The world woke to shock and uncertainty as former President Donald Trump announced that the United States had conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. In a single social media post, Trump called the operation a “very successful attack,” instantly jolting international relations and sending markets, diplomats, and military strategists into overdrive. Overnight, the sense of stability in the Middle East—and beyond—seemed to vanish.
By explicitly naming Fordo, one of Iran’s most fortified nuclear installations, Trump signaled that this strike targeted the very core of Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Israeli officials quickly praised the operation as historic, seeing it as a decisive move against Iran’s potential nuclear threat. European governments, however, expressed alarm, rushing into emergency consultations in Brussels and across capitals to assess the implications of the rapid escalation.
In Tehran, the reaction was immediate and defiant. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the strikes as “outrageous” and “criminal,” invoking Iran’s rights under the UN Charter to defend itself. His warning that Iran “reserves all options” reverberated across Iranian state media—a phrase widely interpreted by analysts as a subtle but serious promise of retaliation.
Markets and Global Reactions
The immediate impact on global markets was dramatic. Oil prices surged as traders reacted to the prospect of disrupted supply lines in the Middle East. Stock markets wavered, and investors rushed to safe-haven assets like gold and U.S. Treasury bonds. Analysts warned that prolonged tensions could ripple far beyond the region, affecting global trade, energy prices, and international economic stability.
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