On Sunday, the US announced that it had struck three facilities critical to Iran’s nuclear ambitions—Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan.
Briefing the press at the Pentagon later in the day, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed that the mission was codenamed ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’ and involved the longest B2 Spirit bomber mission since 2001.
The strikes mark the US’s entry into the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.
US President Donald Trump has warned that more attacks could follow if Tehran did not agree to peace, while the Iranian government has termed the strikes a blow to the international order.
LIVE UPDATES: US strikes on Iran
2 am: IAEA chiefs UNSC on US strikes
Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) chief Rafael Grossi tells UN Security Council that craters are visible at Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility but no one, including the UN nuclear watchdog agency, can make a detailed assessment of the underground damage at the facility at this time.
The global nuclear watchdog agency has called an emergency meeting of its board of governors on 23 June to discuss the US strikes.
1:45 am: Iran’s top diplomat in Moscow to meet Putin
Iran’s top diplomat, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is in Moscow to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, Fars News Agency is reporting. “Russia is a friend of Iran and we enjoy a strategic partnership,” he had told reporters in Istanbul before flying to Moscow.
TOP DEVELOPMENTS: 22 June, 2025
11:15 pm: IAEA chief on Fordow nuclear facility
Speaking to CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi says the agency cannot rule out ‘significant damage’ at Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility which was struck by US B-2 bombers carrying ‘bunker buster’ bombs.
10:30 pm: UNSC to meet to discuss US strikes on Iran
The United Nations Security Council will meet Sunday to discuss US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Russia, China and Pakistan have proposed that the body adopt a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, reports Reuters.
10 pm: Vance says US at war with Iranian nuclear programme, not Iran
US Vice President J.D. Vance told ABC News that the US is at war with the Iranian nuclear programme, not the nation of Iran. He added that the US has “no interest in boots on the ground” and said it “would be suicidal” if Tehran decides to close the Strait of Hormuz.
8:30 pm: Israel strikes Iranian city of Bushehr
Israel has confirmed that it struck the Iranian port city of Bushehr which also houses Iran’s only nuclear power plant. IDF, however, did not confirm whether it struck the nuclear power plant and instead said it targeted “missile launchers, military sites involved in the production of aerial defense batteries, the ‘Third Brigade’ UAV command center, a UAV storage facility near the command center, and soldiers loading missile launchers”.
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📍 Yazd
IAF fighter jets struck the “Imam… pic.twitter.com/ZARmIvqdbd— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 22, 2025
8 pm: Iran moves to close Strait of Hormuz, says report
A report by the Iranian media outlet Press TV quoted Esmaeil Kowsari, a senior member of parliament, as saying that the majlis (Iranian parliament) has voted to approve the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Kowsari, however, added that the final decision on whether Tehran will close the energy chokepoint will be taken by the Supreme National Security Council.
7.30 pm: Afghan Taliban condemns US strikes
The Taliban regime in Afghanistan in a statement issued Sunday condemned US strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran, while also expressing ‘concern over the growing instability in the region’.
“The IEA-MoFA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan-Ministry of Foreign Affairs) deems the violation of the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran as unacceptable, & calls on all involved sides to give diplomacy a chance in order to resolve the issue,” it said.
7 pm: ‘Explosion heard’ in Iran’s Bushehr
Reports in the Iranian media suggest a ‘massive explosion’ was heard in the country’s Bushehr province which houses Iran’s only nuclear power plant.
6.45 pm: Russia condemns US strikes
In a statement issued Sunday, the Russian Federation ‘resolutely condemned’ the US strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran. The statement issued by the Russian foreign ministry added that Moscow is calling for an “immediate end to aggression and for stepping up efforts to bring the situation back onto a peaceful, diplomatic track”.
6:00 pm: Hegseth says ‘American deterrence is back’
In a press briefing by the Pentagon, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says US military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities were an incredible and overwhelming success which took months and weeks of positioning to carry out.
The target, he said, were not Iranian troops or people but Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“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.”
The Operation was called ‘Midnight Hammer’. The B-2 planes that carried out the attack flew 18 hours in the middle of the night all the way from Missouri, US, stopping only for refuelling.
5:00 pm: What do we know so far
- In the early hours of Sunday morning (IST), the US hit three key Iranian nuclear facilities. According to media reports, the US used B-2 bombers to drop six 30,000-pound bunker buster bombs on the facility in Fordow, while it targeted Isfahan and Natanz with 30 Tomahawk missiles fired from an American submarine placed around 643 km away. The New York Times reported that two bunker buster were also dropped on the Natanz site. The US government has not officially confirmed all the information.
