Iran Launches "Large Scale Attack" on Israel (9 Viewers)

[Ministry of Pain]

"Midnight Hammer" was the name of the operation as being reported by the Pentagon on live TV right now

 

[The Z Machine]

I’d ask do you think Israel (and since we’re lumped together, the US), wants to prevent aid to non combatants

Yes. I see Israel using it as a tool to try and force the people to reject Hamas leadership. I also see it as punishment for the atrocities that happened to Israel and the people that "allowed" those acts to come from their territory.

And, no, I don't lump the US in with everything that Israel does with respect to Gaza.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Seems clear to me that the United States is in Israel’s pocket.

If there's one nation to stand with, they are the one, imho.

If you're into supporting warmongering countries that are currently involved in a genocide against their weaker neighbor then I guess that makes sense.

Do I need to report this every time someone pukes it back up on the site?

It's a political propaganda comment started by anti-semites to try and disgust Jewish people.

Nothing Israel is doing is in the realm of genocide and you either know it and are just being a horrible person or you are too ignorant to realize what you are saying and how vile it is.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and go with the later.

Israeli forces kill 51 Palestinians waiting for flour at Gaza aid site, witnesses and rescuers say

It is potentially the deadliest of the almost daily shootings that have been taking place recently near aid distribution sites.

www.bbc.com

You can choose whatever term you want to call it, and this is after denying any aid and food to the region for a couple months. I see near daily articles like this. These are the types of examples I see when that word is brought up.

Yep. Israel’s gall is something to behold. It has butchered tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza - many women and children yet 24 Israelis killed by Iranian attacks apparently exposes the unique evil of Tehran’s regime? More than twice as many hungry Palestinians looking for food in Gaza were slaughtered in a single massacre by Israeli troops overnight. Notice how this mass killing receives the tiniest fraction of media attention? If you support that type of bloodshed then that's on you. It has nothing to do with anti-semitism.

What specifically would you do, if you ran Israel, to forever eliminate the threat of war with Iran (and other “actors” funded by Iran)?

 

[djmich]

I’d ask do you think Israel (and since we’re lumped together, the US), wants to prevent aid to non combatants

Yes. I see Israel using it as a tool to try and force the people to reject Hamas leadership. I also see it as punishment for the atrocities that happened to Israel and the people that "allowed" those acts to come from their territory.

And, no, I don't lump the US in with everything that Israel does with respect to Gaza.

I understand that.

But I certainly don’t see it as proactive punishment. Are they saying, “yah we’re not going to accommodate Hamas so the people who support their terrorism against us get food as easily and efficiently as possible”…yah I can see that.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Seems clear to me that the United States is in Israel’s pocket.

If there's one nation to stand with, they are the one, imho.

If you're into supporting warmongering countries that are currently involved in a genocide against their weaker neighbor then I guess that makes sense.

Do I need to report this every time someone pukes it back up on the site?

It's a political propaganda comment started by anti-semites to try and disgust Jewish people.

Nothing Israel is doing is in the realm of genocide and you either know it and are just being a horrible person or you are too ignorant to realize what you are saying and how vile it is.

I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and go with the later.

Israeli forces kill 51 Palestinians waiting for flour at Gaza aid site, witnesses and rescuers say

It is potentially the deadliest of the almost daily shootings that have been taking place recently near aid distribution sites.

www.bbc.com

You can choose whatever term you want to call it, and this is after denying any aid and food to the region for a couple months. I see near daily articles like this. These are the types of examples I see when that word is brought up.

From article…this is based on Hamas insights? I’ve seen they’re not a very reliable source, and of course clearly biased as they’re terrorists.

The Hamas-run civil defence agency said Israeli troops fired on crowds near the aid site in Khan Younis. More than 200 people were reportedly injured.


And from an article on the same page:

The new group backed by Israel and the US for aid distribution in Gaza says Hamas attacked a bus transporting some of its Palestinian workers, killing at least eight people.

The US and Israel say delivering aid through the GHF will prevent it being stolen by Hamas. The UN says this is not a widespread issue, while Hamas denies doing it.

Pretty crazy to see the difference in views on what’s going on. I guess the question is do you believe that Hamas isn’t stealing food, isn’t interfering with delivery, and that Israel is intentionally shooting non combatants who want food. I think it’s complicated

Let's be clear, this isn't the only article, it was one of a few on bbc when i looked. Israel themselves admit to denying aid to the region, that shouldn't be controversial to bring up here. Bbc, reuters, etc are sources i tend to post from so maybe people dont like those sources?

My point is more that like other issues, we tend to argue about a word instead of trying to understand what people are seeing and reporting and discussing that.

Agree on not arguing about the definition of a word.

I’m not focusing on BBC’s reporting, I’m focusing on the fact that they and many other news agencies are using a terrorist organization as their source, one that has proven to be misleading many times. Do you believe Hamas reporting?

Israel is no doubt denying aid to their enemy. And because the enemy intermingles with “civilians”, and steals from civilians to support their ongoing effort in their war against Israel, the same civilians who support these terrorists and voted them into power, the distribution of aid becomes a big cluster ****. Again, it’s complicated. I’d ask do you think Israel (and since we’re lumped together, the US), wants to prevent aid to non combatants

Yes, I have seen enough examples and enough statements from people in their government to say yes - they want to prevent aid to non-combatants. Which is why people are upset with them and with the US for allowing it. I think it has gone beyond the point of self defense and simply trying to keep food away from Hamas. There are ways, and countries and services who are equipped to help have decided not to because of Israel's restrictions.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Anyone else listen to this song today?

 

[TLEF316]

As someone who works in NYC and passes through penn station every week, I worry about terrorism retaliation here. Scary times

 

[Sparky Polastri]

​

China helped build several of their facilities. It's not a huge leap to think China would be sympathetic to Iran's position.

China is sympathetic to the Chinese making money. If China wanted Iran a nuclear state they have the ability to have made that happen long ago. They will happily sell them new research reactors etc because it is about making money for them. The only other interest that China has in Iran is that they are a PIA for the US.

Does it really matter WHY they are supporting them or just that they support them?

China is our biggest threat and we need to wake up to it. The purpose of knowing why is understanding what China will and will not do in their support of Iran. It is much more an enemy of my enemy is my friend than them being best buds. China is oppressive of Islam- they don't want to empower Muslims to the point that it would be an issue internally for them but support them enough for them to continue to be a PIA to us.

Would you agree that China will do what they've already done to support Iran? They've shown over the years they will help build facilities, transport uranium, and help with enrichment process.

 

[Peggy]

Changed the course of history. Iran is no longer a nuclear threat to the region and the world.

USA! USA!

I’d like confirmation that the facilities were actually destroyed before doing victory laps over it. Seems like it’s far too early to know.

14 bunkers on 3 targets? They do not exist anymore.

 

[thecatch]

Changed the course of history. Iran is no longer a nuclear threat to the region and the world.

USA! USA!

I’d like confirmation that the facilities were actually destroyed before doing victory laps over it. Seems like it’s far too early to know.

14 bunkers on 3 targets? They do not exist anymore.

They've never been used before and certainly never on a target like Fordow.

 

[Peggy]

Biggest B-2 strike in history.
14 bunker busters, first time ever used. 100% successful.
125 air craft.
75 precision guided weapons.
24+ tomahawks.
Zero causulities or incidents.


Probably the greatest military strike of all time.

 

[Chadstroma]

​

China helped build several of their facilities. It's not a huge leap to think China would be sympathetic to Iran's position.

China is sympathetic to the Chinese making money. If China wanted Iran a nuclear state they have the ability to have made that happen long ago. They will happily sell them new research reactors etc because it is about making money for them. The only other interest that China has in Iran is that they are a PIA for the US.

Does it really matter WHY they are supporting them or just that they support them?

China is our biggest threat and we need to wake up to it. The purpose of knowing why is understanding what China will and will not do in their support of Iran. It is much more an enemy of my enemy is my friend than them being best buds. China is oppressive of Islam- they don't want to empower Muslims to the point that it would be an issue internally for them but support them enough for them to continue to be a PIA to us.

Would you agree that China will do what they've already done to support Iran? They've shown over the years they will help build facilities, transport uranium, and help with enrichment process.

Iran will pay them...yeah?

 

[Peggy]

Changed the course of history. Iran is no longer a nuclear threat to the region and the world.

USA! USA!

I’d like confirmation that the facilities were actually destroyed before doing victory laps over it. Seems like it’s far too early to know.

14 bunkers on 3 targets? They do not exist anymore.

They've never been used before and certainly never on a target like Fordow.

My statement was based on capacity. That was 3-4 times as many needed. But the Pentagon has confirmed it now anyway.

Huge success, huge win.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

These "What If" type posts is going to drag down this thread
Not people cheering and supporting the United States of America and Israel for standing tall and destroying Iran's nuke sites

If the fear is that Iran(IRGC) is going to do something sinister in response, they've been doing sinister things for decades
The mindset of appeasing The Islamic Revolutionary Guard for fear of retaliation is no way to run a government and military if you are the number one Super Power in the World

 

[thecatch]

Changed the course of history. Iran is no longer a nuclear threat to the region and the world.

