US House Speaker Mike Johnson said President Donald Trump gave Iran every opportunity to reach a new nuclear deal, but Tehran refused to disarm. He said the US air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22, 2025, were aimed at preventing Tehran from developing its “most lethal weapon” – a nuclear arsenal. Johnson’s statement, made in an interview with US media, underscores Washington’s strategic goal of escalating a conflict that threatens the stability of the Middle East.

The US strikes hit key Iranian nuclear complexes, including the underground Fordow facility and centres in Natanz and Isfahan. Western sources said the attacks involved B-2 Spirit bombers capable of carrying bunker busters and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from ships in the Persian Gulf. Iranian officials confirmed the attacks but said the facilities suffered no significant damage and the nuclear programme was still operational. The Iranian news agency ISNA said the early evacuation of personnel and the movement of materials had ruled out any risk of radiation contamination.

The conflict, which began in June 2025 with Israeli strikes on Iranian military infrastructure, escalated into a series of mutual attacks. The United States, supporting Israel, joined the operation, citing the need to stop Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Johnson emphasized that Trump offered Iran a diplomatic path, including a revision of the nuclear deal (JCPOA), but Tehran's refusal to compromise forced Washington to resort to force. According to American media, the negotiations initiated by the Trump administration have reached a dead end due to Iran's demands to lift sanctions without prior concessions.

Iran has strongly condemned the strikes, calling them “an act of piracy” and vowing retaliation. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has said it is prepared to attack U.S. bases in the region, including in Iraq and Bahrain, using ballistic missiles and drones. Tehran has in recent days conducted exercises near the Strait of Hormuz, rehearsing scenarios for blocking the key oil shipping route.

Analysts say Johnson's statement reflects the Trump administration's tough stance on applying maximum pressure on Iran. However, limited damage to nuclear facilities could encourage Tehran to accelerate its program in response to aggression. Iran has increased its production of enriched uranium and improved missile technology in recent years, making it more resilient to external pressure. At the same time, economic sanctions and domestic protests pose additional challenges for the Iranian government.

The US strikes, justified by Johnson as a response to the nuclear threat, highlight the failure of diplomatic efforts and put the region on the brink of a full-scale conflict. As Tehran prepares to retaliate and the US and Israel increase their military presence, the chances for a peaceful settlement are fading.