The US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities and its aftermath — as it happened

3 months ago22 Jun 8:08pm

As we wrap up our live coverage, here's where things stand

In the early hours of Sunday morning (AEST), the United States bombed three key nuclear sites in Iran, namely Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
US President Donald Trump claimed the unprecedented strikes had "totally obliterated" Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities, while Iranian officials downplayed both the damage and loss of previously enriched uranium.
Iran and Israel continued to exchange strikes throughout Sunday, as Iran's foreign minister said America and Israel had chosen to "blow up diplomacy" and warned of "everlasting consequences" stemming from the attack.
Hours after the strikes, Trump warned Iran that there would be "peace or tragedy for Iran" depending on its leadership's next move.
Dozens of Israelis were hospitalised as a result of Iranian strikes, while in the Iranian city of Qom, at least four Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps officers were killed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the US action, describing it as "bold, righteous, and historic".
World leaders offered mix of responses. Australia joined the EU, UK, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, along with a slew of other nations, in calling for de-escalation.
American B-2 bombers were reportedly deployed in the strikes, and sources told US media outlets that a 30,000-pound (13,600 kg) "bunker buster" bomb was used, believed to be one of the few weapons capable of penetrating to the depths of underground facilities such as Fordow.
The International Energy Agency, which has been in charge of monitoring Iran's nuclear program for years, said there was no increase in off-site radiation levels after the attacks, and that it would hold an emergency meeting on Monday.
Among US politicians, reactions to the attack largely ran along party lines, with top-ranking Republicans lining up to praise the strikes, while Democrats warned it risked pulling American troops into another prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
The strikes have placed the entire region on high alert, including the 40,000 or so American troops located on bases and warships.

— Hannah Ritchie

3 months ago22 Jun 8:00pm

Trump 'betrayed' Iran and 'we have to respond', Iranian FM says

In a televised address, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his nation "has to respond" to United States' attacks on its nuclear facilities based on its "legitimate right of self-defence".

"We were in diplomacy, but we were attacked militarily, so it was not Iran but the US who betrayed diplomacy, betrayed negotiations," Araghchi said.

"The United States has shown they have no respect for the United Nations Charter or international law.

"There is no red line that they have not crossed, and the last one, and the most dangerous one, happened last night," he added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stands at a lectern wearing a suit.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has responded to requests that his nation turn to diplomacy after attacks on Iranian nuclear sites by saying that Israel and the US had "blown up" previous rounds of negotiations. Source: AP / AP Photo / Khalil Hamra

Araghchi said Iran was now "calculating the damages" and warned that he didn’t "know how much room is left for diplomacy".

He also accused US President Donald Trump of betraying the American people after years of campaigning to end the country's "forever wars" in the Middle East.

— Hannah Ritchie

3 months ago22 Jun 7:51pm

Little nuclear material hit by US strikes on Isfahan facility, UN watchdog says

The United States' strikes on Iran's nuclear complex at Isfahan hit six buildings in addition to four damaged previously, but they contained little or no nuclear material, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog said in a statement on Sunday.

"The facilities targeted today either contained no nuclear material or small quantities of natural or low enriched uranium, meaning any radioactive contamination is limited to the buildings that were damaged or destroyed," the International Atomic Energy Agency said.

— Reuters

3 months ago22 Jun 7:25pm

US has placed itself 'at the forefront of aggression', IRGC warns

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran has said that "Washington effectively placed itself on the front lines of aggression" by attacking the country's nuclear facilities.

"The number, dispersion, and size of US military bases in the region are not a strength, but double their vulnerability.

An infographic titled "US military presence in the Middle East" shows the US presence in the Middle East.

The US has approximately 45,000 military personnel, numerous bases, and powerful air and naval fleets that it can deploy across the Middle East. Source: Anadolu / Omar Zaghloul / Anadolu via Getty Images

"The flight locations of the planes participating in this aggression have been identified and monitored."

US officials have confirmed to Reuters that B-2 bombers were used in the strikes on Iran's nuclear sites.

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

3 months ago22 Jun 7:09pm

Images show trucks departing Iranian nuclear facility before US attack

Satellite firm Maxar has shared photos of truck and vehicular activity at the Iranian Fordow nuclear facility, two days before US attacks on that site and two other nuclear facilities.

Following the attacks, the Iranian parliamentarian representing the province where the Fordow facility is located said: "Anything that could have posed a danger to people had already been removed" from Fordow.

Cargo Trucks Near Tunnel Entrance at Fordow Facility

Maxar Satellite Imagery shows 16 cargo trucks parked along the main road leading to the underground tunnel entrance of the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Facility. Source: Getty / Maxar/DigitalGlobe/

Reuters has also reported an anonymous senior Iranian source as saying that most of the highly enriched uranium at Fordow had been moved prior to the US attack.