USA! USA!

I’d like confirmation that the facilities were actually destroyed before doing victory laps over it. Seems like it’s far too early to know.

14 bunkers on 3 targets? They do not exist anymore.

They've never been used before and certainly never on a target like Fordow.

My statement was based on capacity. That was 3-4 times as many needed. But the Pentagon has confirmed it now anyway.

Huge success, huge win.

There's no way they can confirm that based on satellite imagery. I'm hopeful it was successful and suspect it probably was, but Hegseth saying so doesn't close the book on the issue for me.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

As someone who works in NYC and passes through penn station every week, I worry about terrorism retaliation here. Scary times

I feel you. My office is in 1 WTC. Floor # higher than 40.

 

[KarmaPolice]

These "What If" type posts is going to drag down this thread
Not people cheering and supporting the United States of America and Israel for standing tall and destroying Iran's nuke sites

If the fear is that Iran(IRGC) is going to do something sinister in response, they've been doing sinister things for decades
The mindset of appeasing The Islamic Revolutionary Guard for fear of retaliation is no way to run a government and military if you are the number one Super Power in the World

So sorry people have different opinions.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Please don't get this thread deleted.

Moderators spent a bunch of time today deleting the PSF style posts.

@Don't Toews Me is working hard to make this a good thread and I appreciate it. But people are going to get this thread shut down if the current path continues.

And yes, I know everyone already says "just suspend" the people posting PSF stuff. That sounds good but you don't have to deal with the never ending whining that comes from suspensions. I already have enough people here who don't like me and and the moderators.

 

[Sleestak]

I have mixed feelings. Best wishes to our servicemembers. War is hell.

This post has been edited to comply with Joe's no-politics bent. Hopefully the fact that I have mixed feelings is OK with all.

 

[Peggy]

Changed the course of history. Iran is no longer a nuclear threat to the region and the world.

USA! USA!

I’d like confirmation that the facilities were actually destroyed before doing victory laps over it. Seems like it’s far too early to know.

14 bunkers on 3 targets? They do not exist anymore.

They've never been used before and certainly never on a target like Fordow.

My statement was based on capacity. That was 3-4 times as many needed. But the Pentagon has confirmed it now anyway.

Huge success, huge win.

The Pentagon isn’t a neutral, reliable source of facts

Hope you are right tho

You want a neutral country to verify what the US is saying? 14 of the biggest most technological weapons in history dropped on just 3 sites and you think we might have missed?

 

[Zeppelin]

Changed the course of history. Iran is no longer a nuclear threat to the region and the world.

USA! USA!

I’d like confirmation that the facilities were actually destroyed before doing victory laps over it. Seems like it’s far too early to know.

14 bunkers on 3 targets? They do not exist anymore.

They've never been used before and certainly never on a target like Fordow.

My statement was based on capacity. That was 3-4 times as many needed. But the Pentagon has confirmed it now anyway.

Huge success, huge win.

The Pentagon isn’t a neutral, reliable source of facts

Hope you are right tho

You want a neutral country to verify what the US is saying? 14 of the biggest most technological weapons in history dropped on just 3 sites and you think we might have missed?

In my opinion we probably didn't miss but we don't know for sure yet.

 

[Chadstroma]

Nations prepared to arm Iran with nuclear warheads after US strikes, Russia’s Medvedev claims​

A “number of countries” are ready to supply Iran with nuclear warheads following American strikes on nuclear facilities early on Sunday, Russian ex-president Dmitriy Medvedev claimed on social media.

In a post on X/Twitter, Medvedev suggested that the United States’ attacks on three sites in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow backfired, and led to the opposite result from what US President Donald Trump had set out to achieve.

According to Medvedev, “enrichment of nuclear material — and, now we can say it outright, the future production of nuclear weapons — will continue.”

Supplying Iran with nuclear warheads​

In addition, he said, “A number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads.”

Medvedev, who has served as Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia since 2020, further stated that “Iran’s political regime has survived — and in all likelihood, has come out even stronger,” continuing on to claim that Iranians are “rallying around the country’s spiritual leadership, including those who were previously indifferent or opposed to it.”

Later on Sunday, it was reported that Trump was set to hold a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin following American strikes on Iranian soil.

 

[TLEF316]

As someone who works in NYC and passes through penn station every week, I worry about terrorism retaliation here. Scary times

I feel you. My office is in 1 WTC. Floor # higher than 40.

Yeah.....no job gets me in that building full time. No way.

 

[Chadstroma]

US strikes 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear ambitions, Pentagon chief says​

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Sunday that U.S. military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities were an incredible and overwhelming success that have obliterated Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

The U.S. strikes included 14 bunker-buster bombs, more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles and over 125 military aircraft, in an operation the top U.S. general, General Dan Caine, said was named "Operation Midnight."

The operation pushes the Middle East to the brink of a major new conflagration in a region already aflame for more than 20 months with wars in Gaza and Lebanon and a toppled dictator in Syria.

"Iran's nuclear ambitions have been obliterated," Hegseth told reporters in a briefing, adding that said the strikes did not target Iranian troops or people.

"The operation President Trump planned was bold and it was brilliant, showing the world that American deterrence is back. When this president speaks, the world should listen," Hegseth said.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

As someone who works in NYC and passes through penn station every week, I worry about terrorism retaliation here. Scary times

I feel you. My office is in 1 WTC. Floor # higher than 40.

Yeah.....no job gets me in that building full time. No way.

I’m there about 6-7 days a month……live in Chicago but work out of that office

 

[Don't Toews Me]

Folks, let's try out best to keep this away from politics as best we can and focused strictly on information:

Satellite imagery of Fordow: https://x.com/Mike_Eckel/status/1936759987872641185

more new satellite imagery of Iran's Fordow enrichment facility, before/after the US attacks, released by @planet. Image 1: March 19. Image 2: June 22.

High resolution imagery of Fordow here: https://x.com/james_acton32/status/1936760442397089793

https://x.com/detresfa_/status/1936755204927451217

Fresh set of images via Maxar show at least 6 munition entry holes/craters on the top of a ridge right above the underground complex at Fordow as a result of the U.S. airstrikes

https://x.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1936779383030579206

The United States conducted strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear program on the night of June 21-22, including the underground site at Fordow. ISW and
@criticalthreats will provide an initial analysis of these strikes in our morning update.

Before/after imagery of Fordow via @Maxar (1/3):

"Maxar collected new high-resolution satellite imagery this morning (June 22nd) that reveals the aftermath of the recent airstrikes on the Fordow fuel enrichment facility. In today’s imagery, several large diameter holes/craters are seen on the top of a ridge over the underground complex. A layer of grey-blue ash caused by the airstrikes is seen across a large swath of the area. Additionally, several of the tunnel entrances that lead into the underground facility are blocked with dirt following the airstrikes."

Satellite imagery of Isfahan: https://x.com/bradyafr/status/1936784726553182241

Damage to structures at Isfahan nuclear research facility in Iran following US strikes is visible in new low-resolution satellite imagery.

https://x.com/laurnorman/status/1936779648920354873

What we don’t know apart from extend of sites damage. 1/ where is stockpile? In fact? In Iranian hands? 2/ is there a third enrichment site in reality? If so, has it been destroyed? 3/ did Iran produce any 90% at Fordow in recent days? If so, where is it? 4/ Did the U.S. try -1-
and take out the underground tunnel complex at Natanz? And if so, did they succeed? 5/ how much spare and useful stuff did Iran stash away before all this? Centrifuges produced without monitoring? Equipment that was at Turquz Abad?

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/22/world/israel-iran-us-trump/5f978180-2472-5685-af01-0865af251022?smid=url-share

Separately, a senior U.S. official who asked for anonymity acknowledged that the B-2 attack on the Fordo site did not destroy the heavily fortified facility but severely damaged it.

https://x.com/shashj/status/1936763124247323037

“Part of the package proceeded to the west and into the Pacific as a decoy, a deception effort known only to an extremely small number of planners …in Washington and in Tampa, the main strike package comprised of B2, each with two crew members, proceeded quietly to the east”

https://x.com/laurnorman/status/1936763282116751496

SIGNIFICANT: Asked if all of Iran's nuclear capabilities at the 3 sites was knocked out, CJCS Caine said it's "way too early for me to comment" on that. -4-

https://x.com/michaelh992/status/1936784042399080871

Opposition source claims that a number of former Iranian officials, including Hassan Rouhani, Ali Larijani, and Sadeq Larijani, have tried to contact Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and asked him to enter into direct negotiations with the US , but Khamenei is unavailable and only a few people have access to him.

Eyes on Strait of Hormuz: https://x.com/phildstewart/status/1936777410151678165

(Reuters) - Iran's Supreme National Security Council must make the final decision on whether to close the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Press TV said on Sunday, after parliament reportedly approved the measure.
The decision to close the strait, through which around 20% of global oil and gas demand flows, is not yet final. But lawmaker and Revolutionary Guards Commander Esmail Kosari told the Young Journalist Club on Sunday that doing so is on the agenda and "will be done whenever necessary."

