US bombs Iran nuclear sites and Tehran warns of 'everlasting consequences

US Unleashes Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites, Drawing Fierce Warning of "Everlasting Consequences" from Tehran
Washington D.C. / Tehran - In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, the United States military has launched targeted strikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities: Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. The unprecedented operation, publicly confirmed by President Donald Trump, marks the direct insertion of the US into the simmering conflict between Israel and Iran and has immediately drawn a stark warning from Tehran of "everlasting consequences."
The strikes, which reportedly involved the use of bunker-buster bombs on the deeply entrenched Fordow nuclear fuel enrichment plant, were carried out in the early hours of Sunday, June 22, 2025. President Trump, speaking from the White House, declared the attacks a "very successful" operation that "totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities. He issued a stern ultimatum to Tehran, stating, "make peace" or face "far greater" attacks in the future. Social media posts from the President, issued shortly after the attacks, confirmed the direct targeting of Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, asserting that "A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. Fordow is gone. IRAN MUST NOW AGREE TO END THIS WAR."
Iran's Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, swiftly condemned the US actions as "outrageous" and a "grave violation" of the UN Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). In a post on X, he warned that the attacks "will have everlasting consequences" and that Tehran "reserves all options" to retaliate. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) also confirmed the attacks on its facilities, denouncing them as "savage aggression" but insisting that its nuclear program would not be halted. Remarkably, Iran's National Nuclear Safety System Center and the UN's nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, have reported no immediate signs of increased radiation levels at the affected sites. However, reports from Iran's semi-official Fars news agency cited a reporter witnessing flames after the bombs hit the Fordow facility.
The backdrop to these strikes is a period of intense aerial clashes between Israel and Iran, which had already caused casualties on both sides. The US involvement significantly escalates what was previously a proxy conflict and raises serious fears of a wider regional conflagration. For decades, the US and its allies, particularly Israel, have viewed Iran's nuclear program with deep suspicion, fearing its potential to develop nuclear weapons. While US intelligence agencies have previously assessed that Tehran is not actively pursuing a bomb, President Trump and Israeli leaders have consistently argued that Iran could rapidly assemble a nuclear weapon, presenting an imminent threat.
The targeted sites are central to Iran's nuclear infrastructure. Natanz, located southeast of Tehran, is Iran's primary enrichment site, with a significant portion underground for protection. Fordow, southwest of Tehran, is particularly fortified, built deep within a mountain and housing centrifuges for uranium enrichment. The Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center, further southeast, is a major research hub employing thousands of scientists and home to research reactors. The reported use of specialized "bunker-buster" bombs, designed to penetrate hardened targets before exploding, underscores the US determination to inflict severe damage on these facilities.
The international response to the strikes has been varied and immediate. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lauded the US actions, stating they were conducted "in full coordination with Israel" and praising President Trump's "bold decision" as one that "will change history." In contrast, UN Secretary-General António Guterres voiced grave concern, warning of a "dangerous escalation in a region already on the edge" and a "direct threat to international peace and security." He urged a return to diplomacy, emphasizing that "There is no military solution." Other nations, like New Zealand, echoed calls for de-escalation and a diplomatic resolution. In the United Kingdom, significant political figures, including Labour leader Keir Starmer and various Conservative members, have expressed support for the US action, emphasizing that Iran "can never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons."
The "everlasting consequences" warned by Iran's Foreign Minister could manifest in multiple ways. Experts suggest that Tehran might retaliate by targeting US forces and interests in the Middle East, potentially disrupting crucial shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global oil passes. Iran's arsenal includes fast-attack boats and naval mines, and it could also step up missile barrages on Israel or leverage its extensive network of proxy groups across the region. Such actions could trigger a prolonged and unpredictable conflict, reminiscent of past "forever wars" that President Trump has often criticized.
Furthermore, military strikes, while potentially setting back Iran's nuclear program in the short term, could paradoxically strengthen Tehran's resolve to pursue nuclear weapons as a deterrent. The Arms Control Association, a non-partisan US-based organization, has warned that military action alone cannot destroy Iran's nuclear knowledge and might ultimately push Iran to conclude that nuclear weapons are necessary for its security. The coming days and weeks will be critical as the world watches closely for Iran's response and the broader implications of this dramatic escalation in the volatile Middle East.
Source@BBC