In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, the United States military launched strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities overnight into Sunday, June 22, 2025. The coordinated operation, undertaken in full partnership with Israel, targeted sites the US claims are central to Iran’s nuclear program.
According to President Donald Trump, the strikes hit three primary locations: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. US officials stated the objective was the “destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity” and to neutralize the perceived nuclear threat posed by Iran. President Trump declared the operation a “spectacular military success,” asserting that Iran’s “key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated.” Reports indicated the strikes involved powerful munitions, including multiple 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs deployed by B-2 bombers against the heavily fortified, deeply buried Fordow facility, and Tomahawk missiles launched from submarines targeting Natanz and Isfahan.
Conflicting Accounts & Damage Assessment
Iranian officials swiftly disputed the US claims regarding the extent of the damage. Iran’s foreign minister condemned the attacks as “outrageous” and a “grave violation” of international law and treaties, warning of “everlasting consequences.” While acknowledging the strikes, Iranian officials, including the deputy director of the Atomic Energy Organization, Reza Kardan, asserted that preliminary safety measures had been taken and that no “radiation contamination or nuclear radiation has been observed outside” the targeted sites. They claimed people in surrounding areas could continue their normal lives without worry and suggested the sites might have been evacuated and enriched uranium reserves moved prior to the attacks.
Adding to the uncertainty, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that as of now, no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported following the strikes on Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. However, the true impact on Iran’s nuclear program remains unclear amidst these conflicting accounts. Experts note that even if the targeted physical sites suffered significant damage, Iran’s nuclear know-how persists, allowing for potential rebuilding or continuation of activities at undisclosed locations.
Iran’s Response and Retaliation
Following the US strikes, Iran launched retaliatory missile attacks targeting Israel. Reports indicated Iranian missiles struck approximately 10 locations across Israel, including areas in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Carmel, and the northern coastal plain. Israeli emergency services reported around 11-14 people were injured, mostly lightly, though some structures in Tel Aviv were reportedly damaged or destroyed. The Israeli military confirmed detecting the launches and announced it had begun counter-strikes on Iranian military targets in western Iran.
Iran’s foreign minister stated that Iran reserves “all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people.” President Trump issued a stern warning to Iran, stating they must choose “either peace or tragedy” and that if peace does not come swiftly, future US attacks would be “far greater and a lot easier,” as many targets remain.
International and Expert Perspectives
The US strikes drew a range of international reactions. The United Nations Secretary-General expressed alarm, describing the use of force as a “dangerous escalation” and warning of a growing risk that the conflict could rapidly spiral out of control with catastrophic consequences. While the Australian government offered tacit support by calling Iran’s nuclear program a threat, both Australia and New Zealand urged de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy.
Experts anticipate further Iranian retaliation targeting US military bases, assets, and interests in the region, including potentially in the Red Sea. This action is seen as risking a prolonged period of escalation. Domestically in the US, the strikes highlighted a political divide, with some hawkish voices supporting the action while others, particularly within the “Make America Great Again” movement, expressed concern that it could draw the US into another protracted foreign conflict, potentially fracturing political alliances.
Regional Impact
The escalating conflict has significantly impacted the region. Commercial air traffic continues to avoid the airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel, diverting to longer, more costly routes via the Caspian Sea or Egypt and Saudi Arabia. This disruption had already begun due to recent missile exchanges but intensified following the US strikes. The situation also raises concerns about the potential involvement of groups like Hezbollah and the wider implications for regional stability and vital shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz.
As the situation remains volatile, the full military and political ramifications of the US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities continue to unfold.