Threat to commercial shipping around Arabian Peninsula is rising, largest global shipowners organization warns

In an email to CNBC, a Hapag Lloyd spokesperson tells CNBC, “We currently are still crossing the Street of Hormuz. Alert level is high, though, and things might change by the hour.”

Integrated logistics provider Maersk announced Friday it is temporarily suspending port calls to Israel’s largest container port, Haifa. The $4.2 billion cargo facility at Haifa, owned by Adani Group, has been a target of Iranian missiles but has not suffered any damage. Last week, Jugeshinder “Robbie” Singh, CFO of the Adani, debunked misinformation posted that the port was on fire from a strike on Iranian social media.

Bimco’s Larsen warned Iran could attempt a wider disruption of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz through attacks on merchant ships. Antiship missiles or drones of both airborne and surface types could be used in these attacks, he said.

“The laying of sea mines would constitute another dangerous development, but Iran’s intent to do so is questionable due to the risk to Iran-affiliated commercial ships and the risk of environmental disaster in case a ship is damaged,” said Larsen.

On the tanker side, spot rates for very large crude carrier (VLCC) voyages between the Middle East and China are up 154% week-over-week. Rates on the long-range tankers’ (LR2) Middle East-Japan trade route are up 148% and Middle East-Japan very large gas carrier (VLGC) rates are up 33%.

The reason behind the increase in rates includes the added expenses on security measures, higher bunker fuel prices, and fuel costs as vessels use more fuel due to faster sailing through high-risk areas.

Marsh McLennan, the world’s largest marine insurance broker, noted hull and machinery insurance rates for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz have increased by more than 60%.

https://x.com/tala_taslimi/status/1936779529911144823

A member of the Majlis National Security Council & the Foreign Policy Committee, Esmaeil Kowsari, said today that the Majlis has concluded that Iran should close the Strait of Hormuz, but the final decision in this regard is with THE SUPREME NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL.

https://x.com/tala_taslimi/status/1936780303521263956

MEANING: IRAN'S MAJLIS IS LONGING FOR THE CLOSING OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO SO.

THE STRAT WILL BE OPEN UNTIL PEZESHKIAN'S GOVERNMENT DECIDES AGAINST IT.

https://x.com/NicoleGrajewski/status/1936770394989740537

People in Mashhad, protesting the delay by the Majlis in reviewing the bill for Iran’s withdrawal from the NPT, have signed a petition urging parliament to promptly consider and approve the measure to leave the NPT.

 

[Chadstroma]

Inside ‘Midnight Hammer’: How B-2 Stealth Bombers Hit Iran Hard​

Key Points - The United States launched "Operation Midnight Hammer" overnight on June 21-22, a major military assault on Iran's three primary nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

-President Donald Trump confirmed the strikes, stating they were a "spectacular military success."

-The Pentagon reported that B-2 stealth bombers dropped 14 GBU-57 "bunker buster" bombs to destroy the deeply buried Fordow site, while Tomahawk missiles hit the other locations.

-While Iranian officials condemned the attack as a "grave violation" of international law, the Pentagon asserted that Iran's nuclear program had been "obliterated" with minimal risk to US forces due to successful deception tactics.

Trump’s Iran Strikes: What We Know So Far​

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday that the United States carried out coordinated strikes on Iran’s three main nuclear facilities, marking a major escalation in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

The strikes, part of Operation Midnight Hammer, came after Trump offered Iran a maximum of two weeks in which he said negotiations with Iran could take place, suggesting that Washington saw no chance that Tehran would willingly agree to dismantle its own nuclear facilities.

The bombings, described by Trump as a “spectacular military success,” targeted underground and fortified sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

B-2 Bomber Bunker Buster Attack​

Fox News host Sean Hannity claimed that the president told him U.S. forces used six 30,000 lb “bunker buster” bombs, officially known as the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP), to destroy the Fordow facility.

The bombs were dropped by B-2 stealth bombers, while Tomahawk missiles launched from U.S. submarines targeted the Isfahan and Natanz sites.

In a briefing on Sunday morning, the Pentagon confirmed that a total of 14 MOPs were dropped on Iranian targets with the help of 7 B-2 stealth bombers, marking the largest B-2 operational strike in history.

For context, the United States has a total of 19 working B-2 bombers.

The bunker buster bombs were released roughly 7.5 miles above the target and fell to the ground with no additional propulsion. The falling bomb used satellite navigation to steer itself using tail fins, ensuring it lands directly above its target. Upon reaching the ground, the great weight of the munition drove the casing deep into the ground, potentially as far as 60 meters. Once each bomb struck the ground, a delayed fuse detonated 2,400 kg of explosives.

Trump Speaks to the Nation About Iran​

Speaking in a televised address to the American people, President Trump warned Tehran against retaliating, promising more devastating attacks on the country.

The president warned that “there are many targets left,” and noted that the successful strikes on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities were the hardest targets in the country, making any possible future strikes far easier to achieve.

“Tonight's was the most difficult of them all by far, and perhaps the most lethal. But if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill. Most of them can be taken out in a matter of minutes,” Trump said in his speech.

The president was joined by Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Iran Speaks​

Iranian officials confirmed the facilities had been struck but denied suffering a major setback, despite Trump’s claim that the attacks were a success.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi condemned the attack as a “grave violation” of international law, adding that Iran “reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest and people.”

The Pentagon Speak​

In Sunday’s briefing, Pentagon officials confirmed that several deception tactics were used against Iran while moving to strike its nuclear facilities.

The Pentagon also confirmed that it is unaware of any shots fired by Iran at American planes as they approached its airspace, that Iran’s surface-to-air systems didn’t see U.S. planes throughout the entirety of the mission, and that all three nuclear sites sustained extreme damage.

Mission Success Against Iran's Nuclear Program?​

The three nuclear sites targeted in Saturday’s strikes were central to Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Fordow, buried deep beneath a mountain south of Tehran, has long been considered one of the most secure nuclear sites in the world.


The United Nations nuclear watchdog confirmed that, following the strike, there was no reported increase in radiation levels. According to Iran’s Atomic Energy organizations, materials had already been removed and the sites evacuated “a while ago,” a claim echoed by Iranian state broadcasting officials.

Despite Iran’s efforts to minimize the impact of the attack, the strikes mark the first direct U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear assets in decades. Trump’s move also upended nuclear negotiations, surprising Iranian officials as they requested the White House’s assistance in pressuring Israel to cease its military campaign against Iran.

If Iran’s claims of having removed nuclear materials from its three facilities are true, some speculate that Tehran may simply begin rebuilding its program. However, after spending billions of dollars and decades on the project, only to endure international pressure that lasted just as long and culminated in U.S. strikes, others believe that Iran has no incentive to restart its nuclear program.

What the Experts are Saying​

Matthew Kroenig, vice president of the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, noted that the United States “ended one of its most serious foreign policy threats,” adding that every U.S. President since George W. Bush has expressed concern about the prospects of a nuclear-armed Iran.

Kroenig also expressed optimism that the strikes would not result in a broader conflict, given Iran’s limited capacity to respond, and that they “probably won’t rebuild.”

“Their nuclear facilities are a smoking pile of rubble. They probably won’t rebuild,” he said. “They just spent billions of dollars and decades only to invite sanctions and a devastating war with the most powerful country in the world. Why hit replay on that tape?”

The Natanz complex, roughly 150 miles south of Tehran, was Iran’s largest uranium enrichment facility. Analysts believe that the site was used to assemble centrifuges used in uranium enrichment. The site was a target in Israel’s first strikes, and consists of six above-ground buildings and three underground facilities. The size of the Fordow complex is not fully understood, though intelligence suggests that the bunker, located near the city of Qom, is almost 300ft beneath the ground.


The Isfahan facility, meanwhile, is located in central Iran and is home to the country’s biggest nuclear research operation. The facility was opened in 1984 and operates three small research reactors that were provided by China.

How Much Damage Done?​

The extent of the damage done to the sites is yet to be seen, but Pentagon officials believe that the Iranian nuclear threat has now been neutralized. Speaking during Sunday morning’s briefing, the defense secretary said that Iran’s nuclear project had been “obliterated” following the strikes.

“The order we received from our commander in chief was focused, it was powerful, and it was clear,” Hegseth said. “We devastated the Iranian nuclear program. But it’s worth noting the operation did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people.”

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the mission was the largest strike of its kind in American history, involving more than 125 aircraft, including decoy flights, and 75 precision-guided munitions dropped on Iranian nuclear sites.


Caine confirmed that it will “take some time” to understand the full extent of the damage caused by the strikes, but that the initial assessments indicate that all three sites “sustained extremely severe damage and destruction.”

​

 

[jm192]

Nations prepared to arm Iran with nuclear warheads after US strikes, Russia’s Medvedev claims​

A “number of countries” are ready to supply Iran with nuclear warheads following American strikes on nuclear facilities early on Sunday, Russian ex-president Dmitriy Medvedev claimed on social media.

