Short Takes – 6-21-25 – War with Iran

U.S. Enters the War with Iran - Here are the latest developments. NYTimes.com article.  Pull quote: “Iran, which has refrained so far from direct attacks on U.S. troops and interests in the Middle East, has warned that American entry into war would bring retaliation, raising fears around the region about the danger of a widening war. But what form that response would take is unclear. Analysts have also speculated that Iran could react by attacking U.S. troops in the region, or by accelerating its nuclear program — assuming the program survives U.S. bombing.”

What we know about the three Iranian nuclear sites struck by the US. CNN.com article. Pull quote: “The main halls [at Fordow] are an estimated 80 to 90 meters (around 262 to 295 feet) beneath the ground, making it very difficult to destroy the facility from air. The US is the only country with the kind of bomb required to strike that deep, Israeli officials and independent reports have previously said. However analysts have warned even those bombs might not be enough.”

Trump says Iran’s key nuclear sites were ‘completely and fully obliterated’ by U.S. strikes. APNews.com article. Pull quote: “The White House and Pentagon did not immediately elaborate on the operation. But Fox News host Sean Hannity said shortly after 9 p.m. Eastern that he had spoken with Trump and that six bunker buster bombs were used on the Fordo facility. Hannity said 30 Tomahawk missiles fired by U.S. submarines 400 miles away struck the Iranian nuclear sites of Natanz and Isfahan.”

Congressional leaders react to Trump ordering strike attack on Iran. ABCNews.com article. Pull quote: “Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman said on X, "As I’ve long maintained, this was the correct move by @POTUS. Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and cannot have nuclear capabilities. I’m grateful for and salute the finest military in the world. 🇺🇸"”

Trump declares 'very successful attack' on Iran's nuclear program as US forces strike 3 key sites. FoxNews.com article. Pull quote: “A senior White House official told Fox News the U.S. gave Israel a heads-up before the strikes, and President Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the attacks.”

U.S. warplanes carry out ‘successful’ strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran, Trump says. WashingtonPost.com article. Pull quote: ““Tonight’s [strike] was the most difficult of them all by far, and perhaps the most lethal,” Trump said. “But if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill. Most of them can be taken out in a matter of minutes.””