Tensions between the United States and Iran have reached their highest levels in decades after President Donald Trump on Sunday ordered direct strikes he said “destroyed” key nuclear facilities across the Middle Eastern country.

Iran has remained America’s biggest regional adversary since the 1979 Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, which overthrew pro‑Western Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Since then, the two nations have clashed over issues including Iran’s nuclear ambitions, its support for regional proxies, and US political interference, writes Al Jazeera.

Last week, Israel—who long viewed Iran as a threat—launched unprecedented strikes across Iran after accusing the country of developing nuclear weapons. Those Israeli claims lacked credible proof, but Trump drew the US into war following Israel’s action.

On Sunday, after days of the Israel‑Iran conflict, the US directly attacked Iran in what the Trump administration called a highly sophisticated covert operation involving over 125 aircraft and 75 precision bombs. Washington said the Iranian nuclear facility was “destroyed,” while Tehran warned of retaliation.

Timeline of US–Iran Relations since 1953:

(1953) US‑backed coup and the Shah’s restoration: Tensions initially rose when democratically elected PM Mohammad Mossadegh nationalized the Anglo‑Iranian Oil Company. The UK appealed to the US, and the CIA helped orchestrate a coup that reinstated Shah Pahlavi

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(1957) Atoms for Peace: The US and other Western allies supported the Shah’s nuclear ambitions. They signed a civil nuclear agreement; Iran received a reactor and uranium fuel under Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace” initiative :contentReferenc.

(1979) Islamic Revolution: Widespread protests toppled the Shah in early 1979. Ayatollah Khomeini returned from exile and established the Islamic Republic.

(1980) US severs ties: After Iran harbored the Shah and students seized the US embassy, holding 52 Americans hostage for 444 days, Washington cut diplomatic ties and imposed sanctions.

(1980–88) US backs Iraq: During the Iran‑Iraq War, the US supported Saddam Hussein’s invasion, deepening hostility.

(1984) Designated state sponsor: Reagan labeled Iran a “state sponsor of terror” following attacks in Lebanon, including the Beirut barracks bombing that killed 241 US troops. The Iran‑Contra affair later revealed secret US‑Iran dealings.

(1988) USS Vincennes incident: A US warship shot down Iran Air Flight 655, killing 290 civilians. The US paid compensation but did not formally apologize.

(1995) Tighter sanctions: President Clinton banned US‑Iran business and penalized foreign investment in Iran’s energy sector.

(2002) Axis of Evil: After 9/11, President George W. Bush labeled Iran part of the “Axis of Evil.” Iran cooperated with the US briefly on counter‑terrorism, but its uranium enrichment raised concern.

(2013–15) Nuclear deal: Under Obama, Iran agreed to the JCPOA in exchange for sanctions relief. Enrichment was capped at 3.67%.

(2018) US withdrawal: In 2018 Trump pulled out of the deal and imposed “maximum pressure” sanctions.

(2020) Killing of Soleimani: A US drone killed IRGC Commander Qassem Soleimani in Baghdad. Iran retaliated with missile strikes against US forces in Iraq.

(2025, Mar–Jun) Nuclear talks: Trump invited Iran to resume negotiations. Five rounds took place in Oman, Rome, and Muscat, but no agreement was reached. Israel launched attacks before the sixth round.

(2025, Jun) US strikes: On June 21–22, the US launched “Operation Midnight Hammer,” deploying over 125 aircraft and dropping 75 precision bombs on Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear sites—the first US direct military operation on Iranian soil since 1979. Trump declared it a “spectacular success.” Iran responded with missile attacks within Iran‑Israel conflict context.

The escalation triggered global concern over oil prices, regional security, and a rare “Worldwide Caution” alert for Americans abroad.

The commodity exchanges of Russia (St. Petersburg Exchange), China, India, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan signed a declaration on the establishment of the International Association of Commodity and Futures Exchanges at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

"Eliminating trade barriers, simplified access to promising markets, expanding the circle of business partners, additional trading and marketing tools – these are the benefits our clients will receive," said Alexander Osmolovsky, Chairman of the Board of the Belarusian Universal Commodity Exchange (BUCE), describing the advantages of the new association, as reported by Kommersant.

According to a press release, the association is expected to become a key platform for cooperation between the commodity and futures exchanges of the member countries of the Eurasian Union (EAEU+), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the BRICS+ group.

Special emphasis will be placed on the implementation of a project to form an international pricing agency, aimed at establishing a system of fair price benchmarks for key commodities, reports B92.

In addition to BUCE and the St. Petersburg Exchange, the declaration was signed by the National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange of India, the Asia-Europe International Trade Center from China, the Iran Commodity Exchange, the Eurasian Trade System Exchange from Kazakhstan, and the Uzbek Republican Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange.

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The development of organized commodity markets within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is entering a new phase, stated Igor Artemyev, President of the St. Petersburg Exchange. Earlier in March 2025, the exchange officially restored its historical name – the St. Petersburg Exchange – and during the recent period modernized its strategy, launched its own information-analytical platform SPX, and strengthened cooperation with Kazakhstan through the ETS exchange.

