US strikes Iranian nuclear sites, escalating tensions in the Middle East

On June 21, 2025, the United States military executed a series of airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities in an operation known as Midnight Hammer. This operation aimed to disrupt Iran's nuclear enrichment program, specifically at the sites of Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, which are critical to the country's ambitions to develop nuclear weapons. The strikes were carried out with extensive resources, including 125 aircraft and advanced munitions, signifying a significant shift in U.S. military involvement amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. By utilizing destructive capabilities like B-2 stealth bombers and Tomahawk missiles, the U.S. sought to deliver a decisive blow to Iran’s nuclear aspirations while emphasizing that these strikes would be limited in scope and focused solely on nuclear sites. In the wake of the airstrikes, President Donald Trump warned Iran of severe consequences should they choose to retaliate. He characterized the action as imperative to thwart a crucial threat posed by Iran, referencing it as the world's foremost state sponsor of terrorism. Trump also urged Iran to pursue peace in light of the aggressive military action. Concurrently, high-ranking officials from Iran expressed that the U.S. attack expanded the scope for legitimate targets and rebuked the U.S. as engaging in an unprovoked campaign against a sovereign nation. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) responded to these developments, expressing concern over the potential ramifications of this conflict on global economic stability, particularly affecting oil markets. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva indicated that they were vigilant about fluctuations in oil prices and energy supply dynamics stemming from this confrontation. Most importantly, the risk of escalating military conflict looms large, as global powers weigh in on the diplomatic and strategic fallout from the strikes. With the international landscape shifting, several nations, including Russia and China, condemned the U.S. strikes, warning of a possible nuclear catastrophe and advocating for diplomatic resolutions instead. The significant military engagement by the U.S. marks a pivotal moment in U.S.-Iran relations and could reshape the geopolitical dynamic in the region. Analysts project that if the Strait of Hormuz were to be impacted in retaliation, it could trigger a considerable spike in global oil prices, thus further amplifying concerns over economic ramifications and the prevention of larger hostilities in this sensitive arena.