi
Indian foreign policy experts have described the current situation as a "decisive phase" in the region's geopolitics. They acknowledge the tightrope India is walking. Openly condemning the US would jeopardize a critical strategic partnership, while silence could be misconstrued as tacit approval, damaging long-term ties with Iran.
Therefore, India's strategy is one of active neutrality, using its good offices with both Washington and Tehran to advocate for a peaceful resolution. Iranian President Pezeshkian reportedly acknowledged India's "important role and voice" in restoring regional peace during his call with Prime Minister Modi.
As the world braces for Iran's response to the US strikes, India will continue to navigate the turbulent waters of West Asian geopolitics with a consistent message: dialogue is the only way to pull back from the brink. The stability of a region that is critical to its own economic and national security interests hangs in the balance.
For the people of Iran, the situation is dire. Already grappling with a struggling economy battered by years of sanctions, they now face the terrifying prospect of war. On the streets of Tehran, a mix of nationalist defiance and deep-seated anxiety prevails.
The coming days and weeks will be critical. The world watches, hoping that diplomacy can prevail over the drumbeats of war. But one thing is certain: the relationship between the United States and Iran, a story of power, politics, and profound mistrust, has entered a new and perilous chapter. The aftershocks of this week's events will be felt for a long time to come, shaping the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and beyond.
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