In a post on X/Twitter, Medvedev suggested that the United States’ attacks on three sites in Isfahan, Natanz, and Fordow backfired, and led to the opposite result from what US President Donald Trump had set out to achieve.

According to Medvedev, “enrichment of nuclear material — and, now we can say it outright, the future production of nuclear weapons — will continue.”

Supplying Iran with nuclear warheads​

In addition, he said, “A number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads.”

Medvedev, who has served as Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia since 2020, further stated that “Iran’s political regime has survived — and in all likelihood, has come out even stronger,” continuing on to claim that Iranians are “rallying around the country’s spiritual leadership, including those who were previously indifferent or opposed to it.”

Later on Sunday, it was reported that Trump was set to hold a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin following American strikes on Iranian soil.

"A number."

I mean, 1 is a number. Coming from a Russian security head--is he point blank saying Russia will supply them? Maybe North Korea would be in on it?

I guess if Russia is prepared to give Iran nuclear weapons: Can the US or Israel supply Ukraine with nuclear weapons?

This is going to get so incredibly ugly so incredibly fast.

 

[Chadstroma]

Folks, let's try out best to keep this away from politics as best we can and focused strictly on information:

Satellite imagery of Fordow: https://x.com/Mike_Eckel/status/1936759987872641185

more new satellite imagery of Iran's Fordow enrichment facility, before/after the US attacks, released by @planet. Image 1: March 19. Image 2: June 22.

High resolution imagery of Fordow here: https://x.com/james_acton32/status/1936760442397089793

https://x.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1936779383030579206

The United States conducted strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear program on the night of June 21-22, including the underground site at Fordow. ISW and
@criticalthreats will provide an initial analysis of these strikes in our morning update.

Before/after imagery of Fordow via @Maxar (1/3):

"Maxar collected new high-resolution satellite imagery this morning (June 22nd) that reveals the aftermath of the recent airstrikes on the Fordow fuel enrichment facility. In today’s imagery, several large diameter holes/craters are seen on the top of a ridge over the underground complex. A layer of grey-blue ash caused by the airstrikes is seen across a large swath of the area. Additionally, several of the tunnel entrances that lead into the underground facility are blocked with dirt following the airstrikes."

Satellite imagery of Isfahan: https://x.com/bradyafr/status/1936784726553182241

Damage to structures at Isfahan nuclear research facility in Iran following US strikes is visible in new low-resolution satellite imagery.

https://x.com/laurnorman/status/1936779648920354873

What we don’t know apart from extend of sites damage. 1/ where is stockpile? In fact? In Iranian hands? 2/ is there a third enrichment site in reality? If so, has it been destroyed? 3/ did Iran produce any 90% at Fordow in recent days? If so, where is it? 4/ Did the U.S. try -1-
and take out the underground tunnel complex at Natanz? And if so, did they succeed? 5/ how much spare and useful stuff did Iran stash away before all this? Centrifuges produced without monitoring? Equipment that was at Turquz Abad?

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/22/world/israel-iran-us-trump/5f978180-2472-5685-af01-0865af251022?smid=url-share

Separately, a senior U.S. official who asked for anonymity acknowledged that the B-2 attack on the Fordo site did not destroy the heavily fortified facility but severely damaged it.

https://x.com/shashj/status/1936763124247323037

“Part of the package proceeded to the west and into the Pacific as a decoy, a deception effort known only to an extremely small number of planners …in Washington and in Tampa, the main strike package comprised of B2, each with two crew members, proceeded quietly to the east”

https://x.com/michaelh992/status/1936784042399080871

Opposition source claims that a number of former Iranian officials, including Hassan Rouhani, Ali Larijani, and Sadeq Larijani, have tried to contact Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and asked him to enter into direct negotiations with the US , but Khamenei is unavailable and only a few people have access to him.

Eyes on Strait of Hormuz: https://x.com/phildstewart/status/1936777410151678165

(Reuters) - Iran's Supreme National Security Council must make the final decision on whether to close the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Press TV said on Sunday, after parliament reportedly approved the measure.
The decision to close the strait, through which around 20% of global oil and gas demand flows, is not yet final. But lawmaker and Revolutionary Guards Commander Esmail Kosari told the Young Journalist Club on Sunday that doing so is on the agenda and "will be done whenever necessary."

Threat to commercial shipping around Arabian Peninsula is rising, largest global shipowners organization warns

In an email to CNBC, a Hapag Lloyd spokesperson tells CNBC, “We currently are still crossing the Street of Hormuz. Alert level is high, though, and things might change by the hour.”

Integrated logistics provider Maersk announced Friday it is temporarily suspending port calls to Israel’s largest container port, Haifa. The $4.2 billion cargo facility at Haifa, owned by Adani Group, has been a target of Iranian missiles but has not suffered any damage. Last week, Jugeshinder “Robbie” Singh, CFO of the Adani, debunked misinformation posted that the port was on fire from a strike on Iranian social media.

Bimco’s Larsen warned Iran could attempt a wider disruption of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz through attacks on merchant ships. Antiship missiles or drones of both airborne and surface types could be used in these attacks, he said.

“The laying of sea mines would constitute another dangerous development, but Iran’s intent to do so is questionable due to the risk to Iran-affiliated commercial ships and the risk of environmental disaster in case a ship is damaged,” said Larsen.

On the tanker side, spot rates for very large crude carrier (VLCC) voyages between the Middle East and China are up 154% week-over-week. Rates on the long-range tankers’ (LR2) Middle East-Japan trade route are up 148% and Middle East-Japan very large gas carrier (VLGC) rates are up 33%.

The reason behind the increase in rates includes the added expenses on security measures, higher bunker fuel prices, and fuel costs as vessels use more fuel due to faster sailing through high-risk areas.

Marsh McLennan, the world’s largest marine insurance broker, noted hull and machinery insurance rates for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz have increased by more than 60%.

https://x.com/NicoleGrajewski/status/1936770394989740537

People in Mashhad, protesting the delay by the Majlis in reviewing the bill for Iran’s withdrawal from the NPT, have signed a petition urging parliament to promptly consider and approve the measure to leave the NPT.

why all the strike through?

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Folks, let's try out best to keep this away from politics as best we can and focused strictly on information:

Satellite imagery of Fordow: https://x.com/Mike_Eckel/status/1936759987872641185

more new satellite imagery of Iran's Fordow enrichment facility, before/after the US attacks, released by @planet. Image 1: March 19. Image 2: June 22.

High resolution imagery of Fordow here: https://x.com/james_acton32/status/1936760442397089793

https://x.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1936779383030579206

The United States conducted strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear program on the night of June 21-22, including the underground site at Fordow. ISW and
@criticalthreats will provide an initial analysis of these strikes in our morning update.

Before/after imagery of Fordow via @Maxar (1/3):

"Maxar collected new high-resolution satellite imagery this morning (June 22nd) that reveals the aftermath of the recent airstrikes on the Fordow fuel enrichment facility. In today’s imagery, several large diameter holes/craters are seen on the top of a ridge over the underground complex. A layer of grey-blue ash caused by the airstrikes is seen across a large swath of the area. Additionally, several of the tunnel entrances that lead into the underground facility are blocked with dirt following the airstrikes."

Satellite imagery of Isfahan: https://x.com/bradyafr/status/1936784726553182241

Damage to structures at Isfahan nuclear research facility in Iran following US strikes is visible in new low-resolution satellite imagery.

https://x.com/laurnorman/status/1936779648920354873

What we don’t know apart from extend of sites damage. 1/ where is stockpile? In fact? In Iranian hands? 2/ is there a third enrichment site in reality? If so, has it been destroyed? 3/ did Iran produce any 90% at Fordow in recent days? If so, where is it? 4/ Did the U.S. try -1-
and take out the underground tunnel complex at Natanz? And if so, did they succeed? 5/ how much spare and useful stuff did Iran stash away before all this? Centrifuges produced without monitoring? Equipment that was at Turquz Abad?

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/22/world/israel-iran-us-trump/5f978180-2472-5685-af01-0865af251022?smid=url-share

Separately, a senior U.S. official who asked for anonymity acknowledged that the B-2 attack on the Fordo site did not destroy the heavily fortified facility but severely damaged it.

https://x.com/shashj/status/1936763124247323037

“Part of the package proceeded to the west and into the Pacific as a decoy, a deception effort known only to an extremely small number of planners …in Washington and in Tampa, the main strike package comprised of B2, each with two crew members, proceeded quietly to the east”

https://x.com/michaelh992/status/1936784042399080871

Opposition source claims that a number of former Iranian officials, including Hassan Rouhani, Ali Larijani, and Sadeq Larijani, have tried to contact Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and asked him to enter into direct negotiations with the US , but Khamenei is unavailable and only a few people have access to him.

Eyes on Strait of Hormuz: https://x.com/phildstewart/status/1936777410151678165

(Reuters) - Iran's Supreme National Security Council must make the final decision on whether to close the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's Press TV said on Sunday, after parliament reportedly approved the measure.
The decision to close the strait, through which around 20% of global oil and gas demand flows, is not yet final. But lawmaker and Revolutionary Guards Commander Esmail Kosari told the Young Journalist Club on Sunday that doing so is on the agenda and "will be done whenever necessary."

