War in the Middle East: USA attacks Iranian nuclear facilities

June 22, 2025, 6:44 AM |

Reading time: 5 min.

Donald Trump informs about the attack on Iran, accompanied by Vice President J. D. Vance (left), Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (right). — Donald Trump provides information on the attack on Iran, accompanied by Vice President J.D. Vance (left), Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (right). (Photo: Carlos Barria/AP)

Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan are “completely and totally destroyed,” US President Trump declared in a speech to the nation.

An analysis by Fabian Fellmann

Donald Trump , who sees himself as a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, launched a triple attack on Iran on Sunday night Iranian time. It is the most serious clash between the two arch-enemies since 1979, when Iranian students took 52 Americans hostage.

International humanitarian law defines what constitutes war crimes. Nuclear facilities can also be legitimate military targets, says international law expert Christoph Safferling—but only under certain conditions.