By unleashing American military power on Iran, President Donald Trump has plunged the Middle East — and the world — into a moment of dangerous uncertainty.
In an operation dubbed “Midnight Hammer,” Trump said US planes bombed Fordow, a uranium-enrichment facility buried deep under a mountain and seen as vulnerable only to American “bunker-buster” munitions. Sites at Natanz and Isfahan were also struck.
Iran’s foreign minister called the attack “outrageous,” and said “Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty.” Israel applauded. Most American allies looked on in dismay.
The most serious foreign-policy decision of Trump’s second term so far risks angering his “America First” base of supporters, who elected him on a pledge not to involve the US in military entanglements in the region.
Trump may try to appease them by stressing the attack’s limited nature and that he’d repeatedly said Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons.
His decision also flew in the face of weeks of warnings by US partners in the Middle East, Europe and beyond. They ultimately proved unable to sway Trump and it’s not clear if they’ll get a vote in what comes next.
Middle East states are torn between anxiety over the escalating violence and quiet satisfaction at the setback for Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Already reeling from multiple rounds of Israeli attacks, Iran’s government will likely feel compelled to respond in some form. It retains a network of proxies to turn to across Iraq, Syria and Yemen, as well as the ability to menace US military bases in the Gulf and international shipping.
Still, Trump warned that any retaliation could be met with massive US force. Iran “must now make peace,” he said in a social-media post.
It remains unclear if this is the end of Trump’s military campaign, or whether the confrontation could spiral into a push for regime change in Tehran.
As they assess the damage and calculate their next move, Trump’s words will likely carry greater weight with Iran’s leaders than any of his previous threats. — Peter Martin