Trump sparks crisis: U.S. bombs Iran, Israel strikes, tensions soar

The Middle East descended into new chaos as Israeli and Iranian forces unleashed waves of missile and drone attacks following U.S. airstrikes and President Donald Trump’s provocative comments about possible Iranian regime change.

Israel Hits Iran’s Border Region

On Monday, June 23, 2025, the Israeli military struck missile launchers and weapon depots near Kermanshah, close to the Iraqi border, deploying 15 fighter jets. Israel confirmed losing one drone during the operation.

In retaliation, Iran launched two waves of long-range missile and drone strikes, sending sirens across Israeli skies and prompting parts of the country to activate anti-missile defenses.

Reports emerged of power outages in the south, with electric infrastructure damaged in the attack.

Tehran and Karaj in Israel’s crosshairs

Israel didn’t stop at border skirmishes.

By midday, it was striking targets near Tehran and Karaj. Iranian state media reported that the gate of Evin prison, which holds many dual nationals and used as political leverage in past negotiations, was hit in a suspected airstrike.

U.S. joins the fray

Two days earlier, on Saturday, U.S. forces launched Operation Midnight, sending B-2 stealth bombers to obliterate Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

President Trump declared these sites “totally obliterated,” though experts warned that military action cannot fully neutralize Iran’s underground nuclear capability.

Trump also hinted at regime change in Tehran, posting on Truth Social:

“It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”

This rhetoric sharply contrasted with senior U.S. officials like Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who insisted the operation targeted only the nuclear programme, not the leadership.

Tehran fires back: Self‑defense and Moscow pivot

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the U.S. of backing Israel’s attack and vowed retaliation.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi touched down in Moscow to consult with President Vladimir Putin.

“The US showed they have no respect for international law.

“They only understand the language of threat and force,” he said, insisting diplomacy would resume only after Iran had retaliated.

Spike in global anxiety

The escalating conflict rippled far beyond the battlefield:

Air Travel Disrupted: Airlines cancelled flights through the Middle East. Countries like France, Australia, and the Philippines began evacuating citizens.

Over 250,000 French nationals and 30,000+ Filipinos sought safe passage. Australia airlifted 3,800 citizens.

Even connections between Europe and Asia, relying on Middle Eastern air corridors, were hit.

Energy Markets Jittery: Oil prices surged amid concerns Iran could close the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for over a fifth of global oil trade.

Iran’s parliament signaled readiness to shut the route, pending confirmation from its Supreme Security Council.

Security Alerts: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued bulletins warning of a “heightened threat environment,” citing possible cyber-attacks and hate crimes as summer unfolded.

Nigerian Lens: Lessons for a Watching Nation

For many Nigerians, from military personnel to civilians, the Middle East crisis carries echoes of their own security challenges:

Civil Protection First: Ensuring safe evacuation of nationals abroad is critical, just as Nigeria has done in its peacekeeping missions.

Diplomacy vs. Force: The region tears apart under military might, yet diplomatic bridges, like Russia’s call for dialogue, offer hope for peacekeeping countries like Nigeria.

Fuel and Trade Vulnerability: Africa relies heavily on Middle Eastern oil. Nigeria’s economy could be affected by supply shocks or regional instability.

Defending the Homeland: The U.S.’s use of advanced military technology, like B‑2 bombers and anti-missile systems, reminds Nigerians of the value of modern defence capabilities and preparedness.

What Comes Next?

Will Iran up the ante, targeting strategic U.S. or Israeli landscapes?

Can Russia, backed by China and other global powers, mediate an armistice—or will Tehran hold firm until full retribution?

Will Trump’s suggestion of regime change undermine diplomacy and risk wider conflict?

The Verdict: Tension or Truce?

Iran and Israel have demonstrated capacity for mutual destruction, and U.S. involvement has shifted once-local tensions into a potentially global crisis.

Around the world, including in Nigeria, nations watch nervously: will this spiral into a wider war, or will diplomatic voices rise above the thunder of bombs?

As President Trump’s words linger and rockets continue to fall, the world stands at a crossroads between confrontation and cautious hope.

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