In Athens, tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated dramatically following a U.S. military strike on three significant Iranian nuclear facilities. President Donald Trump, along with other high-ranking American officials, has urged Iran to refrain from retaliation and engage in diplomatic talks. Despite this, Iran retaliated by launching missile strikes against Israel, although it has not yet targeted other American allies or interests in the Middle East. Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, has firmly dismissed U.S. calls for diplomacy, insisting that the U.S. crossed a “very big red line,” thereby justifying Iran’s right to defend itself.
The U.S. attack comes on the heels of a week marked by open conflict between Iran and Israel, originating from Israel’s sudden barrage of attacks targeting Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure. The Israeli strikes on June 13 were aimed at Iranian military posts and nuclear sites, resulting in the deaths of several high-ranking military officials and nuclear scientists. Iran’s response included firing hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel, some of which penetrated Israel’s advanced defenses. This ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of hundreds in Iran and caused more than 1,000 injuries, while in Israel, two dozen have been killed, and hundreds more wounded.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes, while Israel views Iran as an existential threat, asserting that their military actions are necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring an atomic weapon. Although U.S. intelligence does not believe Iran is actively pursuing a nuclear bomb, both Trump and Israeli officials argue that Iran could rapidly assemble a nuclear weapon, thus posing an imminent threat.
Tensions in the region have been mounting for the past two years, exacerbated by Israel’s efforts to dismantle the Hamas militant group in Gaza, an ally of Iran. Conflict persists in Gaza following a Hamas assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
In a televised address from the White House, President Trump described the U.S. strikes on Iran’s Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz nuclear sites as a “massive precision success,” asserting that they had “obliterated” these sites, urging Iran to pursue peace. General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, indicated that initial damage assessments confirmed significant devastation of the nuclear sites. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth clarified that the strikes were not aimed at regime change in Iran.
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization acknowledged the attacks but declared that their nuclear ambitions would not be halted. Both Iran and the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog agency found no signs of radioactive contamination post-strike at any of the locations. The U.S. deployed bunker-buster bombs in the attack against Fordo, a site deeply entrenched beneath a mountain. President Trump has cautioned that the U.S. is prepared for further strikes should Iran retaliate, a stance supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Following the U.S. attacks, Iran launched missile strikes against Israel, injuring over 80 people, mostly minor injuries. The full extent of Tehran’s possible retaliation remains uncertain, but potential actions could include targeting U.S. forces in the region, disrupting global oil supply chains, or accelerating their nuclear program. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns that attacking U.S. bases or allies would be a grievous error for Iran.
The U.S. State Department has ramped up evacuation flights for Americans wishing to leave Israel and has ordered the withdrawal of nonessential staff from the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon. They are also intensifying travel warnings across the Middle East over concerns regarding Iran’s potential retaliatory maneuvers.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed grave concern over the U.S. strikes, labeling them a “dangerous escalation,” and called for immediate diplomatic efforts. The U.N. Security Council is slated to meet on the matter at Iran’s behest. The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, urges restriction while acknowledging the critical need to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have called for a unified front among Muslim nations against what they term “Zionist-American arrogance.”