Iran says “all options are open” after US bombing of nuclear targets.

247 - The escalation in the Middle East reached a new level this weekend after the United States formally joined Israel's air offensive against nuclear facilities and military targets in Iran. This information was initially reported by the network. RT, which has been following the developments of the conflict in real time.

US President Donald Trump confirmed the first American bombings via a post on the Truth Social network on Saturday night, Washington time. “A full load of bombs was dropped on the primary location, Fordow,” Trump wrote. He also cited the cities of Natanz and Isfahan as additional targets, all strategic centers of the Iranian nuclear program. In the same post, the American president asked Tehran “not to retaliate” and suggested that “now is the time for peace.”

The Iranian government, however, reacted harshly. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi condemned the attack, calling it "a serious violation of the UN Charter, international law and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)." He stated:

"Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, its interests, and its people."

The Iranian Foreign Ministry released an official statement on Sunday calling the attacks a "brutal US military aggression against peaceful nuclear facilities," and demanded an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council and the board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

"The warmongering and law-breaking US government is responsible for the extremely dangerous effects and consequences of this heinous crime," the text says.

Military reaction and international appeals

While Iranian missiles were detected heading towards Israeli territory — causing sirens to sound in various regions of the country — the Israeli army reported that its air force was "operating to intercept and eliminate threats," recommending that the population follow instructions from the Home Front Command.

Iran also sent a letter to the UN. In it, Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani described the attacks as "premeditated and unprovoked acts of aggression" and called on the Security Council to "take all necessary measures" to hold the United States accountable.

Internationally, Mexico was one of the first countries to speak out, calling for "urgent diplomatic dialogue for peace," in accordance with the pacifist principles of its foreign policy.

Internal criticism in the US

The internal response to Trump's action was also immediate and forceful from Democratic lawmakers. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez accused the president of acting "impulsively" and stated that the attack "clearly represents grounds for impeachment proceedings." Ilhan Omar described the operation as "a dangerous and reckless escalation." Representative Yassamin Ansari declared the action "illegal" and called for an emergency session of Congress. The Democratic leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, reinforced the need to apply the War Powers Act, stating that "no president should be authorized to lead the country to war with erratic and unstrategic threats."

First bunker-buster bombing operation

The attack also marked the combat debut of the 30-pound GBU-57 "Massive Ordnance Penetrator" (MOP) bomb, according to reports. New York TimesThe weaponry, designed to destroy heavily protected underground targets, was launched by B-2 Spirit stealth bombers.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) confirmed that the attacks hit the nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, calling them "illegal and brutal." In a statement, the AEOI criticized the fact that the targets operated under the supervision of international inspectors and accused the IAEA of indifference.

For its part, the Iranian National Nuclear Security Center reported that it had conducted emergency inspections and that no leaks of radioactive material had been detected.

"There is no danger to residents of the affected regions," the agency concluded.

Escalating conflict

Israel's offensive, dubbed "Operation Lion Rising," began on June 13 and was justified by Tel Aviv as a "preventive" action to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Tehran insists its program is strictly peaceful and responded to the attacks with missiles and drones.

The Iranian Ministry of Health reported that Israeli bombings have already left at least 430 dead and more than 3.500 civilians injured. On the Israeli side, authorities reported 25 deaths and more than 2.500 injured.

With two nuclear power players on a collision course, the crisis between Iran, Israel, and the United States presents the world with a real risk of regional military expansion, with potential global consequences. Expectations now rest on the reaction of the UN Security Council and the capacity of international diplomacy to avert an even more devastating war.