Iran is a regime of violence and a sponsor of terrorism that seeks to destroy Israel and destabilize the region. Israel acts in self-defense, but many politicians prefer to criticize the victim rather than the aggressor. Blind faith in Iran's "goodwill" is a costly illusion.

John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point, joins guest host Casey Kustin, AJC’s Chief Impact and Operations Officer, to break down Israel’s high-stakes strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and the U.S. decision to enter the fight.

In June 2025, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion—a preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear and military sites—triggering a massive Iranian missile and drone attack that killed 30 Israeli civilians. The U.S. responded with precision airstrikes on Iran’s key nuclear facilities, leading to a ceasefire on June 23. AJC experts say the conflict reshaped regional dynamics, reaffirmed U.S.-Israel ties, exposed Iran’s isolation, and opened new possibilities for diplomacy, deterrence, and expanding the Abraham Accords.

In this challenging moment for the Jewish people amidst surging global antisemitism, many Jewish New Yorkers are rightly concerned about the dramatic rise of antisemitism in their city and the very real safety concerns that impact Jews daily. The next mayor of New York City must take those concerns seriously.