USA bomb Iran's nuclear facilities – Is a conflagration in the Middle East looming?

Preemptive Strike or Start of a War?

Trump stated at the White House that the military operation had “completely destroyed the critical uranium enrichment facilities”. In his address, he announced further attacks should Tehran not commit to peace. “If peace does not come quickly, we will eliminate the other targets with precision and speed,” said the US President.

Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke of a “bold decision” and emphasized the historical significance of the action.

Iran Confirms Attacks – Damage Unclear

Iran confirmed bombings around the facilities, particularly in Fordo, but stated that the situation was “under control.” According to the state news agency Irna, there is no danger to the population. However, independent images from NASA satellites show notable heat sources that suggest fires or explosions.

The Iranian Atomic Energy Organization sharply condemned the attacks and called them a “violation of international law”. It also accused the International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA of complicity or inaction.

Reaction of the International Community

UN Secretary-General António Guterres reacted with concern and spoke of a “dangerous hour.” Further escalation could have catastrophic consequences for the world. He called on all member states to pursue diplomatic avenues.

Theater of War Middle East

The attacks are part of a series of Israeli military actions against Iranian targets, including:

The Israeli attacks began after the Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023. Since then, Israel has been at war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and with Hezbollah in Lebanon. The conflict with Iran now threatens to upset the entire balance in the region.

Stealth Bombers in Action

According to the Israeli army radio, US B-2 stealth bombers were deployed. These can drop so-called bunker-buster bombs, which are necessary to destroy deep-seated facilities like Fordo.

Consequences for the Region

The US had recently massively increased its military presence in the region. Around 40,000 US soldiers are stationed in Iraq, Qatar, and Kuwait. Now Washington is officially part of the armed conflict.

Israel responded with new civil protection measures: Only essential activities are allowed throughout the country. The population must prepare for further attacks, according to the government.

Background

The conflict between Israel and Iran over nuclear capabilities has been ongoing for years. The current escalation marks a potential turning point – with an uncertain outcome.

Could Iran now deliberately target US bases?

Yes, that is possible. Over 40,000 US soldiers are stationed in the region – for example, in Qatar, Kuwait, and Iraq. These could become targets of Iranian retaliation.

How severely is Iran's nuclear program damaged after the attack?

Unclear. The US speaks of complete destruction of the key facilities, while Iran claims limited damage. Experts believe an immediate resumption of uranium enrichment is difficult, but not impossible.

What does this mean for Europe?

Europe faces a security and economic shock. An open war could directly affect refugee movements, oil prices, and terrorism risks – and render the EU's diplomatic efforts futile.

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.