US Strikes Iranian Nuclear Sites, Sparking Global Alarm and Market Turmoil
The United States conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities—Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz—escalating regional tensions. The action, part of a wider conflict involving Israel, triggered immediate global concern, with the UN warning against further retaliation. Oil prices surged and stock markets fell. The US issued a worldwide travel caution for its citizens, and anti-war protests erupted in American cities. Pakistan announced a national security meeting to discuss the situation.
Unpacked:
Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz are central to Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. Targeting these sites was intended to degrade Iran’s capacity to develop nuclear weapons, as they house uranium enrichment and nuclear technology infrastructure crucial to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
As of now, Iran’s official response is developing, but regional actors like Pakistan have expressed deep concern and convened emergency security meetings. The UN warned against further escalation, and many nations urged restraint to prevent a broader conflict.
The strikes caused oil prices to surge and stock markets to fall, reflecting fears of wider conflict in the Middle East. The US issued a worldwide travel caution, warning citizens of potential risks abroad due to heightened anti-American sentiment and instability.
The airstrikes followed the outbreak of the Iran–Israel war, which began on June 13, 2025, with Israeli strikes on Iran. The US intervention marks its first direct military action in this conflict, escalating regional tensions significantly.