US-Israel attack on Iran: Is this about nuclear weapons, Israeli hegemony or Epstein files? Here's what Jeffrey Sachs says about the US Iran war

US-Israel attack on Iran: The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes across Iran, including targets in the capital Tehran, in what President Donald Trump described as “major combat operations.” The attacks immediately intensified tensions in the Middle East and drew strong reactions from critics of U.S. foreign policy.

The latest U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have triggered not only military retaliation but also sharp criticism from global observers. Among the most vocal critics is economist Jeffrey Sachs, who questioned the reasoning behind the attacks. His remarks add a controversial dimension to the rapidly escalating crisis.

Jeffrey Sachs, a prominent academic and global policy commentator, delivered a sharp critique of Washington’s actions and the broader motivations behind the strikes.


The military operation unfolded while the United States and Iran were engaged in negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. It also came months after a previous confrontation between the two sides, when the United States and Israel fought a brief 12-day conflict with Iran, as quoted in a report by the AP.

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What did Jeffrey Sachs say about the US-Israel attack on Iran?

Sachs argued that the conflict has little to do with the stated concern over nuclear weapons.

"This has never been about Nuclear weapons; it's because Israel wants to topple the Iranian regime, and Israel wants regional hegemony in middle east."

He also questioned the narrative surrounding negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

"Israeli policy repeated year in and year out, the whole idea that trump is negotiating to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. The negotiations were done but Trump just ripped it up. Iran has come out every year to say that they don't want a nuclear weapon; they want negotiations, but the USA does not accept yes for an answer. Jeffrey Sachs says that it's because it works for the government of Israel, and the reason why it does so could be anything but the USA's own interest in going to a war with Iran right now.

Sachs continued his criticism by suggesting that the motivations behind U.S. support for Israel may not align with American interests.

"It may be because of what's in the Epstein files ... it may be blackmail, it may be corruption ... but it is not about America's interests.”

He also raised a broader question about the influence of Israel on U.S. policy.

How did the US and Israel justify the strikes?

President Donald Trump framed the operation as a decisive military campaign and addressed the Iranian public directly.

“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take. This will be probably your only chance for generations,” Trump said in a video announcing that “major combat operations” were underway.

“For many years, you have asked for America’s help, but you never got it.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed that message and suggested the operation could reshape Iran’s political future, as quoted in a report by the AP.

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“Our joint operation will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands,” Netanyahu said.

Initial strikes reportedly hit areas around the offices of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. Iranian media reported explosions across the country, with smoke rising from the capital.

It was not immediately known whether the 86-year-old leader was present at the location when the strikes occurred, as quoted in a report by the AP.

How did Iran respond to the "Operation Fury"?

Iran reacted quickly to the attacks, carrying out retaliatory strikes against both Israeli and U.S. targets. Iranian forces launched waves of drones and missiles toward Israel and followed with attacks targeting American military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.

The escalating situation forced several countries in the region to take precautionary measures. Both Iraq and the United Arab Emirates closed their airspace amid the growing conflict.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a firm response to the strikes.

“The time has come to defend the homeland and confront the enemy’s military assault,” the ministry said in a statement posted on X.

Iranian state media also reported casualties linked to the attacks. According to the state-run IRNA news agency, forty people were killed at a girls’ school in the southern city of Minab in Hormozgan province during the Israeli-U.S. strikes. Reports indicate that at least 45 others sustained injuries.

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the reported strike on the school.

As military action and political reactions continue to unfold, the strikes have deepened an already volatile confrontation in the Middle East, while voices like Jeffrey Sachs continue to question the real motives behind the conflict.

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FAQs

Who criticized the US-Israel attacks on Iran?

Economist Jeffrey Sachs publicly criticized the strikes and questioned the motives behind the military campaign.

What did Sachs claim about the conflict?

He argued the confrontation is not about nuclear weapons but about Israel seeking regional dominance.