United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites: Difference between revisions

Operation Midnight Hammer
Part of the airstrikes during the Iran–Israel war
Fordow Natanz Isfahan United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites (Iran)
Location	Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, Iran
Commanded by	Donald Trump
Objective	Destruction of Iran's nuclear facilities
Date	June 22, 2025 (2025-06-22) 2:30 a.m. (IRST)
Executed by	United States Air Force United States Navy

On June 22, 2025, the United States Air Force and Navy attacked three nuclear facilities in Iran under the codename Operation Midnight Hammer, as part of the Iran–Israel war. The Fordow Uranium Enrichment Plant, the Natanz Nuclear Facility, and an unspecified site in Isfahan were targeted with fourteen GBU-57A/B MOP 30,000-pound (13 608 kg) bombs carried by Northrop B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, plus separate strikes by Tomahawk missiles fired from submarines. The attack was the United States's first offensive action of the Iran–Israel war, which began on June 13 with surprise Israeli strikes.

United States president Donald Trump announced the strikes via Truth Social, describing it as a "very successful attack", although the efficacy of the attack had not been confirmed. Congressional Republicans largely supported Trump's action, while most Democrats and some Republicans were concerned about the constitutionality of the move. World leaders generally welcomed the move to incapacitate Iran's nuclear programme, with some addressing concerns with volatility in the region and the need to stabilize the conflict.

Background

Main articles: Nuclear program of Iran, Iran–Israel war, Middle Eastern crisis (2023–present), and Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons

Iran nuclear capabilities

Donald Trump has consistently maintained that Iran should not be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons since at least 2011. Iran has been a part of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) since its creation in 1970, but there has been extended dispute over the status of its nuclear program, and it has been found in non-compliance with the NPT, for which it faced extended economic sanctions. This was renegotiated in 2015 as part of the Iran nuclear deal (or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, JCPOA), which lifted some sanctions. However, during Trump's first presidency in 2018, the U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA and reinstated sanctions on Iran, which received a generally negative response internationally, particularly from the European Union. Israel, which has never signed the NPT but is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, has repeatedly stated its aims to prevent another Middle Eastern nation from gaining possession of nuclear weapons, and has likely been involved in the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists. The conflict between Iran and Israel has been intensifying since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, as Hamas is partially funded by Iran. Historically, the U.S. has supported Israel in the Middle East, and particularly has financed Israel's military through United States Foreign Military Financing as well as supporting Israel's military actions.

Multiple advisors of Trump, including Steve Bannon and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, warned against war with Iran and have claimed the intelligence community does not consider Iran to be building a nuclear weapon. After Trump called Gabbard "wrong" and said he "did not care what she said," Gabbard changed her position and said Iran could have a nuclear weapon "within months." William D. Hartung warned of the trend in Washington of pledging to back up Israel's military actions, regardless of escalations, after a surprise attack from Israel on Iran on June 13, 2025.

Opinion polling

Many right-wing politicians and commentators in the United States, including Rand Paul and Tucker Carlson, have criticized Trump's support for Israeli strikes against Iran, and the possible involvement of the United States in the war. A June 2025 poll of Trump voters found 53% said the U.S. should not get involved in the Iran–Israel conflict. A separate June 2025 poll by The Washington Post found 45% of respondents opposed the U.S. military launching airstrikes against Iran, and a further 30% were unsure; 25% supported a military response.

Preparation

In the weeks leading up to June 22, the U.S. evacuated its citizens, issued travel warnings, and withdrew non-essential personnel from its embassies. On June 17, Trump called on Iran to unconditionally surrender. U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio told U.S. allies over recent days that Washington would prefer to see a diplomatic solution, and Trump had sent U.S. officials to Tehran in support of a nuclear deal. On June 19, Trump issued a statement via White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, saying, "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks." According to sources, on the same day, Israeli officials including Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Katz and Eyal Zamir called the Trump administration, saying that they could not wait two weeks. The Israelis thought they only had a small opportunity window. The US is the only nation that has bunker busters that are capable of penetrating Fordow. The phone call also included JD Vance, who pushed back citing concerns about direct US involvement and being pulled into war, and Pete Hegseth.

