United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites

Operation Midnight Hammer
Part of the Iran–Israel war
Fordow Natanz Isfahan United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites (Iran)
Location	Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, Iran
Planned by	United States
Commanded by	Donald Trump Anthony J. Cotton Michael Kurilla
Objective	Destruction of Iran's nuclear facilities
Date	June 22, 2025 (2025-06-22) 02:10–02:35 (IRST)
Executed by	United States Air Force United States Navy
Outcome	2025 Iranian strikes on Al Udeid Air Base Per U.S.: All three sites sustained "extremely severe damage and destruction" Natanz nuclear site has been destroyed while Fordow and Isfahan suffered "major damage" Per Iran: Sites endured "significant and serious damages" Sites sustained "quite superficial" damage with no irreversible harm (initial claim) Per the IAEA: Sites "suffered enormous damage"
Casualties	None

On June 22, 2025, the United States Air Force and Navy attacked three nuclear facilities in Iran as part of the Iran–Israel war. The Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plant, the Natanz Nuclear Facility, and the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center were targeted with fourteen GBU-57A/B MOP (Massive Ordnance Penetrator) 30,000-pound (14,000 kg) "bunker buster" bombs carried by Northrop B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, and with Tomahawk missiles fired from a submarine. The attack, which was given the codename Operation Midnight Hammer, was the United States's first offensive action in the Iran–Israel war, which began on June 13 with surprise Israeli strikes.

U.S. president Donald Trump said the strikes "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities; however, a final bomb damage assessment of the strikes is still ongoing, and a leaked preliminary U.S. intelligence report suggested damage was more limited. Congressional Republicans largely supported Trump's action, while most Democrats and some Republicans were concerned about the constitutionality of the move, its effects, and Iran's response. World reaction was mixed, as some world leaders welcomed the move to incapacitate Iran's nuclear program while others expressed concern over escalation or otherwise condemned the strikes. Iran responded by attacking a U.S. base in Qatar. The next day Trump announced a ceasefire between Iran and Israel, ending the conflict.

Background

Main articles: Nuclear program of Iran, Iran–Israel war, Middle Eastern crisis (2023–present), and Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

Iran nuclear program and American relations with Iran

Four years after the U.S. and other Western nations helped engineer the 1953 Iranian coup d'état against Iranian prime minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and the Eisenhower administration agreed to help develop the Iranian nuclear program, part of the U.S. effort to promote the peaceful pursuit of nuclear science through the "Atoms for Peace" program. In 1968, Iran signed the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. With profits made from the 1973 oil crisis, Pahlavi decided to increase Iran's civil nuclear program and dispatched Iranian students to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to learn nuclear engineering. With U.S. endorsement, Pahlavi began a plan to build 23 nuclear power plants, which would enable Iran to supply electricity to neighboring countries, become a leader in the region, and become a modern state. When then-secretary of state Henry Kissinger attempted to limit Iran's ability to weaponize the nuclear reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel into fissile material through safeguards, Pahlavi handed nuclear-construction contracts to Germany and France.

In 1979, the Iranian Revolution overthrew Pahlavi. After the Iran-Iraq war concluded in 1988, Iran's Islamic leaders launched a nuclear program to produce electricity for its burgeoning population, and to serve as a deterrent.

In 2015, Iran, the United States (under Barack Obama), and other countries negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) to manage Iran's nuclear program to function at a limited level for 15 years, in return for removal of economic international sanctions against Iran.

In 2018, Trump—who has maintained since at least 2011 that Iran should not be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons—unilaterally broke the agreement by withdrawing the United States from the JCPOA, costing Iran the negotiated sanction relief, while implementing even more sanctions that effectively cut off (JCPOA-facilitated) European trade with Iran. Trump's government said that the JCPOA was not preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. At the time, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran was still in compliance with the agreement.

On February 4, 2025, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington, D.C. and reportedly reminded Trump that Iran had planned to assassinate him. Netanyahu gave a detailed slide deck presentation showing how Iran was increasing its uranium stockpile and advancing its centrifuge technology, which Netanyahu said showed Iran was close to crossing the nuclear threshold. Trump wanted to attempt diplomacy and his team decided on a 60-day outline to settle on an agreement. On May 31, 2025, the IAEA reported that Iran had sharply increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity, just below weapons-grade, reaching over 408 kilograms (899 lb), a nearly 50% rise since February. The agency warned that this amount is enough for multiple nuclear weapons if further enriched. Iran said that it increased its uranium enrichment to levels beyond what is required for civilian use as a response to the 2018 American withdrawal from JCPOA. The IAEA reported that Iran was not meeting its obligations per its 2019 agreement by hiding its development of nuclear material, and the IAEA voted to censure Iran on June 12. Iran responded to the IAEA censure by declaring it would create a new uranium-enrichment facility at an unknown location. It has consistently claimed that it is developing nuclear energy and not nuclear weapons. Before Israel attacked Iran in June, the Israelis had given the U.S. information that it thought concerning. The U.S. intelligence agencies were not convinced the information actually showed Iran was getting closer to crossing the nuclear threshold.

