Tensions are escalating in the Middle East as President Donald Trump increases pressure on Iran to abandon its nuclear program, raising fears of a new regional conflict. While a 12-day war between Israel and Iran last June significantly degraded Iran’s air defenses and long-range missile capabilities, experts believe that Tehran still retains thousands of short-range missiles. The previous conflict saw the U.S. utilize B-2 stealth bombers to strike Iranian nuclear sites, a move that left the region’s skies effectively open to American and Israeli aircraft. However, analysts caution that if the Iranian regime perceives a threat to its survival, it may retaliate by targeting U.S. bases or global oil infrastructure in the Strait of Hormuz.
Date: February 13, 2026. Source: independent.co