On June 21, the United States deployed B-2 stealth bombers to Guam. U.S. bases in the Middle East entered a state of highest alert and improved air defense, as Iran threatened to strike any country assisting Israel. Most of the U.S. military aircraft parked on the tarmac at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar were no longer visible by June 19, suggesting they might have been evacuated in case of Iranian retaliation. The Houthis also declared their readiness to fight. In response, the United States warned of a devastating retaliation should American interests be threatened.

ABC News reported that the American and Israeli militaries had conducted a practice run of this attack during a training exercise in mid-2024 during the Biden administration. Axios reported that the top Democrats on the Senate and House Intelligence panels were not given advance notice of the attack, while the top Republicans were.

Strikes

See also: List of airstrikes during the Iran–Israel war

Timeline of the operation

President Trump and Vice President Vance in the Situation Room on June 21 during the strikes

President Trump delivers his announcement.

On June 22, the United States Air Force and Navy attacked three Iranian nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, in an operation called "Midnight Hammer". Seven Northrop B-2 Spirit bombers of the 509th Bomb Wing flew non-stop from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri. Six B-2s dropped 12 GBU-57A/B MOP bombs on the Fordow facility, and the seventh B-2 dropped two MOPs on Natanz. Additionally, submarines fired 30 Tomahawk missiles at the Natanz and Isfahan sites. Natanz and Fordow were hit at approximately 2:30 a.m. local time (23:00 the previous day UTC).

The "bunker buster" MOP bombs had never been used in combat before. They can only be delivered by B-2 bombers, which only the United States possesses. The B-2s flew continuously for roughly 37 hours between their takeoff and the strikes, and were refueled several times mid-air. The B-2s were preceded by third and fourth generation American fighter aircraft which put down suppressing fire with high speed weapons to preempt any surface to ground defensive fire - none was detected due to the damage caused by previous Israeli attacks. Additional B-2 planes flew a decoy mission westward from the United States over the Pacific Ocean. In total 125 aircraft were involved including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and refueling aircraft.

Satellite images of the Fordow site taken after the strikes showed two clusters of apparent bomb entry points, as well as grey-blue ash covering the area. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine stated that the Iranian nuclear sites had sustained "severe damage" from the strikes, but said that damage assessment would take time. According to The New York Times, the strikes did not destroy the Fordow facility.

Following the strikes, Trump wrote:

We have completed our very successful attack on the three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Trump gave a short televised address at 10 p.m. EDT on June 21, in which he claimed that Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities had been "completely and totally obliterated". The Department of Defense later gave a longer briefing where Hegseth and Caine outlined further details of the operation.

Iran's state media agency, IRNA, quoting an Iranian official, reported that there was no radioactive material at the three sites which were targeted. Morteza Heidari, spokesperson for the Emergency Committee of the City of Qom, said that enemy forces had bombed "parts of the Fordo nuclear facility." Iranian officials have said that there is no danger to the residents living near the nuclear facilities that were hit by the U.S. strikes, according to Iranian state media. Quoting the Crisis Management Headquarters in the province of Qom, where the Fordow facility is located, IRNA stated that "there is no danger to the people of Qom and the surrounding area". A "high-ranking Iranian political source" told Amwaj.media the targeted sites were evacuated, with "most" of Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium kept in secure locations.

Iranian response

Magen David Adom said that at least 16 people in Israel were wounded by Iranian missiles launched in retaliation for the overnight strikes.

Iranian advisor Mehdi Mohammadi claimed that Iran was not surprised by the attack and had been expecting it for some time, and that Fordow was evacuated and no irreversible damage was sustained.

Aftermath

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine conduct a press briefing at the Pentagon, June 22, 2025

The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia and the New York Police Department increased security around religious institutions following the strikes. Israel closed its airspace.