One of the major Iranian nuclear sites is Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plant, estimated to be 80 to 90 meters underground. Because of its deep location, the United States military officials had proposed the use of GBU-57A/B MOP "bunker buster" bombs, which can only be carried by a B-2 bomber, to destroy Fordow (the United States is the only nation to possess either of these capabilities). There was extended debate about whether the bunker buster bombs would actually be able to destroy Fordow.

Multiple advisors to Trump, including Steve Bannon and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, warned against war with Iran and have claimed the intelligence community does not consider Iran to be building a nuclear weapon. After Trump called Gabbard "wrong" and said he "did not care what she said," Gabbard changed her position and said Iran could have a nuclear weapon "within months". Trump also said in response to these comments that, "my intelligence community is wrong."

Israeli involvement and American relations with Israel

Israel supports nuclear nonproliferation but believes the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) has little relevance to the Middle East and has not joined the NPT. Israel, widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, has previously attacked nuclear facilities in Iraq and Syria to prevent those countries from acquiring nuclear weapons. It has repeatedly undertaken both covert and overt actions to prevent such developments and has assassinated Iranian nuclear scientists. The conflict between Iran and Israel has been intensifying since the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, as Hamas is partially funded by Iran. Historically, the U.S. has supported Israel in the Middle East, and particularly has financed Israel's military through United States Foreign Military Financing as well as supporting Israel's military actions.

For more than 30 years preceding the American strikes, the United States has been the foremost defender of Israel on the international stage, as well as the main provider of military aid to Israel with few pauses. Once Israel started the Iran–Israel war, it immediately encouraged the United States to enter the war, reported Reuters. Vox said that Israel's goal in the war may be regime change in Iran, rather than a simple targeting of their nuclear program, and that Trump has placed military support behind these goals.

While the American strikes (and other Israeli strikes during the Iran–Israel war) have attacked Iran's nuclear program, and while Israel has continually accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, Israel itself is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, possibly since the 1960s. At the time of the American strikes, Israel had not officially confirmed their possession of nuclear weapons, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commenting in 2011 that Israel has "a longstanding policy that we won't be the first to introduce nuclear weapons into the Middle East", and also Israel had not ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that discourages more countries from developing nuclear weapons.

Congressional resolutions

In the week before the bombings, Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced a resolution in the Senate stating that Trump could not use the U.S. military against Iran without explicit authorization from Congress, through either a declaration of war or an authorization for use of military force. Representatives Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced a parallel resolution, the War Powers Resolution, in the House of Representatives. The House resolution had several dozen Democratic co-sponsors.

Opinion polling

Many right-wing politicians and commentators in the United States, including Rand Paul and Tucker Carlson, have criticized Trump's support for Israeli strikes against Iran, and the possible involvement of the United States in the war. A June 2025 poll of Trump voters found 53% said the U.S. should not get involved in the Iran–Israel conflict. A separate June 2025 poll by The Washington Post found 45% of respondents opposed the U.S. military launching airstrikes against Iran, and a further 30% were unsure; 25% supported a military response.

Prelude

GBU-57 MOP of the type used in the operation

ABC News reported that the American and Israeli militaries had conducted a practice run of this attack during a training exercise in mid-2024 during the Biden administration. In March 2025, the Israeli and U.S. Air Forces ran a joint exercise which The Times of Israel reported was "seen as a warning message to Tehran" amidst speculation of a possible strike. In the weeks leading up to June 22, the U.S. evacuated its citizens, issued travel warnings, and withdrew non-essential personnel from its embassies. On June 16 it was reported that the U.S. was moving forces east over the Atlantic Ocean, including at least 31 air tankers to Europe, an unusually large number. Also on June 16, Iranian facilities interfered with the ship position reporting, causing a nuisance to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

On June 16 and 17, Trump made several posts hinting at something "much bigger" than a peace deal coming. On June 17, Trump called on Iran to unconditionally surrender. U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio told U.S. allies over recent days that Washington would prefer to see a diplomatic solution, and Trump had sent U.S. officials to Tehran in support of a nuclear deal. On June 19, Trump issued a statement via White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, saying, "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks." According to sources, on the same day, Israeli officials including Netanyahu, Israel Katz and Eyal Zamir called the Trump administration, saying that they could not wait two weeks; they thought they only had a small opportunity window. The phone call also included JD Vance, who pushed back against the Israelis citing concerns about direct U.S. involvement and being pulled into war; Pete Hegseth was also on the call. According to The Jerusalem Post, it took Netanyahu and Ron Dermer a week to convince Trump to bomb Iran with Trump and Netanyahu speaking almost daily. According to the sources, Trump and senior U.S. officials had been impressed by Israel's achievements. Trump had only planned to bomb Fordow, but Netanyahu and Dermer convinced him to attack the other sites as well.

