Tehran, June 14 (V7N) — The Middle East is on the edge of a full-scale conflict as hostilities between Iran and Israel intensify. Analysts fear that an all-out war could erupt depending on Tehran’s response to the latest Israeli airstrikes.

Tensions skyrocketed following Israel’s launch of ‘Operation Rising Lion’ on Friday, during which it carried out multiple airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and military installations. The attack reportedly inflicted significant damage on Iran’s main nuclear site in Natanz and killed several top Iranian military officials, including Army Chief Major General Mohammad Bagheri and IRGC Commander Hossein Salami.

In response, Iran has already launched retaliatory attacks against Israeli targets, further escalating the conflict.

According to Nigar Mortazavi, journalist, political analyst, and host of The Iran Podcast, Iran now faces a critical decision. “If Tehran does not respond firmly, it risks emboldening Israel to launch even more aggressive attacks,” she said. “However, a disproportionate retaliation could spiral into a wider regional war.”

Mortazavi also suggested that Israel’s offensive may be a strategic move to sabotage Iran’s fragile relations with the United States. “This could be a trap. Once Iran retaliates, the US might be dragged into the conflict.”

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump addressed the situation on his social media platform Truth Social, revealing that Tehran had been warned two months ago. He suggested Iran could still take the diplomatic route by engaging in talks over its nuclear program. “Tehran can be given a second chance to fix the situation,” Trump stated, emphasizing the urgency of reaching a quick agreement.

However, most regional analysts believe that Iran is unlikely to heed Washington’s call for restraint. Any harsh Iranian retaliation could inevitably draw the US into the escalating conflict, pushing the region toward a larger and more devastating war.

The coming days are expected to be pivotal in determining whether diplomatic efforts prevail or if the Middle East plunges deeper into chaos.

END/MSS/AJ