Analysis

Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, Ray Takeyh, called the strikes "a new phase, and a potentially problematic one," and said that Iran "would have to essentially restore pride in some way," potentially by launching attacks on American military sites or proxies. Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Karim Sadjadpour noted that "This is more likely to open a new chapter of the 46-year-old US-Iran war than conclude it," that most of the retaliatory options available to Iran are the "equivalent of a suicide bombing," and that "this is a traumatic, humiliating event" for the Iranian population, leaving it unclear exactly how Iran will respond.

Director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council, Jonathan Panikoff, warned that Iran might respond disproportionally to restore deterrence, stating "you're looking at a significant escalatory spiral that could get out of hand quickly."

NBC News correspondent Matt Bradley said on MSNBC that Trump may not expect a large reaction from Iran, given the general lack of response after the assassination of Qasem Soleimani in 2020. Trita Parsi said the event reminded him of George W. Bush's Mission Accomplished speech and may further encourage Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. Richard Engel reported that the Iranians felt "duped".

A CNN analyst noted that the United States may still attack further targets given that there "is a real concern that now the Iranians will retaliate," and suggested that Iran could attack U.S. bases in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, and potentially close the Strait of Hormuz.

The Economist reported that "even if America did not reach all parts of the Fordow complex, the powerful blasts might have done enough to damage or destroy the machinery inside", and cited nuclear weapons expert Richard Nephew who said that “Uncontrolled vibration ... is a centrifuge killer”. Former IAEA inspector and Institute for Science and International Security founder David Albright told The Economist that destroying Fordow's ventilation shaft could disable the site for "a few years rather than a few months", and a weapons expert told The Economist that images after the strikes suggested the US may have targeted Fordow's ventilation.

Reactions

President Donald Trump called the strikes "very successful". During his statement, which was about four minutes long, he further called them a "spectacular military success", confirmed the earlier reporting, and warned of more attacks if Iran did not seek peace. He also said there would be a further news conference on the morning of June 22.

Immediately after the statement, Trump posted on Truth Social in all caps saying that:

Any retaliation by Iran against the United States of America will be met with force far greater than what was witnessed tonight.

Several media outlets, including The New York Times, CNBC, and Foreign Affairs, all described the strikes as the U.S. entering "war" with Iran.

United States

Support

Republican senator of South Carolina, Lindsey Graham, praised the strikes, stating that it was "the right call" and that "the regime deserves it." Republican senator Tim Sheehy of Montana said it was the "right decision." House speaker Mike Johnson (LA-4) released a statement, saying: "The President's decisive action prevents the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism, which chants 'Death to America,' from obtaining the most lethal weapon on the planet." Republican senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas tweeted that "President Trump made the right call and the ayatollahs should recall his warning not to target Americans." Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the strikes were a "prudent response to the warmongers in Tehran". Republican representative Dan Crenshaw (TX-2) tweeted, "Trust President Trump. This is how peace through strength is done." Senate Majority Leader John Thune tweeted, "As we take action tonight to ensure a nuclear weapon remains out of reach for Iran, I stand with President Trump." Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said in a statement: "Tonight's actions have gone far in foreclosing that possibility, and countering the apocalyptic threat posed by an Iranian nuclear arsenal." Chair of the House Intelligence Committee Rick Crawford (AR-1) praised President Trump and stated: "I have been in touch with the White House before this action and will continue to track developments closely with them in the coming days."

Democratic senator of Pennsylvania, John Fetterman was the first Democratic senator to praise the strikes, saying: "As I've long maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS. Iran is the world's leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities. I'm grateful for and salute the finest military in the world." Fetterman previously stated that he hopes that "the president finally does bomb and destroy the Iranians."

Democratic representative Tom Suozzi (NY-3) tweeted, "Iran is a terrorist nation, and we must do everything we can to stop it from acquiring a nuclear weapon." Democratic representative Ritchie Torres (NY-15) tweeted, "The decisive destruction of the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant prevents the dangerous spread of nuclear weapons in the world's most combustible region." Democratic representative Don Davis (NC-1) tweeted, "Iran is the world's foremost state sponsor of terrorism and must be prevented from developing nuclear weapons." Democratic representative Greg Landsman (OH-1) tweeted, "the regime has been further weakened – which is good for those who want peace."