In the days before the attack, Iran increased its oil exports, fearing a U.S. attack on its oil facilities. Iran claimed that nuclear material had already been evacuated from Fordow and Natanz, and moved elsewhere.

On June 21, the United States deployed B-2 stealth bombers to Guam. U.S. bases in the Middle East entered a state of highest alert and improved air defense, as Iran threatened to strike any country assisting Israel. Most of the U.S. military aircraft parked on the tarmac at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar were no longer visible by June 19, suggesting they might have been evacuated in case of Iranian retaliation. The Houthis also declared their readiness to fight. In response, the United States warned of a devastating retaliation should American interests be threatened.

Axios reported that the top Democrats on the Senate and House Intelligence panels were not given advance notice of the attack while the top Republicans were, though that Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was given a "perfunctory notice shortly before".

Strikes

See also: List of attacks during the Iran–Israel war

Timeline of Operation Midnight Hammer

B-2 Spirit bombers departing and returning to Whiteman Air Force Base during Operation Midnight Hammer

On June 22, the United States Air Force and Navy attacked three Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, in an operation called "Midnight Hammer". Seven B-2 bombers of the 509th Bomb Wing flew non-stop from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Six B-2s dropped twelve GBU-57A/B MOP bombs on the Fordow facility, and the seventh B-2 dropped two MOPs on Natanz. A submarine also fired 30 Tomahawk missiles at the Natanz and Isfahan sites. U.S. officials did not name the submarine, but the USS Georgia (SSGN-729) had been in the region since September 2024. Natanz and Fordow were hit about 2:30 a.m. local time (23:00 the previous day UTC).

Conventional bombs cannot damage the Fordow site, which is fortified and about 260 feet (79 m) deep inside a mountain. The 12 bombs were dropped sequentially on two ventilation shafts at Fordow to penetrate deeply into the mountain.

The "bunker buster" MOP bombs had never been used in combat before. They are so heavy that they can only be delivered by B-2 bombers, which only the United States possesses. The B-2s flew continuously for roughly 37 hours during the mission—takeoff, strikes, and return trip—being refueled several times mid-air. The B-2s were preceded by fourth- and fifth-generation American fighter aircraft to draw any surface-to-air defensive fire. No such defensive fire was detected; this was attributed to its destruction by previous Israeli attacks. Because U.S. planners feared that Trump's social media posts from June 16 and 17 might have tipped off Iranian defenders, some B-2 planes flew a decoy mission westward from the United States over the Pacific Ocean. In total, 125 aircraft were involved, including refueling and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft.

Satellite images of the Fordow site taken after the strikes showed two clusters of apparent bomb entry points, as well as gray-blue ash covering the area. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine stated that the Iranian nuclear sites had sustained "severe damage" from the strikes, but said that damage assessment would take time. Israeli officials speaking to The New York Times said the Israeli military assessed Fordow to be seriously damaged but not destroyed; an American official said Fordow was not destroyed, but seriously damaged and "off the table." A leaked early report from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency reported that the strikes set back Iran's nuclear program by months, and that while the sites targeted were significantly damaged, they were not destroyed. The assessment was rejected by Trump administration officials; Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA director John Ratcliffe both said "new intelligence" revealed that the Natanz, Fordow and Esfahan sites were severely damaged and would require years to rebuild.

On June 25, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said that Iranian nuclear facilities "have been badly damaged". On June 26, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the nuclear facilities have sustained "significant and serious damages."

Aftermath

Additional details about the employment of MOPs on Fordow during Operation Midnight Hammer

Trump administration statements

Trump addresses the nation regarding the strikes, June 21, 2025 (EDT)

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine conduct a press briefing at the Pentagon, June 22, 2025

Following the strikes, Trump wrote on Truth Social:

We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Trump gave a short televised address at 10 p.m. EDT on June 21, in which he said, "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated". During his statement, which was about four minutes long, he further called the strikes a "spectacular military success", confirmed the earlier reporting, and warned of more attacks if Iran did not seek peace. He concluded by saying "God bless the Middle East, God bless Israel, and God bless America."

Immediately after the statement, Trump posted on Truth Social in all caps saying that "Any retaliation by Iran against the United States of America will be met with force far greater than what was witnessed tonight."

On June 22, Hegseth and Caine gave more details of the operation at a morning press conference at the Pentagon. Hegseth said that regime change was not a goal of the operation. In interviews the next day, Vance and Rubio also said that regime change was not a goal of the operation. A few hours later, Trump suggested that he would be open to seeing regime change in Iran.

Later, Vice President JD Vance and other U.S. officials conceded that they did not know where Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium was, and that it had likely been moved away from Fordow before the strikes.

