Iran’s Top Diplomat Makes Big Move After U.S. Strikes Nuclear Facilities

The global community is bracing for Iran’s reaction following the United States’ attack on three Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend, with officials informing NBC News that the initial 48 hours are particularly alarming.

On Monday, Israel escalated its assaults across Iran, targeting airports in the western, eastern, and central regions, as well as the notorious Evin prison located in Tehran.

The Iranian foreign minister convened with President Vladimir Putin in Russia on Monday, where he declared that Iran will synchronize its response to the assaults from the US and Israel.

As reported by the Iranian Health Ministry, Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 400 individuals in Iran and left 3,000 others injured during the past ten days of conflict, while Iran’s counterstrikes have claimed the lives of at least 24 Israelis.

The United States military installation in Erbil, Iraq, remains on heightened alert, along with numerous other American facilities in the vicinity. This base is among the closest to Iran and is likely to be a target should Iran opt to retaliate against the United States.

Airlines are canceling specific flights to the Gulf region and Qatar, and personnel stationed at the US base there have been advised to remain sheltered in place this morning as a precautionary measure.

Iranians are growing increasingly anxious about the duration of the escalating crisis between Israel and Iran, especially following the shutdown of businesses, offices, and private enterprises over the last ten days. The financial strain on the Iranian populace may intensify if they continue to depend on their savings.

Vice President JD Vance commended President Trump’s national security team on Sunday, in light of the strikes on Iran executed on Saturday night.

In response to recent media critiques regarding the administration’s security measures, Vance contended that Saturday’s operation showcased the team’s preparedness and ability to execute their responsibilities.

“The operation last night is an incredible testament to American pilots and other service members, from General Caine and General Kurilla on down,” Vance expressed on X.

While the media has persistently criticized the president’s senior team and attempted to create false divisions, the events of last night would not have been feasible without the impeccable coordination and discretion exhibited by the president’s national security team. I take immense pride in their efforts, and I am confident that the president shares this sentiment,” he remarked.

During a Pentagon press conference on Sunday, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine announced that the number of bunker busters had been updated to 14.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Caine conducted a briefing on Sunday morning, following a series of strikes against three major Iranian nuclear weapons facilities just hours prior.

Both officials disclosed information regarding “Operation Midnight Hammer,” which targeted facilities located at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, employing B-2 stealth bombers and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from U.S. submarines.

The operation involved over 125 U.S. aircraft, including several B-2 bombers that were deployed over the Pacific as a “decoy,” they stated. Concurrently, other B-2s were assigned to release more than a dozen large “bunker buster” munitions on the Fordow and Natanz facilities, while Tomahawks were utilized at Isfahan.

Caine indicated that the operation began overnight from Friday into Saturday morning during a Pentagon news conference. B-2 bombers departed from the U.S., with some flying west as a decoy while the rest “quietly proceeded to the east with minimal communications throughout the 18-hour flight.”

Caine mentioned that a U.S. submarine “launched over two dozen Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles against critical surface infrastructure targets” at Isfahan.

As the B-2s entered Iranian airspace, the U.S. “employed various deception tactics, including decoys, as the fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft advanced ahead of the strike package at high altitude and speed, clearing the way for enemy fighters and surface-to-air missile threats,” Caine explained.

He further noted that as they approached the Natanz and Fordow facilities, the U.S. utilized several strategies to ensure the success of the operation.