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The United States inserted into Israel’s war with Iran and bombed three major nuclear sites in the Islamic Republic overnight with an attack called the “Operation Midnight Hammer.” US President Donald Trump argued that the site was “completely and completely wiped out,” and warned that there would be additional strikes if Iran retaliated.
The US strike came after a week of open conflict between Israel and Iran, sparked by a barrage of Israel’s sudden attacks on Israeli nuclear and military structures.
The Israeli strike began on June 13th. Targeting Iran’s military and nuclear sites, they killed some of the best military officials and nuclear scientists. Iran retaliated by launching hundreds of missiles and drones in Israel. The wars so far have killed hundreds of people in Iran, injured more than 1,000 people, and killed 20 and hundreds of people injured in Israel.
Iran claims its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. However, Israel sees it as an existential threat, saying that a military campaign is needed to prevent Iran from building atomic weapons.
The US intelligence agency believes Tehran is not actively pursuing bombs, but Trump and Israeli leaders have made it an imminent threat, claiming it can quickly assemble nuclear weapons.
The region has been on the edge for the past two years as Israel seeks to annihilate militant groups in Hamas, an Iranian ally in the Gaza Strip.
Here’s what you need to know about the Israeli-Iran conflict and US intervention:
US bomb Iran
In a speech aired from the White House to the nation, Trump announced an overnight “massive precision strike” at Iranian nuclear sites in Ford, Isfahan and Natanz. Describing them as “magnificent military successes,” he said he “completely and completely wiped out” the nuclear site. Iran must now create peace, he said.
“The final damage to the battle will take some time,” Air Force General Dan Kane, chairman of the co-star chief, said at a news briefing in Washington on Sunday.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegses said the strike was not intended to overthrow the Iranian government.
“This mission was not a change of government, and it wasn’t,” Hegses said in a news briefing.
Iran’s atomic energy organization confirmed the attack, but insisted that the nuclear program would not halt. Iran and the United Nations Nuclear Watch Agency said there were no immediate signs of radioactive contamination in the three locations following the strike.
Fordo’s nuclear fuel enrichment site is buried deep in the mountains, and attacks on IT use bunkerbuster bombs designed to penetrate the ground before they explode, US officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations. Only the US has 30,000 pounds (13,600 kilograms) of ammunition and stealth bombers used to deliver them.
Trump warned that there would be additional strikes if Tehran retaliated against the US forces, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump’s decision to attack.
Iran’s reaction
Iran launched a barrage of missiles against Israel overnight and on Sunday. Israeli authorities have reported more than 80 people injured, most of which have been neglected.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi said that the time for diplomacy has passed and that his country has the right to protect itself.
“Warmingling, a lawless regime in Washington, is entirely responsible for the dangerous consequences and widespread meaning of its offensive actions,” he said at a press conference in Istanbul. “They crossed a very large red line by attacking nuclear facilities.”
It remains unclear how Tehran will retaliate, but Iran’s response could mean a wave of attacks on US forces in the Middle East, an attempt to close down important bottlenecks for global oil supply, or a dash to develop nuclear weapons.
Secretary of Defense, Chief Pete Hegses and Chairman Dan Kane held a press conference in the morning after we hit three nuclear sites in Iran. “Our troops are on high alert and are fully posted to respond to Iran’s retaliation and proxy attacks,” Kane said.
“Dangerous Escalation”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “grossly wary” by the US use of force and called the strike a “dangerous escalation.” World leaders sought diplomacy.
“This conflict has devastating consequences for civilians, localities and the world, and is at an increased risk that it could quickly get out of control,” Guterres said in a statement from X.
Kaja Karas, head of foreign policy for the European Union, said Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, but it urged it to be restrained.
“I urge you to take a step back on all aspects and return to the negotiation table and prevent further escalations,” she said in a social media post. Karas chairs a meeting of foreign ministers of 27 countries in Brussels on Monday, with the Israel-Iran War on the agenda.
The Hooty rebels, supported by Yemeni Iran, had threatened to resume attacks on US ships in the Red Sea if the Trump administration joins Israeli military campaign.
Iran’s top leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the US on Wednesday that the blow against Iran would “since irreparable damage for them.”
Israeli forces said on Saturday they were prepared for the possibility of a long war, but the Iranian foreign minister warned that US military involvement before the US attacks was “very dangerous to everyone.”
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