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

3 months ago22 Jun 6:52pm

Four IRGC members killed in Israeli attack in Iran

Four Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) members were killed in an Israeli attack on a military base in Qom, and two others were injured, a spokesperson for Iran's Qom Province crisis management agency has said.

Morteza Heidari, told Iran's Mehr news agency that hours ago, Israel attacked a military base using missiles, causing visible black smoke to form in the northern part of the city.

—Niv Sadrolodabaee

3 months ago22 Jun 6:52pm

US, Israel 'blew up' diplomacy, Iran's foreign minister says

Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has responded to requests that his nation turn to diplomacy after United States attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, saying that Israel and the US had "blown up" previous negotiations.

"Last week, we were in negotiations with the US when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy. This week, we held talks with the E3 / EU when the US decided to blow up that diplomacy," he posted on X.

"What conclusion would you draw?

"To Britain and the EU High Rep, it is Iran which must "return" to the table. But how can Iran return to something it never left, let alone blew up?

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer earlier today called on Iran "to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis".

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

3 months ago22 Jun 6:37pm

What should Australians in Israel and Iran do?

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has issued the following statement:

"Australian citizens or permanent residents in Iran, Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories who are seeking Australian Government support should register via DFAT's Crisis Portal or by calling the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) or 1300 555 135 (from within Australia)."

SBS understands that, as of 21 June, approximately 3,800 Australians and their family members had registered with DFAT as wishing to depart the region — about 2,600 in Iran and 1,200 in Israel.

Australian Defence Force personnel and aircraft have been deployed to the Middle East to assist the Australian government’s support for Australians seeking to leave the region.

When Australia 'couldn't help', Ron took leaving Israel into his own hands

Consular staff have also been deployed to Iran's border crossing with Azerbaijan to support Australians departing Iran.

Australians overseas can subscribe to Smartraveller for the latest updates from DFAT.

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

3 months ago22 Jun 6:26pm

'Illegal aggression': Oman criticises US over Iran strike

Oman, which had been serving as a mediator for Iran and the United States during nuclear negotiations before Israel's 13 June attack, has expressed "deep concern and condemnation" over US President Donald Trump's decision to strike Iran's nuclear facilities.

"The Sultanate of Oman deplores this illegal aggression and calls for immediate and comprehensive de-escalation, adding that the actions taken by the United States threaten to expand the scope of the conflict and constitute a serious violation of international law," its foreign ministry said in a statement on X.

The post also accused the US of violating the United Nations Charter, which prohibits the violation of the national sovereignty of states, as well as their right to develop nuclear programs for peaceful purposes under the supervision and oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the UN's nuclear watchdog.

— Hannah Ritchie

3 months ago22 Jun 6:23pm

'Various possibilities' for Iran's potential response

Political science lecturer at the University of Melbourne, Dara Conduit, believes that there are "various possibilities" regarding Iran's potential response to US attacks on three of its nuclear sites.

"It could be that Iran, as it has continued today, just continues to exchange attacks with Israel. It could be that Iran decides to attack US assets in the region.

"It may attempt to attack US spaces or embassies or that kind of thing, but they're all very heavily fortified. So it could also be that it attacks soft targets in the region or US interests.

"The third option is that Iran uses some of its proxy groups throughout the region to respond.

"They also could respond further abroad. Iran has carried out international operations abroad against Israel, far beyond the Middle East in the past. And it's not beyond the realm of possibility."

In 2024, an Argentine court ruled that the Iranian government directed a 1994 suicide bombing of a Jewish community centre in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people and injured over 300.

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

3 months ago22 Jun 6:11pm

Lebanon has no interest in 'being dragged into regional confrontation', PM says

Lebanon has no desire to be "dragged in any form into the ongoing regional confrontation," its prime minister, Nawaf Salam, said in a post on X.

The statement comes amid silence from Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed military group, which has so far refrained from getting involved in the conflict between Israel and Iran.

Hezbollah has been severely weakened in the last year, after Israel wiped out most of its top-ranking political and military command, including its former leader Hassan Nasrallah.

The current head of the group, Naim Qassem, said on Thursday — before the US strikes — that Hezbollah would respond as it saw fit to the "brutal Israeli-American aggression" taking place in the region.

On Friday, the Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, cautioned Hezbollah against any involvement in the fighting, saying that Israel's patience for "terrorists" had worn thin.

— Hannah Ritchie

3 months ago22 Jun 6:06pm

IDF provides more details on its recent attacks in Iran

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has said it struck "two F-5 fighter jets belonging to the Iranian Armed Forces at the Dezful Airport" in south-west Iran.

