The Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin on Sunday warning of a heightened threat environment in the U.S. following alerts about potential retaliation from Tehran for the bombing of three Iran nuclear sites. The bulletin, issued through the National Terrorism Advisory system, mentioned the likelihood of cyber attacks from low-level “hacktivists” and the potential for larger attacks if Iranian leaders call for violent retaliation against targets in the U.S. Recent terrorist attacks motivated by anti-Semitic or anti-Israel sentiment were also highlighted in the advisory.
U.S. officials emphasized their readiness to defend the country against any retaliatory actions from Iran, stating that forces are on high alert and fully prepared to respond. The safety of service members and civilians remains a top priority, according to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine.
Concerns about the impact on oil prices arose following the U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities, with investors anticipating a rise in oil prices. The potential for increased volatility in oil markets was noted, especially if there are disruptions caused by supply shocks. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declared that Iran’s nuclear program had been “obliterated” in the strike, with President Donald Trump suggesting the possibility of future attacks if Iran does not seek peace.
European leaders called for negotiations with Iran in response to the U.S. strikes, with the U.N. Security Council scheduled to meet to address the situation.
International diplomatic efforts are being made to ease tensions and prevent further conflict escalation. Leaders have urged Iran to refrain from actions that could destabilize the region and have called for negotiations to address concerns about the nuclear program. The governments of three countries emphasized that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons and must not pose a threat to regional security.
In a significant military operation dubbed “Midnight Hammer,” the United States utilized advanced “bunker buster” bombs to target Iranian nuclear facilities. This marked the first operational use of these powerful weapons, which weigh 30,000 pounds each and are designed to penetrate deep into underground targets. The strikes aimed to destroy or severely damage Iran’s nuclear facilities, a capability that experts previously noted only the Massive Ordnance Penetrators possess.
Additionally, there are concerns that Iran may consider closing the vital Strait of Hormuz, a key oil route through which about 20% of global oil and gas flows. Such a move could lead to increased fuel prices globally. While the Iranian parliament supported the closure, the final decision rests with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned against this action, stating that it could have severe repercussions.
Amidst these developments, there is pushback from lawmakers regarding President Trump’s airstrikes under the War Powers Act. Critics argue that the President overstepped his authority by ordering military action without congressional approval, as the Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war. Senator Tim Kaine has introduced a resolution in the Senate to address this issue and ensure proper oversight of military engagements.
Efforts to oppose Trump’s actions in Iran are underway. In the House, Representatives Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, and Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, have introduced a similar measure based on the War Powers Act.
Vice President JD Vance emphasized in interviews on Sunday that the United States is not engaged in a prolonged conflict in the Middle East. He clarified that the conflict is not with Iran as a whole, but specifically with Iran’s nuclear program. Vance stressed the desire for peace while ensuring that Iran does not possess nuclear weapons.
In a separate appearance on ABC, Vance described the strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear sites as targeted. The Pentagon’s operation involved the use of powerful bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from submarines. The Pentagon coordinated with Israel for the mission, utilizing B-2 bombers that deployed GBU-57 bunker-buster bombs in combat for the first time.
Operation Midnight Hammer, which targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, was meticulously planned over several weeks and involved 125 warplanes. This operation, distinguished by its scale and destructive capabilities, contrasts with previous military actions ordered by Trump.
The U.S. officials clarified that the intent behind the strikes on Iran was not to instigate a regime change. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that a regime change in Iran could potentially result from the military actions, citing the weakness of the current Iranian regime.
The head of an international agency promoting the peaceful use of nuclear technology, Rafel Mariano Grossi, expressed concerns that the U.S. bombing of Iran has significantly altered the dynamics in the Middle East, escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.
One of the few stabilizing forces in a very unstable international scene is the nonproliferation regime. The unraveling of this regime would have serious consequences, necessitating a return to the negotiating table as soon as possible, according to a statement made by an authoritative figure.
In a recent interview, the President of Israel stated that the United States is acting in its own interests with regards to Iran and refrained from commenting on Israel’s need for additional resources. The decision to bomb Iran was attributed to the perceived threat posed by the Iranian nuclear program to global security, with the United States being characterized as the leader of the free world.
Claims have been made that U.S. bombers successfully destroyed Iran’s major nuclear complexes, although there has been no independent verification of this from nuclear watchdogs or international officials. The International Atomic Energy Agency has not provided any comment on the situation. Amidst conflicting reports, it remains unclear if Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles were removed prior to the strikes.
The U.S. hailed the strikes as a success and emphasized that they were not targeting Iranian personnel but rather seeking peace. The Pope also issued a call for diplomacy and peace efforts in the wake of military actions against Iran, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian support in conflict-affected areas like Gaza.
As tensions mount, the need for dialogue and international cooperation becomes increasingly pressing in order to prevent further escalation and human suffering.
Iranians have faced disruptions in their access to the internet since Israel’s air offensive against their military and nuclear facilities began over a week ago, which has now been joined by the United States. The Iranian government has enforced a widespread internet blackout in recent days, citing the need to prevent cyberattacks from Israel and for undisclosed security concerns. However, some residents have noted inconsistencies in the effectiveness of the shutdown, with occasional successful attempts to go online. Reports have also emerged of disruptions to cellphone text messaging services in Iran.
NetBlocks, an organization monitoring global internet connectivity, reported a significant collapse in internet access in Iran leading up to the U.S. strikes. Additionally, NetBlocks noted international outages on Trump’s Truth Social platform, clarifying that these were not linked to country-level internet disruptions or filtering.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has called for an emergency meeting in Vienna following the U.S. attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The IAEA emphasized the importance of ending hostilities to allow for continued inspections in Iran, expressing concerns over nuclear safety and security amid the escalating situation. The U.N. Secretary General has urged for de-escalation to prevent further risks and emphasized the need to avoid targeting nuclear facilities.
While Israel praised the U.S. actions as a means to prevent Iran from possessing dangerous weapons, reactions from other countries varied. The United Nations and leaders from various nations urged for restraint and warned of the potential catastrophic consequences of the conflict spiraling out of control. On the other hand, Russia and China strongly condemned the U.S. strikes on Iran, denouncing the attacks as violations of international law and the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
“We are condemning aggression and urging greater efforts to restore the situation to a political and diplomatic path.” In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, sparking a prolonged conflict that continues to this day. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently claimed that the entirety of Ukraine belongs to Russia, despite controlling only a fraction of the country’s territory.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Russia’s actions, stating that the move violates the United Nations Charter and escalates tensions in the Middle East. The ministry called for an end to hostilities among all parties involved, especially referencing Israel.
Regarding the U.S. strikes on Iran, President Trump initiated attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, aligning with Israel’s ongoing bombing campaign that began on June 13. The strikes targeted sites such as Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, with Israel assisting in the coordination and planning. While Trump claimed the sites were destroyed, there has been no independent verification.
The International Atomic Energy Agency reported no increase in off-site radiation levels post-strikes. Iran’s response to the attacks remains uncertain, though the country has indicated a readiness to defend itself through various means, including military action or diplomatic approaches. Iran has demonstrated its military capabilities by launching drones and missiles at Israel, even after the U.S. bombings commenced.
As tensions persist, the possibility of further escalation between the U.S. and Iran remains a concern. The situation continues to evolve, with ongoing developments closely monitored by various news outlets.