- In a series of posts on Truth social and in his address to the nation, US President Donald Trump said the three facilities had been completely obliterated, calling for peace. He warned that the US could carry out more attacks if Iran retaliates.
- Iran has warned that the US has placed itself on the “front line of aggression” and that it has a “variety of options” available to it. Gulf states, home to multiple US military bases, were on high alert. Iran’s mission to the UN has also submitted a letter to the UNSC condemning the attacks.
- The IAEA and the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) confirmed there was no radiation leak in the aftermath of the attacks. The IAEA will convene an emergency meeting of the board of governors Monday.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a number of world leaders have called for de-escalation and a return to diplomacy.
- Israel and Iran continue to strike each other with the the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claiming it had used the multi-warhead, third-generation Kheibar-Shekan ballistic missile for the first time.
4:30 pm: Iran says ‘variety of options’ available for retaliation against US
When asked about the possible course of action Iran could take in retaliation to US strikes, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said, “There are a variety of options available to us- and that’s it … of course the way for diplomacy should always remain open, but we are not in a situation right now to decide how to engage in diplomacy once again and with whom, so let’s wait for our response.”
“First and when aggression is ended, we decide how to engage in diplomacy once again,” he said at the press briefing in Istanbul.
3:50 pm: PM Modi expresses ‘deep’ concern over ‘escalations’
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he has spoken to the President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, expressing “deep concern at the recent escalations”.
“Reiterated our call for immediate de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward and for early restoration of regional peace, security and stability.”
Spoke with President of Iran @drpezeshkian. We discussed in detail about the current situation. Expressed deep concern at the recent escalations. Reiterated our call for immediate de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward and for early restoration of regional…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 22, 2025
3:30 pm: IAEA says Isfahan ‘contained little or no nuclear material’
In a fresh statement, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says, “The facilities targeted today (at the Isfahan nuclear complex) either contained no nuclear material or small quantities of natural or low enriched uranium, meaning any radioactive contamination is limited to the buildings that were damaged or destroyed.”
3:20 pm: Don’t have information on level of damages, says Iran FM
Responding to questions in Istanbul, FM Araghchi says nuclear non-proliferation treaty, of which Iran has been a signatory for decades, has failed to protect Iran and its “peaceful nuclear programme.”
He says, “I still do not have exact information about the level of damages” at the three nuclear sites.
Araghchi says he will have “serious consultations with Russian Vladimir Putin” in Moscow Monday. He says China and Russia had been working on a UNSC resolution calling for end of hostilities. Adding that it has been torpedoed now, he says he will discuss with China and Russia on how to proceed.
3:10 pm: Iranian FM blames US for ‘consequences of its actions’
Speaking in press briefing in Istanbul, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says, “The US administration holds sole and full responsibility for the consequences of its actions, including the Islamic Republic of Iran’s right to self-defense.”
He said not only Iran has been bombed, but also international law. “We have to see how much space is left for diplomacy.”
3:00 pm: US has put itself on ‘front line of aggression’
In a fresh statement, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says the US has placed itself on the “front line of aggression”, Reuters reports. It further says attacks on Israel will continue as it responds to US strikes overnight.
2:30 pm: Egyptian foreign minister’s India visit postponed
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty’s two-day visit to New Delhi has been postponed after the US conducted strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, entering Israel’s war in the early hours of Sunday.
Read Keshav Padmanabhan full report here.
2:20 pm: Iran says it has deployed its Kheibar Shekan missile for 1st time
In a statement Sunday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announces its first use of the multi-warhead, third-generation Kheibar-Shekan ballistic missile.
“The 20th wave of Operation ‘True Promise 3’ began with the launch of 40 solid- and liquid-fueled missiles. In this operation, for the first time, the third-generation Kheibar-Shekan multi-warhead ballistic missile developed by the IRGC Aerospace Force was used,” the statement says, adding, “This missile employed new and surprising tactics for enhanced precision, destructive power, and operational effectiveness.”
The IRGC adds that it “struck” the Ben Gurion Airport, the Biological Research Center, and alternate command and control centers in Israel in this wave. However, there was no immediate confirmation of any impact at these sites from Israel.
Iran warned that it had yet to use its “main capabilities”.
2:10 pm: Iran questions calls for it to ‘return’ to negotiations
Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi questions calls for Iran to return to the negotiating table for a deal over its nuclear programme, saying, “To Britain and the EU High Rep, it is Iran which must ‘return’ to the table. But how can Iran return to something it never left, let alone blew up?” He blames US and Israel for ‘blowing up’ the talks.
Last week, we were in negotiations with the US when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy.
This week, we held talks with the E3/EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy.
What conclusion would you draw?
