In an expressive proclamation from the White House’s East Room on Saturday, June 21, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the military’s engagement in an attack on three pivotal Iranian nuclear and military establishments. This operation placed the U.S alongside Israel in the forefront of their quest to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program. Trump’s close allies, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, looked on as he addressed the public.
The sudden U.S. intervention in Israel’s aggressive campaign against the Iranian nuclear scheme has jolted the international community. This high-risk maneuver intended to debilitate a persistent adversary stirred up concerns of escalating a broader regional conflict. As accusations from Tehran began to flow, the capital pinpointed Washington as orchestrating ‘a hazardous warfare’.
Trump urged the nation to trust his assertions that key Iranian nuclear sites were ‘utterly and fully destroyed’ during his White House address. However, the independent evaluation of the inflicted damage remained undisclosed. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran acknowledged the assaults on Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz, yet displayed immense resilience, stating its nuclear aspirations were far from over.
Although the attacks were confirmed by Iran and the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog, immediate traces of radioactive leakage in the struck locations were non-existent. The speculation of the U.S. pursuing more assaults on Iran along with their ally Israel, which was already a week deep into warfare with Iran, remained unresolved.
Global nations are sounding the alarm for diplomatic engagement and restraint. The U.S. President’s move, beyond congressional approval and pledging further attacks in response to Tehran’s counteractions against U.S. forces, hints at fierce future conflicts. ‘Peace or tragedy, Iran will face one of these’, the former leader affirmed.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry accused Washington of ‘discarding diplomacy’ with its support of Israel through military strikes. It alleged the U.S. of provoking a potentially disastrous war against Iran. The ministry’s elongated statement further read, ‘The Islamic Republic of Iran preserves its rights to fiercely resist U.S. military hostility and the atrocities committed by this regime, and to safeguard Iran’s national security and interests’.
As a counterattack, Iran’s paramilitary force, the Revolutionary Guard, launched a massive strike on Israel, unleashing a storm of around 40 missiles, including their Khorramshahr-4, capable of carrying multiple warheads. Israeli authorities reported minor injuries from this attack, mainly affecting some infrastructural entities and domestic dwellings.
Israel was not subdued by this retaliation. The Israeli defense force proclaimed rapid neutralization of the Iranian missile launchers that previously struck, initiating its series of strikes against Iran’s western military targets. This offensive was backed by U.S. aid.
Iran has persistently claimed its nuclear program envisions peace. However, the Trump administration and Israeli leadership argue that Iran possession of enriched uranium creates the potential for rapid weapon assembly, presenting an imminent threat. The American involvement in the conflict, following Israel’s initial bombardment that impaired Iran’s defensive and offensive capabilities, has raised many eyebrows.
Israel’s assault on Iran damaged its air defense system, offensive missile potentials, and its nuclear uranium enrichment facilities. Taking advantage of Israel’s groundwork, American B-2 stealth bombers and bunker-buster bombs, the only weapons configured to obliterate highly fortified underground nuclear sites, were employed, in hopes of indefinitely eliminating Iran’s nuclear program, a shared goal with Israel.
Following the U.S. strikes, Israel announced a shutdown of its airspace for inbound and outbound flights. U.S. military leaders scheduled a briefing at 8 a.m. Eastern to shed light on the operation. Specifics on the participation of U.S. troops and the kind of weaponry used against the Iranian nuclear plant nestled in a mountain were kept under wraps.
Controversially, Trump, who initially hoped that Tehran would peacefully relinquish its nuclear ambition under the threat of force, made a sharp turn in policy. Subsequent to Israel’s offensive against Iran, Trump’s diplomatic discourse transformed into explicit threats and calls for Tehran’s unconditional surrender.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended his commendation to Trump for his bold decision. The Israeli leader declared this historic decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities as an act that ‘will alter history’. He also stated only the U.S. was capable of such action.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres labeled this aggressive act as a ‘perilous escalation’, while other world leaders echoed the call for diplomacy. Antonia Guterres expressed grave concerns for the rapid escalation and its drastic consequences for civilians, the region, and the global stage.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei alerted the U.S. on the consequences of its actions, warning that the retaliation would be devastating. The spokesman of the Iranian Foreign Ministry also added that the U.S. involvement might lead to a ‘full-scale war in the region’.
Trump’s decision to interfere directly follows his administration’s unsuccessful two-month effort — including high-level dialogues with Iranians — to persuade Tehran to curb its nuclear program. This historical decision only magnifies the tension, and the repercussions around the world, especially considering Trump’s past choices to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.