The U.S. Bombing of Iran in 2025: What’s Going On and Why It Matters

On June 21-22, 2025, the United States, under President Donald Trump, launched unprecedented airstrikes on three of Iran’s nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—marking a direct military intervention in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. This action represents a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, as Trump had previously pledged to avoid military involvement in major foreign wars.

Contents hide

Why is the U.S. Bombing Iran?

1. Preventing Iran’s Nuclear Weapon Development:

2. Supporting Israel’s Regional Security:

3. Geopolitical Pressure and Domestic Politics:

Iran’s Reaction

What Will the U.S. Gain from Participating in the Israel-Iran War?

Strategic Gains:

Economic Gains:

Political Gains:

Risks and Critical Perspective

Conclusion

Why is the U.S. Bombing Iran?

Recent reports indicate that the U.S. has conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan—using B-2 stealth bombers and GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker-busting bombs. These strikes, which began around June 2025, mark a direct U.S. military intervention alongside Israel’s ongoing campaign against Iran’s nuclear program. The stated reasons for these attacks include:

1. Preventing Iran’s Nuclear Weapon Development:

Israel and the U.S. claim the strikes aim to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, which Israel considers an existential threat. The Biden administration has long stated that a nuclear-armed Iran is unacceptable, and these strikes align with that policy. The targeted facilities, like Fordo, are deeply fortified and central to Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities, making them high-priority targets for disrupting Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

pic.twitter.com/wu9mMkxtUg

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2025

2. Supporting Israel’s Regional Security:

The U.S. has historically backed Israel, its key ally in the Middle East, and these strikes are framed as part of that commitment. Israel initiated attacks on Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, and the U.S. joined to amplify the impact, particularly with advanced weaponry like bunker-busters that Israel lacks in sufficient quantity.

The escalation followed Iran’s retaliatory missile strikes on Israel, prompting U.S. involvement to intercept missiles and deter further Iranian aggression.

3. Geopolitical Pressure and Domestic Politics:

Some sources suggest the U.S. intervention aligns with broader geopolitical goals, including countering Iran’s influence in the region, which extends through proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis. The timing, under President Trump’s administration in 2025, may also reflect domestic political pressures to project strength and support Israel, especially among certain U.S. voter bases.

Trump’s public statements, such as claiming the strikes “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program, emphasize a narrative of decisive action, though Iran denies significant damage or contamination.

However, the quote you referenced casts doubt on the efficacy of these actions. Bombing nuclear sites may delay Iran’s program but risks escalating tensions, as Iran has vowed retaliation, warning of “everlasting consequences.” This raises questions about whether military force can achieve the stated goal of regional stability or if it perpetuates a cycle of violence, as the quote implies.

Iran’s Reaction

🔥 Retaliatory Missile Strikes:
Iran launched multiple missiles targeting Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa, shortly after the U.S. bombing of its nuclear sites.
⚠️ Threats to U.S. Forces:
Iran warned of strikes against U.S. naval vessels in the Gulf and threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz to Western military ships.
🛡️ IRGC Statement:
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed “regrettable responses”, hinting at broader military action against U.S. bases in the region.
🌐 Diplomatic Moves:
Iran is preparing to file a formal complaint at the United Nations and has sent diplomats to Russia for consultations.
🧨 Escalation Likely:
Tehran declared that its retaliation would be “precise and fierce,” signaling the potential for continued conflict in the coming days.

What Will the U.S. Gain from Participating in the Israel-Iran War?

The potential benefits for the U.S. in joining Israel’s conflict with Iran are speculative and depend on strategic, economic, and political outcomes. Here are the possible gains, alongside the risks, viewed through a critical lens:

Strategic Gains:

- Weakening Iran’s Nuclear Capability:
  - If the strikes significantly set back Iran’s nuclear program, the U.S. could claim a strategic victory in preventing a nuclear-armed adversary. This would bolster Israel’s security and maintain U.S. dominance in the Middle East.
- Countering Iran’s Regional Influence:
  - Degrading Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure could limit its ability to support proxies like Hezbollah, reducing its leverage in conflicts in Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.
- Strengthening U.S.-Israel Alliance:
  - Direct military support reinforces the U.S.-Israel partnership, ensuring continued influence over Israeli policy and access to strategic bases in the region.

Economic Gains:

- Defense Industry Boost: .
  - U.S. defense contractors, such as those producing B-2 bombers and GBU-57 bombs, benefit from increased military spending and potential arms sales to allies like Israel and Gulf states.
- Energy Market Influence:
  - Strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure, as reported, could disrupt its oil exports, potentially raising global oil prices. This could benefit U.S. energy exporters while pressuring Iran economically.
  - However, the quote’s critique applies here: bombing may destabilize energy markets further, harming global economies, including the U.S., if Iran retaliates by targeting oil facilities or shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz.

Political Gains:

- Domestic Support:
  - Trump’s administration may gain favor among pro-Israel constituencies and voters who prioritize a hardline stance against Iran.
- Global Leadership Perception:
  - Successful strikes could project U.S. military prowess, reinforcing its role as a global superpower willing to act decisively.

Risks and Critical Perspective

Experts warn the strikes could provoke Iran to retaliate by:

Closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil passage.
Attacking U.S. military bases and allies in the region.
Intensifying missile attacks on Israel.
Mobilizing proxy forces against American and Israeli interests worldwide
The conflict risks escalating into a broader, prolonged war reminiscent of past U.S. engagements in the Middle East.
The Pentagon is on high alert, reinforcing U.S. forces in the region to prepare for possible Iranian retaliation.

Conclusion

The U.S. is bombing Iran primarily to support Israel’s campaign against Iran’s nuclear program, driven by strategic goals of preventing a nuclear-armed Iran, countering its regional influence, and reinforcing the U.S.-Israel alliance. Potential gains include enhanced security for Israel, economic benefits for U.S. defense and energy sectors, and political capital for the Trump administration. However, the quote “Bombing for peace is like fucking for virginity” encapsulates the skepticism surrounding these actions. The strikes risk escalating into a wider war, destabilizing the region, and undermining long-term peace, as military solutions often fail to address the root causes of conflict. The U.S. may achieve short-term tactical victories but could face significant blowback, aligning with the quote’s critique of paradoxical violence.