President Donald Trump announced a successful US-led bombing operation targeting three Iranian nuclear sites, claiming their “obliteration.”
Israel confirmed full coordination with the US in the operation’s planning. While Iranian officials acknowledge the attacks, they dispute the extent of the damage.
This action represents a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
Key details of the operation, codenamed “Midnight Hammer,” include the deployment of 125 US military aircraft, including seven B-2 stealth bombers, according to US Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The targets included Fordo, a deeply buried uranium enrichment facility crucial to Iran’s nuclear program, along with sites in Natanz and Isfahan.
Initial assessments suggest severe damage to all three facilities, according to Gen. Caine. Fordo’s depth, exceeding that of the Channel Tunnel, necessitated the use of the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), a 13,000kg “bunker buster” bomb capable of penetrating significant depths of reinforced concrete and earth.
Fourteen MOP bombs were among the 75 precision-guided munitions employed in the strikes, deployed by the B-2 bombers. While the effectiveness of the MOP against Fordo’s depth remains uncertain, it is the only weapon with a chance of success.
Gen. Caine stated that a comprehensive damage assessment will require time. The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization denounced the attacks as a “barbaric violation” of international law. However, both Saudi Arabia and the IAEA report no increase in radiation levels.
Hassan Abedini, deputy political director of Iran’s state broadcaster, claimed Iran had already removed sensitive materials from the targeted sites. Following the US strikes, Iran launched a missile barrage targeting Tel Aviv and Haifa, injuring at least 86 people.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi condemned the attack, reserving the right to retaliate and accusing Trump of betraying promises to end US involvement in Middle East conflicts.
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner outlines three potential strategic responses for Iran.
President Trump confirmed the strikes via Truth Social and later addressed the nation, warning of future, “far greater” attacks unless Iran engages in diplomatic negotiations. He emphasized that “many targets remain.”
While some Republicans, including Senator Ted Cruz, voiced support, others, such as Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, expressed opposition.
Democrat Hakeem Jeffries criticized the potential for a disastrous war, and others accused Trump of bypassing Congress. Senator Bernie Sanders deemed the strikes “grossly unconstitutional,” citing the constitutional power of Congress to declare war.
However, the president’s role as Commander-in-Chief allows military action without formal war declarations.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the US action as a response to Iran’s nuclear threat, urging diplomatic resolution. The UN and EU expressed concern and called for de-escalation.
Saudi Arabia voiced concern, while Oman condemned the attacks and called for de-escalation. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged dialogue, and Russian politician Dmitry Medvedev criticized the US actions.
Following Israel’s earlier strikes on Iranian targets on June 13th, aiming to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, a week-long exchange of strikes has ensued.
Trump has consistently opposed Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. Despite Iran’s increased uranium stockpile, US intelligence previously assessed that it was not developing nuclear weapons—an assessment Trump recently disputed.
Despite past campaign promises to avoid Middle East conflicts, Trump’s actions have abruptly ended ongoing nuclear talks with Iran, defying his previous two-week ultimatum for negotiations.
The immediate question remains Iran’s potential retaliation and its scale.
BBC Persian reports on Iranian citizens’ fear and anger following the attacks.
BBC’s Joe Inwood provides analysis of the key implications of the US strikes.
Emergency services are responding to the aftermath of Iranian missile strikes in Tel Aviv.
The BBC’s Jo Floto analyzes the potential escalation of the Middle East conflict.