"Additionally, in strikes that were conducted earlier this morning, eight launchers were neutralised, including six launchers ready to immediately launch missiles toward Israeli territory," the IDF stated.

It also said that its air force had yesterday "struck dozens of military targets in Iran" including "a military site containing components to produce explosive materials, weapons storage, and production facilities, and Iranian aerial defence systems".

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

3 months ago22 Jun 5:53pm

EU leaders to meet on Monday to discuss US strikes on Iran

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has confirmed that the bloc will meet on Monday to discuss the United States' attack on Iran.

She made the comments in a statement on X, in which she also called for "all sides to step back, return to the negotiating table and prevent further escalation".

In the days leading up to the strikes, European leaders had met with Iran's foreign minister to encourage Tehran to strike a new nuclear deal with the US and find a diplomatic route out of the current crisis.

Israel warns of 'prolonged' war with Iran as Trump dismisses European peace efforts

US President Trump, though, largely dismissed the efforts, saying: "Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help in this one."

– Hannah Ritchie

3 months ago22 Jun 5:50pm

Iran considering 'withdrawing from the NPT and closing the Strait of Hormuz'

The head of the foreign policy committee of Iran's parliament has said the Islamic Republic of Iran now has "the legal right to withdraw" from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Abbas Golroo cited article 10 of the international agreement, which is aimed at stopping the spread of nuclear weaponry, which says:

"Each party shall in exercising its national sovereignty have the right to withdraw from the treaty if it decides that extraordinary events, related to the subject matter of this treaty, have jeopardised the supreme interests of its country."

The possibility of leaving the NPT was also flagged by Sara Fallahi, a member of the Iranian parliament's national security and foreign policy commission, state media reported.

Iran was considering "withdrawing from the NPT and closing the Strait of Hormuz", Fallahi said.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital trade channel that connects oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production in the Middle East to global markets via the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

The 'law of the jungle' behind who can have nuclear weapons, and who can't

3 months ago22 Jun 5:34pm

Reaction to strikes continues rolling in

As the rest of the world wakes up, we're seeing more reactions to the news that the United States has bombed three nuclear facilities across Iran.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised President Donald Trump for taking action to "alleviate the threat" posed by Iran's nuclear program, while warning that "the situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority."

"We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis," his statement added.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia — which, like Israel, is also a long-term regional foe of Iran — expressed "great concern" following the attack.

In a statement, its foreign minister called on the international community to push for a political solution to end the escalating crisis.

— Hannah Ritchie

3 months ago22 Jun 5:30pm

Nuclear watchdog calls emergency meeting

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi said on Sunday he was calling an emergency meeting of the United Nations nuclear watchdog's 35-nation board of governors after the United States' military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

"In light of the urgent situation in Iran, I am convening an emergency meeting of the (IAEA) Board of Governors for tomorrow," IAEA chief Grossi said on X.

— Reuters

3 months ago22 Jun 5:28pm

Iran 'may not know the level of damage that has taken place'

United States President Donald Trump says his country's attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities had "completely and totally obliterated" them.

Iranian authorities, while not providing much information about the degree of damage sustained, have rebuffed that statement. A member of Iran's parliament representing Qom, the province where the Fordow facility is located, has said: "contrary to the false claims made by the US president, the Fordow nuclear facility has not sustained serious damage".

Dara Conduit, a political science lecturer at the University of Melbourne, told SBS News that "the Iranian regime is not necessarily going to publicly acknowledge the level of damage that has taken place".

"When the US and Israel have conducted successful attacks on Iran in the past, that hasn't been visible ... cause it's quite embarrassing to acknowledge the damage has taken place.

"There's another possibility too, that I think is a very real one, and that is that Iran may not know the level of damage that has taken place.

"[With] the nature of these bombs, whether or not they have completely destroyed Iran's nuclear assets or not, they've no doubt done significant damage to the tunnels down there, to the technology and the surveillance technology, and all of that sort of thing that allows it to monitor its assets."

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

3 months ago22 Jun 5:13pm

Sixteen people injured in Iranian strikes on Israel, emergency services say

At least 16 people are being treated for injuries after Iranian strikes hit Israel on Sunday, according to the country's emergency services.

Earlier, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel, as the Israeli military warned that Iran had launched a barrage of missiles.

None of the reported victims are in a critical condition, and most have suffered shrapnel wounds or other injuries, according to emergency medical and ambulance service Magen David Adom.

— Hannah Ritchie

3 months ago22 Jun 5:07pm

Full Iranian response 'may take weeks or months'

Experts say there's a possibility that Iran "may not respond immediately" to the United States' attack on three of the country's nuclear sites.