Trump formally notified Congress of the strikes on June 23, stating the operation was necessary "to advance vital United States national interests, and in collective self-defense of our ally, Israel, by eliminating Iran's nuclear program". The administration maintained that, regardless of the strikes, it continued to pursue diplomacy with Iran via special envoy Steve Witkoff, although no meeting between US and Iranian delegations had been scheduled by June 26. On June 27, during a White House news conference, Trump said he would "absolutely" consider bombing Iranian nuclear sites again if he deemed it necessary, while adding that he would like to see the IAEA or an equivalent authority be able to inspect the Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan sites. According to IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, no inspections had taken place since Israel began bombing Iran on June 13.

Leaked DIA assessment and Congressional briefing

On June 24, CNN and The New York Times reported that the Defense Intelligence Agency had produced a classified preliminary bomb damage assessment. This initial assessment indicated that the strikes damaged above-ground structures and sealed the entrances to two targets, but did not destroy the associated underground facilities and the centrifuges required to produce enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon. The report concluded that the United States had not destroyed Iran's nuclear program, but delayed it a few months. A DIA spokesperson, and later Pete Hegseth, said the leaked assessment was "low confidence." David Albright, of the Institute for Science and International Security, noted that the report preceded newer information that "more enriched uranium stocks are in the rubble than believed" previously, and described the report as "a worst case assessment". CNN quoted Jeffrey Lewis, an expert in nuclear nonproliferation, as saying that publicly available information indicated that the strikes had not destroyed the facilities. As of June 24, work on a final damage assessment was underway.

On June 25, Hegseth reiterated that "Iran's nuclear program is obliterated" and said the Pentagon was investigating the leaked DIA assessment, which was "a top secret intelligence analysis that very few people in the United States government had access to see", according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. In response to the leak, the White House reportedly planned to limit the amount of classified information it shares with Congress in the future.

Classified briefings to Congress regarding the strikes were postponed from June 24 to June 26. Senate Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, called the postponed intelligence briefing "outrageous" and accused the Trump administration of stonewalling. The intelligence briefing reportedly took place on June 26, led by Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA director John Ratcliffe. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was reportedly not present. After the briefing, Chuck Schumer and Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy remained skeptical of the Trump administration's claims of "obliterating" Iran's nuclear program, with Schumer decrying a lack of "adequate answers" and demanding Congress enforce the War Powers Resolution. In contrast, Trump ally Lindsey Graham reaffirmed that the strikes "obliterated" the three sites and delayed the Iranian nuclear program by years, not months, but warned that Iran likely still desired a nuclear weapon. Jim Himes, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, commented "The only question that matters is whether the Iranian regime has the stuff necessary to build a bomb, and if so, how fast". Trump, via Truth Social, publicly accused the Democrats of leaking the draft DIA assessment, reportedly while the Congressional briefing was ongoing.

Iranian response

Main article: 2025 Iranian strikes on Al Udeid Air Base

Iran's state media agency, IRNA, quoting an Iranian official, reported that there was no radioactive material at the three sites which were targeted. Morteza Heidari, spokesperson for the Emergency Committee of the City of Qom, said that enemy forces had bombed "parts of the Fordo nuclear facility". Iranian officials have said that there is no danger to the residents living near the nuclear facilities that were hit by the U.S. strikes, according to Iranian state media. Quoting the Crisis Management Headquarters in the province of Qom, where the Fordow facility is located, IRNA stated, "there is no danger to the people of Qom and the surrounding area". According to Iranian officials, nuclear material had already been evacuated and moved elsewhere before the strikes.

Magen David Adom said that at least 16 people in Israel were wounded by Iranian missiles launched in retaliation for the overnight strikes. On June 22, Iranian media also reported that Majid Masibi, who the Islamic Republic accused of "spying for Israel", had been executed.

On June 22, 2025, the Iranian parliament approved a motion calling for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime corridor through which nearly 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas is transported. The vote, described by Iranian media as politically significant, does not constitute an immediate closure; the measure must still be ratified by the Supreme National Security Council, which holds final authority over national security decisions. As of June 23, international shipping continued through the strait under heightened alert, with some commercial operators pausing transits and others reporting increased caution due to the deteriorating security situation. The presence of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vessels in the area was also observed, contributing to concerns over maritime safety.

On June 23, Iran attacked a U.S. base in Qatar in retaliation to the U.S. strikes. Qatar had closed its airspace before the missiles arrived, and claimed to have intercepted all of them. After the attack, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq also closed their airspaces. The attack was met with condemnation throughout the Arab world. The next day Trump announced a ceasefire which Iran and Israel subsequently confirmed, ending the conflict.

Oil and gas prices

On June 23, 2025, global oil prices were not strongly affected; the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of global oil and gas flows, remained open as a result of diplomacy efforts and the cease fire agreement. Brent Oil (and Murban Oil) prices were below $70 again. Similarly, the EU price of natural gas dropped 14 percent on 24 June, as some of its LNG also comes through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent Crude oil prices decreased to $67 per barrel by June 25, with the national average price of gasoline in the United States reaching a four-year low of around $3.20 on June 26.

