Israel-Iran tensions: US mobilizes more than 120 aircraft in airstrike...

In the operation called “Midnight Hammer” targeting Iran in the early morning of June 22, the US mobilized more than 120 aircraft, including B-2s, refueling aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft and fighters.

US mobilizes more than 120 aircraft in airstrikes on Iran

Speaking at a press conference at the Pentagon, General Dan Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the US military mobilized more than 120 aircraft for a large-scale airstrike campaign against Iran in the early morning of June 22.

The operation, codenamed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” involved seven B-2 Spirit stealth bombers deployed from an air base in Missouri. The bombers dropped more than a dozen bunker-buster bombs, each weighing up to 30,000 pounds, on Iran’s two key nuclear facilities, Fordow and Natanz. At the same time, dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched at the target in Esfahan.

General Dan Caine, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. Photo: AP

In total, more than 120 aircraft participated in the operation, including B-2s, refueling aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft and fighter jets. General Dan Caine revealed that the operation began at about 2 a.m. (local time in Iran) and to maintain the element of tactical surprise, a group of aircraft diverted westward toward the Pacific Ocean on a diversionary mission, a diversion plan that only a very small number of command staff in Washington and Tampa were informed about.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the US side is trying to re-establish contact with Tehran, hoping to resume the diplomatic process. Mr. Hegseth emphasized: "They understand very well the US position, understand the specific steps that can open the path to peace, and we hope that Iran will choose that path."

According to CNN, President Donald Trump made the decision to launch the airstrike after negotiations between the two sides reached a deadlock. Since April, the US and Iran have held five rounds of nuclear talks, led by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. However, the sixth round of talks scheduled for last Sunday was canceled after Israel carried out large-scale attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and several senior military generals. The White House said that over the past week, the US has maintained contact with Iran.

CNN quoted an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman as saying that Israel is continuing military operations in Iran and still has "many targets" to achieve, after the US conducted a series of airstrikes on Tehran's nuclear facilities overnight.

“We have specific plans and objectives, and we are always working to achieve them. At the same time, we are preparing for the possibility that the campaign will be prolonged,” IDF spokeswoman Effie Defrin said at a press conference on Sunday. He said the IDF still had “various objectives” in Iran, but declined to elaborate.

Iran condemns US and Israel for “completely destroying” diplomatic process

After the US launched airstrikes against Iran's nuclear facilities, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer posted on social networking site X, calling on the country to return to the negotiating table.

Keir Starmer called Iran's nuclear programme a threat to international security and stressed the need to reach a diplomatic solution to end the crisis.

The European Union (EU) has once again called for a diplomatic solution to the conflict between Israel and Iran. “I call on all parties to exercise restraint, return to the negotiating table and prevent escalation,” Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, wrote on the X platform.

Responding to the UK and EU's call for Iran to "return to the negotiating table", Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi affirmed that Iran has never left the negotiating table, and is not the party that "disrupts" this process.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Photo: Reuters

Mr Araghchi said that Israel and the US had “completely destroyed” the diplomatic process in recent weeks with air strikes.

“For the UK and the EU High Representative, Iran is the one that needs to ‘return’ to the negotiating table. But how can Iran return to a process that it has never left, let alone sabotaged?”

According to Reuters, Iran's Foreign Minister also announced that he will fly to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Earlier, Iran's Foreign Ministry said the US had launched a "dangerous war against Iran" by attacking nuclear facilities, accusing the action of violating international law.

Speaking on the sidelines of an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Istanbul, Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was still considering various response options, but declined to confirm whether Iran would seek to restrict global trade through the Strait of Hormuz or withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). He added that only when the aggression ends will Iran consider re-engaging with diplomacy.

Also on the social networking site X, Mr. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations nuclear watchdog, said he would convene an emergency meeting early next week after the US conducted airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities on Sunday.

Countries call on all parties to exercise restraint

Russia has criticized the US attack on Iranian territory, saying it was an "irresponsible" act and a serious violation of international law.

In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that the US airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities have "significantly increased" the risk of conflict in the Middle East. The statement also called for an end to aggressive actions and increased efforts to create conditions for bringing the situation back to a political and diplomatic path.