Dara Conduit, a political science lecturer at the University of Melbourne, told SBS News: "It may take weeks or months to decide the level of response that is appropriate, as it did last year."

"I think the attacks by the United States raise a very real possibility that there'll be a further escalation in the conflict. The Iranian regime is an authoritarian regime, but it is still responsive in some way to its population, and it needs to be able to tell them a story at the end of the day.

"I think it'd be very, very difficult for the Iranian regime to now turn around to its population and say, 'let's talk [negotiate]'. Because last time they talked, Israel attacked them.

"The Iranian regime also needs to show that it's strong and it's capable of defending its country and defending its sovereignty."

Since the attacks, Iranian officials have said that they "reserve all options" for self-defence.

— Niv Sadrolodabaee

3 months ago22 Jun 5:02pm

Trump's strike on Iran divides US politicans along party lines

President Trump's decision to strike three key Iranian nuclear facilities has drawn mixed reviews from US politicians, which so far seem to be broadly falling along party lines.

High-ranking Republicans in Congress quickly rallied behind the president shortly after news of the strikes broke. At the same time, senior Democrats criticised the action as unconstitutional and warned that it risked dragging the US back into an open-ended war in the Middle East.

Mike Johnson, the Republican speaker of the House, and Senator John Thune — the Senate majority leader — both praised the military operation as a crucial check on Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Republican Senator Mitch McConnell described it as "decisive".

"Seizing this opportunity is not an escalation toward war — it is a prudent response to the warmongers in Tehran. Iran would be foolish to misunderstand American resolve," he said in a statement on X.

In contrast, top Democrat Mark Warner, who is vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said that while "there is no question Iran poses a serious threat to regional stability," Trump had come into office "promising to 'end the endless foreign wars.'"

"Tonight, he took steps that could drag the United States into another one, without consulting Congress, without a clear strategy, without regard to the consistent conclusions of the intelligence community, and without explaining to the American people what's at stake," he added in his statement.

— Hannah Ritchie

The US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities and its aftermath — as it happened

Iranian officials have pushed back on United States President Donald Trump's claim that "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated" by US strikes.

As we wrap up our live coverage, here's where things stand

Trump 'betrayed' Iran and 'we have to respond', Iranian FM says

Little nuclear material hit by US strikes on Isfahan facility, UN watchdog says

US has placed itself 'at the forefront of aggression', IRGC warns

Images show trucks departing Iranian nuclear facility before US attack

Four IRGC members killed in Israeli attack in Iran

US, Israel 'blew up' diplomacy, Iran's foreign minister says

What should Australians in Israel and Iran do?

READ MORE

'Illegal aggression': Oman criticises US over Iran strike

'Various possibilities' for Iran's potential response

Lebanon has no interest in 'being dragged into regional confrontation', PM says

IDF provides more details on its recent attacks in Iran

EU leaders to meet on Monday to discuss US strikes on Iran

READ MORE

Iran considering 'withdrawing from the NPT and closing the Strait of Hormuz'

READ MORE

Reaction to strikes continues rolling in

Nuclear watchdog calls emergency meeting

Iran 'may not know the level of damage that has taken place'

Sixteen people injured in Iranian strikes on Israel, emergency services say

Full Iranian response 'may take weeks or months'

Trump's strike on Iran divides US politicans along party lines

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The US attack on Iran's nuclear facilities and its aftermath — as it happened

Iranian officials have pushed back on United States President Donald Trump's claim that "Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated" by US strikes.

As we wrap up our live coverage, here's where things stand

Trump 'betrayed' Iran and 'we have to respond', Iranian FM says

Little nuclear material hit by US strikes on Isfahan facility, UN watchdog says

US has placed itself 'at the forefront of aggression', IRGC warns

Images show trucks departing Iranian nuclear facility before US attack

Four IRGC members killed in Israeli attack in Iran

US, Israel 'blew up' diplomacy, Iran's foreign minister says

What should Australians in Israel and Iran do?

READ MORE

'Illegal aggression': Oman criticises US over Iran strike

'Various possibilities' for Iran's potential response

Lebanon has no interest in 'being dragged into regional confrontation', PM says

IDF provides more details on its recent attacks in Iran

EU leaders to meet on Monday to discuss US strikes on Iran

READ MORE

Iran considering 'withdrawing from the NPT and closing the Strait of Hormuz'

READ MORE

Reaction to strikes continues rolling in

Nuclear watchdog calls emergency meeting

Iran 'may not know the level of damage that has taken place'

Sixteen people injured in Iranian strikes on Israel, emergency services say

Full Iranian response 'may take weeks or months'

Trump's strike on Iran divides US politicans along party lines

previous

1of4

next

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