In a decisive move, the United States has lent its military might to Israel’s effort to combat Iran’s burgeoning nuclear program through a coordinated strike dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer.
Given the current geopolitical landscape, this action appears to be both timely and necessary.
Iran’s nuclear capability has reportedly reached a critical juncture, drawing closer than ever to the ability to produce a nuclear weapon.
As Iran distanced itself from diplomatic efforts, the likelihood of reaching a peaceful resolution diminished, prompting U.S. leadership to adopt a more assertive stance.
Moreover, recent military assessments indicated that Iran’s once formidable air defenses have significantly weakened, further justifying the urgency for intervention.
While the long-term consequences of this operation are yet to unfold, its immediate effects are already being felt globally.
Iran’s nuclear program has undoubtedly suffered a setback, and the power and prestige of the so-called axis of resistance—the alliance including Iran, Syria, and non-state actors—have started to wane.
Operation Midnight Hammer also reinforces the United States’ military resolve, serving as a stern reminder to those who underestimate its capacity to influence regional stability.
For years, Iran has been developing hidden nuclear facilities, strategically placed within expansive underground networks.
A report in May 2025 from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) raised alarms, noting a 50 percent surge in Iran’s stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium over just three months.
The agency emphasized the rapid accumulation of highly enriched uranium as a source of “serious concern,” as Iran approached a critical threshold of nuclear breakout capability.
Military officials have reported that Iran currently has sufficient enriched uranium for about ten nuclear weapons and could refine enough weapons-grade material for a single bomb within a week.
While Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has not definitively decided to pursue a nuclear weapon, mounting internal pressures are likely to urge such a move, particularly in light of escalating hostilities since Israel’s air campaign commenced on June 12.
Diplomatic channels aimed at curtailing Iran’s nuclear ambitions have remained stagnant for over a year, leading to a palpable deadlock.
After the U.S. presented a proposal to Iran in the spring, the country’s outright dismissal fortified concerns among U.S. policymakers that delaying action could inadvertently benefit Iran, who may be racing toward nuclear capability.
In March 2025, President Donald Trump issued an ultimatum permitting Iran 60 days to return to negotiations, but no substantial response was forthcoming by the deadline.
Iran once again dismissed the prospect of negotiations as Israel launched its air operations on June 12, further affirming its disinterest in diplomatic solutions.
With Tehran seemingly poised for a swift advancement toward nuclear capabilities, the window for a peaceful resolution was closing rapidly.
However, the military route to disrupt Iran’s nuclear pursuits appeared more feasible than ever.
In recent months, Israeli airstrikes had significantly impaired Iran’s air defense systems, culminating in a unique opportunity for Operation Midnight Hammer—an operation that necessitated precise munitions, complex battle management, and a dominant air presence.
Although Israeli cooperation was crucial, the United States is the sole power with the capability to neutralize Iran’s most fortified nuclear sites, which lie deeply buried and are protected by advanced military defenses.
Time is of the essence, as the operational window is fleeting—especially considering that Iran will likely work to rebuild its defense systems swiftly.
Targeting critical facilities, including those located at Fordow and Natanz, alongside the soon-to-be operational enrichment complex at Isfahan, reflects the intention to reduce Iran’s rapid uranium enrichment capabilities necessary for weaponization.
While the full extent of damage inflicted on these sites remains uncertain, the disruptions to Iran’s enrichment programs are likely to be significant.
Even if Iran managed to relocate some uranium stockpiles ahead of the attacks, the reconstruction of its enrichment capabilities will require considerable time and effort.
With little indication that Iran was willing to engage in negotiations before June 21, military intervention offered a more immediate disruption to Iran’s nuclear aspirations than any diplomatic endeavor could achieve in the short term.
Furthermore, there is scant evidence to suggest that Iran can rely on its allies, China and Russia, for robust support in rebuilding its military and nuclear capabilities following the strikes.
Despite their existing ties with Iran, both countries have refrained from offering more than perfunctory statements of support since the onset of Israeli military actions.
Although Russia recently solidified a 20-year partnership agreement with Iran—including procurement of drones and missiles for use in Ukraine—the geopolitical landscape suggests dependency on these allies could be misguided.
The limited response from China and Russia serves as a cautionary tale for other nations considering similar alliances, reinforcing the notion that those seeking such partnerships may not find them reliable should crises arise.
On the contrary, the United States has delivered a resolute message to any state questioning its commitment to safeguard its interests—particularly regarding the imperative of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons—and illustrated its military prowess in the process.
This operation also reaffirms U.S. backing for Israel during a period of heightened security threats.
For Israel, Iran has long been identified as an existential threat, not just due to its nuclear ambitions but also its support of regional militant factions like Hezbollah and Hamas.
The actions taken under Operation Midnight Hammer serve as part of a comprehensive strategy in response to the multifaceted threats posed to Israel, particularly in light of the October 7 attacks attributed to Hamas.
While the long-term outcomes resulting from Operation Midnight Hammer remain unclear, the immediate strikes have effectively provided a critical reprieve—one that grants the global community additional time to negotiate a feasible resolution that deters Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Without these strikes, it is uncertain how close Iranian scientists might be right now to producing the highly enriched uranium necessary for a nuclear weapon.
Following these military actions, signals suggest that Iran may now favor de-escalation.
After launching a brief round of missiles targeting a U.S. air base in Qatar—ostensibly as a warning to the United States—Iran appears to have accepted the U.S. offer to mediate a ceasefire with Israel.
Negotiations conducted from a position of strength, now bolstered by the capacity to conduct further strikes if necessary, present a more promising avenue for dialogue than was feasible just a week prior.
image source from：csis
