Israel Launches New Wave of Attacks Against Iran Amid Lack of Diplomatic Progress

Strikes come ahead of UN Security Council meeting to discuss Iran's nuclear program.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 7:42am

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Israel launched a series of attacks against Iran early Friday morning, just before a United Nations Security Council meeting was set to discuss Iran's nuclear program. The strikes come amid a lack of diplomatic progress between the two countries.

Why it matters

The escalating tensions between Israel and Iran have raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict. The attacks also come at a delicate time, as the international community is trying to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.

The details

According to reports, the Israeli strikes targeted several sites across Iran, including military installations and infrastructure. The attacks were carried out by air and missile strikes, and there were no immediate reports of casualties. Iran has vowed to retaliate for the attacks, raising the possibility of a further escalation of hostilities.

  • The attacks took place in the early hours of Friday morning, just before a UN Security Council meeting was scheduled to discuss Iran's nuclear program.
  • The last major Israeli strikes against Iran were in January 2026, when Israel targeted Iranian military sites in response to a drone attack.

The players

Israel

A Middle Eastern country that has long been in conflict with Iran and has carried out numerous attacks against Iranian targets in recent years.

Iran

A Middle Eastern country that has been the target of numerous Israeli attacks and is currently engaged in negotiations with the international community over its nuclear program.

United Nations Security Council

The principal organ of the United Nations responsible for maintaining international peace and security, which was set to discuss Iran's nuclear program at the time of the Israeli attacks.

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What they’re saying

“We will not tolerate any aggression against our country and will respond swiftly and decisively to any further attacks.”

— Saeed Khatibzadeh, Spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry

“Israel will continue to take all necessary measures to protect its citizens and its security interests.”

— Benny Gantz, Israeli Defense Minister

What’s next

The UN Security Council is expected to hold a special session to discuss the latest developments and potential diplomatic solutions to the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran.

The takeaway

The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran highlights the fragility of the regional security situation and the need for renewed diplomatic efforts to address the underlying issues and prevent a wider conflagration.