In a historic military operation, the United States launched a powerful and meticulously coordinated airstrike named Operation Midnight Hammer, targeting Iran’s most sensitive nuclear facilities. The overnight strikes, ordered by President Donald Trump, hit three critical sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—with unprecedented precision and firepower, marking a pivotal moment in US-Iran tensions.

The Strike

Operation Midnight Hammer was led by seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, which dropped fourteen GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators—30,000-pound bombs designed to destroy fortified underground facilities—on Fordow and Natanz. These facilities, buried deep within mountains, were central to Iran’s uranium enrichment program.

Complementing the aerial assault, US Navy submarines launched Tomahawk cruise missiles on the Isfahan site, reportedly targeting highly enriched uranium stockpiles. The entire operation mobilized over 125 aircraft, including support units like in-air refueling tankers and surveillance aircraft, making it the largest B-2 bomber deployment in US history and the second-largest globally.

Military planners executed a complex strategy of deception, sending decoy aircraft westward into the Pacific, while the real strike force flew east, evading Iranian detection systems. All aircraft returned safely, with no engagement from Iranian air defense systems, underscoring the mission’s precision and surprise.

Iran’s Reaction

Iran confirmed the strikes but sought to downplay their impact. State broadcaster official Hassan Abedini claimed key nuclear materials had already been moved. Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization condemned the operation as a “barbaric violation of international law.”

Within hours of the strikes, Iran launched missiles at Tel Aviv and Haifa, injuring over 80 people. While seen as a swift show of force, many analysts believe a more calculated Iranian retaliation is likely in the days ahead. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned of serious consequences and accused the US of dragging the region into conflict after failing in diplomacy.

Diplomatic Collapse and Road to the Strike

Before resorting to military action, Washington made several attempts to revive diplomacy, including five rounds of talks led by US envoy Steve Witkoff. But with Iran’s nuclear program accelerating and no agreement in sight, the Pentagon prepared the surgical operation to reset the regional balance.

President Trump, addressing the nation following the strikes, warned Tehran that the US has many more targets and would not hesitate to act again. “Nuclear ambiguity is unacceptable,” he said, adding that the mission was a message to both allies and adversaries of America’s resolve.

Global Reaction and Strategic Fallout

The strike drew swift and diverse reactions. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres labeled it a “dangerous escalation,” while Russia blamed the US for instigating a new war. India, Saudi Arabia, and Oman called for restraint, emphasizing the need to avoid further destabilization in the Middle East.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, while acknowledging the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions, stressed the need for de-escalation and diplomacy. Many experts warned that even if infrastructure is destroyed, Iran’s scientific knowledge remains, and such operations can only delay—not eliminate—nuclear capability.

What Lies Ahead

With Iran vowing retaliation and the global community bracing for the consequences, Operation Midnight Hammer could become a defining moment in the US-Iran standoff. It showcases America’s unmatched ability to project power, but also reopens questions about the limits of military deterrence in stopping nuclear proliferation.

As the world watches, all eyes are now on Tehran’s next move—and whether diplomacy can still salvage what remains of regional stability.

Pakistan has strongly condemned the recent United States military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, labeling them as violations of international law and norms. The attacks, which targeted Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz, were reportedly aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear program. In a statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the government expressed deep concern about the potential for regional escalation and emphasized Iran’s legitimate right to self-defense under the United Nations Charter.

The statement also called for the protection of civilian lives and infrastructure, urging all parties involved to adhere to the principles of international humanitarian law. Pakistan underscored the need for diplomacy and dialogue as the only sustainable paths to resolving such crises.

This condemnation came shortly after Pakistan had announced its backing of US President Donald Trump’s nomination for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his mediation efforts during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. The timing of the condemnation has drawn attention, reflecting the complex and evolving nature of Pakistan’s foreign policy in the region.

Pakistan’s opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), also issued a separate statement denouncing the US action. The PTI accused the United States of breaching Iranian sovereignty and alleged that Israel had influenced Washington’s decision to launch the strikes, despite what it called a lack of conclusive evidence regarding Iran’s nuclear weapons capability. PTI leaders pointed fingers at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, blaming him for escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Several other Muslim-majority nations echoed Pakistan’s concerns. Saudi Arabia reiterated its rejection of violations against Iranian sovereignty, while Qatar warned of grave regional and international consequences if the situation deteriorates further. Iraq and Oman also joined the chorus of countries calling for restraint and a return to diplomatic solutions.

The broad condemnation from across the Islamic world highlights growing unease over the potential fallout of renewed US-Iran hostilities and signals a unified call for restraint and respect for international norms in an already volatile region.

Iran’s parliament has approved a proposal to shut down the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation to recent U.S. airstrikes on three key nuclear facilities within its territory. The strategic move, if implemented, could disrupt nearly 20% of the global oil and gas supply, heightening geopolitical tensions and raising fears of an energy crisis.

The final authority to enforce the closure lies with Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. According to Press TV and parliamentary national security commission member Esmail Kosari, the council is currently deliberating the measure.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran, is a narrow maritime chokepoint just 21 miles wide at its narrowest. It serves as a vital conduit for energy exports from the Gulf region to international markets. Any disruption to this route would have immediate and significant implications for global energy security.

In response to the developments, the United States has urged China to use its diplomatic influence to dissuade Iran from executing the closure. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that any such move would constitute a major escalation, necessitating a strong international response. Despite the rising tensions, Rubio reiterated that Washington remains open to dialogue with Tehran.

The closure of the Strait would likely send shockwaves through global markets, potentially driving up oil prices and triggering volatility across financial systems. As the international community monitors the situation closely, diplomatic channels—particularly involving China—are expected to play a crucial role in averting further escalation.

A close aide to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned of swift retaliation against the United States following its airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The threat, published in Iran’s hardline Kayhan newspaper, comes amid surging tensions in the Middle East.

Hossein Shariatmadari, managing editor of Kayhan and a longtime confidant of Khamenei, called for an immediate missile strike on the US naval fleet stationed in Bahrain and the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz to Western vessels. “It is now our turn to act without delay,” he wrote, suggesting coordinated retaliation against American, British, German, and French maritime interests in the region.

The US carried out strikes on Saturday targeting Iran’s key nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—following heightened hostilities between Israel and Iran. President Donald Trump called the attacks a “spectacular military success” and warned of even greater strikes if Iran does not “seek peace.”

While Khamenei has not yet issued a direct response to the US strikes, his official Telegram account reposted a video from an earlier speech in which he warned the US against entering the Iran-Israel conflict. “The damage it will suffer will be far greater than any harm Iran will encounter,” Khamenei stated.

Iran’s leadership has consistently framed the US involvement as a grave escalation, with officials cautioning that Tehran’s response will be “decisive and unavoidable.” The potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments, could have significant geopolitical and economic ramifications.

With calls for military retaliation growing louder within Tehran’s political circles, the region remains on edge, awaiting the next move in a rapidly evolving conflict.