Later in the day sources reported that the US State Department has ordered the departure of family members and non-emergency US government personnel from Lebanon.

Opposition

Democratic Representative Jim Himes (CT-4) replied to Trump's post, writing: "According to the Constitution we are both sworn to defend, my attention to this matter comes BEFORE bombs fall. Full stop." He later said in a statement that "Donald Trump's decision to launch direct military action against Iran without Congressional approval is a clear violation of the Constitution, which grants the power to declare war explicitly to Congress" and that "It is impossible to know at this stage whether this operation accomplished its objectives." Democratic House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8) said, "President Trump misled the country about his intentions, failed to seek congressional authorization for the use of military force and risks American entanglement in a potentially disastrous war in the Middle East".

Republican Representative Thomas Massie (KY-4) condemned the strikes as "not constitutional" and said there was no "imminent threat to the United States" from Iran. Democratic Representative Diana DeGette (CO-1) said Trump's "reckless actions are going to put the lives of American service members and American citizens at risk". Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) said that Trump's actions were "clearly grounds for impeachment". Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont received news of the strikes while at a "Fighting Oligarchy" rally in Tulsa, and called them "alarming" and "grossly unconstitutional". Republican Representative Warren Davidson (OH-8) tweeted, "it's hard to conceive a rationale that's Constitutional". Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14) stated, "this is not our fight", and criticized the rationale for the strikes, noting, "There would not be bombs falling on the people of Israel if Netanyahu had not dropped bombs on the people of Iran first." Ro Khanna said, "The reality is, people want regime change in Iran, and they are egging this president on to bomb."

The Council on American-Islamic Relations National Executive Director Nihad Awad said, "We condemn President Trump's illegal and unjustified act of war against Iran. This attack, carried out under pressure from the out-of-control Israeli government, took place despite the longstanding conclusion by our nation's intelligence community that Iran was not seeking nuclear weapons." He drew comparison with President Bush's "disastrous" war in Iraq.

The strikes were criticized by several typically Trump-aligned commentators, including Steve Bannon, Tucker Carlson and Theo Von.

Iran

As of June 21, 2025, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had not issued an official response, as he was in an underground bunker at the time of the strikes with no means of electronic communication, leaving Iran's definitive response unclear. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as a "reckless violation of the UN Charter and international law" and stated that "Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people."

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has called the US attacks "a barbaric act that violated international law, especially the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty," and that it planned to both seek justice in international court and continue its nuclear program. The AEOI stated in a social media post that the radiation system data and field surveys do not show any signs of contamination or dangers to the residents near the sites of Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz.

The Islamic Republic of Iran's armed forces announced that the flight paths of the planes participating in the attack had been identified and were being monitored. They said that the attacks on Israel and the destruction of its infrastructure would continue with vigor.

Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Trump, stating that his "bold decision" to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the "righteous and awesome might of the United States" would be a "historic turning point," and said that Trump "has done what no other country on earth could do. History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world's most dangerous regime the world's most dangerous weapons." Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Trump had made a "bold decision for the United States, for Israel, for all of humanity." President Isaac Herzog tweeted, "In the pages of human history, this is a moment when the principles of liberty, responsibility, and security have triumphed." and "Thank you, United States of America."

