US Strikes Iran Nuclear Sites; Trump Address & Evacuations Underway
Early on June 22, US President Donald Trump confirmed precision airstrikes on Iran’s key nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan using B-2 bombers with GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators. All aircraft returned safely. This US strike on Iran marks the first direct assault on Iranian soil in nearly 50 years. Trump will give a live national address at 10:00 Taiwan time to outline the operation’s “highly successful” outcome and global security implications.
The New York Times reports US action followed Israeli strikes that set back Iran’s nuclear program by only six months. US and Israeli forces coordinated closely, and former Israeli Defence Minister Gallant praised the joint effort. Security analysts warn that Iran’s underground facilities may survive bunker-buster bombs, leaving the nuclear program’s long-term status uncertain.
In response, the US Embassy in Tel Aviv has begun evacuating citizens, airlifting around 70 Americans to Athens. China, India and several European nations are also organizing withdrawals. Traders should monitor this escalation for potential spikes in geopolitical risk, energy prices and global market volatility. US strikes Iran and the planned Trump address could drive short-term shifts in risk assets and safe-haven flows.
Neutral
The US strikes Iran and ensuing Trump address may trigger short-term volatility in risk assets, including cryptocurrencies, as traders reassess geopolitical risk and safe-haven demand. A spike in energy prices could increase macro uncertainty, while the uncertainty over the strike’s effectiveness adds to market caution. In the longer term, if tensions de-escalate, markets may stabilize. Thus, the overall impact on crypto prices is expected to be neutral, with heightened volatility but no clear directional bias.