On June 21, President Donald Trump addressed the nation following a surprise U.S. airstrike targeting Iran’s key nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. Delivered first on Truth Social and later in a televised speech, Trump described the operation as a “spectacular military success,” asserting that the mission had “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s nuclear enrichment infrastructure. He framed the strikes as a necessary response to Iran’s status as “the world’s number one state sponsor of terror” and warned that any future American military action would be “far greater and a lot easier” if Iran rejected diplomatic solutions. The coordinated attack, executed by B-2 stealth bombers and Tomahawk missiles, followed intelligence indicating Iran was possibly days away from developing weapons-grade uranium. A June 9 report by the Institute for Science and International Security warned that Iran might soon have enough enriched uranium for multiple nuclear warheads.

While President Trump celebrated the success of the operation, international reactions were swift and tense. Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as “outrageous” and warned of “everlasting consequences,” accusing the U.S. of violating international law. Although the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported no immediate signs of radiation leaks, global anxiety over a potential regional conflict is rising. Iranian state media vowed retaliation, and world leaders have expressed concern about escalation across the Middle East. The strike has reignited debates over the legality, risks, and strategic implications of preemptive military action, while international observers monitor the region for Iran’s next move.