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What to know
- U.S. ATTACKS IRAN: The United States entered the conflict between Israel and Iran over the weekend, with American warplanes and submarines targeting three Iranian facilities in Iran: Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.
- DETAILS OF STRIKES: The strike, dubbed Iran Operation Midnight Hammer, involved more than 125 U.S. military aircraft.
- RISK OF ESCALATION: Iran has vowed to respond, saying it “reserves all options.” Trump warned Iranian retaliation against U.S. assets "will be met with even greater force than what was unleashed today."
- RETALIATORY STRIKES: Iran launched a missile barrage into Israel this morning, causing damage and injuries in Tel Aviv, while Iran's allies in Yemen, the Houthis, said they will join Iran in retaliation.
- U.S. DEBATE: Democrats have questioned the legality of the strikes, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., saying, “No president should be allowed to unilaterally march this nation into something as consequential as war with erratic threats and no strategy.”
- HUNDREDS KILLED: In the 10 days since the conflict started, Israeli strikes have killed at least 400 people in Iran and injured 3,000, according to Iran’s health ministry. Iran’s retaliatory strikes have killed at least 24 in Israel.
Israel says it attacked six Iranian airports
The Israeli military said it had attacked six airports in western, eastern and central Iran, destroying 15 aircraft and helicopters as part of its “effort to deepen air superiority in Iranian skies.”
“The strikes damaged runways, underground bunkers, a refueling aircraft, and F-14, F-5, and AH-1 aircraft belonging to the Iranian regime,” the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. “The aircraft that were destroyed were intended for use against Air Force aircraft and to thwart their attacks on Iranian territory.”
“The Air Force disrupted the ability to take off from these airports and the operation of the Iranian army’s air power from them,” the statement added.
Israel says it's striking military targets in Iranian city of Kermanshah
The Israel Defense Forces said the air force is currently striking military infrastructure sites in Kermanshah, a city of about a million people in western Iran.
North Korea condemns U.S. attack on Iran
North Korea “strongly” condemned the U.S. attack on Iran, one of its only allies, calling it a violation of sovereignty.
The attack “violently trampled down the territorial integrity and security interests of a sovereign state,” a spokesperson for the North Korean foreign ministry said in a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency.
The spokesperson said the instability in the Middle East was caused by Israel, which has “promoted its unilateral interests through ceaseless war moves and territorial expansion” and by “the Western-style free order that has tolerated and encouraged it.”
The international community “should raise the voice of unanimous censure and rejection against the U.S. and Israel’s confrontational acts,” the spokesperson said.
New York City authorities 'on heightened alert,' mayor says
Mayor Eric Adams said New York City police are on "heightened alert" amid concerns of retaliation on American soil following U.S. strikes on Iran.
“There are no notable threats directly to the city, but you always want to be conscious of lone wolves," Adams said in an interview tonight.
Police are collaborating with federal authorities and will pay extra attention to locations tied to Jewish and Persian communities, as well as any that may draw the wider public, such as Times Square, he said.
"We want to make sure no lone wolf attacks happen at those locations," Adams said.
City authorities are also aware of warnings about a possible Iranian cyberattack on U.S.-based networks, he said.
But city leaders don't want New Yorkers to become so fearful that they don't go outdoors.
"Public safety is his top priority here in the city, and we want New Yorkers to go about their business," Kaz Daughtry, the deputy mayor for public safety, said in a separate interview.
Authorities will monitor potential threats, collaborate with state and federal partners and deploy where necessary, Adams said. At the same time, he said members of the public can help by reporting suspicious activity.
"We are stepping up," Adams said. "What we are doing — we are on heightened alert."
Trump claims the biggest damage to nuclear sites happened below ground
Trump said the biggest damage done to the nuclear sites happened “far below ground level.”
“Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
It was not immediately clear which satellite images Trump was referring to. NBC News cannot independently verify the level of damage.
Earlier today, satellite imagery capture by Planet Labs PBC showed damage to the Fordo nuclear site. An analysis by The Associated Press found some damage to the site, but the extent was not immediately clear. An Iranian MP disputed Trump’s claim that the site was “obliterated,” saying it had not been seriously damaged.
Why presidents’ ordering military action without Congress’ approval has become routine
Trump’s decision to order strikes in Iran — among the most consequential he has made as commander in chief — is the latest example of a U.S. president’s taking military action without first seeking congressional approval. And experts say that, while his power over American armed forces isn’t absolute, there’s most likely little lawmakers will do.
Trump is supposed to submit to Congress a legal justification for having bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities within 48 hours after the operation began. Unlike tangible consequences Trump has faced for other moves in which he tested the bounds of executive power — such as court rulings against him — any price he might pay for this decision would largely play out in the American political arena and on the world stage, where the U.S. reputation is on the line.
“Presidents over the last 25 years have certainly been stretching the envelope of presidential authority to use force,” John Bellinger, adjunct senior fellow for international and national security law at the Council on Foreign Relations, told NBC News. “Using force more and more, deploying the military more and more, without congressional authority — and Congress, with a few persistent objectors, has simply acquiesced in that.”
Iranian state media says attacks, explosions reported in various areas of country
Three Iranian state media outlets — Nour News, Tasmin News and Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting — reported air defense activity, attacks and explosions happening in various locations in the country.
There were Israeli aerial attacks on Parchin, southeast of Tehran, and air defense activity in northern Tehran, according to Nour News, which posted updates to Telegram.
Tasmin News reported that air defense activity occurred in the city of Karaj, west of Tehran. Massive explosion sounds were also heard in Karaj and Baghestan, according to IRIB.
IDF says Iran has launched another round of missiles toward Israel
Trump says B-2 pilots have landed back in the U.S.
Trump said the pilots who flew the B-2s over Iran landed safely in Missouri.
“Thank you for a job well done!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Bitcoin sinks below $99,000 as U.S. strikes on Iran trigger crypto market sell-off
Bitcoin fell to its lowest level since May over the weekend as rising tensions in the Middle East and renewed inflation fears triggered a sharp selloff across digital assets.
Bitcoin dropped below the $99,000 mark today — its lowest point in more than a month — as the crypto market became the first to react to escalating geopolitical risk.
Bitcoin is trading around $99,380, down more than 2% over the past 24 hours, while ether has dropped 5%, to below $2,200. Solana, XRP and dogecoin also posted sharp losses, dragging the entire crypto complex deep into the red.
The selloff appears to be a combination of geopolitical shock and macroeconomic concern.
Iran has reportedly threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz — a vital shipping lane that handles about 20% of global oil supply. JPMorgan warns that a full closure could drive oil prices as high as $130 per barrel.
