Israeli Preemptive Strike Targets Iranian High-Ranking Officials?

Hello everyone, welcome to “News Talk”. I am Jinshi, and I am Fuyao. Today is June 13, Friday.

Our guests for this episode are the host of “Henghe Commentary”, Henghe; the host of “Mark Time and Space”, Mark; and current affairs commentator and senior political and economic analyst, Qin Peng.

Today’s focus: Imminent Threats! Will Israel Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Program Overnight? Commander of the Revolutionary Guard Killed! AUKUS Alliance of US, UK, and Australia Throws a Curveball? US Department of Defense Conducts a Major Review! CCP Invites American Influencers for a 10-Day Free Trip.

In the early hours of the day, Israel launched attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, military bases, and key military personnel. Over Tehran, the capital of Iran, flashes of fire and thick smoke could be seen.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated: “Israel has launched Operation ‘Rising Lion’, a targeted military operation aimed at repelling the Iranian threat to Israel’s survival.”

That night, sirens continued blaring in Jerusalem.

He stated that Iran has a nuclear weapons development program, and if not stopped, “Iran could potentially produce nuclear weapons,” posing a clear and present threat to Israel’s existence.

Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson, General Eyal Ephraim, stated that the IDF had made extensive preparations for this operation.

Iran’s Islamic Republic Broadcasting Corporation reported on the 13th that Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Commander Hossein Salami passed away in the early hours of the 13th, although this news has not been officially confirmed yet.

Previously, President Trump had ordered embassy personnel and non-essential staff to evacuate the Middle East region. US and Iran officials were scheduled to hold the sixth round of talks regarding the “enrichment uranium program” in Tehran on the 15th.

The White House later issued a statement saying: “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We were not involved in the strike against Iran, our primary mission is to protect US forces in the region. Israel informed us that they believe this action is necessary for their own defense. President Trump and this administration have taken all necessary measures to protect our forces and maintain close contact with our partners in the region. We want to make it clear: Iran should not launch attacks against US interests or personnel.”

1. Mr. Qin Peng, why did Israel suddenly launch this wave of attacks?

2. Mr. Mark, how do you view this surprise attack from a military perspective? What message is Israel sending?

3. Mr. Henghe, Israeli sources claim that Israel intends to continue attacking Iran until they believe the nuclear threat from Iran has been eliminated. However, can this goal truly be achieved solely through Israel’s actions?

4. Mr. Mark, do you think Iran will retaliate? Do you expect this surprise attack to escalate further?

5. Mr. Henghe, how will this attack adjust the power balance in the Middle East?

Jinshi: Now let’s shift our focus to news related to Indo-Pacific security and the situation in the Taiwan Strait. According to multiple sources, the US Department of Defense is conducting a comprehensive review of the “AUKUS” security agreement between the US, UK, and Australia to assess whether it aligns with the “America First” principles of the Trump administration.

The “AUKUS” agreement between the US, UK, and Australia, signed in 2021, is a trilateral military plan. Its core component involves Australia acquiring the most advanced Virginia-class nuclear submarines from the US in the future. Furthermore, with US assistance, the UK and Australia will jointly design and build a new generation of submarines.

Fuyao: It is generally believed that this plan sends a clear signal aimed at countering the CCP to contain its expansion and threats in the Indo-Pacific region. This is also an important political legacy of the Biden administration in the geopolitical arena.

Currently, the US Department of Defense has stated that they will ensure that AUKUS aligns with President Trump’s “America First” policy, including maintaining the highest combat readiness of the US military, requiring allies to share collective defense responsibilities and strengthening the defense industrial base.

It is worth noting that the review is led by Elbridge Colby, the Deputy Secretary of Defense for policy at the Pentagon, who has been skeptical about AUKUS and has warned that US submarine resources are limited. If attack submarines (SSNs) are provided to allies, it may weaken the US military’s deterrence capabilities against the CCP along the “first island chain.”

Jinshi: In March of this year, Colby reiterated that while it is “good” for Australia to have nuclear submarines, he cautioned that the “real threats” of conflicts in the coming years are increasing, and US nuclear submarines will be “absolutely indispensable” in defending Taiwan.

He believes that unless Australia explicitly commits to fighting alongside the US in conflicts in the Indo-Pacific, the US should not unconditionally provide submarine technology and equipment.

A spokesperson for the US Department of Defense stated that this review will last about 30 days, and any adjustments to policy directives will be formally announced through official channels.

6. Mr. Henghe, how do you view the Trump administration’s review this time? Will it affect the prospects of the US-UK-Australia security agreement?

7. Mr. Qin Peng, all the leaders of the US, UK, and Australia have changed since the signing of the AUKUS agreement in 2021. Do you think the AUKUS agreement will continue as a long-term policy for these three countries, or is there a risk of changes, or even cancellation?