The St. Petersburg Exchange positions itself as a leader in the integration of Eurasian commodity markets, and through the new association, the SPX platform, and the national pricing body, a foundation is being built for its own pricing infrastructure and deeper regional economic cooperation.

As Artemyev announced earlier this month to Forbes, the goals of the International Association of Commodity and Futures Exchanges are to become the main platform for dialogue and cooperation among exchanges, to enable experience and information sharing, to develop common standards and methodologies, to improve trading transparency and liquidity, and to strengthen the role of commodity exchanges in the regional economy – through analytics, price indicators, and cooperation with regulators.

Artemyev emphasized the importance of independent market information sources in light of external pressure and sanctions. To this end, a National Exchange Pricing Agency Body was established to develop representative price indicators and analytics for specific sectors, using data from actual transactions (both exchange and over-the-counter) and relying on the SPX platform to disseminate information.

The St. Petersburg Exchange is the largest commodity exchange in Russia and one of the largest spot exchanges in the world, key to the stability and transparency of Russian commodity and financial markets. In 2024, the trading volume reached 2.337 trillion rubles (about 30 billion dollars), representing a 31.9% increase compared to 2023.

A SpaceX rocket exploded during a routine test on Wednesday evening at the Starbase facility in Texas.

The Starship 36 model was undergoing a static fire test around 11 PM when, according to footage, a sudden and powerful explosion occurred at the front of the spacecraft.

In a statement, SpaceX, Elon Musk’s company SpaceX, reported that a "major anomaly" occurred during the test while the rocket was on the test stand at Starbase.

テキサス州スターベースでスペースX社スターシップ(Starship)上段のShip36が大爆発! 2025/6/18 午後11時CT頃にstatic fire test (地上でのエンジン点火試験)前に爆発した模様. 安全管理されていたため人的被害は無い模様. 約3km地点から #starship #SpaceX #explosion
pic.twitter.com/OdHaVCGydw

— 天文学者 阿部新助 Dr. Avell (@AvellSky) June 19, 2025

"The safety zone around the location was maintained throughout the entire test, and all personnel are safe and accounted for," the company stated.

Local residents reported that the strong explosion rattled their windows.

City authorities warned that "the effects of the explosion might be felt or heard" and shared a link for reporting any possible damage.

“My compatriots, the Islamic Republic has reached its end and is in the process of collapse,” said Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Iranian Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, on social media yesterday, calling on the Iranian people to rise up.

“What has begun is irreversible. The future is bright, and together we will turn the page of history,” he emphasized.

In a video posted on the social network X, Pahlavi said that “a total uprising is needed to end this collective nightmare once and for all,” according to news agencies.

“Now is the time to rise, the time to reclaim Iran together. Do not worry about the day after the fall of the Islamic Republic. Iran will not enter a period of instability or civil war,” Pahlavi declared amid the Iran-Israel conflict, now in its sixth day – reports Danas.

Who Is Reza Pahlavi?

Reza Pahlavi is the eldest son of the deposed Iranian leader Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. He has lived in exile since 1979.

He advocates the principles of freedom, democracy, and human rights for his fellow countrymen.

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He is the founder and leader of the National Council of Iran, an opposition group in exile, and is a prominent critic of the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, according to Wikipedia.

According to his website, he calls for the establishment of a secular democracy in Iran and criticizes the oppression of the Iranian people.

He advocates for regime change through nonviolent civil disobedience and supports a free and open referendum on Iran's future government.

He was born in Tehran in 1960. Wikipedia notes that after his birth, the Shah (Persian title for king) pardoned 98 political prisoners, and the government announced a 20 percent reduction in income taxes.

He was officially declared the crown prince of Iran in 1967 during his father’s coronation. He left Iran at the age of 17 to undergo jet fighter pilot training at the U.S. Air Force base Reese in Lubbock, Texas.

Meanwhile, the establishment of the clerical regime in Iran prevented his return to his homeland, and in 1980 he moved with his family to Egypt.

During his early years in exile, he continued and completed his higher education, earning a degree in political science from the University of Southern California.

In his youth, he was an avid soccer fan. Besides Persian, he speaks French and English fluently.

During the Iran-Iraq war, he volunteered to serve his country as a fighter pilot, but the clerical regime rejected him, his website states.

When once asked about his religion, Wikipedia reports he replied, “That’s a private matter, but if you must know, I am, of course, a Shia Muslim by education and belief. I am a man of deep faith.”

He has three daughters with Yasmine Etemad-Amini, whom he married in 1986. As a believer in equal rights for men and women, he declared that Noor, Iman, and Farah are, in that order, his successors.

His wife earned a degree in political science from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and later obtained a law degree from the same university’s law school.

In 1991, she co-founded the Foundation for the Children of Iran, which she led as director for 23 years.

She is an advocate of the democratic movement in Iran and has appeared at pro-democracy gatherings, events, and panels in many cities over the years.

