Half-century decision: US strikes Iran

The United States has officially entered the Iran–Israel war that has been raging for a week. American aircraft have struck three nuclear facilities in Iran: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. President Trump had previously indicated he would decide within two weeks whether to attack Iran; in reality, it took him just two days to make this historic decision.

According to Reuters, U.S. B-2 bombers were used to hit Iran’s nuclear sites. Earlier reports noted that B-2 stealth bombers had taken off from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and were likely en route to Andersen Air Force Base on the island of Guam in the western Pacific.

The bombers were reportedly armed with the GBU-57 bunker-buster bomb, capable of penetrating up to 61 meters underground—enough to reach deeply buried targets such as the Fordow uranium enrichment plant. However, many experts have long speculated that the Fordow facility is buried at a depth of 80–90 meters, beyond the effective reach of the GBU-57. In the strike on June 22, Fox News reported that six bunker-buster bombs were dropped on Fordow, while 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles targeted other sites.

President Trump and his team monitored the operation from the White House Situation Room, and the White House released photos showing the president and senior officials during the strikes.

Following the attack, President Trump—who is known for his prolific use of social media—announced on his Truth Social platform that U.S. aircraft had exited Iranian airspace.

“We have completed a very successful strike on three Iranian nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. All aircraft are now out of Iranian airspace. The main bomb load was dropped on Fordow. All aircraft are returning home safely. Congratulations to our great American warriors. There is no other military in the world that can do this. IT IS TIME FOR PEACE!” Trump wrote.

He described the strike as a historic moment for the United States, Israel, and the world, declaring that “Iran must now agree to end this war.” He also warned Iran that any attempt at retaliation against the United States would be met with an even greater show of force.

After the strike, Trump delivered a televised address to the American people, calling the operation “a great military success” and asserting that Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facilities had been completely destroyed.

In a speech lasting just over three minutes, President Trump declared that Iran’s future would be one of “peace or disaster,” warning that the U.S. military had many other potential targets ready.

“If peace does not come soon, we will go to other targets with precision, speed, and skill,” he said.

According to CBS News, on June 21 the United States reached out to Iran through diplomatic channels, stating that the strikes were part of a broader U.S. plan and were not intended to bring about regime change. A spokesperson for the anti-crisis department in Iran’s Qom province confirmed that “part of the Fordow nuclear facility was hit by an airstrike.” However, they emphasized there is no threat to residents near the Fordow nuclear complex. Saudi Arabia also reported that no traces of radiation were detected in the kingdom or other Gulf states following the U.S. attack on Iran.

Hassan Abedini, deputy political director of Iranian state television, said live on air that Iran had evacuated the three nuclear facilities “some time ago.” According to Abedini, Iran “has not suffered any serious damage because the materials have already been removed.”

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported on June 22 that it had detected no increase in radiation levels at the three nuclear sites targeted by the U.S. strikes.

The U.S. intervention in the Iran–Israel conflict has come as a shock both domestically and internationally.

Trump’s bold decision has triggered a political firestorm in the United States. Senior Republicans on Capitol Hill have expressed support, while Democrats accuse the president of breaking the law, violating the Constitution, and dragging the U.S. into another Middle Eastern conflict.

For instance, Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said he, like other Democrats, had not been informed of the strike. He condemned Trump’s decision to attack Iran “without consulting Congress, without a clear strategy, without taking into account the consistent conclusions of the intelligence community, and without explaining anything to the American people.”

Notably, in March, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated that Iran was not developing nuclear weapons. However, after Israel’s strike on Iran in June, Trump dismissed Gabbard’s assessment as wrong.

International reaction to the U.S. attack has been mixed. Some leaders have applauded the strike, while others have condemned it as an irresponsible escalation targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who spoke with Trump after the operation, praised the decision.

“Congratulations, President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the fearsome and just power of the United States will change history... History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime the world’s most dangerous weapons,” Netanyahu said.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern about the consequences of the U.S. strikes on Iran.

“I am deeply concerned by the use of force by the United States against Iran today. This is a dangerous escalation in a region already on the brink of war and a direct threat to international peace and security. There is a growing risk that this conflict could quickly spiral out of control, with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world. I call on Member States to de-escalate and to fulfill their obligations under the UN Charter and other rules of international law. In this dangerous hour, it is crucial to prevent a spiral of chaos. There is no military solution. Diplomacy is the only way forward. Peace is the only hope,” Guterres said.

In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated that Tehran retains all options for responding to what he called the “furious” U.S. strikes.

“The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has attacked Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities in flagrant violation of the UN Charter, international law, and the NPT. The events that took place this morning will have terrible and lasting consequences. Every member of the UN should be alarmed by these extremely dangerous, unlawful, and criminal acts. In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions that allow for a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran will retain all means to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people,” Araqchi wrote on his social media page.

Shortly after the U.S. strikes, Iran retaliated by attacking Israel. The Israeli military reported that Iran had launched a new wave of missiles and urged the public to take shelter. The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Israel also issued a warning, once again urging Uzbek citizens in Israel to strictly follow safety guidelines, remain vigilant, and not leave shelters during rocket attacks.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), new security restrictions have been imposed nationwide from 3:45 a.m. on June 22 until 8:00 a.m. on June 23, due to the escalating situation.

As a result, all educational institutions will be closed. All production facilities will shut down, except for those essential to military and civilian needs. Commuting to work is prohibited.

Following the U.S. strike on Iran, the “Axis of Resistance” movement—Qasem Soleimani’s legacy—has been reactivated. While Hezbollah has been considerably weakened, the Houthis may step up attacks on U.S. economic interests. Iran’s proxy group in Yemen announced that it has entered the war and will not seek Tehran’s permission for its actions. The Houthis also warned U.S. ships to keep their distance.