In a televised interview with CMG, Qin Tian, deputy director of the Institute of Middle East Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, described Israel’s latest strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure as “unprecedented in both scope and intensity”.
While past operations targeted individual facilities, this assault hit dozens of nuclear sites across several provinces. The expanded geographic reach marks a clear escalation from earlier acts of sabotage.
These sites are not only strategic to Iran’s national security but also symbolic of national pride. By striking so widely, Israel has directly challenged Iran’s core interests.
Qin warns that Iran’s response is inevitable and likely to be forceful. Drawing on past missile exchanges, he predicts large-scale missile and drone attacks could follow.
He also cautions that retaliation may extend to U.S. interests in the region, from strikes on military bases to attacks on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf.
Beyond military moves, Iran might withdraw from nuclear negotiations with Washington or even exit the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, further raising regional tensions.
As the situation develops, experts say the Middle East stands at a critical juncture, with global implications for security and diplomacy.
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Expert: Israel's latest strike on Iran's facilities is unprecedented
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