In the early hours of June 22, the United States, in collaboration with Israel, which had initiated attacks on Iran a week earlier, launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Using powerful 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, the US targeted nuclear centers in Isfahan, Fordow, and Natanz, despite calls from other nations to refrain from such actions. Following the attack, Iran declared its readiness to take any necessary measures in self-defense. However, the US maintains that Iran should not retaliate in this situation. US President Donald Trump has discussed the possibility of regime change in Iran, stating that if the current government cannot make Iran a great nation, the best option would be to change the leadership.
Since June 13, Israel and Iran have been exchanging missile attacks. In the past 24 hours, an Iranian missile strike on Tel Aviv has resulted in numerous injuries and destruction of several buildings. Israel has responded by sending air force jets to launch powerful attacks on numerous military installations in western Iran. The US Department of Homeland Security has warned of potential threats to the United States in this situation, including cyber attacks and targeted attacks against specific groups. Law enforcement officers across various US regions are maintaining heightened vigilance on the streets, with special attention given to religious, cultural, and foreign areas. The State Department has also issued warnings to all US citizens living abroad about potential targeting due to their nationality and possible travel disruptions.
Although Iran has promised a strong response to the US attack, it has not yet taken any action. No strikes have been launched against US military bases in the Middle East, nor have there been any attempts to disrupt global oil trade. However, this situation is unlikely to persist indefinitely. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Iran has the right to respond appropriately to the US and that diplomatic solutions can only be pursued after a retaliatory strike. Araghchi also remarked that the US is incapable of peaceful resolution and only understands the language of threats and intimidation.
In a speech, Trump described the US attack as a major military advancement and success. He continues to claim that Iran’s nuclear facilities have been completely destroyed. Analysts studying the situation say that satellite images show significant damage to the Fordow nuclear facility, which is built inside a mountain. However, they also note that the exact condition of the facility remains uncertain.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that radiation levels from the nuclear facilities have not increased due to the US attack. However, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that the extent of damage to the underground Fordow facility cannot be determined at this time. An Iranian senior source claimed that enriched uranium at Fordow had been moved to another location before the US attack, but this has not been confirmed. Satellite images show that a large number of vehicles had queued in the area during the two days prior to the attack.
Trump has called on Iran to refrain from retaliating and to pursue peace. He warned that future US attacks would be more powerful than the recent one and easier for the US to execute. Currently, Iran’s most potent response could be closing the Strait of Hormuz, which it shares with Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Iran’s parliament has approved such action. One-quarter of the world’s oil tankers pass through this strait. Closing it would require approval from Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Closing the Strait of Hormuz would likely cause a significant increase in oil prices. This could negatively impact the global economy and potentially lead to confrontations with US naval forces operating in the Gulf, whose primary mission is to keep the strait open. Oil prices reached their highest level since January following the US attack on June 22, with Brent crude rising by $3.20 to $80.28 and US crude increasing by $2.89 to $76.73.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that there are no immediate plans for further military action against Iran, but this depends on Iran’s actions. The UN Security Council met on June 22 to discuss the US attack on Iran. Russia, China, and Pakistan proposed issuing a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional halt to attacks in the Middle East. UN Secretary-General António Guterres sai Guterres said that the US attack on Iran would significantly alter the regional landscape. He called for an end to the exchange of attacks and urged negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