Reactions

United States

The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia and the New York Police Department increased security around religious institutions following the strikes. Later, on June 22, the U.S. State Department ordered the departure of family members and non-emergency U.S. government personnel from Lebanon. By June 26, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had arrested 130 and detained 670 Iranian nationals throughout the country amid heightened security concerns over Iranian sleeper cell activity and potential retaliatory terror attacks in response to the strikes.

Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator from South Carolina, praised the strikes, stating that it was "the right call" and "the regime deserves it". House speaker Mike Johnson released a statement, saying: "President Trump has been consistent and clear that a nuclear-armed Iran will not be tolerated [...] That posture has now been enforced with strength, precision and clarity." Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee Tom Cotton of Arkansas tweeted, "President Trump made the right call and the ayatollahs should recall his warning not to target Americans." Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the strikes were a "prudent response to the warmongers in Tehran". Senate Majority Leader John Thune argued that the action was needed after previous failed diplomatic efforts: "The regime in Iran, which has committed itself to bringing 'death to America' and wiping Israel off the map, has rejected all diplomatic pathways to peace." Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana called the strikes the "right decision." Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said in a statement: "Tonight's actions have gone far in foreclosing that possibility, and countering the apocalyptic threat posed by an Iranian nuclear arsenal." Chair of the House Intelligence Committee Rick Crawford praised President Trump and stated: "I have been in touch with the White House before this action and will continue to track developments closely with them in the coming days."

Former Florida governor and 2016 presidential candidate Jeb Bush, Ambassador Mark Wallace, Frances Townsend, and Tom Tugendhat released a joint statement, saying: "We applaud President Trump and the United States for this decision–one of the most important of the 21st century."

Democratic senator from Pennsylvania John Fetterman was the first Democratic senator to praise the strikes, saying: "As I've long maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS. Iran is the world's leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities. I'm grateful for and salute the finest military in the world." Fetterman previously stated that he hopes "the president finally does bomb and destroy the Iranians."

Democratic Representative Jim Himes replied to Trump's post, writing: "According to the Constitution we are both sworn to defend, my attention to this matter comes BEFORE bombs fall. Full stop." He later said in a statement, "Donald Trump's decision to launch direct military action against Iran without Congressional approval is a clear violation of the Constitution, which grants the power to declare war explicitly to Congress" and "It is impossible to know at this stage whether this operation accomplished its objectives." Democratic House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries said, "President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East".

Republican Representative Thomas Massie condemned the strikes as "not constitutional" and said there was no "imminent threat to the United States" from Iran. Democratic Representative Diana DeGette said Trump's "reckless actions are going to put the lives of American service members and American citizens at risk". Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) said that Trump's actions were "clearly grounds for impeachment". Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont received news of the strikes while at a "Fighting Oligarchy" rally in Tulsa, and called them "alarming" and "grossly unconstitutional". Republican Representative Warren Davidson tweeted, "it's hard to conceive a rationale that's Constitutional". Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene stated, "this is not our fight", and criticized the rationale for the strikes, noting, "There would not be bombs falling on the people of Israel if Netanyahu had not dropped bombs on the people of Iran first." Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, on the House Armed Services Committee, said, "The reality is, people want regime change in Iran, and they are egging this president on to bomb."

The Council on American-Islamic Relations National Executive Director Nihad Awad said, "We condemn President Trump's illegal and unjustified act of war against Iran. This attack, carried out under pressure from the out-of-control Israeli government, took place despite the longstanding conclusion by our nation's intelligence community that Iran was not seeking nuclear weapons." He drew comparison with President George W. Bush's "disastrous" 2003 war in Iraq.

The strikes were criticized by several commentators who are usually supportive of Trump, including Steve Bannon, Tucker Carlson and Theo Von, who saw them as a reversal of his prior anti-interventionist rhetoric. Former U.S. ambassador to the UN and National Security Advisor under the Trump's first term John Bolton praised the strikes.

Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-American journalist and activist, opined on X that the Fordow nuclear site "was never about peaceful energy. It was built under a mountain to hide a nuclear program from the world, while the regime told its own people they couldn't even afford clean water or shelter."

Iran

As of June 21, 2025, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had not issued an official response, as he was in an underground bunker at the time of the strikes with no means of electronic communication, leaving Iran's definitive response unclear. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as a "reckless violation of the UN Charter and international law" and stated "Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people." Iranian advisor Mehdi Mohammadi claimed that Iran was not surprised by the attack and had been expecting it for some time, and that Fordow was evacuated and no irreversible damage was sustained.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has called the U.S. attacks "a barbaric act that violated international law, especially the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty", and that it planned to both seek justice in international court and continue its nuclear program. The AEOI stated in a social media post that the radiation system data and field surveys do not show any signs of contamination or dangers to the residents near the sites of Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz.

