After the standstill in negotiations between the US and Iran and after surviving an attempt to dissolve Parliament, Netanyahu launched an unprecedented offensive against Iran, which was counterattacked with drones. US imperialism dissociated itself from the Israeli attack, but at the same time threatened the ayatollahs’ regime. Global markets felt the impact. This conflict opens a new high-risk geopolitical scenario.

By Ruben Tzanoff

Israel’s attack heats up the Middle East

In the early morning of June 13, Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion”, attacking nuclear and military facilities in Iran and declaring a state of emergency. More than 200 aircraft bombed Natanz, Isfahan and other points in Tehran, including the headquarters of the Revolutionary Guard, causing the death of Hussein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Guard, General Gholam Ali Rashid and two important scientists, among other casualties.

Zionism justified the aggression as a preemptive action in the face of alleged advances in the Iranian nuclear program that would enable it to manufacture nuclear weapons in the short term.

As it had done in response to two previous Zionist aggressions, Iran responded with drones and missiles, most of which Israel claimed to have intercepted, with the “Iron Dome” system.

The U.S. disassociates itself from the attack but continues its threats

Minutes after the attack, the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the attack was a unilateral action by Israel, although they were already informed, that is why, days before, they evacuated diplomatic personnel and military families. Trump had also threatened to “unleash hell” if Iran does not stop the nuclear program and on the morning of the attack he also posted on Truth Social that Israel has planned its next attacks, which will be “even more brutal”.

New regional war escalation

With negotiations between Washington and Tehran at a standstill, the Zionists set in motion an already announced plan and Netanyahu warned: “This operation will continue as long as necessary to eliminate this danger”. For his part, the Iranian supreme leader called the attack “blatant aggression” and promised a “sustained and proportional response” . It is also a fact that the US and Israel want to stop Iran’s nuclear development at any cost. It remains to be seen what dynamics will develop due to the combination of those elements, be that as it may, what is certain is that there is a new war escalation in the region.

First observations

The crisis caused a rise in the price of Brent oil reaching more than 97 dollars, its highest value in two months. European stock markets opened lower. Geopolitical tension may continue to impact inflation, especially regarding energy and food.

How far will the Iranian response go? Will Hezbollah, Syria, Iraq or Yemen act? Will Russia and China continue to call for restraint? Will the European Union be able to provide a unified response?

Confrontations worsen and uncertainties may provoke further impacts on the global economic crisis, the inter-imperialist dispute and political and social polarization.

Once again fleeing forward

The new attack on Iran responds to the attempt to curb its independent energy development and to US and Israeli interests in the region. But it is also a repeated maneuver by Netanyahu to escape in the face of Israel’s unprecedented global disrepute and domestic crisis.

It is no coincidence that the attack was executed only a day after Netanyahu dodged an attempt to dissolve the Knesset, pushed by the opposition and part of his coalition.

Although Netanyahu has support within the Israeli Jewish population and the working class for expulsions, massacres and extreme policies against Palestinians and Arabs, his leadership is fragile. Mass protests over the handling of the war, hostages and allegations of corruption continue to add pressure to the crisis eroding the criminal leader.

Mass mobilization, an urgent necessity

From the International Socialist League (ISL) we repudiate the Israeli attacks on Iran. We reject and demand the cessation of aggressions in the whole region: Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and we reject any imperialist interference. We demand the rupture of all types of government relations with the State of Israel.

Before the attack, important actions were already being carried out in support of Palestine, including the March to Gaza against the humanitarian blockade in gestation, which had already provoked the Israeli aggression against the solidarity sailboat ‘Madleen’ (part of the Freedom Flotilla) and the deportation of activists by Egypt.

To stop the genocide, the ethnic cleansing, the occupation and the Israeli aggressiveness with US support, it is necessary to extend and massify the unitary mobilizations. The only fundamental solution is to defeat the State of Israel and the establishment of a single, secular, non-racist, democratic and socialist Palestine, on the road of the Socialist Revolution in the Middle East.