U.S. bombs Iranian nuclear sites

Perceived Strategic Rationale and Motives

• Many see the strike as serving Israeli interests first, with the US acting as enabler or “client,” especially given prior Israeli lobbying for a Fordow strike.
• Others argue it serves broader US goals: preventing a “second North Korea,” avoiding a Middle Eastern nuclear domino (Iran → Saudi → Turkey → Egypt), and protecting oil flows and the dollar-based order.
• A more cynical camp frames it as driven by the military‑industrial complex, imperial control of trade routes, and punishing Iran’s China ties and regional proxy network.

Legality, Process, and Democratic Oversight

• Multiple comments stress that Congress did not declare war; the US is again operating via expansive interpretations of the War Powers Resolution and old AUMFs.
• Some describe this as a further erosion of the post‑WW2 rules-based order and US constitutional norms; others note this “bug” has been exploited for decades.

Status of Iran’s Nuclear Program and the JCPOA

• Thread participants agree Iran had significant 60% enriched uranium (IAEA‑reported), far beyond civilian needs but below formal “weapons‑grade.”
• Intelligence assessments cited in the thread said as recently as early 2025 that Iran was not building a bomb, though it was close to “breakout” capability.
• Strong dispute over the 2015 nuclear deal: one side says it effectively froze the program and Trump’s withdrawal made this crisis inevitable; critics say it only delayed weaponization while funding Iran’s proxies.

Military and Technical Debate (GBU‑57, Fordow, Fallout)

• Long subthreads dissect whether the GBU‑57 “Massive Ordnance Penetrator” was used, how deep it can penetrate, and whether B‑2s were required.
• Some claim Fordow (≈300 ft under rock) is likely destroyed; others say available penetration data suggests at best severe damage or entrance collapse.
• Several note the lack of confirmed radiological release and stress that HEU and UF₆ make poor “dirty bomb” materials compared to other radiological or chemical agents.

Regional Consequences and Proliferation

• Many argue the strike will increase incentives for Iran (and others) to seek nuclear deterrence, citing Ukraine, Libya, and North Korea as cautionary examples.
• Others believe it meaningfully sets back an inevitable weapons program and may prevent a wider regional arms race.

Iranian Domestic Dynamics and Endgame

• Views diverge: some predict regime destabilization or eventual collapse; others say external attack will rally the population around the leadership.
• Widespread skepticism that bombing alone can “solve” the problem without diplomacy, and fear of sliding into another open‑ended US‑Middle East conflict.