Fuyao: We see that Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby’s stance on reviewing AUKUS is that US submarine resources are limited, and providing them to Australia might worsen the US combat capabilities against the CCP. He also emphasizes that unless Australia commits to fighting alongside the US in conflicts in the Indo-Pacific, the US should not unconditionally provide nuclear submarine technology and equipment.

6. Mr. Henghe, how do you view this stance? According to this perspective, the US is determined to confront the CCP in the Indo-Pacific, even at the cost of a war. But when it comes to Australia as an ally, is it worth trusting them, sharing the most confidential and cutting-edge weapons and technologies, or are there reservations?

Jinshi: Recently, the CCP’s “China Youth Daily” announced a recruitment notice, inviting young American social media influencers to travel to mainland China for 10 days, all expenses paid, with an additional $2,000 for airfare. The invited influencers must have at least 300,000 followers.

This activity, called the “China-Global Youth Influencer Exchange Program,” specifically targets American influencers and is scheduled to take place from July 14th to 23rd, inviting young American influencers to visit five cities, including Suzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Handan, and Beijing, covering locations like Xiaohongshu Company and BYD Company headquarters.

Furthermore, the invited influencers will participate in activities such as Tai Chi, livestream visits to the Great Wall, and collaborate with mainland content creators.

Fuyao: This activity was also promoted on the social media platform of “International Student Daily,” encouraging students to encourage influencers around them to apply. It was advertised that after the 10-day trip, highlights from all influencers’ journeys would be edited into short videos and extensively promoted on “China Youth Daily” and “WYDF (Willowfontein Youth Development Forum),” aiming to turn this trip into a “hit-making machine” for influencers.

The organizers also stated that as long as the content produced by influencers is “free of any negative history, featuring a positive and sunny style,” they would pass the criteria.

Jinshi: Previously, CCP leader Xi Jinping had called for more exchanges between Chinese and American universities. In November 2023, during Xi Jinping’s visit to San Francisco, he announced a plan to invite 50,000 American youth to China for exchange and learning over the next five years.

In the past two years, several groups of American youths have indeed been arranged to visit China.

Fuyao: However, Kyle Abrahm, a young American who had participated in a similar trip, recalled, “We felt that it was somewhat manufactured and controlled because we didn’t experience any cultural elements. What we received was exactly what the government was trying to show us.”

1. Mr. Qin Peng, after participating in such activities, American youths seem to have not experienced “cultural exchange” but rather some one-sided propaganda from the CCP. According to Abrahm, during the trip, the guides always focused on China’s advantages, resilience, and innovation: “Look at what we are doing and compare all this data with the United States.” What is the real purpose of this activity? Can American influencers see the “real China”?

2. Mr. Henghe, does the CCP really provide free lunches?

Why does the CCP use young people to help with its external propaganda efforts? How do you view the role of young influencers in the US-China relationship?

3. Mr. Qin Peng, do you recommend that the US provide a reciprocal strategy? If the US also welcomes Chinese influencers for a free 10-day trip, how do you expect the response to be?

Fuyao: With a little time remaining, let’s discuss a special topic. Tomorrow, Saturday, the grand military parade will be held in the US capital, Washington, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the US Army, with over 200,000 people expected to attend onsite.

This parade, dubbed the “Century Celebration,” will involve 6,600 soldiers, 150 military vehicles, and 50 warplanes.

According to the latest schedule, the parade will start at 6:30 PM on June 14th, with troops starting from the Pentagon and marching along Constitution Avenue to the National Mall, covering about 4 miles. The aerial formation includes F-22 stealth fighters and P-51 Mustang fighter planes from World War II, while the ground formations include 28 M1A1 tanks and 28 Bradley armored vehicles.

Interestingly, June 14th is also President Trump’s 79th birthday.

Jinshi: It is intriguing to note that the US, despite being the world’s most powerful military, seldom holds large-scale national military parades like this.

Some media statistics show that in over 240 years of US history, there have only been five large-scale military parades. Almost all of these parades were held at significant historical moments. There was a parade after the Civil War, one after World War I, another after World War II, after the Gulf War, and one when General President Eisenhower took office.

8. Mr. Qin Peng, why do you think President Trump is holding a large military parade this time, and what special significance does it have?

Fuyao: Certainly, such a grand event is not without controversy. Some critics say that Trump’s parade is to celebrate his own birthday. Additionally, riots occurred in Los Angeles a week before the parade, prompting Trump to deploy nearly 5,000 soldiers to Los Angeles. Thus, there may be a situation where the parade goes on while riots are being suppressed. Of course, the security measures for this parade are meticulous and stringent.

9. Mr. Henghe, how do you view the challenges and controversies surrounding this grand military parade?

Alright, the Washington military parade will officially begin at 6:30 PM Eastern Time tomorrow, and our channel will also have a special live broadcast starting at 5:30 PM tomorrow. Interested viewers must not miss it!