Operation Midnight Hammer: US Attacks Iran. Tehran Wants to Close Strait of Hormuz

The United States enters the war against Iran alongside Israel.

Shortly before 2:00 AM Italian time on the night between Saturday and Sunday, President Donald Trump announced the attack on three nuclear sites of the Islamic Republic, those of Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan, which would be "destroyed".

16.21 – CLASH IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ

The Iranian parliament considers it necessary to close the Strait of Hormuz following the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. This was stated by Esmail Kosari, a member of the parliamentary committee on national security. This was reported by the Tass agency. The final decision now rests with the Supreme National Security Council. The move would be "suicide" for Iran, said US Vice President JD Vance. "Their entire economy passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Why would they do that? I don't think it makes any sense," added Donald Trump's number two.

TRUMP'S WORDS – "Congratulations to our great American warriors . No other army in the world could have done this," said the Washington leader, in a post on social media, which was then followed by an address to the Nation.

The American B-2 bombers capable of carrying MOP (Motorized Bunker Penetrating Bomb) bombs, which only the American army possesses, would have gone into action.

Six “bunker bluster” bombs were dropped on the Fordow site, while around thirty Tomahawk missiles were reportedly launched at the other targets, US media reported.

"This is a historic moment for the United States of America, Israel and the world," Trump said. Adding: "Our goal was to nullify Tehran's enrichment capabilities and its nuclear threat. It was a spectacular military success ." The president also warned Iran: "At this point , either there will be peace or there will be a tragedy like never before." Then the invitation to return to the negotiating table.

IRAN'S REACTION – For its part, Tehran itself, through Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi , condemned the American bombings as "outrageous" and affirmed that his country has the right to defend its sovereignty. "What happened will have eternal consequences," he warned.

A channel affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards – the Pasdaran – instead announced that «the United States will have to bear the consequences of the attack on Iran. Their bases in the Middle East will be reduced to ashes».

NETANYAHU – From Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared in a televised speech: “With President Trump, we have achieved unprecedented results together. With full operational coordination between the Israel Defense Forces and the US military, the United States attacked the three Iranian nuclear sites. This program threatened our survival and was also a risk to the peace of the entire world.”

MISSILES ON ISRAEL – A few hours after the US attack, the Iranian response was not long in coming: a new rain of missiles was launched against the cities of the Jewish state, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, where dozens of wounded and buildings razed to the ground were reported.

ITALY – Palazzo Chigi announced that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni "is following the crisis in Iran with the utmost attention and has called a video conference meeting with the ministers involved, with Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano and with the heads of intelligence."

THE POPE'S APPEAL – "Today more than ever, humanity cries out and invokes peace : it is a cry that demands responsibility and reason and must not be suffocated by the roar of weapons and rhetorical words that incite conflict," said Pope Leo XIV during the Angelus. Adding: " Stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable chasm."

MAXIMUM ALERT IN AMERICAN BASES IN ITALY – Maximum alert is on at American bases in Italy after the US attack in Iran last night. From Aviano to Sigonella, according to what we learn, attention is at its maximum. The devices put in place to guarantee the safety of the military have been strengthened.

RUSSIA'S CONDEMNATION – The Russian Foreign Ministry "strongly condemns" the US attacks on Iran that can aggravate the ongoing escalation and "further undermine regional and global security". "The irresponsible decision to subject the territory of a sovereign state to missile and bomb attacks, regardless of the arguments put forward, grossly violates international law and UN Security Council resolutions", the ministry says.

NUCLEAR THREAT – The attacks against Iran “have dealt a severe blow to the credibility of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the verification and monitoring system of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which is based on it”. This is what the Russian Foreign Ministry says, calling for “a timely, professional and honest reaction from the leadership of the Agency, without evasions and attempts to hide behind political ‘equidistance’”. The UN Security Council “must also react”, adds Moscow, and for “the confrontational actions of the United States and Israel to be collectively rejected”.

MACRON – French President Emmanuel Macron continued his telephone conversations today following the US attack on three nuclear sites in Iran tonight, calling Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Elysée sources reported. To Pezeshkian, Macron reiterated his "call for the immediate release of the two French hostages, for a de-escalation and for the resumption of diplomatic negotiations."

OPERATION “MIDNIGHT HAMMER” – “Operation Midnight Hammer”, this is the name of the US operation that hit Iranian nuclear sites, “is not an unlimited mission, Trump has assigned a clear and targeted mission to hit Iran’s nuclear capabilities”. This was stated by the head of the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth, in a press conference, adding that “anything can happen in a conflict but the scope was intentionally limited”. America “is not looking for war”, he clarified. “We have worked closely and are continuously consulting with allies in the region”, he continued. The Trump administration “complied with the notification requirements of the War Powers Act” and informed members of Congress of the attacks immediately “after the planes had taken off safely”, the Secretary of Defense then said.

- UPDATE IN PROGRESS –

(Unioneonline/lf – vf)