Overview

• Operation Midnight Hammer saw U.S. and Israeli jets hit three uranium enrichment sites—Natanz, Fordow and Esfahan—during a late-night raid on June 21.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued that Iran’s enrichment of uranium to 60 percent and its growing missile arsenal demonstrate the capacity and intent to build a nuclear weapon.
• Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard testified that Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei has not authorized a weapons program and that Iran is not currently constructing a bomb.
• President Trump dismissed Gabbard’s assessment, insisting Tehran is “very close” to securing nuclear arms despite conflicting public intelligence reports.
• Iran has vowed retaliation for the operation, raising fears of broader escalation as global leaders urge renewed diplomatic efforts.