Threat to commercial shipping around Arabian Peninsula is rising, largest global shipowners organization warns

In an email to CNBC, a Hapag Lloyd spokesperson tells CNBC, “We currently are still crossing the Street of Hormuz. Alert level is high, though, and things might change by the hour.”

Integrated logistics provider Maersk announced Friday it is temporarily suspending port calls to Israel’s largest container port, Haifa. The $4.2 billion cargo facility at Haifa, owned by Adani Group, has been a target of Iranian missiles but has not suffered any damage. Last week, Jugeshinder “Robbie” Singh, CFO of the Adani, debunked misinformation posted that the port was on fire from a strike on Iranian social media.

Bimco’s Larsen warned Iran could attempt a wider disruption of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz through attacks on merchant ships. Antiship missiles or drones of both airborne and surface types could be used in these attacks, he said.

“The laying of sea mines would constitute another dangerous development, but Iran’s intent to do so is questionable due to the risk to Iran-affiliated commercial ships and the risk of environmental disaster in case a ship is damaged,” said Larsen.

On the tanker side, spot rates for very large crude carrier (VLCC) voyages between the Middle East and China are up 154% week-over-week. Rates on the long-range tankers’ (LR2) Middle East-Japan trade route are up 148% and Middle East-Japan very large gas carrier (VLGC) rates are up 33%.

The reason behind the increase in rates includes the added expenses on security measures, higher bunker fuel prices, and fuel costs as vessels use more fuel due to faster sailing through high-risk areas.

Marsh McLennan, the world’s largest marine insurance broker, noted hull and machinery insurance rates for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz have increased by more than 60%.

https://x.com/NicoleGrajewski/status/1936770394989740537

People in Mashhad, protesting the delay by the Majlis in reviewing the bill for Iran’s withdrawal from the NPT, have signed a petition urging parliament to promptly consider and approve the measure to leave the NPT.

Thx for continuing to share links and info. Note that some of these sources/links are asking the same questions others in here are asking. Eg where is the stockpile, how severe was the damage, etc

 

[Chadstroma]

Iran already carrying out ‘wholly unacceptable’ actions in UK, Reynolds warns​

The threat from Iran in the UK could increase as Tehran seeks to retaliate against the US, Israel and their allies, a Cabinet minister has suggested.

Jonathan Reynolds said Iranian activity in the UK is already substantial and it would be “naive” to think it will not escalate.

The Business Secretary said “not a week goes by” without Iran targeting cyber attacks on the UK’s critical national infrastructure.

Both MI5 and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) have warned about Iran’s activities.

The head of MI5, Ken McCallum, said in October that authorities had stopped 20 state-backed plots hatched by Iran in the UK since 2022.

He warned of an “unprecedented pace and scale” of plots posing “potentially lethal threats” to British citizens and UK residents.

The NCSC has warned Iran “is developing its cyber capabilities and is willing to target the UK to fulfil its disruptive and destructive objectives”.

Mr Reynolds told Sky News the risk from Iran in the UK is “not hypothetical”.

He said: “There is not a week goes by without some sort of Iranian cyber attack on a key part of the UK’s critical national infrastructure. There is Iranian activity on the streets of the UK, which is wholly unacceptable.

“It’s already at a significant level. I think it would be naive to say that that wouldn’t potentially increase.

“But again, there’s a choice here for Iran: Do they want to continue being an agent of instability in the region and the wider world? Where has that got them? Where has it got the Iranian people?

“There’s a better course of action for Iran to take here, and I think they should consider that.”

Iran was the first foreign power to be listed on the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme, aimed at protecting the UK from malign foreign influence.

It means anyone who is directed by Iran to carry out activities in the UK must declare it or face five years in prison.

The scheme is due to come into force in July.

The Home Office will also introduce new laws that will allow the UK to proscribe state-based groups such as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

In the latest sign of Iran’s actions against the UK, it emerged on Saturday that authorities in Cyprus have arrested a Briton alleged to have been carrying out surveillance of the RAF Akrotiri base on the island.

 

[Don't Toews Me]

Retired PLA Colonel's (and China’s former PLA attaché in Iran) view: https://x.com/GeringTuvia/status/1936381143055544807

“Iran’s survival is a matter of China’s national security...The key question for China is how to ensure that Iran...does not collapse...China must take proactive measures to mitigate the impact on its national interests” - Senior Colonel (ret.) Professor Liu Qiang is Vice Chairman and Senior Research Fellow at the Shanghai Centre for RimPac Strategic and International Studies.

Liu served 43 years in the PLA, including as military attaché to Iran, Director of the PLA Army Special Operations Academy’s Institute of International Relations, and Executive Director of the Institute for Strategic and Security Studies (ISSS), the research arm of the College of International Relations at the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) under the Central Military Commission. He was also a member of the State Council’s 7th Academic Evaluation Group, contributing to national-level policy research and evaluation in international security and defense affairs.

Translated excerpts from Liu’s article, shared on Aisixiang on June 20, 2025:

"Eighteen years ago, in my monograph On Iran’s International Strategic Position: An Analysis from Multiple Global Perspectives (伊朗国际战略地位论——一种全球多视角的解析, World Affairs Press, February 2007), I devoted a chapter to analyzing the impact of Iran’s international strategic position on China’s national security. In terms of political, diplomatic, and military security interests, I argued that Iran’s international stance is similar to China’s policies and that "Iran is a good partner for safeguarding China’s political and diplomatic security interests on the international stage," and "an important weight in balancing China–U.S., China–Russia, and China–Europe relations ."

"* Militarily, "NATO’s front lines are within reach. *Iran’s opposition to NATO expansion eastward is a barrier to the geographic integration of NATO, and its stance forms a natural barrier that undeniably alleviates pressure on China’s western military security."
* In the economic field, aside from trade and other commercial exports, " Iran’s impact on China’s economic security lies foremost in its oil and gas resources, which hold an important position in China’s economic security."
* In terms of religion and culture, "Iran shares similar or identical views with China on combating ethnic separatism (especially pan-Turkism)... If handled properly, Iran can also become an important collaborator in maintaining the security of China’s northwest region."

"Looking at it now, these views remain relevant today.

"In other words, although China-Iran relations have indeed experienced ups and downs, overall they have remained at a relatively good level. It is important to emphasize that, just as we do not want other countries to make rash comments about China's social system, we should also respect the Iranian people's choices; this is the fundamental attitude that should be maintained toward the diversity of political civilizations. The central issue is that, when assessing interstate relations, the ultimate consideration is always national interest. To take an extreme example, even if you despise a country, you cannot ignore the positive impact it may have on your national interests. Cases like this abound throughout the history of international relations.

"Iran is indeed a very special country [特别, likely a euphemism], but its importance can't be ignored. From a geopolitical perspective alone, Mackinder’s theory in the “Geographical Pivot of History” designates Iran as part of the “Heartland”; Spykman’s “Rimland Theory” [i.e., the coastal areas surrounding the Eurasian landmass] places Iran in a critical rimland node, with the Strait of Hormuz, which is of immense significance to the establishment of hegemonic powers; The Grand Chessboard by Brzezinski identifies Iran as a “critically important geopolitical pivot.” The strategic designations by these geopolitical giants attest to Iran’s importance.

"Because of its unique geopolitical role and influence, Iran has long influenced the direction of the Middle East situation. It can be described as a safety valve for both the Middle East and global security. If its security situation deteriorates, massive spillover shocks will undoubtedly occur, complicating and worsening the regional landscape in the Middle East and ushering in a new wave of impact on international security. At the same time, continued competition among great powers over the Middle East has resulted in further fragmentation of the region, making it one of the most vulnerable links in the international security chain, with Iran being the most fragile link in an already fragile segment.

"To manage the situation prudently, the international community, including China, must pay close attention and implement effective measures. We must not allow the situation to devolve into chaos, or both Middle Eastern and global security will suffer significant setbacks. Because of their lack of international responsibility, the countries involved may end up jeopardizing their own national security. As a result, a peaceful and stable Iran benefits not only the Middle East but also international security. As it stands, Iran, the fragile safety valve, is now releasing pressure. The key question for China is how to ensure that Iran, the most vulnerable link in the global security chain, does not collapse as a result of its current military conflict with Israel or a possible coordinated strangulation by the US and Israel. China must take proactive measures to mitigate the impact on its national interests."

https://x.com/GeringTuvia/status/1936767027273752627

However, these and other voices in China generally agree that, per Liu, Beijing’s “proactive measures” will be aimed at “mitigating the impact on its national interests.” CN is unlikely to engage militarily, instead focusing its support on diplomatic advocacy at the UN.

https://x.com/GeringTuvia/status/1936767031765790942

1. Chinese experts have warned that closing the Strait of Hormuz would “unite the international community against Iran.” With Iranian figures now threatening to do so, Beijing fears such escalation will imperil its energy supply, weaken its economy, and invite harsher US retaliation.

https://x.com/GeringTuvia/status/1936767044915003474

Chinese analysts, who once privately blamed Iran for its current predicament, are now openly citing its ideological and religious rigidity, strategic miscalculations, aggressive regional policies, and refusal to moderate its behavior in light of its capabilities.

