Washington/Tehran Comprehensive Electric) U.S. Secretary of Defense Heggesis stated that the airstrike operations against Iranian nuclear facilities have been highly successful, and Iran's nuclear ambitions have been crushed. He reiterated that the U.S. does not seek war and urged Iranian leaders to pursue peace to avoid further attacks. As retaliation, the Iranian parliament has approved the closure of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz for oil transport, but it awaits approval from the National Supreme Security Council.

U.S. President Trump announced on Saturday (June 21) U.S. time that the U.S. had attacked three Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The Pentagon subsequently held a press conference on Sunday (22nd) to explain the details of the operation codenamed 'Midnight Hammer.'

Heggesis said, "President Trump's planned actions are bold and outstanding, demonstrating to the world that the U.S. has regained its deterrent power. When this president speaks, the world should listen."

Heggesis noted that the actions were solely targeted at Iranian nuclear facilities and did not aim at Iranian forces or civilians, but if American people, partners, or interests were threatened, the U.S. would act swiftly and decisively.

Heggesis emphasized that the U.S. goal is not to promote regime change in Iran but to eliminate the threat posed by Iran's nuclear program to U.S. interests. He revealed that the U.S. is conveying messages to Iran through multiple channels, calling for it to return to the negotiating table.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Cain, said at a press conference that the U.S. military used a total of 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOP), over 20 Tomahawk missiles, and more than 125 military aircraft. This is the first time the U.S. has deployed Massive Ordnance Penetrators.

To mislead, some bombers flew west as decoys after taking off from the U.S., while another seven bombers quietly flew east, dropping Massive Ordnance Penetrators on Fordow and Natanz; U.S. submarines simultaneously launched Tomahawk missiles at the Isfahan nuclear facility. Cain stated that Iran's surface-to-air missile systems apparently did not detect the U.S. military's approach.

Despite Trump claiming to have completely destroyed the three nuclear facilities, Iranian media cited local officials reporting that the Fordow underground nuclear facility had not suffered significant damage. Additionally, sources informed Reuters that most of the highly enriched uranium from the Fordow facility had been transferred elsewhere in advance.

The Iranian Red Crescent said that this attack did not result in any casualties. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stated that the radiation levels at three nuclear facilities had not increased after the incident.

CNN analysis stated that what remains of Iran's nuclear program is the most important current issue, and the answer may determine the direction of the Middle East situation for decades to come. Some experts are concerned that U.S. bombings may make tracking Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium more difficult.

Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu congratulated each other over the phone after the U.S. military's attack. Netanyahu stated that the U.S. military's actions were carried out with full coordination with the Israeli military. He praised Trump for making a decisive decision to 'prevent the most dangerous regime in the world from obtaining the most dangerous weapons in the world,' which he said would change history and help the Middle East move towards a future of prosperity and peace.

Middle Eastern countries hosting U.S. troops take precautionary measures.

Iran vowed to respond to U.S. attacks, and the Houthi forces in Yemen claimed they are prepared to target U.S. ships in the Red Sea. Regarding the Iranian parliament's approval to blockade the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, Bloomberg pointed out that Iran does not have the legitimate authority to disrupt shipping in the strait, and if it attempts to do so by force, it may be stopped by the U.S. and other Western naval forces.

Hassan, a senior research fellow on Middle Eastern policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, pointed out that the U.S. move could plunge the Middle East into a devastating and protracted conflict. He told Reuters, 'The direct involvement of the U.S.... could draw the Gulf states, especially Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, which have a large number of U.S. military facilities, into the conflict.'

NBC Sunday quoted U.S. officials reporting that the Trump administration is preparing to respond to potential Iranian retaliation, with the next 48 hours being critical. U.S. officials recently stated that Iran has developed plans to target U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East if necessary.

Due to concerns about being affected, some Middle Eastern countries hosting U.S. troops have begun to take precautionary measures. Bahrain warned the public to only use major roads when necessary and instructed most civil servants to work from home. Kuwait has set up shelters in several government department buildings. Additionally, Reuters quoted informed sources reporting that Saudi Arabia has entered a state of high alert.#比特币跌破十万美元 #以色列伊朗冲突