China believes that the US action is a serious violation of international law and pushes the Middle East to the brink of more serious conflict.

Beijing called on relevant parties, especially Israel, to quickly reach a ceasefire agreement, protect civilian lives and resume dialogue to resolve the crisis. The Chinese Foreign Ministry also stressed that China is willing to work with the international community to contribute to safeguarding justice and promoting efforts to bring peace and stability to the Middle East.

Speaking in Tokyo on Sunday, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stressed that “de-escalating tensions as soon as possible is the top priority now.”

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot expressed concern over the US airstrikes on Iran, while insisting that Paris had no involvement in the military action. “France was not involved in the attacks or in their preparation,” Barrot said, stressing France’s independent stance in the current tense situation.

The French government calls on all parties concerned to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation. Foreign Minister Barrot also stressed that negotiations and diplomatic solutions are the only way to achieve a lasting and sustainable solution for the region.

Türkiye also warned that the US airstrike on Iran risks pushing the Middle East into a global war, and called on all parties to exercise restraint to avoid serious consequences.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, Ankara expressed “deep concern” over the possible repercussions of the attacks and stressed that the conflict must not be allowed to spread beyond the regional framework, calling on all parties to act responsibly and stop the attacks immediately.

Türkiye also stressed that only dialogue and negotiations can bring about a lasting solution to the nuclear dispute between Iran and the United States, a view that is widely shared by many countries.

European Council President António Costa also called on all sides to remain calm and avoid escalating tensions.

In a statement posted on social network X, Mr. Costa expressed “deep concern” about the current situation. “I call on all parties to exercise restraint and to comply with international law and the principles of nuclear safety,” he wrote.

“Diplomacy remains the only way to bring peace and stability to the Middle East,” Costa said, adding that “any escalation will have consequences for civilians.”

The European Union, he said, will continue to work closely with stakeholders and international partners to promote a peaceful solution through dialogue.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned that the crisis in Iran risks “sweeping the region and the world into war”.

“The escalation and spread of major military operations in the Middle East is putting the region and the world at risk of being drawn into a war with irreversible consequences,” said ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric.

She called on all sides not to target civilians and to ensure the safety of medical teams carrying out relief missions.

Ms. Spoljaric said that ICRC missions in Iran and Israel were urgently deploying personnel and supplies. However, she warned: “No humanitarian effort can replace the political will to prioritize peace, stability and human life.”

In a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed “deep concern over the recent escalation of tensions”.

In a post on social media X, Mr. Modi said: “We discussed the current situation in detail… reaffirmed the call for immediate de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward, and looked forward to the early restoration of peace, security and stability in the region.”

Middle Eastern countries have reacted strongly to US airstrikes on Iran last night.

Reuters quoted the Saudi Foreign Ministry as saying that the country expressed "deep concern" and emphasized its desire to promote a "political solution to end the current crisis".

Israeli security and rescue forces on duty in Nes Ziona after an Iranian missile attack. Photo: Reuters

Meanwhile, Oman, which has played a mediating role in nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran, warned that US military action could “escalate the conflict” and violate international law.

Qatar also expressed deep concern over the worsening situation following the US airstrike, warning that the move could have “catastrophic consequences” at both the regional and international levels.

Two Iranian fighter jets shot down

In a statement posted on social network X, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had carried out airstrikes on dozens of targets in central Iran.

Accordingly, two Iranian F-5 fighter jets were attacked while at Dezful airport. The IDF also said it destroyed eight launch pads and a military facility containing “components for the production of explosives.”

In addition, the Israeli Air Force also “attacked military infrastructure at the airport in Isfahan to prevent the Iranian Air Force from using this location for military purposes.”

UK urges citizens in Israel to register for evacuation

The British government has urged its citizens living or travelling in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories to register their desire to leave the region, amid the continuing escalation of the security situation.

In a statement issued on Sunday morning, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) said it was coordinating evacuation flights, prioritising those with the most urgent needs.

The FCDO spokesperson stressed that the safety of British nationals in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories remains an absolute priority, and the UK Government is preparing plans to assist in the evacuation of people from the area.

Flights from Egypt and Jordan are still operating, and border crossings remain open, the FCDO added.

TRAN HOAI (synthesis)

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