 

[Chadstroma]

Iran’s bluster meets harsh reality: What will it do now?​

For years, Iran threatened what it would do if the US ever struck. Now that it has, the regime is discovering that threats are easier than action – especially when every option risks a heavier blow.

On June 11, just two days before Israel began Operation Rising Lion, Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh issued a stark warning: If Iran is attacked, all American bases in the region would be targeted. “All US bases are within our reach, and we will boldly target them,” he said.

The US, of course, has numerous military installations throughout the region, including in Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE. In total, about 40,000 American troops are deployed across the Middle East.

Following Sunday’s joint Israeli-American strike, it is hard to believe Iran will not seek to retaliate. The question is how – and where – it will choose to do so. The volley of missiles it launched at Israel immediately after the strike is unlikely to be its last word.

Yet, for all of Tehran’s bluster, its options are limited and not without risks.

First, it may very well target US military bases. Although Israel’s actions over the past nine days have degraded Iran’s rocket and missile arsenal, those capabilities have not been eliminated. But if Iran does strike American installations, it will be inviting a far more devastating response than what it experienced Sunday morning.

There was something off-key about Nasirzadeh’s threat. What does he think the Americans will do in response to an attack on US bases – sit on their hands?

The US possesses a far greater capacity to inflict damage on Iran than Iran can dream of inflicting on US military targets. To attack American assets would be to invite crippling reprisals – and Iran knows it.

Or, as US President Donald Trump wrote in all caps on Truth Social shortly after the attack: “ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT.”

After Trump gave the orders to bomb Iran, it would be foolish anymore to dismiss that type of rhetoric as “all talk.”

Another option on the table for Tehran is to try to close the Strait of Hormuz – the narrow channel between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that provides the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. Roughly a fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through it. Shutting it down, or even threatening to do so, could send global oil prices soaring.

However, this would also harm Iran. Its vital trade with China passes through this same corridor. Blocking the strait would be a self-inflicted wound – possibly a fatal one – on its already flailing economy.

A third option, which has both Tehran’s neighbors and international oil markets on edge, is to strike at oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, or Bahrain – countries seen as sympathetic to or are collaborating with the US and Israel.

Tehran destabilizing the Middle East​

Iran has long threatened such action and has the capabilities to carry it out, either directly or through proxies.

However, doing so would almost certainly invite retaliation against Iran’s own oil facilities – a line Israel has largely refrained from crossing to avoid destabilizing global markets. That restraint may not last if Iran escalates.

Tehran has a lot to lose by going after its neighbors’ oil infrastructure, namely, its own oil installations, which are critical to its economy and already vulnerable.

A fourth route would be to resort to terrorism – to orchestrate attacks against Jewish, Israeli, or American targets abroad. Iran has done this before, most notoriously in Argentina in the 1990s with bombings of the Israeli embassy and the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires.

But today’s Israel is not the Israel of the 1990s. With the country now openly engaged in a war with Iran, the old pattern of absorbing these attacks without a direct response is likely over. Any Iranian-ordered terrorist strike against Israeli or Jewish targets abroad could now trigger a direct Israeli reaction inside Iran itself – something that was once off the table but no longer is.

Because of the depth of the destruction inflicted – and the humiliation dealt to what Iran sees as the crown jewel of the Islamic Republic, its nuclear program – Tehran will feel it must retaliate. There is no question that pride, power, and deterrence are all in play.


But the Iranians are going to have to weigh their options carefully, knowing that the wrong move could plunge them into a wider war – one that could endanger not just their nuclear facilities but the regime itself.

The Islamic Republic is walking a tightrope: On one hand, it clearly feels compelled to respond; on the other, it surely recognizes that doing so could turn an already bad situation into something much, much worse.

 

[snellman]

Can we keep it to news and links please? This forum is a great source of information and news to track ongoing events. However, people let their ego get in the way and don't like when someone has a different view than them and it gets threads locked. Joe has given plenty of warnings and yet some people just keep pushing until he has no choice but to lock it and we lose a great source of news.

 

[Don't Toews Me]

https://x.com/laurnorman/status/1936795162749153744

Key quote @rafaelmgrossi on CNN. "On the basis of this we can say that Fordow has been attacked yes last night and there are clear indications of impacts but as for the assessment of the degree of damage underground on this we cannot pronounce ourselves. it can be important."-1-
"it can be significant but no-one, no-one, neitehr us, nobody else, could be able to tell you how much it has been damaged." -2-

https://x.com/detresfa_/status/1936795577788035093

Imagery collected today of the Isfahan nuclear facility in Iran shows damage across the entire facility, multiple buildings appear to have been struck during strikes carried out by Israel & U.S. forces over the last few days

https://x.com/detresfa_/status/1936787275033063427

Imagery collected today of the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran shows a change in top soil above the underground enrichment halls, this is possibly linked to the U.S. strike

Caveat: resolution is insufficient for a conclusive assessment at this stage

https://x.com/fab_hinz/status/1936725670169608646

In other news from last night: Israel struck the IRGC's solid-propellant motor production and development site in Shahroud.

https://x.com/jimsciutto/status/1936790645454029197

Former Head of Israel Military Intel @YadlinAmos estimates Israel destroyed 70% of Iran’s nuclear facilities and the U.S. an additional 20%. The difficulty, he says, will be tracking how much fissile material Iran was able to move and save.

https://x.com/glcarlstrom/status/1936740847388647872

Speculation about what Khamenei might do next seems to presuppose that an 86yo man—who recently lost several close advisers, watched his decades-long strategy go up in flames and moved to a bunker for his own safety—is even capable of any kind of strategic thinking right now

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/06/22/world/israel-iran-us-trump/e8fe25e1-6771-56fa-b5eb-0f6d3f243a89?smid=url-share

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia, who had threatened to attack American ships in the Red Sea if the U.S. attacked Iran, appeared to be avoiding fiery statements that could further escalate the conflict. On social media, Houthi political official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said that the group would “stand by any Arab or Islamic state that faces Israeli or American aggression,” but then added that they would not be “more kingly than the king,” — an Arabic expression akin to “holier than the pope.” He did not respond to a request for comment asking for clarification.

https://x.com/phildstewart/status/1936749247975538985

(Reuters) - A Yemeni Houthi official said on Sunday that the Iran-aligned group's response to the U.S. attack on Iran was "only a matter of time".

Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi movement's political bureau, told Al Jazeera Mubasher TV that its ceasefire deal with Washington was before the "war" on Iran.

The group has been launching attacks on shipping lanes and Israel in what it says is in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza during the Israeli war. It agreed on a ceasefire deal with the United States in May to stop attacking U.S. ships in exchange for an end to Washington's bombings of the group.

 

[Chadstroma]

The Iranian threat to oil supplies is overblown​

Oil and gas still matter. For all the talk of net zero and the growing share of renewables in electricity generation, hydrocarbons remain crucial to the global economy.

Back in 2005, oil accounted for 37pc of the world’s primary energy consumption, with gas generating 23pc. The same numbers are now 31pc and 24pc respectively – still hugely significant, with the world’s reliance on natural gas as an energy source actually up over the last 20 years.

Oil remains vital across numerous sectors, not least transportation – think trucks, aviation and shipping – and the manufacturing of industrial chemicals, plastics and asphalt among vital materials. Gas still generates around a quarter of the world’s electricity and is used to make fertiliser – sorely needed to grow enough to feed a fast-expanding global population.

We’re often told – usually with an eye on geopolitical realities, because hydrocarbons are predominantly found in “awkward countries” – that the world is less dependent on oil than at the time of, say, the 1973 oil price shock.

Back then, the crude price spiked four-fold in under a year after the Arab world embargoed energy exports from the Gulf during the Israel-Egypt Yom Kippur war.

The world used 55m barrels a day in the early 1970s but over 100m now, with demand set to rise significantly into the 2030s and beyond. Oil – and gas – remain absolute necessities to any form of modern life, across a fast-industrialising world.

Yes, the UK used 2.2m barrels daily half a century ago, and that’s fallen to 1.4m now – in part due to efficiencies and renewable energy, but mainly because our manufacturing sector has shrunk from over a fifth to less than a tenth of our economy.

Moreover, North Sea operations are now much diminished, not least because of punitive taxation and endless net zero regulation – so Britain is a net oil and gas importer.

With both these vital hydrocarbons trading on global markets, we’re particularly vulnerable to price spikes, losing out twice – paying more for our supplies without gaining the profits and extra taxation reaped by energy exporters when prices are high.

I mention all this, of course, because the escalation of military hostilities between Israel and Iran, while causing yet more death, displacement and destruction across the Middle East, poses economic dangers too. Amidst the terrible human fallout, a spiking oil price threatens to reverse a fragile global recovery.