International

• Albania: Prime Minister Edi Rama expressed the country's full support for President Trump's efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He denounced Iran's government, saying that "This is not just another nuclear state. Nor merely a dictatorship with nuclear ambitions. This is a theocracy — armed with apocalyptic rhetoric, steeped in endless years of branding free nations as “Satanic,” and openly calling for their annihilation".
• Argentina: President Javier Milei and Defense Minister Luis Petri welcomed the attacks on Iran.
• Australia: A government spokesperson called for de-escalation while stating that "Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programme has been a threat to international peace and security. We note the US President's statement that now is the time for peace."
• Austria: Chancellor Christian Stocker stated that the "Iranian nuclear program is a cause for great concern," saying that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, and "appeals to everyone for a swift return to the negotiation table."
• Belgium: Foreign minister and deputy prime minister Maxime Prévot said that "the theocratic regime of the mullahs of Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, as it would be a threat to international security," calling for "parties to come back to the negotiation table."
• Canada: Prime Minister Mark Carney said that "Canada has been consistently clear that Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. While U.S. military action taken last night was designed to alleviate that threat, the situation in the Middle East remains highly volatile. Canada calls on parties to return immediately to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis."
• Chile: President Gabriel Boric condemned the attack on X, stating, "We demand and need peace," and called the U.S. action illegal: "Having power does not authorise you to use it in violation of the rules that we as humanity have given ourselves. Even if you are the United States."
• China: The foreign ministry strongly condemned the strikes as a serious violation of the UN charter and international law.
• Cuba: President Miguel Díaz-Canel strongly condemned the attacks as "a dangerous escalation of the conflict in the Middle East."
• Cyprus: Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said that “everything must be done to avoid further escalation,” and that “restraint must prevail.”
• Czechia: Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated that "Iran's nuclear program seriously threatens international security, and Saturday’s US strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities is thus an understandable effort to prevent the development of nuclear weapons," and hoped that "U.S. military action, called out in support of Israel's efforts will compel Iran to engage in talks."
• Denmark: Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said that "Iran must never develop nuclear weapons," and that "the U.S. acted to prevent this." Rasmussen urged the parties to return to negotiations to avoid further escalation.
• Egypt: Egypt warned of "the dangers of the region sliding into further chaos and tension" and called for a diplomatic solution and not a military solution.
• Estonia: Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said that "the U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear sites signals a firm stance against its nuclear ambitions," and that "preventing escalation, protecting civilians, and restoring diplomacy are key."
• Finland: Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said that "it is important for Finland that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapon and that no new nuclear-weapon state emerges in the world." President Alexander Stubb stated that "the spiral of vengeance in the Middle East must come to an end. A sustainable solution requires diplomacy, dialogue and respect for the international law."
• France: Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said that France was "convinced that a lasting solution to this issue requires a negotiated solution within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty".
• Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Iran to immediately enter negotiations with the United States and Israel to find a diplomatic solution.
• Holy See: After reciting the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo XIV called the situation in the Middle East "alarming" and called for diplomacy: "every member of the international community has a moral responsibility: stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss".
• Hungary: Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said that “Hungary supports all efforts to bring peace to the Middle East as soon as possible,” called for escalation to be avoided, and that “our interest is to prevent the emergence of any new nuclear weapon arsenals in the world.”
• Iceland: Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir said that “Iran’s nuclear program is of great concern and that we urge the leadership to negotiate in earnest to put an end to it” and that “diplomacy and dialogue are the only way forward.”
• Iraq: Government spokesman Basim Alawadi warned that the attack "constitutes a grave threat to peace and security in the Middle East and poses serious risks to regional stability."
• Ireland: Taoiseach Michéal Martin stated that there is an "urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue & diplomacy in the Middle East," adding that "Iran should unequivocally disavow the development of nuclear weapons," and that a "negotiated solution is the way forward."
• India: India's Times of India newspaper alleged that the bombings were predicted by the 2022 film Top Gun Maverick, which had a similar bombing mission of a nuclear facility, with the facility in the film, amd even believed to have been in Iran.
• Italy: Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani commented that after the US night attacks against Iran, which "brought enormous damage to the production of nuclear weapons, which represented a danger for the entire area, we can truly arrive at a de-escalation," and called for Iran to "sit at the negotiating table".
• Japan: Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said that the government was "closely monitoring the situation there with grave concern".
