Skip to main content

Israel-Iran: A seismic and unprecedented shift in global dynamics — Expert Comment

Prof. Clionadh Raleigh comments on Israel's pre-emptive strikes against Iran.

13 June 2025

Smoke and flame rise after Iranian strikes hit a building as Iran's ongoing retaliatory attacks with ballistic missiles towards Israel are seen from Tel Aviv on 16 June 2025.

Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu via Getty Images

Author

Last night, in a major escalation of tensions, Israel launched what they are calling “pre-emptive strikes” against targets in Iran.1

Clionadh Raleigh, President & CEO with ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data), said:

“To put these strikes into perspective, last year we recorded 15 confirmed air- and drone strikes by Israel on Iran that targeted military sites and resulted in one death. Last night, in an unprecedented escalation, Israel struck multiple military and nuclear sites and residential locations, killing the head of the Revolutionary Guard, alongside other senior military officials and leading nuclear scientists. This marks a rapid and seismic shift in global dynamics. The biggest question here is not Iran’s response but Israel’s next step.”

Note for editors: For more information or to interview Clionadh Raleigh, please contact Tania Corbett at [email protected].

ACLED (Armed Conflict Location & Event Data) is a global monitor that collects, analyzes, and maps data on conflict and protest. ACLED provides detailed information to help identify, understand, and track patterns and trends in conflict and crisis situations around the world.

Share on

Related content