The United States attacked Iran. Tonight, shortly before 2:XNUMX AM Italian time, the President of the United States Donald Trump announced that it had attacked three Iranian nuclear sites as part of the operation dubbed “Midnight Hammer.” “We have Our attack on three nuclear sites has been successfully completed in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan,” the White House number one wrote on Truth. “All aircraft are now out of Iranian airspace,” he added. Then the “congratulations to our great American warriors,” the boast of having done what “no other army in the world could have done” and the warning that "it is time for peace."
The risk, however, is that the exact opposite happens, with tension in the Middle East skyrockets. The first threats have already been issued on Iranian TV: “every American citizen, or soldier, in the region is now a legitimate target.”Now the war has begun“, we read instead in a post published on the X account and associated with the Guardians of the Iranian Revolution. Threats to which were added those of the Houthis, Tehran's allies, who have vowed to "expand the scope of the conflict" until the attacks on Iran cease.
US attacks Iran
The United States struck three Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday night, Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, using 14-ton bombs, dropped from the B-2 bombers which yesterday had been moved to bases in the Indian Ocean. In detail, the US dropped six bunker-busting bombs on Fordow, while 30 Tomahawk missiles were launched against the other two nuclear sites. The bombers weretaken from Missouri but Pentagon sources had ruled out that a decision had been made, banking on the surprise effect.
“We have devastated Iran’s nuclear program,” Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said at a news conference, adding that the U.S. strike “did not target Iranian civilians or troops.” “It was a landslide success,” he added.
The decision, however, also caused a strong reaction of the US opposition. In Congress, Democrats are talking about risky and unconstitutional action, which took place without the authorization of the Capitol, with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez calling for the impeachment of the president. From the Republicans, however, a broad consensus arrives, while even the Maga base seems to be in line. Among the first international reactions, that of the Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres: a "dangerous escalation in a region already on the brink of the abyss".
Trump: “Historic moment for the US, Israel and the world”
He had said he would wait two weeks to negotiate with Iran. Instead, Trump exploited the element of surprise, launching an attack on Tehran after nine days of Israeli bombing.
"This is a historic moment for the United States of America, Israel and the world,” the tycoon exulted in another post. A few hours later he gave a brief address to the nation from the White House, alongside his vice president JD Vance, to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and to Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, who will hold a press conference today at 8am local time (14pm in Italy), together with military leaders.
In his speech, Trump assured that “the nuclear sites Iranian keys were completely and utterly destroyed” with “massive precision strikes” in what he called “a spectacular military success“He then issued a new ultimatum to Iran, saying that the the country's future is "peace or tragedy" and that there are many other targets that the U.S. military can strike. “If peace does not come quickly, we will attack those other targets with precision, speed and skill,” he threatened.
On Truth he warned the Islamic Republic that “any retaliation Iran's attack on the United States will be met with far greater force than this evening."
JD Vance: “No to sending troops, we want to talk to Iran”
The Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, ruled out any intention to send ground troops to Iran, reiterating the White House's position. “We have no interest in putting 'boots on the ground'”, Vance told the microphones of NBC News, specifying that the administration's goal is not military occupation. Vance explained that the intervention was motivated by the conclusions of US intelligence: "Our intelligence assessments have led us to take action against Iran". However, the American vice president maintained a position of openness to dialogue: "We want to talk to Iran of a long-term solution.” Looking to the future, he said: “We will now work towards permanently dismantle the nuclear program Iranian in the coming years,” while ruling out a lasting escalation: “I have no fear that this will turn into a prolonged conflict.”
Netanyahu: “A courageous decision from the US”
The president also said he had done a “team effort” with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who in a video message congratulated him for a "courageous decision that will change history". The two leaders spoke before and after the American raids. "The US air strike on Iranian nuclear facilities was “fully coordinated” with Israel, Netanyahu added. According to CBS, the United States diplomatically contacted Iran on Saturday to assure them that the attacks were all planned by the US and were not aimed at regime change.
IAEA: “No increase in radiation”
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that No signs of increased radiation have been detected at this time at the sites hit in the last few hours by the United States.
In the same message, posted on social media X, the IAEA said that “as soon as more information becomes available, we will proceed with a new assessment of the situation”.
Iran: Parliament approves closure of Strait of Hormuz
The Iranian parliament has approved the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Saudi pan-Arab broadcaster Al Arabiya reported, citing Arab media. The final decision now rests with security authorities, it explains.
