Tehran has declared that the United States has crossed a “very big red line” following what it called “unforgivable” airstrikes on its nuclear infrastructure. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the statement after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that American warplanes had “obliterated” three key Iranian nuclear facilities in a coordinated operation.
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The targeted sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan — represent the core of Iran’s nuclear program. While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, Iranian officials say they are assessing structural and radiological impacts. The Iranian foreign minister, speaking from Istanbul after meetings with European and Arab counterparts, said now is “not the time for diplomacy” with Washington, which he accused of betraying ongoing nuclear negotiations.
The crisis erupted after Israel launched initial strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last Friday, triggering a ten-day conflict that has claimed hundreds of Iranian lives and dozens of Israeli casualties. Tehran insists it had no intention of building nuclear weapons, contrary to Israel’s claims that Iran was on the brink of achieving nuclear capability.
Shortly after the U.S. assault, Iran retaliated by launching missiles into Israeli territory, injuring 11 and causing significant damage in Tel Aviv. The Iranian government, while calling for an emergency UN Security Council meeting, warned that it “reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.”
U.S. military officials described the attack as part of “Operation Midnight Hammer,” a precision mission executed by the U.S. Air Force and Navy. General Dan Caine offered a detailed timeline of the operation, revealing a complex and stealthy maneuver involving seven B2 Spirit bombers and a U.S. submarine.
At approximately 1:00 AM Iran time, the submarine launched over two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles targeting the Isfahan nuclear facility. By 2:10 AM, B2 bombers had dropped “massive ordnance penetrator weapons” on Fordow and Natanz. All strikes concluded by 2:35 AM.
General Caine said no resistance was encountered during the operation, and all aircraft safely exited Iranian airspace.
U.S. military commentator Pete Hegseth defended the operation, saying it was not about regime change but a decisive action to dismantle Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “What the president gave us was a focused, powerful, and clear mission,” Hegseth stated. “Iran cannot have a nuclear capability. That is a very clear mission statement.”
President Trump echoed the sentiment in his national address, reiterating the need for a “negotiated settlement” but warning that any continued advancement toward nuclear armament would be met with “swift and absolute” military response.
The airstrikes have prompted swift international responses, with European nations calling for restraint and urgent dialogue. Analysts warn the escalation could push the Middle East closer to a wider regional war, especially if retaliatory actions spiral.
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