On June 21, 2025, President Donald Trump ordered B-2 bombers to drop powerful conventional bombs on Iranian nuclear sites in an operation dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer.” The goal: to destroy Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and curb what Trump called the threat from “the world’s No. 1 state sponsor of terror.” Trump urged Iran to make peace but warned more targets could be hit if diplomacy failed.

This military action highlights a conflict within Trump’s own policies. Throughout his presidency, he opposed “forever wars” and prioritized domestic issues under his “America First” agenda. Many in the MAGA movement, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, opposed the strike, viewing it as an unnecessary foreign entanglement. Yet Trump’s impatience with unresolved issues and his strong support for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu—who called the bombing a “historical turning point”—helped push the decision forward.

The strike risks plunging the U.S. into a new, uncertain conflict in a volatile region, just four years after the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal ended America’s longest war. Trump did not seek congressional approval, sparking criticism from Democrats like Senator Mark Warner over lack of clear strategy and communication with the public.

Iran condemned the attack, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accusing Trump of deception and warning of consequences. Iran fired missiles at Israel shortly afterward. Araghchi planned to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose stance could influence the unfolding crisis.