American multi-billionaire Elon Musk published the results of his drug test on social media. “LOL,” Musk wrote while sharing a photo of the test results, which showed he tested negative for all tested substances.

As a reminder, the New York Times recently reported that Musk had consumed significant amounts of ketamine, ecstasy, and hallucinogenic mushrooms during last year's election campaign, according to Index.hr.

lol pic.twitter.com/pMe3YfXFxS

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 17, 2025

Musk, CEO of X, Tesla, and SpaceX, previously stated publicly that he uses small doses of ketamine to combat depressive tendencies, which helps him work more efficiently. The New York Times based its story on private messages and interviews with more than 10 people who know or have worked with Musk.

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The Wall Street Journal reported last year that Musk had occasionally used drugs in the past. Some members of the board of directors of Tesla, his electric vehicle company, had expressed concern over his use of medications, including Ambien for treating sleep disorders.

Numerous residents of Tehran are fleeing the capital, which is under Israeli strikes, creating massive congestion on the main road leading north, according to footage shared today on social media.

Videos whose authenticity has been confirmed by AFP (Agence France-Presse) show, from an overpass, a huge line of vehicles at a standstill on the highway at Tehran’s northern exit, while almost no vehicles are seen traveling in the opposite direction.

Airspace has been closed until further notice, and the road is currently the only way to leave Tehran, which is under intense bombardment.

Israel has urged citizens to stay away from all military infrastructure, but security forces are present throughout the city, including residential neighborhoods.

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The traffic jam appears to be concentrated on Highway 49, which connects Tehran to Chalus on the Caspian Sea, according to video footage released by Iran International, a Persian-language TV station based abroad, as reported by prominent Iranian bloggers.

Chalus, located in Mazandaran Province, is 150 kilometers north of the capital, and even under normal conditions, the mountainous drive takes about three hours.

Social media has also shown videos of long lines at gas stations.

On June 13, Israel launched a massive attack on Iran, targeting hundreds of military and nuclear sites with the stated aim of preventing the country from developing a nuclear bomb – according to Danas.rs.

At least 224 people were killed and over a thousand injured in Iran during the Israeli strikes, according to the official toll released on Sunday.

In Iranian missile strikes launched in response to Israel, 24 people have been reported killed since Friday, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's office.

The first passenger plane from an airline based in the European Union landed at Damascus International Airport after a long suspension of air traffic between Syria and the EU, the Syrian news agency SANA reported.

The plane, operated by the small Romanian company Dan Air, arrived from Bucharest carrying 138 passengers, including foreigners and Syrians, among them officials from the Syrian government, the agency wrote.

This is the first time in 13 years that a passenger plane on a regular route from an EU member state has landed in Syria.

The Romanian agency had previously announced plans to reestablish the connection with Damascus. The small low-cost airline operates only three planes, and the service to Damascus is expected to run four times a week.

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On board the plane was Syrian Minister of Economy Mohammad Nidal al-Shaar, who was welcomed in Damascus by a delegation from the Romanian embassy. A representative of Dan Air told SANA that on the return flight to Bucharest there would be 125 passengers.

Dan Air also announced that starting in July, it will be possible to travel to Damascus from Berlin via a layover. SANA reported that connections to Frankfurt and Stockholm will also be available soon.

The EU and Western countries only recently lifted sanctions that had been imposed on Syria during the authoritarian regime of Bashar al-Assad. Dan Air CEO Matt Ian David stated that the company is “reopening doors for trade relations with Syria.”

Dan Air’s move followed a bilateral agreement between Romania and Syria, as well as a license granted by Romanian authorities, which was also approved by the Syrian government at the end of April.

The Israeli military has announced that an Iranian missile attack on the Jewish state is underway and that "all of Israel is under fire," reports CNN. According to this outlet, powerful explosions can be heard in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, while the Israeli military reports that defense systems have been activated to intercept and shoot down the missiles.

The military has called on the population to take shelter.

Seven people have been "lightly or moderately injured," said the head of the Israeli emergency services Magen David Adom, according to CNN. Iran will pay a very high price for attacks on civilian centers, said Defense Minister Israel Katz, adding that Tehran has "crossed red lines."

“Setki rakiet balistycznych” lecą na Izrael – announced the Iranian state agency IRNA. This is said to be a response to Israel's attacks on targets in Iran.

Israeli media report several missiles hitting Tel Aviv.pic.twitter.com/TKplzBJj23

— tvp.info 🇵🇱 (@tvp_info) June 13, 2025

News of the imminent attack came during a press conference by the Israeli military, which was interrupted as a result.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that the Iranian army would "strongly retaliate" for previous Israeli attacks and "bring destruction to the vile Zionist regime."

According to the Iranian agency IRNA, hundreds of ballistic missiles were fired at Israel "in response to the savage attack of the Zionist regime."

Israel’s national emergency service reported that five people were injured in the Tel Aviv area and were taken to the hospital.