US Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Sites Spark Debate Over Effectiveness, Geopolitical Implications

Washington D.C. – The United States, under President Donald Trump, launched a series of airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities, including the deeply buried Fordo site, on June 21-22, 2025. The coordinated attacks, codenamed "Operation Midnight Hammer," involved B-2 stealth bombers deploying GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators and submarines launching Tomahawk missiles, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing regional tensions. The strikes followed earlier Israeli military actions against Iranian nuclear targets.

The operation aimed to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a goal stated by US officials amidst escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. President Trump declared the strikes a "spectacular military success," asserting that Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities had been "obliterated." This claim, however, was quickly challenged by initial US intelligence assessments.

According to a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) report, the strikes only set back Iran's nuclear program by a few months, with much of the enriched uranium and centrifuges remaining intact. The assessment indicated that damage was largely restricted to above-ground structures, despite the use of powerful bunker-buster bombs. This discrepancy led to internal debate within the US administration and skepticism from some intelligence officials.

The strikes drew strong reactions globally. Iran condemned the actions as a "barbaric violation" of international law and warned of retaliation. The United Nations and several European nations expressed alarm over the escalation, urging a return to diplomatic solutions. In contrast, Republican figures in the US largely supported President Trump's decisive action.

The tweet from "Walk In The Clouds🇺🇸" on June 27, 2025, interpreted the US actions as a direct warning to China, stating, > "川普空袭伊朗，不只是打击核设施，更是给中国的警告💥🇨🇳" (Trump's airstrikes on Iran are not just about hitting nuclear facilities, but also a warning to China). The tweet highlighted the perceived ineffectiveness of Chinese-exported air defense systems used by Iran and suggested that even deeply buried targets, like China's military command centers, might not be safe.

This perspective, while not explicitly stated by US officials, underscores broader geopolitical anxieties. The tweet argued that the strikes demonstrated Trump's "unpredictable + decisive action," a trait that "独裁者最怕这种人" (dictators fear the most). It also drew parallels to the potential for US military intervention should China act against Taiwan, implying a direct deterrent message. The intense Chinese protest against the US-Israeli actions was translated by the tweet's author as a sign of Beijing's fear.