US and Israel Strike Iranian Nuclear Sites – Middle East Conflict Escalates
- Jun 23
- 2 min read
Earlier this week, the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities (Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan). Dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” the assault marks America’s direct military involvement alongside Israel in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, with potential to ignite a full-blown regional war.
On June 22, 2025, US B‑2 stealth bombers and submarines deployed Tomahawk cruise missiles and bunker-buster bombs targeting Iran’s uranium enrichment plants thesun.ie+10theguardian.com+10timesofindia.indiatimes.com+10timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2apnews.com+2.
Iran condemned the strikes as unprovoked aggression and pledged retaliation. Its parliament authorized closing the Strait of Hormuz, while IRGC forces launched over 40 ballistic missiles at Israel theguardian.com+1apnews.com+1.
Israel continued airstrikes, hitting access roads to Fordow and the infamous Evin Prison, aiming to cripple Iran’s nuclear program news.sky.com+2wsj.com+2bostonglobe.com+2.
In response, Iran fired missiles at Tel Aviv, Haifa, and other cities, causing significant structural damage and injuring over 80 civilians, though early warning systems minimized casualties apnews.com.
Key Facts
Operation Midnight Hammer: 14 bunker‑buster bombs struck June 22 .
High-tech strike: B‑2 stealth bombers and submarines demonstrated advanced strike capabilities .
International reaction: Russia, China condemned the attacks; the UN Security Council convened under emergency procedures theguardian.com+1apnews.com+1.
Evacuations and travel warnings: European citizens (including Irish) were evacuated; US citizens in Qatar were advised to shelter in place bostonglobe.com.
Economic consequences: Markets are watching oil transport through Hormuz as tension affects global supply chains .
Expert Opinions
Donald Trump described the strikes as “spectacular military success,” emphasizing deterrence over regime change news.sky.com.
Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, met Putin in Moscow to denounce the attacks and seek support theguardian.com+3ft.com+3bostonglobe.com+3.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Dutch PM Mark Rutte urge diplomacy and caution against escalation thesun.ie+9bostonglobe.com+9thesun.ie+9.
NATO leadership stressed Iran must not develop nuclear weapons, while calling for de‑escalation news.sky.com.
Conclusion
Sustained US–Israel strikes on Iran signify a significant shift away from containment toward military confrontation. Diplomatic voices call for restraint, but aggressive military actions indicate growing risk. The closing of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s counterattack remain critical flashpoints in the unfolding crisis.
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