From mid-January to early May, Brent crude fell from $81 (£60) a barrel to $61 – a 25pc drop – as a sluggish global economic outlook slowed projected energy demand. That combined with concerns that Donald Trump’s tariff onslaught from early April would further stymie global trade.

Over recent weeks, though, as this Israeli-Iranian conflict has intensified, Brent crude has spiked back up to $75, largely due to fears of turmoil engulfing the Middle East

Tehran, specifically, has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, a critical route for 25pc of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) flows daily. Were that to happen, oil would soar above $100 a barrel and way beyond – doing serious damage to oil importing nations, not least the UK.

Even if that doesn’t happen, the International Monetary Fund reckons a 10pc rise in oil prices raises inflation in advanced economies by about 0.4 percentage points – and we’ve seen a 20pc-plus rise over the last month. UK inflation, 3.4pc in May, could easily soar above 4pc and beyond – twice the Bank of England’s target.

Stand by for higher UK petrol and diesel prices, along with domestic gas price rises too, especially if the conflict disrupts LNG exports from Qatar and elsewhere in the Gulf. That will push up household and industrial bills, with knock-on effects on food prices too – with food price inflation already jumping from 3.4pc in April to 4.4pc in May.

Such inflationary pressures would rule out any more cuts in the Bank of England’s policy rates for the foreseeable future. Bond yields would also rise – not least on UK sovereign debt – compounding the difficulties of this big-spending Labour government to stabilise the public finances.

Renewed cost of living crisis headlines would also increase risks of a damaging wage-price spiral, with the UK’s public sector unions already squaring up for more conflict this autumn.

And these trends would intensify, of course, if Hormuz closes – which Iran could do by using its submarine fleet to lay deep sea mines between its southern coast and Oman, a distance of 25 miles at the Strait’s narrowest point.


Other oil producers (not least US frackers) can offset the disruption of Iranian supplies – the country pumps 4pc of global production – but not supplies from the Gulf as a whole.

The reality is, though, that Iran relies heavily on oil exports – and closing the Strait would starve an unpopular government of the revenues needed to keep a lid on domestic discontent. And with 85pc of the energy leaving Hormuz consumed on Asian markets, thwarting those flows would alienate neutral powers such as China and India.

Iran would think hard before alienating these two in particular, which would rally international support against Tehran, strengthening regional rival Saudi Arabia.

Attempting to close the Strait would also risk devastating military and potentially civilian losses for Iran, including its naval and coastal assets, if the US and powerful Gulf states engaged in sustained retaliation.


But the main reason I don’t think Iran will disrupt Hormuz is that Tehran gains more by threatening to close the Strait than by actually doing so. The mere threat of action can drive up oil prices, benefiting Iran’s economy and strengthening Tehran’s negotiating position, without risking the consequences of action.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

As someone who works in NYC and passes through penn station every week, I worry about terrorism retaliation here. Scary times

Me too GB. 4 days a week through Grand Central and my office is a half block from Trump Tower.

 

[TLEF316]

As someone who works in NYC and passes through penn station every week, I worry about terrorism retaliation here. Scary times

Me too GB. 4 days a week through Grand Central and my office is a half block from Trump Tower.

Yeah I'm in a similar spot (Madison ave)

 

[Nick Vermeil]

As someone who works in NYC and passes through penn station every week, I worry about terrorism retaliation here. Scary times

Me too GB. 4 days a week through Grand Central and my office is a half block from Trump Tower.

Yeah I'm in a similar spot (Madison ave)

Let’s get lunch!

 

[Don't Toews Me]

https://x.com/JenGriffinFNC/status/1936799173946253573

One of the more interesting details from the Pentagon press briefing. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs explained that the Tomahawks were fired from a US Navy submarine almost an hour and forty minutes before the first B2 dropped its GBU57 on Fordow, but the TLAMS targeting Isfahan were timed to impact after the B2 mission complete so as not to alert Iranian defenses. Timed to precision from air and by sea.

https://x.com/ian_j_stewart/status/1936793986850541577

Images of fordow suggest hit with possibility of significant damage. To be clear, though, Iran had enough 60% HEU to produce 90% for 10 nuclear weapons in days at fordow. That enrichment could continue at small site in weeks. HEU must be dealt with.

Location of the stockpile remains unknown:

IAEA inspectors haven’t been able to verify the location of the Persian Gulf country’s stockpile of near-bomb-grade uranium for more than a week. Iranian officials acknowledged breaking IAEA seals and moving it to an undisclosed location.

Last week, inspectors had already acknowledged they’d lost track of the location of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile because Israel’s ongoing military assaults are preventing its inspectors from doing their work.
That uranium inventory — enough to make 10 nuclear warheads at a clandestine location — was seen at Isfahan by IAEA inspectors. But the material, which could fit in as few as 16 small containers, may have already been spirited off site.
“Questions remain as to where Iran may be storing its already enriched stocks,” Dozikova said. “These will have almost certainly been moved to hardened and undisclosed locations, out of the way of potential Israeli or US strikes.”
Far from being just static points on a map, Iran’s ambitions to make the fuel needed for nuclear power plants and weapons are embedded in a heavily fortified infrastructure nationwide. Thousands of scientists and engineers work at dozens of sites.

3 IRGC members reportedly killed in Israeli strike in western Iran

An Israeli airstrike killed three members of Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, semiofficial news agencies in the Islamic Republic report.

The Mehr and Tasnim news agencies report the attack took place in Zanjan province in western Iran.

The IDF said earlier that it carried out strikes today on missile launchers, air defense battery production sites, a headquarters of an Iranian drone regiment and a drone storage facility.

https://x.com/NicoleGrajewski/status/1936767957251576315

Araghchi will travel to Russia to meet with Putin this evening, the purpose of the visit will be on a UN Resolution to halt hostilities against Iran

 

[Peggy]

Changed the course of history. Iran is no longer a nuclear threat to the region and the world.

USA! USA!

I’d like confirmation that the facilities were actually destroyed before doing victory laps over it. Seems like it’s far too early to know.

14 bunkers on 3 targets? They do not exist anymore.

They've never been used before and certainly never on a target like Fordow.

My statement was based on capacity. That was 3-4 times as many needed. But the Pentagon has confirmed it now anyway.

Huge success, huge win.

The Pentagon isn’t a neutral, reliable source of facts

Hope you are right tho

You want a neutral country to verify what the US is saying? 14 of the biggest most technological weapons in history dropped on just 3 sites and you think we might have missed?

Huh? I said none of that. Literally none of it. Try re-reading my post word-for-word, without interpretation.

I guess you could clarify what you meant that "the Pentagon isn't neutral". What source do you consider neutral if it isn't our own reconnaissance?

 

[Alex P Keaton]

https://x.com/JenGriffinFNC/status/1936799173946253573

One of the more interesting details from the Pentagon press briefing. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs explained that the Tomahawks were fired from a US Navy submarine almost an hour and forty minutes before the first B2 dropped its GBU57 on Fordow, but the TLAMS targeting Isfahan were timed to impact after the B2 mission complete so as not to alert Iranian defenses. Timed to precision from air and by sea.

https://x.com/ian_j_stewart/status/1936793986850541577

Images of fordow suggest hit with possibility of significant damage. To be clear, though, Iran had enough 60% HEU to produce 90% for 10 nuclear weapons in days at fordow. That enrichment could continue at small site in weeks. HEU must be dealt with.

Location of the stockpile remains unknown:

IAEA inspectors haven’t been able to verify the location of the Persian Gulf country’s stockpile of near-bomb-grade uranium for more than a week. Iranian officials acknowledged breaking IAEA seals and moving it to an undisclosed location.

Last week, inspectors had already acknowledged they’d lost track of the location of Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile because Israel’s ongoing military assaults are preventing its inspectors from doing their work.
That uranium inventory — enough to make 10 nuclear warheads at a clandestine location — was seen at Isfahan by IAEA inspectors. But the material, which could fit in as few as 16 small containers, may have already been spirited off site.
“Questions remain as to where Iran may be storing its already enriched stocks,” Dozikova said. “These will have almost certainly been moved to hardened and undisclosed locations, out of the way of potential Israeli or US strikes.”
Far from being just static points on a map, Iran’s ambitions to make the fuel needed for nuclear power plants and weapons are embedded in a heavily fortified infrastructure nationwide. Thousands of scientists and engineers work at dozens of sites.

3 IRGC members reportedly killed in Israeli strike in western Iran

An Israeli airstrike killed three members of Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, semiofficial news agencies in the Islamic Republic report.

The Mehr and Tasnim news agencies report the attack took place in Zanjan province in western Iran.

The IDF said earlier that it carried out strikes today on missile launchers, air defense battery production sites, a headquarters of an Iranian drone regiment and a drone storage facility.

https://x.com/NicoleGrajewski/status/1936767957251576315

Araghchi will travel to Russia to meet with Putin this evening, the purpose of the visit will be on a UN Resolution to halt hostilities against Iran

So basically we have no idea where the HEU is, and in theory it could only take a handful of days to turn that HEU into a weapon. If I’m misreading this, hopefully someone smarter than me can correct me. Not feeling super comfortable right now TBH.

