What's Up With Iran's Threats on the US?
- Yastika Chouhan
- Jun 25
- 2 min read
What’s Happening?
On June 13, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, striking over 100 military and nuclear sites in Iran, including in Tehran, Natanz, and Isfahan, with around 200 fighter jets and Mossad-run drone sabotage missions inside Iran. Iran hit back, firing more than 400 missiles and drones into Israel and injuring over 240 people, including at a hospital and near a tech park.
Casualty reports vary, but independent monitors say Israel’s first wave killed at least 657 Iranians, including around 263 civilians, and wounded more than 2,000. In Tehran, thousands are fleeing north, facing fuel shortages and blocked messaging apps.
Why Should Gen Z Care?
Flights: If you’re planning study abroad, summer travel, or tech internships abroad, this is major news—airspace shut-downs and missile alerts could hit your plans hard.
Online Speech: Iran’s shut down WhatsApp and Instagram—maybe influencer life or digital activism isn’t as “free” as you thought.
Hybrid Warfare: We’re seeing drones + jets + spies—all mixed into one conflict. Crazy tech shift—but also where your future jobs in cybersecurity, diplomacy, or data science might come in.
The U.S. Factor: What’s Trump Doing?
President Trump said the U.S. will decide within two weeks whether to join Israel in striking Iranian targets and even floated using "bunker-buster" bombs.
He’s flipped his advisory circle: intelligence leaders like Tulsi Gabbard and Pete Hegseth are reportedly sidelined, though Pentagon officials deny that.
Financial markets are already reacting: Wall Street spiked on the news of delayed U.S. strikes, but analysts say a U.S.-Iran war could mess with oil prices and U.S. interest-rate decisions.
The Global Ripple Effect
Gulf countries—like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman—are cozying up to Iran to avoid being swept into the conflict by hosting U.S. bases.
Evacuations: Britain is scrambling to fire evac flights out of Tel Aviv; Australia and others may follow.
Diplomacy in motion: Iran agreed to talk, only if Israel stops striking. Geneva talks are on—but currently stalled .
Gen Z Playbook: How Can You Plug In?
Speak up online safely: Share real-time updates, call for de-escalation, share sources—digital activism matters.
Get savvy: Learn how foreign policy and markets connect—this affects jobs, education, and travel.
Use your voice: Push student councils or local reps to issue youth statements on war, diplomacy, or humanitarian aid.
“We’re not bystanders,” tweeted one high school student. “Our world is globally linked—whether our flight gets canceled or our apps go dark.”
Bottom Line
This isn’t just foreign news. It’s potential airspace disruptions, digital censorship, economic shocks, and the possible biggest U.S. military showdown in years. As global citizens, we’ve got skin in this game. Whether you're into tech, travel, activism, or global affairs, it matters.
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