• Latvia: Prime Minister Evika Siliņa said that “Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon” and that the “US addressed this serious threat to international security.” Siliņa called for tensions to de-escalate and for a return to talks.
• Lebanon: President Joseph Aoun said "the bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities raises the level of fear of an escalation of tensions that would threaten security and stability." Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that Lebanon's best interest is to avoid "being dragged in any form into the ongoing regional confrontation," helping ease concerns about Hezbollah reacting to the strike.
• Lithuania: Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys called the U.S. strike on Iran's facilities "bold", saying that the strike "created an opportunity to return back to the negotiation table and restart talks."
• Luxembourg: Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel said that while "nobody wants Iran to develop a nuclear bomb," he has "doubts that a military escalation to stop that is really a solution."
• Mexico: The Secretariat of Foreign Affairs published a post on X calling for urgent diplomatic dialogue between the involved parties and the de-escalation of tensions in the region.
• Netherlands: Prime Minister Dick Schoof called the latest developments in the Middle East "worrying", reiterated the Dutch position that "Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon," and stated that "negotiations are ultimately the only way out towards a sustainable solution."
• New Zealand: Foreign Minister Winston Peters released a statement describing ongoing military action in the Middle East as "extremely worrying", calling on all parties to return to talks and pursue a diplomatic solution.
• Norway: Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre released a statement which outlined Norway's "deep concern about the escalation of the war in the Middle East." Støre added that "the international community has long sought to ensure that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons," and that Norway "supports efforts for diplomacy and negotiations. This conflict has no military solution. International law must be respected by all parties, even in this war. Last night’s attack does not eliminate the need for a lasting agreement in the long run," he said "although it will now be even more difficult to achieve."
• Oman: Oman strongly condemned the strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, stating it "expresses deep concern, denunciation and condemnation of the escalation resulting from the direct air strikes launched by the United States."
• Pakistan: Pakistan condemned the U.S airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites, terming them a violation of international law and a threat to regional peace. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan affirmed Iran's right to self-defense under the UN Charter and urged all parties to exercise restraint and resolve issues through diplomatic means, warning against further escalation in the Middle East.
• Portugal: Prime Minister Luís Montenegro posted on X expressing his preoccupation with "the risk of severe escalation in the Middle East" and called for "maximum restraint on all sides", also adding that "Iran's nuclear program is a serious threat to world security".
• Qatar: The Foreign Ministry warned that "dangerous tensions will lead to disastrous repercussions at the regional and international levels."
• Romania: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X that “Romania has constantly emphasised that Iran’s nuclear program is contrary to its international obligations,” and that “the U.S.’ recent actions seek to eliminate a grave threat to world peace.”
• Russia: The foreign ministry strongly condemned the strikes as "irresponsible" and said they constituted a "gross violation of international law, the UN charter, and resolutions of the UN security council." Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev has claimed that “A number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads”, and has stated that Iranian enrichment of nuclear material will continue in spite of the strikes.
• Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia said it condemns "the violation of Iran's sovereignty and stresses the need for restraint."
• Slovakia: Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár stated that "any conflict must be resolved within the framework of the UN, not through the use of weapons, regardless of any good purported intentions," adding that "it is unacceptable for any state to conduct military operations on the territory of another sovereign state."
• Slovenia: Prime Minister Robert Golob called on “all parties to cease the hostilities and return to the negotiating table.” He added that “Violence and military conflicts only lead to greater suffering of the innocent population of the Middle East.”
• Sweden: Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said "What is now happening in an unstable region, risks making things considerably worse."
• United Arab Emirates: The government called for "immediate de-escalation" and a "comprehensive solution."
• United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that "Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat," and asked for Iran to "return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis." A government minister confirmed that the U.K. had not taken part in the attack as there had been speculation that the U.S. would ask for the use of the joint UK-US military base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, though by June 17, 2025, no B-2 bombers were seen to be stationed there.
• Venezuela: Foreign Minister Yván Gil condemned the "military aggression against Iran" and demanded an "immediate cessation of hostilities."

Non-state actors

• United Nations: Secretary-General António Guterres described the strikes as "dangerous escalation" and called for diplomacy.
• Hamas condemned the strikes as a "blatant aggression."
• A Hezbollah spokesperson indicated that the group will not retaliate after the American strikes, stating "Iran is a strong country capable of defending itself, logic dictates that it can confront America and Israel," and that Hezbollah remains committed to the ceasefire agreement with Israel.
• The Houthis condemned the strikes as "a dangerous escalation and a direct threat to regional and international security and peace" and said that "Trump must bear the consequences."