US Launches Targeted Strikes on Iran Nuclear Sites, Global Reactions Intensify

In June 2025, the United States launched targeted strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, including the heavily fortified Fordow site, aiming to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. President Donald Trump confirmed these actions, which were praised by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a historic move, while Iran condemned them as a violation of international law and vowed retaliation. The UN Secretary-General and several Western and regional powers expressed concern over escalating tensions and called for diplomatic solutions to avoid further conflict. Critics warn that this military escalation risks drawing the US into a prolonged war, with Iranian state media threatening Americans in the region and pointing to potential retaliation. Meanwhile, geopolitical analysts suggest that Russia, under Vladimir Putin, has strategic interests in maintaining instability in the Middle East and may be influencing the dynamics between the US, Israel, and Iran. The conflict reflects broader historical tensions, including Iran's longstanding hostility toward the US following the 1979 embassy hostage crisis and the complex regional power struggles involving Israel and its allies.