The Islamic Republic of Iran's armed forces announced that the flight paths of the planes participating in the attack had been identified and were being monitored. They said that the attacks on Israel and the destruction of its infrastructure would continue with vigor.

On 26 June, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei resurfaced to warn the United States against future attacks.

Israel

Israel closed its airspace in response to the strikes.

Netanyahu congratulated Trump, stating that his "bold decision" to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the "righteous and awesome might of the United States" would be a "historic turning point", and said that Trump "has done what no other country on earth could do. History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime the world's most dangerous weapons." Former defense minister Yoav Gallant said Trump had made a "bold decision for the United States, for Israel, for all of humanity". President Isaac Herzog tweeted, "In the pages of human history, this is a moment when the principles of liberty, responsibility, and security have triumphed." and "Thank you, United States of America."

International

List of reactions from governments around the world

Algeria: The Foreign Ministry expressed its deep concerns over the escalation "which worsens the situation in the region and exposes it to unprecedented risks with unpredictable consequences". Albania: Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed full support for Trump's efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He denounced Iran's government: "This is not just another nuclear state. Nor merely a dictatorship with nuclear ambitions. This is a theocracy — armed with apocalyptic rhetoric, steeped in endless years of branding free nations as "Satanic", and openly calling for their annihilation". Argentina: President Javier Milei celebrated the attacks, stating that "today is a great day for Western civilization". Australia: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed support for America's strikes. The Liberal–National Coalition fully backed the strikes." Austria: Chancellor Christian Stocker stated that the "Iranian nuclear program is a cause for great concern". Belgium: Foreign minister Maxime Prévot said, "the theocratic regime of the mullahs of Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, as it would be a threat to international security". Bolivia: President Luis Arce condemned the attacks, stating that "bombing targets of this nature not only endangers regional and global peace, but also violates fundamental principles of international law and the UN Charter." Brazil: Itamaraty released a note affirming that Brazil condemned the attacks "with vehemence", classifying it as a violation of Iran's sovereignty. The note further says that Brazil is against the proliferation of nuclear technology except for pacific means, and defended a diplomatic solution. Canada: Prime Minister Mark Carney said, "...Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon...the situation in the Middle East remains highly volatile. Canada calls on parties to return immediately to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis." Chile: President Gabriel Boric condemned the attack on X, stating, "We demand and need peace," and called the U.S. action illegal: "Having power does not authorise you to use it in violation of the rules that we as humanity have given ourselves. Even if you are the United States." China: The foreign ministry condemned the strikes as a violation of the UN charter and international law. Cuba: President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the attacks as "a dangerous escalation of the conflict in the Middle East". Cyprus: Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said, "everything must be done to avoid further escalation," and, "restraint must prevail." Czechia: Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated, "Iran's nuclear program seriously threatens international security, and Saturday's US strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities is thus an understandable effort to prevent the development of nuclear weapons," and hoped "U.S. military action...will compel Iran to engage in talks." Denmark: Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said, "Iran must never develop nuclear weapons," and "the U.S. acted to prevent this." Rasmussen urged parties to negotiate. Egypt: Egypt called for a diplomatic solution and not a military solution. Estonia: Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said, "the U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear sites signals a firm stance against its nuclear ambitions," and "preventing escalation, protecting civilians, and restoring diplomacy are key." Finland: Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said it is important "Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon and no new nuclear-weapon state emerges in the world." President Alexander Stubb stated, "the spiral of vengeance in the Middle East must come to an end. A sustainable solution requires diplomacy, dialogue and respect for the international law." France: Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said France was "convinced that a lasting solution to this issue requires a negotiated solution within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty". French President Emmanuel Macron called US strikes on Iran "illegal" and counterproductive. Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Iran to immediately enter negotiations with the US and Israel to find a diplomatic solution. Merz voiced support for US strikes on Iran. Holy See: Pope Leo XIV called the situation in the Middle East "alarming" and called for diplomacy: "every member of the international community has a moral responsibility: stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss". Hungary: Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said, "Hungary supports all efforts to bring peace to the Middle East as soon as possible," and "our interest is to prevent the emergence of any new nuclear weapon arsenals in the world." Iceland: Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir said, "Iran's nuclear program is of great concern and that we urge the leadership to negotiate in earnest to put an end to it" and "diplomacy and dialogue are the only way forward." Iraq: The government warned that the attack "constitutes a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East and poses serious risks to regional stability." Ireland: Taoiseach Micheál Martin stated there is an "urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue & diplomacy in the Middle East," adding, "Iran should unequivocally disavow the development of nuclear weapons." Italy: Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani commented that after the US attacks, which "brought enormous damage to the production of nuclear weapons, which represented a danger for the entire area, we can truly arrive at a de-escalation", and called for Iran to negotiate. Japan: Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said the government was "monitoring the situation there with grave concern". He refrained from explicitly endorsing the attack, saying that it is "difficult for Japan to make a definitive legal evaluation at this point" and said the response "showed a determination to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons while seeking to bring the situation under control quickly". Latvia: Prime Minister Evika Siliņa said, "Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon" and that the "US addressed this serious threat to international security." Siliņa called for de-escalation and a return to talks. Lebanon: President Joseph Aoun said the bombing "raises the level of fear of an escalation of tensions that would threaten security and stability." Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that Lebanon's best interest is to avoid "being dragged in any form into the ongoing regional confrontation", helping ease concerns about Hezbollah reacting to the strike. Lithuania: Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys called the U.S. strike "bold", saying that the strike "created an opportunity to return to the negotiation table and restart talks". Luxembourg: Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel said that while "nobody wants Iran to develop a nuclear bomb," he has "doubts that a military escalation to stop that is really a solution". Mexico: The Secretariat of Foreign Affairs called for urgent diplomatic dialogue between the involved parties and the de-escalation of tensions. President Claudia Sheinbaum called war "humanity's greatest failure," and called for the UN to lead peacebuilding efforts. Netherlands: Prime Minister Dick Schoof called the latest developments in the Middle East "worrying", reiterated the Dutch position: "Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon," and stated, "negotiations are ultimately the only way out towards a sustainable solution." New Zealand: Foreign Minister Winston Peters released a statement describing ongoing military action in the Middle East as "extremely worrying", calling on all parties to return to talks and pursue a diplomatic solution. North Korea: A Foreign Ministry spokesperson condemned the attack stating "it violates UN Charter". Norway: Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre outlined "deep concern about the escalation of the war in the Middle East...the international community has long sought to ensure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons," and Norway "supports efforts for diplomacy and negotiations. This conflict has no military solution. International law must be respected by all parties...Last night's attack does not eliminate the need for a lasting agreement in the long run..." Oman: Oman expressed "deep concern, denunciation and condemnation of the escalation resulting from the direct air strikes launched by the United States". Pakistan: Pakistan condemned the U.S. strikes, terming them a violation of international law and a threat to regional peace. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan affirmed Iran's right to self-defense under the UN Charter and urged all parties to exercise restraint and resolve issues through diplomatic means, warning against further escalation. Paraguay: The Foreign Ministry expressed their support of the attacks, stating that "affirms its support for the people of Israel and the right to protect their existence." Philippines: The Department of Foreign Affairs expressed its concerns with the tensions between the US and Iran, stating that both parties should pursue diplomatic solutions and deescalate tensions "that could threaten regional and international peace and security." Portugal: Prime Minister Luís Montenegro expressed his preoccupation with "the risk of severe escalation in the Middle East" and called for "maximum restraint on all sides", also adding "Iran's nuclear program is a serious threat to world security". Qatar: The Foreign Ministry warned, "dangerous tensions will lead to disastrous repercussions at the regional and international levels." Romania: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted "Romania has constantly emphasised that Iran's nuclear program is contrary to its international obligations," and "the U.S.' recent actions seek to eliminate a grave threat to world peace." Russia: The foreign ministry strongly condemned the strikes as "irresponsible" and said they constituted a "gross violation of international law, the UN charter, and resolutions of the UN security council". Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned the United States strikes as an "unprovoked act of aggression," although at the same time he authorized Russian strikes against Ukraine. Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev has claimed, "countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads", and Iranian enrichment of nuclear material will continue in spite of the strikes. Medvedev's threats were criticized by US President Trump. Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia condemned "the violation of Iran's sovereignty and stresses the need for restraint." Slovakia: Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár stated, "any conflict must be resolved within the framework of the UN, not through the use of weapons, regardless of any good purported intentions," adding, "it is unacceptable for any state to conduct military operations on the territory of another sovereign state." Slovenia: Prime Minister Robert Golob called on "all parties to cease the hostilities and return to the negotiating table...Violence and military conflicts only lead to greater suffering of the innocent population of the Middle East." South Korea: Vice industry minister Moon Shin-hak expressed concern over the potential impact on the country's trade due to the U.S. strike. Officials reportedly held an emergency security meeting to assess the potential economic impact. Spain: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement saying "the situation must be resolved through diplomatic means," and "it is urgent...negotiations resume." Sweden: Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said "What is now happening in an unstable region, risks making things considerably worse." Ukraine: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the strikes, citing Iran's assistance to Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. United Arab Emirates: The government called for "immediate de-escalation" and a "comprehensive solution". United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, "Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat," and asked Iran to "return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis". A government minister confirmed the UK had not taken part in the attack as there had been speculation the U.S. would ask for the use of the joint UK-US military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, though by June 17, 2025, no B-2 bombers were seen to be stationed there. Foreign Secretary David Lammy refused to say whether the American strikes on Iran were legal. Uruguay: The Foreign Ministry stated that "expresses its deep concern at the dangerous escalation of violence." Venezuela: Foreign Minister Yván Gil condemned the "military aggression against Iran" and demanded an "immediate cessation of hostilities".

