The Iran Nuclear Threat: What Happens Next?

Why did the US launch airstrikes on Iran ? The United States struck three of Iran ’s top nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — overnight, escalating the Israel- Iran conflict. What’s next for Iran ’s nuclear programme? Iran refuses to dismantle its nuclear programme and it’s still impossible to verify the damage done by air strikes. US President Donald Trump’s decision to strike Iran ’s nuclear facilities puts the Middle East in a volatile position, with all eyes now on Tehran’s next move. Here’s what to know. Iran ’s capability to inflict harm on Israel is steadily diminishing. But they do retain a capacity to carry out operations such as these. Retaliation would invite a massive U.S. The longer-term threat of a nuclear Iran is unlikely to be wiped out as long as the current Iranian regime, or any like-minded or even harder-line one, remains in power. The “go big” options would have been an attack on nuclear sites and Iranian leadership – be that senior members of Iran ’s Revolutionary Guard, or possibly the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali. Iran 's parliament has also voted to close the critical Strait of Hormuz, endangering energy supplies. Here's a roundup of the events since the U.S. Attacks happened, and what could happen next . Bottom Line: The U.S. Attack on Iran’s nuclear sites is a turning point. What happens next depends on Iran’s response , the reactions of regional and global powers , and whether diplomacy can be salvaged — or if the world edges closer to a broader war. The United States, the Middle East and world oil markets are bracing for Iran ’s response after President Donald Trump launched punishing strikes on Iranian nuclear energy sites overnight. The apparently successful US strikes on Iran ’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan deprive Tehran of any nuclear leverage in talks with the United States, at least for now.