Israel's attack on Iran - a historical context

Explaining History

In this urgent episode, we break down last night’s dramatic Israeli raid on Iran—Operation Rising Lion—which targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities and killed top Iranian military leaders in the largest attack since the Iran–Iraq War. We unpack what happened on the ground, the immediate fallout—including Iran’s launch of over 100 drones in retaliation—and the atmosphere of panic and unity now gripping Israel as the region braces for further escalation.

But this isn’t just about one night. We dig deep into the historical context behind the Israel-Iran conflict: from their days as covert allies to bitter enemies, and how decades of nuclear brinkmanship, proxy wars, and shifting alliances have set the stage for today’s existential struggle. We’ll also examine the crucial role of the United States—locked in its own high-stakes negotiations with Iran—and what’s at stake for global security as nuclear ambitions, sanctions, and regional power plays collide.

*****STOP PRESS*****

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Israel, Iran and the USA are locked in an existential struggle in the Middle East, this episode

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