After US bombs Iran's Fordow nuclear web site as regional battle escalates one query looms

[ad_1] NEW Now you can hearken to Fox Information articles!

Till Saturday evening, the world waited to see whether or not President Donald Trump would be part of Israel’s marketing campaign in opposition to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Now we've the reply.

In a televised tackle from the White Home, President Trump referred to as the strikes a " spectacular military success " and a "historic second for the USA, Israel, and the world." He confirmed that Fordow—Iran’s deeply buried nuclear enrichment web site close to Qom—was among the many targets, and warned, "There are a lot of targets left." His message was clear: Iran should "make peace or face tragedy far better than we've witnessed during the last eight days."

The U.S. has struck decisively. Whether or not the strike succeeds in halting Iran’s nuclear program —because the president boldly claims—stays to be seen. What is obvious is that the geopolitical fuse is lit, and the results are simply starting.

Was There Clear Justification?

To date, the administration has not supplied public proof that Iran was mere "weeks away" from constructing a nuclear bomb, because the White Home press secretary alleged. That declare might have helped justify the strike, nevertheless it rests extra on assumption than on agency intelligence.

President Donald J. Trump in The State of affairs Room, June 21, 2025 (The White Home by way of X)

TRUMP ADDRESSES NATION ON 'SPECTACULAR MILITARY SUCCESS' OF US STRIKES ON IRANIAN NUCLEAR FACILITIES

Sure, Iran has enriched uranium to close weapons-grade ranges—however that alone doesn't make a bomb. Tehran nonetheless must grasp warhead design, detonator synchronization, reentry shielding, and supply programs. There isn't a verified proof it has carried out so.

As I wrote for Fox News final week, bombs can destroy services—however they can not erase information. Lots of Iran’s scientists are nonetheless alive, and their motivation might now be stronger than ever.

Iran Will Select to Combat

Tehran now faces a alternative: capitulate or retaliate. Primarily based on historical past, ideology, and tradition, the chances overwhelmingly favor retaliation.

Give up is antithetical to Iran’s revolutionary mindset. The Islamic Republic has endured warfare, sanctions, and sabotage. Its management interprets resistance as divine obligation. This strike might have weakened Iran’s enrichment infrastructure, however it can doubtless strengthen the regime’s resolve.

MISDIRECTION AND 'DECEPTION' LIKELY KEY IN TRUMP ADMIN’S SURPRISE IRAN STRIKE

Iran retains intensive capabilities: ballistic missiles, world proxy networks, cyber weapons, and elite paramilitary forces. This isn't the tip—it's the starting of a brand new part.

4 Probably Iranian Responses

Regional assaults on U.S. property : Iran will doubtless goal American navy bases and diplomatic posts in Iraq, Syria, and the Gulf states by means of proxy militias like Kataib Hezbollah or the Houthis. Any U.S. casualties may pressure a wider warfare. Disruption of oil routes : Iran may try to dam or threaten the Strait of Hormuz , a chokepoint for almost 20% of the world’s oil. Even a brief disruption may ship world power costs hovering. Strikes on U.S. allies : Anticipate missile assaults or proxy assaults on Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and particularly Israel. Iran’s allies in Lebanon, Syria, and Gaza are doubtless already getting ready. Uneven assaults overseas : Iran’s world community of operatives contains sleeper cells in Latin America, Europe, and presumably the U.S. If Tehran believes it has little to lose, civilian targets and cyber infrastructure could also be in its crosshairs. Was This a Strategic Miscalculation?

If President Trump acted with out strong intelligence, the chance is actual: that we've provoked an extended warfare on shaky grounds. Not like the Iraq invasion in 2003 , Iran’s enrichment program is real—however neutralizing it with airstrikes alone won't work. This warfare, if it escalates, won't be fought on our phrases.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION

What's extra, the strike may backfire politically inside Iran. Reasonably than destabilizing the regime, it could unify it. Public humiliation of key websites like Fordow performs instantly into the regime’s "Nice Devil" narrative, fueling nationalism and quelling dissent.

Put together for a Shadow Battle

The U.S. and its allies should now pivot shortly to containment, deterrence, and resilience. Air defenses should be bolstered. Cyber infrastructure should be secured. Intelligence businesses should observe Iranian networks overseas. And most significantly, diplomatic channels should stay open—to allies and, when attainable, to adversaries.

This isn't the time for complacency. It's a time for clear technique, disciplined management, and vigilance.

After the Applause, the Reckoning

The deed is completed. Iran’s nuclear websites lie in ruins—however its will to retaliate isn't. President Trump’s triumphant tone— " Fordow is gone ," he declared—might play properly politically, nevertheless it additionally dangers underestimating a hardened adversary.

Iran has absorbed assassinations, sanctions, and cyberattacks. It has endured warfare and isolation. What it has not carried out—what it's unlikely to do now—is surrender.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The American individuals should be ready—not only for victory narratives, however for volatility. The battlefield forward is uneven, unpredictable, and world. It is going to check not solely our military however our knowledge.

The query now's not whether or not we acted. The query is: Was it price the fee?

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM ROBERT MAGINNIS

Robert Maginnis is a retired US Military officer and the writer of 12 books, together with his most up-to-date, " <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Preparing-World-War-III-Redefines/dp/1948014858/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OOYKYVN1QAK9&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.R0Z2m6XTFAmBoQKH6K6R06qxMUTAwGCjtLdzIk-cPJy1X_BR5i2rc6f9VHC0yJsYZBs7UhMwIl_rGv0ysHapvL02MzGchQPDZBxiYFFbyefkvCJdjZSMrL3regq_xlmuA1obgRKPCnNp9wB-DPvi9vArwJ_vWcfOXbIcsN77bTlByKpOZf6neiH9fuycGV4xL_08PD1-eMkkvhaP40GPtSEzQ-Zk7h8Ue-1SNUUns54.9UqfW4c58hqmU0ZFSKSb4LHlGjqTcrl2dcCqkoqkqmo&dib_tag=se&keywords=preparing+for+world+war+iii&qid=1744464424&sprefix=preparing+for+world+war+iii%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Preparing for World War III " (2024).