Supranational

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres described the strikes as "dangerous escalation" and called for diplomacy. The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on the airstrikes at the request of Iran. In a private Signal message to Trump, NATO secretary general Mark Rutte praised and thanked Trump for his "decisive action" in Iran, calling it "truly extraordinary and something no one else dared to do."

On June 23, 2025, Rafael Grossi, the head of the IAEA, convened an emergency meeting and warned that the attack "risks collapsing the global nuclear nonproliferation regime" and of unimaginable destruction if the countries do not negotiate a peace. He asked Iran to allow IAEA inspectors to assess the damage, radiation levels, and release of toxins.

On June 23, 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that "Iran must never acquire the bomb."

Non-state actors

The strikes were condemned by Iran's Axis of Resistance allies in the region. Hamas condemned the strikes as a "blatant aggression". Hezbollah condemned the strikes as a "barbaric and treacherous American aggression against peaceful nuclear facilities" and affirmed its "complete solidarity" with Iran and "its leadership". However, Hezbollah said it would not retaliate, stating Iran is a "strong country capable of defending itself", and adding that the group remained committed to its previous ceasefire agreement with Israel. The Houthis condemned the strikes as "a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to regional and international security and peace" and said, "Trump must bear the consequences." The group further threatened to end its prior ceasefire with the U.S. and resume attacking American ships in the Red Sea.

Analysis

Ray Takeyh, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, called the strikes "a new phase, and a potentially problematic one," and said that Iran "would have to essentially restore pride in some way," potentially by launching attacks on American military sites or proxies. Karim Sadjadpour, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, noted, "This is more likely to open a new chapter of the 46-year-old U.S.–Iran war than conclude it", that most of the retaliatory options available to Iran are the "equivalent of a suicide bombing", and "this is a traumatic, humiliating event" for the Iranian population, leaving it unclear exactly how Iran will respond.

Amin Saikal, distinguished visiting fellow at Singapore's S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, and who is also an emeritus professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian studies at the Australia National University, said Iran could block the Strait of Hormuz as a last resort as "Iran is capable of doing that by sinking a number of ships in the strait and that will be enough to deter many ships from going through."

Jonathan Panikoff, the director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council, warned that Iran might respond disproportionally to restore deterrence, stating, "you're looking at a significant escalatory spiral that could get out of hand quickly."

Defense Priorities's Middle East program director, Rosemary Kelanic, also felt the strikes made it "much more likely that Iran will want to obtain nuclear weapons". Burcu Ozcelik, a senior research fellow with the Royal United Services Institute, said the attack was "yet another demonstration, from the hard-line Iranian point of view, that America can't be trusted".

A CNN analyst noted that the United States may still attack further targets given that there "is a real concern that now the Iranians will retaliate", and suggested that Iran could attack U.S. bases in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, and potentially close the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Michael Tomasky, the strikes contradict the promise by Trump's campaign that he would be an anti-war president. According to James Risen, Trump is now more willing to listen to Israel than his predecessors and is also highly suspicious of the intelligence community, which "continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon." Setareh Sadeghi, a professor at the Faculty of World Studies at the University of Tehran, rejects Israel's long-standing claim that Iran is "one month away" from achieving nuclear capability, saying: "While I totally disagree with nuclear weapons, I think if Israel, Pakistan, India, the U.S., France, and other countries have the right to have nuclear weapons, then any other country should also have it, and Iran does not have one."

The Economist reported, "even if America did not reach all parts of the Fordow complex, the powerful blasts might have done enough to damage or destroy the machinery inside", and cited nuclear weapons expert Richard Nephew who said, "Uncontrolled vibration ... is a centrifuge killer". Former IAEA inspector and Institute for Science and International Security founder David Albright told The Economist that destroying Fordow's ventilation shaft could disable the site for "a few years rather than a few months", and a weapons expert told The Economist that images after the strikes suggested the U.S. may have targeted Fordow's ventilation.

Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe Wesley Clark described the strikes as "a brilliant operation ... flawless in execution", and said that early reports such as the DIA report are often wrong. However, he said: "the big issue is ... read the words: 'severely damaged the program'. Didn't say they got all the highly enriched uranium; didn't say they couldn't build a nuclear device; didn't say a lot of things ... What we have, I'm afraid, is a wounded tiger." Similarly, retired general and former CIA director David Petraeus agreed with the CIA’s assessment that the strike inflicted "severe damage" to Iran’s nuclear program and noted that the DIA report was "low confidence", though said the "bigger question is, was there any highly enriched uranium that was stored elsewhere ... and are there centrifuges that are elsewhere as well."

See also

• Iran strike intel leak