The operation “midnight hammer” against the Iranian nuclear facilities of Nathan, Isfahan and Fordou, confirmed by President Donald Trump on June 21, 2025, marks the turning point in the fight against the nuclear threat of the regime, which for 46 years was the main sponsor, financier, driver and direct performer of global terrorism. The assessment that the Trump administration of the real nuclear abilities of the Iranian regime supported some of the most authorized votes, such as the nuclear physicist David Olbright, the President of the Institute of International Science and Security, which warns about the seriousness of the situation and historical mistakes that allow them to use the ability to produce nuclear weapons.
David Olbright Assessment: Urgent Warning
David Olbrait, one of the greatest experts in the Iranian nuclear program, warns that before the Israeli attack on June 13, Iran can produce a degree of weapons for 11 nuclear weapons in a month and 22 in five months. The attacks were significantly weakened by Nathanz and Isfahan, but Fordou, fortified under the mountain, remained a threat. Albright emphasizes that if they retain their 60%enriched uranium, it can produce material for nine weapons within a month.
Albright criticizes the serious failures of Western intelligence, which since 2007 mistakenly confirmed that they will stop its nuclear program in 2003. This is the complacency aggravated by the catastrophic well -known agreement of the 2015 JCPOA (under the auspices of Obama and the EU), it is allowed to go to the “nuclear trichold” during negotiations with the West. An agreement that granted the relief of sanctions, without turning to minor violations, a galvanized Israel, which, given the inability to distinguish whether they will prepare or built weapons, chose military operations.
Iran: epicenter of global terrorism
For 46 years, Iran was the main sponsor of terrorism, assembly and financing, such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Hutis and Iraqi Shiite militias (today one of the main threats for the interests of the Western in this unstable country) in addition to direct attacks. The paradigmatic example is the case of the Iranian diplomat detained in Germany on the way to Paris in 2018, with a bomb designed to kill opponents in a mass act. This is just a case of hundreds of very serious attacks and thousands of murders. This story of violence in combination with its nuclear ambitions justified the urgency of neutralization of its program.
Employment or “preliminary employment” attack, unsurpassed: legality and morality
The statement by President Trump last night from the White House and the briefing of the Minister of Defense Hegset and the President of the Board of Directors of the General Staff Kane explained all the details of the Midnight Hammer. Attacks on Natanz, Isfahan (30 rockets of tomahawk and 2 GBU bombs launched by B2) and Fordow (7 B2 and 12 GBU57 Bombs) are expected (preferred) rather than preventive. In total, 125 aircraft of all types, 75 missiles and accurate pumps, as well as support throughout the operation of the 4th and 5th generation fighter, as well as launching submarines protected by their fleets.
The Minister of Defense Pit Hegesh explained that this operation confirmed that the United States restored the deterrence as a central element of its protective strategy and that it was a crystalline message for enemies and opponents of the United States, that they are “looking for peace”, but they do not hesitate to protect themselves from all their strength, protecting their population, their armed forces, their interests and their interests.
According to Olbrait and many other experts or OIEA itself (report of May 31, 2025), the “production” attack reacts to the inevitable and checked threat, such as Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons for several weeks), therefore, from the point of view of international law.
The accuracy of attacks, using the GBU-57 pumps and Tomahawk missiles, reflects the intention to minimize the side damage and leave the door open for diplomacy. In fact, this was extremely emphasized by Hegset, not only the civilian population was preserved, but also attacked the Iranian troops.
Iranian Foreign Minister in Istanbul
On the same day of the operation “midnight hammer”, Foreign Minister Iran Abbas Arachchi proposed a press conference in Istanbul after a meeting of the organization in Islamic cooperation. His tone, although complex, was more careful than we could expect, saying that they were “reacting” to the United States. “But this is still open for the agreed decision.” We will have to see what answer is Iran, because you can carry a serious commotion, like Trump and Hegset have already been warned.
The importance of surgical accuracy
The surgical efficiency of attacks is crucial to avoid civilian victims and nuclear leaks. GBU-57 pumps and Tomahawk missiles minimized side damage. According to OIEA, radiological leaks were not found. This accuracy does not allow the regime to benefit from civil suffering to galley internal support and strengthen the narrative of action directed against the regime, and not against the people.
The diplomatic route is still possible
Attacks turned out to be the most effective tool for pressing Iran. The weakness of Tehran, after the decapitation of Hezbollah, the explosion of Assad’s regime and hutin blows, should make him abandon his maximalist positions that are going to see. The diplomatic agreement will require that they leave 60% enrichment with the intention of reaching 90%, which allows you to carefully check OIEA and stop supporting terrorist proxies in exchange for gradual relief of sanctions based on real and confirmed achievements.
Operating scenarios and terrorist risk
The greatest real risk lies in the terrorist repressions of what remains of the “axis of resistance.” Although Hamas was destroyed, Hezbollah and weakened hutins, these groups retain the ability to attack. The fall of Assad, the main tool of Iranian persecution against Israel, reduced the terrorist network. Nevertheless, the network of pro-Iranian terrorist militias in Iraq, which in the past demonstrated their barbarism and mobility with the actions against us and Western interests in Iraq and in Syria. In addition to the above, Iran could resort to direct terrorist attacks, since they have already been committed in the past, there are those who are afraid of even the use of dirty bombs against the USA, Israel or any other Western ally. Iran had just announced the closure of the Ormuz Strait, which would be directly in its own, and others, and not just the United States, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, EAU or Qatar cannot allow this. But even less China and 45% of its oil supply pass through the strait (in 2022 it became 50%). 20 million barrels pass through the strait every day 84%, heading to the Asian markets, it seems that they were mistaken with the victims.
Conclusion
Contacting attacks (before employment) on the Iranian nuclear program, led by Israel and supported by the United States, are a necessary response to a regime that combines nuclear ambitions with 46 -year terrorism. Surgical accuracy, strategic urgency and pressure on Tehran open a window for diplomacy, but require a firm position from the West. Europe should publicly say what you think or speak in the halls, and the international community should support the strategy that combines military pressure and negotiations in order to avoid nuclear Iran and its resource to terrorism. History does not forgive heat, complacency or inaction.
*Gustavo de aristegui is a diplomatician and was the ambassador of India, Butana, Maldivas, Nepal and Sri Lanka (2012-2016). Gustvodaistegui.substack.com