Iran's resurgence, Israel's military posture, and U.S. backing create a high-stakes triangle driving the region toward renewed conflict.

Israel’s surprise attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities on June 13 launched a 12-day war in which Israeli jets pounded Tehran and other Iranian cities while Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at Israel.

Critics feared it would plunge the Middle East into a wider war. That doomsday scenario has not come to pass, at least for now: Iran made only symbolic retaliation against America; soon after, a ceasefire ended the fighting between Iran and Israel.