In the wake of U.S. airstrikes targeting three Iranian nuclear facilities, the United States remains on heightened alert for potential retaliation from Tehran. During a Pentagon briefing on Sunday, Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine emphasized, “Our forces remain on high alert and are fully postured to respond to any Iranian retaliation or proxy attacks, which would be an incredibly poor choice. We will defend ourselves. The safety of our service members and civilians remains our highest priority.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described the impact of the strikes, stating, “Iran’s nuclear ambitions have been obliterated.” He noted that the operations, referred to as Operation Midnight Hammer, utilized B-2 stealth bombers that executed their mission without alerting outside observers, calling it a historic achievement.
In a live address from the White House, President Donald Trump signaled the possibility of further military action, stating, “Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.” Caine reported that the U.S. was not aware of any defensive fire directed at their aircraft during the strike on the three nuclear sites between 6:40 p.m. and 7:10 p.m. ET, and indicated that those sites had suffered significant destruction.
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in the Catholic Church, called for peace and diplomacy in light of the escalating conflict. In his weekly prayer, he urged, “Every member of the international community has a moral responsibility: to stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss.”
Since Israel initiated airstrikes against Iranian military and nuclear sites over a week ago, Iran has imposed significant internet restrictions across the country, citing security concerns over potential cyberattacks. NetBlocks reported a substantial decline in connectivity in Iran shortly before the U.S. strikes, as government-imposed internet blackouts continue.
Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has scheduled an emergency meeting in Vienna for Monday in response to the attacks. Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi highlighted the urgent need for peace, stating, “In view of the increasingly serious situation in terms of nuclear safety and security, the Board of Governors will meet in an extraordinary session tomorrow, which I will address.”
The U.S. attacks targeted facilities known to contain enriched uranium, with the IAEA warning of potential radioactive contamination; however, Grossi has reported no immediate health risks beyond the affected sites.
International responses to the U.S. actions have varied. Israel praised the bombings as essential for mitigating threats from Iran, while the United Nations and several nations called for de-escalation. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed alarm over the potential for greater conflict, stating, “There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control — with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region and the world.”
Russia and China both condemned the U.S. strikes, with Russia’s foreign ministry denouncing them as a violation of international law, while China warned that further attacks would exacerbate tensions in the Middle East.
As tensions rise, attention turns to Iran’s next actions. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared, “Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.” Following the U.S. attacks, Iran has ramped up its military responses and hinted at potential assaults on U.S. military bases in the region. Additionally, the nation possesses a significant arsenal of drones and missiles, which it may deploy in continued hostilities against Israel.
This ongoing situation marks a critical juncture in Middle Eastern geopolitics, as the balance of power and diplomatic possibilities hang in the balance.
Contributing: Reuters