To Britain and the EU High Rep, it is Iran which must “return”…
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 22, 2025
1:30 pm: Pakistan says attacks violate international law
In a post on X, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister and Deputy PM Ishaq Dar condemns the attacks and called them a violation of international law.
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) June 22, 2025
1:00 pm: IAEA to convene emergency meeting Monday
Rafael Grossi, the director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says an emergency meeting of the board of governors is being convened Monday in light of the “urgent” situation in Iran. Earlier, IAEA confirmed there had been no spike in radiation after US struck the Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz nuclear facilties in Iran.
12:40 pm: World leaders react to US strikes on Iran
In a post on X, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says US has taken action to alleviate “threat” of Iran’s nuclear programme to international security. It called on Iran to return to the “negotiating table”.
Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.
The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call…
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 22, 2025
In its statement, the government of Australia says Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programme was a threat to international peace and security.
Saudi Arabia’s ministry of foreign affairs, in a statement, condemns the violation of Iranian sovereignty.
Both, Australia and Saudi Arabia in their statements call for de-escalation.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yván Gil, in a statement on Telegram, describes the US action as “military aggression” carried out “at the request of the State of Israel,” while Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel warns the bombings constitute a “dangerous escalation” and a serious violation of the UN Charter.
In a post on X, Chilean President Gabriel Boric says, “Having power does not authorise you to use it in violation of the rules that we as humanity have given ourselves.”
“Even if you are the United States.”
12:30 pm: Iran says it has submitted urgent letter to UNSC
In a post on X, the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations says it had submitted an urgent letter to the Security Council, condemning the US’ “unlawful and reckless bombing” of Iran’s nuclear facilities. “US and Israel must face the grave consequences”, it adds.
The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations has submitted an urgent letter to the Security Council at midnight local time, vehemently condemning the United States’ unlawful and reckless bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities. The United States and… pic.twitter.com/GKGFwtBQsN
— I.R.IRAN Mission to UN, NY (@Iran_UN) June 22, 2025
11:40 am: Israel begins strikes against Iran
The IDF in a post on X says it is striking military targets in Iran after Iran fired a barrage of missile, striking targets in central and northern Israel. Earlier, US struck three key Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran has said the attacks will have “everlasting consequences”.
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Additionally, this morning, the IAF struck missile launchers ready to launch toward Israeli territory, soldiers in the Iranian Armed…
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 22, 2025
11:30 am: IAEA confirms no spike in radiation levels around nuclear sites
Following attacks on three nuclear sites in Iran – including Fordow – the IAEA can confirm that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported as of this time.
IAEA will provide further assessments on situation in Iran as more information becomes available.— IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ⚛️ (@iaeaorg) June 22, 2025
10:40 am: Impact from Iranian rockets reported in Israel
Israel’s Haaretz newspaper says there’s initial reports of casualties in central Israel after Iran fired a barrage of ballistic missiles towards the country.
10:30 am: No threat to residents near nuclear sites, Iranian media reports
The Iranian National Nuclear Safety Center said it had conducted an assessement of the “potential release of nuclear contamination” around the Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz facilities after they were struck by the US and found no threat to residents in the areas, Iran’s Fars news agency reports.
10:20 am: Sirens sounded over central, northern Israel, report says
Israeli newspaper Haaretz reports that sirens were heard in parts of central and northern Israel amid a barrage of incoming Iranian missiles. The Israeli Defence Force, it says, estimated that 25 ballistic missiles had been launched from Iran.
10:10 am: Israel closes airspace, commercial flights operating as is
Israel has closed its airspace after US struck key nuclear facilities in Iran, the airport authority has announced.
Meanwhile, Flightradar24 said commercial flights continue to avoid the airspace above parts of Middle East in light of the conflict and related restrictions.
Following US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, commercial traffic in the region is operating as it has since new airspace restrictions were put into place last week.
Image from 01:45 UTC 22 June. pic.twitter.com/IeJBa9kvF4
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 22, 2025
10:00 am: Iranian FM says attacks will have ‘everlasting consequences’
In the first official reaction from the Iranian side, Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi says, “The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behaviour.”
The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran’s peaceful nuclear installations.
The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting…
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) June 22, 2025
9:50 am: UN secretary-general: Strikes ‘threat’ to international peace, security
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres says US airstrikes on the three Iranian nuclear sites are a “dangerous escalation” and a “direct” threat to international peace and security, while calling for member-states to “de-escalate” and “uphold their obligations” under the charter of the international organisation.
9:40 am: Netanyahu says strikes example of ‘peace through strength’
In a video address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says US strikes on Iran are an example of “peace through strength” and Trump “acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime, the world’s most dangerous weapons”.
Also Read: Trump calls US strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites ‘a spectacular military success’.
