The United States has officially entered the Iran-Israel conflict. On June 22, U.S. warplanes bombed Iran nuclear sites, including a high-security underground facility. A MOAB bomb—the largest non-nuclear weapon in the U.S. arsenal—was used, the first time in this war. It was a clear signal: Washington is done waiting.
This came just days after diplomacy collapsed. For 60 days, the U.S. and Iran had been in negotiations. The goal? Stop Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. But on June 12, Iran pulled out.
The response came fast.
Israel Strikes First
At dawn on June 13, Israel launched a surprise attack. Their jets and drones flew over 1,000 kilometers to strike multiple targets inside Iran. They hit infrastructure tied to the nuclear program—sites in Natanz, Isfahan, and beyond. According to reports, the attack was long-planned and masked by deception.
This was no skirmish. It was war. Iran fired back with missiles, and the fighting hasn’t stopped since.
U.S. Attacks Iran Nuclear Sites
Nine days later, the U.S. got directly involved. On June 22, American forces struck Iran’s nuclear and military assets. One target was buried deep beneath the earth. That’s where they dropped the MOAB—a 9-meter bomb designed to smash hardened bunkers. Its use marked a turning point.
President Donald Trump had so far held back. But the collapse of talks, and Iran’s ramp-up in nuclear activity, changed the equation.
Who Has Nuclear Weapons?
As of now, nine countries are known to have nuclear weapons: the U.S., Russia, China, France, the U.K., India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel—though Israel’s program remains unofficial.
Some of these states use nuclear weapons as deterrents. It worked during the Cold War, when the threat of mutual destruction kept things in check. But in Iran’s case, the weapons program itself sparked war. That’s the difference. And it’s dangerous.
The situation in Asia is tense too. North Korea’s missile launches keep Japan and South Korea on edge. China’s growing arsenal is paired with aggression around Taiwan and in the South China Sea—a direct threat to nearby countries like the Philippines. Meanwhile, India and Pakistan, both nuclear-armed, remain in a decades-long conflict over Kashmir.
This war didn’t start because someone had nuclear weapons. It started because someone wanted them—and others refused to let that happen.
Iran’s nuclear ambition, especially in the hands of hardliners like the IRGC, pushed diplomacy to its limit. The result: airstrikes, global tension, and a growing fear that deterrence no longer works the way it used to.
The world should take note. This isn’t just about the Middle East. It’s about the global balance—and how fast it can collapse.