 

[jm192]

It's kind of a conflicting thing the internet is going to have to come to terms with.

A few days ago: Israel has been saying Iran has been close to Nuclear capability for 30+ years.

Today: Iran moved the Uranium out before the strikes and Russian Security officials are tweeting about other countries will provide Iran with warheads.

 

[Peggy]

Changed the course of history. Iran is no longer a nuclear threat to the region and the world.

USA! USA!

I’d like confirmation that the facilities were actually destroyed before doing victory laps over it. Seems like it’s far too early to know.

14 bunkers on 3 targets? They do not exist anymore.

They've never been used before and certainly never on a target like Fordow.

My statement was based on capacity. That was 3-4 times as many needed. But the Pentagon has confirmed it now anyway.

Huge success, huge win.

The Pentagon isn’t a neutral, reliable source of facts

Hope you are right tho

You want a neutral country to verify what the US is saying? 14 of the biggest most technological weapons in history dropped on just 3 sites and you think we might have missed?

Huh? I said none of that. Literally none of it. Try re-reading my post word-for-word, without interpretation.

I guess you could clarify what you meant that "the Pentagon isn't neutral". What source do you consider neutral if it isn't our own reconnaissance?

The Pentagon is and always has been political. It is part of the official propaganda apparatus and always has been. Propaganda machines by definition don’t tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. They reveal selective information.

The links and info shared by our resident “FFA Faust” ask very important questions about the impact of the bombing. It sounds like it was impactful and effective, but we don’t really know to what extent yet. And I’d like to understand those details, which to some degree conflict with the tone of the Pentagon official proclamations. Time will tell. Hope we crippled Iran’s nuclear ambitions for decades.

Were not supposed to get political so I'll just say yikes.

Always good to question, but, I don't see a reason to not report or go out of the way to make claims about neutrality for our leaders who are claiming it a "spectacular success" with first hand and full knowledge of the situation.

There is zero political about what I wrote. It’s true of every Pentagon, every administration, certainly back to the Vietnam era. You seem pretty smart, so I’m guessing you already know this, but for whatever reason don’t want to acknowledge it.

From the other threads you are engaged in right now, it’s pretty clear you are on tilt and not interested in anything except being right. I’ll bow out.

Trying to move past this so I'll bow out too.

But it's interesting to note that you never said what you considered a nutrual source of information on this after making sure to say the Pentagon isnt. Like it or not, the guys with full and first had knowledge are the best sources of information right now.

 

[Peggy]

Changed the course of history. Iran is no longer a nuclear threat to the region and the world.

USA! USA!

I’d like confirmation that the facilities were actually destroyed before doing victory laps over it. Seems like it’s far too early to know.

14 bunkers on 3 targets? They do not exist anymore.

They've never been used before and certainly never on a target like Fordow.

My statement was based on capacity. That was 3-4 times as many needed. But the Pentagon has confirmed it now anyway.

Huge success, huge win.

The Pentagon isn’t a neutral, reliable source of facts

Hope you are right tho

You want a neutral country to verify what the US is saying? 14 of the biggest most technological weapons in history dropped on just 3 sites and you think we might have missed?

Huh? I said none of that. Literally none of it. Try re-reading my post word-for-word, without interpretation.

I guess you could clarify what you meant that "the Pentagon isn't neutral". What source do you consider neutral if it isn't our own reconnaissance?

The Pentagon is and always has been political. It is part of the official propaganda apparatus and always has been. Propaganda machines by definition don’t tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. They reveal selective information.

The links and info shared by our resident “FFA Faust” ask very important questions about the impact of the bombing. It sounds like it was impactful and effective, but we don’t really know to what extent yet. And I’d like to understand those details, which to some degree conflict with the tone of the Pentagon official proclamations. Time will tell. Hope we crippled Iran’s nuclear ambitions for decades.

Were not supposed to get political so I'll just say yikes.

Always good to question, but, I don't see a reason to not report or go out of the way to make claims about neutrality for our leaders who are claiming it a "spectacular success" with first hand and full knowledge of the situation.

These is the same people that said Iran was years away from a bomb and now they aren't. They said they were negotiating with Iran, then said that was a rouse to let Israel strike them. I think there is good reason not to fully trust what they say right away.

OK. Who is?

 

[Psychopav]

​

China helped build several of their facilities. It's not a huge leap to think China would be sympathetic to Iran's position.

China is sympathetic to the Chinese making money. If China wanted Iran a nuclear state they have the ability to have made that happen long ago. They will happily sell them new research reactors etc because it is about making money for them. The only other interest that China has in Iran is that they are a PIA for the US.

Does it really matter WHY they are supporting them or just that they support them?

China is our biggest threat and we need to wake up to it. The purpose of knowing why is understanding what China will and will not do in their support of Iran. It is much more an enemy of my enemy is my friend than them being best buds. China is oppressive of Islam- they don't want to empower Muslims to the point that it would be an issue internally for them but support them enough for them to continue to be a PIA to us.

Would you agree that China will do what they've already done to support Iran? They've shown over the years they will help build facilities, transport uranium, and help with enrichment process.

Iran will pay them...yeah?

whatever it takes. What point do you think I am making here? These seem like odd questions. I am merely pointing out that China has and will continue to help them. That shouldn't be a stretch. Knowing that, it's not a huge leap to think they agreed to take raw material from Iran and put it in a safe place for them. If your rebuttal to that is "Ok, but it's only because they are making money from doing so" our lenses are very different. I don't particularly care why China is doing it. I care that they are doing it. I don't know if anyone else is paying attention, but NK, Russia, China, Iran; all of them are willing to help each other. They aren't hiding it. This isn't some conspiracy theory. It's right there in the open for everyone to see.

Is there any news source saying that China took possession of the HEU and spirited it away? Or do you mean something else by "raw material"? Either way please share the link as I hadn't heard this.

 

[massraider]

As someone who works in NYC and passes through penn station every week, I worry about terrorism retaliation here. Scary times

Me too GB. 4 days a week through Grand Central and my office is a half block from Trump Tower.

Yeah I'm in a similar spot (Madison ave)

I just don't believe Iran has their stuff dialed in so well, that they could launch some attack inside the US within days of a surprise attack. I'm not getting that level of competency from this group.

Some lone guy? Sure. Did chances increase? For sure.

I don't think Iran has a cell they can deploy in the US at a moments notice. They Ayatollah is in hiding with a secret security force because they know that Israel has compromised the inner circle.

 

[Peggy]

General Dan Caine

I know that battle damage is of great interest. Final battle damage will take some time, but initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction.

Link

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/4222543/secretary-of-defense-pete-hegseth-and-chairman-of-the-joint-chiefs-of-staff-gen/

 

[Peggy]

Hegseth same link.

The battle damage assessment is ongoing. But our initial assessment, as the Chairman said, is that all of our precision munitions struck where we wanted them to strike and had the desired effect, which means especially in Fordow, which was the primary target here. We believe we achieved destruction of capabilities there.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Changed the course of history. Iran is no longer a nuclear threat to the region and the world.

USA! USA!

I’d like confirmation that the facilities were actually destroyed before doing victory laps over it. Seems like it’s far too early to know.

14 bunkers on 3 targets? They do not exist anymore.

They've never been used before and certainly never on a target like Fordow.

My statement was based on capacity. That was 3-4 times as many needed. But the Pentagon has confirmed it now anyway.

Huge success, huge win.

The Pentagon isn’t a neutral, reliable source of facts

Hope you are right tho

You want a neutral country to verify what the US is saying? 14 of the biggest most technological weapons in history dropped on just 3 sites and you think we might have missed?

Huh? I said none of that. Literally none of it. Try re-reading my post word-for-word, without interpretation.

I guess you could clarify what you meant that "the Pentagon isn't neutral". What source do you consider neutral if it isn't our own reconnaissance?

The Pentagon is and always has been political. It is part of the official propaganda apparatus and always has been. Propaganda machines by definition don’t tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. They reveal selective information.

The links and info shared by our resident “FFA Faust” ask very important questions about the impact of the bombing. It sounds like it was impactful and effective, but we don’t really know to what extent yet. And I’d like to understand those details, which to some degree conflict with the tone of the Pentagon official proclamations. Time will tell. Hope we crippled Iran’s nuclear ambitions for decades.

Were not supposed to get political so I'll just say yikes.

Always good to question, but, I don't see a reason to not report or go out of the way to make claims about neutrality for our leaders who are claiming it a "spectacular success" with first hand and full knowledge of the situation.

These is the same people that said Iran was years away from a bomb and now they aren't. They said they were negotiating with Iran, then said that was a rouse to let Israel strike them. I think there is good reason not to fully trust what they say right away.

OK. Who is?

There are other world agencies that will do this as well as other countries. But of course we don't believe them on other things to do with Isreal and this conflict, so I guess that puts us back to square one.

I am confident we hit the targets as they say and that part of the mission was a success, thankfully. All I am saying is that I don't think we can know the extent of the damage right away, and to suggest we don't just believe the first person in our administration who says something.