“After the American attack on the Fordow nuclear plant, now it's our turn", warned this morning Hossein Shariatmadari, editor-in-chief of the hardline daily Kayhan, a conservative voice that has in the past identified itself as a “representative” of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. A Telegram message from Kayhan quoted Shariatmadari as saying: “Without hesitation or delay, as a first step we must launch missile strikes against the US naval fleet based in Bahrain and simultaneously close the Strait of Hormuz to American, British, German and French ships.” The message concludes with a quote from the Koran, which reads: “Kill them wherever you find them.”
Il Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi instead he spoke of "a criminal behavior” which will have “eternal consequences”, reiterated the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program and said that the United States had committed “a serious violation of the UN Charter”: “We reserve all action to protect our interests and our sovereignty”.
In recent days, Tehran had warned that if the US attacked, any American target in the area would be considered “legitimate”.
In the meantime, explosions are happening in Tel Aviv following the launch of several missiles from Iran.
The IDF issued a warning on cellphones across Israel, urging people to seek shelter. Iran, for its part, said it attacked Israel's Ben Gurion airport, the country's biological research center, logistics bases and several command and control centers in its 20th air strike on Israel since Israel's June 13 attack on the country, the Tasnim news agency reported.
The reactions
“Today more than ever, humanity cries out and invokes peace: it is a cry that demands responsibility and reason and must not be suffocated by the roar of weapons and rhetorical words that incite conflict”. He said Pope Leo XIV at the Angelus. “Stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable chasm,” he said. According to Leo XIV, “war does not solve problems, but rather amplifies them and produces deep wounds in the history of the people that require generations to heal.” “May diplomacy silence the weapons,” he added.
Following the worsening of the crisis in the Middle East, I urgently called and chaired a telephone conference this morning between members of the government and intelligence leaders. The crisis is at the center of the executive's attention in all its aspects, from the situation of compatriots in the region, with whom the Farnesina is in constant contact, to the economic and security effects. Italy will continue to work to bring the parties to the negotiating table". Thus on social media the prime minister Giorgia Meloni.
“We are very worried,” he said. the Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, according to which “the military response risks triggering a very dangerous escalation”. “It is time to let diplomacy prevail” he continued. “We are working to also evaluate the possible economic consequences for energy. The government has prepared everything even in the event of a worsening of the situation, but we do not want that. We are counting on diplomacy”. Thus Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Tg4. “The priority is the safety of our fellow citizens. There are convoys that are accompanying our fellow citizens from Tehran to Azerbaijan and we will continue with this strategy. Others of our fellow citizens have left Jerusalem and Tel Aviv”.
This bombing "completely changes the scenario, a much bigger crisis opens up" and also "from Iran" we can expect "a much stronger response that risks spreading to all American targets". This is what the Minister of Defense stated, Guido Crosetto, during the special edition of Tg1 following the American action in Iran.
"Iran must absolutely not get hold of the bomb. With tensions in the Middle East having reached a new peak, stability must be the priority. Respect for international law is paramount. It is time for Iran to engage in a credible diplomatic solution. The negotiating table is the only place to end this crisis." The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
“The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and find a diplomatic solution to end the crisis.” Sky News understands that the United Kingdom was not involved in the attacks. The British Prime Minister wrote on social networks, Keir Starmer, in response to the US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites last night
The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, said he was “gravely concerned by the use of force by the United States against Iran today.” “This is a dangerous escalation,” he wrote on social media, “in a region already on the brink and a direct threat to international peace and security.”
The attacks on Iran “have dealt a severe blow to the credibility of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the verification and monitoring system of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is based on it”. This is stated the Russian Foreign Ministry, calling for “a timely, professional and honest reaction from the Agency’s leadership, without evasions and attempts to hide behind political ‘equidistance’”. The UN Security Council “must also react”, Moscow adds, and for “the confrontational actions of the United States and Israel to be collectively rejected”.
"China firmly condemns the US attack on Iran and the nuclear facilities under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency. This move by the United States seriously violates the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and international law and aggravates tensions in the Middle East," it said in a statement. Beijing's Foreign Ministry. “China calls on the parties to the conflict, especially Israel, to ceasefire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians and start dialogue and negotiations.”
Baghdad condemns US attacks: Iraq “expresses deep concern and strong condemnation of the attacks on nuclear facilities” in Iran, government spokesman Basim Alawadi said. “This military escalation constitutes a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East and poses serious risks to regional stability,” he added.
(Last update: 15.36 pm on 22 June)
