Explaining History

Israel's attack on Iran - a historical context


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In this urgent episode, we break down last night’s dramatic Israeli raid on Iran—Operation Rising Lion—which targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities and killed top Iranian military leaders in the largest attack since the Iran–Iraq War. We unpack what happened on the ground, the immediate fallout—including Iran’s launch of over 100 drones in retaliation—and the atmosphere of panic and unity now gripping Israel as the region braces for further escalation.


But this isn’t just about one night. We dig deep into the historical context behind the Israel-Iran conflict: from their days as covert allies to bitter enemies, and how decades of nuclear brinkmanship, proxy wars, and shifting alliances have set the stage for today’s existential struggle. We’ll also examine the crucial role of the United States—locked in its own high-stakes negotiations with Iran—and what’s at stake for global security as nuclear ambitions, sanctions, and regional power plays collide.


*****STOP PRESS*****


I only ever talk about history on this podcast but I also have another life, yes, that of aspirant fantasy author and if that's your thing you can get a copy of my debut novel The Blood of Tharta, right here:





Israel, Iran and the USA are locked in an existential struggle in the Middle East, this episode


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Explaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.

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Explaining HistoryBy Nick Shepley

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